Gave That

A Little Neon

2012-01-29T17:29:00.008-05:00

Hello!

Bag: Old Navy mini messenger

Image: Magda & mam for Gave That

Illustrative Moments

2012-01-29T00:42:00.004-05:00

New York based fashion designer, fashion illustrator, and artist Deborah Griffin recently let me know about her new site and gift idea, Illustrative Moments. As soon as I learned more about it I wanted to share it here immediately. At Illustrative Moments Deborah will turn a wedding dress or any special grown(s) into a high fashion illustration. Highly rare to be able to have done, let alone by someone with years of experience doing this for Vera Wang, this is beyond an amazingly special keepsake to give.

Image: Deborah Griffin - Illustrative Moments

Forget Me Knot

2012-01-25T17:09:00.003-05:00

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

2012-01-25T16:01:00.003-05:00

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

2012-01-25T15:05:00.006-05:00

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

2012-01-21T14:03:00.007-05:00

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

2012-01-19T16:47:00.005-05:00

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

DIY Reed Diffuser

2012-01-18T15:59:00.009-05:00

One thing I'm always keen on doing is finding out ways to reuse all those pretty but empty glass perfume bottles. One way recently has been to turn the ones used as splashes or with a wide enough neck into a reed diffuser. So far so good! Some of my most favorite bottles to use are by Chanel but chunky ones used to house bath salts or even antique ones have been pressed into service as well. Then they're kept topped off with fragrance refills or I create my own using a blend of essential oils mixed in sweet almond oil.

What You Will Need:
- Empty glass bottles with a wide spout. Good one include antique Chanel and other splash type bottles with stoppers, crystal decanters, old medicine or apothecary bottles
- A diffuser oil refill or a self created blend
- Reeds or bamboo Shish Kabob skewers
- Optional embellishments such as tassels for around the neck or a pretty ribbon, semi precious stones, tiny seas shells, resin incenses or Himalayan pink salt chunks for inside the bottle at the bottom.

Book by Christian Lacroix

Image: mam for Gave That

This Shirt Helps

2012-01-18T15:43:00.004-05:00

Absolute favorites at the moment... a simple black tee by This Shirt Helps, Juicy Couture sunglasses and shamballa bracelets.

Image: mam for Gave That

Origami Gift Bows

2012-01-16T16:33:00.009-05:00

Finally! How to create cute Origami gift bows to pop on top of presents. A big thanks to Paper Kawaii for sharing Korean diagrams on how to fold these and Tweety Atelier showing the secret is scissors. And while they do take many steps and a pair of scissors, once one was created it was easy to create many more from memory. For the complete how-to see the video above.

6 x 6 Origami paper: The Japanese Paper Place

Image: mam for Gave That | Magda for Gave That

Winter Scents

2012-01-10T15:33:00.007-05:00

Already so many are talking about Valentines Day gifts and you know how it's the perfect segue to my beloved perfume. These are a few favorite scents at the moment, all spritzed liberally to chase the chill away.

Burberry Brit Always the eau de toilette version as the pear and lemon is so juicy, the scent is much fresher and the candied amaretto and tonka is at its nuttiest. Weirdly, aside from the Sheer version which smells completely different, this one has never been mentioned here on the blog. It's my all time favorite discovered when it first came out and repurchased numerous times but only used when the temperature drops under 50 degrees. Which is why it was superseded by the next one.

Chanel N°5 Eau Premiere

MOR Marshmallow

Black Current Vanilla by Baths & Body Works

Jeanne by Lanvin This is probably an odd choice for the chilly months but this is another year 'round scent that is light, ethereal and transparent. Almost as if you're not really wearing perfume but instead just have an aura of smelling very good. The most noticeable note is something akin to tropical Star Fruit or Yuzu flower (the raspberries and citrus I imagine) mixed with a little roasted amber. One of those rare scents you can never over apply!

