Forget Me Knot

A closer look at the little red string Forget Me Knot ring seen worn here.

Ring: Limited edition Kiel Mead from Fab


Image: mam for Gave That

Furoshiki Book by Kumiko Nakayama-Geraerts

Recently my Mum was browsing through books and came across a new book out on Furushiki. She kindly passed it on to me (thank you!) and talk about a feast for the eyes! The book is Furoshiki - The Art of Wrapping with Fabric (New Holland) by Kumiko Nakayama-Geraerts who is originally from Japan but now lives in France. The above Yotsu musubi style furoshiki is inspired from the book and you'll find many of the classic styles seen in the Japanese diagram here.

Personally, the stand outs in the book are the unique styles such as a bunny rabbit, many bags to create, wrapping plants, wine bottles and doing your own embroidery such as Sashiko. Sashiko is a traditional form of Japanese embroidery using white thread on indigo blue fabric. Something that I've been personally meaning to try or show for years so it was great to see it included in Nakayama-Geraerts' book as a reminder.

Another thing that becomes immediately obvious from the book is how much furoshiki as gift wrap is amplified in its beauty when real furoshiki's are used, with their bi-colored fronts and backs. This is why I'm so excited and looking forward to the furushiki that I recently ordered and can not wait to show the various bags that can be created. In the mean time this lovely book by Kumiko will serve as delectable inspiration and these vintage Vera scarves will have to do for now.

Image: mam for Gave That

Julep

A gorgeously wrapped package came recently from Julep and it turned out to be the polishes and hand cream that I had ordered a little while before (fast shipping!) in the colors Carrie (bubblegum pink cream) and Megan (shimmery blue scarab). These are exceedingly good polishes although the brush tends to glob it on so extra care needs to be taken when applying. Finding light shades that do not go on streaky or need 5 layers has been a real challenge but Carrie is almost perfect with one swipe. Each looks and feels luxurious making a sweet pick me up gift.

Another lovely thing about Julep is $1 from each polish sold goes to their Powered by Gildfriends program which in turn donates to causes such as Sophie's Voice and Girl Up. Each month a new cause is chosen.

Polishes: Julep Maven box

Ring: Kiel Mead Forget Me Knot

Image: mam for Gave That

Feerie Drops

This was one perfume that I was really eager to show because the bottle is absolutely gorgeous and does not disappoint on the vanity tray but what was needed was a little snow. Today was the day to get that wish! Everything was powdered pretty good. As for the mystery fragrance it's Van Cleef & Arpels' Féerie and it smells of blueberry jam.

It's a scent that I've definitely smelled someplace else before but can not remember where and it's not similar to anything that I presently wear. The bottle itself seems to imply light and playful but in reality this scent is very deep, melodic and even a bit dark in a Midsummer's Night Dream sort of way (which I've come to find out it's based on-they sure nailed that!). The violet, black currants and iris with a little sparkle of citrus are all thickly and obviously there but after a while it turns to the essence of sweetly tart blueberries minus the cream. Curious coming from Van Cleef and not at all what was expected but very, very clever and the bottle will always be treasured.

Image: mam for Gave That

Wrapping Pearls

Vintage pearls looped around the center knot of a silk scarf wrapped gift and pearl earrings dotting the top of a burlap gift bag. For how to wrap the first gift see my past tutorial here.

Image: mam for Gave That