I see a great interior photo and I just want to gift wrap. Strange I know, but I was inspired by the gilt and blue in this gorgeous photo and I'm working on the styling for new website products. It's taking longer than I would like as I could use about 10 more hands these days. Photoshoot styling can be a demanding and draining task, though focused on a creative level. Trouble is I'm neither a stylist or photographer, so the learning curve is a challenge and involves way too many prep shots. Not quite as calming a task this week. 
I think photo albums are one of the nicest gifts to give, especially if you insert a few photographs first, a great trip together, a wedding celebration, a condolence gift , Mother's Day coming up. This rich chocolate silk album with taffeta bow is one of my new favorites. The box is wrapped in my ensuite wallpaper (found a leftover stash!) and I found a lovely tassel that captured the tone of the room setting above. If one bow is lovely, then 3 will be even more magnificent, or that's the way it turned out. This happens to be some personal gifting and they tend to expect I'll pull out all the stops. I give my friends extra doses of ribbon, it keeps them well supplied. 
I love, love my new petite products, especially the luscious MOR soap named Fin de Siecle and wrapped it up with wide, wired taffeta ribbon. No gift paper needed, simply wind ribbon around, start twisting after a couple turns and then tuck the ribbon end through, pulling out a generous length for the bow, then tighten. You can do this with any prettily-wrapped soap bar, always lovely to give when you need a petite token. We tend to think every bit of a item needs to be hidden when wrapped, show a bit, especially when it's packaging is so gorgeous.
This was one of my favorite silk photos albums, with exquisite detailing and quality. I often used this particular style for sympathy gifts, something they could use bedside in the reflective time ahead. I like to send something more personal and long lasting than flowers, especially if it's long distance and I don't know the florist.
Here is the same Mor soap but wrapped with even more of it's pretty packaging showing. Simply take 2 equal lengths of ribbon, laid in opposite directions, and place soap in center. Pull four ribbon ends up, hold tightly and quickly secure with a narrow ribbon and tie. You could attach a tiny gift card as well. This can be done with any small gift. I love this capiz shell and pearl ribbon, I have it in white, ivory and pink and use it whenever I want a feminine presentation. It's a bit tricky to tie but not much is needed.Top photo via The Cherry Blossom Girl/Photo 2,3, 4and 5 by Sande Chase - Oooh la la Cadeau
