Hooray for Summer! Such a fun time of year for us in
Newport Beach and Mammoth Lakes, California.
Here are some gifts to make you and/or your hostess smile.
How cute is this well-made bag from
Vineyard Vines with
details like the stitching and checked liner???
Our son has a summer job at the local store.
You should have this to kick off your summer so keep reading.
You can find more cute tote bags from Etsy at Sixth Street Design School here.
A hostess gift is really nice when it is personalized.
These melamine trays are fun by the pool and there are lots of other cute patterns.
We gave these frosted plastic cups with the shell to our
friends for letting us stay in their Awesome Beach Penthouse.
Fine Stationary has some great personalized paper guest napkins.
You can also find a good selection at The Stationary Studio.
How about these pretty napkins for a colorful dinner outside? Or…
I always love fresh dishtowels.
My cousin, a recent house guest, gave us these delicious teas from Starbucks.
When I am at garage sales or flea markets, I look for silver spoons
… to wrap with tea or jam, like delicious French Bonne Maman,
available at many grocery stores.
Take a box of chocolates…especially if it is local brand that your host doesn’t have. This box of
See’s candies only looked like this for about 30 seconds after we opened it (thank you, Billy).
This pitcher from Anthropologie would be a sweet present to give filled with
fresh lemons and a recipe card…
NOW FOR THE FUN SUMMER GIVE-WAY…
Not complicated, just
follow me via Facebook, email subscription
or Google
and tell me you are with a comment below…
for a chance to win this Vineyard Vines tote.
Make sure I have your email address.
Happy Summer everyone and
thanks for reading!
PS. If you get this on Facebook or email and do not know how to comment, click on the
# COMMENTS below and leave an anonymous message with your email address!
My sister said Mitt Romney is giving these away too…he copied me.
Participating in
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Party Time @ It’s So Very Cheri , Inspiration Friday At the Picket Fence
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
June 23, 2012 at 10:59 amFollow by Facebook and google.
Mary Ann, this tote is a fabulous giveaway! Love Vineyard Vines.
I love this post, and will go back and follow the links. Always great referrals, and we can never find too many great hostess gift ideas.
Happy Saturday.
Teresa
xoxo
Claudia says
June 23, 2012 at 11:35 amHello,
They just opened a Vinyard Vines near us…love going because we usually only get to visit once a year during our summer vacation. Cute tote…facebook follower.
Thanks for sharing and love the Anthropologie pitcher too. Will check out.
Have a great summer!
Claudia
dogwalker says
June 23, 2012 at 11:38 amLove that tote. Actually love anything Vinyard. I'm not a FB person, but I am a follower of your blog. Please put my name in the hat.
Thanks.
Carolyn says
June 23, 2012 at 11:52 amI follow you via google reader! Love Vineyard Vines!
Lacey says
June 23, 2012 at 12:22 pmJust found your blog and became a subscriber yesterday. I'm so enjoying your style and love these vineyard vines tote!
mbw says
June 23, 2012 at 12:32 pmLove the tote! I subscribe to your posts in email.
Karen says
June 23, 2012 at 12:43 pmHi Mary Ann, I love this tote, too! I'll bet your son is attracting lots of female customers to the local Vineyard Vines. I'm going today to look for pretty napkins, so thanks for the inspiration and fun ideas. P.S. I've used pretty napkins before, layered diagonally over a flat rod, to make a sweet little valance in our beach house kitchen window. Maybe its time to update!
Karen says
June 23, 2012 at 10:41 pmits me, your Atlanta e-design client! laszcz@mindpsring.com — I'm following by email.
Suzluvsflowers says
June 23, 2012 at 12:45 pmI'm a follower on Google. Love your blog and would love to win the beach bag!
tinab158 says
June 23, 2012 at 12:52 pmOh, my…that tote is too cute! I would love to have one…I'm an email follower. Thanks, Tina 🙂
tinab158 at hotmail dot com
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 1:06 pmHI. I love your blog. Thanks for entering me in the contest!
