Unwedded Bliss

These are real candles and they smell even better when you're slipping out of your bridesmaid dress and dyed to match pumps. Mints mix with lime, sandalwood, fig leaf & spicy florals. Aromatherapy Interventions darlings.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Glassybaby

Three-time cancer survivor Lee Rhodes started hand blowing these Glassybaby candle holders with giving back in mind. Now they come in over 70 hues and variations. Sadly it seems nearly impossible to capture their beauty through a camera... (you have to see them in person) but I tried. Above is "Hudson" which reminds me of the actual Hudson river. Green, swirling around clockwise trapped in the 3 layers of glass used to form each finished Glassybaby. Flecks of white, brown, and blue tapering off.

Heavy and substantial these have a multitude of uses (votive holder, tumblers for Bloody Mary's & Sangria, vase for peonies & roses), making them perfect for the bridal table and hostess gifts not to mention Mother's day. Certain ones like my Hudson give 10% back from each to amfAR to support AIDS research. For others, see Glassybaby's goodwill area here.

City Guide: Glassybaby just opened a botique in NYC, find them at 555 Hudson Street (917.546.6850).

Image: MAM for GaveThat | Glassybaby gallery

Clarisonic Pink Mia & PLUS for Breast Cancer

A few weeks ago DoctorM did a full review here of the new Clarisonic Opal and Clarisonic PLUS. Now with Mother's day looming off in the not too distant future I wanted to show you Clarisonic's latest release... the Pink Clarisonic Mia and the new limited edition Clarisonic PLUS, both benefiting breast cancer causes! This is an amazing way to do what I like to call "give twice".

The Pink Clarisonic Mia is much like the PLUS model in how it works but is slightly pared down in both size and features. Instead of running through an automated routine the Mia has one speed and you determine how long to move it around on your skin. Instead of a cradle to recharge the Mia uses a cool magnetic lock on charger making everything extremely portable (major perk for the jet setter in your life). Like the PLUS you will find that the Clarisonic's head does not spin but instead vibrates much like a Sonicare toothbrush. The price, $149., makes for less of a dent in ones pocketbook as well but remember the benefits of giving back. So far, according to Clarisonic, over $60,000.00 has already been donated.

Lastly, one of the best perks is that when you buy the Pink Clarisonic Mia online at their store you can have it personalized for free, up to 18 characters. Monograms are de rigeur more and more so go for it!

50% of the profits from sales of this Limited Edition Clarisonic PLUS go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Aside from the swirling pattern this Clarisonic PLUS works the same as the original, see the full review here along with the new Opal. The Limited Edition Clarisonic for Susan G. Kormen is $250. and found only online at the Clarisonic store.

As with all gift giving success stories most are rooted in truly knowing and listening to the recipient. If mum has expressed a desire to do something about her skin or specifically mentioned the Clarisonic line, consider making your gift more meaningful with the above give twice models. After only a few uses I am now a firm believer in both the Pink Mia and the PLUS and only wish I had tried either one sooner. Que sera, sera.

Attention everyone: A giveaway is going on right now here at Gave That for a Pink Mia AND an Opal by Clarisonic. Click here to enter. Giveaway ends May 31st 2010.

Image: MAM for GaveThat | Clarisonic

Gift Style Inspiration : Ayomi Yoshida

Back in 2008 artist Ayomi Yoshida created a gift wrap capsule collection based on her huge, labor intensive installation work Yedoensis (meaning cherry blossoms). There, hand painted cherry blossoms were applied to the walls of the gallery creating something utterly breathtaking. In her capsule collection Yoshida reinterpreted these Japanese cherry blossoms in red and white felt, replacing traditional gift bows. As a cheryblossomophile (my made up word of the day) this collection was pure brilliance! Here my attempt at recreating the embellishments looks a little more Georgia O'Keefe poppy but you can study Yoshida's to get the precision down pack.

