Sunshine and Sunscreen

See you next week...................off to have some fun with sparkly shoes and sunscreen.

And see some truly awesome things.

Have a wonderful March Break if you are heading towards some

sunshine. 

Top Wynn photo from Cabayarea via Paris Hotel Boutique/Bottom photo via Pinterest

Paris to New York....................bananas awesome

I started here, loving this venue-prep shot at the Grand Hotel in Paris for French designer Roland Mouret (known for the curvaceous Galaxy dress) Fall 2011 preview this past week. You can feel the anticipation and excitement that would proceed the season showing of a collection in this one shot..............

.............that somehow led me to this remarkable and mesmerizing glimpse of New York sparkle from From Me To You where the talents of NY photographer and Rue contributor Jamie Beck always takes my breath away. That sparkly stop led me over to Oscar PR Girl where I found satisfying solace on yet another snowy afternoon. Erika Berman really is the PR girl for the fashion house Oscar de la Renta and her behind-the-scenes blog is truly "bananas awesome". Her fun term, not mine, though I just might borrow it from this point forward to describe anything too clever for words. 

The workroom of Oscar de la Renta. 

The forms. The patterns.

The buttons.

The shoes. "Bananas awesome"...........for sure.

"Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on"

                                            ~ Oscar de la Renta

Photo 1 from Twitpic/Photo 2 from FromMe-ToYou/Photos 3 to 6 by Jamie Beck for  Oscar PR Girl

Winter White gift wrapping..............divine understatement

Winter White from here, how absolutely gorgeous and dreamy. A whisper soft presentation palette for the upcoming bridal season, any occasion really. A place to use wax seals, deckle papers, roping, twine, fonts, and calligraphy skills. Stock up on white gift wrap, perhaps even parchment? Can a gift be more beautiful?

I didn't think so either, there is a great deal to be said for understated gift presentations. When I ran across this monochromatic array of gifts from a beautiful blog named Uruquay White Life on Pinterest this morning it was the pin description that caught my eye along with the gifted execution. When someone re-pinned this photo they wrote that they had done this numbered idea for a 40th birthday which of course I assumed meant they gave 40 gifts numbered One to Forty. How much fun would that be at any age? White paper, white rope, and a printer is all you need to take this idea and run with it. I don't need to tell you what you could do with this idea for all your vintage-loving friends and brides. 

Though this is a retail packaging presentation, isn't this a clever use for the blind embosser tucked away and rarely used? Or ordering a blind embosser with a clever and generic phrase such as Gifted, Presentation, My Gift, and using it on a solid tone paper and gift cards is an organized and personal way to have gift supplies ready and on-hand for any occasion. Change up the ribbon and the presentation can shift from subtle to bold if need be, but the subtle white palette is more than pure and divine. Add a fresh or silk bloom if the occasion calls for more embellishment. 

There is nothing in the world of written correspondence more classic and refined than a deckle edge card in the softest shade of warm white. Those hand-torn edges signify elegance and tradition. Remember the holiday gift wrapping YouTube video that British designer Nicky Haslam did for A Gift Wrapped Life and his final signature touch? The recipients initials written in flowing black ink on a simple white card...............a most personal touch. Fabulous if you are versed in the fine art of calligraphy.

Soap wrapped in vintage newspaper pages, tied with thread.

Such a lovely idea for bridal shower favours don't you think? Scented Sachets in a natural palette from linen, burlap, and felt, tied with natural twine. 

All photos via Pinterest

Twirl...............fashionable gift bags re-gifting

Fortunately, if you wish to glam up your gift presentations with magazine images as I showed you in my last post, you don't have to be overly-handy with a pair of scissors. Look for images that require less cutting. When I found this dramatic image in a Vogue editorial, it went right on top of my clipping pile. As you know, I don't often use gift bags but I loved how this most striking image worked to re-gift and re-cycle two of the fashion world's most stylish store bags.

I always think that gifting between friends should be fun. Not only would they delight in the fact that you re-gifted a store gift bag, I always find it inspirational to see how people collage. This technique is strictly that, having fun with images, recycling stylish store bags, and using images that your friend will enjoy. Capturing their personality in the gift presentation. 

Along with photography and illustrations, keep your eyes open for interesting typefaces. Sometimes I cut out the whole heading, sometimes a single word as I did with twirl. I actually took a few images off this set, the image and red typeface on this pattern seemed more than enough. 

