I know I published a strikingly similar gift guide a couple weeks ago, but I recently visited Portland, Oregon (my hometown), and decided to do a Pacific NW version of the perfect gift for anyone who loves a good brew.
1. Rogue Chipotle Ale
2. Cast Iron Bottle Opener from Schoolhouse Electric
3. Wool Felt Coasters from Cotton & Flax
This is the fifth gift guide I’ve posted so far this holiday season! See all my gift guides here!
Can I share a secret? My apartment still doesn’t make me feel like a grown-up. I’m stuck in the post-college phase of home decorating – including a half broken IKEA couch and an assortment of dishes from four different thrift stores. I know I am not the only one out there coveting a more “grown up” home, so I thought I’d put together a gift guide for anyone looking to make their home look a little more put-together.
1. Cushy hand-knit throw blanket (DIY!) from Purl Bee
2. Custom Terrarium from Chaparral Studio
3. Wooden spoons from Schoolhouse Electric
4. Throw pillow from Cotton & Flax
5. Chemex coffee maker from Schoolhouse Electric
Just another gift guide for your favorite snail mail enthusiast! The set of colored pens from Le Pen (#1) is definitely on my wish list. They come in the best colors, and rank among my all time favorite pens. Had to include a set of Cotton & Flax postcards, of course (#2). Finally, my favorite sheet of USPS stamps from 2012, the Earthscapes series.
Don’t forget: Cotton & Flax will be a vendor all weekend at Unique LA! If you live in Los Angeles, I hope you’ll stop by, and get your holiday shopping started with this celebration of local makers.
I know we’re deep into a week of gift wrap related posts (there’s one more later today!), but I didn’t want to skip Print of the Week – it’s one of my favorite weekly traditions here on the blog!
I’ve been a fan of Kiki Smith’s work for a long time, but I am always surprised by how prolific an artist she is. The two etchings above, from a series of handcolored etchings she made called “Touch,” are new to me. I love the fine detail in Smith’s work, it’s easy to imagine her laboring over prints such as these.
Her drawings are similarly detailed and lush, like this one titled, “Deer Things.” I love how magical and delicate her work feels, and the contrast between that softness, and her strong feminist views that are often on display in her work.
I have been looking for gifts to bring to holiday parties this year, and after reading a little about furoshiki, or fabric gift wrapping, I had to try it with one of the Cotton & Flax tea towels. I think it turned out nicely (it kind of looks like a person wrapped in a cozy blanket!), and gives that gift for the host or hostess a little extra oompf.
You could also really easily wrap a cookbook in a tea towel, another great gift combination for the cook or foodie in your life. There are lots of guides to furoshiki on YouTube, definitely worth checking out!
My sister is the big baker in the family. I’ll make cookies or banana bread from time to time, but that’s nothing compared to what my sister can whip up. I love picking out gifts for her, so I’ve put together another gift guide, based on some things I think any baking aficionado would love to add to their kitchen.
1. Cupcake liners from Sweetest Elle (they come in tons of colors)
2. Yum recipe cards from Egg Press
3. Handmade maple measuring spoons from Schoolhouse Electric
4. Brushstroke Tea Towel from Cotton & Flax
