M. got in first with her request (see post comments below) for gals so here it is, the 2009 enhance the everday gift guide pour elle. First comes this gorgeous recycled cotton tote bag you see above, made to order from forest bound, US$50.00.Location: USA, ships internationally. The whole collection is perfect, especially for stylish gals who love to travel (that’s most of us, right?!).
Clockwise from top image: acorn necklace from gur kimel, US$60.00 location: isreal, ships internationally; 1940’s damask umbrella US$48.00 location: new york (state), ships internationally;Â “eco toes” in wool plaid US$45.00 by infusion; sexy boyfriend sheer button up shirt, US$58.00 location: california, ships internationally; small porcelain box from the orientalist US$50.00 location: singapore.
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Now, for the women in your life who love Paris…
You knew what was coming next, right?! Of course! But lets start clockwise, from top left: alicia bock’s paris: a love story calender US$29.00, location: Michigan; le book Paris: Made By Hand US$15.00. Photographed here by the beautiful Amanda, available through Little Bookroom location: USA (or your local bookstore, check the stores that are stocking the book around the world here); oui necklace just US$16.00 by Emilina Ballerina location: St Louis; and a collection of little books about Paris from the Little Bookroom. There are some great new titles including a fabulous new one called Paris Quiz. I would get all of the above for your Paris loving friend/wife/mom/sister and then, I would top it off with this little beauty…
…paris hand cut map print by famille summerbelle. There are also maps of New York and London. They are printed in France and come in a range of colours €42.00. So pretty aren’t they? Your girl will love you long time for this loot of paris treats.
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Next up, beautiful things for the girly girl…
clockwise, top left: starburst bloom silk clutch purse made by red ruby rose for US$105.00 location: Bristol UK; aurora botanical perfume Рcreated by hand utilizing pure, plant essences in a French glass flacon by illuminated perfume. US$150.00 location: LA; pink diamond flower in glass bottle necklace made by just me jewellery US$40.00 location: Hong Kong; fleur de nuit necklace by white owl US$35.00 location: Detroit; and la piece de r̩sistance is this very pretty handmade miniature kite in wooden box, from jaesong US$89.00 location: US.
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Now, for the bookworm! Here are a few lovelies…
clockwise from top left image: wooden bookmark just US$8.00 from bliss in a tea cup location: Vancouver; literary quote pinback brooch by bookity US$7.50 location: UK; silk sleep eye mask US$16.00 by naomi lingerie location: Melbourne Australia; a bunch of vintage classic novels, including such tales as Gullivers Travels. This bunch was recently on auction on ebay, but I suggest you head down to your local second hand bookstore and find some great old classics – this year I read The Secret Garden, Robinson Crusoe, and Treasure Island for the first time since I was a wee lass and all of them were wonderful. A stash of vintage versions would make such a great gift for a bookwormy kinda-gal (comme moi).
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I know most of these gifts aren’t necessarily made with renewable materials etc, but they are handmade and/or vintage and this all helps. There should be lots of ideas in there for the lady in your life and if you are a bit of a handyperson, you could try making something inspired by what you see above, with materials you have on hand.
Now I must confess, I completely forgot how much work these gift guides are. I’m wondering if other bloggers have some fancy smancy ways of making the task a little easier, I have a feeling my version of doing these guides is a little archaic and completely time-consuming. I shall not pike out on you though, but I will need a little more encouragement to continue if you are enjoying these and would like to see more. A little shout out, a little “keep up the good work” or something, anything along these lines would give me the extra energy I need to keep this momentum… merci mes amis! px
I love your gift guides Pia!!! Please keep up the good work as I look forward to your posts everyday. I’m sorry that I don’t have any tips to make it less time consuming.
December 8th, 2009 | #
i just finished my first gift guide- and had no idea it ws so much work! would love some tips myself. your gift guide (and blog) are beautiful…. so i guess all i can say is please keep it up.
December 8th, 2009 | #
Keep it up, Pia! I so look forward to your gift guide posts.
December 8th, 2009 | #
LOVE the gift guides, pia! keep ’em coming!
December 8th, 2009 | #
This gift guide is fantastic – I have about 8 new tabs open on Etsy because of it!
