Voluspa Victoria

Voluspa has had a cult following of devotes for a while now and they're also the home of Cult of Helios (part of the Victoria collection above). A mind bending trip through earthy Peruvian heliotrope. Picking through the collection I lifted the lid of Malayan Coco and almost instantaneously a voice in the distance rang out... coconut! Where... is that coconut!? That's delicious! These things have reach, even unlit.

The Malayan Coco is indeed beyond belief in all its milky Almond Joy goodness with a fruity (pineapple?) undertone. Favorite number one. Number two is the Tuberosa Agave which smells earnestly tuberose with a glint of tequila. Number three has to be Green Datura which smells less like Datura (almost nil) and more like green foliage, fig leaves and oakmoss. Thoroughly masculine. What I adore the most is all the swirling Art Nuevo leaves enveloping the metal containers, how they can be given as is and once fully gone, used as a little keepsake box. De-lovely.

Image: MAM for Gave That

Munio Candela

This is an example of Gilt serving as enlightenment. Who knows how long it would have been for me to experience these little silk pillows from Latvia otherwise! Created by Elīna Čīma and artist Ieva Dexter, Munio Candela is perhaps better known for their natural candles. Housed in recycled paper gift boxes the color of tea and covered in drawings (by Ieva I'm certain), the text on their herbal sachets says it all, "Capturing the Dream of a Better Life". This one is Summer Romance which pungently reminds you of zingy orange groves and bushels of dried sage. The sleeper of the collection.

Image: MAM for Gave That

Wild Fairyfleur

"In their gold coats spots you see,

These be rubies fairy favours

In those freckles lie their savours." —Shakespeare

A little brown gift box came and that could mean only one thing... Molton Brown. A favorite for masculine for years and always worth pilfering from hotel rooms, it was a bit of a surprise to see them release something feminine for spring. Something based on the little yellow flower called Cowslip (aka Fairy Fleur). Their limited edition Wild Fairyfleur is light, unobtrusive but lingering in a just mowed grass, hay bale, field of Alpine flowers on the hillside sort of way. Makes one want to roll about in the sun rays and weave daisy chains. Perfection for the season.

Image: Polaroids by MAM for GaveThat

Japanese Koh

"I have lots of candles and incenses at home. I prefer Japanese incenses because they have a less strong smell than Indian incenses, which I used to love... I use candles less because they are expensive. Since I let them burn all night, the next day it's all gone... " —Lou Dillon


Antique Japanese Prints: From The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Collection
Incense Burner: from Numi's Single Origin Gift Tea Set
Incense: From Japan

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Postcarden

This is brilliant! Designed by London's A Studio for Design and now being sold exclusively in the US at Brooklyn5and10 these pop-up Postcarden miniature gardens start out as a generic looking postcard that you send through the post. Your recipient opens it to find a little packet of cress seeds (which are thankfully very easy to sprout) and some instructions for constructing everything. Without dirt or even the need for much light a self contained garden appears and lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. Can not help but think how magical this would be for children or welcome to those in a nursing home. A personal favorite is the Victorian Botanical garden illustrated by Krista Nyberg. Each sells for around $12 a pop.

Image: Postcarden

Marie Antoinette's Tea

Someone near and dear was wistfully telling me about re-watching Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette and how she had the most amazing tea that turned into a flower inside her cup. Ah, I posted about that a good while back here but had to admit that I never really tried it. So, feeling a tad poorly and in an effort to cheer myself up out popped a little ball of herbs resembling a plump acorn. The result is the above. Notes: It takes very hot water to get it to unfurl. It refuses to stay at the bottom of the cup or tea pot. In a clear glass container my mind wanders to aquarium making it hard to drink. It looks more luxurious in a china tea cup. It tastes very delicious. This would be very sweet for a child feeling a little under the weather. Numi makes some.


Image: MAM for GaveThat

Life Looks Better Through

Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses... although lesson learned. It's almost impossible to look at a photo and decipher what exact model is actually being worn. Today I had a rare chance to put vintage frames next to the new. Chances are someone near and dear wants a pair (can you blame them!?) so here are a few favorites:

• The three above are Classic vintage Ray-Ban Wayfarer's from the 80's with Bausch & Lomb lenses size 50

• Original Ray-Ban Wayfarer size 50

• Ray-Ban New Wayfarer size 52

• Some Clubmasters (almost out of view) also tossed in all the way above. Adore them too.

