Supplies: good chocolate bars (make sure they have a gold or silver liner underneath the paper), 2 decorative papers, shipping tags, twine, a custom stamp kit (available here), scissors and tape.

Carefully remove the outer layer of paper from all of the chocolate bars making sure the metallic liner stays intact. Tape the loose end of the liner to make sure it’s secure. Cut the paper you will use underneath so that it is wide enough to almost cover the entire bar while leaving a bit of the metallic wrapper showing on each end. Then cut the bands so they are about an inch wide. Wrap the first piece of paper around each bar securing with tape. Repeat with the contrasting band.

Use the letters from a custom stamp kit to write out the message you want on your tags. I chose “Jessie and John tie the knot in 70 days.” If you don’t have a customizable stamp set, I would recommend investing in one. You can customize the stamps again and again. And, I just love the imperfections that using a stamp gives you.

Lastly attach the tags to the bars by wrapping the twine around in a fun way. Done and done. Kind of fun, no?

I’m also planning a bridal shower for a dear, old friend of mine. She’s getting married in August so the shower will be in just a few short weeks. I designed the invite, printed it at home and then mounted it to a piece of blue card stock. Simple, but sweet. What sort of fun did you get into this weekend?

And look at what I made! A pretty little wallet with (crooked) buttons and everything! So yeah, I’m pretty proud of myself. I don’t have a sewing machine at the moment but am going to borrow one from a friend at first. That way I can see if I am fully ready to invest in my own. Stay tuned….

1) In lieu of anything fancy just drop some votives into a cluster of glass jars that you may have in your kitchen. It’s not over the the top but still looks lovely and festive. I had a bunch of jars left from my pickling adventures and it worked out well. I think baby food jars would be great also. To be fair, I borrowed this idea from Rachel but after trying it this weekend I fully endorse it.

2) I’m not a big fan of wine charms. They usually aren’t all that cute and the person has to remember what color they were which gets more difficult as the night progresses and the wine continues to flow. I stuck a cheap key ring (available at any office supply store) onto each wine glass and put out a cup of colored pens. People can write their name or their initials and usually everyone can at least remember that.

Oh sadness, friends. It’s back to the real world for me today. Even though it’s the 4th it sort of feels like the actual and more official beginning of the year. And of course it means saying goodbye to the holiday season. I’m not quite ready to take down this year’s holiday card collection. I loved how they looked simply hung with clothespins and string on our exposed brick wall. A lovely focal point indeed.

And in other news, I purchased a new bag yesterday. I deserved a Happy New Year present, don’t you think? I went here and got this exact bag but the color (which is called “taupe”) is a lighter/warmer version than this grey. Oh, how I love it! So yes, sadly I did have to come back to work today. But at least I am facing this new year with a sassy new bag. (I’m trying to see the silver lining here). Hope your return to reality is easy and smooth, my dear pals.