Keep up the great work, these suggestions are wonderful 🙂
December 9th, 2009 | #
Great inspiration! You GO girl!!
December 9th, 2009 | #
Pia!
I took a moment today after having spent many days just working, working and working on my clothing and accessory line for next year, and what a treat!
Thank you for the time you have put in these post, it is just the remedy for a tired girls mind ready to be taken away by beautiful pictures, shopping, ideas, and inspiration.
You are an inspiration!
Keep it up, and good luck on wrapping up your second book;) I am looking forward to wander the streets of artistic Amsterdam with you when it gets out.
PS: Make yourself a cup of warm tea with raspberry honey and take a well deserved moment.
December 9th, 2009 | #
Pia! Your gift guides are GREAT! I love everything on them. Please keep them coming.
December 9th, 2009 | #
Do you know what I love about your gift guides, is that they’re honest. I am seeing some about that I know are graft. I know because I have been sent the emails to say that “they” have been reading my blog and think their product would be perfect for me. Yadda yadda. I love that I sneakily fly under the mass media radar here … but PR agents, be warned, I do work for the mass media and I know your game. OK. Stay true. The hard work is because they are honest choices. Honest reviews.
December 9th, 2009 | #
Great ideas!
I listed your book as one of my wishes for this year’s Kris Kringle 🙂 Let’s hope I get it!!
xox
December 9th, 2009 | #
*shouting all the way from Berlin* Keep them coming Pia! Love, love, love it! 😉
December 9th, 2009 | #
You have such a soft and beautiful eye. I always enjoy your posts and its lovely at christmas to give things that are fro the heart. Thanks and keep going! (and not just on the gift guides, its all beautiful!)
December 9th, 2009 | #
love your gift-y posts! please keep at it! 🙂
December 9th, 2009 | #
I do love that damask umbrella!
We are lucky to have a wonderful vintage bookstore in the neighborhood, full of treasures. I often visit there for holiday gifts, or just to treat myself 😉
December 9th, 2009 | #
These are wonderful! You bring such unique and quality items to your list! Keep them coming!
December 9th, 2009 | #
I want every single one of those items…for me! haha I’m selfish. But I did just receive that tote and it is PERFECT!
December 9th, 2009 | #
I love the gift guides! Especially this one, so many pretty finds!
December 9th, 2009 | #
Hey Pia! Geia sou (in Greek)!
Thank you for fulfilling my wish and posting first the gift pou elle.
All the suggestions and ideas are so perfect. Keep going! I love to see more.
Merci beaucoup mon amie!
December 9th, 2009 | #
Oh my, I think we would just die without your gift guides, they are so you…and so us! And yes, so uncommercial and “graftless”. Really thoughtful, really beautiful. Pure delight. We are infinitely gratefful. Please. Don’t. Stop.
xx
December 9th, 2009 | #
the bookity brooch would be just the thing for my sister (there should be a ‘she has read too many blogs and it has addled her brain’ one for me). this gift guide is fantastic – i also think your philosophy is excellent. we tend to forget the sustainable part… thanks for taking your time to put these together, i think every one of us appreciates how much work it is.
December 9th, 2009 | #
This is the most beautiful gift guide/list I have ever seen. Thank you!
December 9th, 2009 | #
Love it, love it, love it!!
December 9th, 2009 | #
This picks are perfectly lovely. I think I want to be ALL of those girls this Christmas!
December 9th, 2009 | #
What a beautiful gift guide Pia! Thank you so much for getting this together for us! Beautiful…
xo
Melissa
December 11th, 2009 | #
This is the first post by you I’ve read, but still; from now on you can call me your fan! Fantastic gift ideas!!
December 15th, 2009 | #
what a fantastic blog. Thank you so much for including my glass bottle necklace here in your gift guides. Love it!!! Thanks for spreading the word of my creation too!
May 19th, 2010 | #
My boyfriend gave me the acorn necklace and it was beautiful! I needed to find something equally as good. I actually found my present for him at http://www.elgifto.com, this gift suggestion site. I got him a beer-brewing kit and he loved it! Thanks for the gift suggestions!
September 20th, 2011 | #