Marilyn
netter@tir.com
Tery H says
June 23, 2012 at 1:06 pmThe tote is adorable! Thanks for the chance. I have been following your blog for awhile and LOVE it.
Thanks again.
tery_hodges@yahoo.com
Wende says
June 23, 2012 at 1:12 pmSuch thoughtful ways to say thank you. The tote is adorable. I am a follower by email. Thanks for the chance to win.
w beducian @ gmaildotcom
Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) says
June 23, 2012 at 1:14 pmHi Mary Ann, I am always looking for good hostess gift ideas and these are excellent. Vineyard Vines bags are wonderful to use with all their pockets and the pretty lining, and I have started seeing them in college stores with the school colors and symbols! I am a happy follower on google and by email so I hope I have double the luck 🙂 ! Linda
LRS4AMANDA says
June 23, 2012 at 1:34 pmMary Ann,
Great ideas for hostess gifts! Love the tote, what a great give away! I am a follower by email. LRS4AMANDA@aol.com
Linda
Natasha @ Northern Light Blog says
June 23, 2012 at 2:03 pmHI!
I just happened to stubble upon your blog, what super timing!!!
I am your newest follower 🙂 LOVE that bag, but don't think I would "only" use it for the beach, too cute not to carry around 🙂
Pick me, pick me! … ok, too obnoxious? sorry…
The Loops says
June 23, 2012 at 2:09 pmI like you on fb and subscribe by email!
intheloop13 at gmail dot com
Stephanie T says
June 23, 2012 at 2:11 pmWhat a great bag!!! I am in need of a new Beach Bag and this is a GREAT one!! I follow you on Facebook.
Trinkwons@yahoo.com
Vickie H. says
June 23, 2012 at 2:17 pmLove that bag! I follow you via an email subscription and I like you on FB!!!
vlanewalker@aol.com
Sonya Seyle says
June 23, 2012 at 2:17 pmI look forward to every new blog posting. I love your design style and am constantly inspired by your ideas. I subscribe by email. Sonyaseyle@live.com
P.S. love that bag
lizziefitz says
June 23, 2012 at 2:24 pmMary Ann , I follow you on google and email. You are delightful! Thanks for the chance. XO
Jennifer says
June 23, 2012 at 2:25 pmLove that tote! Love Vineyard Vines anything! My email is jenmastalski@yahoo.com Enjoy your weekend!
Karen says
June 23, 2012 at 2:30 pmGood morning Mary Ann…great post as always! So many cute summer things! Love the beach bag…so fun and practical.
Not only do I follow your blog, I am practically a stalker of your blog, checking in daily to see what's new!
Have a great day…
AntiqueChase says
June 23, 2012 at 2:31 pmI love that tote !! Fantastic give away!! I follow you 🙂 Marcy
Carla Aston says
June 23, 2012 at 2:38 pmBeautiful things here MaryAnn. Love that Anthropologie pitcher, I've had my eye on it for quite awhile. Now following on fb!
Gail says
June 23, 2012 at 2:47 pmSuch fun gifts to take to the "hostess of the mostest", or to even give a little gift to myself! I follow you on Facebook and email! That way I never miss my favorite blog! The scotch mellows are one of my fav's too…but then I have many favorites! Having grown up with a See's candy store in town….they are truly the BEST chocolates!
Whitney says
June 23, 2012 at 3:18 pmfollowing on email!
Erin says
June 23, 2012 at 3:50 pmI follow on google! I hope I win, its a cute bag!
Chiara (gandlucasmom@yahoo.com says
June 23, 2012 at 4:54 pmLOVE getting your posts to my inbox! Thanks so much for such a fun, beautiful and inspirational blog!
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 5:00 pmWould love to have that great looking tote for summer. My email address is: jan_walton@sbcglobal.net
Jan
Kristen says
June 23, 2012 at 5:25 pmHow CUTE is that bag?! I love it! What a fun giveaway (and thanks for all the gift ideas…sometimes I get stuck in a rut with that!)
Follower on here and Facebook!
