Going to a holiday party and not sure what to bring your host? I’ve got you covered! Here are 9 great hostess gifts under $50:
I have always loved the look of silver but the thought of having to scrub it using really harsh chemicals was a big deterrent. However, when I came across this amazing silver tray at an estate sale, I was determined to find some less caustic alternatives!
As you can see, this tray was pretty tarnished. I decided to try cleaning the tray with toothpaste, window cleaner and hair conditioner in three sections where the tarnish was the heaviest. Here’s my take on each:
Conditioner: While it did make the tarnish less black, it did make the tray look more dull. Since you probably want your silver to shine, I would recommend skipping this one.
Window Cleaner: This one was just okay. It worked, but not without a lot of scrubbing. If you’re polishing a small piece of silver, this method might be okay, but it felt like a lot of effort would be needed for the entire tray.
Toothpaste: The winner! To be perfectly honest, I was a little skeptical at first, but the toothpaste managed to make the tray look brand new and so shiny!
I’m so happy that I found an easy way to shine my silver and restore the lustre of this beautiful tray!
I’m hosting a ‘Friendsgiving’ at my place this year and I’ve been thinking about ideas on how I want to decorate the dinner table. I wanted something rustic, yet chic and sticking with the theme of autumn.
One of my brilliant ideas (there were a lot of bad ones first) that I came up with were these cute little napkin ties. They were so simple to put together, but I think they add the perfect touch!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Cinnamon Sticks – (are you surprised? Hello, blog name!) these are a bit larger than the ones you might find in the grocery store. Try looking in a specialty store or when in doubt, Amazon!
Twine – this adds to a nice rustic touch and it’s easy to find at most stores. If you’re sticking to a specific color scheme, you can always swap out the twine for ribbon in your color of choice.
Rosemary sprigs – this looks pretty and adds fun little pop of green. Plus, it smells delightful! If you’re not a rosemary fan, you can do the same garnish with thyme, lavender, sage, etc. Be creative!
All you have to do it fold your napkin into a rectangle, lay down your herb sprigs and place the cinnamon sticks on top. Once you’ve done that, tie your twine or ribbon so that the bow is on top of the herbs and cinnamon sticks.
And there you have it! A fun little napkin tie fit for a fall feast!
I’m no stranger to monthly subscription boxes and I figured it was time to get my Greyhound in on the fun! I love to spoil him rotten and BarkBox looked like a fun way to do that.
If you’re not already familiar with the service, BarkBox is a monthly subscription box just for dogs and contains healthy treats, toys and other cool things with your four legged buddy in mind. When you sign up, you can choose your dog’s size so BarkBox can send appropriate sized items. This way your Papillion isn’t going to be overwhelmed with a toy made for a Mastiff. Since my Greyhound is a pretty big boy, I went with the Big & Bold option for our subscription.
The theme of this month’s box was ‘Teacher’s Pet’, so the items had a back-to-school vibe. I particularly liked the “composition book” for the pamphlet that listed the items in the box. Definitely brings back memories of my own days in school!
This box included two bags of treats and a ‘woof stick’ for chewing. The Apple Duck flavored biscuits were a major hit with my dog, so I’ll definitely have to keep a bag of those on hand.
We also got two toys! My dog has never met a squeaky toy he didn’t love and I thought these two were extra adorable. I mean a little milk carton? Come on! Too cute! The ‘book’ is currently his most prized possession and he’s been carrying it all over the house.
BarkBox is definitely a subscription we’ll continue to look forward to every month. It’s a great way to discover new brands and products and my dog definitely isn’t complaining about getting new toys and treats!
There’s nothing like having a go-to neutral nail polish. It’s always in season, flatters every outfit you own and is right for all occasions. The trick is finding the right neutral. It’s like finding the perfect shade of makeup that can enhance your features. The right neutral nail polish should be chosen the same way you select a shade of foundation or concealer—it should complement your skin tone and the other subtleties of your complexion.
I have five gorgeous neutral polishes that are sure to flatter a variety of skin tones!
