When I travel, I really like to seek out local goods and shops, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out “where the locals would go”. In order to share some of my favorite finds in different cities (and countries!), I created a “My Faves” resource, broken down my state. I hope it will help guide someone to a great shop they otherwise may not have found! If you know of a great shop from your travels, please tell me about it in the comments below.
Happy Gifting!
I've had travel on the brain, which you will see reflected in this post and likely another one or two in the future. We are also on the cusp of "Wedding Season" so I wanted to offer an alternative gift idea to the standard registry fare. This gift was inspired by one my husband and I received from some dear friends when we were married - a personalized large boat tote with two large, fluffy beach towels. As active boaters, this has been invaluable and used year after year and so I used the "boat tote" concept as a base for a fun, travel-related gift that can be customized based on the recipient and their lifestyle.
Just a few elements that would make a wonderful travel-related gift - courtesy of my Olioboard.
It seems that most everyone either heads to the beach, lake or mountains for a vacation at some point during the year, so start with these items as a basis for your gift:
Are your idea wheels turning yet? The beauty of this gift idea is that you can customize to fit your budget and/or your recipients lifestyle. In closing, I leave you with this little story...
Several years ago I had the honor of attending our former exchange student's wedding in France. I wanted to gift them with something unique from the U.S., so I had a large LL Bean boat tote personalized for the bride and groom and also gave them some Nashville treats. The gift was a hit with the French newlyweds as they frequently visited the French coast and I will never forget the bride's new obsession with the "Goo-Goos" (insert cute French accent here).
Happy Gifting!
What would your reaction be if I suggested gifting sheets, laundry detergent and soap this holiday season? I will admit - I am gifting some of those items this year. One of my goals when giving is that the item is useful to my recipient. Do I always achieve that goal or follow that rule? Of course not! Some gifts are meant to be fun, frivolous objects. But today I want to share with you some of my top practical gift ideas - with a twist!
There are a couple of people in my family that are very difficult to buy for - I mean, every year it's a struggle. One year, a particular couple was moving from one house to another right after the new year. Do you know what we gave them for Christmas? Bubble wrap, packing tape, sharpies and labels. Their reaction? Complete joy. What was our last-ditch attempt at figuring out a good gift probably turned out to be the most used and appreciated items we've ever given them.
So I present to you some ideas for practical, yet gift-worthy items:
All photos courtesy of product websites (clockwise): Humphreys Street, Emi Jay, Red Land Cotton, Roux Maison, Music City Suds, Mason Pearson and Nash+Jones.
There you go! Don't be afraid to treat someone to some specialty "practical" gifts this holiday season or better yet, to treat yourself to some of the products mentioned above!
Happy Gifting!
Wow - where did fall go? It seems as if the summer just ended and now we're on the cusp of the biggest shopping season of the year. While most everyone is mapping out their Black Friday shopping, I know that most of you are mapping out your Small Business Saturday shopping for November 26th - right? I thought so...in that case, let me introduce you to a lovely shop in Nolensville, TN - fresh blue mornings.
the shop is a bit hidden - it's on the lower, back side of the strip center that houses other shops and restaurants. image southern giftologist.
I was introduced to this shop a year or so ago by my friend, Meredith, who lives in the area. We visited around the holidays and I found these awesome sheets of retro holiday wrapping paper which I loved. So, I wanted to get back over there to see what holiday (and non-holiday) goodies Laura, the owner, had stocked.
holiday goodies - including a retro holiday wrap pack with twine, washi tape and tags. image southern giftologist.
So what can you expect to find at fresh blue mornings? Well, aside from the very cool old-school pink handset telephone that serves as Laura's business phone, the shop is full of grown-up party supplies, cards, candles, notepads, fancy matchbooks, washi tape, stamps, gift wrap, stationery, pens, pencils...basically great gift options!
this pack of prints was less than $20 - they could be framed or hung from clips on the wall..a fun gift for a teen or college student. image southern giftologist.
