How to Make a #Girlboss-Approved Gold-Leaf Business Card Holder

Listen up — we hereby declare that stuffing a stack of business cards in that too-small wallet pocket is no longer acceptable. It’s time to banish the sloppy scramble for your card when prompted to share it (come on, guys, first impressions count!). You need an upgrade, and you need one now. And we have a solution — a DIY leather and gold leaf business card holder. This elegant pouch will bring you one step closer to #girlboss goals, we promise.

Materials

– sturdy leather (ours is 8 inches x 8 inches)

– gold leaf

– varnish

– paint brush

– clothespins

– E6000

– X-Acto knife

– cutting mat

– pen

Instructions
1. Using a straightedge, draw a line in your leather, about one inch wider than your business cards. Cut along this line with an Xacto knife.

2. Draw a T-shaped notch at the top of the leather piece, then cut out with an X-Acto knife.

3. Use a paper towel to wet both sides of the leather (this makes it easier to bend). Fold the bottom of your leather up to make a pocket for your cards. Mark the edge of this fold, glue along the edges, then seal. Pinch the ends with clothespins to help it seal as it dries.

4. Once the E6000 has completely dried, fold over the top lip to find where you’ll cut the notch opening. Mark this spot, then carefully cut a notch with your X-Acto knife. (The notch should be wide enough to receive the longest part of the “T.”)

5. Paint a thick layer of varnish on your leather. Carefully place the card holder, varnish-side down, on a sheet of gold leaf. Press firmly, then flip over. Gently tear off the excess gold leaf. Repeat for the back of your card holder if you’d like.

6. If needed, paint on pieces of gold leaf to fill patches. Then paint another coat of varnish over the gold leaf to seal it. Let dry.

People, never underestimate the power of gold leaf to elevate the look of *anything.* It’s a trade secret of ours ;)

Using a straightedge, draw a line in your leather; about one inch wider than your business cards.

Cut along this line with an X-Acto knife.

Draw a T-shaped notch at the top of the leather piece, then cut out with an X-Acto knife.

Use a paper towel to wet both sides of the leather (this makes it easier to bend). Fold the bottom of your leather up to make a pocket for your cards. Mark the edge of this fold, glue along the edges, then seal. Pinch the ends with clothespins to help it seal as it dries.

Hey, good lookin’.

Once the E6000 has completely dried, fold over the top lip to find where you’ll cut the notch opening. Mark this spot, then carefully cut a notch with your X-Acto knife. The notch should be wide enough to receive the longest part of the “T”.

Paint a thick layer of varnish on to your leather where you’ll be placing gold leaf.

Carefully place the card holder, varnish-side down, on a sheet of gold leaf. Press firmly.

Gently tear off the excess gold leaf.

Pro Tip: If you find that the gold leaf is sticking to your fingers, try using the end of your paint brush or fingernails to tear it off.

If needed, paint on pieces of gold leaf to fill patches. Then paint another coat of varnish over the gold leaf to seal it. Let dry.

Repeat for the back of your card holder if you like.

Ta-daaa!

Believe it or not, the gold leaf won’t chip off once the varnish is dry. AKA this baby is pocket-proof!

Are you making this DIY yourself? If so, we want to see the results! Share photos on social media with the hashtags #iamcreative and #briststagram so we can take a look.

Ever dream of globetrotting the world while getting paid? That's not a rhetorical question. Now you can turn your wanderlust into real cash with Ramada by Wyndham. The global hotel brand is on the hunt for its next "CEO," AKA Chief Eats Officer, a dream role for anyone who loves food and travel and well, a paycheck. One lucky adventurer will be paid $15,000 to travel to Ramada’s most coveted destinations, curate a list of must-eats, and share their travel highlights on social media. Learn how to enter below!

Decameron Club Caribbean Runaway Bay, Ramada Jamaica

From Thailand to Turkey and Seoul to Santa Barbara, the CEO trip will include up to seven global destinations in a three-week itinerary next spring. With hotels in 75 countries around the world, Ramada by Wyndham is perfect for travelers looking for that bucket-list experience!

