Bloggers buzz on holiday gifts part III!

Good morning! Well here I am again with my final installment of bloggers ideas for holiday gift giving. And talk about closing with a showstopper! So many amazingly gorgeous ideas here, I would be tickled pink to receive any one of them and if the recipients on my list are very very good...thy might benefit from this scrumptious list of goodies!  I am so grateful to all the many talented bloggers who joined me in this fun series to kick off the magical holiday season. I am happy to say my very first purchased gifts of the season are thanks to some of these wonderful ideas. Hope you have also found it helpful in your own gift giving. Ready for some more? Let's go......

 

 Sharon from  My French Country Home says......

If I were to pick gifts from my store for two girlfriends , then I would most certainly want to offer them something very French, that would embellish their home, and make them feel comfortable and feminine.

And to a dear friend who lives in a part of the world where the temperatures easily soar skyhigh, I would offer her one of these hand embroidered nightdresses, pretty enough to be worn as a dress and always so cool and  comfortable.  These nightdresses are over 100 years old, yet are still snow white with their orginal tiny buttons down the front.

http://www.myfrenchcountrybrocante.com/#!product/zoom1yla/257537971/five%20vintage%20hardback%20books

To my friend who loves to read, and who has just redecorated her bedroom in a pale palette of cream and verdigris, I would love to gift her these old French books.  Their decorative covers and spines would make her think of France each time she looks at them, and they are pretty enough to be on a bedside table, or even on a dressing table.

http://www.myfrenchcountrybrocante.com/#!product/zoom1yla/257537971/five%20vintage%20hardback%20books

 

  

Phyllis from Henhurst Interiors says.....

 Hi Tina, Thanks for including me – I am thrilled to be part of your series.  xoxo, Phyllis

When buying presents for friends and family at a distance I like to send a little piece of Vermont and local glassblower Simon Pearce’s shop is my go-to gift resource. Whether you are shopping for someone whose style is traditional or contemporary, formal or informal, among the store’s hand-made glass, pottery and accessories there is truly something for everyone.

At the top of my list this year are the Thetford Globes which have the most radiant effect when illuminated and, to me, resemble how the ice on a pond freezes. Clustered on the table or the fireplace mantle they will add a glow to every room.

For local friends I like to give something unique and that can’t be found in our area shops. That endeavor takes me online and to Jayson Home where I can always find something for ‘the person who has everything’ and where I recently sourced my own birthday presents (they were presented to the family for wrapping prior to the big day.) For this year’s holiday gifts I will shopping their selection of horn vessels.

I love the organic nature of the forms, the color gradations, and that the pieces are multi-purpose. The cups, bowls and covered dishes can be used tabletop, as desk accessories or to display other treasures.

Many thanks, Tina for including me – I am delighted to be sharing ideas with your readers – with all best wishes to you and yours for a happy holiday season! Phyllis at Henhurst Interiors

 

Sharon of Roses and Rust says...

 Hi Tina, Thanks for inviting me to contribute. What fun to do, and so hard to limit to two. But after much deliberation, here are my two gift choices.

I would love to give someone any ceramics from this exqisite range. These items are all handmade in a studio in South Africa. The studio, called Mud Studio, is situated in a rural area with high unemployment figures, so provides fantastic working opportunities in the area as well as imparting new skills and knowledge to underpriveledged people. Mud’s elegant and earthy designs have won much international acclaim and can now be found in designer stores across the globe, like the Conran Shop and Anthropologie.

 http://www.mudstudio.net/

 

I would love to give a friend a set of these bath or hand towels. They are a cotton and linen mix are made in South Africa in a mill outside the lovely coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. The owner of the mill worked as an apprentice in the silk mills of Yorkshire in the UK as a teenager and has had a lifelong passion for textiles which is evident in the outstanding quality of these products. They’re versatile; ready for use in the bathroom, alongside the pool or on the beach and what’s more they are environmentally friendly. I have a set of these hand towels and they look as good now as the day I got them.
 http://mungoretail.com/

Warm regards
Sharon

Marianne of Marianne Simon Design says....

Here is my guest post with 2 of my favorite gifts to give. For some reason I'm singing the song 'These are a few of my favorite things' as I'm writing this post. :)


 When Tina asked me to share 2 of my favorite gifts to give, I immediately knew what I would choose.  I am proud to say that both of the women behind these companies are from Seattle and lucky for you, you can purchase their things online.  How easy is that!?

