1 Meal You Can't Skip On Your Wedding Day

The Big Day is finally here!!! Today is your wedding day!!! All of the planning will finally come to life in just a few short hours. You wake up with so much on your mind. You have to bathe, get hair and make-up done, put that "I'm only gonna wear this once dress on." Such a busy, busy bee. 

--But wait, aren't you missing something? BREAKFAST! On the most important day of your life, you should NOT skip the most important meal of the day.

How To Ensure You Eat Breakfast

It is best that you designate someone you have breakfast ahead of time. Whether it's your mom, aunt, or close cousin that you know is reliable, be sure to put someone on Breakfast Patrol.

Note: If you and your bridesmaids are getting ready at the same location, be sure that the designated Breakfast Patrol has enough for them to eat as well.

Remember, although this is your day, it will take a TEAM effort to make this day go the way that you've dreamed about. So, you want to make sure that everyone feels their absolute best!

What to Eat

After some research, we've narrowed down some great foods. These foods will provide protein, boost your energy, calm your tummy and keep you satisfied.

Eggs

You can eat them poached, scrambled, boiled; whatever suits your fancy. Eggs are loaded with protein.

Fruit

Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt

The live cultures in Greek Yogurt are said to calm your tummy!

Granola

Orange Juice

Whole Wheat Toast

Oatmeal

If you're like me and prefer milk instead of water with your oatmeal; try almond or soy milk

Chamomile Tea

If you absolutely must drink something warm try a calming cup of tea instead of coffee.

Foods to Avoid: Try your absolute best to avoid: salt, caffeine, milk & diary products, and foods that get stuck in your teeth.

Extra Tip:  As I was always told in Basic Training:  HYDRATE! Water is one of the main keys in fighting fatigue. Make sure you've arranged to have bottled water on hand throughout the day: no matter what season you're getting married in.

You can mix these foods however you like. Make what suits you best. Just remember that you want to eat foods that are easy to digest. You want to avoid an accompaniment of stomach growls during your vows.

So what do think? After reading this, will you make sure you & your team eat breakfast on your wedding day? Who are you going to put on Breakfast Patrol? You can respond to this post, comment on our Twitter feed @TheGiftIsYours #WeddingBreakfastPlan or chat with us on Instagram @TheGiftIsYours. We'd love to hear from you!

As always, if you found this post to be fun, entertaining, or helpful: don't forget to share it with your friends!

Make It Monday: 1 Way To Take Your Candles from Drab to Fab

Happy Monday Gifters!!! I hope you all had an amazing weekend. Welcome back to Make It Monday. I hope you're ready for your crafting therapy. Today for Make It Monday we will be dressing up our candles!!!! In order for us to accomplish this, our feature product for today will be Martha Stewart's: Punch Around the Page and Punch All Over the Page Punches.

As many of us know candles have been a go to for cost efficient decorations for quite some time now. Whether it be a wedding, baby shower, or another type of social event; there were candles somewhere to be found.

Although candles themselves may not be that expensive (depending on the type of candles you purchase) dressing them up, so they can be: "different," "unique," or "stand-out" to reflect your own personal taste can be. Now if followed exactly, you will be able to get 3 "Candle Dresses" from one $.69 sheet of Card Stock. I may not be a banker, but that sounds like a steal to me!

I was super eager to use my new punches after receiving them last week and thought this was the perfect craft for them!

Supplies 

3 Votive Candles (top opening measure 1 7/8")

1 Set of Martha Stewart's Punch Around the Page Punches (choose what pattern suits you or the event best)

1 Punch All Over the Page Punch (choose what pattern suits you or the event best)

3 pieces of cardstock measuring 4"x 6 3/4"

Scotch 3M Tape Gun (or whatever adhesive works best with the paper you are using)

Craft Mat

From a 12 x 12 sheet of Card Stock cut 6 3/4" first. Then, you can turn the paper around and cut at 4 inches each time.  This will leave you with 3, 4" x 6 3/4 pieces of paper.

Step 2

On top of your craft mat, take the corner punch of your Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Punch and punch the two width corners of the page. (You will only need to do this to 2 corners at the top of the page)

     Step 3

To link the pattern from corner to corner, take the other punch from the Punch Around the Page set and carefully line it up with the corner pattern as pictured. After you make the first punch using the corner as a guide,  move to the other guide to continue to punch. You must make sure it lines up exactly with the guide or the pattern will not come out correctly. For a clearer explanation and to see it live in action, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXPmhG6uKGA .   

After you've completed the pattern around the top part of the page, you can move on to the center of the page. Here you use your Punch All over the Page Punch to create a design in the center of the page. This will be the focal point because this is where the light from the candle will shine through. 

Step 4

Take your Punch All Over The Page Punch. Separate the top from the bottom. Place the paper so the punch out will be at the center of your card stock. Use the grids! Line up the first punch with either the grid to the left or right (whichever side you would like to start with) and continue the pattern. I suggest you hold the paper after you've lined it up while attaching the magnet. The magnet connection is very strong and will cause your sheet of paper to move. 

