La La Giveaway Received

" La la Loves You Giveaway" winner Debra from Providence, Rhode Island would have received her gift by now. Here's an inside photo of the gift she was sent. In our shipping correspondence I found out she has a 5 year-old daughter, so I did up a petite surprise box for her as well. Mommy can't have all the fun! What are all those gift-wrapped goodies? The portfolio box included 9 items: A linen candle. A perfumed bath pouch. A perfumed box of Bath Fizzes. A Paris paperweight. A tube of Pencils imprinted with inspirational words. Paris File Folders. Boxed Paris Thank You Note cards. Black Crystal Key chain. Pink Silk Floral Ribbon Pen. Debra is having a virtual "la la" gift opening party on her blog, I'll post the link when she's ready.

The Petite Box included 4 items: A Paris Pink mini-notebook. A Eiffel Tower Eraser. Sweet Cream Lipsilk. A delicately-braided "Dream" bracelet. Being that it was late at night when I wrapped it, I forgot to take a shot of the completed gift box, but it was done in the fuchsia pink, aqua, and black as well. For customers, I always take an inside/outside photo to email after the order is shipped so they can see the actual gift they are sending. This came about because I was never comfortable ordering long-distance flowers, what did they really look like? Based on the order details, sometimes I make colour adjustments if requested (or if I think it would enhance the experience) so to send a photo just seems like the polite thing to do for customers. They get to share in the pleasure of their gift-giving experience, especially when it's out-of-town and they can't be there to give it directly.

Check in next week for Glamorous Monday and on Tuesday I will show you a Linen Fabric wrapped gift I did for a special Mother's Day gift. The customer said I should show you and my husband did as well! I'll show you the over-the-top version and then change it up to show you a few variations.

Both photos by Sande Chase ~ Oooh la la Cadeau

Red...and more red

This is the outdoor vibe I will be going for next year. It wasn't until I saw this photo from Domino that I realized I would want some red accents in my outdoor space and that wasn't what I was thinking at all! As a designer, I believe in pre-planning colour schemes so it is good to get this scheme in order for next year. I can take advantage of some end-of-season sales and not react to a seasonal whim. I also like to see some continuity when going from inside to outside, not precisely, I like to allow for nature. I change up our planter colours every year, some years it's pink, some years all-white, one year yellow and purple, but the exterior my house seems to sparkle a bit more the years I use red, or perhaps it is what draws my eye. I do have a Chinese red dining room so there is an existing passion for this vibrant accent. There I go.....decision made! This also made me want to wrap, thank heavens......I really got off-track on this gift wrapping blog this week.

In talking about gardens this week (or lack of as we all know by now), I went digging through wallpaper sample books and found these quaint papers that were reminiscent of Victorian wallpapers. Here was the opportunity to use some of my favorite check-pattern ribbons as they seem to fit the cheery mood of these gifts. I used a few of my butterfly stickers, one on the front gift and one on the black-wrapped one, both used over the ribbon. Just gives the presentation an added dimension.

The bottom gift shows that colour matching paper to ribbon doesn't have to be precise and exact science. There is no exact red in the paper, but somehow the vibrant red velvet ribbon works even with the more subdued flower tones. And you might not think a black-ivory check would work, but I find check ribbon go with just about anything. This gorgeous vibrant blue scalloped gift tag with a bird image comes in a assorted set of 36 cards. Handy to dress up your last minute gift presentations. They will be on the Wrap Room section of my website coming very soon.

I've turned this yellow wrapped gift on it's side to show you that ribbon doesn't always have to be tied in the same direction. I didn't want to cover the limited floral pattern (and my wallpaper sample sheets are not very big) so I simply went around the edge and tied the bow at the top. I did secure with small pieces of double-sided ribbon so it won't slide off, even I can't tie that tight! Here is another style of the gift tags, they come in different shapes and colours. This larger chartreuse bird tag could carry a gift wrapped in simple black paper. Hold on ......I'll just go do one real quick to show you what I mean.

