Say it with a Card

{Valentines Day Cards}

Hey all you fellas out there reading this, this post is for you. Did you know as cheesy and ridiculous Valentine’s day is women still love it even if they say they agree with you and think it’s stupid and pointless? A small teeny tiny part of them is wishing and hoping that even though you have both agreed its dumb that you’ll still come through with at least a card. What can I say, women send subliminal messages, how have you not caught on yet??? Well I am here to help. I have picked a few cards that I think are hilarious and can still get the sweet loving message across. Personally I enjoy humorous cards more than the sappy, “From the moment our eyes met I knew I loved you…blah blah blah”. However, I did include one very sweet and personalized card. See below my top picks for cards for that special someone in your life this Valentine’s day! 

Betty White,  I Love You Like a Back Alley, Today I Have Loved You..., & I Hate You

Beautifully Blue

Are you catching onto my little game yet? In honor of one of the cheesiest holidays around but in my opinion loveliest I decided to dedicate my next few posts to the day of love. Cobalt blue has also joined the highest rankings of trendy colors this year and I can't complain since {I Bleed Blue} go CATS! Below are some great ways to wear this beautifully blue color. I personally really love the Signature Spade Earrings by the lovely Kate Spade; the gold and blue combo just really gets me every time. Well I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and stay warm! Next up: {The Perfect Gift to Say I Love You + Gift Guides for V-day}

Violets are Blue by quinn-paul featuring leather handbags

Be Bold

Red seems to be all the rage this season from the {Red Lip} to Tay Swift naming her sob story album the color and somehow wearing it at every appearance she has. Girl we get it, you're in lust, you're in love, you're enraged, and you're taking your album title a little too seriously. Any way, I personally really love this color in every form whether it is on my nails, my lips, or my bod. Since it's a popular color and Valentines day is just around the corner I figured I would feature it. So ladies take a lesson from Taylor herself and get bold and sassy in this beautiful vibrant color.

 

Roses are Red by quinn-paul featuring essie nail polish

 

 

Spring Inspiration

{JCrews Baubles}

Hi my lovely readers, I know I know it feels like I abandoned you, but I promise I am back and am in full blogging mode. With that being said, who else is ready for Spring?? Thank the lawd Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow and Spring is in fact on its way!! Hooooraaayyy!! So since I love Spring so much I decided to dedicate my first post back to JCrew who's really showcasing some incredible bauble necklaces that just scream SPRING! If these beautiful jewels don't get you in the mood for flowers blooming and sunshine I don't know what else will. So I apologize it took me so long to get back in the swing of things, but I promise I am back!

Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, & Bottom Right 



Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, & Bottom Left



So there you have it my fellow shopaholics, JCrews oh so inspiring baubles for Spring! I love them all. So go on, getcha Spring on! Be back tomorrow with some {Gift Guides} for Valentines Day!!!



Wrap it Up

{Creative Ways To Gift Wrap}

My {Holiday Gift Guides} have been "think out of the box" type ideas so I figured I would follow up with creative gift wrapping ideas as well. Today I am going to show you how to beautify those lovely wrapped boxes. Today I am featuring my artistic friend Sara. Sara is truly talented and it shows in her gift wrapping abilities below. To keep in the holiday spirit I decided to use a picture of Sara from when she won {Best Dressed} at our Annual Girls Night Cookie Exchange- Check out the hosts recap post here on Blue Daisy in the BlueGrass.

• Rudolph on the top left is the only one that I personally made. It was really simple, all you do is buy solid wrapping paper and any printed wrapping paper. You go about your normal wrapping business and wrap the gift in the solid wrapping paper. After this you choose any design you like, whether that be initials, Christmas trees, or in my case Rudolph. Trace this on the back of the printed wrapping paper, cut design out and finally glue or tape onto box! and Voila! You've created a masterpiece.

Saras technique is a little more complicated so I will let her take it from here!

Hi all of QUINNtessentials readers! It’s going to be a sparkly holiday this 2012!

Instead of using the same ol' wrapping paper this Christmas, why not add a little flare to your gifts this year? With a little time and effort, you can add some festive holiday art for those special people in your lives!

Supplies:

• Elmer’s glue
• Small paint brush
• Pencil
• Scissors
• ModgePodge Adhesive Spray
• GLITTER

Directions:

• Print out templates of the images you want to trace onto the package, or stencil your own (I sketched mine from an image on my phone)
• Trace or stencil your image onto the paper and paint the glue on heavily.
• Add a layer of glitter (Add more glue/glitter if it didn't stick evenly).
• Let it dry before shaking off the excess.
• To help keep the glitter in place, spray it with the Modge Podge Adhesive spray when finished- it will also protect it.

There you have it! A great way to individualize and personalize your gifts this holiday season. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and an even better Christmas. Stay warm and enjoy this wonderful time with your family and friends.

Holiday Gift Guide

{For Dear Ol' Dad}

We are officially down to the count of just 7 days until Christmas! My final {Gift Guide} is for the Dads. Like the Moms, Dads are equally as hard: actually probably harder. Below are my top three picks for the man who taught you how to drive, cuss like a sailor, and will always view you as “their pride and joy".

• Golf Club Grill Tools: What man doesn’t like to grill? I think these golf club grill tools are hysterical, clever, and useful. Give your dad the gift of practicing his swing off the course and on the grill.
• Cigar of the Month Club: This is one of the coolest gifts you could give your old man if he likes to light up and relax with a nice cigar. This website also offers a variety of other “monthly clubs” such as beer and wine. Give your dad something to look forward to after Christmas for the next few months.
• Cuff Links: Cuff links are always a staple for any man who occasionally needs or likes to dress up. Why not engrave them and personalize them just for your dear old dad. They are simple and classic, which are two things most dads appreciate.

I hope I've been helpful with shopping for that special someone in your life! I've been so busy helping you all that I haven't even had time to shop, I am in t.r.o.u.b.l.e. I have 11 people to still shop for! Whoopsie! Good lucking fighting the crowds if you are in the same boat as me!

Holiday Gift Guide

{For the Mommas}

Every year when I am buying for my Momma I always strive to give her something sentimental. I am sure your mom is just like mine in the sense of when you ask her what she wants she says something sweet and genuine like, “nothing honey I have everything I need”. So what do you buy for the woman who has everything and wants nothing? Below I picked a few items that I could see my mother loving and thinking I put some thought into them.

• Apron: Why not make your momma more stylish while she is slaving over the hot oven in the kitchen. Get your mom one of these adorable aprons from Anthropologie so she can look glamorous while being generous!
• Necklace: I absolutely love Dogeared products, not only is the Jewelry adorable but it has incredible packaging. Why not tell your mom you love her with a dainty necklace and a sweet note already written right there on the package for you. If that isn't killing two birds with one stone I don’t know what is!
• Fleur De Lis Tea Cup: Not only is this design so beautiful and intricate it serves major purpose. My mom loves tea, drinks it all the time. So I figured, why not get her a tea cup special to just her. Being from Louisville our house is covered in Fleur De Lis so I think she will appreciate this simple yet dainty design.
• Book: This book is extremely clever and personal; it is an interview book all about your mom. I think it would be a great bonding moment to sit down with her and write down funny memories and stories from her life. It is something I think moms would appreciate going through the process of filling it out and keeping it as a great keepsake. 

Be on the the look out for great gifts for the Dad's next!!