Step 5

With your card stock face side up, hold it securely and take your tape gun and apply it to the right side of the paper, starting just below the cut of of the corner pattern.

Step 6

Carefully roll your piece of card stock into a cylinder form placing the other edge over the side of paper with the adhesive.

Be sure to hold the edges together in place smoothing them out for about 15-20 seconds to make sure they stick and will stay in place.

Step 7

Safely light your candles, carefully place the candle dresses over them and enjoy!

Whether you want liven up your candles for a social event, the in-laws dropping by for an unexpected visit or a quiet dinner for two, you can customize them to fit you without breaking the bank!!!

So folks, what do you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  You can reply to this blog post or you can tag me on Twitter @TheGiftIsYours ... Don't forget to #MakeItMonday .. Show me your Monday Creation!!!!!

Happy Friday Give Away: 1 Gift Equals Another

Hey Everybody!!! Happy Friday !!! Welcome to our very first Friday Giveaway!!!  

Yesterday my favorite Auntie came to visit me for a few hours. We laughed, we talked, we yelled at the television while people tried to plead their cases in front of Judge Judy. It was just a great day!

In the middle of her visit, my Auntie surprised me with a gift.  A really really really, did I say really??? ---awesome gift?  What do you buy a greeting card designer/paper lover/crazy crafter??? --- You buy her more things to create with, duh!!!!!

My Auntie surprised me with get this; a set of punch around the page punchers and a punch all over the page puncher annnnnnnnnnnnnd she also added wonderful pearl stickers.  It just brightened my whole day even more!





In the spirit of her giving me a gift just because, I've decided to do the same! One lucky #Gifter out there will receive a bundle of 11 cards for various occasions, with their matching envelopes from one of my absolute favorite greeting card designers: Marian Heath!

To get the cards this is what you have to do

1. Follow our greeting card company on Twitter @TheGiftIsYours

2. Tweet us: I want those cards! #HappyFridayGiveAway #ImAGifter

3. Follow us write here on our blog at designsbymsdavis.blogspot.com

You do all 3 things and we will contact you directly on Twitter by DM!

I'm so excited to see who the winner will be!!!!

O yea, as always, if you found this post entertaining, fun, helpful; be sure to share it with your friends!

1 Thing That Equals A Horrible Reception and What You Can Do To Avoid It!

A reception is the wedding's after party. Guests get to eat, laugh, cry a little at those well thought out speeches and more importantly - - "get down on the flo" "on the flo" "on the flo" "on the flo." (Excuse my horrible type rapping)

There is someone who is a key component to everyone cutting loose, lifting their skirts a bit, taking off their ties and busting their best worst dance moves; your DJ or Band!

I have been to my fair share of wedding receptions and I have experienced some great and unfortunately some horrible DJ's. The year my husband and I were married, we went to 7 weddings outside of our own. Until this very day, one reception sticks out as almost ear torture; the one with the horrible DJ.

The DJ announced practically everything at the wrong time (ie: the bouquet toss that never happened), his commentator skills were awful and worst of all, he repeated a few songs like three times each.  Who has time to do that in a 4 hour span with millions and millions of songs in existence???

So what's the point of me writing this post? Well, I'm glad you asked. I wrote this post so no guest would ever have to suffer like I did and so no one will walk away from the very expensive and elaborate affair that you've planned saying they were bored to tears and now need ear therapy.

What You Can Do To Avoid DJ/Band Disasters 

1. Take Recommendations

    If you have any friends or family that have had awesome weddings in the past; ask them who they used. Be sure to check them out to see if they fit your personal style.

2. Go To Bridal Shows

    Bridal Shows are a great way to see bands and DJ's perform live.

3.  Check Them Out Online

    With YouTube and Yelp and your fingertips, you can't go wrong. With Yelp, you'll not only get reviews on how they pumped the crowd, but you'll also find out about their customer service rapport. On YouTube you get to see them in action if you can't make it to them live. Also, don't be afraid to scroll down for those comments.

4. Envolve Your Future Guests

    Something my husband and I did to help our AMAZING DJ out was; ask our guests what they wanted to hear.  On the RSVP we asked guests to list their top 3 song's from the 90's. Of course if that's not your theme -- do what works for you!

Well, hopefully me experiencing such a horrible reception has produced 4 wonderful tips that can work well for  you!!!

So what's your experience??? Have you suffered through a bad DJ/Band at a wedding reception? Do you have any tips on how future brides can avoid it?  I'd love to hear from you!  You can reply to this  post or you can comment on our Twitter Feed @TheGiftIsYours #AvoidBadReception !

O yea, as always, if you found this post entertaining, fun, helpful; be sure to share it with your friends!

Make It Monday: 1 Funky Wedding Invite Featuring Scotch Tape

Happy Monday Everyone!!! Today is the first day of the week after the weekend and a lot of us struggle with that.  I've found a great way for me to make it through a Monday is by creating.  I know I miss that weekend freedom, so when I create; a piece of me captures that kind of freedom all over again. When you're in the land of creating, your freedom is real and your art is never wrong. This is how Make It Monday was born.

