. . . Cabin & Cottage

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Signature Gifts

There are so many occasions that call for a simple but heartfelt gift that I feel like I always need to be prepared. My chosen lifestyle doesn't allow for a shopping foray each time the need arises. So I have a few favorite things that I love for myself that are pretty universally appreciated as hostess gifts, birthdays, or unexpected special events.

I think of vintage linens as my sort of signature gift. My grand-daughters often get a sweet little hanky tucked inside of their birthday cards, for instance.

I have a real thing for vintage cotton and linen towels. The plain ones that can be used in the kitchen or bathroom, are especially practical. They're not extravagant, but still feel a little indulgent. For young people as yet unaccustomed to "vintage," it's a nice and safe introduction. They even make wonderful baby gifts.

Besides being my preferred look in gift wrap, plain sheets of white tissue paper are always on hand. I also invest in wide and fancy rolls of ribbon whenever craft stores run a sale. With ribbon you don't even need tape! And it's all so wonderfully old fashioned.

My friend Carol's vintage image necklace charms, which I carry in the shop, make a basic gift extra special, and in this case I use it to embellish the package.

I keep on hand a supply of these pretty little organdy bags that you find inexpensively in the wedding section of the craft store.

It makes for a simple and elegant presentation that is easy and low cost all at the same time. So my gift packaging has become sort of signature too.

Besides linens, candles are my favorite to give and to get too. They can be scented, or plain votive or table candles. Can you ever have too many? I don't think so.

Finally, I choose from a selection of my own handmade greeting cards to complete the gift. I enjoy making cards so much that I feel like I am passing on a bit of that joy. And what could be more signature than that?

Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage just posted about a beautiful signature gift she just received. Hop on over and have a look!

Do you have a sort of signature gift too?

I'd love to hear all about it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm joining Chic On A Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday

Be sure to visit for more ideas!

SIGNORI

We have a couple of January birthdays among us. But it's only a good excuse to congregate on a week night.

Uptown has become our traditional destination. With good reason.

And one of those is our favorite place to eat.

Walk through that door, and it may as well be Italy as any other place a world away.

For a couple of swiftly passing hours, and with only a menu for a passport, we revisit our friendship.

Thanks so much for coming along!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Monday, January 24, 2011

Two's Company

I've shown glimpses of my small sitting room, the snuggery, in a few previous posts. I recently removed one of the club chairs, and reconfigured the space to gain more room. I have to say, as much as I like the arrangement, the room still feels just as small!

Here is a 360 degree peek at my new configuration. I've redone the hearth since our weather has warmed a bit and we've quit using the fireplace for now.

I returned fewer items to the mantel after the holiday greens were taken down. Instead of the white tin tile against a white board for the insert you last saw, I have a framed landscape. It adds a little drama with it's stormy scene.

I like to rotate natural history and botanical volumes on the book stand. This one is The Nest by Maryjo Koch. I turn a page to a new illustration every few days.

My previous arrangement had these two chairs in a switched position. Now my square club chairs face each other flanking the sofa. The extra ottoman is tucked in a corner until needed

All my suitcases store books and magazines.

I'm an apologetic piler. (Sorry.) There are usually a few more stacks around on table tops and the floor. Sometimes pretty high.

The window wall is the saving grace of this small room. The "boom box" is tucked beneath, and covered with a tapestry.

The entertainment center tucked in a corner can be seen but isn't the focal point. Some of the walls are adobe brick.

New territory. The other side of the room! Mr. Cottage feels very exposed by all of this. Ha!

The pass through window to the kitchen makes the space feel larger.

And back again!

Not that long ago all of our children still lived in town with their families, and they loved crowding in here. I guess big families are just like that.