Get your holiday shopping on now! My fave discount gift finds.

Where oh where does the time fly to? It just two months now until Christmas--and 3 months until Andrew's 2nd birthday! It might seem a bit early to some, but I'm already in holiday shopping mode pre-Halloween. Too many last-minute mall shopping trips have definitely scarred me!

This year, like last, I really have to set a Christmas present budget and stick to it. So, its homemade gifts when possible and on-sale items for the rest. Luckily, there are so many discount stores and online shops with great, budget-friendly gift collections. BUT, you must make sure you get in there early so that a) your gifts arrive in time with the cheapest shipping option and b) you miss any holiday price jacking madness!

In an early spirit of giving--because I always feel like giving to you all!--here is a list of my favorite budget gift-buying locales of the moment.

1) The Christmas Tree Shops: Run, run, run now to your local Christmas Tree Shop (Rocklanders, there is one in the Spring Valley Marketplace). Despite its holiday name, this chain of stores is a year-round mecca for low-cost, good quality home goods and toys--meaning GIFTS! I particularly adore the seasonally decorated bakeware and tableware for as low as $1, which would be perfect for an adult friend or relative (and me!)

2) Zulily.com and Totsy.com: Both of these websites offers great products at nicely-discounted prices from babies/children, women, men, and the home. I really like to order fancy kids clothes, accessories, maternity clothes, and toys that I could not otherwise afford from these stores--but you must order early due to their 2-4+ week shipping time! Of course, it is hit or miss with how good the discount is--but sometime you'll find a really great deal that begs buying (see $20/originally $54 dress  from Zulily at right).

3) Redenvelope.com's Sale Section: Red Envelope has a great selection of memorable gifts for the whole family and their sale selection is so nice! Right now their cute 4.5-inch swan ring holder (right) is only $14.99 (ceramic or metal). They've also got beautiful .057ctw sterling silver hoop diamond earrings available for $29.95 (originally $49.95). Check it out!

4) Lenox.com's Clearance Section: Ditto the above for the Lenox online clearance section--but this time, you'll be giving the prized Lenox name! Lenox has jewelry, flatware, tableware, glassware, figurines, ornaments and more on sale. There's destined to be something budget-friendly which would make a great gift for friends, moms, moms-in-law, or coworkers. How about a $20 set of 4 3-inch 24-karat-gold-accented fine china mini angel ornaments (originally $43)? Or a $5.00 lidded Dansk sugar bowl and its matching creamer (each originally $19)? I know I wouldn't mind receiving the $6.95 24-karat-gold-accented square Hope dish (below; originally $20)!

So, what are you waiting for, Christmas Eve? Start hand-crafting and sale-shopping with me sooner rather than later so we won't have to pull our hair out come December. And please send me your favorite bargain-shopping locales too--I can always use more!

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The Cutest Cupcake and Kokeshi Giveaway Ever!

I've been wanting an adorable cupcake charm for quite a while (is that strange?) I've been looking all over for one with just the right amount of realism and cuteness, and I think I've found a winner in Claybaby's adorable polymer clay products! I really think the items in Claybaby's Clay & Me Etsy shop are the most adorable cupcake charms that Etsy has to offer. 

I ordered the set of 4 blue cupcake charms pictured above for just $5.00 + $3.50 shipping. I think that's a pretty good deal since they came all the way from the Philippines. It also makes me feel good to support and artist who is working entirely by hand. But you, my dears, won't have to pay shipping because, for a limited time, shipping on all orders is free if you enter the code BIG100 at checkout.  Shipping is standard mail unless you choose otherwise and takes 2-4 weeks.

As you can see from my (poorly-lit) photo, each cupcake fits onto a quarter and has a hook on top for stringing on necklaces, phone chains, you name it. (For stringing on a necklace, you'll need to attach a jump ring first.) The pieces are made of polymer clay, which can be fragile, and they are tiny and chokeable so I wouldn't recommend giving these to small children. ClayBaby actually has a policy that they are not liable for any breakage after shipping--and, while packed well in a plastic egg, two of my cupcakes did lose a single sprinkle. Nothing a little craft glue can't fix, though! 

ClayBaby offers other charms--from cakes to Kokeshi dolls--that are super adorable. Carla--the woman behind ClayBaby--also does custom clay orders such as cameos, floral rings and pendants that are GORGEOUS. Check out her Facebook page for galleries that will make you want to shop!  

Giveaway!

Ok, you've been waiting patiently--onto the giveaway! I contacted Carla at ClayBaby after I had placed my order and she offered two adorable freebies for giveaway: a pink and purple cupcake charm and a kokeshi doll pendant. Both are attached to clips and chords for easy attachment to a necklace, cell phone, or elsewhere. Really, I wanted to keep these ridiculously adorable beauties for myself, but... :) 

To enter, visit ClayBaby's Etsy shop and post your favorite item in a comment below. For extra entries, like ClayBaby on Facebook, like Rockland Mother on Facebook, and/or follow Rockland Mother on Google Friend Connect and post a separate comment for each below stating that you did so. The contest will end at 11:59pm on August 1st. I will then contact the winner and wrap the charms well for shipping, but cannot be responsible for any breakage (my apologies!)  