For this Make It Monday, here at The Gift Is Yours, I thought we'd test a product. I don't know if you've heard, but if you haven't, here it goes... Scotch has a brand new line of tape. Yes, a new line of tape.  Just when you thought tape couldn't serve any other purpose besides being an adhesive; the wonderful people at Scotch proved us all so very wrong.  Tape can also be fun!!!

We present to some and introduce to others: Scotch Patterned Duct Tape!

O yes, that's right, patterned duct tape. I came across this marvelous find at The National Stationery Show 2013 and have been dying to use it for a craft.  Scotch's slogan for their new line of patterned duct tape is: "Style that Sticks."  How cool is that?  Hopefully this post inspires you to find yours!

On to the Funky Invite

Supplies

You Will Need:

1 paper Cutter

Tape Gun

Small Sharp Scissors

Craft Knife

Patterned Scotch Tape (whichever pattern you prefer)

Pre-Printed Invite 4 3/8" x 6 3/4" (choose your color)

Paper for Backing 5 1/2" x 7 3/4" (choose your color)

Step 1

Have your already ordered or created Invite with writing measuring 4 3/8" x 6 3/4" prepared

Step 2

Place your invite facing upwards (words facing you) on top of your paper cutter.  Placing it this way will help you line up the tape and cut it without the bottom piece sticking to everything. Place the tape on the invitation, about 1/2" to 3/4" upward leaving some hanging. 

Step 3
Cut the hanging edges as pictured.

Step 3

After you have cut the hanging edges flip the invite over and fold the biggest flap first and then the two smaller flaps.

Step 4

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the opposite side

Step 5

Take Your paper that measures 5 1/2"x7 3/4" and your tape gun and adhere tape to the back of your invite and carefully place it on the backing.

And there you have it folks, 1 Funky Wedding Invite Featuring Scotch Tape!!

So folks, what do you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  You can reply to this blog post or you can tag me on Twitter @TheGiftIsYours ... Don't forget to #MakeItMonday .. Show me your Monday Creation!!!!!

1 Brand New Official Business Owner

Happy Monday Everyone.  This post won't be too long. I just wanted to spread some absolutely wonderful news.

As many of you know, this blog was started to create a space to share my crafts, many thoughts of life and to trace the steps of me becoming a business owner of my very own greeting card line. Well folks that day arrived.

June 17th, 2013, The Gift Is Yours, LLC was legally born. I am so excited, humbled and blessed. The LLC process would have not been so easy going if it were not for this AMAZING program known as Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. (I'll be blogging about them later)

Now all I can say is; keep your eyes wide open. The Gift Is Yours, LLC will be making its mark for all to see.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me up until this point with my career. I am so grateful

Well folks like I said before,  keep your eyes wide open,  I'll make sure you'll have lots to see really really soon! (Like the revamping of my blog, shhhhhh)

Lots of Love

Meagan

So what do you think about me gaining my LLC? Have you experienced any recent milestones in your life?  I'd love to hear from all of you!!!!

Be sure to share this post with your friends.  Hearing some good news may brighten their day!

Ms. Ashley Brown: Winner of The Sunshine Birthday Challenge

A little less than a month ago, I had the crazy idea to host a birthday challenge.  I figured a great way to mark my time on earth was by doing for others.  Then I thought an even better way to mark my time here on earth was to encourage others to do for others.  That is how The Sunshine Birthday Challenge was born.  My Birthday is May 14th every year. (Just in case you missed it this year, hehe) That is why the challenge consisted of 14 days of acts of kindness and service. I wanted to prompt people to realize we can do a little everyday to give back to the many who live in this world.

On to the Winner

I am so proud to announce the prize winner of a $50 Carol's Daughter Gift Card and The Sunshine Birthday Challenge, a woman who went above and beyond on each act of kindness and service she performed:  Ms. Ashley Brown.

So Ashley, tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Ashley Brown and I'm a Criminal Justice/Business Admin specializing in Public Safety Major. I'm a 911 Tele-communicator. 

What did you think when you heard about The Sunshine Birthday Challenge?

When I found out about the birthday challenge I was immediately intrigued. Although I already find ways to help people in my everyday life, I felt it would be a more in-depth task. It would allow me to get out of my comfort zone and extend a helping hand. 

If anything, what did you gain from participating in The Sunshine Birthday Challenge?

Helping and assisting people is my biggest accomplishment and it simply makes my heart smile. I thank God for giving me the gift; I am thankful.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that  they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

If you would like to connect with Ashley a woman who is beautiful inside and out, check her out at:  envymybeauty@facebook.com

I would like to thank everyone who took time to participate in the challenge and I hope everyone realized that the real prize was doing for others out of the goodness of their hearts.

See you all again next year!!!!

Lots of Love,

Meagan