Watch Me

- The List -

WeWood wooden watch

D.L. & Co's Timeless Pocket Watch perfume

Counting down the days... see more of my favorite gift picks for the holidays here.


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Favorite Candles

Next to perfume, it's probably become painfully obvious here, beautiful candles are an absolute vice. Sniffing and appreciating the effort that often times goes into a really decadent one... nirvana. Especially around the holidays. Picking through the ones that are most often burned, here are a few of my absolute favorites that I'd gladly give over and over again:

- The List -

D.L. & Co. Classics, every single candle I've smelled from this company has been amazing!

CIR Depuis 1643, around for ages and you can see why, incredible blending.

Dayna Decker Chandels, instant fireplace wherever it's lit and it seems to last for ages.

Jonathan Adler's Muse Noir, will beg again, please Mr. Adler turn noir into a perfume. Rubbing black candle wax on myself is highly impractical.

Red Flower, (a little hard to see in the picture) their petite candles are the cutest thing ever and they smell lovely.

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Setting a Coffee Tray

Tacking on the finishing touches as the sun set and the lights flicked, the little cups of coffee and hot chocolate we were drinking, topped with whipped cream and a bit of dulce de leche, seemed to make the hours fly by. Having a coffee tray set up ahead of time is always a big help. Fun cups and saucers put the icing on top and if guests coo about how much they love them, their gifts will be easy to pick out!

Coffee trays seem to me to be the easiest to set. The coffee (or hot chocolate) usually has everything already in it (Irish Cream, peppermint Schnapps, dulce de leche) so there isn't need for a million things. The cups and saucers or demitasses are placed on the tray with spoons to the right. Sugar bowl and creamer towards the back and the coffee pot to the right for easy pouring by the host (moving it inward helps when the tray is being carried). That's pretty much it!

Coffee Cups & Saucers : Classic Coffee

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Sacks of Coal

Last year I showed these from the coal mine gift shop but then everyone started asking for the real deal so here you go! Must have been a lot of naughtiness last year. Find them here with three lumps or two.


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Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish everyone celebrating Thanksgiving today a wonderful, safe and happy holiday and to say thank you so much one and all for visiting my little blog and often leaving such kind words of encouragement. Without this blog it's doubtful that I would have met and been introduced to so many incredible people and projects! Something to be incredibly thankful and grateful for every single day. See you soon!

PS as per our family tradition, the Christmas trees are now up! Funny how quick and easily time flies when the work is pure joy... that and copious amounts of dulce de leche spiked Ovaltine being served.

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Glittery Pine Cones

It's a mad dash to get everything done in time for decorating the trees come Thanksgiving... about 20 down and hundreds to go of these little pine cones which look as if they were dusted with very sparkly powdered sugar (see the simple tutorial here). So looking forward to showing the finished results and the theme for this year!

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Making Authentic Wax Seals

Even though these faux wax seals are easier and faster to create there is something special about the real thing! Especially if you're looking to create old fashioned gift wrapped presents. For creating your own authentic wax seals using traditional sealing wax watch this tutorial video here or below.



PS please be very careful, someone recounted what happened to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's (one of my favorite poets) wife, who died after catching herself on fire while using her wax seal. Keeping away from any drafts is a must.

Image: mam for Gave That | Video" mam & Magda for Gave That

DIY Snowflake Ornaments

We've been making these to sprinkle around the Christmas tree but these sparkly little snowflakes can also mold around candles and top presents as an extra ornament gift. For how to create these watch this tutorial video or see it below.



Image: mam for Gave That | Video: mam & Magda for Gave That

Origami Gift Card Holders

Here is a little tutorial on how to create the origami gift card envelopes above... simple and cute! For the tutorial on how to fold them watch the video here or below and many more gift wrap ideas and tricks can be found in the blogs Gift Wrapping Ideas area here.

Origami paper: 6 x 6 inch Japanese Paper Place

Image: mam for Gave That Video: mam & Magda for Gave That

Tassels 2Two

Bird cage: vintage
Top: 2Two c/o Citizens Planet (Love this!)
Necklace: India
Perfume & antique pharmacy bottles
Scented Tassels: Agraria Tasselaires (my personal favorite are their Riviera Pear ones, absolutely fresh, crisp and thoroughly unexpected coming from a tassel!)

Image: mam for Gave That | Amera UK

Spot of Tea

Tea infuser: Vintage (see similar ones here)

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Alef Bet's Evil Eye

The perfect Evil Eye friendship bracelet has been on my wish list for some time and now it's been found online! Alissa, from the mother and daughter team at Alef Bet by Paula recently contacted me about their line of jewelry. Included were a number of gorgeous crystal Evil Eye's. In person they're hard to miss despite being so dainty and a definite statement piece with meaning. Along with all their different Evil Eye's be sure to see Alef Bet's hamsa hands and unique Star of David's too. Chances are someone you know badly wants one!

Bracelet: Alef Bet by Paula (Thank you so much Alissa!)

Image: Magda & mam for Gave That

Origami Presents

This tiny origami gift box seemed the perfect way to give bits of jewelry. The instructions for it came from a book by Duy & Tramy Nguyen (a very sweet gift from Magda! Thank you so much luv) and uses 6 x 6 inch pieces of Origami paper. Wounder if bits of left over gift wrap would work? With a bit of gold thread attached to one end these make really cute Christmas tree ornaments too.