First up is glassybaby.  I cannot even tell you how many of these I have given as gifts.  These handmade votives are truly a favorite and come in every color you could possibly imagine!  They make the most beautiful gift!  www.glassybaby.com

Who doesn't like chocolate?!  Specifically salted caramels!!!  I have tried many, many brands of salted caramels and hands down, Fran's are the best!  These award winning caramels are the perfect balance of salty and sweet. So delicious!  Be sure to buy a box for yourself, too!  www.franschocolates.com

 

Debby of Inspired Design says....

Hi, it's Debby from Inspired Design! I'm guessing you could probably find all of your Christmas gifts right in Tina's gorgeous shop. Let's face in, the girl is amazing. Who is with me in insisting that she needs her own HGTV series? Love her! If you have already purchased one of everything from Tina and are looking for a few more ideas, then here are a couple more.

I love the Stella + Dot line so much that I decided to sell it. They have recently expanded their jewelry line to include scarves, wallets, phone cases and candles. This Christmas season you can give a long distance relative or friend an e-gift card in any amount from $25.00 to $1000.00. Easy peasy. I'm also loving the deliciously scented candles. The candles make great a hostess gift or fun little stocking stuffer.

J. Crew is a no-brainer in my opinion. The peacoat is a timeless winter staple and I love how it's been updated in vibrant hues. They have a variety of unique little stocking stuffers as well. I'm loving the anchor phone case and key chain. 

I recently visited Nantucket as part as my travel series and spied these Ugg Australia Tech Ear Muffs by in one of the shops. Brilliant. Perfect for the walkers who live in cold weather climates. Of course, the tech gloves are necessary too if one is to be changing the iPod music as well!

Thanks for having me, Tina! I always love visiting my favorite girl. Hope Everyone's holiday season is off to a lovely start. Gifts are great but there is no greater gift than giving those you love, your time, your ear, a soft place to fall, a loving embrace or a laugh to share. There is no greater gift than your love year round. Share your heart, love big, don't hold back. Happy Holidays!





Jeanne of I dream of says.....



For the Francophile
The Christmas gift I wish I could give a bunch of my girlfriends is a do-over on a Paris trip we took a few years ago. The next best thing? Give them something that reminds them of our perfect day at Versailles. This gorgeous new book, Versailles, from Valerie Bajou looks like next best thing to a real life exploration of the palace with lots of history and plenty of gorgeous photos. Add a macaron candle from Voluspa and some Marie Antoinette Tea from Debauve and Galais and it's almost as good as being there!

http://www.amazon.com/Versailles-Valerie-Bajou/dp/1419700677/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352787097&sr=1-1&keywords=versailles

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/voluspa-maison-blanc-macaron-boxed-candle/3176669?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=0

http://www.barneys.com/Debauve-Gallais-Marie-Antoinette-Tea/00505013956110,default,pd.html?index=10

For the Hostess
With so much to celebrate this time of year, I like to stockpile hostess gifts to make sure I'm never without. Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook brings swanky fun to a party. And, when you add some vintage cocktail glasses (you can find a great selection on Etsy) and some personalized cocktail napkins, you have the perfect Christmas present for the friend who can turn any day into a party. 

http://www.amazon.com/Liliens-Cocktail-Swatchbook-Kelley-Lilien/dp/0307955141

http://www.paperstyle.com/is-bin/Personalized-Chevron-Green-Cocktail-Napkins-p-9-9950CP?origin=pla&utm_source=Google&utm_Medium=CSE&kw={keyword}&utm_term=99950CP

For the Chef
The Canal House cookbooks are fun to read, simple to follow, and pretty, too. And they are so well-priced, you can afford to give your favorite chef the whole series.  Amazon's got them, or if you are in Seattle, pop by Red Ticking for a stack, you'll find French tableware from Sabre and linens from Libeco to pair with them.

http://www.thecanalhouse.com/buythebook.html

http://www.amazon.com/Canal-house-cooking-boxed-set/dp/0982739451

For a Cozy Weekend at Home
I love being treated to a new pair of pajamas at Christmastime. This year, JCrew's Liberty print PJs are definitely on my wishlist. But which to choose? The blue and white paisley, or pretty floral... Both, please!

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/sleepwear/PRDOVR~23750/23750.jsp








 


Carolyn of  Vintage Mulberry says....

