Macaroon Trinket Boxes

If your heart skips a beat at the mere sight of a French macaroon, then boy have I found something for you!  Macaroon Trinket Boxes by Two's Company. How darling! What a cute gift for your bridesmaids or any girl who wishes she were born and raised Parisian. I found mine at one of my favourite shops, Teatro Verde. Unfortunately they're not widely available to purchase online, but I've managed to find one small retailer that sells them here. I came close to buying the whole box of macaroons... Having to choose just one of six perfect colours is torture. Blue and green - I'll never forget you!  

J xx

3.27.2012 - UPDATE:  Trinket boxes can be purchased online here!

Sirop d'érable

I just picked up this Maple Candle from Roots and it reminds me of everything I love about Christmas in Canada. I love the authentic tin maple syrup can, nutrition facts and all!  I've seen these candles on the gift circuit for quite some time, but never before with a wood wick! Thanks Roots!  Now I can cozy up by the tree and listen to the soft crackle of my maple candle burning away the hours. Joy!

J xx

Diptyque Paris

A gorgeous candle always gets me.  I have tons of beautiful candles, but when they look this good I can't resist another! Diptyque's Winter Holiday Collection is scented in pine (green), orange spice (red) and frankincense (blue).  The perfect holiday hostess gift, these candles deserve a spot in your home too!

J xx

Skeem Design

Note to self: become a Photoshop whiz, create nifty graphics, stick them on jars filled with smelly wax, and make lots of money. I aspire to do this. I know, it's not quite so simple. But everyone likes a good candle - they're so well crafted nowadays, they've become a means of decorative expression much like a hand-selected piece of art for your wall.  Skeem Design has skills. Photoshop skills, or whatever skills are necessary to create stunning candles that smell wonderful. I want those skills.

J xx

Lace Tape

I often wonder if it's necessary to make all things beautiful if given the chance. Is it ever the case that some things should remain basic and unembellished? I believe if you had to choose between two equally priced items, you'd choose the prettiest of the two. To me picking pretty is a default tendency - even if you are deciding on something as dull as packaging tape.  Case in point: Lace Tape by Boiler Design. Designer Karl Zahn notes that kings and aristocrats used to stick lace on everything, and their product is merely a modern day equivalent to such a frivolous statement. How clever! I certainly never thought I'd fall victim to the allure of packaging tape.

J xx

Botanical Bottle Stopper

Sometimes I am irked by even my own aesthetic preferences; they tend to be predictable and overtly feminine. I would rather err on the side of modesty, but who's kidding who? I'm chemically wired to overreact when I spot something pretty. C'est la vie! Speaking of pretty, check out this Flower Bottle Stopper from The New York Botanical Garden. I love the untamed petals and translucent color. Wouldn't this make a lovely hostess gift for a summer barbecue or garden party?

J xx

On the Rocks

Popularized by UK retailer Mocha, Nordic Rock Stone Ice Cubes are the new chic way to cool your drink. This product - made literally of stone, is such a hot item it's nearly impossible to find in stock; but US retailer Teroforma has become a serious competitor with Whisky Stones now available through several Canadian retailers including iQliving, Teatro Verde, and La Merceria.  Whisky Stones will make great gifts for the men in your life - especially those addicted to AMC's Mad Men TV series. Simply add a few chilled stones to your drink and enjoy! So cool! (...no pun intended.)

J xx

The Meaningful Gift Generator

Has the extent of your holiday shopping sucked the joy and creativity out of year-round gift giving? Or, are you simply hard-pressed in deciding what to give your best friend for her birthday? If so, let me show you a simple way to generate unique and meaningful gift ideas.

OBJECTIVE
The idea is to provide an experience or facilitate a mood, rather than simply gifting an object. Creating a mood through gift giving adds instant value and gives you some control over how the recipient feels about your gift.

DILEMMA
Your 'movie buff' friend always receives DVDs for every gift giving occasion, and you'd like for a change to give your friend a suitable gift, but are reluctant to give her the same old thing. Besides, no one wants to spend money on a gift they are not excited about giving. So, how will you satisfy your friend's appetite for film in a way that is unique, meaningful, and worth your while?

SOLUTION
If you are the gift giving type, money doesn't have to be an issue. You can spend more or less, as long as you ask yourself the relevant questions and think in terms of the experience your gift will create. You can still gift a DVD, but you want to ensure it is extra special.

Answer the following questions in sequence to generate a meaningful gift idea.

QUESTIONS
1. What does your friend enjoy doing most frequently?
2. What kinds of things, products or services, are associated with this activity?
3. What feeling or sentiment is commonly associated with this activity?
4. Further, is there a product that is associated with this feeling or sentiment?

ANSWERS
1. Watching movies
2. DVD, popcorn, Cinema gift card
3. Relaxation
4. Candle, blanket

MEANINGFUL GIFT

A movie to watch while wrapped up in a cozy fleece throw, 
relaxing on the sofa by candlelight.


J xx

Roots® Checked Fleece Throw: $29.99 CAD, Sears.ca
Voluspa Travel Tin Santiago Huckleberry Candle: $8-$12 CAD, Chapters Indigo Stores
DVD, The Big Chill (1983): $14.95 CAD, Chapters Indigo.ca