How to be a Grateful Guest

Whether you've been invited to stay the weekend with some friends or invited to a holiday feast, lovely dinner party or BBQ, it's always important to bring something thoughtful for the host or hostess. As I mentioned in a previous post, it is polite to send a thank you card to the host after the event to both thank them for the invitation and to share what a great time you had with everyone (provided you actually did).

Particularly while being invited to either an intimate dinner, a holiday gathering or a dinner party, you'll want to bring a little something with you for your hard-working host. Try to select something that is practical and can be used or shared during the party itself.

If you're stuck for an idea other than a bottle of wine, here are a few below:

1. Dessert Wine- This is a great option for sophisticated wine lovers.

2. Gourmet Chocolates-I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate quality chocolate!

3. Fresh flowers w/ a vase (these don't have to be expensive, it's the thought that counts)

4. A box of specialty tea such as those individually packaged in little triangles or loose tea.

5. A couple of packages of fun napkins in a gift bag, or those with the family's monogram.

6. Wine charms-These help separate identical glasses so the guests will know which is theirs.

7. A Pet Gift- If you are close to the host/hostess and their pet is like a child to them, bring them a treat for their pet or something specific like a fun yet inexpensive new dog collar.

8. Dish Soap/Hand Lotion-These are practical and will get used. The ones in the photo above are from MarthaStewart.com. Other great sets can be found at Williams Sonoma or any major discount retailer.

9. Beautiful Napkin Set- Bring a set of 4-6 cloth napkins (depending on the size of their family).

10. DIY Crafty Gifts- If you're talented in the craft department and you know the host really well, do bring your own creation- a wreath, some homemade goodies, homemade herbed vinegars, etc.

These gifts do not have to cost a fortune. In fact, I keep a couple large gift boxes in a spare closet that house smaller items that I've found all year round. These items can be found during sales or clearances where they're worth $20 but you've paid less than $5 and you'll leave an impression. This also makes birthday, Christmas and hostess gifts a breeze. I also stock up on lots of thank you and other note cards that I've picked up on sale as well as stamps so I can send off a note in no time.

If you have been invited to a potluck and were asked to bring a specific item, in this case you've done your duty. Anything extra after that point is just strictly up to your own discretion but is not at all required as you are helping the host create her menu.

Here is a link to some great hostess gifts at ApartmentTherapy.com. Check them out!

If you have some great host/hostess gift ideas I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for reading!

XO

How to Add a Signature to Blog Posts

Have you ever wondered how to create a signature for your BLOGGER blog posts? It's so wonderful to create a customized look to make it feel more like your own.

Classy women share great ideas and tips with others so that they too can be successful. So, in the spirit of sharing I'm going to provide this link to 'Mom's Who Blog' so you too can get the instruction to create your own. It will take about 15 minutes. It took me longer because I somehow made it complicated for myself. When I didn't automatically see my signature on my existing posts, I thought I had done something wrong. In actual fact, when you add a signature it will only show up at the end of all of your new blog posts going forward.


The great thing is My Live Signature is an easy tool to actually create your signature with loads of fonts to choose from, the size and even an option for a slanted signature. Once yours is complete I highly encourage you to copy and paste the HTML text into a word document that you can store in a computer file. This will be used for your post signatures.



If you had always wanted a great signature for your email, they'll give you an option for that as well via various email programs including Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.


Have an awesome Monday!

Makeover Part Deux: My New Office Chair

It wouldn't be fair if I only TOLD you about my office chair and that you couldn't SEE it for yourself. I used the remnants of my fabric from this office chair transformation to complete the look of my vintage footstool, so it was very economical. Above is the finished set!

BEFORE: This chair was purchased on craigslist, I knew I could replace the fabric and it was in mint condition. Cost $30. Bought fabric from Calico Corners' sale for $4. Total= $34

The first photo is how I purchased the chair, then underneath the plaid was another layer of colorful fabric (which came with the chair when it was purchased by the original owner). It was very clean but did not match my decor. I wanted something in a transitional style fabric.