Image: mam for Gave That

Melting Crayons on Canvas - DIY Project

2012-01-08T18:12:00.010-05:00

It was so warm (for January in the north) and sunny today that we wanted to infuse it with some color and this is how we did it (Magda was my partner in crime). Deliciously fun and a sweet gift idea too, here's how to create your own melting rainbow on canvas:

What You Will Need:
- A canvas (the one used here is 9 inches x 12 inches)
- Crayons (it took 27 for the canvas here)
- A hair dryer or for more control, an embossing heat tool (the one I'm using is an older model Marvy Uchida)
- A drop cloth, plastic or lots of newspaper (because this get's drippy)

How To:

See the video above.

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

RIBBONESIA

2012-01-05T01:59:00.007-05:00

In absolute awe of the RIBBONESIA project by Japanese artist Baku Maeda. The Animal Collective Exhibit. See a heart being made here.

Image: via RIBBONESIA by Baku Maeda

Detox

2012-01-04T14:18:00.014-05:00

Months ago I started putting together a little kit similar to the Spa in a Box, only this would be for detoxing after the holidays. All that rushing around along with cup after cup of tiramisu flavored hot chocolate, sweet potato pie, chocolate... lot's of chocolate, candy coated popcorn and huge hot soft pretzels. The list goes on and on and while it was heavenly at the time, the result is splotchy skin all over. Black under the eyes. Dehydration galore.

Immediately returning to lots of salads, avocados, bean burgers and red rooibos tea it became clear the detox stash would be needed too. Hopefully after a couple of weeks of this things will get better. Your symptoms are probably not as bad but if you're looking for some detoxing at home, here's the regimen.

One major way to recover has been applying the rooibos tea externally with one of these Asian paper face masks (it's soaked in the tea along with some fresh aloe vera, cinnamon and honey).

In order to try and bring moisture back into the skin I've been liberally applying oils and rich creams which are warmed slightly in the microwave. Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom cream smells so good and the oil is amazing. Both are thick enough to actually make a noticeable difference and the oil can be used for steaming the face too.

For under the eyes it's probably hard to find anything thicker than Kiehl's creamy eye treatment with avocado. Weird sticky texture which I wasn't too sure about at first but it does stay in place all night and appears to be working. Aside from some sugar scrubs with lemon and coconut oil, it's nothing too drastic. Just a little extra TLC to get the New Year off on the right track. Lesson learned for the 85th time, diet plays such a huge role but it's fun to be bad. Wishing everyone good health! The best gift of all.

Image: mam for Gave That

Gave That Instagram

2012-01-03T17:13:00.007-05:00

Are you on Instagram too? Say hi or follow @gavethat (really just yours truly taking snapshots throughout the day... thoroughly addictive!).

Pictured: Birthday cake - Snow on Halloween 2011 - Juicy Couture Dirty English - Book: "Letters to a Young Artist" - Gift Tower - Schick gift - Tennis the first day of 2012 - Art by Matthew Menger - Scout bag

Image: mam for Gave That

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T14:16:00.006-05:00

Finishing 2011 with an unexpected bang of excitement and laughs was absolute icing! Again, thank you so much to everyone who reached out this past year and gave such amazingly kind words of encouragement. A special thank you to Magda for all her help taking pictures and video. It truly helped to make 2011 amazing in so many ways. Eternally grateful for everyone who takes the time to stop by the blog and as a direct result, once again, many causes could be supported. Thank you to those who have subscribed and looking forward to what new things will be unearthed, discovered and experienced in the new year. Wishing one and all the same amount of glee and hoping you'll come along for the ride.

Happy New Year everyone and thank you!

Marie

Image: mam for Gave That

Wrapping Spirits

2011-12-30T16:14:00.004-05:00

A little parcel recently came from Maker's Mark and tucked inside was the cutest, albeit initially baffling, thing ever. A tiny sweater. It took a while to understand what it was but looking at the card made it all clear, it's a bottle sweater! It slips on top to keep spirits cozy and wrapped up. Hopefully these will make it into Maker's gift shop (best kept secret) soon because they'd be perfect as favors... chalet party style.

