CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: A Housewarming Bucket

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:00:12 -0700

Moving into a new house is stressful. You're finally cured of the headache of packing, and then it occurs to you that you still have to unpack! Then, something inevitably goes wrong. The faucet only gives off hot water, the movers break something, etc. Then, you think you're all set and ready to settle in and you realize you're out of t.p. Ugh! So, as much as a warm apple pie or a batch of your specialty cookies will taste delightful to your new neighbors or a friend who's just moved, a more useful (and migraine-relieving) housewarming gift is a bucket of the essentials she'll need to get settled. Think about the things that were most helpful to you when you moved. Then, pick up a handsome galvanized bucket, or even a colorful scrub bucket, and then comb the aisles of at the hardware store for those items, as well as any tools and practical items they might need. If you happen to throw a cold Corona or a black-and-white cookie in there while you're at it, I don't think you'll face any opposition.
Source

Crave Worthy: Message Bean

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:30:42 -0700

The adorably innovative Message Bean ($14.95) would be a great and affordable housewarming or hostess gift. The recipient simply has to plant the bean, and a message appears on either side of the sprout. Varieties include "Thank You," "Love," "Good Luck," "Happy Birthday," "Get Well," and more.

All it takes is soil and about a half cup of water, and it grows in about a week. Has anyone tried this? If so, let me know how it turned out.

Flowers Wilt, Chocolates Melt, Glassybaby Forever

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:42:10 -0700

What is a glassybaby? Only the hottest thing to come out of Seattle since Starbucks! The perfect hostess, housewarming or birthday gift, glassybabies are beautiful hand blown glass cups that can be used as candle holders, vases or drinking glasses. They come in 53 different colors, with new ones being introduced all the time and named fun things like "Seattle Sunset," "Rubber Ducky," and Martha Stewart's favorite "Bedford Brown."

When lit up they glow beautifully and make fabulous centerpieces or are sure to spark conversation when used as wine glasses at a party. Glassybabies have been getting a ton of press since Oprah created the buzz by listing them on her list of Favorite Things and artist and creator of glassybaby, Lee Rhodes, was featured on Martha Stewart Living.

A three-time cancer survivor and mother of three, Rhodes started making the glassybabies out of her garage seven years ago as gifts for friends. Now she is giving back by designating a select group of glassybaby colors to benefit organizations contributing to cancer patient care and cancer research. For example, this goldenrod glassybaby benefits M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to help Hurricane Katrina victims receiving cancer treatment.

To see more colors and to find out how to purchase a glassybaby, read more

Glassybabies are $40 each and can be purchased here.

Gift Guide: Patio Plants For a Happy Housewarming

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:36:58 -0800

Whether someone on your gift-giving list has just bought a first home or recently moved into a sweet new rental property, one of the loveliest ways to say Happy Housewarming! is with a festive container plant.

For the aspiring small-space gardener, try this patio gardening seed mix ($14) from Seeds of Change. Pop these pretty packets in a beribboned-woven basket (which can then be used for harvesting peas, beans, and herbs), and present it to your newly moved pal. You can step it up a notch with some beautiful front-stoop cypress trees, like this set of three cypress trees ($39) from Smith and Hawken. And finally, for a truly unusual statement, present your new home dweller with this stunning wine-grape bonsai tree ($64.50) from Organic Style.

Cool Idea: A Pumpkin Fit For Fashionistas

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Looking for a jack-o-lantern that even your glammest girlfriend would covet? Then check out jeweler Eddie Borgo's amazing dark and bejeweled pumpkin. This pumpkin was originally created as a housewarming gift for designer Victor Glemaud, but I think it would look amazing at any style-forward Halloween to-do this weekend.

Want to learn how to make this fashionista-friendly pumpkin? All you'll need is a pumpkin, a knife and spoon, black spray paint, and some jewelry studs. Head over to Vogue for the full DIY. (Yes, I know, a DIY on Vogue!)

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:00:37 -0700

Take a look at wallpaper backsplashes. - AT:SF
Make a back-to-school lunch bag. - Craft
Send some happy mail. - PoppyTalk
Preview new pendants from Rejuvenation. - Shelterrific
A renter's dilemma . . . solved! - ShelterPop
Materialistic has cute housewarming gifts. - Decor8
Pretty pillows for $50 or less. - PointClickHome

Open House: Would You Register For a Housewarming?

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:30:18 -0800

In Philip Galanes's latest Social Q's column, a 32-year-old woman wrote in saying that she'd decided that marriage wasn't for her. However, since she'd been in eight weddings and had to contribute oodles of presents over the past decade, she wanted to register for gifts for her housewarming party.

Galanes advises,

But the difference between their weddings and baby showers and your housewarming scheme is that their sole intent was not to rack up gifts. Don’t get me wrong: a housewarming is a great idea, and you may nab some nice loot. No gift registry, though. The party should be for celebrating your new place with friends, not for telling them how to outfit your kitchen.

This situation reminds me of an episode of Sex and the City. Can you guess which one? Find out when you read more.

In season six, episode 83, "A Woman's Right to Shoes," Carrie's Manolos are stolen at a baby shower. To recoup her losses, Carrie decides to register at Manolo Blahnik, in celebration of her marriage to herself. In the end, her beloved shoes are replaced, and all ends well for our heroine. While I admire Carrie's nontraditional registering, I don't think I'd have the audacity to do something similar. Would you?

By the same token, do you agree or disagree with Galanes's advice for the woman interested in registering for home items? I know that in the past I've felt annoyed by the many, many baby presents, bridal shower gifts, and wedding presents I've purchased in my lifetime, but since I'm now married, I have absolutely no right to complain about these things anymore. However, I know that my attitude might be different if I were still single. What are your thoughts?

Source

Nice and New: Venetian-Style Votive Holders

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:50 -0700

I don't write much about housewarming gifts, but I think these Venetian-Style Votive Holders ($39 for six) from Napa Style would make an ideal gift for any new homeowner. The delicate, one-of-a-kind glasses are elegant and chic, and their stripes, dots, and swirls are fun and lighthearted. More importantly, the lack of color makes them versatile, and in terms of style, they'd work as well in a country cottage as an urban loft. The product description also recommends using them as glasses for limoncello or digestifs, which is great for friends with a taste for after-dinner drinks. What do you think?

The Card Shop: Hello! Lucky Welcome Home Greeting Card

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:00:19 -0700

The next time you're attending a housewarming party, once you've built your housewarming bucket, you'll need a cheerful card to wish your friends or neighbors well in their new digs. The Hello! Lucky Welcome Home Greeting Card ($4.50) will fit the bill and then some. Its lively plant motifs in lime green and chocolate brown are just the thing to sow good vibes in their home, and its heavy card stock will surely impress. And, if you happen to be giving a plant as a housewarming gift, it couldn't be more appropriate!

The Card Shop: Screen-Printed Bird Enclosure Cards

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:45:00 -0700

If you're attending a birthday, housewarming, or any other party that calls for gift-giving, but you're not close with the host, your best bet is to keep it simple. Pick up a great gift that anyone would love (bottle of wine, flowers, Scrabble!), and enclose a chic, cute gift card or tag. Augment it by sharing a brief sentiment and signing your name. Take this Set of 8 Screen-Printed Bird Enclosure Cards ($10), for example. The ochre birds and branch design on heavy card stock shows that you care, but doesn't cross any boundaries like a hunky shirtless man card might (you know what I'm talking out). Try, "Happy birthday! Hope it's a blast." No one ever complains about short and sweet.