is summer oil and water for you?

I really like how the oils in this photo look so sculptural. Which made me think grouping them would make a nice housewarming gift. Just write on the tag something like....

wanting your new home to work like a well-oiled machine.

the credit for this beautiful image belongs here

It seems to me that everyone is burning the midnight oil these days. Are you...or are you finding time to do all the things you wanted this summer?

gift baskets...raised

Time for an interior photo that inspires a gift. We all recognize this kitchen....yes, it's Thom Filicia's space in Soho. See the bar in the basket on the counter? Those baskets are available at any Home Goods, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx type store. Pick one up the next time you need a hostess or housewarming gift. Fill it with liquor bottles and mixers. Talk about raising the bar on gift baskets. Okay, you can roll your eyes, the irony was too obvious.

{image via loftlife}

The red cross

I have always had a thing for the first aid symbol. Maybe it is the many years of life guarding. There is a sense of comfort connected to that symbol. I like the idea of good design mixed with practical when it comes to giving these days. Therefore, this idea was almost too easy. Fill the box with all the essentials. It works for a new home, but a less obvious idea would be to give it to the friend who just found out she's pregnant.

& for the tag.......for all the boo boos.

Since it's red, I figured it could be a part of Valentine's week. Available here.

mi casa es su casa

Sometimes you find a great product that does the work for you. That is the case with the wines from The Magnificent Wine Co. They make it so easy to come up with something relevant and quirky to make the gift memorable. Is this not an obvious house warming gift?


via the dieline

Are you on the cutting edge?

Tie a gift certificate from your favorite pizzeria to the knife to use as a housewarming gift. Better yet, show up with the pizza and the knife tied to the top. Give it to a friend or client who is starting something new and innovative in their lives. Tell them they're so busy being on the cutting edge they shouldn't have to take time to cook.

Special Delivery

Since summer is drawing to a close, I think it's appropriate to post about a gift that is the essence of summer. Have fresh lobster delivered right to someone's door. There are a lot of great companies to choose from....many of them green and carbon neutral. You can even become a partner and have your own trap that catches lobster all year just for you through catch a piece of Maine. Now you know that I'm all about leaving a lasting impression. Therefore, send along some lobster bibs, or napkins, or the tablecloth so that when the lobsters are gone, the memory isn't. If you are still lucky enough to be a house guest before summer ends, show up with lobster and you'll have a standing invitation.

photo credit

If you want be a little shellfish, send it to your own door. (Alright, I know.....eyes are rolling everywhere, but I couldn't resist)

you've got a little something on the side of your mouth

Today's inspiration comes from tine k home. Who wouldn't love to have a collection of paper napkins like these on hand?

Find some that coordinate well together and you have a little gift. Sometimes you want to mark the day, but the gift doesn't call for a big budget. I would take them out of their plastic and tie a ribbon around each kind and then stack them all into a gift box. Don't forget presentation...presentation...presentation. Everyone likes to have some napkins on hand for when friends come over and with this they'll be reminded of you every time. Hmm....maybe they'll even invite you.

Think birthdays, think housewarmings....paper is also the traditional gift for a 1st anniversary. Making it paper napkins gives a traditional gift a modern edge.

No More Wire Hangers

I've been thinking a lot lately about how a home should be practical and beautiful. It should function in a streamlined way, but be an expression of the people who live there. It should be warm, but yet free of excess. Since a home should be a personal reflection of who lives there, a thoughtful housewarming gift should meet the practical and beautiful criteria. Have you ever thought of giving wooden hangers to a new homeowner? That is a gift you know they would put to use and have for years. Definitely meets the practical. Imagine stepping into your closet and seeing everything on wooden hangers......definitely meets the beautiful.

Besides who wouldn't want to move from this.....

to this?