Other things.................to embellish

 

It's a free form necklace, no a belt. We weren't too sure but I guess it should be either but as you know I tend to see everything as a gift wrapping embellishment, in this case something braided with flowers to wrap around a bottle of gift wine. It is no wonder my husband thinks I have the most expensive shellac manicures in the world, my salon happens to have a lovely array of very affordable accessories which easily make their way into my invoice/purse on a bi-weekly basis, whether they be to wear or wrap in today's case. Anyways, back to the wine. Is it just me or is there a lack of cool wrapping choices for when a nice bottle of wine is your gift of choice? What if I wanted to give a bottle along with a gift of money to a bride and groom? A bottle that would perfect to open on the night of their first anniversary? How would I wrap it? I think I would use that romantic braided belt/necklace just as I have shown and there we are.........a special presentation.

Photo by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life 

Something really funny..........and some girls really do have all the fun

Some girls have all the fun. 

 This girl is having fun with the most shoes ever, go see here.
To say nothing about the nail polish collection.

And this creative lady with the most fun bracelet and bangle collection ever.....

Now back to those killer shoes that are "possibly orgasmic". We were just talking about Killer Shoes in this post here. Who would have thought? Click here for the most far-fetched laugh-out-loud claim of the day actually said out loud by Mr. Louboutin himself (sent to me by a friend). I do like to bring you a little chuckle now and again.

Photos from here

Neck Party underway............for tonight

What I like in this Coveteur feature on stylist/designer/blogger Kelly Framel is how she displays her belts. And she has the most fabulous hair style. This whole jewelry display looks like a party ready to happen and is there anything more fun than layering and mixing up necklaces when you have a party happening tonight? 

I thought I was going too far, too many...........until I saw this on Kelly's blog The Glamourai. I would consider this a Neck Party for sure and I have one of my own underway for a wedding tonight. Have a fun, fun weekend. 










Photos via The Coveteur/The Glamourai

It has a name.......... Arm Party

I laughed out loud this morning when I read this post by Lisa of the entertaining blog Privilege. She blogged about the coined phrase Arm Party................what a great and clever name for my fascination with multiple things adorning a wrist these days. I love it! You will remember I posted about it last week here and here without the clever phrase and it appears I still haven't tired of this subject though you may have by now and I am almost done I swear. So you had to know these La Mer Collection watches with chains and charms as part of the wrapped leather strapping would become be my latest thing. I just can't decide what colour I would like to order. Another fashion blogger said last week that the multiple look is yawn and I think someone better tweet Joanna Hillman and Kate Moss because they are the life of the party with this look. I say any party is a good one...........even if it is on my wrist. I don't need a party every day but once and a while it is the best thing. 

Objects of Desire here

Too Many Bracelets?

"And wear your favorite bracelets this weekend" All of them if you want"

I did say exactly that on this post on Friday didn't I? When I ran across this article this morning
I knew I had to share it. If you go here you can see the best-dressed wrists in NYC. 
What do you think? Can you wear too many bracelets?

Or too many rings? I could wear all four of these Emerald Cut rings by Kate Spade. Don't go hunting for them yet, I heard through the blogvine that these sparkly cuts won' be available until autumn. I can wait. In the meantime, this one is catching my eye.  

Objects of Desire here

photos via these Pinterest boards here and here

When I fell in love with Grosgrain Ribbon

I always liked grosgrain ribbon but I much preferred satin ribbon. Actually, I would say that I adore satin ribbon as you well know by now. Satin ribbon always moves easily in my hands when I tie a bow, cooperates in a smooth manner while grosgrain resists tight twists and turns more than most ribbon types. Gros grain actually means coarse texture. Because of it's weave (and signature horizontal weave lines) it is a stiffer fabric, it will fight with you a bit but in the end it does make for a lovely stiff bow. Some people simply like the crisp, classic look of grosgrain ribbon better than the more feminine satin sister. 

It wasn't until I received a 2.5" wide grosgrain ribbon recently that I changed my mind, the extra width made all the difference. Revealed it's unique texture better too. Ever since this 2.5' grosgrain showed up in chocolate brown, hot pink, black and turquoise, I have been using it like crazy (you know how I love a lavish presentation). I like any ribbon that holds it's shape a bit, one of the reasons I rarely use wired ribbon. Once a gift is wrapped, it should be wrapped. I can't stand fussing and fluffing with it on the way to an event. Truthfully, by that point I am more concerned with my attire than my gift presentation.