More than the mulberries at gmail dot com
CJ Foss says
June 23, 2012 at 5:29 pmGreat gift ideas. Thanks for posting. ~CJ
alisonannblog says
June 23, 2012 at 5:46 pmIt's so cute! I "liked" you on facebook! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
June 23, 2012 at 5:46 pmGreat hostess gift ideas.
I'd love to win the cute bag. Yes, I'm a follower.
Pam
A Delightful Design says
June 23, 2012 at 6:16 pmWonderful list! I'm a long time follower and that bag is just perfection. I would love to win.
abby
Jane says
June 23, 2012 at 6:24 pmLove that tote! I follow you thru e-mail.
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 6:29 pmHi Mary Ann,
Love, Love this tote. Huge fan of the beach and your blog (follow you via email) I wish we had a Vineyard Vines in Canada … but sadly we don't 🙁
Keep up the inspirational blog I love your ideas! Thanks!
Janice@totalweddingshow.com says
June 23, 2012 at 6:31 pmI think I should of entered my email address (here it is) to the post above.
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 7:13 pmLove this tote, and I live at the beach — Virginia Beach! Joni F. at hjwkfitz@verizon.net. I follow you on Facebook!
Still Southern Y'all says
June 23, 2012 at 7:26 pmMary Ann, Love this tote! My email is gaylelowrey@gmail.com. Love the plastic cup idea 🙂 Hope you are having a great summer. Gayle
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} says
June 23, 2012 at 7:28 pmYou know I follow you…everywhere! No, I'm not a stalker! You have found some pretty gifts that just about anyone would love to have. The fabric napkins are gorgeous!
carol jane says
June 23, 2012 at 7:40 pmWonderful summer items. I am a follower of your blog, and i enjoy it very much.Love the cute beach bag too. Would love to win it!!
Renée Finberg says
June 23, 2012 at 7:44 pmokay….
i love the tote!!
have a sweet weekend.
xoxo
AnnieMac says
June 23, 2012 at 8:02 pmI am a follower of your blog. Love that darling beach tote. It would be the perfect beach accessory!
Andrea
andreamac9@hotmail.com
Garden, Home and Party says
June 23, 2012 at 8:10 pmHi Mary Ann,
This post was timely, we need a few hostess gift ideas for upcoming events. They all look like something I would like to have. The tote is great.
I follow you already and will follow you on facebook as well.
Karen
klbunch@gmail.com
Carol Ann says
June 23, 2012 at 8:24 pmI subscribe to your blog via email! Thanks for the chance to win this cute bag—
camorrison5@gmail.com
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 8:33 pmLove your blog! I check it out all the time. We love Vineyard vines too! We liked you on facebook.
Thanks,
landba@verizon.net
Anonymous says
June 23, 2012 at 8:59 pmLove your blog! I am a follower on Facebook, which is how I found out about your give away! My husband & I just moved to San Diego from Chicago about a year ago, I would love to win this tote to take to the beach this summer! Thanks!
emily.m.barrette@gmail.com
Unknown says
June 23, 2012 at 9:26 pmLove this tote! Leaving for the beach in the next hour and wish I had seen it sooner. I am a follower by email.
kelleygardner@optimum.net
cvgr says
June 23, 2012 at 9:39 pmHappy Summer!!! Facebook Follower and Vineyard Vines fan too!
corrierinaldi@verizon.net
LA VIE EN ROSE says
June 23, 2012 at 10:52 pmHey Mary Ann, love that beach bag – beautiful colours! Also, Bonne Maman jam is the only jam I buy because it had the highest fruit percentage than any other jam on the shelf!!!
Sharon
xxxx
Dani M. says
June 23, 2012 at 10:58 pmI love this tote! I follow via Google Reader.
danibrooke42 at gmail dot com
Anonymous says
June 24, 2012 at 1:58 amI love the beach bag! I follow you by email subscription and love your house and decorating style. Sharon
slbolderson@hotmail.com
Anonymous says
June 24, 2012 at 2:52 amI grew up in Southern California and your blog makes me feel right at home! I love your home. It really is perfect.
