Thoroughly Illuminated : Gail DeLOACH Capiz

Last week as our Savvy Gift Finds roundup was being put to rest I noticed an intriguing name at Gilt... Gail DeLOACH. Meandering through the sneak peak offered at the official Gilt Group blog I found examples of wine buckets and serving pieces laminated with embossed leather. Swank and classic but nothing incredibly memorable.

Once the actual shopping event opened I was incredibly fascinated by the pieces not previewed: in particular Gail DeLOACH's line of Capiz bowels. There once again, as has been covered (seemingly) so many times before here, is the presence of what I like to call a rare piece of restraint in each bowel. Something looking almost as if it was formed by the earth or over thousands of years via osmosis. Is it ancient? Is it from an Egyptian tomb or was is used by a Tibetan monk? All I know is it is indeed gorgeous thanks to an incredible amount of gossamer-esk luminosity which comes from the Capiz—a shell found in the Philippines. Unfortunately this can not really be detected in the images above. Gilt did an incredible job of highlighting them which proves that certain pieces need to be seen and felt in person.

While Gail DeLOACH sounds like a mysterious women with incredible design prowess, the name is actually an umbrella for the Los Angeles based wholesale design firm formally (or still) going by Asiaphile Inc. The original name hints at the possible cause for such delicate designs and affinity with water not to mention the Philippine islands. The Capiz bowels start at around $65.



Image: Gail DeLOACH Pictured: Gail DeLOACH Capiz plates in Eucalyptus.

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Hable Construction’s Cheery Canvas Modern Totes + Storage

Guest Editor's Pick: reviews by our friends TheFind.com

I have been a fan of Hable Construction since its inception. Founded by a couple of Texan born design savvy sisters the textile design company was named after their great grandfather’s twentieth century road construction business, Hable Construction.

The Hable Construction of today manufactures hand silk screened canvas textiles created by skilled artisans in their New England factory. Using traditional screen printing methods the result is a collection of modern eye-catching products such as sturdy cotton canvas totes, storage containers, and many other items for use throughout the house. All of the products are of utilitarian function and made unique with Hable Construction's charming modern graphic textiles. On their website you'll find everything from gardening gloves, to aprons, coasters, storage totes, picture frames, as well as a range of canvas totes. I've been on the hunt for some storage vessels for my daughter's playroom as well as some containers for corralling stray magazines in the study and have got my eye on the storage bushels and storage boxes that will be the perfect solution for my summer organization projects.

Editor note—from around $98.00 to $275.00. Find more at TheFind.com including their new home edition blog.

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Give Twice: PeaceKeeper : Real Love with Jody Weiss

...what real love is, what real peace looks like, what it means to truly collaborate and how not to engage with abusive people in our lives. —Jody Weiss

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics is simply one of the most deep cosmetics companies out there today... traditionally an industry known for being rather superficial, imagine your nail polish or lipstick helping to prevent FGM or domestic violence? These are just a few of the causes founder Jody Weiss hopes to tackle with her Cause-Metics line. After taxes profits from the entire line are donated to various human rights causes along with women's health advocacy groups and, just as soulful, is Jody's basis for the company, "peacekeeping is about looking deeper and finding compassion… its about creating a clear idea of how we want to be treated as women and accepting no less."

Surviving domestic abuse or as she astutely puts it, “micro-wounding—those small wounds to the psyche of silencing, demeaning, ridiculing, blowing off what is important to you, stepping on your dreams..." (the mean people Martha Beck writes about), the good that has blossomed from this is incredibly admirable and inspiring. Just look at the PeaceKeeper Kiss Museum for instance.

Editor Picks

The Visionary Care Package comes pre-wrapped in a natural gift box with PeaceKepper's Wise Lip Paint, Grateful Nail Paint and UNIFEM Lip Gloss tucked inside, $33.00 with S&H free. Also nab a few of their Eco Sensual Lip Balms which make perfect little just because gifts. $3.18.