Hunan, China, Ramada by Wyndham Chenzhou Dongjiang Lake

For a chance to be the next “CEO,” travel and food enthusiasts can visit Ramada.com/CEO by October 22 and submit a short, 1-3 minute video through TikTok (tag @RamadabyWyndham, #RamadaCEO) or email makemeceo@ramada.com that shows your passion for travel and discovering amazing eats.

Prize Details:

  • $15,000 reward, including a $10,000 travel stipend to cover airfare and travel expenses, plus $5,000 cash
  • Paid hotel accommodations for up to 21 nights at Ramada properties around the world
  • A Wyndham Rewards® Diamond membership for one year

Ramada Resort by Wyndham, Bodrum, Türkiye

How to Apply

To apply, post a public video on TikTok explaining why you are the best candidate for the job, tagging @RamadabyWyndham, using the hashtag #RamadaCEO, and following @RamadabyWyndham on TikTok.

Your TikTok account must be publicly viewable for the duration of the contest (through November 2024). Alternatively, you can email your video submission to makemeceo@ramada.com.

All video submissions must be between one and three minutes in length and should include your country of residence.

If applying via email, be sure to provide the handles for your active and public personal social media accounts.

All entries must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 22, 2024.

Additional Qualifications Include:

  • Applicants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).
  • Availability to travel for up to three weeks between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.
  • Active and proficient on various social media platforms (TikTok and Instagram preferred).
  • At least 21 years old with a valid passport through December 2025.
  • Self-confessed travel lover and foodie.
  • Comfortable working remotely and on deadline.

Ramada by Wyndham will select the winning CEO on or around the week of November 14, 2024. No purchase is necessary to enter. For more details, including official rules, visit www.ramada.com/ceo. Good luck!

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Foodies – you know 'em, and you love 'em. They're the ones that always bring food to the function, making sure everyone's well-fed. They're constantly breaking a sweat in the kitchen when they're whipping up those elaborate dinner recipes that you just can't stop craving. This season, return the favor of those curated dinner parties and lively happy hours by giving your favorite foodie one of these unique foodie gifts. From kitchen accessories to home goods, apparel to cookbooks, your food-loving pal is going to love these tasteful picks.

Our favorite foodie gift ideas for 2024:

Lisa Says Gah!

Lisa Says Gah! Holiday Nail Art Stickers

Winter nails will never be the same after they get a tasty treatment from these food-themed nail stickers. We're obsessing over the martini glasses!

Amazon

More Is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen: A Cookbook by Molly Baz

This bold book by cool cookin' girl, Molly Baz, encourages risk-taking in the kitchen and a pure "cooking for fun" mentality, which we could all use a heaping serving of, no?

Amazon

The Pasta Tarot: A 78-Card Deck for Delicious Divination

Your local astrology-loving foodie will instantly want to noodle with this super fun deck. The cards' themes are rooted in the authors' queer Italian American identities, offering an insightful and unique take on tarot.

Marianna Fierro

Marianna Fierro Olives Print

For the big brine fan, behold this bold olive art print. Bonus points for gifting this pick with a frame for them to hang in the kitchen!

Areaware

Little Puzzle Thing Rainbow Jelly Puzzle

Though you could snag this 12x12-inch puzzle in French fry form, we just can't get enough of this vintage-esque rainbow jelly!

Amazon

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

Salt, fat, acid, and heat are the four main building blocks of creating an excellent dish. If your foodie friend is seeking more guidance, Samin Nosrat lays out the process simply and deliciously.

Dusen Dusen

Dusen Dusen Oven Mitt

Bet they've never had a standout oven mitt like this one! It's 100% cotton and 100% eye-catching. When kitchen gear gifts can double as decor like this, you've nailed gift-giving.

Boy Smells

Boy Smells Banana Pudding Candle

This dessert-inspired home scent is so good, you may just wanna eat it. Seriously – it smells like something's baking, even though all you did was strike a match.

Amazon

Jellycat Amuseable Happy Boiled Egg

We owe a lot to eggs – omelets, deviled eggs, cakes, cookies – the list goes on and on. This soft, palm-sized plush is an adorable tribute to the great egg!