Saddlestitch ribbons are one of the least expensive ribbons and one of the most effective. The small stitch detail goes a long way in making a gift look finished. And one bow is always better than two, at least around here. There's my favorite matte black paper, also very reasonably priced. In other words, there just isn't any excuse for a poorly-wrapped present. It's no different than home design, think it through and think ahead when buying gift wrap supplies. Be prepared. Don't worry, I am not going to lecture and leave you empty-handed. It's all on it's way.

Top image via Domino Mag Files at Flickr/All other images by Sande Chase ~ Oooh la la Cadeau

Ready and Waiting.....until next year

Photo by Chris Everard

I'm ready and waiting for outdoor planting season, have my hose, my boots, my hat, my gloves, my sunscreen, and .....

Photo by Broomhill at Etsy

....... all my planters ready to be filled. But there's a messy problem this year. I normally do about 30-50 of various sized planters in May for the porches, the veranda, and a gorgeous 15' stretch of window boxes under our dining room window. I don't want my annuals to suffer this year so I will limit the amount and place for impact instead of volume. I usually get asked incredulously "How much did you spend on these flowers this year? and I always reply, "How much did you say your golf membership was this year? Off he goes, quickly I notice.

That's my grass in the bottom right corner of our corner lot. I know you think I am whining when I talk about the road construction that is going to ruin my summer.....and I promise this will be it once and for all. We have a really long driveway that I hose down each week after tending to my planters. I even wash my car all by myself. It's a whole clean-up routine that I do on Sunday mornings while my husband golfs and for some reason I love these sunny and productive outdoor tasks (my neighbors think I'm crazy with the driveway thing). Our newer street is a cul de sac that runs off from an older village road and it does need the work.....I just wish they would come back in October. This is the second year of this disruption. Absolutely no respect for my mental health!

This is my veranda where my fair-skinned spouse and I read the paper, eat meals, drink wine, chat and watch the birds. Many days I work out here, rain or shine, some of my best ideas evolve here on a simple artist pad. It usually does have more colour, but this shot was for a house tour and just slightly ahead of planting season. I have a great teak table with a huge iron mirror now on the far wall. We were going to further gussy it up this year and put in outdoor sofas, a smaller table, lamps, lanterns, a fire pit, an outdoor sound system and lots of colourful potted planters. I have this vision of reading outside at night, mosquitoes don't bother me at all and I love summer evenings, the best part of the day. Right now the constant dust is so thick, we can't possibly use it this year. By the way, those very-affordable sheer drapes are easy to do and machine washable if you have a spot. Even the rain doesn't hurt them and they look so pretty when the wind comes along.

I will just have to visit other outdoor gardens. This one in Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, DC looks like it's worth the road trip. Gorgeous wisteria. Image from Southern Accents.

Photo by Broomhill at Etsy.

A tranquil park setting here in Canada at Halifax Public Gardens. We usually have geese and goslings, dozens of them in our backyard each spring, with all the disruption they are likely hiding, poor things.

Well, they can't take away my peonies, they are shooting up like crazy this year.
I will enjoy them more than ever. Image from Southern Accents.

Ok, that's it......I'm done whining for the summer.
Anyone need their driveway all spic-and-span every Sunday morning?

Enjoy your planting this next few weeks!

A $75,000.00 ride in the Park

Yes!!! You can actually order this La Belle au Bois Dormant Coach for your magnifique little Marie Antoinette! For $75,000.00..... but what's a few francs when little Marie needs a ride? Made by artisans for Virginia-based Post Tots, the solid cherry quarter panels are hand-tapered, beveled, and bent to create this desired shape. See the heart-shaped detail on the wheels? I just had to share this gorgeous extravagance when I found it on Sweetmama, the mama spinoff to Sweetspot ~ Canada's stylish fashion and city guide website. Have you ever!!!! Come on and take a peek inside........ Upholstered in pure silk, the interior is worthy of the most discriminating princess. Her well-trained eye won't find any flaws here. A fabric-tented ceiling, plump seat cushions, a fabric carpet, and yards of patissmentrie......oh my! Lots of room for well-attired doll friends.