The differences are slight but obvious depending on your particular face shape. The New Wayfarer's are much lighter on the face and squished in a rectangular manner... almost like a softer, less hard edged toy version of the original. The Original Wayfarer looks the most similar to the vintage ones although the latter feel more substantial and well crafted. If I have the opportunity, I snatch vintage pairs!

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Attar of High Tea

A good while ago I had mentioned how intriguing Royal Apothic's candle offerings sounded. From their history of being found in a forgotten book of concoctions to their monikers... Japonseque, Topiary, Distillation of An Edwardian Fireplace! Devine sounding indeed. Well now I've whiffed a good many and came back with two scents. One being the above Attar of High Tea (which of course lead to other things during the day) having developed a cult following and Distillation of A Venetian Grove which is also very teasan.

Royal Apothic's line turned out to be very classically perfumed unlike some of my other favorites such as D.L. & Co. (more boutique) and despite its notes of Earl Grey, cedar, lime, cloves, and bergamont the masculine High Tea isn't my favorite. As I tweeted, plum pick of the line Venetian Grove turned out to be a trip to, "Orangeries filled with green tea & neroli" with currents, orange blossoms and citrus. Swoon. Both seem perfect when it's very warm, the porch seems welcoming and you want to watch the moon and candle light flicker. In this case they're just right for setting the mood at a little tea party.

Two favorites with Red Rooibos tea are rustic scones and fluffy lemon curd. Slathered on thick. For the scones use this Brunch recipe here. I've used it numerous times... sometimes with cranberries like here or with Cheddar cheese, raisins, currents, individually. For the lemon curd, if you find yourself short on time, try the Scottish Chesters of St Andrews. Created on a small farm in Fife it's some of the best I have ever tasted. Sharp, earnest lemon and completely smooth. Scott's know their curd. Jars of these along with jams and chutneys (the Breakers had some delectable ones on hand) are a must grab for doling out during the holidays or as guest gifts at tea brunches. Something for them to remember you by.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

Also see:
- Modern Alchemy

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Clarisonic Mia & Opal Giveaway!

Enter our surprise Mother's Day giveaway for a chance to win a new Clarisonic Pink Mia & Opal!

Clarisonic, through DoctorM, has generously provided a Clarisonic Pink Mia and Opal to give one of you... all you have to do is e-mail me at gavethat@gmail.com subject line: "Clarisonic Mia & Opal" with why you would like to make this your Mother's Day gift OR why your mum should have great skin and a little extra pampering in her life.

One winner will be chosen based on US entrants. You have until the end of the month (ends May 31st 2010 12pm EST) to enter. Happy Mother's Day one and all!

See our reviews of the Pink Mia here and the Opal here.

Giveaway Terms/Rules:
* This giveaway is open to our US audience. One (1) entry per person, per household, per email address, age 13 and up. Some restrictions apply and void where prohibited. In the event a winner fails to reply with his/her address for prize shipment we reserve the right to choose another winner based on existing entrants. Giveaway ends May 31st 2010, 12PM EST.
Thank you Clarisonic!

Congratulations Sharron!! May this continue you on your road to renewed skin! Thank you everyone who sent such amazing emails. It was incredibly difficult to pick a winner. For a heads up on Gave That's latest surprise giveaway follow me on twitter.


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FEED Guatemala Bags & Nest

My adoration for the FEED bag is well known here so I had to show you all my latest version of the iconic tote benefiting UNICEF... the FEED Guatemala 3! Wanted to add a bit of Ikat and this was perfection, especially since it's completely handwoven by Guatemalan women through a partnership with Nest .

For more on all the different versions visit the FEED Project site.

Image: MAM for Gave That

Versace Art Unites Bag

A good number of times now the Versace Art Unites tote bag, a collaboration between Donatella Versace and the Whitney Museum of American Art's education department, has appeared here. Now I can finally show you what the illusive bag actually looks like. Squishy and light weight (how welcome both these things are!), it has delicious doodles by a very talented child on the front. It also comes with an attached leather wallet and the benefiting charity engraved on a silver medallion. Best of all 100% of the proceeds from each tote goes directly to either the Starlight Children's Foundation (for children who are gravely ill) or the China One Foundation (Sichuan province earthquake victims).