I follow you via email. Thanks for the chance to win a lovely giveaway!
Sherene
thejube78@yahoo.com
Karena says
June 24, 2012 at 2:52 amHi Mary Anne oh yes I am a follower!! What a perfect Giveaway and I would use this lovely tote!! A lot!!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Artist Series 2012
Kathy Moody says
June 24, 2012 at 6:36 amI am a follower through email and GFC!! Thanks for sharing the awesome gift ideas and thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Sharon (Roses and Rust) says
June 24, 2012 at 8:57 amI am a follower and a fan! Love this bag. Please count me in! X Sharon
Deb says
June 24, 2012 at 2:28 pmLove all of these great ideas!!!
L o v e l y t h i n g s says
June 24, 2012 at 3:11 pmLove love love that vineyard vines beach bag! Madeline just sent them her resume to work at the one in Westport or Greenwich. I remember you mentioned that Tommy wanted to work there this summer…I guess everything worked out. Madeline is going to FI with her friends…I'll have to have her stalk him!! haha
Love those monogrammed cups too! And what a great idea to add a silver spoon from a flea market to a jar of jam for a little hostess gift…you think of everything.
xo
annie
Sally says
June 24, 2012 at 4:29 pmGreat giveaway – count me in!!! I follow you via email and on Facebook 🙂
sally.puckett@yahoo.com
Lisa says
June 24, 2012 at 4:51 pmI follow you with GFC. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lisa
Lisa at Shine Your Light says
June 24, 2012 at 5:41 pmI happily follow you via Google, Mary Ann! Thanks for hosting this lovely giveaway and for all the wonderful hostess ideas! Love those pretty cloth napkins from Gracious Home.
Anonymous says
June 24, 2012 at 6:52 pmLove your blog, Mary Anne. I always look forward to an email from you!! Thanks for the fun bag giveaway 🙂
Elizabeth
Briecorp@aol.com
Susan B. says
June 24, 2012 at 8:07 pmI follow you on Google! Thanks for the opportunity!
tfitz says
June 24, 2012 at 9:16 pmI love your blog…it's the first one I look for in my Google Reader. Since you're only a little ways south of me…since I'm in Long Beach, I love visiting familiar sites on your blog and finding new ones!! Thank for the opportunity…
Teri
Fitzfam5@hotmail.com
Sara says
June 24, 2012 at 9:58 pmGreat giveaway! I follow you on Google!
kathy Dwyer says
June 24, 2012 at 10:14 pmYou had me at your name – classic, casual and home, three words I LOVE to describe my style. I became a follower a while ago. We have a beach condo in San Diego and I find lots of inspiration from your posts. Thank you! The beach bag is perfect!!
SavannahGranny says
June 24, 2012 at 10:58 pmThanks for the neat giveaway. That beach bag would work well on the Atlantic coast. I could see me taking it out to Tybee.
Thanks again, I follow on GFC. Ginger
An Eye for Detail says
June 25, 2012 at 12:11 amI follow you..all over!
Great giveaway for the summer!
AndeM1 says
June 25, 2012 at 12:19 amI follow you via email and google……I loved your gift ideas and would love to win the adorable beach bag….we are heading to the beach in a couple of weeks….it would come in really handy!!!!!!
Andrea
AndeM1@hotmail.com
The enchanted home says
June 25, 2012 at 12:34 amSo many fabulous ideas!! Bookmarking this post…and hellooooo you so had me at See's ( can literally devour the entire box…..)
Sherry B says
June 25, 2012 at 1:22 amI follow daily. I would love to win this bag!!
Cheryl says
June 25, 2012 at 3:18 amI I follow you on Facebook and have your blog on my FlipBoard on my iPad.
Cherylt7atcoxdotnet
classic • casual • home says
June 25, 2012 at 5:23 amI am so happy to have so many great comments and chances to win!!!
Eligonma says
June 25, 2012 at 9:48 amNice beach bag!
