'Twas the Friday Before Christmas...

Hello 2 Hearts readers!

We hope this Friday finds you well, as you tie up loose ends before Christmas next week so that you can enjoy the sweetness of the season! We know this time of year can be stress, anxiety, and a mix of  emotions for many--all the more reason to take some time to relax, slow down, and remember the reason for the season.

If you need some last minute holiday inspiration for gift wrap, we're here to help: check out our holiday gift guides below:

Holiday A to Z Guide: A through C

Holiday A to Z Guide: D through F

Holiday A to Z Guide: G through I

Holiday A to Z Guide: J through M

Holiday A to Z Guide: N through Z

And don't forget, we are here to help with your last minute gift-wrapping needs as well! Simply contact us for turn-around time and availability.

Please take some time this weekend and next week to sit, savor, and enjoy this special time. We are so thankful for you, our faithful readers and clients! We wish you peace, love, and joy this holiday season.

See you next week!

{Calligraphy Monday} Simply Elegant Calligraphy Tags

Happy Monday 2 Hearts readers!

We hope you had a weekend filled with family, fun, and good food--and took time to count all your many blessings :) We certainly are thankful for you!

If you can believe it, today is December 1st…which means most of us are gearing up for full-on holiday mode :) But don't worry, 2 Hearts B 1 Designs is here for you this month to give you tips and tricks to make your holiday festivities easier!

For example, you can take a simple tag, tie it with twine, and have Jillian calligraphy the names of guests or gift recipients on them:

What an elegant way to dress up a simple favor, a bottle of wine, or any special gift you're giving this year. These can even serve double-duty as place cards if each place setting is set with the gift!

Stay tuned for more festive ideas in the weeks ahead…and a special announcement toward the end of the month!

And don't forget to check out our special Holiday A to Z Guide from last year:

Holiday A to Z Guide: A through C

Holiday A to Z Guide: D through F

Holiday A to Z Guide: G through I

Holiday A to Z Guide: J through M

Holiday A to Z Guide: N through Z

Have a wonderful Monday!

{Feeling Lucky} Las Vegas Inspired Birthday Invitation & Gift Basket

Hello!

With St. Patrick's Day being on Monday, we're feeling a little lucky, and thought we'd share some projects inspired by a place where you should bring your luck…Las Vegas of course! ;)

We designed this invitation for a wonderful friend of ours. What better way to celebrate your
40th birthday in style than with a Las Vegas bash?

A group of friends celebrated with a fabulous dinner and a fun night on the town!

We took the martini motif and created coordinating return address labels, then adhered them to the eye-catching shimmer gold envelopes.

Happy Birthday Danny!

What a fun evening; thank you for letting us be a part of your birthday festivities!

To see our inspiration for this invitation, visit our Pinterest board here:

Here is another lucky project we did last year…we created a Vegas-themed gift basket for a television show producer's birthday. We were excited about this project because not only was it fun to create, but the person receiving it produced one of our favorite TV shows…Desperate Housewives :)

In the basket, we included some giant playing cards, (fake) money, specialty nuts, chocolate poker chips, mini bottles of Patron, Jack Daniels, and other liquors, and other Vegas-y items :)

Isn't this such a fun idea?

What a fun way to 'kick off' a trip to Vegas or give for a special birthday. No doubt the person who receives this will feel lucky to have you in their life! :)

For a Vegas-themed birthday invitation perfect for a girl's trip,
go here, and see our inspiration board for it here!

We hope these projects give you some great ideas for either putting a fun twist on your St. Patrick's Day celebration, or to celebrate a special birthday or event. We're so glad you stopped by, and certainly feel "lucky" to have such wonderful readers!

Have a great weekend! :)

Holiday A to Z Guide :: J is for Jute Cord...

Today's holiday inspirations are all about details…the small, pretty details that make any gift or gathering special! So without further ado, let's get to it!

J is for Jute Cord…

Jute cord or twine is a strong cord made of natural fibers…in fact, it's made of the same material that burlap is made of. Jute cord gives any project a little bit of a rustic quality, and is a lovely addition to table details or gift wrap.

{Via}

We created these menus last year for a gorgeous wedding in Santa Barbara wine country. The small jute detail gave them a pretty rustic elegance, and this idea could easily be modified for a holiday party menu or invitation.

{Via}

A simple piece of jute cord tied around a pretty box is rustic elegance at it's best. So easy yet so effective!