This was very simple to do. I measured out the fabric so there was about 3 inches all the way around an then started stapling each side from the middle towards the edges. Don't get too close to the edges though so you can create a little triangle to pull the corner fabric in. This will ensure that the corners look clean vs. bunched up.

I'm very pleased with my new chair!

Do you have a makeover that you are proud of? Share the link to your site/blog with us in the comments below!

Makeover Monday: Part 1-My Vintage Footstool Transformation

As I mentioned in Saturday's post, I have been working on a little footstool transformation. I took a vintage footstool that looked far too warn for our decor and revamped it! This footstool was handmade by my hubby's grandfather many years ago. While he is no longer with us, his memory will live on and my husband was thrilled to see that I was updating it so it could be used in our home. It will live in our guest bedroom/my office where it will be used to rest my feet and ease my back while working on my laptop. It can also double as a short stool in a pinch for extra seating too. The above photo is the finished product.

Here are the Before Photos




















The leather was covered over with new fabric by simply using a staple gun and new fabric and here it has one of its three coats of Olympic's 'Ivory Tower' so it will match the fabric. Below, I've shown how to tackle corners by tucking so that the all of the fabric lays flat.

A Work in Progress

I apologize for the awkward photo placement as blogger isn't always the easiest to maneuvre the photos.

I'd love to see what projects you've tackled. Take a moment and post a comment with a link to your blog!

HERE is the matching office chair that I redid. :)

~Karla

Budget Decor Inspiration!

I've been feeling very creative and inspired this weekend and thought I'd create a quick post about some budget and no-cost decor ideas. Some of the best pieces in my home were created with a little paint, some scrapbook paper, or a small piece of fabric. There are loads of things you can do to revamp a room in your home. With this you simply use what you have. Here are some ideas:

1. Paint it Pretty!-If you've got several pieces of furniture in a room that lack a cohesive feel or are just plain outdated, a quick coat of paint will give them new life. If you want to take it one step further you can replace the drawer pulls or knobs with something more contemporary or whatever the style you desire. You're pretty much guaranteed to get a winner if you stick to classic colors like black or white. You'll want to sand the piece lightly first to remove any varnish and to rough it up so the paint adheres better. If you want something fun for a kids room or something a little more coastal, some beachy blues make for lovely coffee tables, nightstands or even a bed! You can use leftover paint you may already have, find some on craigslist or invest in a small quart-size can. Be sure you get the finish that you want.

2. Frames are Fun!-One great thing you can do is round up a bunch of old frames you no longer use and create a wall collage. Pick one place in your home where all photos can be displayed vs. having random photos all over the place. It looks more substantial on one wall and a great way to cover a wall. You can use what you have or pick up what you need at a yard sale or flea market for anywhere from 10 cents to $1.00. Round up all the various mis-matched frames and sand them and then spray paint them all black. To create uniformity, take the photos you have and scan them into your computer where you can print all of them in black and white or if you have them on file, simply print in black and white. There are loads of free programs online that will change a color photo to black and white or sepia, such as http://www.resizr.com/, which will also let you resize and crop them too. Put them in the frames and arrange them in a neat pattern on your wall.

3. Paper or Photo?- When it comes to what you put inside your frame, you are not limited to just photos. You can create lovely framed works of art by simply picking up some gorgeous scrapbooking paper or fabric from the clearance section of your local craft or fabric store. I've had a white matted Ikea frame for about 10 years and it is in mint condition. It was hiding in my closet since I had no use for it. I found a space above the doorway to my kitchen that lacked art. I replaced the photos I once had with some beautiful scrapbook paper. The frame is rectangular and has spaces for (3) 5x7" photos so I placed a subtle striped lemongrass colored paper in the middle and on either side I have a beautiful damask/floral that has a lovely shimmer too. This project was FREE as I had all the materials already. I was then inspired to add another one to a shiny chrome-looking square frame which now houses a pretty pale blue and cream damask printed scrapbook paper.