I follow via Google Friend Connect.
crisangsteninteriors.com says
June 25, 2012 at 2:41 pmI love those napkins! Bright, cheery, great patterns. Sure to take even the everyday table out of the mundane!
Lindsey says
June 25, 2012 at 3:06 pmI LOVE your blog! I follow on Google Reader and can't get enough of the classic/casual style, it fits me to a tee 🙂 And that beach tote is adorable!
Christine says
June 25, 2012 at 3:13 pmI follow on my Google homepage! Love the blog!
Christine
ckeches@gmail.com
Anonymous says
June 25, 2012 at 3:56 pmGreat giveaway! (and blog)
I follow you via email
(eb91990@aol.com)
JeanneW says
June 25, 2012 at 8:12 pmI'm a new follower. I found you via Cote de Texas.I love the frosted cups. What a great idea for sprucing up something so mundane.
sunmumsie at yahoo.com
Christie says
June 25, 2012 at 8:18 pmLove Vineyard Vines! My dad lives in MV and I live in San Diego so I would get a ton of use out of this bag.
Christie
Chistienapier@yahoo.com
Christie says
June 26, 2012 at 4:31 amPS – and am following you via Google Reader
frances says
June 25, 2012 at 8:18 pmI covet anything from vineyard vines…they do not have any stores here in Canada…I would love to win this beach bag too Cheers Frances
Stacey {steward of design} says
June 25, 2012 at 8:30 pmLove this bag! So cute. Love your blog as well. I follow on google.
pam {simple details} says
June 25, 2012 at 10:13 pmThanks for sharing your clever and classic hostess gift ideas! (Oh my gosh, I just remembered I was invited for coffee in the morning, a tad late for anything monogrammed, but a towel or tea would be nice!) A google follower. 🙂
Anonymous says
June 25, 2012 at 10:28 pmLove your blog.
Connie
rishworthc@culligankc.com
Anonymous says
June 26, 2012 at 2:25 amLove the Vineyard bag!!! What a fun way to carry swimming gear! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful decorating ideas! Always read your e-mail first! Happy Summer!
Jane
janekessinger@hotmail.com
martha says
June 26, 2012 at 4:47 amLove your blog. mkerstner@gmail.com
Lyndsey says
June 26, 2012 at 5:53 amLove this bag!!! Your blog is great 🙂
I follow via GFC (lyndsey127) and like on Facebook (Lyndsey Aaron)
xoxo,
Lyndsey
lyndsey127@.com
http://www.theeyelinermanifesto.blogspot.com
Mrs. Sutton says
June 26, 2012 at 9:54 amWhat fabulous ideas – those colourful napkins are adorable!
Paula x
Faith B - Interiors Unique says
June 26, 2012 at 10:38 amLove the colorful napkins!
Taylor Greenwalt says
June 26, 2012 at 2:06 pmWhat a great idea to collect silver antique spoons to give away with gifts. Its a pretty touch to the gift. Your so creative! Great bag, perfect for summer.
Nancy says
June 26, 2012 at 2:20 pmLove the bag, won't it look great hanging on my arm during my cruise this fall 😉
Following by email & can't wait!
Anonymous says
June 27, 2012 at 2:49 amI just recently found your blog and spent one evening reading every one of them. Thanks for the great hostess gift ideas and chance for the giveaway!! Sue
szarzana65378@comcast.net
Christie says
June 27, 2012 at 4:04 amFollowing here! What a great give-a-way! I saw this in the store and wanted it so badly! Thanks! Christie at robbthomas@rhtc.net
Dr. Vaughan Dabbs says
June 27, 2012 at 7:28 amExcellent information. Your site definitely explains essential concepts to its readers. Thanks for continuing to write such wonderful articles.
Loris Glassworks says
June 27, 2012 at 9:02 pmLove the tote, thanks for the chance to win. I follow you using google reader.
lori.dorrington@yahoo.com
jenthompson says
June 28, 2012 at 12:47 amCute stuff, great ideas! I follow you on Google Reader!
Jessie says
June 28, 2012 at 1:54 amI follow you via Google Friend Connect! Cute giveaway!