Bottle sweater: c/o Maker's Mark

Image: mam for Gave That

Shamballa!

2011-12-30T15:11:00.006-05:00

Someone near and dear was sweet enough to give this Shamballa bracelet for Christmas and it's been glued to my wrist ever since. The day-to-night version which is perfect for NYE and the new yummy unisex friendship bracelet to give. Have to return the favor!

Stacking them together. Find all sorts, including one similar to my gift and the wooden one above, here.

Bracelets: gift & c/o RCJ -Thank you so very much, love them!

Image: mam for Gave That

20's Gift Wrap

2011-12-25T15:31:00.003-05:00

Through the turn of the century and into the 20's delicate tissue papers and simple ribbons were in vogue for wrapping presents. It would be another 10 years before Scotch tape was invented so things were rolled and loosely wrapped up.

To see all the eras recreated click to see the full series here.

Image: mam for Gave That

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:55:00.002-05:00

"I will hold Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

- Charles Dickens

Image: mam for Gave That

Regency - Victorian Gift Wrap

2011-12-24T16:42:00.004-05:00

The Regency era well into the Victorian saw very plainly wrapped gifts, if at all, done in brown papers, sealing wax and twine. Then in the mid 19th century Christmas Crackers (Bon Bons) started to vie for some of the most ornately wrapped gifts at the time. From looking at antique pictures most gifts were not wrapped with silver etched platters, toys, little potted plants such as African Violets and gift books laid as is under the tree.

To see all the eras recreated click to see the full series here.

Image: mam for Gave That

Beauty - Gift Guide

2011-12-23T16:11:00.004-05:00

Beauty has always been a quick gift to pick out when it's down to the wire! These are a few favorites that have yet to let me down.

- The List -

The Hold Me Bag - Best and most luxurious travel makeup bag ever!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine and Lancome Lipsticks - These melt into lips like no other and both Chanel and Lancome always create the best pinks

L'Occitane hand cream

Opi Christmas Collection and Zoya nail polishes

The Macadamia Nut Oil gift set - The Healing Oil treatment makes this kit so worth it, it's even better than Moroccan Oil

Physicians Formula Happy Booster powder

Stila "Wonderful in Waikiki" palette - Golden bronze shades, everything in one place

Anything Molton Brown

Kevyn Aucoin travel makeup brushes - Never sheds

Maybelline Eyesudio liner in Blackest Black - Comes with a really good brush which is always nice... give the tool with the makeup! It's extremely black too and perfect for the Parisian flick.

Image: mam for Gave That

Bags of Love

2011-12-22T16:22:00.006-05:00

A really delicious surprise came today! London based Bags of Love turned this picture into a bag! Can you imagine all the possibilities? At first the thought of galaxy prints came to mind but then that wouldn't have been as personal, still utterly cool, but this I love more now that it's here. This made me think how special it could be to let a budding designer or illustrator create their own bag or to create bags with cute little grand babies all over them. Of course bags are just the start, a complete set of Paris or NYC pillows... done. A throw covered in a very special birthday party... can be done too. See more personalised gifts here.

Bag: c/o Bags of Love, big thank you!

Image: mam & Magda for Gave That

Scented Ornaments

2011-12-21T14:44:00.006-05:00

So happy to have found a metal pomander ball to hang on the tree this year and even better it's huge! The perfect size to sneak an orange pomander inside although it comes with a very sugar plumy sachet of its own.

Ornaments & metal pomander: Zodax
DIY Orange Pomander (see the how-to here)

Image: mam for Gave That

Bäks Gift Boxes

2011-12-20T18:55:00.003-05:00

These reusable gift card holders and boxes by Bäks (pronounced Box) are some of the cutest things ever! Really sturdy and quick to put together, they're perfect as keepsake boxes later on or to hold bits of jewelry. Another major plus, Bäks will be donating 1% of all proceeds from these gift boxes to Operation Smile.

Gift Card holders: c/o Bäks

Image: mam for Gave That