Annechovie.....regifted

I wrapped up one of my Jo Malone boxes {click here to go to original post on regifting logo boxes) for someone lovely and special. A heartfelt and virtual thank you to Anne Harwell at Annechovie for the lovely mention on my Oooh la la Cadeau website in her blog post yesterday {click here to read }. Just so you know, I won't put just anything on a Jo Malone box (to cover the logo and re-use) but I love the idea of using Anne's chair card on the front, it certainly is Jo Malone worthy and it's striking image can carry this gift all by itself. I simply glued the card right to the box and wrote my thank you inside. I placed my bows and ribbon "tails" off to the top so they wouldn't interfere with the classic Annechovie chair image. I folded a bit of stitch ribbon to make a little bolster cushion (just for fun Anne, it really doesn't need it). Sometimes the cards are so wonderful that it's a shame not to show them off a bit from the get-go and make them part of the presentation. Certainly the case with any of the gorgeous cards from Annechovie. If you haven't taken a peek, you must do so, you'll be inspired. If you missed my post last month, click here to read about Anne's generous style and talent. I know, lots of links today, but if you want to get up to speed on her story.......off you go.

You can see the card flap open a bit and it doesn't bother me a bit. The more I think about it, the more I like this variation......see her artwork has inspired me to look at this recyling-boxes in a whole new way. The card becomes part of the gift in a way that isn't possible when it's off to the side in an envelope. When the card is this fabulous then let it help you along in your gift wrapping palette. I do like to have long ribbon "tails" on some presentations, makes it a bit decadent but not wasteful, they will hopefully get re-used when you are generous with your ribbon lengths.

Here I took the same box, centered the card and used a stitch cotton ribbon on top and bottom for a simpler version of the same idea. I do this because I know what you are thinking when I use lots of ribbon. And yes, I like both versions.

Thank you Anne, again. You really are the best.

All photo images by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life/Oooh la la Cadeau

A Jo Malone Kind of Gal

Photo by Chris Everard

Doesn't she just look like a Jo Malone kind of girl?

I am definitely a JO MALONE kind of gal and have been for a very long time now. Not only do I love it's clean, but woody smell, I am acutely fragrance-sensitive and the JO MALONE 154 seems to be one fragrance I can tolerate and it has a chameleon-like ability that I enjoy. My day doesn't start until I shower with the 154 shower gel and occasionally I will wear the more floral Blue Agava & Cocao (as my husband loves it like crazy). 154 is the address of the original London shop where JO MALONE created her first fragrances .The appeal of a Jo Malone gift is it's understated packaging, this company has always understood the importance of elegant gift presentation and it's legions of devoted followers must feel the same. As a tasteful gift, you just can't go wrong, everybody adores a JO MALONE gift. Most JM gals have a favorite, sometimes several as Jo MOLONE has a philosophy of fragrance combining that encourages the creation of your own bespoke signature scent. You can start them (of gift yourself)with their purse-size bottle of Grapefruit, Lime Basil and Mandarin, or Amber &Lavender. Don't forget to ask for the samples so you can experiment with layering other combinations as well. I buy it at the little JO MALONE shop located in Saks at Somerset or at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

The cream and black JO MALONE boxes are like Laduree boxes, just too nice to throw away. After 10 years I have all sizes and shapes (anybody who buys JM knows what I am talking about). Do I dare to re-gift a classic JO MALONE box? ...........shouldn't mess with perfection, but you're darn right I'm going to try!! You should if you have a large selection of wonderful shopping boxes, it's environmentally correct to re-gift boxes in this way. I wonder if Jo Malone would agree or mind? First, if it isn't JO MALONE product in the box, then figure out a way to cover the logo, no point in pretending.......or getting someones hopes up! I used an over sized Paris sticker (this one is Versailles)to fit over the logo nicely.

I could re-gift this box a zillion ways ( I will show you a few more soon) but you know by now how my inspiration works, a designer sees a great photo (especially by Chris Everard-maybe I should send her a gift soon?) and off I go on a little gift wrap challenge. This silk ribbon in the most exquisite green colour is heaven to work with and does this gorgeous box it's due justice. I almost feel guilty......but not quite enough to stop

JO MALONE packaging is so distinctive, when I do gift this product I still wrap it up the box anyways so there is at least some surprise. A triple ribbon layer of double face satin, black and ivory striped cotton ribbon and a wispy garment binding over pearl paper give this petite box a crisp, spring look. And by now, you know I couldn't resist adding petite cabbage rose ......a perfect match in soft green.

Top Photo by Chris Everard-Sarah Kaye/2nd photo from Jo Malone/Bottom 3 photos by Sande Chase- OoohlalaCadeau