party time

Tonight is my oldest nieces engagement party, given by her fiances family.  It's a happy time and a sad time for me - my brother, her father, passed away when she was nine years old and her little sister was only three. Her father would have traditionally given the first toast to the couple tonight. WAH! So I've got the sads a bit "around the edges" today, keep finding myself tearing up and sighing.

This much loved and lucky couple are going to have a beautiful wedding next year atop a hill on the peninsula where they both grew up with a breath taking view of the ocean, followed by the reception at the same spot and at the same time that the brides parents wed (paying tribute to the adored and beloved husband, father and brother who will attend in spirit and in hearts).

They then will be off to a fantastic honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast of Italy.  La di da! Lucky dawgs!

I bring this all up because 1.  I am a proud Auntie :) , 2. I am a smoosh and immersed in memories today and 3. Our gift to them for their engagement has all to do with their honeymoon - sorry to have taken the long (and hopefully scenic route teehee!) to getting there.

I couldn't think of what on earth to get them for an engagement present, was at a complete loss.  I searched the internet for ideas, nada zip zilch, nothing that interested me.  I finally hit upon the idea of something related to their honeymoon. 

So I found them wine from Costa d' Amalfi with a lovely label on it. 

I hoped to find them wonderful Italian chocolates (since my niece shares my addiction to chocolate)  but I left it until too late and could only find the typical Perugina Baci candies locally but I fancied them up with a banner I made with photos found on flickr of shots of the Amalfi Coast. 

I also added travel books on the Amalfi Coast, a language translation book, a photo album. 

I love Paper Source and picked up bags and wrapping paper that I liked there - the funny thing is that they don't have any traditional bows for packages - so I tried to make this really cute origami one I found online but nothing doin'!  I'm all thumbs and couldn't get the center bit to pop up blah blah blah like it was supposed to, so I made old fashioned ones with loops, out of stationery.  They turned out okay if you don't look at them - or touch them, or they start to fall apart bwhahahhahahha!

Wishing you all a lovely long holiday weekend!