Thanks for stopping by today.
I am hosting a fabulous giveaway, too. So, come by and enter if you like!
http://www.mixandchic.com/2012/06/giveaway-win-25-pounds-gift-certificate.html
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
3girlygirls says
June 28, 2012 at 4:12 amI'm following you by email.
Melissa Tichy
Teamtichy@sbcglobal.net
Anonymous says
June 28, 2012 at 5:20 amI just became a subscriber. I love the tote. Thanks for the opportunity to enter to win!
-Rachel
Anne says
June 28, 2012 at 3:45 pmI subscribe by email to your blog!
Love the bag! Wouldn't mind winning one from Mitt either!!! 🙂
All the best!
Princess Danell says
June 28, 2012 at 4:03 pmMary Ann….I am following you on Facebook, email, Google and everywhere. I wanted to thank you for your tip on Dorett Fabric in Fountain Valley. I found a beautiful Waverly print last summer for my master bedroom duvet. Love it! I am an OC girl now living in Temecula. If you ever out this way 🙂
Paige G says
June 28, 2012 at 4:22 pmI follow on email and on facebook! Love your blog.
Sally says
June 28, 2012 at 5:10 pmI am a google follower. Love the bag!
Diana's Life says
June 28, 2012 at 7:03 pmI have been reading your blog for some time, but just became a new follower
Diana's Life says
June 28, 2012 at 7:04 pmI have been reading your blog for some time, but just became a new follower
Faith B - Interiors Unique says
June 29, 2012 at 12:27 pmLove the totes!! I am a google follower for quite awhile.
carey says
June 29, 2012 at 12:30 pmI follow you on FB and email! 🙂 Thanks for all the great summer hostess ideas/gifts. Love summer! 🙂
(careyotto@gmail.com)
Julielorusso@gmail.com says
June 29, 2012 at 12:41 pmI'm a Google follower–thanks for the chance. Pop over to Monkey Grass Hill. I'm doing a Novica giveaway.
Tam says
June 29, 2012 at 12:56 pmI subscribe to you by email. love your blog 🙂
Anonymous says
June 29, 2012 at 1:11 pmFollowed you on FB! Love your site:) Happy Summer! Ava
ava.whalen@hotmail.com
Jenn says
June 29, 2012 at 1:47 pmHi! I follow on fb and email! Love the bag. But I really love your bathroom makeover. Gorgeous! Thanks 🙂
ka says
June 29, 2012 at 4:09 pmI follow you on fb and email
ka says
June 29, 2012 at 4:10 pmkval126@gmail.com
Tumbleweed714 says
June 29, 2012 at 8:50 pmI am in LOVE with this tote!!! love the details and the checkered lining fabric!!! I alos love your blog, found you from Emily Clark's blog… Just added you to my Google reader, so I can follow, and liked you on facebook too!!!
my email: julieaspear AT gmail DOT com… thanks also for the links in this post for the fabric napkins and dishtowels. beautiful!!!
thanks!!!
Julie
Anonymous says
June 30, 2012 at 1:37 amLove your blog, and of course the bag…. Love seeing my home away from home…. My Mom grew up on Balboa Island… Still have family in Newport…. Miss it!
jwohlrab@yahoo.com
XO… Julie
Dolisa says
June 30, 2012 at 5:12 amReally cute tote! I would love to bring it to Lake Tahoe! dwink@charter.net
Anonymous says
July 1, 2012 at 1:53 amHi!
I adore your blog and follow by google! I love the beach tote!!!!
Happy weekend!
Danalynkylie@gmail.com
Mary @ Sea Quilts says
July 1, 2012 at 2:04 pmAlready a follower … love your blog. LOVE the tote!!
Mary
Nancy Elizabeth Carey says
July 1, 2012 at 4:12 pmyou know me…big fan of yours!! love the tote super cute!! xo nancy elizabeth
ipad 3 cover says
September 4, 2012 at 7:48 amLove the tote! I subscribe to your posts in email.