4. Custom Creations- I spend most of my days as a designer, creating spaces for other people. Many of these spaces include a lot of custom pieces such as upholstered chairs, drapery and the like. In January 2008 I decided I was going to make more of an effort in my own home to take the time to create some custom pieces. One of my favorites is my office chair. I bought it from Craigslist in great condition but it had one flaw-the fabric on the seat was hideous! It needed to be reupholstered. Lucky for me, I was actually looking for a chair that I could make my own. So, I headed to Calico Corners and happened to stumble across a fabric I'd been eyeing for about a month-it was on sale! I wound up getting half of a yard for just $4 and the chair in mint condition cost me $30 so I got a custom office chair for just $34! You can do this too. If you're new to it, start with smaller pieces like simply re-upholstering the seats of dining chairs. If you want the look but are afraid to tackle it yourself, take your materials to a local reupholstry shop. Custom drapery, ottomans, recovering of a sofa, and throw pillows are all within reach!

5. Odds and Ends-Sometimes we purchase some great things but we tire of them so we switch them up with other, newer decor items. Other times we've purchased something or got an amazing deal but aren't sure what to do with it just yet. I encourage you to pull those things out of the closet, basement, attic (wherever they are!) and use them to update your space. For instance, I purchased a beige linen drape (just one) that came from Goodwill brand new (the Target locally donates a LOT of surplus items so I love shopping there!) for just $6. I intended to use it for the guest room as more of a sheer behind the existing set of drapery panels only it didn't match the way I thought it would. I wondered what else I could use it for. Then it hit me-our laundry room has a rollershade but it's the vinyl type (we do not have a glamorous laundry room yet!) so it was a great way to put it to use. I hung the panel with a short black rod that I had bought for our kitchen window but never got around to using. Voila! Instant beautified window treatment! Later I may use a damask pattern stencil and some white paint to jazz it up further!


Just be creative-think of all the vases and flowerpots you have and how you can use them different of freshening your kitchen with some existing new placemats or a runner. Maybe all you need is a few new toss pillows for your bed to complete the look. They are relatively inexpensive at discount stores and are relatively simple to make. Use existing down-filled or poly-filled inserts from older pillows you don't use and let that be the stuffing. Now have some fun and pick up a small piece of some inexpensive fabric and a zipper! Use what you have. No vase filler? Use coffee beans, lentils or white rice inside a glass hurricane and place a candle for some coffee table appeal. Keep your lamp base and simply spray paint it for a new look, or maybe just replace the shades with a pair of inexpensive new ones.

If you live in the Orlando or Central Florida area and would like advice or other design services, you can contact us by visiting our website.

*In case you were wondering, the cheetah print pillow in the photo is one that I created with an invisible zipper sewn in and used an existing unused down-filled pillow insert to complete our guest bedding.

Stay tuned on Monday for my before and after reaveal of a little vintage footstool I'm tranforming!

Getting Personal

It just occurred to me that other than my bio, you probably don't know a whole lot about me. I thought I'd share ten things about myself that you probably didn't know. I'd love to hear from you too so feel free to write a comment with some of your own!

1. I'm half Dutch and half Polish. My maiden name was hard for most to both spell and pronounce so thankfully hubby rescued me now that I'm a 'Davis', however I do miss the uniqueness of 'Ruzycki' pronounced 'Roo-zick-ee'. I think it's funny that in Canada a 'z' is a zed and in the U.S. a 'z' is a zee.

2. My husband and I met online at http://www.christiancafe.com/. He lived here in Florida and I in Toronto, Canada. We dated briefly and he proposed in front of the Eiffel tower 3 months later! Less than 4 months after that we were married. It was quite a whirlwind! Some say it was too soon or it was a crazy thing to do, but we knew we were meant to be together.

3. I'm a dessert-a-holic. I wish it was a food group. I basically work out so I can eat dessert! I love lemon bars, lemon tarts, creme brulee, gelato and at the top of the list is CUPCAKES in almost any flavor! I also adore tart yogurt. A local shop called Sweet is my favorite go-to place.

