Monogram Monday: Gifts That Get Personal

A personalized gift is always touching. It shows that your gift was not a last minute idea - that you gave it some thought.  With Mother's Day, Graduations, Teacher's gifts and more coming up, it's never too early to give a personalized gift some thought.  They take time.

Here: Ten Perfect Personalized Gifts

Printed Stripe Ikat Pouch

Those zebras have had a make over with this chic pouch. I think it is safe to say that all women love a good zippered pouch. I'd use it as a laptop cover.  Most will throw it under their arm and go.  Make it hers alone with a monogram!

C. Wonder

Monogram Jewelry Box

Sleek and shiny, this Box sits pretty anywhere in the home.  What girl wouldn't love it?

C. Wonder

Personalized Porcelain Tray

The perfect teacher's or hostess gift! At $10 a piece, go ahead and buy them by the pair!

Nordstrom's

Graphic Image Gift Card

This is the gift that anyone would love, men or women.   Simply select an amount from $100.00-$500.00 and the lucky recipient will receive a gift card that can be used online enclosed in a personalized leather card case of your choice. Graphic image sells luxe leather, tech covers, passport and business cases, and more!

Graphic Image

Chevron Business Cards

I love the idea of gifting someone with a calling card.  Even if they don't work, they have a phone number and an email address. Perfect for the graduate looking for a job.  

Paper-Source

Personalized Spa Toiletry Bags

How fun are these? Give your bridesmaids a spa day and present each one with a case in their favorite color. 

Beau-Coup

Moon & Lola Monogram Tortoise Cuff

  A modern take on a timeless classic.

Zhush

Typewriter Key Cufflink
Sterling silver cufflink with vintage typewriter key from the '1930s.  What a fabulous gift for the college graduate, especially the journalist or writer. Find all of the letters at
Barney's New York

Baublebar Twitter Plate Necklace
Surely you know a girl who loves a good #hashtag phrase or lives @twitter. This is a clever idea that comes in Sterling Silver, Gold or Rose Gold plating
Bauble Bar

Graphic Image Tech Cases 
I just think these are the best looking leather accessories. Beautiful leather
 in many many colors.  Pictured, gold washed python.
Graphic Image

~ ~ ~ ~ ~





You May Also Enjoy

Wednesday Wants: Great Girlfriend Gifts

Foodie Friday: Elegant Easter Eats

(Via Ooh La La Frou Frou)

Easter - one of my favorite holidays. Just the thought of a fluffy bunny hopping down that trail makes me smile. Easter dinner at my home, as a child, always meant jelly beans, bunny cakes, egg hunts, and asparagus with hollandaise. Good memories.  Make some of your own with these inspired recipes.

Almond Petits Fours

Elegant and bite-sized, these almond-flavored cakes have a hidden layer of sweet-tart cherry preserves. Perfect for the sweet table.
Delish

Easter Blow Pop Martini
Cheers!
Tablespoon

Pork Crown Roast with Apricot Apple Stuffing 
This is my idea of a "company entree."
Taste Of Home

Lemon And Icebox Mascarpone Ice Box Cake 

Wow your friends with only four ingredients!
Sweet Paul

Tyler Florence's Smoked Ham With Bourbon, Brown Sugar and Cola
Plain ham is boring to me, but add some booze and sugar, then you have my attention!
Huffington Post

Herbed Potato Gratin with Roasted Garlic and Manchego
A good gratin of potatoes is ALWAYS a welcome dish on the table. This recipe was a standout because of the smokey types of cheeses used.
Food And Wine

Orange Cream Mimosa
Chef Tyler Florence's elegant recipe.
Food Network

Lobster Salad Canapes
Lobster personifies a celebration! These will make your guests feel special.
Epicurious

Pesto Crusted Racks Of Lamb
To me, pesto elevates everything.
Fine Cooking

Outrageous Coconut Cream Meringue Cake
Oh just shoot me! This looks like a winner
Fine Cooking

Gorgonzola and Pear Risotto with Walnuts
Love the sweet and savory flavors in this recipe.  
Food52

Lemon Meringue Pie Shooters
A shot glass of anything is all we really need after dinner. I often serve dessert in this fashion. Lemon Meringue is special for Spring.
Diary Of A Country Wife

Nach Waxman's Brisket Of Beef
This genius recipe calls for cutting the beef half way through cooking.
Food 52

Grilled Asparagus And Creamy Lemon Quinoa
Surprise your guests with this pretty dish with hints of lemon and cumin.