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Free Food for Dad on Father's Day!!

Ok, ok. I totally slacked on Father's Day. I provided you guys with a million Mother's Day gift ideas but, for Father's Day, not a one. And--yikes--we've only got two more shopping days to go! What to do?

If your husband or father is an outdoors-enthusiast like mine is, make a beeline to a sporting goods shop (like Matt's Sporting Goods at 244 Rte 9W in West Haverstraw) and pick up a gift certificate. DO NOT try to pick out a gift from the shop. Part of the beauty of this gift is that you're giving him permission wander around the store glaze-eyed for a good hour or two.

Next, check out the list of free food deals below provided by Surviving the Stores and treat that special dad to a delicious treat:

	Beef O Brady’s – Free Meal for Dad on Father’s Day WYB 1 Entree
	BJ’s – Free Commemorative BJ’s Pint Glass for Dad’s on Father’s Day Weekend (6/18 -16/19)
	Culver’s – Free 1 Scoop Sundae for Dad on Father’s Day
	First Watch – Free Golf Ball for Dad WYB Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch on Father’s Day
	IKEA Restaurant – Free Breakfast for Dad Before 11AM on Father’s Day
	Pat & Oscars – 20% Off Any Purchase on Father’s Day
	Souper Salad – for Buy 1 Adult Buffet and 1 Drink Get 1 Buffet Free Father’s Day Only
	Spaghetti Warehouse – Free Lasagne or Spaghetti Entree for Dad on Father’s Day
	TCBY – Free Small Cup of Yogurt for Dad on Father’s Day
	The Pasta House – Free Spaghetti with Meatsauce and Piece of Cheesecakeon for Dad on Father’s Day

Now that's a gift for you and him! Hope you have a great Father's Day weekend!

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Footprints for Grandma

Before Gluing and Framing

I really adore framed little footprints and handprints, but I'm not too keen on buying expensive and hard to use print-making kits--especially since it is really inexpensive and easy to come up with a colorful print on your own!

For your mom on Mother's Day (or Mother-in-Law, child's godmother, or Aunt), why not make prints of your little one's/ones' hands or feet using non-toxic, washable paint and a little bit of pretty paper? Just follow these easy steps:

1) Paint your little one's hands and feet, one at a time, with non-toxic washable paint such as Crayola Washable Kid's Paint.

2) Press each hand or foot onto a sturdy piece of paper such as poster board or heavy card stock. You may need to make multiple prints if your kid moves around a lot like mine. You can make things a little easier on yourself by putting him/her in a high chair while you paint his feet and print (Andrew really liked the squishy feeling of the paint too!)

3) Cut out the best prints and use glue dots or a glue stick to paste them to a pretty piece (or layered pieces) of paper. I again used some scrapbooking paper that I had lying about the house. You can also add a photo and a label with your child's name and age as I did above.

4) Frame the whole darn pretty thing and give it away! (And, if you're like me, you'll make yourself one as well!)

The finished product! Sorry for the bad photo resolution!

This is by far my favorite project of the week and I know my mom is really going to be pleased and surprised when she gets it (hope she doesn't read this post!) Its just so pretty and sweet--and you can't by anything like this in a store. That's something special!

With that, my week of easy, budget-friendly Mother's Days gifts is over (I'm resting tomorrow before the big day, of course!) I hope you've enjoyed reading the ideas I've posted and have been able to come up with a creative gift of your own for the moms in your life.

I also hope you have some special time planned with your family this Sunday. We'll be at the amazing Magnanini Winery in Wallkill, NY.  Nothing makes an Italian mama more happy than good wine, food, Italian music and family!

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Super Cute Handmade Clutch for Mom (and for you... and for your friends... and...)

I think the girls at The DIY Dish are adorable and their latest handmade clutch handbag project is just perfect for Mother's Day gifting (and birthday gifting! and just because gifting!) You don't have to be too handy with a sewing machine to make these clutches--and, in my opinion, you could even forgo the machine all together in favor of hand stitching these cute little clutches.

All you need are:

• Two different 9"x12" pieces of fabric
• One 9"x12" piece of fusible interfacing
• 1/7" of ribbon or elastic and a button (for clutch closure)
• Optional embellishment items (lace, flowers, etc.) 

Once you've gathered up these materials, pop on over to DIY Dish for their easy video instructions. Try not to be too flustered by their description of how to use their super-fancy sewing machine/embroiderer  (I was at first!). All you need to worry about is what to stitch and where to stitch it.

