Not playing fair

I told my husband I would really love a painting by artist Michelle Armas for Valentines Day. My desire to own one of her colorful abstracts was instant and visceral.

Zena (and consequently, already sold)

He replied with, "So, I guess you no longer want this?"

He clearly does not understand the rules of this game...

Hellooooo, Santa!

I know you're already making your list, and checking it twice, so go ahead and put these salt and pepper wells on mine. I'll even be your little elf, and give you the source - you know, 'cuz I'm a good girl like that!

Chic Camera? Oui, Oui!

Ben and I don't exchange Christmas, birthday, anniversary, gifts in the traditional sense. He claims it's too much pressure to pick out the "perfect" gift (cough-copOUT-cough), and I never know what to give him, as he's the least materialistic person I know (that's a good thing, I realize).
However, in the event he ever wants to surprise me with something I am guaranteed to love, I do keep a Wishlist on Amazon. (hint, hint Honey ;)
I recently spied this too-cool-for-school camera - a Lomography Diana named the "Parisian" for its adorably-chic, and oh-so-French navy and white striped body.

"Lomo" is a style of photography dating back to the early '60s. Images in the Lomo style typically have high color saturation, yet a dreamy, vignetted appearance.
Most photo editing software offer ways to "Lomo-ize" digital images - like I did here using Picnik...

...but how great would it be to pick up an actual film camera again, and have a go at creating your own images in the iconic style? Perfect gift for your photofile family or friend (or of course, me!)

Shoppe Local

There's a lot to be said about buying local - from the small business owner trying to make a go of it in this not-too-kind retail environment that tends to favor Big Box discount stores. I've always found individually-owned gift shops offer so much more in terms of unique items, so I was delighted to learn that Lauren Bade was opening her doors in my hometown. My first glimpse of Lauren's clever collection of clothing, jewelry and home accents was at her flagship store in the tourist and shopping mecca of the Texas Hill Country: Fredericksburg.
Here, she's taken a large space in our historic downtown, remodeled half to be the darling shop, while the adjacent half gets a facelift to be a wine tasting room. Perfect!
If you're in this neck of the woods, this is some eye candy you don't want to miss! Beautiful entryway with hardware: You have me at Hello!

Some of that gaga-producing merchandising

Embroidered cotton and silk tunics - Eenie, Meenie, Miney Mo!

Unique jewelry

Frame-worthy papers - too gorgeous to cut!

Precious goodies for the pint-sized among us

And of course, more yummy-ness for grown-ups! If there had been any way for me to lug this tole and beadwork chandy back to Brazil, she'd have gone into Isla's nursery {sigh}

...More lamp lusciousness

Wouldn't a cluster of these reflective votives be beautiful on a tablescape?

...and, the impending Wine Room - can't wait!

Let's just say, her perfectly-selected items and winsome displays left a fine impression. Welcome, Lauren, Victoria is so happy to have you!

Lauren Bade

221 South Main Street

Victoria, TX

361.582.4222

**All photos by alison g. for My Little Happy Place

Love Tokens

During my first pregnancy, our nickname for our as-yet-unnamed baby was "Bean." That February, Ben gave me this necklace for Valentine's Day - Elsa Peretti's Bean necklace from Tiffany & Co. I love the precious connotation it has for us, and still wear it all the time.

It was a gift that signified a very particular moment in our lives, so I was surprised awhile back when the hubster suggested I pick something out from "T-Fanny's" to commemorate this baby.

I'm not one of those women who expects a so-called "Push Present" (PP). I mean, isn't the baby gift enough? No judgments, just sayin'... So, when a general "commemorative" gift was offered, I didn't really jump on it - it seemed too much like an early PP.

HowEVAH, with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've considered that maybe a sort of Love Token might suffice....Hmmm??? It's OK, if I'm being hypocritical, and it's merely a matter of semantics, you can let me know, but in the meantime...

Since I can't have what I'd really want from Tiffany, I'm skipping it altogether. You pay a premium for anything that comes in that little blue box, anyway!

Sundance always has a great selection of organic (albeit higher-end) offerings - I could succumb...

diamond briolette earrings

waterway ring

But, I also have a soft spot for unique, handmade pieces...

Impossibly in love bracelet by artisanfield

Geodes: A nod to Brazil?

Neptune's Gift charm necklace by seafairiesjewelbox

Geode earrings by irisjewelrydesign

Thing is...as lovely as all these pieces are, this exercise seems a bit phony. I don't even wear the decent jewelry I already own when we're here in Brazil - Federal Agent husband says it's a "security thing."
So, I think in light of my desire to have a "moment-appropriate" gift that I might actually have the chance to enjoy, I'll suggest a trip back to the Hippie Fair in Ipanema where we can pick out a fabulous piece of original, Brazilian art.Mmmm....yes, indeed!

Great Gifts!

Almost everyone I know was taking a budgeted approach to gift-giving this year, our family included. Despite facing Fiscal Responsibility (unlike Congress these days - sheesh!), our families came up with some truly cool selections I just have to share...
Probably my favorite gift - this felted soap my Mom found at Anthropologie. The handmade soap is wrapped in soft, natural wool that can be reused after the soap is dissolved. The verbena scent I received is heavenly-fresh, and the hand-thrown dish is perfect!

Many of us have been re-introduced to the down-to-earth foodie genius that was Julia Child this year with the release of Julie and Julia. My in-laws, however, are old school devotees, and gifted us with a two-DVD set of her original series, The French Chef - I can't wait to watch and learn!

And, finally, a gift I imagine many people across the US received: Kindle, from Amazon. The wireless reading device is perfect for us ex-pats - with its wireless capability, we can download the latest must-reads, bypassing our usual two-week shipping delay for a paper version. I can't say I thought about owning one, as I'm still partial to "real" books, but I'm super-psyched about it!

So, how 'bout you? Any unique goodies, or was it membership to the Cheese of the Month club a la Clark Griswold?!

...All tied up with string

Do you plan your gift wrap? I'm a bit of a packaging snob, myself. I certainly feel that the effort to put together an interesting wrap ensemble constitutes part of the gift. I tend to go with gift "themes," but the last few years have stuck with a classic, solid glossy red paper with white, wide, double-faced satin ribbon that is easily reusable. Until today, I really hadn't thought about what sort of gift packaging "look" I'd go for, but since I forgot my stash of ribbon in Brazil, I'll be changing things up a bit. I must be in a no-fuss kind of mood this year, because this brown parcel paper/red baker's string combo is striking a chord...

However, going simple doesn't necessarily mean going lame. There's always gift tags to help dress up a package. I could spend hours perusing paper goods... Found every look you can imagine on Etsy - some faves I'm considering (and, clearly, need to get a move on ordering!) Simple, elegant from paperandinkling

Charming, from lynchgirl
... and js design
and whimsical. From PrettySmitten
PSPapergoods
...and HenriHopper (my frenchie-owning sister needs these!)
But I really don't know if I can turn down one of these clever creations from EveryJotandTittle


























Eeenie, Meenie Miney MO!!

Bear with me...

I have to share of couple of my favorite pics from last week's Trick or Treating fest. Mainly, I want to give sweet props to my costume designer, Shea at Stinkin' Cute Designs. I "met" Shea via a comment she left here, and ended up at her Etsy store where I discovered THE most stinkin' cute designs for children! Her custom creations include precious onesies/T's, burpies, and my absolute favorite: bloomer panties with adorable sayings!
When I saw the red tutu/M&M costume, I knew I'd found Avery's Halloween outfit! She rushed the order for me, and I couldn't have been more pleased!

If you need holiday gift ideas, might I suggest any of these darlings?