Sunday, December 14, 2014

Foodie beauty


Lately, I've been attending craft festivals--from Renegade to West Coast Craft--to check out Etsy finds and artists in-person, and to inspire my gift-giving this holiday season. On a crafty quest, I stumbled on a few unexpected items, one of which was Jennifer Kindell's vegetables prints. Perfect for the foodie in your life, Jen's hand-printed screen prints are inspired by the abundance and diversity of California produce. Reasonable and unique, these prints showcase nature's jewels in an unexpected way.   


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Gift curators

 
I'm not a huge fan of the subscription model, where you're forced to spend money on things you might not want on a monthly basis. But, I do think that companies that offer subscription services are great curators. Companies like OliveBox and Imperial Tea Court offer one-off purchases, so that you can gift the stationary or tea aficionado with a grab-bag assortment of goodies. Or, if you want your gift to last a little longer, some companies like Zingerman's offer short subscription options so your recipient can enjoy artisan vinegar for half a year or sample cheese on a quarterly basis.

Friday, June 20, 2014

"Not all those who wander are lost"


In less than a month, I'll be packing my belongings and moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco for a new job and a new path. It's a move that's been in my heart for more than two years, and I'm filled with absolute excitement to explore and find my new spots--from the neighborhood coffee shop to the hole-in-the-wall restaurant to my new yoga studio. But, I think it's important that I never forget my roots that have shaped and defined me. The Map Necklace, the signature piece from jewelery maker Three Jane, is my chic and bling solution. The necklace is made-to-order, with a diamond marking the special location that will always be close to the heart. Los Angeles, you won't be forgotten.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Animate to inanimate luck



Good luck charms can't always be there in times of need, especially if they are animate objects. Hailing from the UK, MsSpanner transforms the animate into the inanimate, whether they're friends, significant others or furry friends. Design your own manfriend or pet for $22 so luck will always be in your pocket or your friend's during those sweaty-hand moments.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

One of a kind, kinda


  
Gifting unique items is my thing. Etsy is always a go-to destination, but, let's be honest, sometimes it's hard to search and find items, and, sometimes, you just don't have time to sift through 63 pages of search results. 

So, when I stumbled upon e-commerce site Of a Kind, I was thrilled. Of a Kind does the searching for you. Think of it as a marriage between Gilt and Etsy. It specializes in offering limited edition pieces from new designers who share their inspiration and stories behind the pieces for sale on the site.
 
Those gorgeous tortoise shell tumblers? Their inspiration was conceived during a walk in Brooklyn. The oh-so-contrasty lapis necklace?  Its designers aim to bring back the work and centuries-old traditions that have otherwise lost market value. 

Thanks to Of a Kind, gifting a present and its story just got easier.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The eternal scent



When it comes to the debate on Kindle vs. physical book, physical book always wins in my book (bad pun, sorry). Clicks will never replace page turning, plastic will never replace leather covers and electronic ink screens will never replace crisp paper. Even if you don't agree with anything I just said, it's hard to argue that something will replace the scent of books. Well, except for Frostbeard's "old books" scented candle. Gift this jar of magic to the book lover in your life. 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Brewing a gift


For the healthy DIY-er, consider gifting a home brewing kit for kombucha. Haven't frequented Whole Foods recently? Kombucha is a drink produced by fermenting black tea using a symbiotic colony of bacterial and yeast (known as SCOBY). The fermentation process gives the drink a natural fizz and probiotics, and offers health benefits including detoxification, joint care and an immune boost. Kombucha originated in Northeast China and later spread to Russia and has been enjoyed for over 2,000 years. Since it's naturally fermented, kombucha contains a small amount of alcohol. For those who want to gift a little more of those benefits, how about a home brewing kit for gin

Friday, March 21, 2014

Scratch the itch


Traveling is important to me and, perhaps, even more important, are the memories. Since I was little, my Mom trained me to keep travel diaries. At the time, it seemed tedious and almost like homework, but her insistence paid off. I now find joy in assembling scrapbooks, and collaging my photos, postcards and museum entrance tickets from around the globe. While I have many "volumes" of travels, I found this scratch map a great addition to preserving travel memories. It's interactive and an immediate conversation piece, all the while reminding you of new places to discover. Gift this to your friend who can't stop exploring.



Friday, February 14, 2014

No excuses.

Wherever you are in a relationship today, there's a card that's appropriate, so there's no excuse, just embrace it! Happy Valentine's Day! xx


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Idiom


Valentine's day is this Friday, and I couldn't resist writing a post to help the boys who are lost in the stereotypes of chocolates and roses. I'm typically not into idioms, but I couldn't resist the idea of a boy gifting these native earrings from TheTwentyFingers, with a sweet note, "birds of a feather flock together." Happy gifting non-chocolates and non-roses!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Lucky vibes



I've always loved little things, especially little animals. A few years back, my good friend Christina gave me a worry doll--a tiny, hand-crafted, colorful doll from Guatemala. Children who are having a hard time sleeping because of their worries place the tiny doll under their pillows before going to sleep. According to folklore, the doll worries instead of the child, allowing the child to sleep peacefully.

Have a friend who has an upcoming big day, performance, presentation or test? For a modern twist on the Guatemalan tradition, gift a tiny little crochet animal from SuAmi and a good luck note, like this one from Benchpressed