Catch a light breeze sitting in the slightly shaded rear section. Don't forget her bouquet.

I couldn't help but think that stylish Amelia, the little blogger-in-training at A la Parisienne is entitled to this type of transport. She has quickly developed a love of all things French, how could she not? Mom Mandy created this gorgeous birthday hat for Amelia's 1st birthday a few weeks back, she's just ready and waiting for a lovely coach ride around the grounds of Versailles. Click here to see Amelia's Marie Antionette birthday party....I want one!

A princely frog to go along for the ride.


A pink quilted silk perch for the driver attendant.


The silk canopy is shaped to resemble flower petals.



She might be a little sleepy after her little Versailles jaunt, she'll need a princess-worthy bed
to promote sweet dreams. Guinevere's Four Post Bed & Bedding at Post Tots for $4,200.00.
A Canopy is available extra.

The Guinevere Crib version for $3,650.00 painted in an old world palette of antique blues and roses, with a touch of purple. The moulding-detailed crib be personalized with the child's name or favorite phrase.

The Palace Round Crib for $1,330.00. Adorable.

Her sweet little corset outfit... you can even buy that at Posh Tot too.

Top photo via Sweetmama.ca/All other photos from PoshTots.com

Gorgeous File- Turquoise on Monday

Vogue photographer Arthur Elgort captured the vintage mood right down to the well-manicured canine companion with his highly-civilized owner. Taken in 1999 at the Patisserie Cadorin in Paris. Image via Conde Nast.

Just a glimpse of a silk strap..... The Strap ~ an image by Jane Heller at Etsy. She loves to photograph the small, unnoticed details of life with a dreamy quality and grainy blur. Not so unnoticed at all.

I love the look of a chunky necklace with an open shirt collar, when it sparkles even better. And I love the delicate hint of colour in this JANIS necklace by Janis Savitt, it would go with everything.

Of course I can't wear it category, but isn't this Tulip Dress dreamy with these funky coloured eyeglasses. Silk Fabric Petals layer in a dreamy Robin's Egg Blue by Sarah Seven at Etsy.

Look how these patterns work together, who would have quessed? And keeping that shameless look of well-worn upholstery on the head and footboard, it's so glamorously shabby chic. Photo by Polly Wreford.

Dogwood photograph by Kristy Bee at Etsy

This Carmen Marc dress and that Janis Savitt necklace shown above?

Perfectly glamorous.

Jay Strongwater designs always capture my attention and this Krya compact is one of the loveliest I've seen. I'd be checking the lipstick every chance I got, yes.... in public! A perfect and personal gift for a wedding attendant or the bride. Much better than a cakeplate.

Ghost Story photo by Jacqleen Bleu at Etsy.

More petals, this time by Valentino. Wouldn't this Petal Dome Bag look great with

the pool-lounging outfit below? It even looks wet.

This photo makes me smile and want to buy pool toys, great big fun ones.

And I don't even have a pool. Photo by Emily McGregor (no source found).

Working beads from Amy Butler Studios.

If someone gave me this aqua leather Symthson sewing kit, I would learn to stitch properly once and for all. I borrowed this sewing kit from Stylecourt who had it on her blog last week. So tidy and gorgeous, I just couldn't resist.

I love it when dogs turn their head and look at you like this way.

This bulldog looks positively glam sitting in this well-appointed entry

from Domino Mag Files at Flickr.

I was never too fond of verdigras as I thought the faux application got so overdone way too quickly and in all the wrong places, but I would change my tune pretty fast if I got my hands on these gorgeous sconces. And look at that stone tub (comfy?) so gorgeous and perfect in this distressed setting by New Orleans designer Ann Dupuy of Holden & Dupuy (via Southern Accents). I take my verdigras-bias back but only because this talented designer has done it perfectly.