As you may remember I used this new style of a Kate Spade bag before for a re-gifting post and that larger, lower corner logo gives me a bit more of a challenge. I used my new wider grosgrain ribbon in hot pink (with red velvet) to cover part of the logo, leaving the embossed New York to add a bit of gold bling.

I did sneak a pink magnolia back in.........happy cutting.

All images by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Fashionista Gift Wrapping............from the source

It is amazing what inspiration you find in those piles of fashion and shelter magazines but I am going to guess that you haven't thought of it as a ready source for gift wrapping. When it comes to gift wrapping for that fashionista friend of yours, I think this idea might just make your gift the very favorite of them all only because it can capture their stylish personality. I always loved playing cut-outs when I was a young  girly-girl and while flipping throught the pages of Vogue the connection came to me, this idea only takes that pleasurable pastime into a slightly more mature direction, all in the interest of novel gift presentation of course. In fact, I am having so much fun recycling my magazines that I am going to stay with this gift wrap concept for the next few weeks and see where it takes me.

All you need is time, magazines, small sharp scissors, a glue stick, some ribbon, and you are ready to play, I mean.......create. Before any magazines are recycled, I do a visual edit and tear the pages that may possibly have an image I can cut and use. I know many of you already do this for inspiration boards but I was never that organized, it took gift wrapping to motivate me. It was this Manolo Blahnik ad (and my fond memories of cut-out attire) that got my gift wrapping wheels turning recently. I hope these clever Blahnik people stay with this illustrated ad campaign and give me more show styles to work with soon (though I am sure they would rather I buy the shoes). If you think you might you fancy this technique and may want to use a favorite image again in your gift wrapping, I would suggest scanning for repeat use and printing out on a heavyweight paper. If the cutting and gluing seems like too much work but you think the image totally suits your friend, then use the scan to print the image as a unique gift tag in any size. 

And though you will see many examples over the next few weeks (as you can see I have some background papers ready), I started with this box that I already used for a re-gift box post last year. The two layers of ribbon were already in position and are simply double-sided taped to the underside of the lid. Your prep is that simple. When I have time, I cut the images (which can be surprisingly calming-who knew?) so I have a stylish variety ready to layer and experiment with at any time. 

Though you might be tempted to go ribbon-less, I think the ribbon base just makes it more finished and gives a gift wrapped base to this idea. I added the black and white grosgrain for more visual impact. I will show you some examples with bows but this image was larger and a bow seemed to interfere with this fabulously fashionable image. 

You can be as precise with the glue stick as you want and glue down every inch, or even use double sided tape (which is tacky enough to lift and re-position) in stategic spots if you think the recipient may want to lift off the image cut-outs and play on her own, I mean...............create. I have a couple other application ideas for you as well, another idea to give this concept more dimension. Stay tuned over the next few weeks, I think this might be fun, kind of taking cut-outs to a more mature level........or so I tell myself. 






All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

How I handle cabin fever...........and theraputic gifts for anyone experiencing SAD

I challenge anyone who visits Paris to not have a dream sequence in your head in which you think "could I move to Paris?" and then try to picture that life (hell yes). Thirty-two writers tell you exactly that in Paris Was Ours by Penelope Rowlands. Some of the writers may be familiar to you, David Sedaris, David Lebowitz, Judith Thurman, and even if they are not, their unique Paris experiences make for interesting reading. You can go directly to the book website here which will take you to Amazon and other order methods. For Canadian readers, Paris Is Ours is available for download on the Kobo e-reader and aren't  E-reader's a winter must? I don't need to tell you that this makes for a therapeutic mid-winter gift for that friend suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka Cabin Fever). 

I was late to the viewing game with this fascinating and hugely-popular PBS series about a proper English dynasty set in the early 1900's. It seemed everyone but me was watching Season One of Downton Abbey and I couldn't even find it here in Canada on our cable provider (though I eventually did it but it was showing the last segment). Surprisingly, I couldn't download a Amazon instant video because I am in Canada (some weird legal thing) but you can easily if you are located in the US or the UK. That wasn't going to stop me and my quick Amazon delivery of the Downton Abbey DVD set was timed so perfectly yesterday that I got absolutely giddy. I put the jammies on, got the puppy settled, the husband fed, and then settled in for non-stop viewing, my favorite kind once I acknowledge the snow is not going anywhere quite yet. I didn't make it through the whole set but will be getting the jammies back on early tonight to finish up.................this DVD makes for a fabulous winter gift for anyone who loves historical dramas and marathon viewing (in their jammies). Cabin fever..........much better. And I just read Season Two is underway somewhere on this TV of mine, cabin fever..............cured.