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This image actually segues perfectly into our next item, because it marries both jute cord and kraft paper together. They added a simple contrasting sash (how lovely would something in gold, or burgundy, or silver look for the holidays?) and made a beautiful gift anyone would love to receive.

K is for Kraft…

Ahh, how we love kraft. If you've followed our blog for awhile, you've heard us sing it's praises before, and we still love it. It can be used for any event detail (place cards, menus, invitations), not to mention gift wrap.

We love to use it as an envelope to give invitations that understated elegance that is always in style.

These place cards by Style Me Pretty would be a gorgeous touch to a holiday table.

And again, the simplicity of these packages tied with a beautiful bow would make a gorgeous statement under your Christmas tree!

Brown paper packages tied up with strings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

L is for Lace…

Lace is timeless, traditional, and classic. It can be used in subtle ways to keep your holiday feeling modern and pretty. We used lace in these wedding invitations to evoke a very elegant, romantic feel, and the same can be done for holiday details, especially when it comes to gift wrap.

{Via}

When we came across these packages on Pinterest, we fell in love! They bring together lace and kraft, two of our favorite things! And one package even ties on an ornament with jute cord! Be still my heart...

{Via}

And we loved this idea of tying a fresh sprig of pine to your package, with a tartan print, and red and white baker's twine. So. So. Cute.

M is for Monograms…

When you think monograms you may think weddings, but a monogram is a beautiful way to incorporate your family's name into holiday cards, return address labels, or even gift tags.

Jillian created this handwritten calligraphy monogram, and then used it as a motif for the couple's wedding invitations. They also incorporated it into tags to tie on the outside of the invitation, menus, and programs.

This idea could easily be modified for holiday gift tags; the monogram would be at the top, and instead of the wedding information, you'd have a simple "To" and "From." Gorgeous!

Or how about incorporating it into festive details like cocktail napkins, an art print, or even an ornament? So many ideas for cuteness, we can hardly stand it!

We hope today's ideas inspired you to play with the details for your next holiday affair…whether it's tying a simple piece of jute around a jar of goodies, adding a sash of lace to a package, or incorporating your monogram, there are so many ways to personalize and festive-ize (yes, I just made that word up) your holiday!

Happy wrapping and happy personalizing!

Holiday A to Z Guide :: G is for Gift Baskets...

We're so glad you're here to join us for the third installment of our Holiday A to Z Guide! (To see posts 1 and 2, go here and here).

With only about a week left to do your shopping, planning, baking, and merry-making, we want to give you some practical tips, inspiration, and fun of course!

So here we go!

G is for Gift Baskets…

Fill a beautiful basket with the receiver's favorite things, and voila! You have a beautiful, thoughtful, meaningful gift that gets sweeter with each opened package. Gift baskets never go out of style! 

H is for Holiday Cards…

We showed you these holiday cards here, and just have to show you them again because they're some of our favorites! Your cards should be a reflection of you, and we always love a photo card! Even though it's too late to order Christmas cards, if you need a special order for New Year's, let us know!

I is for "I Heart…" (Things We're Loving This Season!)

Here's a small list of some of the things we're loving this season…

I heart gold home accessories

We love this collection of gold entertaining essentials put together by the fabulous Glitter Guide. Swoon. For more info on these products, go here.


I heart twine

{Via}

Whether it's tying up packages, wrapping up baked goodies, or tying together utensils for an informal gathering, twine has so many uses! We use baker's twine (like this one) all the time, for a multitude of projects. Do yourself a favor and pick up a spool, and see how often you reach for it!

I heart cake mixes

{Via}

This time of year, you're entertaining, gift-giving, and often needing a quick and easy recipe--so in steps the simple yet often overlooked cake mix! There are so many ways you can dress up a cake mix for a simple and quick bar, cookie, or cupcake…the options really are endless! Cake Mix Recipes by Gooseberry Patch is one of our favorite sources for all things cake mix (and it would even make an adorable gift to give with your baked treats!)

So there you have it…your Monday round-up of holiday inspiration! Come back every day this week as we round out our Holiday A to Z Guide, just in time for Christmas!

Happy Monday!

Holiday A to Z Guide

Can you believe Christmas is a little over three weeks away?

This time of year always seems to fly by, with holiday activities filling evenings and weekends. Here at 2 Hearts B 1 we are in full-swing holiday mode, and we thought we'd put together a collection of some of our ideas, tips, and tricks to help you out with your holiday preparations as well.

