Host & Hostess Gift Guide 2013

I’ve taken a break from blogging over the past few months – our family needs have come as a first priority – but I did want to pop in with a holiday post. Last year I posted a host & hostess gift guide and wanted to do another this year, so here it goes…

Even with my good intentions, I must admit that we continue to basically be wine givers when it comes to host & hostess gifts. Although…we did manage to bring a bottle of bourbon for a couple who loves a good drink on the rocks. So, maybe that’s progress! I think most party hosts would love to receive any of these gifts and I’m still going to make a good effort to branch out from the wine cellar when attending events at other people’s homes this year!

Hostess Gift Guide 2013

1. Tray from Target – I absolutely love the graphic nature of this tray and think it could work nearly anywhere in your house – the office, a guest room, a tiny bar in the living room.

2. Decanter Tags from Anthropologie – the bar cart trend shows no signs of stopping but when your liquors are stored in beautiful decanters it can be difficult to remember which is the rum and which is the vodka. Mr. Lemon and I purchased these for our own bar and we’re in love. Although I would have liked to stumble across a vintage set, you really can’t beat these for the price.

3. Fujifilm Instax Camera – a little on the pricier side of host gifts, these cameras are just too much fun and would be perfect for a family gathering or NYE party.

4. Set of Cards from Leif Designs – Leif Designs is local in my hometown of Grand Rapids and I can’t get enough of her beautiful calligraphy. And I love trying to get people to write letters again!

5. DIY Mini Copper Planters – Poppytalk show a lovely and fairly easy DIY that I think would be a great gift!

I’m off to finish my Christmas shopping. And decorating. And wrapping. Less than two weeks left? Oh boy.

I received no compensation for these endorsements – they are simply products I like. No affiliate links are included.

 

Advertisement
Posted in Entertaining Basics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, Mon Frere

rob 001a

Today would have been my brother-in-law’s 26th birthday.

Two and a half weeks ago, on Labor Day, Mr. Lemon and I received a phone call that his brother had been involved in a hit and run accident.  A vehicle hit Rob and his best friend on their tandem bicycle during an early morning ride.  Even though they were both wearing helmets, Rob died instantly and his girlfriend remains in critical condition.

Every day since that day has been surreal and this tragedy has still not sunk in as our new reality.  I cannot possibly believe that we will never see him again, laugh with him again, or share a hug with him again.  Life, painfully, continues to move on around us.  Although my head knows that time will help heal and dull the pain, my heart feels frozen.

Rob was full of life and overflowing with passion.  I could tell you that growing up, he was a skilled horseman.  Or that he always loved being outside and being active.  And that over the last several years, this translated into a love of bike riding and his plans to open a bicycle shop someday.

But none of that captures who he really was and will forever remain to those who knew him.  An individual who was determined to be himself no matter what others thought.  Someone who stood up for what he believed in.  A man who was less concerned with things and more concerned with love.  My brother and friend.  He will be missed daily.

Happy Birthday, mon frere Robert.

Posted in It's My life | 9 Comments

West Michigan Woman.com Post – Last Chance Summer

Check out my post on West Michigan Woman.com for my post on events to sneak in before the end of the summer!

http://westmichiganwoman.com/entertain/item/760-last-chance-summer-events

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment