Pepper Design Blog

Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! While searching recently for some inspiration for that special someone in my life (because in the past I’ve always been a tad late on putting something thoughtful together for this holiday – always), I actually came across quite a few ideas that I loved for the ladies. These gifts remind me of the types of presents I might make for a friend or Mom or Grandma just to say I Love You. Taking inspiration from Mrs. Stewart, I pulled together a few of my favorite themed gifts from her gallery (the one inspiration photo in each collage) and added a few of the resources needed for making that special something for that special someone.

Feel free to forward to your boyfriend/husband/significant other.

 Stamp parchment or wax paper with a small heart shaped stamp to create your own unique wrapping paper. Tie up a bundle of your favorite homemade lemon cookies or a loaf of zucchini bread with baker’s twine and deliver to your loved one. Feeling like going above and beyond? This apron from Anthroplogie is the perfect addition for another lover of baking.

A tea lover will be over the top surprised to receive a custom tea set complete with small heart shaped tea labels for each tea bag. To recreate, invest in a paper cutter like this one, a few sheets of red construction paper and a box of your favorite tea. Cut out small hearts and share a message on each in a white colored pencil, then affix to the tea bag string with a dot of glue. Feel like going above and beyond? Include this beautiful tea pot, these striped tea towels or this adorable cake stand.

Friends with a green thumb will find custom seed packets especially endearing. Create small envelopes yourself with construction paper and add seeds from pre-purchased bags or affix custom labels to each little seed packet. Add your new seed packets to a beautiful and brightly colored pot and deliver. These gardening gloves add a little something extra.

Create a special dream-themed gift for your Valentine by packaging up a luxurious candle with the softest slippers (I own these in black and love them for chilly wood floors around the house). Go above and beyond by including a handmade sleep mask (found this beautiful floral version on Etsy).

Four Valentine’s Day ideas that are customized, special and unique, because there is nothing like opening up a gift that was created just for you. Plus, themed gifts can be really fun to pull together as the giver – the possibilities are endless once you get the creative juices flowing!

A Toast to 2011! And a Year in Review…

Wow this year has flown by! Before we usher in the new year (2012!?) here’s a quick look back at some of my favorite projects from 2011.

Rooms tackled in the house…

Crafts and more diy fun …

And our biggest project to date!

We wish you all a Happy New Years!! So long 2011 – you were good to us!

New Year’s Eve Celebration Inspiration for 2011

New Year’s Eve is just a few days away! Wow has this year flown by. But before reminiscing, I thought it might be fun to share a few favorite party, food and drink ideas for the upcoming holiday. Oh what pretty inspiration!

This shimmery silver and mocha dessert table (featured on HWTM) by Enchanted Events & Design is beautiful. I love the modern use of baby’s breath as a big, globe shaped centerpiece and the color palette is wintery and soft.

Check out this inspiration from The Celebration Shoppe, Martha Stewart and BHG. The beautiful glitter stars are a favorite this year and mixing blush pink into the mix makes for a sweet New Year’s Eve palette (check out those adorable DIY glitter ballet flats).

I love this silver glittery banner and the classic white tabletop by Caroline Anderson and Sofie Lawett via Olivet. I think both would be easy to recreate for the special holiday.

This bling bachelorette party featured over at Style Me Pretty is a bright and shimmery take on the holiday as well!

Whew! So much sparkle and glitter. Yay for New Year’s being just a couple days away! More shimmery inspiration from last year posted over here (featuring one of my favorite feathery parties by SMP with a green, pink & white tablescape) and here (for even more silver and green).