Image: PeaceKepper Cause-Metics

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Gift Steals: Online Sample & Secret Sales for the week of July 6th 2009

Save Up to 90% with these Secret Online Sample Sales & Special Gift Deal Finds! Click through our special links below to join and start shopping right away:

This week we found... Saint Parfume home fragrances, Francesco Biasia handbags, Furla, Lagos, John Varvatos, Burberry watches, Halston handbags, Gail DeLOACH, Incase luggage, Kate Spade, Paul Smith, Nina Ngyen, Lisa Hoffman, Nugaard , and much more such as a Mathais, Cir, DL. & Co, Alora, and Herve Gambs candle sale at One Kings Lane! Take a look at our new GaveThat.com Shopping List section dedicated to getting you in to the best secret online sample sales on the net >>More

For invitation and coupon codes for all of the above online sample sale websites and more like them visit our Online Sample Sale Site Directory or click through any of the above links to start shopping right now.


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Etiquette: Can I Only Give The Groom or Bride A Gift? You Asked

Q. My question is what if I know the groom very well as a long time friend but really know nothing about his new bride? Can I buy something I know he will like and has wanted for some time? Can I let all the other guests take care of the bride?

A. This is a question many are grappling with right about now. The short and direct answer is no. Standard and, I think very wise, etiquette on wedding gifts dictates that your gift should be something that both the bride and groom will get good use out of. This is why many wedding presents are very much like the gifts typically seen for hostesses and housewarmings. When you think about it, the bride and groom may be setting up a new home and transitioning into another phase of life filled with dinners together and parties for recently acquired friends and relatives (i.e. entertaining!).

Classic western wedding gifts have often times included place settings, picture frames, kitchen appliances, candles, stationery and so on. Using this traditional backbone (remember tradition usually has a pretty good track record of usability and satisfaction) try to seek out examples that are a tad unique and modern. Personalize your gift with the new couples monograms or seek out regional designers so that what you give will end up being a wise investment and appreciating in value.

Leave any individual, personal gifts for another time such as a bachelor party or your friends birthday. Giving joint gifts will not only be less expensive in the long run but they will also prevent any potential hurt feelings or suspicions that someone has designs on their new mate.

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Give Twice: Lavish Giving with Jane Pennells

While searching for wedding china I came across a new online boutique devoted to giving well... the aptly named Lavish Giving. Exquisitely curated by owner and founder Jane Pennells, here you will find some of my favorites including plates by NYC designer Jason Miller, Seattle based Rosanna, Elum letterpress stationery and these lovely faux candles by OXO that are a perfect hostess gift for people with pets or small children.

Even more admirable is the Give Twice qualities forming the backbone of the company. Started by Pennells after a bout with serious illness, Lavish Giving aims to give back by donating 20% of your purchase to the cause of your choice. This is done through NetworkForGood.org and a Good Card which acts much as a gift card would. Some are even giving this Good Card along with their gift as an added demention to the giving process.

When asked how Lavish Giving can afford to do this? The response was simple, "We believe that if we are clever, careful and frugal we can run this business on a very tight margin and give the excess back...to charity. "

Editor Picks




Image: OXO | Jason Miller | Rosanna | Jonathan Adler Kiki's Vase

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Gift Steals: Online Sample & Secret Sales for the week of June 26th 2009

Save Up to 90% with these Secret Online Sample Sales & Special Gift Deal Finds! Click through our special links below to join and start shopping right away:

This week we found... D&L Co fragrances and candles, Madison Marcus, Wonderboy kids clothing, Felix Rey, Tracy Porter, Clean fragrances, L.A.M.B. handbags & wallets, Just Cavalli, Ellie Tahari handbags, Pep Art, Junior Drake, Madison Marcus, Becky Kelso jewelry , and much more! Take a look at our new GaveThat.com Shopping List section dedicated to getting you in to the best secret online sample sales on the net. >>More

For invitation and coupon codes for all of the above online sample sale websites and more like them visit our Online Sample Sale Site Directory or click through any of the above links to start shopping right now.


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