Avery Bleu: Gift Ideas

Showing posts with label Gift Ideas. Show all posts

Topical Totes

I came across these Amanda Hindmarch canvas totes from Net-a-Porter and think they're so great. Super cute, useful and green (April is Earth Month after all). They would make an excellent gift for anyone in your life, no matter what their hobbies or interests.

Dear Diary {not quite}

Last month I received a great birthday gift from my roomie - Keel's Simple Diary (in green). It's such an easy way to record the day's miscellanies without actually journaling. The questions are simple and often quite random, but they're thought provoking. For me, it's nice to have a guide to document the happenings in my life, when often I can't think of where to begin or may not have much to say. Below are some sample pages.

Magic Wands

Mascara is a weakness of mine. I am always trying new ones and rarely buy the same one two times in a row in hopes that the next one will be the perfect, most amazing mascara that has ever touched my lashes! Sadly, I have yet to come across the holy grail of mascaras, but the Sephora LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler is a pretty awesome way to try out a bunch of them. They're minis, like half the size of regular tubes. That's another reason why it's so great - less chance of dry out, great for travel, don't like one - try another. The whole set is only $39, so it's kind of a steal of a deal, considering many full-size mascaras are over $20. I also think it's a perfect gift idea (I've even "gifted" myself two of the sets).

Stay tuned for my update on the

Imgaes With Imagination

While I am not super familiar with a great deal of fashion photographers (though I'm working on it), I am a fan of some, and Tim Walker is one of them. His photos are eye-catching, playful, often strange and fantastical, but yet also raw and real. Quite a mixed bag actually, which is why I think he's so appealing.

He has a new book that I would just love to own and flip through when I need some inspiration, Tim Walker Pictures. Below are a few images from the book.

To view more of Tim's work, go here

source

Douche de bébé

I saw the most darling idea for a baby shower on MarthaStewart.com; French Countryside. Everything is delicate and lovely and sweet - just like a new baby. I love the little details and touches. It's definitely not a traditional, cheesy baby shower - it's much more tasteful and chic.

Decorations:
Embroidered linens, a tiny arrangement of forget-me-nots, and a few dangling wired wreaths

Invitations:
Invites can easily be made by hand, you'd just need some lovely floral French-looking paper and a pretty font and an accent, such as a ribbon. I'm sure there are many pre-made blank invitations or cards that would be well suited for this theme as well.

Games:
Guests write their favorite names for (boys) and (girls) on slips of paper that are dropped in jars for the parents' consideration. There are many other games to choose from, just use the same color palate as the shower and have someone with nice handwriting add details to whatever you choose to do.

Shower Gift Basket:
Give the expectant mother a pretty, fabric-lined basket to collect the gifts.

Recipes:

Potato Leek Soup

Radishes with Chive Butter

Pissaladiere

Madeleines

Chocolat Blanc (aka White Chocolate)

Favors:
Chocolate Blanc: wrap blocks of white chocolate in parchment, tied with waxed twine, and topped with a vanilla bean to make individual servings of Chocolat Blanc.

In addition to the Chocolat Blanc, fragrant French soaps packaged in the color scheme would be a simple, cost-effective, usable token.

** I also think this theme would be great for a bridal shower

Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin...

My good friend Jamie sent me the most wonderful and useful thing in the mail today - a "Pack This" pad from Knock Knock. It's a checklist for everything you'd need when preparing for a trip. Jamie knows me all too well and is probably tired of hearing me complain about how much I loathe packing. I will definitely get a lot of use out of this, as I am a perpetual over- packer, but yet always bring the wrong things.

The Knock Knock site has all sorts of fun, humorous and unique stickies, pads, books, folders and more. Great as gifts!

V-Day Part Deux

If you don't feel like making Valentine's Day treats like the items in the previous posting, you can certainly buy some darling sweets for your sweet (or yourself :) )

Williams-Sonoma
Red Envelope
Sprinkles

Perfect Endings Heart Cake

Williams-Sonoma

Conversation Heart Cookies

Red Envelope

Dancing Deer Cake + Cookie Tower

Red Envelope

Valentine Cupcakes

Red Envelope

24k S'mores Hearts

Red Envelope

Perfect Endings Red Velvet Heart Cake

Williams-Sonoma

Heart Petits Fours

Williams-Sonoma

XOX Box of Cupcakes

Sprinkles

Valentine Message Cookies

Williams-Sonoma

Sweetheart Marshmallows

Williams-Sonoma

Recchiuti Blanc de Noir Champagne Truffles

Williams-Sonoma

V-Day

Now, as much as I dislike Valentine's Day, I do like treats, especially super cute treats. When browsing Hostess with the Mostess, I happened upon some adorable Valentine's yummies. I then searched for some additional recipes the web. They're all so darling that perhaps I will consider making some for the dreadful holiday :)

The recipes for the goodies pictured below are on Parents.com here and here and also on MarthaStewart.com here.

Hearty Hot Chocolate