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
ipad 3 cover says
Love the tote! I subscribe to your posts in email.
Nancy Elizabeth Carey says
you know me…big fan of yours!! love the tote super cute!! xo nancy elizabeth
Mary @ Sea Quilts says
Already a follower … love your blog. LOVE the tote!!
Mary
Anonymous says
Hi!
I adore your blog and follow by google! I love the beach tote!!!!
Happy weekend!
[email protected]
Dolisa says
Really cute tote! I would love to bring it to Lake Tahoe! [email protected]
Anonymous says
Love 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!
[email protected]
XO… Julie
Tumbleweed714 says
I 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
ka says
I follow you on fb and email
ka says
[email protected]
Jenn says
Hi! I follow on fb and email! Love the bag. But I really love your bathroom makeover. Gorgeous! Thanks 🙂
Anonymous says
Followed you on FB! Love your site:) Happy Summer! Ava
[email protected]
Tam says
I subscribe to you by email. love your blog 🙂
[email protected] says
I'm a Google follower–thanks for the chance. Pop over to Monkey Grass Hill. I'm doing a Novica giveaway.
carey says
I follow you on FB and email! 🙂 Thanks for all the great summer hostess ideas/gifts. Love summer! 🙂
([email protected])
Faith B - Interiors Unique says
Love the totes!! I am a google follower for quite awhile.
Diana's Life says
I have been reading your blog for some time, but just became a new follower
Diana's Life says
I have been reading your blog for some time, but just became a new follower
Sally says
I am a google follower. Love the bag!
Paige G says
I follow on email and on facebook! Love your blog.
Princess Danell says
Mary 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 🙂
Anne says
I subscribe by email to your blog!
Love the bag! Wouldn't mind winning one from Mitt either!!! 🙂
All the best!
Anonymous says
I just became a subscriber. I love the tote. Thanks for the opportunity to enter to win!
-Rachel
3girlygirls says
I'm following you by email.
Melissa Tichy
[email protected]
Jessie says
I 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
jenthompson says
Cute stuff, great ideas! I follow you on Google Reader!
Loris Glassworks says
Love the tote, thanks for the chance to win. I follow you using google reader.
[email protected]
Dr. Vaughan Dabbs says
Excellent information. Your site definitely explains essential concepts to its readers. Thanks for continuing to write such wonderful articles.
Christie says
Following here! What a great give-a-way! I saw this in the store and wanted it so badly! Thanks! Christie at [email protected]
Anonymous says
I 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
[email protected]
Nancy says
Love the bag, won't it look great hanging on my arm during my cruise this fall 😉
Following by email & can't wait!
Taylor Greenwalt says
What 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.
Faith B - Interiors Unique says
Love the colorful napkins!
Mrs. Sutton says
What fabulous ideas – those colourful napkins are adorable!
Paula x
Lyndsey says
Love this bag!!! Your blog is great 🙂
I follow via GFC (lyndsey127) and like on Facebook (Lyndsey Aaron)
xoxo,
Lyndsey
[email protected]
http://www.theeyelinermanifesto.blogspot.com
martha says
Love your blog. [email protected]
Anonymous says
Love 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
[email protected]
Anonymous says
Love your blog.
Connie
[email protected]
pam {simple details} says
Thanks 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. 🙂
Stacey {steward of design} says
Love this bag! So cute. Love your blog as well. I follow on google.
frances says
I 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
Christie says
Love 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
[email protected]
Christie says
PS – and am following you via Google Reader
JeanneW says
I'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
Anonymous says
Great giveaway! (and blog)
I follow you via email
([email protected])
Christine says
I follow on my Google homepage! Love the blog!
Christine
[email protected]
Lindsey says
I 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!
crisangsteninteriors.com says
I love those napkins! Bright, cheery, great patterns. Sure to take even the everyday table out of the mundane!
Eligonma says
Nice beach bag!
I follow via Google Friend Connect.
classic • casual • home says
I am so happy to have so many great comments and chances to win!!!
Cheryl says
I I follow you on Facebook and have your blog on my FlipBoard on my iPad.
Cherylt7atcoxdotnet
Sherry B says
I follow daily. I would love to win this bag!!
The enchanted home says
So many fabulous ideas!! Bookmarking this post…and hellooooo you so had me at See's ( can literally devour the entire box…..)
AndeM1 says
I 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
[email protected]
An Eye for Detail says
I follow you..all over!
Great giveaway for the summer!
SavannahGranny says
Thanks 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
kathy Dwyer says
You 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!!
Sara says
Great giveaway! I follow you on Google!
tfitz says
I 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
[email protected]
Susan B. says
I follow you on Google! Thanks for the opportunity!
Anonymous says
Love your blog, Mary Anne. I always look forward to an email from you!! Thanks for the fun bag giveaway 🙂
Elizabeth
[email protected]
Lisa at Shine Your Light says
I 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.
