And we’re back!

Our little vacation was just what the doctor ordered. It was filled with sunshine, pina coladas, family, Kyle time, reading, sleeping in, eating out and REST. Our summer has been wonderful, but it’s been anything but relaxing, so a trip to Maui with family was just what my soul needed. I’ll share photos later this week, although I’m afraid there’s nothing too exciting to share. Relaxing days = many uneventful photos. Kyle and I did celebrate our two year anniversary this past weekend, so that’s sorta exciting, right? Here’s us all dolled up and ready for a night on the town in Hawaii in honor of two years of marriage…

Alrighty then, back to blogging!

Perhaps I have soap on the brain because my whole house needs a serious scrub, but I just can’t get over these beautiful bon bon soaps from Murphy & Daughters. It’s all about the packaging, and boy is it pretty!

How perfect would these be for a little housewarming gift or a sweet pal’s birthday? Or in a guest room welcome basket? So perfect!

As for purchasing these darling bon bon soaps, I’m still hunting down a shop online. Anthropologie recently sold these soaps, but it appears they are out of inventory. I did stumble upon a store overseas that sells them – visit Lark here. I’m still on the lookout for a U.S.- based store – any ideas, friends?

Cheers to August and the sunshine this month brings!

I’ve been on the hunt for new, inexpensive art lately, and once again, I’m blown away by all the creative folks out there. In light of the fact that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, I thought I’d feature these two prints…

They are from jones design company and I can’t help but think they’d make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Throw them in a frame and send to a loved one….easssssy, right?

The prints featured above are 8×10 in size and are printed on heavy-weight textured paper. And at $14.95 each, they are super reasonable. jones design company has many more delightful items on its website – check them out here. Happy shopping!

Last but not least, I’m happy to report our couch is sparkling clean and we now have a much brighter couch on our hands (and it smells like its been freshly laundered – yes!).

First of all, I’d like to congratulate ALEXA F. for winning the Home Depot eGift Card! I emailed the gift card to her last night (love that new option!), so Alexa, have a ball shopping and let us know what you find! Congrats again.

Also, I loved hearing the status of everyone’s holiday shopping – your comments made me feel better about the status of mine! I’m off to do a few quick errands on my lunch break, and then I should be done. Finally!

Anyway, I thought I would share with you what I am gifting my neighbors and friends this year. It should be no surprise, but I’m gifting Merry Mixers! I had Meg from hi, friend personalize my drinks labels, so the back label reads “Love, Kyle and Kir”, but otherwise, the labels are exactly the same as the downloadable ones I featured a few weeks ago (to download the labels, get the mixer recipes and step-by-step instructions visit here).

I decided to spiff mine up by adding a ribbon and an ornament (purchased from Restoration Hardware), and voila! The packaging is complete.

What are you gifting and creating this year? Do share!

Merry, merry!