I was so excited when Tina so graciously asked me to be a part of this gift giving series! I always leave inspired every time I stop in for a visit with Tina and her incredible blog and I am thrilled to share some of my ideas for Christmas gifts! Because I own my own shop I am quite partial to the items we carry! Christmastime is a very fun time for us because we get to share our most special pieces with you…

First on my list for you to think about is our wonderful line of Sennod jewelry. Sennod is based out of New Orleans and we are grateful to be the exclusive boutique to sell her quality pieces..each vignette is handpicked and we order the chains as we see fit. The lengths vary as well as the silver or the gold. The vignettes are interchangeable so once you have the chain, you can continue to add to your collection of Sennod pieces! You cannot go wrong with a piece of Sennod to add to your collection. Our customers are definitely repeat customers for this discriminating style. Each vintage piece definitely reflects the fact that it was found at an antiques shop! We love having the freedom to do something fun and "frivolous" along with selling antique furniture!
 

Another item we are loving for Christmas gifts and for the Holiday season are our many pieces of fabulous artwork! How can you go wrong by giving someone the gift of art? If you are worried about a large painting being too much then give them hand painted wine glasses or an "itty bitty" by Melissa Payne Baker! I promise you , it will be a gift that is long remembered! I'm giving my mother a tiny landscape painting that she picked out and I am so excited about it! Melissa was voted Atlanta's number one artist for 2011 and 2012  as seen in Jezebel Magazine. Take a look at a few examples of what I am talking about and you will see why a piece of art of any kind by Melissa would make anyone very happy this Christmas!

Thank you, Tina for including me in this fun blog post at such a special time of year!

Carolyn

 

Lindsay of Sadie and Stella says.....

Hi kitty cats! Almost Merry Christmas from me over at Sadie + Stella. I must admit, I am already gifted out myself. How about you? When Tina asked me to show off some of my favorite gifts for this holiday season, I put my bah humbug spirit aside and let my glam girl flag fly. My favorites definitely range in price (one being more of a stocking stuffer and the other not). Who doesn't love a high and a low? What they do not range in is glamour. Let's get to it. 

Gem Coasters

Needlepoint pillow

I mean what glamour girl could resist these babies? Not this one. Merry Christmas to you all and to all come visit me over at Sadie + Stella. Loves! XOXO

Amy of Maison Decor says.....

 

Tina asked me if I would like to offer some suggestions on gift giving
for the holiday season~if you are looking to give something to that
special someone in your life you might consider these two items
that we sell at Maison Decor.  I know I would have been thrilled to 
receive them and I like to give them as wedding gifts
 or as a way to mark a special occasion~take a look!

Our Reproduction Mora Wall Clock.

I hung the pale Louis Blue Mora clock in my living room,

but did you know I custom paint them with Chalk Paint™

to go with any decor?

The Mora clocks are all custom painted by hand by me right in my 

workshop studio.  You select the color you love and I will have your clock 

on its way in two weeks or less~these clocks measure 52" x 15" x 3".

Choose from Traditional Old White (with or without a touch of gilding), 

Cream (pale yellow), Versailles (antique celery green),

Chateau Grey (olive green), Paris Grey, or Antique Red .

Each clock runs on one AA battery and is silent.

Our custom Mora clocks are priced at $240 each.

Shopmaisondecor.com

If you have a special color request for your Mora

please email me at amymaisondecor@gmail.com

and I will see if I can help you out.

 

Another shopper favorite at Maison Decor are our wings!

Beautiful distressed wooden Angel Wings~

they are 46" long and need about 30" of width for hanging on a wall as a pair.

 Cream, taupe and bit of verdigris lend this pair of wings an aged look. 

Solid wood, this pair can be hung vertically or horizontally.

If you love Gustavian style these make a fabulous home decor statement!

Priced at $185 the Angel Wings can be found at 

www.shopmaisondecor.com

Wishing everybody a Happy Holiday season from Maison Decor!

 

 

Whoa! So many amazing ideas....seriously I think I could possibly polish off my list with these suggestions alone! (not to imply however I am even nearly done) but its fun to imagine that I am. I hope this might have given you a few ideas too......thanks so much ladies for your amazing ideas and brilliant suggestions. And thank you for stopping in to see what's happening here at The Enchanted Home. Wishing everyone a fabulous day!

A perfect summer day with Debby of Inspired Design

Hi, good to be here. Was on the road again...its been non stop! I am looking forward to hopefully taking a breather in August before the back to school madness begins.
 So happy to present my new series, "A perfect summer day". It was intended to "launch" around Memorial day but time slipped away and here it is second week of July! No time like the present though and I will be featuring some of your favorite bloggers every Monday in this new series until around Labor Day. There is so much to love about summer, the abundance of fresh fruits and veges, farm stands, beach outings, lobsters rolls, the plethora of hydrangeas in full bloom everywhere, freed up schedules and late summer nights spent dining al fresco, I could go on.....when I was on the beach all alone with my book and some cold beverages at the ready, I thought "this is truly the perfect summer day". I was in absolute heaven!