You may notice I have combined 3 gift wrap techniques, wrapped them all together in one presentation. I have re-cycled a Henri Bendel store box, used a magazine image(Fashionista Gift Wrap), and clipped on a stray earring as a jewelry embellishment (believe me, if I had the pair I would be wearing them). Oh, and I used a type of ribbon that you have rarely seen me use before, so technically that makes it 4 techniques as far as blog tags go. This view to the side and rear is to show the effect of longer ribbon tails. My guideline, the wider the ribbon, the longer the ribbon tails, even more glam if they trail off the package.

As I mentioned before, remember to scan your favorite magazine images and re-use or re-format in the future for gift wrap or gift tags. I would certainly want to use this costumed Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth (torn from the pages of Vogue) as a matching gift tag. And I will as soon as I figure out this new scanner. I promise to show you.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Gilt Glamour Gift Wrap Challenge ~ Part Two

This the second try at capturing the essence of the Ralph Lauren store in Paris. Just a little bit of gift wrapping fun today.........a nod to the interior designer that I was for 25 years. I say fun gift wrap, only because I doubt anyone could replicate this look exactly but you could come pretty close with another brooch style. This spectacular gilded "chair" pin is mine and whenever I run across it I think of those design days and how I loved a good chair. Today I am using it for demonstration purposes as I am not actually giving this away, I am not completely crazy. This one is a keeper.

There are many brooches that can embellish a special gift presentation. Everyday I see costume jewelry that is very affordable and that can be used in this manner. The rear pin found on any brooch is what holds it in position on one of the ribbons. That easy. Shaped pins, chairs, cars, bows, animals, almost any thing you can think of so keep your eyes open. Select the brooch style that has personal meaning to your recipient. It does give the gift presentation a personal twist and won't you look clever?

I guess the idea here is to be novel, use the "gift" as a part of the gift presentation, and use the scale to make it stand out more. Just my suggestion, but this idea seems to work best if you select a box not too much bigger than the the brooch embellishment itself. This was an Estee Lauder box that has a pretty little perfume compact inside. Two gifts in one.

All Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Gilt Crystal and Glamour Gift Wrap Challenge ~ Part One

You know that Gilded Glamour Gift Wrap Challenge I gave myself a few posts back? The one inspired by my photo of the Ralph Lauren store display in Paris? The one where I said come back and see the result sometime this week? Just so you know, I had absolutely no idea where this challenge was going to head but I was determined to pull this one off......... even though I was a bit worried after the stated fact.

Surprisingly, I don't actually have all that much "gold and gilt" gift wrap materials. I like gold, I just tend towards working with colours when it comes to gift wrap presentations. But this lack of "gilt" only made me look a little harder, dig a little deeper, and gather some golden inspiration to capture the essence of that Paris salon. This is my Part One of this "gilded challenge" and you will see a few more over the next week, once I started I was really into this gilt and crystal "salon" look and even better for me, it has special holiday gift written all over it.

 ~ the Ralph Lauren Paris salon inspiration ~

This presentation brought together more than a few of my gift wrap pointers. I used a standard matte gold wrapping paper that I buy in a commercial roll, a burnished gold taffeta ribbon that I bought at a mark-down bin at a craft store a long time ago, a black faux-fur hair scrunchie, and a crystal bauble from my old jewelery stash that I didn't even know was there until I went hunting for something sparkly this morning. It obviously fell off something and luckily had a small eye at the rear that I needed for a secure ribbon attachment. If I hadn't found this I was totally prepared to take apart other jewelry pieces......... actually I did but the "gilt" challenge isn't over yet. You will have to come back to see more.

Step One ~ Wired Ribbon

Step Two ~ Scrunchie

This faux-fur hair scrunchie (and it really is and no I wouldn't wear it) slides over the ribbon knot, pull through the ribbon tails and it really is that easy. Lots of instant volume, almost having a collar effect and creating a nest for the sparkly bauble. I slide through another short length of ribbon and then just folded each of the four ribbon tails under for poufs. No complicated bow-tying needed. This bow-less ribbon style will only work with wired type ribbons, something more readily found during holidays. 

Step Three ~ Bauble

This was sheer luck to find this crystal bauble, but you could just as easily use a brooch, clasp, or as you will see this next week..........even earrings, with or without their partners.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Navy Tomatoes............and cycling alone?

This summer beach setting is just ahead, right?..........so where did all my Cycle Challenge gals go? I know more than a few of you went out and bought hot new bikes, but are you actually riding them and if so, why aren't you telling me about it? Hey, blame me for stalling the whole challenge even before we started but I'm all fixed up now and have been adding up this weeks mileage slow and steady but looking to pick up the speed. So go to Fun Stuff on the top left and if your name is listed under the Cycle Challenge page then I am waiting to hear from you now and again. Every Sunday night to be precise. Somebody please.

