Category Archives: gift guide

Holiday Gift Wrap & Trimmings

by Erika Firm Posted on December 5, 2012

Gift Guide 2012 for Holiday Gift Wrap Ornaments TrimmingsI think Christmas shopping is super stressful. I REALLY don’t like crowds — the noise gives me migraines and all the people who shop with runny noses and hacking coughs make me crazy.  But I do really love wrapping gifts. I think it’s one of my favorite parts of the whole holiday season. Finding the right wrap and the right ribbon, with the oh so perfect embellishment is way more fun than shopping for the actual gift, in my opinion.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite trimmings for a pretty package: 1. Knit owl, fox and bear ornaments 2. Silver deer, penguin and bear ornaments  3. Silver and Gold Washi tape 4. Faux wreath — a perfect canvas  5. Beautiful velvet ribbon  6. Brown baker’s twine  7. Winter scene wrapping paper  8. Woody with Christmas tree ornament  9. Bottle brush trees  10.  Owl on Branch Christmas ornaments  11. Mirrored letter ornaments

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Gifts for the Designerd

by Erika Firm Posted on November 29, 2012

Christmas Gifts for the Design Nerd Designerd via Delphine 2012Hey Santa, here are a few Christmas gift ideas for the designerd on your list.

1. Fonts from Myfonts.com because we can never (ever) have enough fonts  2. A big To Do notepad from KnockKnock because our work is never (ever) done  3. Day of the week washi tape so we can accessorize our day planner  4. A stripey Baggu bag for carrying all our art supplies  5. Cute colored pencils for sketching on the go  6. Rainbow of nail polish because just one color is boring  7. Let’s Make Some Great Art book to help bust through creative block  8. YSL lipstick to make us presentable for meetings  9. a FUNctional birdie letter opener for our desk   10. Warby Parker prescription sunglasses for looking cool at all times  11. Fancy sparkly feather bracelet with rope closure, so it doesn’t clack against the keyboard  12. a custom return address rubber stamp from Delphine for the love of snail mail  13. A Pantone Christmas ornament in a favorite color (PMS 377)  14. Mom Inc. book for brushing up on being a fabulous entrepreneur  15. A vintage typewriter in a fun color (preferably green). 

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Gift Guide for the Little Ones

by Erika Firm Posted on November 26, 2012

gift guid for kids via delphineChristmas shopping for the little ones is always the most fun! I love buying stuff for kids — brings out the kiddo in me, I guess. Here are some of my favorite holiday gifts for children:

1. Thumbprint Masterpieces   2. Lion Rucksack  3. Bird-o The Bird Stuffed Animal  4. Tattly Monster Tattoos  5. Play Canopy  6. Chalkboard Top Desk  7. Nerf Gun  8. Owl Slippers   9. Animal Faces Masks  10. Comic Book Kit  11. Bambi doll  12. Fox Puzzle 

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Gift Guide | For the Men in Your Life

by Erika Firm Posted on November 19, 2012

gift guide for men via delphine

I think the hardest people to shop for on my holiday shopping list, hands down, are the guys. So for my first gift guide of the season I started with the toughest: Gifts for the Men in your life. I’ll admit there are a few things on this list I wouldn’t mind for myself ; )

1. iPhone case  // 2. Timex watch // 3. Need Supply Duffle bag // 4. Skeletool // 5. bull catchall tray // 6. Wood Sunglasses // 7. Headphones // 8. Stanley thermos

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Wine and Cheese

by Erika Firm Posted on November 2, 2012

wine and cheese party via delphine

 

Chilly weather is the perfect time for casual get togethers with neighbors and friends. My parents are the ultimate hosts, and they taught me to always have some cheese, wine and crackers in the kitchen, so as to be prepared for guests at any time. The tip has served me well, and I’m looking forward to lots of impromptu happy hours at my place with my neighbors this winter.

Right now I use an old wood cutting board for serving, but it’s old in a scary did-you-find-that-in-a-dumpster way, not in a that-must-be-from-a-turn-of-the-century-estate-sale kind of way. I’d love to have a fancy slate board or a pretty wood serving paddle so I can serve in style (holiday elves, are you listening?). Also on my wish list is the darling juice glass caddy from Bixby & Ball — I’d use it for dips, cornichons, and olives.

