Category Archives: Favors and Gifts

Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

Holiday Gift Guide: For Him :: via Ultimate Bridesmaid

Men are so hard to shop for. Dads, brothers, boyfriends…all utter enigmas. Every year I tell my boyfriend that he basically just has to buy me things that are pretty or shiny and I will like them. There is no “pretty, shiny” equivalent for men. I guess maybe electronics could be a go-to category, but I think it’s a recipe for disaster to have a techno-illiterate (this girl) purchasing gadgets. So here are my suggestions for some pretty safe bets for that gentleman in your life. And none of them beep or light up.

1. Wool smartphone gloves. Did you know that there are gloves that you can keep on and still operate your iPhone?! I told my boyfriend, Andrew, about these recently, thinking I had like discovered a new element, and he was like, “oh, yeah, those have been around for awhile.” Why don’t I have a pair then?? If your gentleman does not, correct this problem stat.

2. iPad case. I love this wool and leather version in manly charcoal grey from A Mano.

3. Menscience Post-Shave Repair. Perfect for calming razor burn and probably something he wouldn’t splurge on himself.

4. Seamless and Steadfast Enamel Steel Cups. Andrew prefers to drink everything from a coffee mug. Why not one he can light on fire? Plus, I love the retro World War II-era design.

5. Concert tickets. Find out when his favorite band will be in a venue near you. Now you’ve got a date night on the books that he’ll definitely enjoy.

6. Carcassonne. Andrew actually got this game for me last year, but it turned out to be a gift for both of us because we play it so often. It’s our go-to two-person game. Once you learn how to play, it’s very simple but totally engrossing, lasts less than an hour (unlike soooome games, Monopoly) and we’re not burned out on it after a year of play!

7. Boxers and socks. This seems boring, but as I get older, I’ve realized that useful gifts are sometimes the most exciting. Plus, the one year that Andrew didn’t get his boxers and socks from his sister-in-law, Christmas was basically ruined. (I love these fair isle ones from the Gap!)

Check out my guide for the Entertainer in your life, and beauty and food finds are to come!

**I am not sponsored by any of the companies or products mentioned above and this post does not contain affiliate links. I just like this stuff.

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Entertainer

Hostess gifts can double as awesome stocking stuffers for those who like to entertain. Here are my go-to gift ideas to bring along to a party or wrap up for the one who is always ready to party.

1. Placemats. I have a minor addiction to the graphic placemats from Crate and Barrel. My boyfriend recently refinished our dining room table and I’m now incredibly paranoid that it’s going to get messed up. I don’t want to hide the beautiful wood under a tablecloth, so cute placemats are the perfect solution. I would literally change them every day if possible. It gives a whole new feeling to the room!

2. Coasters. I am also addicted to coasters. This makes it seem like I’m really worried about stains, but I actually am not. I think I just love having objects that are both quirky or pretty and useful. Plus, they’re an incredibly affordable way to add style to a room. I just bought these wood ones from West Elm for the holidays and love them. And this marble travel-inspired set from Anthropologie is now on my “want” list.

3. “Champagne is Always the Answer” print. Because it is. Runner up: “More Gin Please”.

4. Cute kitchen towels. Holidays = messes, so who doesn’t need a few more kitchen towels? I love these coastal cottage tea towels inspired by rural English villages.

5. Vacu Vin Wine Saver. While a bottle of wine is always appreciated, there’s always that one bottle that someone opened and poured one glass from. Enter wine savers! These are constantly in use in my house. The pump simply sucks out the excess air in the bottle, keeping your wine fresh a bit longer.

6. A board game. If their dinner parties usually end with a game, add to their collection with one of your favorites. My friend Kathleen swears by Cards Against Humanity, described as a game for “despicable and awkward people.”

Gifts guides for Beauty and Relaxation, the Foodie and the always impossible Man in Your Life to come!

**I am not sponsored by any of the companies or products mentioned above and this post does not contain affiliate links. I just like this stuff.

Wine Basket Bridal Shower Gift + Printable Poem Gift Tags

Today, I’m so excited to bring you a series of printable poem gift tags, perfect for a wine basket bridal shower gift. This is a great gift to team up on with a couple friends. You can split the cost of 8 bottles of wine (at least one should be champagne!) and then add a poem gift tag to each bottle so the bride has a wine collection ready for the milestones of her first year of marriage.

Printable Poem Gift Tags for Bridal Shower Wine Basket | Ultimate Bridesmaid

When I decided to embark on this project, I knew my friend Amanda was the perfect person to collaborate with—she is absolutely the master of writing cute little poems. (When I was in her wedding, she wrote a poem for each bridesmaid, talking about how special our friendship was to her.)