Amazon

Brainstream Al Dente Singing Floating Pasta Timer

This pasta timer (AKA Mr. Al Dente) sings whenever your pot of pasta's done cooking. It may be a more gimmicky foodie gift, but it can really spare you from throwing noodles at the wall.

Anastasia Inciardi

Anastasia Inciardi Prints Sticker Sheet

These snacky stickers are the ultimate water bottle or laptop decoration for the famed foodie in your life.

Amazon

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

Maldon salt has unknowingly become the top salt choice for the Cool Kids™️ in the kitchen. The chunky flakes are perfectly balanced in flavor. Sprinkle some on a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and you'll never go back. ​

Amazon

What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People: A Baking Book by Claire Saffitz

Take it from baking queen Claire Saffitz for tips on creating a sweet little treat.

Hedley & Bennett

Hedley & Bennett Smock

If they practically live in the kitchen, an apron or smock is a must for eliminating stains and messes. This one comes in a ton of different colors to suit any chef in your life!

Pon the Store

Pon the Store Cocktail Napkins

For the foodie who can't resist a good cocktail, these printed napkins make for the perfect complement to a drink – plus, they set the tone for a night full of sippin'.

Material Kitchen

Material Kitchen The Salt Sphere

This super sleek sphere serves to store salt and other essential seasonings.

Williams Sonoma

Staub Ceramic Stoneware Petite Tomato Cocotte

Tomato confit will get even tastier once it's made inside this tomato-y piece of cookware.

Match South

Match South Waffle House Candle

This double-wicked candle emits the smells of warm spices and syrup, eliciting nothing other than the sweet nostalgia of going to Waffle House. Burns well with freshly-cooked waffles, of course!

Uncommon Goods

Taiyaki Maker

With this iron mold, they can bring the iconic Japanese street food, taiyaki, to brunches and breakfasts.

We've got gift ideas coming your way all season long. Sign up for our newsletter for more inspiration!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Rita Suzanne, a marketing strategist for health and wellness businesses who learned to network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build her business online and IRL.

What's an unexpected business challenge that you've had to face and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing for me was my sister passed away and I ended up taking custody of my nieces. I ended up being a single mom of four kids. This is the thing that transitioned my whole entire life. I stopped doing web design and started my podcast Mom Owned and Operated. I wanted to reconnect with other moms and figure out how they were able to run their businesses and raise a family and take care of themselves because I wasn't able to do all three at the same time. Through that journey, I realized that I really needed to connect with other people and how important it was for my business. It helped me to create that community that I was yearning for that I didn't realize that I needed.

What's a recent small win for your business?

For me, the win was just pivoting back to something that I actually wanted to do. Also, I’ve started to say no to things that I no longer want to do.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I have always admired and looked up to Amy Porterfield [author of Two Weeks Notice]. I listened to her all the time when I was starting out. I think that she's amazing and I love her stuff. She just seems like a very genuine person.

Is there a resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I listen to a lot of audio books. One of my favorites that has been huge for me is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I was told when I first started my business, by a friend who was a business coach, that I have a mindset problem. Ten years ago, I had no idea even what “mindset” was. Sincero’s book helped me to see what she meant by “mindset” and helped me adjust that mindset and fix some of the things that I didn't realize were broken.

How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program helped propel your business forward?

There are a lot of things that I have loved about it. There are local networking and training opportunities, and that has been great, and the online training is very valuable. It's a great resource. I find that marketing needs a three-tiered approach, meaning you need to network it locally, socially, and then also have a very comprehensive online approach to your marketing. One of the Verizon Small Business trainings that I took was all about taking advantage of your local resources. I found that to be extremely valuable because often people think they need to just focus on social media. I don't think that people focus enough on their local community.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Rita Suzanne.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

Harry, Ron, and Hermione may be the iconic trio of the Harry Potter series on screen, but in real life, it’s Hermione and Draco whose friendship has stood the test of time. Emma Watson and Tom Felton have the kind of relationship songwriters could get inspo from forever. Over the years, they’ve been childhood friends, co-stars, each other’s unrequited crushes, and self-proclaimed soulmates.