Origami paper: Japanese Paper Place

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Keeping Well Through the Holidays

Taking a little break from all the holiday hullabaloo here at the blog, I wanted to share a few things that have made a huge difference in being able to survive and make it through. Because being sick while everyone else is partying is cruel. This was one of those hem and haw posts because one (selfishly!) never wants to jinx it all up but that's OK. Years without a single cold is a pretty good track record. Even escaping the last few weeks of mass illness is something to be thoroughly thankful for so it's time to pay it forward.

Previously there was a post called the SOS Box and that contained favorites for when things start to go downhill fast but what's been the biggest help has been having a bit of a regimen in place. Some gleaned from Grandma's words of wisdom (cod liver oil and chicken soup) and some favorites found a little more recently.

Speaking of cod liver oil, that stuff can be brutal to have to take but of course is works. Now there are ones that are flavored which made things a whole lot easier but the thickness, oiliness... weird aftertaste lasting for hours. Not fun. Dr. Mum (literally) gave me a new sort by SFH called Super O Mega 3 oil that's vanilla flavored. It's very light which is probably the best part and the vanilla is more of a subtle essence. It comes in chocolate, tangerine and lemon too.

Next a bottle of lavender essential oil. One of the best investments ever. As soon as that funny feeling starts to crop up a few drops is doused onto my wrists and a little right under my nose. Some in the bath or the melting wax of a candle works wonders too. Some packets of Totally calcium powder. Flax seed oil capsules along with Immune System tablets from Functionalab and vitamin C. Lot's of fruits and vegetables and finally many cups of tea with lemon everyday.

Here's to hoping we all make it through unscathed! And for friends chronically under the weather I would totally wrap up one of these for them.

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Citizens Planet x Orly Zeelon

These earrings by Orly Zeelon definitely fall into the instant heirloom category that I so love. Incredibly dainty and detailed each is handmade and modeled after French Lace and covered in Swarovski crystals.

Orly Zeelon is but one of the many unique designers found at a new online galleria called Citizens Planet and I'm very happy to report that they're based in Canada but ship both there and to the US. Their premise is rather exclusive in that they allow location based exploration and shopping on a map. Orly Zeelon is from Israel and other offerings come from France, Italy and right here in New York City. All for 30-70% off. Follow them on twitter and Facebook too for their latest featured designers.

Earrings: Orly Zeelon c/o Citizens Planet (Thank you so very much!)

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Falling Leaves Gift Wrap

The leaves are so gorgeous outside at the moment but they're less on the branches and more and more on the ground. Foraging around trying to pick out the prettiest ones it was super simple to glue a few to cellophane and wrap the petite present above.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Image: mam for Gave That

Built NY

Still an absolute favorite!

Laptop Sleeve: Built NY
Bracelets: Gorjana ShopBop & Auslini
Jacket: Vintage



Image: Magda for Gave That

Postcards – Phone Home

During the summer something new debuted... a way to send pictures taken with your phone that are in turn printed into physical postcards and mailed off on your behalf. The best part is it actually worked (some traveled within the US, others made it to Italy and Japan). Having someone take the time to remember you while they're enjoying themselves through postcards has always been a major personal treat (both ways!) but this takes things to a whole new level. Here's where you can do it too. Sadly no real stamps or postmarks from the local are present on the cards but maybe it's a small price to pay for very unique views of the world?

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DIY Boudoir Scents

- DIY Gift Idea -
When I first saw little scented wax tablets hanging from tiny ribbons by Santa Maria Novella it immediately went on my "to try list". And "to try" usually always means DIY. Now that it's the season everything is actually materializing finally including these!

What are they? Well, this is a lovely way of scenting things in drawers, in ones closet or room when laid out in a bowel on a coffee table or desk. All of the dried aromatics you would find in potpourri is encased in natural beeswax and amped up with loads of essential oils, making for one truly customizable gift. They're really deceptively easy to make, here's how:

What You Will Need:
Natural bees wax
Essential oils
Dried aromatics (potpourri works great along with French lavender, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, rose petals, cloves, myrrh &/or frankincense)
Glass container
Microwave
Soap molds or old paper tea boxes lined in wax paper
Ribbons

How To Do It:
Once you have your scent combination down (cinnamon and orange work nice for the holidays along with myrrh and frankincense or rose and lavender) melt your bees wax in the microwave. Read the directions on the back for specific melting times but 1 minute at a time usually works and this can be a great way of recycling left over natural bees wax candles.

Once liquefied stir in your essential oils. Arrange your dried aromatics to the bottom of your soap mold and pour in. If using the tea box method you will create a large block that will be later sliced into tablets with a knife. Allow to cool and set. Popping it in the freezer can help with that. Then poke a hole with a hot nail at the top and string through your ribbon.


Of course if you wanted to experience the amazing scents of history I would highly recommend the originals by Santa Maria Novella, especially their secret formula Potpourri.

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Dulce de leche Candy Apples

November already?! It's hard to believe. I hope so much you're Halloween was a wonderful and safe one. Still recovering? Me too. In the mean time here are a few highlights from the festivities including these long awaited Dulce de leche caramel apples above. For the easy how-to click here.

Image: mam for Gave That