Printable Poem Gift Tags for Bridal Shower Wine Basket | Ultimate Bridesmaid

We looked at similar projects around the web and both agreed that we didn’t like certain events that were commonly used for this gift. We thought First Fight was weird (“Yay, we’re married and we fought!”) and we agreed that Christmas and New Year’s were kind of lame, especially since it’s likely you’ve already spent a few of these holidays with your significant other before you get hitched. We liked the idea of celebrating the first baby, but didn’t like how most poems for this event were designed so that the lady didn’t get to drink anything! We decided that we could get around this by reserving the baby bottle of wine for right when you decide to start trying to get pregnant or for after baby is born! We brainstormed different life events that merited a bottle of wine and came up with a list of eight options: Wedding Night, Honeymoon, First Anniversary, First House, First Baby, First Dinner Party, New Job and Just Because!

For the tag design, I experimented with some of my favorite color palettes—some sunset-inspired shades, then neons, and finally metallics paired with warm neutrals. But when I tried them on wine bottles, I really didn’t like how the colors clashed with the shades of the glass. I finally decided to pull colors from the bottles themselves and landed on four shades of green and violet that would complement the natural colors of wine. (My color choices are also inspired by Pantone’s shades of 2014.) I added a geometric triangle at the edge for a bit of a visual pop. What do you think?

IMPORTANT NOTE: To print these to make your own bridal shower wine basket, you should download the PDF from the link below. It will give you the best resolution and most clear type—the jpegs used throughout this post are just to show you the design, but are too small and will pixelate if you print at full size.

Print from this link for the best results: Wine Basket Printable Poem Gift Tag PDF

I hope you love! And if you want to design your own tags, you can find the full text of the poems after the jump.

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Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30: Our Favorite Bags and Jewelry from Etsy

Many brides like to choose bridesmaid gifts that their maids can wear to their wedding, but I also love the idea of just choosing something fun that you know your girls will love and that they can mix into their daily ensemble. Bags and jewelry are always welcome—what girl doesn’t love a handy new tote or a little extra sparkle? Plus, one size fits all and lots of Etsy vendors allow you to purchase assortments of different colors and prints. We rounded up our favorite bridesmaid gifts under $30 from Etsy.

You got a diamond, so why shouldn’t they? I’m quite taken with this stunning little bamboo ring (and it will be way more affordable than your rock, at $19.92).diamond bamboo rings | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate BridesmaidBrighten up their day with this soft vegan leather foldover clutch accented with a punch of neon yellow (and it’s a steal at only $26). 
neon clutch | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate Bridesmaid

I’m loving the bold graphic statement of these leather cuffs ($18), laser cut with tribal patterns (and perfect with jeans and a chambray shirt, don’t you think?). tribal leather cuffs | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate BridesmaidYou can never, ever have too many totes, especially delicate arrow-printed ones, made from recycled organic cotton ($24.50). arrow tote | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate BridesmaidMix and match these enamel-dipped brass feather hairpins with their favorite colors. Can’t you just see them tucked into a loose braid? ($10 each, plus buy 3 get one free!) (similar here)feather hair clips | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate Bridesmaid

Looking for a cute bag to stuff with bridesmaid survival gear? Look no further. Dotted with stars and trees, this linen pouch will double as a stylish makeup bag after your big day ($29.94). bag trees and stars | Etsy Bridesmaid Gifts Under $30 | Ultimate Bridesmaid

A Sunshine and Wine Bridal Party Luncheon

Bride Jess went above and beyond for her bridal party luncheon with a wine tasting at Firestone Vineyards near Santa Barbara, California. Cheerful sunflowers dotted the tables in the outdoor picnic area as the ladies sipped citrusy izze sodas and noshed on cheese plates, one seriously impressive submarine sandwich and delicate French macarons. And can we talk about the bride’s style? I’m crushing over her cream knit lace dress and asymmetric bauble necklace. Photographer Nicole of Sorella Muse couldn’t help but enjoy herself throughout the wedding weekend as Jess encouraged her to take time out to just be in the moment—Nicole even gave a speech at the rehearsal dinner! Jess ended the bridal luncheon with a special gift bag for each of her maids—get the full list of her stylish picks below!