Emma and Tom met while filming the first Harry Pottermovie and have remained super close since. They see each other frequently IRL and often treat fans to pictures of them hanging out outside of Hogwarts. Here’s a timeline of Dramione’s — err, I mean, Emma and Tom’s — cutest friendship moments.

Emma Watson

Warner Bros.

2000 — Emma Watson & Tom Felton meet while filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Emma Watson is the youngest member of the main HP cast. When Sorcerer’s Stone began filming, the actress was nine years old and madly in love with Tom. You can only imagine why the 12-year-old actor didn’t feel the same. “For the first two movies, I had a huge crush on Tom Felton. He was my first crush,” Emma revealed to Seventeen. “He totally knows. We talked about it — we still laugh about it. We are really good friends now, and that’s cool.”

Warner Bros.

2003 to 2011 — Tom helps Emma navigate fame as they film Harry Potter

The older and therefore wiser (at least, that’s what they say) Tom Felton took Emma Watson under his wing while filming the Harry Potter movies. According to producer David Heyman, around the time they were filming Prisoner of Azkaban and becoming some of the most recognizable kids in the world, Emma struggled to come to terms with her celebrity status. Cue Tom Felton.

“We were filming Hagrid’s lesson with the Hippogriff. Tom and Emma were really friendly, and Tom really encouraged Emma to engage with the fans in the way that she hadn’t. It was like she needed someone, a friend, to go on that [journey] with her. They were all looking out for each other,” David said.

Tom and Emma's friendship got stronger with each Potter flick they filmed. “I became very protective over her,” Tom said during the Harry Potter reunion special. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her, and that continues to the day.”

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

2017 — Tom Felton supports Emma Watson at the Beauty and the Beast premiere.

Hermione isn’t the only brunette bookworm Watson’s played; she also starred as Belle in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Unlike his fellow Harry Potter alum Matthew Lewis, Felton didn’t walk the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, but he was photographed at the event.

Emma Watson/Instagram

2018 — Emma Watson & Tom Felton hang out in LA

Tom and Emma truthers know exactly where they were the day Emma casually dropped this now-iconic post of her and Tom together on the California coast on Instagram. Tom moved to LA in 2012 after wrapping the Potter series, but it would take more than an ocean to keep him away from Emma. In the post, you can watch the pair tease each other as they share a skateboard.

Max

January 2022 — Tom and Emma speak candidly about their friendship during the Harry Potter reunion special.

Tom Felton and Emma Watson reunited once again for HBO Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special. Watson went into detail about her childhood crush on Felton, saying that she “fell in love” with him when he drew God as a girl with a backward cap on a skateboard. She also confirmed that nothing romantic has ever happened between them. “We just love each other,” she said.

Amazon

October 2022 — Emma writes the foreword to Tom’s book.

Tom Felton's memoir, Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, is chock full of Harry Potter references that’ll make even the meanest Muggles smile, but the best Harry Potter Easter egg is on the first page. Emma Watson wrote a super sweet foreword for the book (an apt choice given that she studied English lit in college). In it, she gushes over Tom’s kindness and even says they’re "soulmates." Read the whole thing for yourself here!

“I love Emma so much,” Felton tells Elle Australia. “And I think, I know she loves me. She was the first person to read the earliest drafts of the book, and she was very kind to volunteer and write the forward for it, which I’m forever grateful for.”

Obsessed with celeb friendships? Then you have to check out Jennifer Lawrence & Dakota Johnson's Cozy BFF Date.

Whether your kitchen is equipped with a teeny 18-inch range or magnificent double ovens (can we come over???), somehow it always seems to be operating at capacity come the holidays. While some things are non-negotiable when it comes to getting a bit of heat, dessert doesn't have to be one of them. This collection of 20 easy Thanksgiving desserts will save the day, allowing you to serve up something sweet without breaking a sweat. That way, you can focus on what really matters: spending time with the people you love. From tasty cakes to pretty pies, you'll love all the no-bake options available to choose from.

