Great gifts for the "already has everything" person!

It seems like gift giving is getting more difficult each year...it's so hard to find perfect gifts for my family and friends as they get older because they have everything! So this year, I am spending time looking for special and one-of-kind gifts. Here are some ideas that I came up with...

I love to give food and drink gifts...especially cocktail gifts. This cocktail shaker
from Paper Source takes the guess work out of making a perfect drink.
This would also make an excellent hostess gift. Another great idea would be
a vintage decanter paired with a bottle of their favorite liquor...

or fill a beautiful glass decanter with your favorite margarita mix!

You can't go wrong with a personalized gift. These pillows would be perfect for a
newlywed couple. Prices start at $11.69 from Sham Shak on Etsy.

For the college student or sports fan, Dooney & Burke has a line of

purses and wallets for almost every NFL. MLB and collegiate sports team.

For the chef, I love the idea of buying a vintage Pyrex dish and filling it with spices

(check out local spice shop) and maybe a few cooking gadgets. You can find great vintage

casserole dishes in almost every color and pattern on Etsy and Ebay.

These pins would make stocking stuffers or white elephant gifts.

Check out Get Badged for all sorts of badges!

For People who have 4-legged children, you can't go wrong with getting something for
their furry friend. I found his adorable advent calender from Noribees Crafties

For the Bookworm, I love this personal library kit from Anthropologie.
I can't tell you how many times that I have loaned out a book
and forgot when and who I let borrow it!

These tags (also from Anthro) are the cutest! And, the receiver will surely appreciate a
special monogrammed tag. The gift wrap can sometime make the gift extra special!

Final countdown for Fixer-Upper

Set your DVR....Fixer Upper's final season will begin Nov. 21 on HGTV. I have enjoyed watching this show over the years and I will miss seeing Joanna Gaines transform her magic makeovers every week. Of course, you can always visit Magnolia Market in Waco. They have made the little town of Waco, Texas a hot spot destination by opening up their many successful businesses, which includes a bed and breakfast, bakery, restaurant, garden, gift shop and much more.

Photo credit: Magnolia Market

Old stuff repurposed

It's no secret that I love to re-purpose old stuff. I've been freshening up antique furniture for years. I've found some fantastic recycled ideas on re-using furniture and everyday items on Etsy and Pinterest. Just thought I'd share.....

Love this idea of transforming an old suitcase into Hemingway Desk by Destinations Village.

Galvanized bucket repurposed into an ottoman by Knock Off Décor

These mid-century side tables are easy to find but they are not always in great condition. Fussy Monkey Business  had a genius idea to turn them into kid's furniture. Wish I had thought of this when my son was a toddler!

I am loving this beautiful piece of furniture by Morning Whispers Art!
A great way to cover up veneer or wood when it is damaged beyond repair.

Gus N Boots Lighting is featured at a shop in my neighborhood. They were one of the first to repurpose mason jars into lighting. Check them out on their Etsy page....GusNBoots

 

Last but not least....my stuff repurposed! Top photo is an old desk drawer lined with wallpaper that is made into a wall cubbie shelf. Bottom photo is a old cabinet door/glass knob/wallpaper that was re-purposed into a wall hook. Check out my Etsy site.....

Brushed Bureau

Halloween Haunting

If you are doing some last minute Halloween decorating, check out Pinterest for some great creepy ideas. Here are a few of my favs....

 These realistic ghosts are made from cheese cloth and Styrofoam mannequin heads.

Add dry ice for a scarier effect!

The more the scarier...found this on Pinterest. Love the arrangement of witches!

Re-create a scene from Alfred Hitchcock...simple, easy and cheap.

If you want to totally creep out trick or treaters, create this wreath of plastic snakes!

Chinoiserie Chic Style

I love Chinoiserie Chic style especially when it is updated in bold, bright colors and modern prints. It seems like Asian inspired home décor is popping up everywhere these days. I've also noticed that the Chinoiserie style furniture seems to go fast and furious at the antique auctions. I've been lucky to find a few items at reasonable prices. Below are a few of my favorite examples of Chinoiserie Chic...

A modern take on Chinoiserie style by Jonathan Adler. Love the bright orange cabinet!

I never get enough of Anthropologie! Loving these pillows and chairs from artist

Paige Gemmel. Her updated take on Palm Beach Chinoiserie is beautiful! 

A more conservative approach to Chinoiserie Chic is this lovely
hand knotted Tibetan wool and silk rug by The Rug Company

I'm loving this modern print fabric called

Escher Pagoda by Kelly Steele on Spoonflower

Check out this beautiful pink, feminine room by David Kaihoi featured in House Beautiful.

This wallpaper looks like a hand-painted mural....a great alternative to original artwork!

Getting benched

Getting benched is not fun...however, this kind of "getting benched" was a lot of fun! I purchased these two bench seats at a local antique auction. Then, picked up some colorful upholstery fabric for the seat cushions and painted them in coordinating colors. The top bench is painted a moss green with a bold floral eggplant colored fabric. I love the finished product! The bottom bench is a little more conservative with a bright green floral fabric and dark gray paint. You can check them out at the Sleepy Poet (vendor #1344, space N-14)....they are ready for a new home!

(Update: bottom green/gray bench is sold)