Butterfly Study Mugs
BUY AT: Anthropologie
These are my everyday-isn’t life grand-time for tea mugs. They’re what I use for simple occasions, morning drinks, afternoon tea, hot chocolate and sometimes ice-cream. The size is generous, they’re easy to hold (which is perfect for warming up cold hands) and they’re incredibly pretty. Each one has a unique pattern.
If you choose to give this as a gift, think about buying a beautiful tea tin from Harney and Sons (which you can also get from Anthropologie) or a little package of marshmellows and hotchocolate to go along with it. It’s a great, inexpensive gift that anyone would love. Well, a thirsty anyone at least.
Personal Photography Book using Flickr
BUY AT: Qoop
I love Flickr because it makes posting photos so easy and viewing friends photos even easier. But Flickr has taken the next step by teaming up with Qoop to publish your photos in several different ways - I chose a book.
By selecting my own photos and layout and by waiting under a week for it to deliver, I had an inexpensive, nice looking portfolio book to quickly show to clients or people whom I meet on the street (I have to sell my work somehow!). I was surprised by the quality and actually quite pleased. A great gift to give to someone or yourself.
Latte Bowls
BUY AT: Anthropologie
Savouring a latte on a cold day becomes an experience when you do so with one of these true latte bowls. In various pretty colours to mix and match, they’re easy to hold, beautiful to look at and practical for both coffee, soups and cerals. Also excellent as a hostess gift.
If you want something cute, try the mini ones which I’ve only seen in the stores. Great if you’re trying to cut down on coffee or serving to munchkins.
Cucina Hand Care Duo in Ginger
It’s passe to bring wine and flowers as a hostess gift (learned after hearing “I’m a recovering alcoholic one too many times or “i have allergies”) so instead, bring something useful, beautiful and unique - and this wonderful hand washing and cream seems to be perfect.
Using a moisturising infusion of olive oil, both the cleansing liquid and cream leave the hands both clean and moisturised. And I should add well scented. My favourite? The ginger because it’s just the right amount of scent without being overpowering. And it works well in both the kitchen and washroom.
So next time you need a little gift, think of this - even if it’s for yourself.
Kerastase Masquintense Fine
BUY AT: Fred Segal Beauty
I have naturally curly, fine hair but lots of it that tends to be on the drier side and knots like nobodies business. I’ve tried so many conditioners from around the world with little luck.
I kept hearing about this masque and how it transformed everyone’s hair so I decided to plunk down an ungodly amount for a hair masque and give it a go. Nothing - I repeat nothing - makes my hair as soft, shiny and as manageable as this.
After shampooing I put a good amount on my hair, wrap some plastic wrap around my head and let it sit for a few minutes whilst finishing up in the shower (or up to an hour if I have the time), put a little water on it, use a comb to detangle then rinse. My hair is shiny, silky, soft and conditioned! Using it about once a week makes this economical for me - especially in the winter when everything gets dry.