A Sunshine and Wine Bridal Party Luncheon | Ultimate Bridesmaid | Sorella Muse Photography Venue: Firestone Vineyard

Photography: Sorella Muse Photography

Catering: Succulent Cafe

In the bridesmaid gift bags: Stella and Dot soiree stud earrings, TOMS in Earthwise Pink, Arden Living candle in lemon ginger, essie nail polish, BCBGeneration neon yellow LA tank, and monogrammed button-down for bridal prep!

Nautical Bridal Shower Inspiration

Earlier this week, I put together a nautical inspiration board for my friend Rosie over at TrueBlu...and I just couldn’t stop. I set into a kind of blue-and-white-striped frenzy, during which I seriously began to consider incorporating lobster art and a giant marquee anchor light into my home decor. Needless to say, I had more than enough inspiration for another board!

nautical inspiration board 2

I started with this amazing image of sea grasses and wildflowers in colored glass bottles and I knew I had to bring in one of my all-time favorite J.Crew bridesmaid dress images, which was shot in Maine. From there, it was easy to run with the New England theme and add a lobster boil and a crisp cucumber cranberry Cape Codder cocktail (say that five times fast!). This adorable “dropping the anchor and tying the knot” tank and invitation make the perfect tagline for the shower and white and blue striped heels could class up a casual look. A chocolate tart with red and blue berries looks like a decadent end to the meal (but it’s paleo and vegan!), while this sea clay beauty set makes the perfect favor.

The inspiration doesn’t stop there. Check out my Nautical Pinterest board or hop over to TrueBlu to see my first nautical inspiration board, complete with Mastbrother’s anchor-printed chocolates (my kind of party favor!) and a recipe for firecracker ice pops.

Do I Have to Open Gifts at My Bridal Shower?

I recently came across an article on a popular bridal website about opening gifts at the shower. The reader asks if it’s necessary to open gifts at the shower and the writer replies “‘Fraid so, since receiving gifts—and opening them—is the main focus of a shower.” She then goes on to recommend that you “figure out a few gracious stock responses that you can use after unwrapping each gift (“Thank you so much—I love it!” or “Oh, wow—how gorgeous!” are good ones)” and maybe even “recruit a witty friend” to “oooh and ahhh where appropriate.”

HOLY HECK! This is the worst advice I’ve ever heard. Practice sounding appreciative?!? Stand in front of the mirror and repeat “Oh wow—how gorgeous” until it sounds sincere?!?! Recruit a “witty friend” to fill dead air?!?! Oh my GOD! Do not do this!

View More: http://dyannajoyphotography.pass.us/kellie-bridal-shower

Photo courtesy of Dyanna Joy Photography.

Saying that the purpose of a bridal shower is to receive and open gifts is like saying that receiving gifts is the purpose of any party—birthdays, housewarmings, graduation. It is not! The purpose of a shower should be to gather with all the women in your life to celebrate your upcoming marriage. Can gifts be involved? Of course! But making them the centerpiece of the shower is one of the reasons bridal showers have a bad rep. This is why people think showers are boring! No one likes watching people open presents for two hours.

Do I think you should open your gifts at the party? Yes, I do. Does everyone have to sit around you in a circle and ooh and ahh (possibly only because they have been selected as your witty friend, though how this is witty I don’t know)? Nope!

Here are some ideas for making gift opening more enjoyable for everyone and less awkward for you, all of which do not involve you acting fake or recruiting friends to save you when things get awkward.

  • Pick a gift from the gift table and then find the giver. Privately open it with the giver so they can see your reaction and so you can thank them right away, then place the open gift back on the table so others can see it if they’re interested in what you’re received. This eliminates the awkward “gift opening circle” but still allows you to show your appreciation to your guests for bringing a gift.
  • If you have only a few gifts to open, go ahead and do it all at once, but encourage guests to eat and drink while you’re opening. Have some music playing so that the mood is still festive and no one feels like the party has ground to a halt just because you’re opening gifts.
  • Open the gifts while standing by the gift table. Again, this encourages movement and will keep the guests from settling into boring present lethargy. It will be easy for you to run over and give someone a hug instead of those awkward sitting hugs. Ugh.
  • If you do want to recruit a helper, ask them to make this announcement (or make it yourself): “Carrie is going to open her gifts, but she really wants you all to keep having fun! Feel free to keep the party going if you’re not interested in how many blenders she’s going to receive!”

No matter how or when you open your gifts, I think it’s important to send a thank you note. Some people may find this old fashioned, but if you’ve ever received a thoughtful thank you note, you know how warm and fuzzy it makes you feel. Make sure the women in your life know that you appreciate them by sending a note that thanks them for coming to your shower, mentions their gift and shows them how much you love it.