When I first spotted the bags last year I was under the impression that the art work was reproduced but no! Each bag is one-of-a-kind and personally touched (drawn on) by these lovely children. With this being the case these are pretty limited so call your Versace boutique ASAP and if you can not make it in person, ask them to email or text a picture of what they have available. $250.

Knipschildt Chocolates

As the days march on and it becomes warmer I become a little sad knowing that chocolate season (shipment wise) is coming closer to an end. The holidays seem rather far off. Stocking up is usually in order just in case. Knipschildt's Fritz Knipschildt is one of those Chocolatiers who creates pieces of chocolate that are delicious to taste and look at. Using lavender, rums, rosewater and decently creamy chocolate each is different enough to splurge on. The handmade (thoroughly reusable) paper gift boxes they come in seals the deal.

Image: MAM for GaveThat | Knipschildt remixed in GaveThat Digital Lab

Cinco de Mayo

Succulent Hen & Chicks with pottery shards in a centerpiece...

Burning piñon incense inside a miniature chiminea...

The perfect time to bring out a collection of vintage embroidered aprons from Mexico...

Bits and pieces are things I enjoy doing regularly... like slathering fresh pear slices with chunky sunflower seed Sunbutter, burning sweet smelling piñon wood from Incienso de Santa Fe, sipping unorthodox frozen margarita's, and peeling back the corn husk of a steaming hot tamale. Doing it all on Cinco de Mayo!? You bet!

Goji Berry Frozen Margarita's
Goji berries have a very unique flavor which I can only liken to somewhere in the middle of a prune and fig. The Tequila and Cointreau knocks out some of the sweetness... a little salt takes it further. For this drink I used Goji berry concentrate juice provided by Rich Nature and my favorite hand blown GlassyBaby glass.

Recipe:
4 Tablespoon Goji Berry Juice
1 Ounce silver Tequila
1/2 Ounce Cointreau
1 Ounce fresh lime juice
1 Cup chopped ice

Combine ingredients in a blender and process into blended. As an alternative you can omit the ice and use a shaker... it'll be more portant that way. Line the glass rim with salt or berry flavored sugar.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

What I Gave My Bike Commuter

Dr. M. of Best Picks Magazine Shares Her Favorite Gear for the Bike Commuter / Urban Warrior / Trekker in your life...

Taking Charge! In this series, we've compiled all the best gear and tips to make your cycling commute fun, comfortable and stylish! Keep reading for the lowdown...

Also see these fantastic sunglasses by Rudy Project which I love to use while biking about.

Image: DoctorM for GaveThat

Cir depuis 1643 & PaperBlanks

This very well could be the result of spending too much time in The Cloisters... a gothic haze of William Morris. Two favorites this year are Cir depuis 1643 candles and PaperBlank journals.

Similar to my beloved Le Couvent Des Minimes these Cir candles have a long and delicious history of production in Grasse, France. The 1643 actually denotes when they first started. For me it was simply too irresistible to pass up experiencing what the court of Louis XIV might have. This is the closest thing to actual time travel you can get. Simply ethereal they are perfect for centerpieces as they will not complete with conversation or your food, even en masse. Fleur-de-lis stamped each Cir burns slow and deliberately making you think about a time when things were less rushed.

The other, PaperBlanks, only look old but are done so well. Surprisingly only half the price of what you would think for such details as leather binding, embossing, foiling and distress, the result is something that looks like an instant heirloom. My most treasured are their Moroccan black leather and red leathers versions (pictured) along with their Tuffany glass, Tao, Zen, Book of Kells, Cartella Collection, Embellished Manuscripts and Lindau Gospels. Each is acid free and is created out of sustainable forest pulp and recycled materials. Look for their guest book versions which are great to bring along as hostess gifts and a must when you open your own digs to guests.

Mum's tapestry above is: The Quest of the Holy Grail Series, "The Arming and Departure of the Knights" by (William) Morris Co. Also as an added aside CIR is the creator of candles for Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain and Hermes as well so prior to plunking down for one of those you can try the house offerings first and see how you like them.

Image: MAM for GaveThat

See more of my favorite journals by Paper Blanks and others here.