How-To: These are actually really fun and easy to make. Cut each flower out of red or white felt to your desired size, use metallic gold thread to form the center and stamens. Pull them in a little but so that the petals point upwards for some dimension. Use one or place them en mass for bold pop. I like to add pin backings so that each flower becomes a brooch.

For another gift style look inspired by Yoshida's paper cranes see here.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Necktyes on Wine

Take a look at these... they're called Necktyes and you ring them around your wine bottles. I'm seeing a whole mass of these used on wine bottle centerpieces that you then give out as favors to guests. Or when you show up for a party last minute (keeping wine or balsamic vinegar along with these handy can be a social lifesaver). I really like it in the picnic basket up their too. Each is $9.95 and thoroughly reusable. Tammy Charles sent me a beautiful one to play around with which should be seen here soon (see it on gift wrap here). Thank you Tammy!

Image: mam Gave That

RuMe

These small RuMe bags have been perfect for antique shopping but even better, when not in need, they roll into these little sushi looking rolls which slip into pockets or my purse. A man bag? Yes sir... I originally bought these for my father's farmers market trips and success! Lastly, they can double as reusable Furoshiki gift wrap too thanks to how thin they are. (OK, so I need to go back to school for that but you get the idea). $26.85 for 3 fair trade made bags at RuMe's store.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Liqueur de Violette & Candied Violets

Julia Child thoroughly beguiled me as a child with her candied rose petals and violets. Ever since spring has meant a few highly anticipated moments... the major one being a profusion of wild purple violets. Steeped in alcohol and syrup they are turned into Liqueur de Violette which make for some really delicious Champagne cocktails for the girls.

In the other Julia direction is candying the violets for use throughout the year. Commercially coming from France (Toulouse) they can be pricey, as in the realm of caviar and truffles, so it makes sense to go DIY. It's really not that difficult but requires patience and pretty small paint brushes.

How-To: Candied Violets
Taking freshly picked purple violets that have not been exposed to car exhaust or pesticides of any sort, brush the bloom back to front with raw egg whites. This forms the glue to hold the sugar on. Then coat in finely milled white granulated sugar. Allow to dry on wax paper. Taking a glass jar place a layer of your violets inside and top with a sheet of wax paper. Keep layering violets and wax paper inside the jar. Cover with plastic wrap. The violets need to sit inside the jar in order to become crystallized and candied. The process is the same for rose petals.

In the end you have thoroughly addicting candied violets as seen embedded in the chocolate I made above. (more on that here). The flavor is earthy and herbal much like its scent. You can add them to tea, sprinkle on top of homemade marshmallows and confections or place them in little bags and give them out as wedding favors. Possibilities are almost endless... just be sure to keep enough of these violets stashed away for yourself!

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Modern Twist — Hide

San Francisco's Modern Twist has been stuck in my mind for a good while now and today I can finally show you a couple of my spoils... first hiding inside the brown gift box is a little pincushion looking poof. A mixture between traditional Japanese origami and Furoshiki, this Hide box unfurls in a camera shutter and periscope fashion to reveal its compartment inside. This makes it perfect as a favor or ring box that will become a keepsake in itself. Waiting for you already is a tiny lavender pillow making each Hide box a sachet. Reusable gift wrap is something I feel strongly about and these ingenious pieces by Kat Nouri are utter perfection.

On a much larger scale is the lines PJ Pillow Pockets which were created to store pajamas and children's toys but can be incredibly useful as wedding wrapping or something to leave behind as a hostess gift after a long stay. Intimate and mind boggling as to how it works spells major propts to you territory. You can still find the fabric Hide boxes for $26. each at Velocity Art and Design and the large PJ Pocket Pillow box at Fawn and Forest for $85. I say still because these seem to be phasing out of Modern Twist's line.

PS. also see Modern Twist's work with the One Percent for the Planet org.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Spring!