4. I LOVE to travel and have now seen 15 countries. I'm still trying to catch up to my hubby though, he's seen 55 countries and 6 continents, I guess you could say I married to a bit of a world traveller.

5. I have to create at least one thing per day or I don't feel  that my day is complete. It can be writing an article, creating some artwork, completing a scrapbook page or even starting a new garden. I prefer it to be something crafty that I make with my own two hands.

6. I am in love with organizing and storage containers and love to keep things clutter-free. I started my Design business several years ago as a Professional Organizing company and now specialize in Design and Home Staging. From the age of five my Barbie house was turned into a book shelf and everything in my room was always immaculate, complete with made bed. It's no different today. Ironically, I married a disorganized man who loves to hold on to clutter, so I work doubletime trying to keep our house in ship shape.

7. I don't have any children yet but have always dreamed of having two girls first then a boy. My brother is 11 years younger than me and I was his constant babysitter and second mother so I'm ready for pink, polka dots, ruffles and everything girly. I am not pregnant right now but I've already started my little girl clothing collection.

8. My dream home is a beach house decorated in a casual and cozy yet sophisticated style which I like to refer to as Beach House Glam. I love whites, creams, pale blues and soft sand. However, with so many great locations, I'm not sure exactly where I would to live just yet.

9. I heart our planet. I've been composting since age ten and recycling for as long as I can remember. I love finding new ways to become more eco-friendly as well as reduce, reuse and re-purpose what I already own. I will have a green book available in 2010 and I even started a green blog so feel free to check it out!

10. One of my favorite snacks needs to be imported from Canada: Lay's Dill pickle potato chips. I love them to pieces and was thrilled when one of my best friends, Charlotte, sent them in a birthday care package last August. Second in line would be ketchup chips. This is the norm for flavors in Canada so I was sad when my chip selections were dramatically reduced upon moving to America. Having said that, I don't eat a lot of chips, but when I do, I really enjoy the tangy taste of dill pickle.

I'd love to hear from you! Tell us about yourself. What do you love to do in your spare time? Where are you from? Do you have any fun quirks you want to share with us?

~Karla

Travel Tips Part 2: Don't leave home without it!

The old slogan remains true-don't leave home without your American Express or whichever credit card of choice you possess. By the way, that wasn't supposed to rhyme. LOL. Beyond the plastic, here is a list of items you won't want to travel without!

Before I leave for any trip I ALWAYS write out a list of what I'll want to bring (maybe a little Type A but hey that's me, I like to be prepared). I usually start it about a week before I leave so I can edit it or add to it and make a quick run to a store if necessary. Remember, anything will almost always be cheaper in your home country so buy it before you depart.

Travel Must-Haves

1. Passport-If you haven't travelled in a while, I'll fill you in-you need a passport to travel now when leaving the U.S. Before it used to be that you could carry your driver's license and birth certificate. That is no longer in effect as of this year. Make sure before you travel you give yourself enough time to go an apply for your passport along with get a photo made. In most cases it can be expedited for a fee if you're really pressed for time. Also, if you haven't travelled in a few years, check the expiry and make sure yours is still valid-don't assume.

2. Camera, Batteries & Memory Cards-Sometimes the most obvious things to pack are the ones that somehow slip our minds. This happens to me all the time at the grocery store, that's why lists are so important. If your camera takes rechargeables or has a battery charger-bring it with you! You can always buy disposable batteries if needed but the rechargeables are cheaper in the longrun and of course better for the environment too. :) This all applies to your video camera too. Be sure to bring extra tapes or memory cards. This past trip I brought nearly 3GB of memory card storage and it wasn't enough. The prices in Europe were horrific so I deleted a few not-so-important ones to accommodate. It's always better to have too much than not enough when it comes to precious travel memories.

