I absolutely love buying presents for my best girls…
In fact it’s safe to say that the majority of the RMLtd team adore purchasing gifts for pretty much any occasion. So much so that we’ve decided to publish a triple whammy of posts this morning sharing our thoughts on beautiful, creative and hopefully budget friendly presents for all the women in your life.
Over on Rock My Family we’re sharing presents for new mums and mums to be and Fern is offering up her ideas for the best thank you gifts for your bridesmaids on Rock My Wedding. We’ll be covering pretty much every other eventuality here on Rock My Style be it birthday presents for your besties or just a way of showing your female family members that you care.
Green Fingers
I’m not going to lie. Approximately 50% of the items in this post are gifts I wouldn’t mind receiving myself…actually make that 80% no…90%. To hell with it, I want EVERYTHING. But given my current obsession with all things gardening related I couldn’t help but start with lots of floral goodness.
Every girl loves being sent flowers…frankly I’d like to receive them rather a lot more than I currently do but that’s just me being greedy. Flora Queen have the most amazing bouquet of candy pink sweetheart roses which are just the perfect shade to show your girls just how much you love them. Pair them with a box of macarons and you’ve a match made in heaven.
If you want something with a little more longevity then why not buy a rose plant instead. I spied the Roald Dahl rose on a recent trip to David Austin roses and was taken with both its peachy hue and the deliciously perfumed scent. It’s definitely on my hit list for the new house. It’s perfect for book lovers and particularly apt given that it’s the author’s 100th birthday celebrations this year.
If you’re able to stretch the budget that bit further or you’re helping to celebrate a particularly special birthday then why not send the lucky girl on a course related to her passions instead. I’m a big fan of Sarah Raven and secretly keep hoping that someone in my family might take the hint and book me onto either the Year Round Veg Course which takes place in October or the Cutting Garden Course which has two dates remaining in September and in October. So far no such luck…perhaps I’ll ask Santa for a spot at Christmas.
Book Worms
I bought my sister the book How To Be Parisian, for her birthday last year and then listened to her chuckles floating down the stairs for the whole of the next day. She has quite a dry sense of humour and rates it highly…so much so that I’m tempted to buy myself a copy. I think I’m right in assuming that most of the Rock My Style girls own it too. Definitely worth a purchase for those fashion-loving, French wannabes…
Staying on the French theme, I absolutely LOVE Garance Dore’s illustrations so I wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to snap up her book – Love Style Life – which is essentially a collection of articles that Garance has published throughout the years on her blog. Whilst some of the reviews of the book are negative I still think that the tome is a great way to introduce those unfamiliar with the writer to her. Plus it’s super pretty too.
I’ve heard great things about Alexa Chung’s book ‘It‘ which gathers together pieces of her writing, doodles and photographs as well as recollections of her early style inspirations and observations on life. Now that she’s announced that she’s launching her own fashion range in 2017, I’m even more intrigued. Definitely a gift with legs…
For The Home
If you saw Lauren’s recent hallway makeover on the blog last week then you’ll probably have clapped eyes on her Rapper’s Delight print from Etsy shop Honeymoon Hotel.
I couldn’t help but nip on over and fall in love with this heart shaped print which I think is a great way to show someone that you adore them and also this Hemingway quote which is almost like having your best friend or your mum giving you words of advice every time you look at it. Perfect then for those of you who are mother hens and who want to remind those friends about what’s really important even if you can’t be there in person.
One of my favourite things to receive is little knick knacks for the home, a little vase here or a wonderfully scented candle there and so purely in the interests of ‘research’ I’ve included them in today’s roundup.
From experience I can say that these paint splattered dishes from Artisan are exceptional quality and the perfect size to drop pieces of jewellery into after a long day…plus they look pretty too. I like the fact that they’re black and white so would be right at home in most colour schemes.
These whisper thin porcelain pots from The White Company are actually tea light holders but they’re also the perfect size for holding large flower heads or doubling up as make-up brush pots. They’re currently in the sale starting at £6! Bargain.
Candles make my heart sing and I firmly believe you can never have too many. Lauren favours the signature scent ‘Baies‘ from Diptyque which blends floral rose notes with the refreshing fruitness of blackcurrant leaves. I’m head over heels for Byredo’s Loose Lips which has a heart of cherries and a top note of roses.
Add some beautiful matches as the final finishing touch such as these designs in a jar from Graham & Green.
For The Sartorialist
Lisa recommends COS jewellery as a good shout for birthday/thank you presents. Most of their products are priced between £10 and £20 but looks more expensive. Plus all of their accessories come in beautiful packaging so it doesn’t necessarily need wrapping thus saving you a few pennies on the wrapping paper front. We’re loving this oh so long brass toned interlocking circle necklace with braided chain which would look pretty awesome paired with these spherical earrings from the same brand.