Half Baked Harvest

Fudgy Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake

Chocolate lovers won't be able to get enough of this delicious ice cream cake. It balances salty and sweet *perfectly* and on top of the fact that it tastes great, it looks just as amazing. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Oreo Turkey Pops

This is a great easy Thanksgiving dessert to get your guests involved in. Simply set up an activity station to kick off the festivities, and by the end of the night, their Oreo turkeys will be ready to shake their tail feathers. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Pumpkin Ice Cream Tart with Speculoos Crust

We totally recommend that you keep a few of these tarts in your freezer at all times. Simply pop them out of their molds and top with a spoonful of whipped cream and sprinkle of pecans as needed. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

White Chocolate Pumpkin Mousse

Ease your day-of Thanksgiving dessert prep with this delish prepared-ahead mousse. (via Brit + Co)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

The contrasting textures offered by a chewy coconut crust, silky pumpkin filling, and fluffy whipped cream topping make for one decadent pie. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Diethood

Pumpkin Mousse Ice Box Cake

It’s almost hard to believe that this gorgeous layered creation requires no baking at all. (via Diethood)

The Real Food Dietitians

4-Ingredient Scotcheroo Bites

The only thing you'll need to fire up for this easy Thanksgiving dessert is your stovetop, to make the melty chocolate topping. Otherwise, this recipe is super painless and oh-so tasty. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Shared Appetite

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

You'll need to pull out your skillet for this (mostly no-bake) easy Thanksgiving dessert recipe. Trust that the sautéed cinnamon-sugar apples that result will be totally worth it. (via Shared Appetite)

Slim Pickin's Kitchen

Bailey's & Coffee No-Bake Pots de Crème

With only five ingredients, these spiked custard cups can be thrown together in a jiffy. (via Slim Pickin's Kitchen)

White on Rice Couple

Fluffy Cranberry Pie

The pretty pink hue of this pie is bound to elicit a few oohs and aahs from Thanksgiving party-goers. Thankfully, the flavor lives up to the hype! (via White on Rice Couple)

The Edgy Veg

Vegan No-Bake Cookies

Packed with oats, nut butter, shredded coconut, and sunflower seeds, these no-bake cookies are a great healthy option for your easy Thanksgiving desserts. (via The Edgy Veg)

Life With the Crust Cut Off

No-Bake Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecakes

Five minutes of prep, four flavor-packed ingredients. We're sold. (via Life With the Crust Cut Off)

Life, Love and Sugar

Caramel Apple Trifles

Fans of cinnamon and caramel — and let’s face it, everyone else for that matter — will swoon over these eight-layer trifles. This is already one beautiful dish, but the fact it's a no-bake Thanksgiving dessert makes us love it even more. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Forks Over Knives

Vegan Cranberry Pear Tart

An abundance of fruit and nuts goes into making this beautiful, just-sweet-enough fall tart. (via Forks Over Knives)

Belle Vie

Caramel Apple Cookie Dough Bars

Cookie dough fanatics will go wild for these bars flecked with fresh apple chunks and cinnamon chips. (via Belle Vie)

Earthly Provisions

No-Bake Edible Cookie Dough Bites

With a total of 7 ingredients and 10 minutes to make 'em, these bite-sized cookie dough balls make the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert that everyone will be reaching for over and over again. (via Earthly Provisions)

The Recipe Rebel

Caramel Apple-Golden Oreo Icebox Cake

What’s not to love about cream-filled cookies, cheesecake, and caramel apple goodness coming together in one easy make-ahead dessert? (via The Recipe Rebel)

Dessert for Two

Easy Pumpkin Tiramisu

For something that sounds and looks so fancy, tiramisu is actually a snap to prepare. We’re talking only fifteen minutes of prep (plus a few hours to chill). (via Dessert for Two)

Sweet + Savory

Chai Latte No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes

Not only are these chai-spiced treats no-bake, but lining your muffin tin makes them also practically cleanup-free. (via Sweet + Savory)

Vanilla and Bean

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

This easy Thanksgiving dessert looks so stunning, it'll fool everyone into thinking you spent way more time on it than you actually did. (via Vanilla and Bean)

We hope these easy Thanksgiving desserts have saved you some time in your holiday plans this year! Make sure to join our newsletter for more recipe inspiration and check out the B+C Baking Bundle of online courses for more ideas!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.