Lisa says
I follow you with GFC. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lisa
Sally says
Great giveaway – count me in!!! I follow you via email and on Facebook 🙂
[email protected]
L o v e l y t h i n g s says
Love 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
Deb says
Love all of these great ideas!!!
Sharon (Roses and Rust) says
I am a follower and a fan! Love this bag. Please count me in! X Sharon
Kathy Moody says
I am a follower through email and GFC!! Thanks for sharing the awesome gift ideas and thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Karena says
Hi 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
Anonymous says
I 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
[email protected]
Anonymous says
I love the beach bag! I follow you by email subscription and love your house and decorating style. Sharon
[email protected]
Dani M. says
I love this tote! I follow via Google Reader.
danibrooke42 at gmail dot com
LA VIE EN ROSE says
Hey 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
cvgr says
Happy Summer!!! Facebook Follower and Vineyard Vines fan too!
[email protected]
Unknown says
Love this tote! Leaving for the beach in the next hour and wish I had seen it sooner. I am a follower by email.
[email protected]
Anonymous says
Love 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!
[email protected]
Anonymous says
Love your blog! I check it out all the time. We love Vineyard vines too! We liked you on facebook.
Thanks,
[email protected]
Carol Ann says
I subscribe to your blog via email! Thanks for the chance to win this cute bag—
[email protected]
Garden, Home and Party says
Hi 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
[email protected]
AnnieMac says
I am a follower of your blog. Love that darling beach tote. It would be the perfect beach accessory!
Andrea
[email protected]
Renée Finberg says
okay….
i love the tote!!
have a sweet weekend.
xoxo
carol jane says
Wonderful 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!!
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} says
You 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!
Still Southern Y'all says
Mary Ann, Love this tote! My email is [email protected]. Love the plastic cup idea 🙂 Hope you are having a great summer. Gayle
Anonymous says
Love this tote, and I live at the beach — Virginia Beach! Joni F. at [email protected]. I follow you on Facebook!
Anonymous says
Hi 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!
[email protected] says
I think I should of entered my email address (here it is) to the post above.
Jane says
Love that tote! I follow you thru e-mail.
A Delightful Design says
Wonderful list! I'm a long time follower and that bag is just perfection. I would love to win.
abby
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
Great hostess gift ideas.
I'd love to win the cute bag. Yes, I'm a follower.
Pam
alisonannblog says
It's so cute! I "liked" you on facebook! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
CJ Foss says
Great gift ideas. Thanks for posting. ~CJ
Kristen says
How 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
Anonymous says
Would love to have that great looking tote for summer. My email address is: [email protected]
Jan
Chiara ([email protected] says
LOVE getting your posts to my inbox! Thanks so much for such a fun, beautiful and inspirational blog!
Erin says
I follow on google! I hope I win, its a cute bag!
Whitney says
following on email!
Gail says
Such 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!
Carla Aston says
Beautiful things here MaryAnn. Love that Anthropologie pitcher, I've had my eye on it for quite awhile. Now following on fb!
AntiqueChase says
I love that tote !! Fantastic give away!! I follow you 🙂 Marcy
Karen says
Good 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…
Jennifer says
Love that tote! Love Vineyard Vines anything! My email is [email protected] Enjoy your weekend!
lizziefitz says
Mary Ann , I follow you on google and email. You are delightful! Thanks for the chance. XO
Sonya Seyle says
I look forward to every new blog posting. I love your design style and am constantly inspired by your ideas. I subscribe by email. [email protected]
P.S. love that bag
Vickie H. says
Love that bag! I follow you via an email subscription and I like you on FB!!!
[email protected]
Stephanie T says
What a great bag!!! I am in need of a new Beach Bag and this is a GREAT one!! I follow you on Facebook.
[email protected]
The Loops says
I like you on fb and subscribe by email!
intheloop13 at gmail dot com
Natasha @ Northern Light Blog says
HI!
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…
LRS4AMANDA says
Mary Ann,
Great ideas for hostess gifts! Love the tote, what a great give away! I am a follower by email. [email protected]
Linda
Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) says
Hi 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
Wende says
Such 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
Tery H says
The tote is adorable! Thanks for the chance. I have been following your blog for awhile and LOVE it.
Thanks again.
[email protected]
Anonymous says
HI. I love your blog. Thanks for entering me in the contest!
Marilyn
[email protected]
tinab158 says
Oh, my…that tote is too cute! I would love to have one…I'm an email follower. Thanks, Tina 🙂
tinab158 at hotmail dot com
Suzluvsflowers says
I'm a follower on Google. Love your blog and would love to win the beach bag!
Karen says
Hi 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
its me, your Atlanta e-design client! [email protected] — I'm following by email.
mbw says
Love the tote! I subscribe to your posts in email.
Lacey says
Just found your blog and became a subscriber yesterday. I'm so enjoying your style and love these vineyard vines tote!
Carolyn says
I follow you via google reader! Love Vineyard Vines!
dogwalker says
Love 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.
Claudia says
Hello,
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
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
Follow 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