Any Ideas? ...

I see a heart in here, don't you?

This polaroid may seem kind of random but it's not. See, this Friday marks mine and Eric's 5th wedding anniversary and the traditional gift this year is wood. Wood signifies strength and a solidified relationship–I love that.

So I need your help ... I have some gift ideas in my head but I'm not totally sold on them. I thought it would be fun to hear any ideas, suggestions or stories you can share that might spark an idea in me. Who better to tap into than the most creative people I know? Thanks a mil and Eric, if you're reading this DO NOT read the comments. Love you:)

P.S. For those of you who actually know us, a skateboard is way too obvious and he has way too many already:)

Photo: Here

World's Smallest Postal Service ...

If you're a believer that good things come in small (or even tiny) packages then this is for you ... the World's Smallest Postal Service! The talented Lea Redmond takes her tiny mobile office (and tiny handwriting talent) to various cafe's and shops in San Francisco where people can simply have her write a letter for them and they are really sent off in a small glassine envelope complete with magnifying glass. How cute is that?! And if you're not from the SF area you can order them online too. I love that Lea took a random talent and turned it into a fun, unique, little (tiny) business. Very inspiring!

Cupcake Messages ...

How's this for a surprise after Valentine's dinner dessert?

Wouldn't it be cute to do a surprise reveal to your family/friends with these?

My favorite cupcake bakery continues to dream up the cutest confections with the cutest messages. Right down to the packaging ... I love it! Plus, they've just announced new gluten free and vegan red velvet cupcakes. Just when I think I can't love them any more!

Sweet Messages ...

Just so we're clear.

Bars of chocolate are even better with sweet, stamped messages.

Happenstance Giveaway! ...

Fortune cookie Valentine is slightly larger than an actual fortune cookie.

Fortune cookie kit, pre-construction.

I'm very excited to be giving away this awesome fortune cookie kit (I found at Paper Source) just in time for Valentine's Day! They take only seconds to put together and can have a lasting, fun impression! The kit includes materials for 10 fortune cookies, 7 pre-printed messages and 4 blank ones to pen your own ... that's where the fun begins. Here are some (cheesy) message suggestions:

“Falling for you would be a very short trip”

“If you were a new hamburger at McDonald’s you would be McGorgeous!”

“Do I know you? Because you look a lot like my next crush”

Okay, the rules:

• Leave a comment on this post.
  
• Become a follower and get entered twice. If you're already a follower (thank you!) you're automatically entered twice once you've left a comment.
  
• The giveaway will end this Wednesday at 5 PM PST and the winner will be announced this Thursday. Good luck!!!

The Moustachioed Monster ...

I like this guy. He looks cute and all but he means business.

Here's one of his work buddies ...

... And their weekend friends.

All handmade by Monster-Munch, can they be any cuter?!

You, I Like ...

When I first stumbled upon this Emersonmade piece of cute I thought I had to remember this for Valentine's Day (which seemed like eons away still). And now it's fast approaching ... are you into Valentine's Day? It never swayed me either way even when I was single. But admittedly it is fun to do something for that special someone.

Can you imagine leaving this on someone's desk? It's the perfect little message for someone you secretly admire, a friend, or even a boyfriend or husband. Even if you know you love the person "like" is where it all began, right?

Camera Cool ...

How awesome are these medium format Holga's from Lomo? Appropriate for any age from 5 to seasoned. Seriously how excited would you be to unwrap one of these? These are sure to inspire!

Architectural View-Masters ...

Several years ago a friend and I had a little mail order/online catalog called Itsay. It was so much fun mostly because we had the pleasure of selling fun things like these great view-masters from View Productions. All of the reels are architecturally related ... how great is that? Here are two from Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles & Ray Eames but there are more to choose from on their site.

This is a great gift idea for anyone who even remotely enjoys homes, design, style, and decor. Hmmm ... pretty much all of us!

Wool And The Gang ...

Perfect labeling. Perfect graphic. Perfect ball of yarn.

How cute is this window? Tomorrowland's storefront in Japan.

I love it when genius is applied to a simple pastime. Wool And The Gang seriously makes me want to pick up a pair of knitting needles again. I love that you can buy a kit complete with yarn, wooden needles, and pattern. The kit packaging alone is enough to impulse buy. I can see myself cutting out the front panel of the packaging and framing it or using it to wrap a small gift. It's just too good to throw away! WATG also wins my unofficial "great name" award.

What an awesome gift to give!

Fun House ...

I’ve been known to nerd out on Illustrator and Photoshop every now and again. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to the type foundry, House Industries. This company not only creates awesome fonts (Neutraface Slab family are one of my favorites) but when reading through the site you can tell they have fun over there. I'm a huge supporter of the fun!

Their gift options are definitely worthy of gifting for the holidays. Items like the cast iron ampersand, graphic santa on maple board (above), the roll of alphabet tape, and the Alexander Girard memory game are guaranteed to score you cool points :)

Gift Suggestion No. 2 ... Persol

Steve McQueen. Daniel Craig. Pierce Brosnan. Need I say more? Persol's are a great gift option for the man in your life. Hey, if there's no "man" these are still great for good ol' dad :)

Plus, the guys will love that the distinguishable arrow symbol on the arms were inspired by the swords of ancient warriors. Tough, sun blockers ... perfect.

Photos (top to bottom): Steve McQueen, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan

Gift Suggestion No. 1 ... Yellow Owl Workshop

I’m a sucker for stationary. I don’t even write notes or letters much anymore (damn the information superhighway), but there’s just something about stationary that seems cozy to me. I always imagine that I’ll sit down on a cold night with a cup of tea by the fire (mind you I have no fireplace) and just start corresponding to all of my friends. That is if they don’t email, text or IM me in the interim.

Back to my point, if you like stationary even a fraction as much as I do, you’re bound to love Yellow Owl Workshop! They have so many cool things to gift that it makes it hard not to buy for myself. Their postcard and correspondence sets are great for artsy family or friends. Love, love, love their creative stamp sets. So great for kids or adults really. The best part? Most everything is between $10 and $60. What are you waiting for? Oh, and check out their holiday cards too.

Goodbye Boring! ...

Not only do these Spaghetti Scrubs from Goodbye Detergent! look great, they are great. The natural abrasives on these scrubs are from corncobs and peach pits. How cool, right? Little to no soap is needed (depending on what you’re cleaning) and they last for months. Oh, and they apparently dry quickly. I don’t know about you but I’m already thinking of these as a gift for the environmentalista’s in my life.