Sea Horses & Sea Glass

Something else beachy.... glass bottles topped with sea shells and tiny sea horses filling in for bows.

For more gift wrap looks please see my gift wrap design inspiration area here.

Image: mam for Gave That

WeWood

Greetings from the land of advanced darkness! Despite this I had to show you something really delicious. These watches have intrigued me for a little while because it seemed the answer to a problem that has plagued me (and maybe many others as well) for ages. How to have one of those gorgeous, big, chunky mens watches without the pain of them digging into your skin down to the bone? It seemed as if WeWood really solved this and wearing one today, yes they most certainly have. These watches are so light you forget they're even on. Even better with each watch sold they plant a tree through the American Forests’ Global ReLeaf Campaign.

Hoping the sun shines and everyone has a decent weekend!

Watch: WeWood
Pillow: Munio Candela
Bracelets: Alex & Ani + Vintage
Bag: Stephanie Johnson

PS, much to my absolute shock a watch collector and aficionado was all over this... yeah!

Image: mam for Gave That

The Anniversary Box

Susan Hogg has created one of the most beautifully endearing wedding gifts I've encountered in a good long time... The Anniversary Box. Stemming from a homemade gift she personally received in the 80's, these Happily Ever Afterwords box's contain 50 little envelopes with stationery tucked inside. Friends and loved ones pen notes of encouragement and love to the couple to be and on each wedding anniversary thereafter, one of the numbered envelopes is opened and read. Divine!

PS, even sweeter, a special discount code was created for you all, use "GT100" for $10. off of your Happily Ever Afterwords order.

Image: Happily Ever Afterwords

Falling Whistles

This amazing necklace came today and I had to show it here immediately... it's incredibly special on so many levels, the biggest being its creation by Falling Whistles to raise funds, support and awareness for the plight of people in Congo Africa. Especially women and children. 100% of each necklace goes to rehabilitation efforts in the area.

At the moment they are concentrating on keeping the elections on 11/25/11 free and fair. For more on how you can help visit: www.fallingwhistles.com.

Necklace: Falling Whistles
Shirt: ADAM x Ellen Harvey for the Whitney Museum

Image: mam for Gave That

Milkyway & Comets

Bags: Kipling x Peter Pilotto SS/2011
Scarf: Risto Bimbiloski
Water bottle: Polar Bottle
Car: Mercury Comet Caliente


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Dear Old Dad

Provence Santé Verlaine aftershave and Le Couvent Des Minimes Lavender & Acacia

Anything Vineyard Vines.

Cross Edge collection pen and Paper Blanks journal.

Classic Ray Ban Wayfares

Can we talk about how good niche French fragrances are!? The Le Couvent Des Minimes Lavender & Acacia (formula 214) has been mentioned numerous times here but it needs some more love because it deserves it. It's listed as an eau de toilette which has always perplexed me because it seems quiescently masculine in an aftershave sort of way. The lavender mixed with the cool, creamy Mediterranean acacia (a thoroughly distinctive scent) and some musky vanilla and woods too. Plus the Haute Provence convent that makes this has been around since 1862. The instant gift of provenance!

The other scent on my list for Dad is Verlaine made for Baudelaire by Stephane Lecaille of Provence Santé. Baudelaire was a french poet and so was his friend Verlaine who wrote absinthe laced verses. The vervain & linden, a speciality of Provence Santé, is what really intrigued me... wounder what that would smell of? Well the closest thing would be lots of lemongrass infused with sweet soap. Really, really good soap. Or maybe it's mimicking absinthe? Whatever the case one of these bottles is staying with me. If only it lasted longer but it is an aftershave after all, one that is wonderfully soothing and summery!

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DIY Rose Waters

Today was another one of those dreary, chilly days but one glimmer of hope were the roses that were blooming outside. Little Mediterranean Musk roses which, despite their tiny size, smell absolutely divine! These begged to be distilled. This project ended up adding much needed warmth and incredible perfume all throughout the house.

Previously I posted about how easy it is to create your own rose toners to give as gifts but something even more universal is simple rose waters. These are traditionally used in everything from cookies to teas, to mist ones hair and body, linen sprays, in perfumes... you name it. We made vats today as quick, special gift to give. If you're wondering how to create some of your own watch Magda and me in the garden and kitchen today in the video below:



This technique also works for orange blossoms, lavender and honeysuckle. For the rose skin toner recipe see my past post here.

Image & Video: mam & Magda for Gave That

DayNa Decker Chandels

The weather has been gorgeous and you can not help but smile thinking somewhere, someone is getting married and it must be amazing for them! The season is still in full swing and the quest for the perfect gift kept making me think of DayNa Decker. Something about her Chandels makes me think of bridal gifts... probably because they're so universally appealing (masculine thick green grass with something completely ethereal inside).

Instead of a wick these candles have a little flat piece of organic wood resembling a reed. Lighting causes all sorts of popping and hissing and there is a serious glow. A mini fireplace in your bath (complete with soot so wide open spaces is a must!). Mine happens to be in the scent Indigo which I would highly suggest if you do not know which to get. It's transparent but distinctly Polynesian and beachy with Plumeria and apple being the most noticeable. Smelling the entire line is heavenly and grouping them en masse at a garden party would be unreal.

PS you know how there is a frequent note in these candle finds about wishing they (the really, really good ones) would come in a perfume version (such as here and here), well DayNa Decker's do. In gold and teak wood purse sprays actually and now I'm thoroughly intrigued.

For more favorite scents see my beauty and scents area here.

Image: mam for Gave That

CitySlips & AfterSoles

Truth serum: heels are my friend or at least I thought so until one tragic event at a massive art museum. Trotting about, taking in a special exhibit and the entire museum again I was hobbling towards the end. It was so bad that walking on piercing rocks, glass and pavement became more appealing and that's what ended up happening. If only these fold up ballet flats were in my bag back then, everything would have been different.

Well they will be from now on! Plus they had to make an appearance here because they're superb as a gift, especially to a bride and her wedding party or a grad during graduation or when you see someone hobbling around an art museum. The pouches which convert into totes are really pretty and perfectly giveable as is and best of all the shoes are really, really comfortable on.

Look for them to make another appearance soon in a what's in my overnight / weekender post. With these, it feels like it is now complete!

Leopard CitySlips flats
Black AfterSoles flats

Image: mam for Gave That

Down the Nile

Gauzy linen swaddles a gift box, fashioned with a cobalt blue ribbon and adorned with a white waterlily. For a how-to on the way to fold and knot your fabric, see my previous tutorial here.

For more gift wrap looks please see my gift wrap design inspiration area here.

Image: mam for Gave That