Tag Archives: gift guide

DIY Valentine: Custom Mug & Hot Cocoa

I recently had a request for an affordable DIY valentine; what a great idea!! (Vday is so close to last year’s holidays which can add up. I’m definitely on a budget after gifting & travel.) So, today’s post is a fun and easy project that is a great gift (for a guy or gal!)

(As a bonus, I also made this easy to print card – just click the image below to download the file. You can print on regular letter sized paper and fold it into quarters.)

VNg & I enjoy cozying up to share hot chocolate; he especially loves all the marshmallows he can get. (Btw did you know they have heart-shaped marshmallows?! Perfect for this project!!) Anyway, he prefers gifts we can experience together (rather than something purely material.) So, I love the idea of making something unique and personalized that you can share. Your Valentine will really appreciate the time and thought you put into this gift.

This project is inspired by Kate Spade mugs I sketched a few weeks ago. They sold out pretty quickly… but I was thrilled to find they can be easily duplicated (for a fraction of the price!)

DIY Valentine - Use a gold sharpie and some old mugs to make a personalized gift and a bag of hot cocoa mix. I think the cost of this project should be less than $25 depending on how you approach it. (Basically, don’t count on staying under $25 if you’re gonna buy your mugs from, say, West Elm.) However, I found one for $9. I also really like the idea of using mugs (since they’re typically solid colors. And, I found a set of two for $16.) Grab a gold Sharpie for about $2 (or two for $4.) Be sure to buy the “paint” marker version. Add the cost of the cocoa powder mix and you are good to go.

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Illustrated Gift Guide: Valentines for Her

As promised, here is my gift guide for ladies. In case you already have the perfect gift – I also included less expensive items; shower her with lots of lovely trinkets! A lot of these are things I loved receiving… I hope she will too!

My best illustrated gift guide - what to get her for Valentine's Day

fresh sugar lip balm $ Sephora, L’Occitane hand cream $ Sephora, heart ring $$$$ Shopbop, locked in bangle $$ Kate Spade, heart studs $$ Shopbop or $ Kate Spade

I need to have lip balm and hand lotion in my bag. Fresh sugar is SPF15, all natural, and feels great. It is rated #1 again and again (for a good reason.) It’s nice to get these little things as gifts because I end up buying them repeatedly. V.Ng bought me these heart earrings last year and I love them so much. I wear them almost every day! They even say “be mine” – perfect for Valentine’s Day!

My best illustrated gift guide - what to get her for Valentine's Day

pretty coin purse $$$ Comme des Garcons, heart iphone cover $ DVF, gold arrow cuff bangle $$ Need Supply or $ Macy’s, pretty bevel ring $$ Shopbop

A girl can never go wrong with a good coin purse. Small accessories are risk-free items that are fun to give and receive. I like changing up my phone cover every now and then; she’ll probably love having something to constantly remind her of your feelings.

My best illustrated gift guide - what to get her for Valentine's Day

the mini Rider bag $$$ Shopbop, pretty gold bow necklace $$ Kate Spade or $$$ Shopbop, gold finish Gramercy watch $$$ Kate Spade, Dior lip polish $ Sephora

If you’re still looking for a big ticket item – try a pretty handbag or a classy watch. This bag is a great neutral color (perfect for spring) and it’s a classic shape that she can take from work to dinner.

I hope this helps you on your quest for the perfect gift(s)!! But, hold on to that receipt just in case. (;

<3 Thanks for viewing!

Illustrated Gift Guide: Valentines for Him

January went by in a flash and before you know it Valentine’s Day will be here. So, what to get him? Here’s my illustrated gift guide to help you find the perfect gift for your guy.

valentine's day gift guide for the dapper gentleman in your life

pocket squares $ NeedSupply and $$ Bloomingdale’s, personalized cuff links $ Amazon, 2gb usb cuff links $$ Brookstone, crystal whiskey glasses $ Glencairn

If your guy is like V.Ng then you know he has good taste and a business-ready wardrobe. He probably already owns a lot of cuff links or tie bars – so I loved these unique ones that offer fun utility and secret messages.

valentine's day gift guide for the pro techie in your life

leather iPhone case $ J.Crew (iPhone5), dodo case $$ J.Crew, ZaggKeys for iPad 2/3 $$ Amazon

If your beau is always on the go – he’ll definitely appreciate these sleek and manly tech accessories. I love the use of classic materials, like leather and wood, for modern accessories.

valentine's day gift guide for the avid gamer in your life

Portal 2 $$ Amazon, Rayman Origins $ Amazon, x-box live points $$ Target, playstation network $$ Target, BlackWidow gaming keyboard $$ Razer

Most guys (including V.Ng) can’t get enough of video games. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to fade away with age (my brother, 33, is still a gamer at heart.) Show him you’re cool by encouraging him to ignore you for four hours straight. Or, better yet, give him a fun co-op game you can enjoy together like Portal2 or Rayman Origins. You’ll love them for the cute graphics and fun premises – he’ll love you for playing a video game with him.

valentine's day gift guide for the seasoned chef in your life

the French Laundry Cookbook $ Amazon, knife block $$ Bloomingdale’s, juice fountain $$ Breville

If he’s always in the kitchen (lucky!) and loves trying the latest Michelin recommended secret – then he won’t be able to resist trying his hand at some of Thomas Keller’s world famous dishes. Another great gift (maybe a little more for yourself?) is my all time favorite juicer - it’s compact, sleek, easy to clean and comes with a recipe booklet. For the price of three days of Blueprint – you could juice for the rest of your life!

I hope this helps you find that something special for your guy! And, I have more V-day inspired posts to come (like what to wear on your date or what he can get you.) Thanks for viewing. <3