We've put together an A to Z Holiday Guide sharing our inspirations with you, 2 Hearts B 1 style :)

So check back often to see what we have to share...and please share your own useful tips and tricks in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you!

So without further ado, let's begin!

A is for Addressing...

Give your holiday cards a little extra flair this year with a pretty envelope (these are shimmer black), handwritten addressing, and a pretty sticker or decal to set the tone. A beautiful sight!

B is for Bows…

Nothing makes a present pop like a big, beautiful, luxurious bow!
When it comes to ribbon, our favorite is double sided satin, and the thicker, the better.
Here's a simple tutorial on how to tie the perfect simple bow, and here's a tutorial to make a little fancier one, a la 2 Hearts B 1 style :)

C is for Calligraphy…

Ahhh, need we say more? Calligraphy is one of our specialties here at 2 Hearts B 1, and we love love love it…on everything! From place cards, to envelopes, to gift tags…you name it, we think it looks even more fab with a little calligraphy! This place card written in gold ink is especially festive for the holidays. Click here to view more posts featuring calligraphy!

That's it for today, come back on Wednesday to see what we have in store for D, E, and F!

Happy December!

{Gift Idea} A Basketful of Thanks

Hi 2 Hearts readers!

We have a lovely gift basket to show you today, that would be perfect as a hostess gift or even a birthday gift. This basket is filled with all kinds of fall goodies, and anyone with an eye towards the simple pleasures and style will appreciate it.

The basket is filled with gourmet teas, chocolates, soaps, candles, and a few other personal items. We created this basket for a client, so the items are geared toward her preferences of course. If the person you're gifting this too likes to cook, try putting in a few pretty wine stoppers, festive spatulas, or dish towels. If they like to read, put a favorite magazine or book, and maybe a mini book light. If they are a foodie, put in some spiced nuts, some homemade treats, or a gift card to a favorite restaurant. The options are endless with personalizing a gift basket like this! While the central theme is fall, you can easily incorporate the tastes and style of the receiver by wrapping the items in coordinating papers and ribbons that echo the gorgeous colors of the season.

Also, our basket is on the larger side, but this concept can easily be scaled down and put in a smaller basket with a few thoughtful items. Why not show your thanks to the person hosting Thanksgiving this year (or to a special friend, or your child's teacher) by putting together a personalized, thoughtful gift basket like this one? Tie on a beautiful tag with their name written in calligraphy and you have a gift that is sure to let them know how much you care.

{Frosting Friday} Making Work Sweet

One of the things that is so interesting about our collaboration with Sweet E's is that we get introduced to new companies and corporations on a pretty regular basis.

For example, take these dessert box tags we created for a custom order for sbe.

Sweet E's was contacted to create these cupcake gift boxes, and we created the tags with the company's logo on it. sbe is a luxury lifestyle and entertainment company with quite the impressive list of clients--for more about sbe, visit here.

{Photo via}

It's fun to think that we have a small part to play in the details of a company's special events. We imagine party goers, dressed to the nines and sipping champagne, picking up one of these boxes and admiring it's design...at least that's how it goes when we imagine it ;) If only we could be a fly on the wall at some of these occasions! ;)

What a great way gift to give to employees at a special luncheon or dinner, or to give to clients at an appreciation gathering. It's an effective way to incorporate your brand into the party details and to make a fun statement. Mixing work with sweets--what a fabulous idea!

Let us know if we can help you incorporate your logo or brand into special gift tags or dessert signage--it's a sweet way to make an impression!

Happy Friday!

{Frosting Friday} Baseball Themed Gift Basket

In honor of baseball season, we're sharing this baseball-themed gift basket we put together for a client last year.

We wrapped a box in white paper, then added red rickrack trim to give the feel of a baseball. Gifts inside were wrapped in coordinating red, white, and blue paper and ribbon. Mixing prints along with solid papers give interest, and the white polka dot paper is reminiscent of baseballs as well. All the cellophane bundles are chocolate baseballs purchased from a local chocolatier. The final touch is the sprigs of metallic vase filler, which adds height, shine, and texture to the gift.

Do you have a baseball fan in your life? What baseball fan, male or female, wouldn't love a gift centered around their favorite sport, especially when it includes chocolate baseballs? :) Let us know if you'd like our help in creating that perfect gift for someone special in your life. Also, if you missed our golf-themed gift basket, check it out here!

Happy Friday!

{Gift Idea} Fall Gift Baskets

Are you as excited as we are?