This photo is in my fashion file labeled Navy Outfit to Inspire Weight Loss. The label really was capitalized which only means I was really serious about using this photo for inspiration. Yes, it is a simple outfit (but quite svelte through the hips) so down below you will see my Hermes Box from last weeks jewelry reminder post refreshed and ready to make this outfit less simple......and more inspired.

I am going to eat beautiful plates of roasted cherry tomatoes on whole wheat penne with fresh basil. Not great big plates, but petite ones with a few shaves of fresh parmesan to finish it off. Big plates of my favorite fennel and black olive salad with lots of white balsamic vinegar and a measure of a good quality olive oil. I make everything sound positively easy don't I? It isn't (I really like ice cream and way too much yogurt), but I did tell you I was going to do it. I am also going to head over to the new blog CRU by Noel of Fanciful Designs for healthy, raw food recipes. Bless her focused and creative heart, she is exactly what I need right now.

This weekly jewelry refesher idea really does work. I wore my favorite Italian watch a good part of last week and am fastening on plenty of older favorites more readily and just for fun. That multi-coloured necklace and bracelet of multiple strands has waited for a long time to return to favour while silver tones captured my attention, but gold tones are back so out it comes again. I think it would look quite good with that navy outfit.

I actually don't need much of a reminder to wear this bracelet. Though dramatic in size, it is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable and looks good in any season. It is my go-to bracelet and we all have one of those, right?

This wire cuff brings a welcome jolt of summer colour to any outfit. Especially black linen and I adore black linen in the summer. And those humid days of revealing summer fashion are right around the corner, aren't they? Anyone ready for a good cycle? The slow and steady kind?

Photo 1 and 3 by Tim Evan Cook~Sarah Kaye/Photo 2 unknown/remaining photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life.

Hermes boxes............unadorned but still sparkly

When I first put this post together, it really was just to show you how great boxes, in this case the iconic Hermes boxes, could be used unadorned. As in design, stacked, layered, and not a ribbon or bow in sight. I judge the effectivness of an arrangment and its value in a room by visually removing it. Does it look better with it, or without it? Lovely without........... fabulous with that jolt of orange of course.

I got the same answer here. Four shots of Hermes orange to match the lovely Hermes "box stack" on the ornate gilt console. But, really this setting just illustrates how little effort it takes to add colour with accessories. The right ones. And how about that fashionable photograph?

Yesterday while I was visiting new blogs I came across this photo of the way model Christy Turlington choses to use a Hermes box. PS. Actually it wasn't a model but another blogger who put this glamorous collection together. This is Glamorous gave me the heads-up on this correction. This image is from blogger Kiratomic and was then posted on TIG. Strange thing is I didn't know when I took this idea and ran with it that Kiratomic had originally done just that. Hermes must inspire us in a similiar way. Go see, she is a much better photographer than I. As you may remember, I was given a generous stack of these boxes last fall from a person who really does shop at Hermes. The light went off,  I think this idea is so fashionably clever I am going to show you my own version. A few of my favorite pieces.

I have tried a zillion ways to store jewelry so I see it and wear it. I've tried the layering it in bowls and trays (too messy), organizing in boxes in drawers (forget about it) and when I saw this idea I thought if  I rotated the items on a weekly basis and left them on my dressing room vanity then I would use them more. A stylish reminder so to speak.

My largest pair of sparkly errings from many years ago. At times I have given away some of my jewelry but now I am  holding on to all of it and someday, someone will get a great stash of vintage jewelry.  I really should wear some of these pieces again.

I have this thing for those Herve Leger form fitting bandage dresses (especially the long ones) that I am way too old too wear so when I saw this 6" Herve cuff  with the cut glass floral pattern I thought it would satisfy my fix. And it does for me. I do love the look of it peeking out under a summer sleeve of linen. Only problem is that everyone says the following to me " when did you hurt your wrist" and "that is so cool that you decorated your tensor band". Jeez.............so much for my stylish fix. My square Altanus watch from Italy is one I miss wearing as it was a gift from my husband and I love the oversized Italian style. It's quite simple, you just don't need a watch when you work at home so I wear it when I shop. So much better to have a time limit on the spending.

This is a fun costume-quality necklace that I bought at a trade show. It is quite large but all fun and sparkly with 8 strands of clear crystal and this large blue center. Do you love interesting and beautiful jewelry, the kind with a story behind it? I will introduce you to a very cool new advertiser in the next week............now we're talking all sparkly and bright. You'll see.

Photo 1 and 2 from Traditional Home/Photo 3 via the blog This is Glamorous/All other photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life