It got me thinking about what does the perfect summer day mean to you? So I asked a bunch of my favorite blogging friends to come abroad and share with me their thoughts on what that means to them. Thrilled to launch it with  one of my faves, the lovely and super stylish Debby from Inspired Design. To know her is to love her, but if you don't know of her yet...you must visit. You will be thrilled to have made the discovery of her gorgeous blog, I promise. In addition she recently launched her online store featuring the most beautiful photographs of her favorite places like Paris, Nantucket, (mine too). Without further adieu, here is Debby telling us about her perfect summer day!

Hi it's Debby from Inspired Design. I am thrilled to be here because I love summer almost as much as I love Tina. I think Tina puts Martha Stewart to serious shame. Whose with me when I say Tina needs to publish a coffee table book of her beautiful home? I'd be the first in line!

My perfect summer day would start..... by savoring a freshly brewed mug of coffee, (or two), in a pretty and comfortable setting. I would curl up on the sofa with my laptop and do my morning blog work before hitting the beach for the day.

The bedroom I would wake up in..... would look something like this.  It would be airy with sunlight streaming through the windows. There would be beautiful french doors that I could open to let in the fresh morning air, and revel in all the promises that a summer day holds.

And my bathroom would be.... a calming escape where I could rinse away the residue sand from the  beach. The color scheme would be reminiscent of shades of sea glass.

A favorite beauty product I love to use during the summer is.... Vanille Perfume. It's inexpensive and smells delicious. It is not a bit overpowering in the summer heat and it holds is scent. I also love shades of pink, coral, and orange to compliment the perfect summer mani/pedi.

An ideal summer outfit for me consists of... preppy attire. My go-to outfit is usually a colorful pair of shorts, a summer blouse, and some Stella + Dot jewelry to give the outfit some personality.

The view from my bedroom window would be..... of a unspoiled sandy beach. The sound of the waves would lull me to sleep in the evening and I would be awaken to bright sunlight streaming through my bedroom windows, and the harmony of sea gulls.

And of course this perfect summer day is located..... on the quaint island of Nantucket, MA. If you read my blog, then you already know all about my incessant love affair with the island, and my dream to someday live there.

prints available in my shop

For breakfast I would indulge in.... freshly squeezed orange juice, a flaky croissant, and slow cooked scrambled eggs with goat cheese enjoyed al fresco.

After I am showered, fed, and revved up to start my day I would.... take my dog for a long walk on the beach, get some exercise, and hunt for treasures to add to my collection.

For lunch my absolute favorite summertime meal is.... a simple salad of fresh greens, ripe avocado wedges, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.

An afternoon snack might comprise of.... freshly picked strawberries enjoyed either plain, or blended into yogurt with granola.

My afternoon activity would be.... relaxing with a great summer read and reveling in a bit of a cat nap without feeling a wee bit guilty.

The ideal summer drink is.... Lemonade Iced Tea. Love the combination of the two.

A perfect summer dinner would consist of..... marinated grilled scallops upon a bed of rice or served with grilled sweet potatoes. A green salad or grilled asparagus with shaved Parmesan would complete the meal.

And where I eat might look like this.... Dreamy, sparkly lights, in a star-filled sky. Candles aglow, music softly playing, all helping to create a feel of living in the moment.

A perfect summer ending to a perfect summer day.... would end with those I love, sitting around a fire pit sharing stories, laughs, memories, hopes, and dreams.

The best part of my summer day is..... knowing that there are many more summers to come. Many more days to make memories, feel free, relax, enjoy, and live. Even when things are not all right with our world... it's bitter January, a loved one is ill, a job has been lost, or a heart has been broken... we can always hold on to the hope that a summer day is just around the corner. It's a promise that lives in our hearts, that seasons renew, there is a time to reap, a time to sow, and a time to play in the sun.


Thanks so much for having me, Tina! It's been a pleasure.  -Debby xoxo

Thank you Debby for describing MY perfect day...oh my you really got it covered, from the sophisticated beach house to the yummy drink and tantalizing food, stylish summer frocks mixed in with a little bit of retail therapy...we could be great summer friends!! Thanks for stopping by and thank you Debby for such a wonderful post. Be sure to stop on over at Inspired Design, but be forewarned.... its a blog that is easily addicting. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer day......and would love to hear a little about your perfect summer day?