Gifts for you, for me, for everyone!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

& it's the most wonderful time of the year to be a blogger!

Blogging inspires, connects  & continues to feed our curiosity and nourish our souls. You are an amazing & talented bunch & I am so grateful that you all take the time to stop by.

I have also discovered some really nifty stuff that I wanted to share with you all.

Here is a shortlist of just a few of my favorite things to give & to receive this holiday season.

 Enjoy!

As I mentioned last week, iomoi makes sending your latest & greatest emails newsworthy events when you use your own custom-designed

e-stationary!

Click on the monkeys & they will show you

the way to design a free sample for yourself!

And to keep the art of  handwritten notes

alive and well, just look, iomoi offers the best

selection of stocking stuffers around!

Check out Jen Ramos' collection of iomoi goodies I found at Made By Girl.

Back to emails for just a second...

How much fun would it be to send

  snazzy e-stationary on a

iPad...

Way fun!

This gal looks like a happy blogger!

To learn more about the amazing things

that you can do on one of these,

check it all out at

Apple!

How sweet it is ...

that these two are still

making beautiful music together!

Carole King & James Taylor

are still singing the songs we loved back then

& these days they sound better than ever!

Do you love the scent of fresh-cut privet...

A privet candle from

 Hound Hill Design

fills the air with that crisp green earthy scent

I crave on the coldest days of winter.

Speaking of earthy, the day I discovered

My Sparrow was the day

I fell in love with Henry!

The Henry Woven Bench from My Sparrow is all about comfort and bringing things into your life & home that make you smile.

Did I mention that I would adore having all of this beautifully wrapped by Sande Chase at a

Gift Wrapped Life?  Well, I would.

Smile & look fresh as a flower in a suit or t-shirt & jeans sporting a hand-stitched bloom on your lapel from

Emerson Made.

Each bloom Emerson makes is one of a kind, varied, and has its own unique character and soul.

Kind of a flower soul mate! 

Speaking of flowers...

Indulge yourself with the scent of clementine leaves sparkling in the morning dew

above a heart of orange blossom

and water lily with the

   Jo Malone

Orange Blossom Gift Set.

I don't know about you, but during the holidays I actually look forward to spending time in the kitchen.

It's where everyone loves to gather & I love reading old family recipes even though I know them by heart. So why not wear something pretty while I whip up something gourmet!

Ashley over at Ice Milk Aprons

has designed

a gourmet line of heirloom aprons

that will keep this hostess looking

crisp and pulled together.

  All of Ashley's ideas make for a meaningful

gift-giving experience!

Now, let me ask you, do you know how much

 I love bicycles?

I've had my favorite beach cruiser from our California days forever. I'm not selling it...way to sentimental.However, I'm thinking that my cruising days are behind me and that I would do swell on this Classic Ladies 3-speed from Schwinn

 . It's a beauty! 

And last but certainly not least...

Planting a tree

is a beautiful way to honor someone!

Seeds of Life

is a delightful farm that specializes in growing trees that can be given as a gift and planted to honor a special friend or family member.

A tree or seedling suited for a special teacher comes beautifully wrapped and is the perfect way to say thank you for helping our children to grow & learn.

A living tree symbolizes strength and endurance

as these kinds of gifts have the potential

to last centuries.

So... there you have it, my friends,

the makings for an enjoyable holiday season.

Start your day on a bike ride with your kids.

  Around the block or through the park,

just get outside and play!

Send a festive invitation to friends on your iPad

using your e-stationary. Fill your home with music

from James Taylor & Carole King

and fill the air with the scent

of fresh-cut privet. As you prepare

to greet your guests, put a dab of orange blossom

behind each ear

and a beautiful flower on your lapel.

Tie on an heirloom apron

& Serve a gourmet dinner in the kitchen

that everyone will remember.

Look forward to giving & receiving gifts beautifully wrapped by one of our dearest of friends.

Then sit back

and relax with Henry & friends.

You deserve it!

Sounds to me like a

 a lovely way to celebrate

the holidays.

I look forward to reading all of your

wish lists & gift-giving ideas 

that many of you are famous for!

Happy giving everyone...XO Lisa

I also want to thank one of my

SoCal friends, Christina Fluegge, for inviting me

to share my gift list at greige!

I just love Christina's stylish responsibility,

which makes greige design

and her My Sparrow, two of my favorite places to land.

A Privet

You

may remember the post

I featured on Hound Hill Design.

Imagine my surprise when yesterday

a package arrived on my doorstep.

Inside was a beautiful little box accompanied by a

a handwritten note from proprietor,

Nancy Toon.

This, her gesture of

appreciation was so humbling

that I felt compelled to share it with all of you.

Delicate

green walls defining nature's space.
In spring, tiny white blossoms form lacy pyramids

on the branches' tips.
They send a fresh, clean,

astonishing fragrance into the Hampton's brisk evening air.

It's a very special fragrance from a very special place and a very special blogger friend.

Thank you, Nancy, I just love it!

Hound Hill Design

A Lovely Note ~

Hound Hill Design

When I discovered Hound Hill Design, I instantly knew that I had found a treasure. I was loving all the pretty pictures but the personality that came through was even more intriguing. I wanted to find out exactly “who” was the creative mind behind Hound Hill Design? So I inquired. Then came a reply.

“Good morning Lisa!
Thank you for your lovely note, kind words, blog link, and for the referral! And of course I would be thrilled to be included in your blog - please let me know if you need any questions answered, etc. You have a very pretty blog - you southern ladies really appreciate and understand the importance of a beautiful, warm, welcoming home! Hope to hear from you soon…
Thanks again!
Nancy M. Toon”

Well …..I was a happy camper jumping for joy! An important NY designer was actually taking the time to reply to little old me! Finally some recognition from someone other than my family and the dog!
Meet my new BFF (blogger friend forever), Nancy Toon!

After fifteen years in the New York City interior design field, Nancy-Margarit Toon is now the happy owner of a small shop nestled in the middle of the Hamptons on the eastern tip of Long Island.

The open and easy flow of Hill Hound Design is home to the delightful aspects of Nancy's creative vision and thoughtful touch. The clever arrangements of furniture, gifts, and accessories are guided by her main design principle: Inspire her shop's visitors and assist them in making their house a home, which reflects their own unique style.
What could be better than that!

Make time to visit

Hound Hill Design

and share with us your experience and the goodies that you find.

photos compliments of Hound Hill Design

Thank you, Nancy, for your lovely note and for

Hound Hill Design.

We will look forward to the new shop opening in 2009.
All the best,
Lisa

Thank You, Millie, from The Laurel Hedgefor your nice comments &

for reminding me about Nancy's clever

new sign parked in front of

Hound Hill design.