Tag Archives: gifts

Summer-In-A-Jar ~ EOY Teacher Treats

We have 19 school days left until summer.

In my head that’s almost 4 weeks.

Which is a long time.

BUT, I’m learning that lots of folks will be sunscreening up, heading to the beach/pool/lake/etc. way sooner than we will, so I’m popping in real quick and sharing this little teacher gift that I’ve been working on.

Inspired by this summer-in-a-jar, but with a Flip Flop Follies twist.

I found a couple 67 ounce, clamp lid glass jars at Ross for $3.99 each and filled them with all things summer…

EOYgift1

Hand sanitizer ~ B&BW

Hello Sunshine! nail file ~ B&BW

Sunnies ~ Dollar Tree

1.69 fl. oz. body butter {part of a multi-pack} ~ Ross

1.3 oz. travel candle ~ B&BW

$10 Subway card {part of a multi-pack} ~ Ralphs

TRUE Lemon Raspberry Lemonade {pack of ten}  ~ Ralphs

Nail polish ~ Target

Travel size sunscreen ~ Target

Clay mask ~ Walmart

ChapStick ~ Target

Razors ~ Dollar Tree

I just layered it all in the jar and topped it off with some sunshiny yellow paper shreds.

jar

Add a little personalized gift tag and you’re done!

I love this idea and hope you do, too.

How many days left until YOU’RE off the hook packing school lunches??

XO

Jumpstart To The Holidays ~ Candy Cane Vodka {Recipe}

Daily I find myself penciling things into my planner from now until the end of he year…yes, I am old skool and still write stuff down on a calendar!

With each reminder, time and date that I enter, I become more and more aware of how fast the holidays come and go. Each year I try to do better at being more organized and less stressed.

decanter1

decanter2

Last week I came across these gorgeous Threshold decanters at Target for 70% off.

Unfortunately they only had two and unfortunately they’re only sold online, but I snatched them up and thought I could fill them with homemade infused vodka for Christmas.

Enter this…..

candycanevodka-5

{via}

2 ingredients.

Easy.

Full instructions here.

I love the festive color. Going to pour it into these decanters & mason jars and pair it with a nice hot cocoa mix for a couple friends and neighbors to help with burning the holiday midnight oil.

Also going to add a recipe for this holiday martini…

Candy Cane Snowtini

{via}
Substitute “parts” for “ounces,” and this will make 1 cocktail.

2 parts Candy Cane Vodka
1 part simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled until sugar dissolves)
1/2 part heavy cream

ice

mini candy cane to hang off the rim of your martini glass

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice (or leak-proof water bottle, if you’re resourceful like me), mix Candy Cane Vodka, simple syrup and cream together. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.

*****

I tell you, after Halloween it’s all downhill to December 31st.

Don’t you agree?

Happy Tuesday!

XO

Spray Paint & Succulents

I mentioned here what I had in mind for our end-of-the-year teacher goodies and I wanted to share how they turned out because I think this is my new favorite gifty gift. They come together so quickly and are very inexpensive, yet have that personal touch.

First, pick up some terra-cotta pots {I used 6″}, a can of spray primer and a can of spray paint in a color of your choice. Spray on a coat of primer, let dry and then a coat or two with your color…

I didn’t really paint the inside of the pot, but you will need to flip it over to get the top edge painted and both top and bottom of the little saucer that goes underneath. Fortunately it was a warm day when I painted and they dried completely within a couple hours…this is probably something that you cannot do the night before you plan on giving it to someone, though.

Next I filled the pot with potting soil and patted it down. I then took a shoot of our large succulent that I had cut off and placed in water for a week or so, stuck it down into the soil and gave it a nice drink of water.

To make delivery easier, I tied some jute twine around the pot and saucer and added a little note.

I think they turned out adorable ~ so simple and chic!

Again, this project was inspired from this post by Mel over at The Larson Lingo.

You could certainly use already painted or decorated pots and add any type of plant or flower, even herbs. These make such a nice, personalized and thoughtful gift or little thank you for the people in your life. Can’t wait to make a few colorful pots to brighten up our backyard.

And in keeping with the yellow theme, I delivered sugar cookie bar happiness to the office staffs at both schools…

Want to brighten someone’s day? Make these!

*****

We now have a second grader and a kindergartner!

{first day as a first grader}

{last day}

{first day in pre-k}

{last day as a preschooler}

*****

A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Howard and Miss Sandi for all they did to help Elliott & Holden {bloom} this school year.

We hope you both have a fabulous and relaxing summer!

Speading Sunshine ~ Teacher Gift Ideas

I’m always looking for unique teacher gifts. Something useful or handmade is what I tend to shoot for.

I wanted to share these simple, yet thoughtful mini pots that are home to a pretty little bloom…

{via}

Melissa has provided the cute printables on the popsicle sticks so head on over to The Larson Lingo and see how these terracotta cuties come together!

We have a large succulent that I’m going to snip a smaller shoot off of and plant it in yellow spray painted pots for Elliott & Holden’s teachers to look something like this…

Going with a yellow {you are our sunshine} theme…just pick up some fun yellow goodies, stick them in a festive gift bag or basket and spread sunshine as your favorite teachers head out to enjoy their summers.

I’ve saved a couple six pack containers and will decorate them like I did for Elliott’s dance teacher last year…

…stick everything in the openings and create a little caddy.

I love this Katie Daisy print and found the cards to round out the sunny theme…

{via}

I’m also making the office staffs my favorite sugar cookie bars, sprinkling with yellow sanding sugar, tucking them in cellophane bags and tying with ribbon.

*****

Just 7 more days left…

How about you, is school out for you or are you not quite in full blown summer mode yet?