Happy Holidays!

Gen: I've been terrible about updating with stories of gifts and even the details on how I've dipped my toe in planning parties. This holiday season started early! YEAH!..But it hasn't left much time for other things. So I apologize for the sparse blog as of late. I hope you are enjoying your holidays and relishing in the chance to wrap something up fantastically. For me, there's nothing like it.

Thank you for an amazing 2010! 









P.S. If you are stuck on that certain someone and would like some ideas, I'd love to help!

Mia Sorella

Client: It is her big day, she is getting married!  She would like the perfect something for her sister to show her thanks and love for her closest friend. She tells me that she studies Italian, is extremely creative and loves fashion.

Gen: A super amazing thank you present for her sister. I am thinking something sparkling, fun, yet deeply personal. These custom rings from Jesse Danger are beyond beautiful. Let's take it one step further and have it engraved inside. "Mia Sorella", my sister in Italian.

Why Thank You!

Client: A person she would call an acquaintance surprised her with everything on her baby registry. She is so taken aback by this nearly stranger's generosity that she would like to thank him but isn't sure what to get him.

Gen: With very few details on this person and just insight into what he did, this was a tough one. Then it popped into my mind. How about something a little bit practical, a little bit high design (since that is what my client does) and a little bit tongue in cheek. I love these tiny wallets from Malcolm Fontier and so will he.

Yellow + Blue = Green

Client: Their loft living, Dwell shopping friends just had their first. They don't want to hit up the registry and want something to adorn the newbie's wall with.

Gen: Hip parents=hip baby's room. Love these custom prints from England that are modern but warm. Also like it will move nicely from nursery to elsewhere in the house one day.

Mini Me

Client: A friend of the family just had their first. A bouncing baby boy! She'd like to send something for everybody. Mom, dad and baby.

Gen: Oh I think I know just the thing for this twenty something dad who just had his first. A cool kind of matchy match if you will, shipped directly from London.

Nana

Client: Her grandmother is turning 90! She'd like the gift to be something that will always bring a smile to her face.  On the good days and even better on those when getting around is not so easy for her.

Gen: This grandma still lives on her own, loves her garden and being surrounded by color. She's just not quite as active as she used to be. How about something slightly oversized for her garden that she can see from her porch? A pop of bright and a sweet reminder of someone who is often thinking about her.

Out There

Client: Her dad is super young at heart and loves to travel and see all things new. She'd like the perfect birthday present to celebrate just that.

Gen: He loves the beach and collecting stamps in his passport almost as much. Think I know just the thing. These gift box sets from Wallpaper are amazing. Guide books that dig deeper than the obvious, wrapped up in this gorgeous box. Which cities you ask? Barcelona, L.A., Mumbai, Rio & Sydney. Wonder which one he will hit up first.

Paper Cranes

Client: Her good friend and roommate just completed her masters; and will soon become a life coach as well as a yoga instructor for children with special needs. Facing her own life challenges has made her open and compassionate and most of all kind.

Gen: So I am the look out for something that celebrates her approach to living and wellness . I was so excited when I came across this fine art photograph. A picture of a 1,000 cranes, which in Japan is made and given to someone for good luck, prosperity and most of all healing. A token to be framed and treasured as she sets out on her next big adventure.

Twitter Treat!

Gen: This lovely little treat went to a lucky follower who is one of the nicest people we know. She's vegan and super thoughtful and always crafting or cooking up something new. This little print in her home or office, seemed....well just pretty perfect. (meet her at www.glueandglitter.com)

They Do

Client: Her good friend from high school is getting married to her English sweet heart. She would like to send something meaningful and modern as she won't be making the hike overseas.

Gen: This carafe is both chic and sleek; you can use it for water or more celebratory with wine. Why I love it so much is because of the meaning in its design. It is a modern take on the Greek vessel and symbolizes both the union and the circle of life. Perfect for the newly I do'd.

6-0!

Client: Her best friend from college is turning the big six O. She is having 2 bashes to celebrate, one with her closest friends and a larger less private affair. She runs 7 miles a day, doesn't look a day over 40ish and speaks a bajillion languages. Her passions (among the many) are the earth, travel and trinkets found along the way.

Gen: Oh how fun! A super educated, flower child if you will. I think I know just the treats. A "green" bag will be filled with all things unordinary. A Moroccan hurricane lamp for nights in her garden she loves, a handmade eco journal that she can jot all her adventures in, a classic but modern pen to do so, and finally these pillow cases from England that say it all.

It's a Date

Client: Her cousin AKA her best friend is celebrating her 3-0 and being newly engaged. She cannot make her big birthday bash in Chicago; so she would like to send a special something. If it could be somewhat centered around her wedding, that would be great too.

Gen: Her bday bash is at a happening bar in Chi-town? On the phone I went with the owner and the surprise champagne toast was arranged. Complete with message and a bottle of her favorite. Left just a bit in the budget for a custom silhouette illustration of the lucky couple. Complete in wedding colors with the big date. (that's not the actual pic)

Twitter Treat!

Gen: For the month of February it was all about the love! And so was this month's twitter treat from our friends at www.risecollective.us. Super soft 100% cotton hand-screened shirt in environmentally friendly ink.

25

Client: They would like to get something special for their midwife as a thank you. She was there for them through the entire process. Meaning 25 hours of labor with no drugs!

Gen: I've never shopped for a midwife before! She hung in  the entire 25 hours and she has 5 kids of her own. Whoa. I think the gift(s) should be something that are strictly for her to enjoy on any kind of down time she can find. Chosen treats were from a favorite boutique in Sausalito who specialize in organic and handmade. A lovely glass bottle of bubble bath, a tranquil candle and a pillow that says it all.

Sending Some Sun

Client: Their colleague has been working hard as always; but now even harder in her personal life. Her brother has needed extra care as his family has battled something big. They want to send her something so she can take a moment and treat herself to some much needed TLC.

Gen: Hard working mama who is always on the go and the give. I think she will love this sweet assortment of  sugar scrub, soap and super soothing lotion-all natural, organic and hand made. The sunshine in the packaging is pretty fantastic too.

Special Delivery

Client: Her friends have just completed the long road of adopting their daughter from China. No simple task and she has arrived 8 months wiser into their arms. Meeting her new family- mom, dad and 2 very excited older brothers. She'd like to get something perfect for her new room as a welcome to the extended family present.

Gen: This family is now multi-cultural and loves to travel. I think I know just the thing. This mirror would be gorgeous in her new nursery. How fantastic that the elephant symbolizes good luck and fortune too?

Twitter Treat!

Gen: This follower just launched a whole new website! I wanted to send a special surprise to celebrate. Www.scoutmob.com loves all things mustaches; so when I came across these I knew they were ridiculously perfect.

New Arrival!

Client: Their good friend's daughter just had her first little bundle of snuggles. They'd like to send a special treat to welcome his arrival. Something sentimental not registry.

Gen: So the new mom oversees the forestry department out West and the couple can't get enough of the outdoors in general. I think I know just the shop out in San Francisco. They are going to love their new bamboo mobile, hanging sweetly over his crib.

Happy 2010!!

Happy New Year!

Thank you for such a fantastic 2009! It was so much fun searching for the perfect treats and I wanted to thank everyone for their support. Looking forward to what this year brings!

All the best-

Gen