Starched Linen

As one of my new website products, these Chapon chocolate pralines come in this interesting and novel dome shape that doesn't take to wrapping very well, so I dispensed with any thought of using gift wrap paper and simply used two lengths of a wide 5" ribbon to meet at the top. It's difficult to show you the quality of this luscious pure linen ribbon, but it's the real thing and has this divine starched quality that requires careful handling. Too much touch and it creases just like a just-pressed linen shirt. I handle carefully, no tie, and gather it into soft folds and then secure with ribbon or wire. I like to make sure the brown cording shows over the ribbon. Though I normally don't favour a wired edge, on this ribbon it holds the linen and top loops beautifully. It's an understated and refined ribbon and I adore it.

Chapon chocolate is air-shipped to me from Paris in a special container, then must be stored at a specific temperature range. Luckily the tiny cold room is a bit out of sight, otherwise I would be breaking open these petite treats way too often. One for them, one for me. They have a delicious, intense flavour and also come in a little mini version which I like to surprise sneak into special gifts. Though I love their packaging images, I still embellish with a hand-dyed silk in a rich chocolate brown. Though very tiny, it is still a gift after all! Just two equal ribbon lengths secured with a smaller, finer ribbon and let the silky tails fall. Voila! A petite little bon bon! Next trade show will be spent sourcing unique embellishments, more flowers, crystals, feathers, labels, whatever I can find to give gifts a most creative presentation and then add them to my new Wrap Room so you can do the same (if you are so inclined-don't worry instructions will be added) Lots of creative ideas (many I can't share yet) in the works, it will be a busy summer. This road construction keeping me inside might actually be productive timing, as much as I hate to admit it.

Luxury with a patina.

Another new line for my website.

Simple luxury.

Candle tapers in muslin bag from Cote Bastide in France.

One of my personal new favorites. So understated.

Working on a whole new website look so you are seeing

my behind-the-scenes photo shoot styling before the

new product goes live on the website. You are seeing it first,

or would you rather I keep it all a big surprise?

1st and 2nd photo by Sande Chase -A Gift Wrapped Life ~ Oooh la la Cadeau / 3rd photofrom Oooh la la Cadeau/4th photo from Cote Bastide.