So be sure to check out fresh blue mornings on Shop Small Saturday or anytime you're in the Nolensville, TN area and say hi to Laura! Happy Gifting!
the pink telephone! image fresh blue mornings
A couple of weeks ago we moved our one and only child off to college at UT Knoxville and tried to cushion the blow of empty nest by taking a few days in Asheville, NC. It had been 4 years or so since our last visit and we were happy to see some of our favorite places from prior trips and also discover some new places to add to our favorites list. Aside from some great breweries, the following lists some of my favorites discovered (or rediscovered) from this trip. What are your Asheville favorites? Leave your recommendations in the comments below!
My new coffee table book from Woolworth Walk. Image southern giftologist.
New bud vase from Melissa Weiss Pottery. Image southern giftologist.
Did you make it out to Porter Flea's Summer Market this past weekend in Nashville? I did and, as usual, left with a bag full of goodies and a list of new artisans/makers to follow. My first Porter Flea was at Marathon Village several years ago and I was hooked. My favorite Porter Flea was at Cornelia Fort Airport - not that you asked. Some of my favorite things have been purchased at Porter Flea (like my Modern Arks record cabinet from the Cornelia Fort year). What I love most about this event is that my shopping moods are different at each one; thus, what I buy totally depends on my mood that particular day and there are so many FABULOUS vendors to choose from!
Usually, I drag my husband along to these events. At first he was a reluctant participant but a few years ago, he was zeroing in on cool items and started buying his own stuff. Last year, I got my friend, Jenna, to attend for the first time...I ran into her Friday night at the preview market and the next day she was texting me pictures of all her cool finds. This year, I introduced two more friends to the Porter Flea experience - I gotta admit I was worried. One friend lives in Nashville and is a choosy shopper - I love that she shares my cutthroat shopping approach when it comes to mall shopping, but Porter Flea...I wasn't sure how she would take to it. The moment we stepped through the doors it was if we stepped into Willy Wonka's candy factory and my worries melted away.
My friend got these beautiful leather coasters from Pantote. Image Courtney Faighes.
My other friend was visiting from out-of-town and also has a very refined shopping palate. She couldn't make the Friday preview market so I was nervous about her attending the frenzy on Saturday and advised her to get there as soon as possible after opening. I received a text 30 minutes in "I am loving Porter Flea!" and relief swept over me. She returned home with her own fabulous finds from Saturday's market.
So, on to my true mission for this blog post - what I bought at the Summer Market! I elected this method as opposed to clogging up everyone's Instagram feed, so I hope you enjoy a peek inside my shopping bag, so to speak...and get thee to Porter Flea's next market - you won't be disappointed!
From the top:
Have you seen the calendar? Mother's Day is May 8th! My dear grandmother used to wear a "mother's ring", as we called it, with a birthstone for each of her 7 - yes 7! - children. I remember, as a child of the 80s, birthstone jewelry took up pages and pages in the JC Penney and Service Merchandise catalogs (yes, I just dated myself). Maybe times have changed or maybe I'm way out of touch (or possibly a little of both), but birthstone gifts don't seem to be quite as common as they once were. However, as we look ahead to Mother's Day (or any special birthday) let's look at two local artisans who offer a modern twist on birthstone jewelry.
I first saw Dear Mushka's work at last year's Made South Market and love her simple, yet beautiful designs. These beautiful gemstones are candy for the eyes! Create a set for Mom or treat your best friend, sister or daughter to a special piece or one of the other fabulous pieces available on her website.
Another Nashville artisan that I've had my eye on for a while is m.florita. While her Nashville-pride jewelry is what I typically see on my social media feeds and around town, I recently caught sight of her gemstone pieces and think they also deserve a place in the spotlight! The bracelet below reminds me of a current-day mother's ring...but in bracelet form. I think my Granny would have approved. This piece and several other gemstone items can be found on her website or at her shop in the Arcade in Nashville.
Hammered bangle & gemstone bracelet by m.florita. Image m.florita.
While we've focused mostly on these gifts for Mother's Day, we can't overlook the upcoming wedding season! The above pieces (and many others from Dear Mushka and m.florita) would make beautiful options for bridesmaid gifts as well.
Happy gifting!
My Granny's mother's ring