Green Kitchen Stories

Cheddar Cheese Scones
A beautiful bread choice for brunch and beyond.
Bon Appetit

Easter Truffles
A sophisticated table gift and not so hard to make.
You can find comparable little nests at Amazon. Click HERE. Recipe at
Delicious Magazine

Torta Pasqualina And Vermentino

This vegetarian dish calls for the most interesting mix of greens.
The Gourmet Traveller

Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse Tart
Yum! I just want to try to recreate the strawberry configuration.
The Galley Gourmet

Thomas Keller’s Truffle Infused "Bacon and Eggs" With Crispy Prosciutto
If you really want to serve a dish with a WOW factor, this is it! 
White On Rice Couple

Hibiscus Marinated Leg Of Lamb
This is the most interesting recipe ever! One of the ingredients is Red Zinger tea leaves - and lots of them!
Gourmet

Butter Lettuce Salad with Pistachios and Orange Crème Fraîche Dressing
No one will mind eating their greens when they look this good!
Saveur

Little Lemon Souffles
I made these many moons ago. They were a big hit and just incredibly cute!
Martha Stewart

French Chard Tart : Gluten-Free, Grain Free

A savory side that is sure to please a guest or two.

Gourmande In The Kitchen

Triple-Cheese Cheesecake with Amaretti Crust
This recipe is said to be incredibly light. Ad that crust? Sounds fabulous.
Food and Wine

Popover Cheesy Avocado Frittatas
Here's another Brunch idea. They are made with tortillas!
Allys Kitchen

Easter Lemon Pavlova
Made with fabulous meringue.
BBC UK

Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Now this is a statement piece! Made by smothering the head with Greek Yogurt.
Pure Wow

Walnut Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
My Mother made this recipe and now I do. it is crazy good and quite addictive!
Saveur
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You May Also Enjoy

An Inspired Easter For All Of Your Peeps!

Glamour In The Garden

(Via Sandy M, Fashion Illustrator)

Today's inspiration has come from Mother Nature. It finally is beginning to look like Spring. I don't have outdoor space in the big city, but if I did, I just know that it would be glamorous! And why not? Your garden, deck and patio are an extension of your home, and probably the first thing guests see.  Go ahead - Glam it up! Get started here.

B and B Italia 
Charles Outdoor Chaise
I don't think I would ever leave this lounge!
Switch Modern

Paper Lanterns
Nothing says Garden Party more than a paper lantern! I have loved them since I first dined outside at Tavern On The Green in NYC. They add a pop of panache to any indoor or outdoor space. See a huge selection at
Luna Bazaar

Sitting Pretty At One King's Lane

Outdoor pillows add so much style with little effort to your outdoor space. Why shouldn't your deck or garden seating be as well dressed as you are?

Find easy care outdoor pillows on sale for 2 days at

One King's Lane

Magis Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini 
What looks like a romantic baroque armchair, is really an industrial object molded in plastic.  I call it art.
Unica Home

French Bull Table Accessories
Serve your fresh garden veggies and more on this eclectic and contemporary collection of Melamine dinnerware and tabletop accessories.
Amazon

Luxembourg Aluminum Outdoor Collection By Frederic Sofia

This collection adds a big pop of color to the garden! Available in over 21 chic colors - might be fun to mix and match.

Unica Home

Orla Kiely For Wild and Wolf

Fashion designer, Orla, has a cult following for her leather goods and clothing line.  Now your garden can be dressed as well as you are.  See her Pots, Urns, and Gardening Tools at

Burke Decor

Mohawk Home® Herringbone Indoor/Outdoor Rectangular Rugs
Lets face it, there is nothing chic about cement.  A good outdoor rug can really add a big dose of glam to your garden or patio.
JCPenney

Lowrey 3-Piece Wicker Patio Swivel Chat Furniture Set
If shopping on a budget, this set offers a glamorous shape that lends both comfort and style at an affordable price. It's part of the Threshold Collection.
Target

Serena and Lily Outdoor Furniture

Chic comfort is how I describe this beautiful collection

Serena and Lily

Finest Paperware Disposable Cups

I did say glamour.  Having a garden party?  You may not mind using paper when they look this good.  Designer, Rebecca Wilson has created ‘throwaway culture."

Generate Design

"Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Sculptural Firebowl"

Metal Fire Pit

An outdoor fire is fabulous, but they usually aren't pretty and certainly not glamorous. Created by John T. Unger

Artful Home

Acapulco Chair by Innit Designs
I am a bit obsessed with this chair! Love all of the colors.
Shop Horne

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

You May Also Enjoy

Serve A Stylish Spring Soiree