I hope you'll post links to pictures of your own handmade clutches in the comments below. I'll definitely be back to post my creations once I free my sewing machine from its packing box (how slow-going at unpacking can I be??)

Happy sewing!

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Pretty Paper Goodie Box for Mother's Day Treats

If your mom likes yummy treats this quick and easy Mother's Day Gift idea (or any other day gift idea) is right up your alley. All you need is pretty paper, a couple minutes of origami-inspired patience, and the video and written directions on the following website to make a cute paper box to hold your mom's favorite candies, cookies and other treats:

http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-box.html

As you make your box, just remember a few things: 

1) The stronger the paper, the stronger/longer-lasting the box. If you want to have heavier treats in the box, you'll need cardstock or similar heavy paper. 

2) The bigger the paper, the bigger the box. Your box will come out to a little bit smaller than a quarter of your starting paper size.

3) Unwrapped candies, cookies, etc. should be wrapped in plastic bags or cellophane before going into the box if you want mom to be able to reuse it. 

For the box pictured above, I used different sheets of pretty patterned scrapbooking paper that I always seem to have on-hand. You can also use any suitable squares of paper you have on hand--as long as it is heavy enough to hold what you intend to put inside the box. You can even decorate paper yourself with markers, stickers, etc.--or have your kids decorate the box for an even more special gift for grandma.

Your final step? Fill up your beautiful creation with goodies and hand it over to mom. How can she not be pleased by your origami prowess--and that you took the time to create something special just for her. 

Happy folding! 

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Homemade Body Scrub for Mother's Day

Today's easy and budget-friendly Mother's Day gift idea is handmade body scrub, courtesy of the March 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine (my fave!).

You can make this gift even more budget friendly simply by using baby oil instead of expensive body oil and also by reusing a suitable toiletry jar that you have at home. Just empty out the old/rarely-used contacts into Tupperware or a zip-lock bag (if possible) or into the garbage (even better!) Clean and dry the container thoroughly. Wrap a piece of pretty paper, fabric, or tissue paper around the container, covering the old label, and secure with glue or tape. Slap a paper label of your own design on top--and voila--you're even more budget and eco-friendly than Martha!

You could even use a wide-mouthed mason jar, but please warn your giftee to be careful using glass containers in the bathroom or tub.


Homemade Body Scrub
Excerpted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine, March 2011

Materials:

• Body Oil
• Epsom salt, sea salt or organic cane sugar
• 12 oz PET jar with cap, sks-bottle.com (or see my not about reusing above!)
• Lemon zest 

Homemade Body Scrub How-To:
Combine 1 cup of body oil with 2 cups of Epsom or sea salts or organic cane sugar (depending on how fine a grain you like.) We added lemon zest for color and fragrance. Package in jars (plastic is safest by the tub).


Happy gifting!

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A More Special Bouquet for Mother's Day (Budget Friendly!)

Working from home leaves me with a lot less money for birthday and holiday gifts, which means I've got to get frugally creative when a special day rolls around. So, with Mother's Day less than a week away, I'll be posting a budget-friendly handmade gift idea a day that would be perfect for any special mom in your life. 

Today's gift idea is a twist on the traditional Mother's Day flower bouquet. Instead of popping into a grocery store or onto a retail florist website for a premade bouquet, how about creating something more personalized? 

• Step 1: Stop by your local florist and pick out a couple blooms that you know she prefers and are within your budget. Buy just enough flowers to make a special number, such as the number of grandchildren or number of children (or both) the honored lady has in her life. You can choose to buy all of the same flower, or have different flowers/colors for male and female children, or children and grandchildren.

• Step 2: Place the flowers in a vase or mason jar and create vase filler with any attractive long-stemmed foliage, wild flowers, or sticks from your back yard. If you have the funds, you can also purchase baby's breath or other filling foliage from your florist--or simply let your purchased blooms stand on their own. (You'll obviously need to put water in the vase too!) 

• Step 3: Create a pretty tag using cardboard, construction paper, scrap fabric, or any other suitable material you may have lying about the house. Write on the tag something to the effect of: "Mom's Growing Garden," "Grandma's Special Flowers," or "Thanks for helping us grow!" and list the name each flower represents. For example, our tag would read: "Thanks for helping us grow! We love you, Matt, Lisa, and Andrew." Punch a hole in the tag, pass a ribbon or piece of yarn through it and attach it to the vase.

And that's all you have to do to make a pretty, budget-friendly bouquet for Mother's Day! 

Tulips, daffodil, hyacinth &
wild brocollini flowers from our backyard.

If you live in an area where wild flowers are abundant, you might not even have to visit your local florist at all. I myself will be picking flowers or visiting Stony Point Florist. Stony Point Florist provided gorgeous flowers for my wedding three years back, and they always have created beautiful bouquets for any special occasion that we need flowers for. They are also very friendly and have been a neighborhood fixture for years--and it just feels good to support a local business!

Happy gifting! 

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