Gift Guide: Watercolors

Lately I have had a thing for watercolor.  And while I definitly LOVE my Waterlouge app... 

I'm still a sucker for the real deal.  

Let me introduce you to three super talented watercolourists that I have worked with recently...

First up is the talented Inslee from Inslee by Design.  Who is actually a college friend of some of my highschool friends!  Anyway she is an incredible talent, check out her website!!!  She did paintings of both my sister and mama for their birthdays this year, and my brother had her paint, Hila and her dog Maude for Valentine's Day, and all three portraits turned out great!!!

Take a look...

Next up is Diedre Wicks, from the Water in my Paint shop,

 who you may remember from the "Ballet Birdies" in Mae Mae's room...

Still love them so much!  

Well it turns out that if you send her a personal message through Etsy (ha!) and ask her if she does comission potraits, she'll do one for you!!! (And for a great price I might add!)  So here's the back story, right before Davy was born, I got a great pic of Mae Mae with about 20 bows in her hair.  It was precious and my Dad totally fell inlove with the pic.  So I ask Diedre to paint the pic and we gave it to him for Christmas!  

Here's the painting...so dear.

I gave my Dad the original, but she gladly made prints for me 

and I handed those out to other relatives at Christmas too! Plus I kept one for myself! :)

And last but not least, probably my favorite "wedding gift" to give is a house portrait.  So when Davy's godparents got hitched in December, I just knew I had to get their sweet first house memorialized!  I found Amy Brearley through, you guessed it...etsy! And she was fabulous, quick, and such a joy to work with!  I highly recommend her! 

And here's a pic of it after I picked it up from the framers!  

So why not try watercolor for the next birthday, anniversary or baby gift?  

It'll become a family heirloom and I know the recipent will cherish it greatly!!!

Happy Valentine's Day folks!

XO

P + P 

P + P Particulars: Hilary's Haute Picks

So my brother's girlyfriend, Hilary Bird, is a totally creative, smart, hip and beautiful young lady (and we are SO happy that she likes to hang around Uncle T)!! She was the one that actually came up with Pad + Party logo (the two P's tied together with a bow...so fresh!) and was one of my biggest encouragers to start the biz!  (Thanks Hila!)  Anyway she sends me the coolest stuff 24-7 (a lot of it from fresh young Texan artists) and so I thought I'd start a little feature honoring all the neat stuff she has brought into my life.

Aren't they cute?? LOOOOOVE them!

First up is  Pearly Gates Design, not only does super talented artist Carrie (UT grad), make beautiful custom invitations and stationary...

but her shop is stocked with fabulous, unique and custom gifts!

I'm LOVING those napkins!!! Would be a great hostess gift for your next holiday party....

Hilary also introduced me to this gorgeous line of handmade jewelry by Nicola Bathie, a TCU grad!   

Have you heard of it?  It's beautiful!!! 

Check out some of P + P's favorite items...

And last but not least...Hilary has let me in on a little shoe secret...(I've posted about their clothing and home department in the past) BUT Zara has AWESOME, COMFY and relatively INEXPENSIVE  shoes!!! Who knew?

Hilary bought these beauties a few weeks ago...

$159

Here are some of my other favorites from Zara...

$49

$179

$35

Anyway now you know! 

Thanks Hila Bird...Keep em' coming!

XO

P + P

P + P Particulars: Stocking Stuffers

Almost 18 months ago (yep MM is almost 18 months!!) I found Beth from 1canoe2 through our mutual love of letterpress.  I had her make Mae Mae's sweet birth announcements and she did a fantastic job...

I recently made a visit to her site when planning Davy's announcements and was totally blown away by everything she has going on!!  Talk about great stocking stuffers (tea towels, milk glasses, notepads, calendar etc)...her whole website is on my Christmas list this year!!! Check it out...

Beautiful Holiday Cards

Sweet Kid Cards!

You can't tell from the pic, but this calendar is large! 

I want this to hang over the kids' Busy Board in the kitchen!  

Wouldn't these prints be PERFECT in a little boy's nursery?

Presidents Glasses

 Why not study Social Studies with some cookies?

I know someone who needs this print in her dorm room (cali sister are ya reading this?)

Cutest Grocery List Notepad EVER

Hand painted Globes

I want to get Mae Mae this pink globe sooo bad! 

 It's up for Auction on ebay right now!!!

Tea Towels

Isn't it awesome?

Happy gifting! 

XO

P + P

P + P Particulars: Stockings

If you don't have a stocking to hang over the fireplace this year...it's time to get one for you and your loved ones.  Stockings are a fun way to make a statement or emphasize an already beautiful mantle.  Since there are so many options to chose from...here is a round up of Pad + Party's favorite stockings from around the web in every design style!!

TRADITIONAL

 Sferra

MINIMALIST

VINTAGE

WISH Supplies

WHIMSICAL

Elm Tree Textiles

RETRO

Pottery Barn

LUXE

Restoration Hardware

CRAFTY

Rik Rak

WINTER WHITE

West Elm

GLOBAL

Furbish Studios

And we'll bring you P + P's favorite stocking stuffers soon!!! 

XO 

P + P