3. Sunscreen and Aloe- With summer here bring a high SPF sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection, and be sure to also pack some aloe too in case you do happen to get a little more pink than you had hoped for. This will save you shopping time and likely extra cash. By the way most people only use a sunscreen with UVA protection which means you may be reducing your chances of a burn but increasing your chances of photo-aging which means dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. It's a good idea to use a waterproof sunscreen even if you're just touring a city-in really warm climates you'll sweat and it will wear off quicker, be prepared.

4. Money-Once again this may seem obvious but a lot of people solely rely on credit cards. If any type of emergency or unexpected expense were to occur, you want to be prepared. Also, a lot of places only accept cash. ie: subways, streetcars, street/shop vendors, tips for bellboys and cabdrivers, taxis, etc. Just be sure to have it tucked away safely-a waist belt is a good idea when travelling in foreign countries. I just came back from Rome where two people I spoke to had friends there that were pick-pocketed-No fun!

5. Cell Phone-While it could become costly to make calls out of your home country due to roaming charges, in some cases it could be a life saver as an emergency tool. Be sure to check the rates and inquire about all charges that would apply before leaving so there aren't any surprises.

6. Voltage Converter/Plug Adapter-These only apply if you are travelling outside of North America. If you are planning a trip to Asia, Europe, etc., you'll want to pick up a set of these. Other countries operate on other voltages and the converter will make sure your electric gadgets will work. Also, different plugs are uses so the outlets are different and your hairdryer, cell phone charger etc will not work unless you use these devices. A good set containing everything can be found for around $15. Cruise ships are generally the only exception. On my last cruise I discovered that they had outlets that catered to European and North American travellers.

7. Maps/Travel Guide Books-Many times if you are staying in a nice hotel they'll provide you with a map. It's always a good idea to pack one of those beforehand if you can. That way you can plot out what you'd like to see beforehand. I like to check out travel guides from the library to cut costs when travelling abroad. I was able to score one for every country we were travelling to. They usually have great advice on hotels, restaurants, shopping and what to see.

8. Comfortable Shoes-I'm a girly girl at heart and I LOVE cute shoes, especially pumps but they are not at all practical for travel other than a fancy dinner so I pack a lot of flats and a pair of running shoes for the gym. You'll want to have a few different choices. Flip flops are great for the beach and a casual walk, but not for an all-day hike, excursion or tour of a city. Your toes are forced to hold the shoes on and you can get pains in your shins-not worth it! I highly recommend some cushy ballet flats, walking shoes or running shoes and a pair of water shoes if needed like some cute slingback, ballet flat crocs. I hated crocs until I found these. It's not fun to get blisters halfway through your vacation. You can glam it up for a special event or a fancy dinner.

9. Vitamins/Prescription Meds-If you take medication or herbs and vitamins, don't forget to pack those as they'll be essential to how you feel while away. Many people ditch their multi and it is the precise time you'll want more energy as jet setting can be fun, but exhausting too.

10. Bathroom Stuff- Okay, so I called it bathroom stuff because this encompasses not only toiletries but also small appliances and female products. I made the mistake of not bringing my own female products on my honeymoon as I shouldn't have needed them but realized later I calculated wrong and did in fact need them! We were in Fiji at the time and I was stuck with buying tampons there that were uncomfortable and I was frustrated. It put a bit of a damper on things.Bring your own!

I don't know about you but I am not a fan of hotel shampoo, it leaves my hair feeling sticky and dry. If you're like me do pack your own 3oz sizes of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and don't forget your razor, toothpaste/brush, hair brushes and of course your own mini dryer and curling iron if need be. I'm not suggesting you should be a diva and pack loads of stuff but rather mini versions. I like using a curling iron for formal occasions and my hairdryer is tiny and light enough to not be a problem. I've been to hotels before where the dryer didn't work, it's nice to be prepared and have your own!

Here is an awesome packing tool that you can use to determine exactly what you need for your trip and it will even e-mail you the list!

By the way, if you missed my post on packing a carry-on bag-here is the link to Travel Tips: Part 1.

Happy Travels!

~Karla