Best New Puppy Gift............and Daisy update (because you asked)

When a friend, who is a cat lover, told me that puppies might like bubbles too, it made perfect sense as our Daisy certainly exhibits cat-like behavior. And rightfully so, Daisy is a Mi-Ki, a rare toy breed known for their cat-like behavior at times, the Mi Ki breed is a combination of the Japanese Chin, French Papillon, and Maltese. The breed was developed 30 years ago to be highly intelligent, affectionate, lovable, mild-tempered, and non-shedding. Their most social, gentle, and well-behaved manner  is well-suited to therapeutic hospital programs. Something I may look into when she is a bit older. I get asked so many questions about Daisy when she is out and about with me that it actually ran through my head to get her a set of her own business cards.

Watching a puppy who likes to hop instead of walk, swat her paws like a cat is a sight to behold when blowing bubbles into the air. This got me to thinking how a simple thing like bubbles and other puppy items would make for a thoughtful new puppy gift. Something to earn you puppy kisses ( if you like that sort of thing) and the appreciation of the new family who is delighted with the canine addition to their family. Puppy gifts are simple, balls, chew toys (Martha Stewart has good ones), a bag of organic treats, and don't forget the easiest of all...............bubbles. I was going to say that puppy gifts don't require gift wrapping but I have a princess here who absolutely adores ribbon so I could be wrong.

My husband tried really hard not to fall in love with Daisy. Not another dog, we want to travel more, the usual excuses you have when you have had 30 years of dogs. But Daisy has captured his heart too and I find him whispering lovey things in her ear when he thinks I am out of the room. To me, dogs are a gift of pleasure and love and Daisy has already brought a bundle of it to our home in this short time

My daily routine now includes bringing Daisy along for my daily latte run. I will admit we are a covert pair and her diminutive size makes for easy camouflage (we aren't in dog-friendly Paris after all). She now knows to lay low in public places but she quickly pops her head out to say hello to all the cafe girls who watch for her visits. When I missed a day this weekend, guess where we found her waiting at 1:00 in the afternoon? In the hallway, waiting to go visit her new BFF's. 

Photo 1 and 2 from Pinterest/Photo 3 and 4 by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Just too gorgeous........Anthropologie goes bridal in all the right ways

Late last night, Anthropologie launched BHLDN their  eagerly-awaited online bridal division and though it has been 36 years since I have been a bride, I am more than entranced with their collection. Those shoes, that gauze wrap? I don't need to be a bride to wear these lovelies. Go take a divine peek here.

Happy Valentines..............to that man of mine

I am yours. XO

Click here for some morning groove.

Coveteur................the most stylish closets

Karla Martinez
Fashion Market and Accessories Director ~ W Magazine

Jane Keltner de Valle
Fashion News Director ~ Teen Vogue

Joanna Hillman

Senior Fashion Market Editor ~ Harper's Bazaar. New York

Fiona Green

  Associate Fashion Editor ~ FLARE Magazine Toronto

Mary Kate Steinmiller

Fashion Market Editor ~ Teen Vogue NY

Mona Sharf

Director, Communications & Celebrity ~ Theory and Helmut Lang, NY

Peeking into the closets of the high-profile tastemakers? I'm in and so are you if looking at how the fashionable style their look and their closets feeds your harmless voyeuristic tendencies. Can you ever see too many good closets? The recently re-launched new Canadian website suffered through a bit of controversy last month over their original name (which wasn't that original so it seems, click here to read the scoop) but they graciously and quickly pointed their stylish Blahnik's in the right direction and The Coveteur is now on it's way to the best cyber parties, hooking up to Vogue for fashion week. Personally, I think their new name is much more original anyways and so is their website idea so go take a peek...............no need to feel guilty, these tasteful closets have lots of company right now.

Photos via The Coveteur. Photos by Jake Rosenberg