Entertaining wish list, clockwise from Crate & Barrel Slate Board / Crate & Barrel Cheese Tool Set / Northern Natives Numbered Wood Coasters via Etsy / Yummy Saxelby Cheesmongers Choice / Orange & Pear Rams Head Knife Set / Crate & Barrel Acacia tree slice serving platter / West Elm Raw Wood Board /Bixby & Ball Juice Glass Caddy

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hostess gift ideas

by Erika Firm Posted on August 16, 2011

All of a sudden our social calendar seems to have filled up. I always like to show up with a little something for the hostess. Instead of the usual bottle of wine or baked treat, I think one of these cool gifts from One Kings Lane would make awesome hostess gifts. I just stocked up on Olivina gift sets. Don’t forget to bring something fun for the kids at the house, too! My son’s mind would be blown with the cute teepee for the backyard … though he’d be equally happy with a candy bar. 

DETAILS: //1// Drexton Backyard Teepee $89   //2//Dransfield & Ross lacquer frame $36  //3//Magpie Ice bucket $169  //4//Olivina gift sets $12 – $45 

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8 hostess gift ideas

by Erika Firm Posted on April 5, 2011

Spring Break is around the corner, and with it is the beginning of the social season. I love shopping for hostess gifts. I always try to bring something that my hostess probably wouldn’t buy for herself, but can use in her home. Here are 8 of my favorite gifts for hostesses:

No. 1: Ceramic Note Pad (designed by Helen Johannessen; spotted via Apartment 34)   No. 2:  Tin of loose breakfast tea from Charleston Tea Plantation   No. 3: Orange blossom honey from Savannah Bee Company   No. 4: Pretty mercury glass candle from Anthropologie   No. 5: Fabulous cheese from Cowgirl Creamery   No. 6: Sofia Blanc-de-Blanc   No. 7: Cheese board by Soundview Millworks from Orange & Pear  No. 8: Fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper (visit HGTV to learn how to wrap a bouquet of flowers in brown paper).

 

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gift guide: for the equestrian

by Erika Firm Posted on December 9, 2010

While cleaning up our son’s playroom I came across my old Breyer horses buried in the bottom of the toy chest. Like most little girls, I dreamed of having my own pony. I took riding lessons when I was in first grade, and did a bit of trail riding as a teen, but haven’t been on a horse since college.

I live in a major horse community now (my “village” is called Rancho Santa Fe due to all the horse ranches), and have grown to love the effortlessly chic look all the equestrian ladies have around here. The polo players who frequent the coffee shop aren’t too shabby, either. Major swoon. But I digress …

Here are some gifts the horse-lover in your life will love: No. 1: Horse engravings, pillows and trophy lamp by Two’s Company  No. 2: Red plaid throw from Williams-Sonoma Home  No. 3: Equestrian riding boots (the real deal) by TuffRider  No. 4: Limited Edition Shearling Jacket from J. Crew  No. 5: Vintage Horseshoe necklace from Freshly Fig (Etsy)  No. 6: Antique English Wing Back Leather Sofa from Dispela on 1stDibs  

No. 7 Wouldn’t this Deer lamp look chic with a plaid lamp shade and/or a coat of glossy paint (pale turquoise? red? black? yellow? white?)   No. 8 LOVE these Ralph Lauren glasses. I have a set of them and use them all the time.  No. 9 I love the trend of vintage trophies used as vases. Even better when they’re painted in a fun gloss finish.

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gift guide: for the designerd

by Erika Firm Posted on December 14, 2009

Have a graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, or other geeky “designer type” in your life? I know we’re not the easiest to shop for … here’s a gift guide with a few faves that are sure to please your designerd! (Psssttt … Santa … anything on this list would be super for me, too).