Everybody can have a piece of John Derian these days, a limited collection of his tray designs are available

in melamine at Target. The Paris Crystal Dome paperweight is the real thing that collectors covet. $60.oo on his website.

Though there is obviously a photographic colour adjustment here, I love my hostas even if they aren't this turquoise colour. It also reminds me they are well-overdue for a splitting as they got too big last year. When this road construction is over I plan to add other hosta varieties and get my garden splendor back. Photo by Lisa Cohen.

Mother's Day ....every week or month

Taken at a local museum by Jane Heller at Etsy, this surreal and beautiful photograph depicts underwater life as it would have been a few thousand years ago. The 8" x 12" print is $35.00.

I got to thinking about Mother's Day this week and what it means to us as mothers. I have a 27 year-old son who is here for the next few months, he spends the days studying, I spend my days working, but every morning when he first sees me, he always says to me "come in for a hug Mom" and I think about how that is the best part of my day. I love his fun-loving and affectionate nature. We all love gifts, but truthfully all we want as a mother is to know our kids are happy. And to know when they are not. In other words, the more you talk to us the better we feel, we aren't fussy on whether it's good or bad, it's our job to help make either better. It's a year of low spending for lots of families, so I got to thinking about a less-expensive way to send your mom a gift (especially if you haven't taken care of it yet, or want to send a little extra) every week of the year. I posted about this product before {click here to read} and was reminded of it when I wrote this week about the mini books.....hmmm, how wonderful would it be to email your mom every week (or month) with a colourful reminder of how you feel about her. Simply go to the Iomoi website and sign up for a email stationery yearly subscription for $15.00. You will have dozens of templates to use and can change the design each time you send your mom her little e-note. For a total of $30.00 you can order her an email stationery subscription too. She can email her friends and family in style, giving her a bit of stylish hi-tech fun all year long. You might have to show her how to use it but she loves it when you teach her something too.

Translation ~I love my mom.

This touching image is a flat postcard but I would take this

and frame it with a wide white matt as a gift for a new mother.

A lovely nursery gift.

Available at Sarah Jane Studios at Etsy.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day with lots and lots of good hugs.

Top photo from Jane Heller at Etsy/Middle photo from Iomoi/Bottom photo from Sarah Jane Studios at Etsy.

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.

Mini Thoughts...all tied up

Pink and Brown Mini Books tied with Hand-dyed Silk Ribbon.

An Etsy find ~ 3 books for $14.00 US

Write a poem. Draw a picture. Send a letter. Announce a celebration.

Or hide them.....to surprise someone.

I happened across these at a little Etsy shop called Little Put Books and just love this idea. I would use it as a greeting card gift that would fold out to all the all the reasons you love, like, or admire that person. No excuses that you didn't have the budget for a gift, this could be the gift, one they can keep beautifully tied and open whenever they want to be reminded how special they are to you. Wouldn't this be a wonderful Mother's Day gift? Or as a thank you to that friend who always helps you out? If you are worried about your handwriting (and I wouldn't be, it will make it all the more special) you can do a cut-and-paste too. It appears there are 14 accordion pleats so 12 lovely thoughts, leaving 1 top line for their names and 1 bottom line for yours. A package of 5 assorted mini notebooks is $20.00, that's a lot of positivity to send some one's way. It would also be fabulous used as a wedding card......list 12 reasons why the newlyweds are perfect for each other.

Examples:

1. Because your kids will be gorgeous.

2. Because you always look for each other in a crowd.

3. Because you hold hands when crossing the street.

4. Because you both talk about each other way too much.

5. Because we can't picture you with anyone else.

6. Because you finish each other's sentences.

7. Because you tease each other so lovingly.

8. Because you love both your families.

9. Because you work at your relationship.

10. Because you know the value of humour.

11. Because you know the meaning of romance.

12. Because you make us all want to be in love.

Look how pretty this Cherry Blossom series is when all folded and tied up. Gorgeous colours and patterns.....gorgeous thoughts.

All photos from Little Put Shop at Etsy