Last Minute Wrapping

Need some last minute inspiration? Here are some of my presents through my Instagram lens.

I used scrap pieces of wrapping paper to make a fun stripe on one.  I was sick of just the brown paper.

I also used extra burlap and twine to wrap some nail polish (could not think of any other way to wrap that stuff).  Boyfriend B asked me if I was back in the 1800s, but I'm choosing to ignore his comment.

Then used more brown paper, twine, and paint chips to spruce up the packaging for Boyfriend B (we'll see if he gets it now) and my mom.  I got inspired by Laura @ Beauty in the Beard with the paint chips.  

Hope you get some ideas from this! Happy wrapping...or shopping...I know some of you are!

Weekend Snapshot

Happy Monday Friends!

What a wonderful first weekend of winter break.  We celebrated K turning 18 and surprised him with a [large] family get together.  My family is nothing short of loud and hilarious.  It's always a wonderful time.  I'm choosing to ignore the fact that the Packers lost.  Please don't talk to me about it.  Then I got to spend the night with Boyfriend B's family, re-celebrating his mom's birthday, his cousin's engagement (still so excited for you two and happy belated birthday W), and his amazing grandma's return from Florida for the holidays! Did I mention we get to visit her in January? I've been counting down the days to some relaxation poolside and sunshine and not to mention great company.

My goal for this Monday: finish wrapping! I got a good start this weekend, but each time I think I'm close to being done, I remember another gift.  I found these monogram labels while lesson planning procrastinating last week. 

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via MaryKathryn on Pinterest

I thought they would be a fun way to spice up my gifts this year.  I went to Michaels again with my 40% off coupon and bought a circle cutter (no I don't remember the official name).  I used extra paper to make the solid color circles.  I hate seeing it go to waste.  I'm linking up with Ashley at a {little} dash of ash for her Instagram Mondays.

I've also been perfecting my bow-making-skills.  For extended family, I'm going with a simple look.

How is wrapping going for you?  Did I mention that when I came home for break I had presents under the tree from Rachel Zoe and Clay Matthews?  Does my mom know me or what?

How Sweet It Is

Remember that feeling in college after a really long semester and that first day you're on winter break? Ya, that was me yesterday.  I continued to watch more Hallmark movies.  Why is it that no matter how many times I watch the cheesy Christmas movies, I cry?  I am such a sap.  I was also in denial that I am officially done with undergrad classes.  Where did the time go? On to student teaching with some amazing third graders in the spring! Today, we technically still have two classes, but we're just eating and telling each other how much love each other (that is a very serious statement).  Then I get to go watch my first graders in their Christmas concert - holy cuteness. 

So what will I be doing over winter break?  Well, I would like to master wrapping that's for sure.  Remember these gifts here? This was the first time I ever attempted to make my presents presentable Coincidence the word present is in presentable? I think not.  I used to wrap as fast as possible, and my family can vouch for me on this one:  they weren't pretty. 

Next on this list: get crafty with my mother dearest.  We will be working on this lovely project.  I may or may not have several wine/champagne bottles from our holiday party.

Source: cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I will update you on the wrapping and crafting for sure.  I have other projects up my sleeve, but I don't quite know when they'll get done.  It's my brother K's birthday this weekend and then Boyfriend B's on the 23rd.  Then there is that really fun day, Christmas, you know? So life will be a tad busy, and I want to enjoy being home with the ones I love.  Maybe I'll just make them all craft with me? That sounds like a great idea if I do say so myself.  

Most challenging task of the day: packing the car.  Dearest dad, be warned as you will not be pleased when you see how much I'm bringing home.  And to answer your question in advance, no I will not wear all of the clothes over break that I'm bringing home, but a girl needs options.  Thanks for understanding.  You're the best.

Do you have any tips on how to pack lighter?  Any signature wrapping up your sleeves?

Let's Wrap Some Presents

First and foremost, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of my wonderful followers.  My goal for November was to reach 30 followers, and thanks to Tiffany from Living Savvy, today I am up to 50 followers!  It means more than you know, and I am so grateful for all of your comments and support as I continue on with my new adventure of blogging!

Moving on, yes, my friends, it's that time of year again.  I decided I should slowly start wrapping presents this year, and then I feel like my effort is more worthwhile because I'll be able to look at them longer.  Unlike last year, when I waited until winter break to wrap presents.  I don't even know if some were wrapped for 24 hours, and then that makes me really sad thinking about how long it took me to wrap them only to watch people rip it apart.  Except for the twin sister A, she knows how to make unwrapping a present last longer than I ever knew possible.

As mentioned here,  I wanted to reuse some of the supplies I bought for other Christmas crafts.  While at Michaels, I also bought a roll of plain brown paper (think brown lunch bag material).  I brought the materials home for Thanksgiving to start some wrapping, and what do you know, my amazing mom bought some other thinner ribbon for me to use too!  I know, I know, she's the best.  I had to wrap my roommate's gifts early because I'll sadly be leaving her to go home for break while she remains in Madison being the amazing nurse that she is (her patients are pretty lucky to spend the holidays with her).  Once I wrapped the presents like I would with any other normal wrapping paper, I added the ribbon for extra detail.  Don't be afraid to layer or lie the  ribbons next to one another.  You could also do some vertical and horizontal, but I haven't gotten around to that quite yet.  Get creative with how you write the names too so that you aren't left with too much space, unless you like space, then by all means go for it!  Lesson learned from the first one I wrapped, which may or may not be the reason I have the presents stacked on one another in the pictures:

 

 

While I was home, my mom also started to do some Christmas decorating, which looks great might I add.  After I showed her how I hung an ornament from a lampshade, she wanted to do so as well at our home sweet home.  She found a great ornament; however, it was far too large to hang from any of our lampshades.  

Solution: Place it with the pinecones (is it one word or two words...I keep going back and forth and even Google is confused about it?) on the coffee table.  We both love how it brightened up the basket.

Any holiday decorating tricks up your sleeves? Do share!

Linking up at Serenity Now!