hudson valley seeds

Hudson Valley Seeds presents their heirloom seeds in packets of contemporary art and the result is perhaps the most beautiful packaging ever. I can't help thinking it would be a wonderful housewarming gift or the perfect birthday surprise for your friend with a green thumb  (or springtime shower favors or teacher appreciation gifts...)- a package filled with these amazingly wrapped seeds-two gifts in one!

All images/art courtesy of Hudson Valley Seeds

cool things from society6

Tote by WEAREYAWN

The society6 shop has the work of thousands of artists in one spot. It is definitely a site to check out if you are looking for something quirky. These are just some of the fun items I considered....

 Downton Abbey shirt by giovanamedeiros

 

 Goonies print by Ale Giorgini

 Stationery by Riga Sutakul

 Lego Man: The Official U.S. Patent print by Jazzberry Blue

 Muppet Alphabet Pillow by Mike Boon

Childhood Memories iphone case by Sandra Arduini

fancy chocolates

I am a Whitman's Sampler girl. My chocolates need not be fancy, but if I did favor gourmet treats, I would want these mice from the chocolatier L.A. Burdick. They make me smile and I am sure they are delicious ....there are penguins, too!

Image: L.A. Burdick

Mannix Vanilla

It is that time of year- you need to think about finding the perfect gift. If you want to give something that is unique, but practical- I have just the thing... 

Since 2001, the Mannix family has been producing premium vanilla extract the old-fashioned way. Our organic, double-strength vanilla extract is brewed using a natural, cold-extraction process without chemicals, additives, sugar or corn syrup.

Continuing with our labor of love, we now produce double-strength almond vanilla extract, ground organic vanilla beans, organic vanilla sugar, and vanilla-infused extra virgin olive oil. We also sell the freshest Madagascan vanilla beans around.

Experience the difference of Mannix vanilla--hand-made, hand-labeled and hand-packed with vanilla beans in every collectible Italian glass bottle. -Mannix Vanilla

Whether you are buying for your favorite foodie or just want something different for the individual that is on your list every year, this is a great option. Check out the Mannix Vanilla site for ordering options and amazing recipes!

Images: Mannix Vanilla and flickr

adirondack chairs?

Every year at this time (because they are on sale), I consider buying a pair of Adirondack chairs for our yard and painting them a bright raspberry color. It is a very specific daydream- with even the color of my maybe chairs chosen based on the hue of our house and shutters (sage green family). I think it would look great and I know we would use them -yet, every year I only consider and never buy. Why?
I am thinking if I get them this fall-I will keep them at my parents' place and paint them there. That way, I can surprise my husband for Christmas and do all the messy painting away from curious kids....I would even use the above card with this gift.
Hmmm, my daydreams now have coordinating papergoods even....

 images: etsy, etsy, casasugar freshhomeideas, younghouselove

poppies for presents

The site ellinee.com not only has links to the design studio's shop and Pinterest boards, it also has their blog which happens to contain the most incredible DIY paper flowers.
I am already thinking forward to fall (while still enjoying the summer, of course) and want to have a dozen of these paper poppies on hand to use for gift wrapping. The tutorial provided includes the link to the PDF of the perfectly watercolored petals- all you need to do is grab scissors, a glue gun and read the surprisingly simple step-by-step instructions (complete with photos!!).

All Images and tutorial: ellinee.com

you smell

 I read about the company You Smell on Daily Candy. They make luxurious, scented bar and paper soaps that are all natural, vegan and gluten-free. I want to put this on my list of potential gifts- between the fun packaging, natural composition and promises of a sweet smelling ever after....how can you go wrong?

 Images: Dailycandy, yousmellsoap

8 Great 2012 Calendars on Sale!

Mini Desk Calendar- Vintage Dreams by alicebgardens

Desk Calendar by AlexWijnen

Martha Stewart Crafts Calendar

2012 Wall Calendar by OliveandRuby

Paris Photography Calendar

2012 Wall Calendar by sarahjanestudios

2012 Charley Harper Calendar

2012 Antique Books Magneto Diary Calendar

a different gift

As my kids unwrapped numerous toys from well-meaning family and friends this past holiday and as I found myself purchasing toys for our large extended family, I got to thinking about different sorts of gifts. I always love giving and getting picture books and art supplies for kids -that will always be true, but I need something for the coming year's birthdays and far off holiday season that is different.
I think I found it.
I am going to go with the World Wildlife Fund's species adoption options. There are many choices and price ranges. My nieces and nephews vary in age, but I think all of them would appreciate this gift. There are over a hundred symbolic adoption choices, so there is sure to be an animal for every personality!
And really, how cool is it to say you adopted a Koala?

All images courtesy of worldwildlife.org

Through the View Master

 

For my one year anniversary I got my husband a View Master with a customized reel of us from courtship to baby from the Etsy shop Image3D. I love how it sits all shiny and red on the book shelf. It's awesome. You should get one. Or give one. That is all.

P.S.
I know I totally sound like a paid shill for this shop, but I'm not at all. I'm just bragging about my occasional  gift-giving abilities.

image by Karen Kurycki

color block boxes

One of the consequences of forcing my poor sweet husband to paint virtually every wall (and ceiling!) in my house is that we have accumulated a tidy little stack of those paper cards of paint samples. Not wanting to throw them away (they are just so pretty and I hate to be wasteful!) I was happy to stumble upon an easy tutorial by "What About Orange" on how to turn those paper cards into cute little gift boxes. It looks like everyone wins because of my hoarding tendencies!

{Images, instructions, and inspiration courtesy of "What About Orange"}

sarah + abraham

sarah + abraham is one of those shops filled with practical, yet sweet and fun gift ideas. The olliegraphic personalized dishware and placemats are fantastic gifts for kids- something unique and clever because you can specify hair color, eye color, etc. to resemble the recipient.


Another gift option on the site are their silhouette design cards. These are perfect for family note cards or thank yous for a new baby/ child's birthday. They are more sophisticated than the kid friendly olliegraphic line, but you can also customize the design from a wide selection of playful silhouettes.

You can't go wrong with personalized gifts and sarah + abraham has such a great selection.

All images courtesy of sarah + abraham