Fall is just about upon us!

(This coming Sunday is the first day of fall!)

And that means all things pumpkins, cinnamon, leaves, fireplaces...we could go on and on!

So many things to love about fall...

{Via}

You may have already started your fall decorating (like we have), but in Southern California it's still been in the 90s lately. We're hoping we'll start to feel a little crispness in the air soon, so that we'll really be able to enjoy the feelings of fall!

To get us in the mood for fall today, we're sharing these lovely fall gift baskets we did for a client.

We used the colors of the season as our inspiration: oranges, yellows and golds, browns, and a touch of red, sprinkled with some neutral creams and champagne fabric.

We used different prints and textures in the gift wrap to keep it interesting, as well as a variety of silk and organza ribbons. A few candles tucked between the boxes adds interest and warmth as well.

This second basket follows the same color scheme, but the items inside were a little larger, so we used larger, more voluminous ribbons to play off the natural shapes.

We used an orange and yellow floral patterned paper in addition to the other papers, which really gives a fun pop of color, kind of like the bright orange and yellow leaves of a tree bursting with fall! :)

These baskets make us think of all the yummy sights and smells of fall! Who wouldn't want to pour a cup of something delicious and open a beautiful fall basket like this?

{Via}

A fall gift basket would be perfect for a housewarming party, or even a fall bridal shower or wedding! You can dress it up as much as you'd like to make it that much more special. One thing is for sure, a gift basket like this certainly makes a statement!

For more fall ideas, visit our fall inspiration board on Pinterest!

Happy Wednesday!

{Frosting Friday} Sending S'More Love!

Happy Friday 2 Hearts readers!

We've got a tag for you today that is perfectly sweet:

Tie these cuties on a package filled with ingredients to make s'mores, like these....

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or these...

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or these...

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...and you've got a perfectly adorable (and delicious!) favor or gift!

This tag is made with a cream card stock, and the sweet design is printed on a kraft paper card stock...we love the look of red, cream, and kraft together.

Whether it's for a summer wedding favor, a birthday favor, or just a fun treat for friends, this gift idea is sure to make your guests smile!

Contact us to order these sweet tags!

Have a fabulous Friday!

xoxo

{Calligraphy Monday} Mother's Day Tags

Can you believe it's almost May?

That means that Mother's Day is only two weeks away! We want to make sure we show our mamas how much we love them, so over the next two weeks we'll be sharing ideas on how you can make Mother's Day extra special for that lovely lady in your life!

To start off today, we're sharing a tag we did for a Sweet E's dessert photo shoot a few years ago.

In this photo, the tag is used on a dessert table for pretzel sticks, but how cute would this be as a gift tag with your mom's name on it, or "Happy Mother's Day" written in calligraphy? The little three dimensional shoe with the rhinestone adornment is perfect touch for celebrating moms...and the shoe can be customized in any color or pattern. Shoes and Mother's Day just seem to go hand in hand!

You could use it on the outside of a package, or to tie up a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

So many uses for a custom tag!

Make sure to place your order for custom Mother's Day tags early so we have time to ship them to you! Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12th this year.

Stay tuned for more tips and ideas this week for making it a beautiful Mother's Day!

Happy Monday!

{Things We Heart} Paper Rosettes

One of the eye-catching party decor trends you're seeing right now is the paper rosette (or paper medallion).

{via Hostess with the Mostess}

How stunning are these yellow, gray, and white paper medallions displayed together as a collage-style backdrop for a dessert table?

As we gather ideas for our Easter table decor, I keep coming across these cheerful little medallions and how they can be incorporated in a multitude of ways.

For example, how adorable would this be for an Easter dessert display? I love the paper medallion showcased inside the rustic wreath.

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And we LOVE this idea of using the medallion as a table number. This can be done elegantly for a wedding (as shown) or played up in bold colors for a bright and fun birthday party.

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Paper rosettes can be a lovely touch to a special gift in place of a traditional bow.

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Displayed artfully, they make a lovely and delicate wall display in an office or bedroom as well.

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Happily for us, there are many paper rosette tutorials out there, but one we found especially easy to follow is this one from HowDoesShe. They take you step by step on how to create this gorgeous backdrop.

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And for the month of April, Paper Source is holding a workshop on how to make rosettes.

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I think there will be some paper rosettes in our near future. Easy, chic, and a fabulous effect!

For more paper rosette inspiration, check out our Pinterest board here:

Will you be giving these chic little beauties a try?