Sometimes the best things are right around you... this weekend was a profusion of cherry blossoms and violets (heaven!), long bike rides and antiquing with my new RUNNUR, thanks to Andrew Hamra (more on that soon and for anyone curious, I'm attaching my reusable water bottle to it, Andrew thought of everything!). The violets are on their way to being candied and steeped for some pretty delectable cocktails and all these cherry blossoms will be reinterpreted for spring gift giving. Think artist Ayomi Yoshida as inspiration.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Also See:
- Tea Forté's Cocktail Infusers with my Lavender Martini

Audiophile — Headphone ed.

Pictured: Rojas jacket + my favorite long trip companion Audio-Technica "ATH-ANC7b" headphones + Gryson bag + Vintage gloves

Pictured: A pile of favorites including DJ approved Audio-Technica "ATH-Pro700"

Pictured: Old school fat Bose like Audio-Technica "ART Ath-A700 Monitor"

Taking a break from the earbuds for a while and it seems like everyone else wants to as well. For more see my past wishlist post here.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Tea Forté

Tea, Sontu Teapot, Cup & Saucer: Tea Forté

Watching tea steep through the glass is almost as fun as drinking it... especially with tea bags like these buoying up and down. This gets filed under thoroughly delicious, over the top gift territory.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Also See:
- Tea Forté's Cocktail Infusers with my Lavender Martini

Lavender Martinis

Until the wild purple violets bloom in force (for a little Liqueur de Violette making) here is another floral, spring-ish cocktail. Tea Forté created these pointy infusers which add a touch of earthy violet along with lavender, bee balm and grapefruit to your alcohol. This was too good a concept to pass up. Deciding on the Lavender Pear martini I steeped the herbs until the vodka turned jewel toned, then shook up some pear nectar and ice. The result was actually rather fruity and knock your head off. That last bit was obviously my fault. $12.00. or get the gift set for $24.00 which comes with two cute beakers for Dexter like precision.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Ornamental Teas

As soon as these Indian teas found me, quite by chance, I wanted to put them up here. Hidden inside the beaded, sequined pouch is some of the most delicious loose leaf Darjeeling tea. When that's all consumed (or even prior) the pouch the tea comes in transforms into a purse. We need more gift wrap like this here in the US! These are by Deven's but scour your local Asian food market, new age shop, health food store for yours. Thank you so much J.


Image: GaveThat

Spring GiveTwice Gift Picks — FEEDBAG, Alex and Ani & TOMS

If you like to swing by here ever so often you know that I love, love the concept of being able to give twice! Otherwise giving someone a gift that in itself gives back to a good cause. Above are 3 favorites of mine for spring.

First up is the rather well circulated and known FEEDBAG. The first time I laid my eyes on it I thought "iconic!". There is simply nothing, from a design standpoint, out there like it and all these years later it is still the case. This one, the FEED 2 bag is my little upgrade. Both FEED 1 and 2 bags are incredibly well made, reversible and the cross body strap on the Feed 2 allows me to take it biking.

Second is another major favorite (OK, clearly they all are here...), Alex and Ani bracelets which I covered here in the past. Featured is their latest release that benefits Haiti. You can get the Alex and Ani Cornelian Haiti bracelet at Shopbop, that's where I got mine shipped super quick.

Last... TOMS shoes. These happen to be their new Aira Cordones in creamy white canvas. Talk about hitting all the points of spring flats. Oxford meets Ben Vereen-ish dance shoe with laces optional. I'm thinking about switching them out for ribbons.

Thank you Doctor M for being my model for the day!

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Also See:
- FEED Guatemala Bags & Nest

Liberty of London

Dr. M. of Best Picks Magazine Shares Her Favorite Pieces of the Liberty of London Collection in a Prim Mother's Day Idea...

Liberty of London
Time to take some "liberties" with warmer spring days in the garden. Therapeutic. Restful. Organic. Here are some gardening essentials for yourself or to bundle as a gift.
Liberty of London is a British department store of worldwide repute. Founded in 1875, the Liberty name is synonymous with signature bold floral and explosive prints. Above is just a sampling of their rich heritage reworked with modern sensibility for every day gardening tools which are anything but. For more click here.

Image: MAM for GaveThat