(1) Mnemosnyne Notebook from Sam Flax South $13.50 — because we never stop sketching   (2) West Elm Hare Snow Globe $29  –  because we prefer our holidays without dancing Santas  (3) Helvetica Coffee Mug from Veer $18  — we’ll chuckle every time we caffeinate  (4) Linnea’s Lights Blue Agave Candle from Dreamy $28  — because we share our studio with men & it could smell better around here (5) Nelly Script Flourish font by Tart Workshop $39  — because this is missing from the 2,297 fonts we own (6) Vosges Haut Chocolat Mini Exotic Candy Bar Library $25  — no explanation needed  (7) Sense and Sensibility Penguin Classics Hardover by Jane Austen (or any of these gorgeous editions) $13.60  — because when we’re done re-reading these classics the books will make excellent props  (8) Membership to Museum of Contemporary Art (like MCASD) $varies  — because sometimes we could use an afternoon off and a little inspiration  (9) Mr. and Mrs. Kate Spade Champagne Saucers from Macy’s $75  — because some jobs require a proper toast  (10) Slice Precision Cutter by Karim Rashid $6.99  — because we’re sick of looking for fresh blades  (11) Chanel eyeglasses $varies  — because if we must wear glasses they certainly must be chic  (12) Uppercase magazine $18 one issue or $130 subscription — because we truly heart design.

Pssstt … Santa … it’s me again … I have been a very good designerd all year long … and I would really love a new camera because mine is broken. Pretty please.

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decorate: woodland ornament

by Erika Firm Posted on December 7, 2009

Dear Santa,

Please be so kind as to deliver these sweet darlings to my tree.

xxox,

e.

owl and fawn ornaments from Anthropologie.

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gift guide: for the foodie

by Erika Firm Posted on November 30, 2009

The holiday shopping season is in full swing now! Here are a few of my favorite gifts for the foodie in your life:

1. Summer Black Italian Truffle Paste: $11.50     2. Escali Primo Digital Scale: $29.99     3. Delphine Rococo Place Cards: $9.00     4. St. Germaine Liqueur: $31.99     5. Chuao Spicy Maya Hot Chocolate: $15.00     6. Le Nez Du Vin Red & White Aroma Duo Kit from LavishGiving.com: $229     7. Graeter’s Chip Lovers Ice Cream: $60-$80     8. Bodum Stainless Steel Travel Mug Press: $30.00

 

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we heart a good sale: 30 percent off at violet.com

by Erika Firm Posted on March 26, 2009

Last night I had a dream that I was birthday present shopping for a friend, and this morning this 30 percent off offer from Violet.com landed in my inbox. I think someone is trying to tell me something? Like I need to pay attention to the calendar and my friends’ birthdays?!?

I’m loving this Paul Smith-esque paper weight, minimalist white calculator (for some reason my brain is telling me I need this calculator), and the funky Modern Alchemy candle (I have no idea what it smells like, but love the packaging!). All from Violet.com. I’ve always loved their website because you can search gifts by the recipient’s personality type (I seem to know a lot of A+ types!). And the site is beautiful, making shopping a nice design experience.

Enter in the code SP309 at checkout to get 30 percent off anything in the store. Sale ends Friday, March 27, 2009.

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baby elephant

by Erika Firm Posted on February 10, 2009

(1) Coming soon to Cardstore.com: new baby elephant birth announcement photo cards by delphine! (2) Super soft blue baby blanket with little elephants by Dwell for Target. (3) Adorable baby elephant (love those ears!) sculpture from West Elm. (4) Elephant (and hippo and snail) ceramic banks by Dwell, available at Velocity.

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squirrels and acorns

by Erika Firm Posted on December 16, 2008


We had a very rare rainy day here in the Ranch yesterday, so we built a fire (yes, Barq, it was in the 60′s and we built a fire. That’s cold here!) The crispy, crackly fire made me think of fall, which made me think of squirrels … I’m loving all these. How cute would those felt acorns look on a gift package? And that squirrel ornament would look sweet on my christmas tree!

1. Falling acorns necklace by Luxe Deluxe. 2. Dainty acorn pendant by Luxe Deluxe. 3. Squirrel letterpress journal by delphine (me!). 4. Platinum glazed squirrel ornament by Jonathan Adler. 5. Squirrel ring box by Jonathan Adler. 6. Squirrel nut cracker by Cox & Cox [spotted on decor8]. 7. Squirrel Necklace by Postcards+Love 8. Gifting squirrels holiday notecard by Night Owl Paper Goods. 9. Turquoise felted wool acorns by Lilfishstudios.

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