Samoan Sand – Of the five polishes, this one is probably the most versatile of the bunch. The peach undertones look really nice against fair to medium skin tones. If you tend to gravitate towards wearing earth tones or warmer shades, this polish is the neutral for you.
Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around – The name alone is enough to win someone over. This polish has a light grey undertone that really compliments cool skin tones. It also looks beautiful with cool-toned clothes, like fuchsia or turquoise.
Otherwise Engaged – If you like wearing bright colors, this neutral is a great choice! It has a bit of a pink-purple hue with a coverage that’s iridescent and a little bit of a cream finish.
Dulce De Leche – Some people think this taupe-y rose color is a little ‘mature,’ but those people are wrong. I have fair skin and this nail polish strikes a great balance of being neutral while adding a little bit of color. It also looks fantastic with very classic colors.
Taupeless Beach – Another winning name! This one is a dark grey taupe that strikes a great balance of being soft while adding a unique, edgier look. It’s also very versatile and compliments all skin tones!
What’s your favorite neutral polish? Do you have a go-to shade or are you still on the hunt?
After seeing Konjac sponges EVERYWHERE, I decided it was finally time to give one a try and see what all the fuss was about.
When I took this Boscia sponge out of the package, it was hard as a rock. I was a little skeptical – was this going to be too harsh on my skin? Once it got wet, the sponge was super soft and felt really nice to the touch. I thought it did a great job cleansing without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight. Another thing I love is how the sponge exfoliates, but it’s gentle enough not to irritate my skin if I use it every day.
I have definitely found a new holy grail in my daily skincare routine.
I have fallen in love with adding rose petals to my food – especially desserts! I think they really transform any dish into something a little more colorful and unique.
I had seen this done many places and wanted to give it a try. It’s SO easy that you’ll want to add a rose petal garnish to just about everything. All you need are some fresh roses in a color that complements your dish. Rinse them off, let them dry and place them in a vase with fresh water until you’re ready to use them. The roses should last up to five days this way with daily water changes. I’ve noticed that darker shades have a more pronounced flavor, so it’s worth trying out different colors to find one that matches your taste. A word to the wise: while all rose petals are edible, it’s important to avoid those that have been sprayed with pesticides—yuck!
This raspberry tart I made is pretty enough on its own, but I think the garnish of rose petals added an elegant touch. Not only was it pretty to look at, but the pink roses added a subtle, yet pleasant flavor. Now I’m on the lookout for other dishes that could use a sprinkle of rose petals!
Sometimes finding the perfect hostess gift can be a daunting challenge. I like finding unique gifts that strike a balance between being unexpected, yet appreciated. Wine is nice but it doesn’t really stand out. Chocolates and other edibles can be tricky if you’re not totally certain of your host’s taste or dietary restrictions.
After kicking it around for a while, I stumbled upon a gift that was exactly what I was looking for: unique, elegant and something any host is bound to love. These gorgeous Lafco Pastille Boxed Guest Soaps! Not only is the packaging beautiful, but the soaps smell amazing! Each box comes with 15 soaps and five different scents that are sure to appeal to anyone. And the colors are beautiful too! You can’t go wrong with either the blue or the red pastel tones, but bonus points if you choose a color that compliments the host’s decor!
These make a great hostess gift because guests soaps are exactly the kind of thing that someone would appreciate, but might not think to buy themselves.
What’s your go-to hostess gift? Have you ever brought a gift that was a huge hit?
I have had a major obsession with scarves lately and I’m so excited to share this gorgeous piece I just added to my collection. Once I laid my eyes on this beauty, it was definitely love at first sight. I just adored everything about it. It’s incredibly soft and the size is perfect for wearing it a variety of ways!
Another thing I can’t stop obsessing about is the leopard print! I have been able to wear this with so many different outfits and it looks amazing with all of them. The tones of the leopard print are really beautiful and compliment so many different ensembles. I don’t care what anyone says – leopard is definitely a neutral!
cinnamon & style 