Oh and whilst I was looking in COS I may have spotted this blush geometric leather clutch. The bag can be worn open or with the wristband put through the metal ring for a folded, collapsed style. Either way it’s super cool.
Paper Pretty
We couldn’t not finish without including some paper pretty be it a frivolous notebook or a cutesy card.
I picked up these Love inspired cards from Imogen Owen recently. The set includes six letterpress printed notecards featuring two designs; one brush lettering ‘love’ card and the other ‘xoxo’ motif. I’m down to my last three, they’re that good and I’m of a mind to frame one of each of the designs. Definitely worth every penny.
Her ‘Bollocks‘ card is pretty good too….
If you/your girlfriends like something a little more monochrome, a little bit chic then the designs from In Haus Press are for you. Their typography is just so good and I’m waiting to use this Bon Anniversaire for a certain sister’s birthday very soon. Let’s hope she’s not reading…
Lastly you can never go wrong with a gorgeously designed notebook…I have a feeling that Mrs O’Shea would very much like this Pineapple motif notepad from Iconic design. And you can never go wrong with a spot of Rifle Paper Co. either…I like this pack of two travel inspired designs for future holiday musings….
And that’s it…Well we figured it was enough dirty enabling for one day…;)
What’s your favourite gift to receive or send? What was the best gift your friends ever bought you…Why not tell us in the comments box below.
Lolly I’m in love with that Roald Dahl rose! Have just sent a link to my sis as a cheeky gift suggestion 🙂
Totally agree on a luxury candle always being a perfect gift. Diptyque Baies is my fave bath time candle after picking one up on our honeymoon in France. It takes me right back every time xxx
It’s even more splendid in real life Karen and the scent is sublime. I spotted it by the entrance to David Austin roses and wanted it there and then. Once I’d found out the name too I was utterly smitten!
I just did a calligraphy course with Imogen Owen at Quill in London on Sunday, which was wonderful! That was a birthday present (after dropping a LOT of heavy hints) from my parents. I like getting “things to do” as well as just “things” – magazine subscriptions are lovely (I’ve had LivingEtc, Oh Comely and Lonely Planet before), as well as tickets to gigs/exhibitions/theatre and courses or spa days. Especially if the person giving them plans to come along as well, then you get a great experience and some quality time too!
What wonderful timing then Katie! How did you find the course – they’re always so so much harder than they look aren’t they…
I love a magazine subscription as well – currently obsessed with all things gardens!
I LOVED it – it was a great introduction and there was a fab take home pack that has exercises to do and an alphabet to trace/copy to get you started. I’m a leftie so I thought I’d struggle but as long as I took it slow and remembered to keep my hand underneath the line of text I was ok! Now planning on making all my expectant friends calligraphy prints for their nurseries..!
I think garden magazines may be my next foray, once we’ve got the bomb shelter out of ours it’s go go go!! x
That David Austen rose is a BEAUTY! I am too impatient to wait for someone to buy it for me so may have just made a hasty purchase online…it arrives tomorrow! Now, must stop clicking on any other links you’ve posted in case other items end up in my shopping basket….
Excellent work!! x
Go Mrs N! You won’t regret it xx
Really recommend Bloom & Wild for flowers… They have stunning combinations, reasonably priced (and you often can find promo codes) and best of all they come “flat packed” to fit through the receiver’s letterbox! Have had so many great comments when have sent them as gifts. They also tend to last a long time too!! Winner!
Nicky I actually sent my first Bloom & Wild bunch through the post to my cousin last week. The entire Gautier family encamped at her house in London for the weekend so it was only fair that she had a bit of pretty once the mayhem had subsided. She absolutely loved them and rated their quality highly xx
I love Bloom and Wild. The flowers last for ages as well 🙂 always lovely getting to put them together and make your own creation too 🙂
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This is great! I always get stuck in a shop rut. I must say that Oliver Bonas has some crackers too at the moment.
I’m trying to save some pennies for Christmas and the White Company Sale will be great!
Thank you!!
Charlie I am obsessed with a table lamp from Oliver Bonas at the moment (https://www.oliverbonas.com/homeware/ettore-table-lamp-42859) and have been dropping hints to the boy that we need to buy it for the study. It’s not working so I’m guessing once payday comes around I’ll be purchasing it myself!
Yes, yes, yes to the lamp!
GORGEOUS isn’t it!
I had a mooch around Tiger yesterday (and came out with a much lighter purse) and they have some lovely wall vases, and plant pots with very handy hooks on them, in mint green and dusky pink for only a few pounds each! So you can treat yourself as well as a friend
Thanks for the lovely gift ideas – it’s my sisters birthday next week and she would absolutely adore this rose. She’s a huge Roald Dahl fan and it’s a beaut! X
Pleasure Clare! Let us know how it goes down xx