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.
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
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!
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.
As 2013 winds down, we inevitably look to the new year as a time for a fresh start, a new outlook, a new beginning. It's time to sit down with pen and paper, and jot down all those resolutions and promise to stick to them, at least a little longer. Commemorate that reflection and goal setting time with this dainty compass necklace from lettersearring and a cute reflection notebook, like this one from MessyBedStudio. For $20, you'll provide your friends with a constant reminder to keep course in following their new paths in the new year. Cheers!
It's hard buying my Mom gifts. She constantly tells me she doesn't need anything, and she doesn't want anything. For years, I've purchased nice gifts (or what I thought were nice gifts), only to see them be returned. So, this year, I decided to embark on a little DIY project, something she couldn't return. All jokes aside, my Mom has a green thumb and has recently taken an interest in terrariums, so when I stumbled upon marimo balls, I was inspired.
Marimos are live moss balls found in lakes in Iceland,
Scotland, Japan and Estonia. Lake currents swirl the little
plants around so that they grow naturally into petite pom-pom
shapes. The name, "marimo," originates from two Japanese words--"mari"
meaning "bouncy ball," and "mo," a term for plants that grow underwater.
I was struck by the marimo's simplicity and cuteness, and decided to create a marimo terrarium for my Mom for Christmas. The sweet, sphere-shaped creature is adored around the globe: the
Japanese believe that it brings good luck, and in Iceland it is believed
that a well-loved marimo makes wishes come true! How could she not love it?
The required supplies are short and simple:
-tiny glass rocks from a local flower nursery
-a small vase from CB2
-a grab bag assortment of sea fan pieces from Etsy seller seashells11035
-marimo balls (I purchased mine from eBay)
I placed the glass rocks and a few sea fan pieces into the tiny vase, using a knife to situate the sea fans where I wanted them. You may have to wash the glass rocks prior to placing them in the vase since they can be dusty or dirty and will cloud the water.
Then, I waited anxiously for my marimo balls to come in the mail. Almost all marimo balls are shipped internationally, so factor in two weeks to receive them.
Then, place the marimos in the vase filled with water. They will float for about a day, but will eventually sink to the bottom of the vase and begin "playing."
I added a gift tag with care instructions and included a card that explains the origin and meaning behind marimo balls. My non-returnable gift is complete!
Food is often linked to memories. Just ask Marcel Proust. What better way to remember a delicious meal or a talented chef in your life than through art? Food blogger Emiko Davies will transform a
favorite recipe into a custom original watercolor painting to preserve that favorite meal made by that special someone. Her services are offered through Food52, a neat website that brings cooks together to exchange
recipes and ideas.
