Here at Simon+Kabuki we’ve just finalized our holiday designs. We usually finish up our holiday stationery designs for some clients in May, but others are due in July and August. Above is just a small sampling of the many cards we did this year. There were well over...
We’re doing a swim party at my house for Independence Day and here’s what’s going down: I’m making white chocolate dipped strawberries with blue sugar, it’s super easy! I found an easy recipe at barbarabakes.com. Barbara likes edible...
This weekend we’ll be celebrating all the dads in our family by having a barbeque. We pretty much barbeque and swim all summer long but we like to pretend that we are getting together only for this special occasion. It’s nice to cook outside on hot days...
Father’s Day is fast approaching and it is time to think about what to get your dad or spouse. My dad has everything he needs so it is always difficult (a pain in the ass!) to think up something clever and fun. You could always do a fun outing together. My dad...
Hopefully by now most of us have planned out our Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner and have the gift all wrapped and ready to go. Unfortunately I am not most of us! I still have to figure out what to get for my mom who has everything. The brunch part is a...
Every year I struggle with ideas for Mother’s Day gifts. My mom has everything she needs and wants so it is always hard to come up with something unique that I know she will use or treasure. Some easy ideas are to just spend time with your mom. Plan on taking...
Warm weather birthdays are the best. Period. Outdoor parties are my first choice for a wound up group of kids. They have space to expend their energy and messes can be hosed down. And the theme potential is enormous (you know how I love a good theme...
Etsy is one of my favorite places to look for unique items. I love ordering birthday or Christmas gifts from Etsy, especially personalized gifts. You just need to make sure you order items with enough time for shipping. There are a lot of fun Easter items right now...
14 Fun Finds Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Time to start planning. I like to find unique items for my husband and kids. Even if you do not have a romantic Valentine in mind, giving Valentine’s gifts can be a sweet gesture. Just try to stay...
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Yesterday CoolMomPicks (an awesome blog for all of us moms) featured a personalized gift guide on the Today Show. And boy were we surprised to see some of our products being featured! One of the...
Each year my sister, myself and my best friend from elementary school host a cookie exchange party. We try to schedule it the week or two before Christmas so that we can give some of the cookies as gifts. The rest we just eat ourselves! It is a fun no pressure party,...
We are quickly approaching the holidays. Every year it flys by and I always say to myself that this year I will be super organized, holiday cards done by Thanksgiving, presents wrapped as they are bought, and all shopping done by mid-December. I assume I am like...
I love everything vintage and when I am shopping for Christmas I often try to find things that are unique. Vintage or retro fits the bill. I always check out Restoration Hardware for fun games and stocking stuffers. Although I mostly play Words with Friends on my...
We spent Thanksgiving at my in-laws in Manteca. On Friday, as we were heading home we passed a church sign on the main street that I had to stop and take pictures of. It appears that God is a stand up comedienne! Or at least some of his followers are. If I was...
Top Ten Things to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving: 10. Martha Stewart will not critique your turkey or the $1 store napkin rings. 9. You get to be with your family–all day! 8. There will be plenty of wine flowing, see #9. 7. You finally get to use your gravy boat....
What’s not to love about the holidays – traffic, people fighting over the last Tickle Me Elmo doll, Grandma’s fruitcake, Uncle Joe’s drunken slurring – I digress. I love the holidays and can’t wait each year for them to arrive. Almost...
Everyone has an uncle, a brother, a sister or a friend that is uber cool and trendy. These design inspired gifts would be perfect for them or anyone else on your list. First up is this insanely awesome laptop case. I may just buy a laptop so I can get this case. I...
We recently designed personalized wrapping paper, just in time for the holidays. You can add whatever message you’d like, personalize it from Santa or buy a roll with your family name. Add a pretty bow and you are set to go. We designed two sets for Christmas...
Ray Villafane There are some amazing pumpkin carvings out there and I thought in honor of Halloween I would share some great ones. I came across the artist Ray Villafane during my search. Wow! You can see his pumpkins here also. Quite amazing, it is too bad they rot...
This is not a preachy post about giving out fresh granny smith apples from the organic farmer’s market instead of candy for Halloween. People who do that deserve to get TP’d. Halloween is an opportunity to be absolutely ridiculous, with your diet and your...
I posted a how-to article for fabric covered pumpkins a few weeks ago and a local Girl Scout Troop decided to try the project. We gave them fabric from our Juicy Blossoms collection and look at the fabulousness that happened! Girl Scout cookies, Thin Mints in...
So my friend Linda brought me this totally hot pumpkin because she said the black and white fabric reminded her of me. I already loved it and then she told me she made it for me so now I love it even more. What an awesome hostess gift, teacher gift, or fall decoration...
I know that it is July and the temperature has been hovering near 100 degrees, but here at Simon+Kabuki we’ve been finalizing holiday designs. We usually finish up our holiday stationery designs for some clients in May, but others are due in July and August. It...
We are always hard at work on new designs so we thought we would showcase some of them on Wednesdays. We are working on some right now for the Licensing Show in Las Vegas. When we were in New York for Surtex we saw snowmen everywhere and one of our colleagues said you...
I definitely don’t consider myself a super fabulous baker– except for my chocolate chip cookie dough, which is better than sex – but I always give it my best effort. Okay, I lied. I often give baking minimal effort because why would I knock myself out when I...
