Category Archives: gifts

Gifts for Everyone (Including You) at Amara

10th November 2012

Another day, another gift guide…I did warn you there would be a few of these coming up but this one does involve a little treat for one lucky reader, too. Everything you see in this post comes from Amara, the one stop online luxury boutique. I’ve long been obsessed with browsing this site and have made a couple of orders in the past (brilliant service!) so when they asked every so nicely if I’d like to write a gift guide I didn’t hesitate in saying yes, especially when they bribed with the most gorgeous candle ever (I say bribe, I’d have happily written the post regardless but the candle was a nice touch!)

Voluspa Candle in Velvet Box– just incase you hadn’t noticed I’ve been a little stressed lately, but the French Bourbon Vanilla scent of this candle soon helped me chill out. One of my favourite scents ever, this would make a wonderful gift for just about anyone! It’s probably the poshest thing I own.

Anyway, back to the gift guide. You can see my choices at the top of the post, I’ve tried to include a little bit of something for everyone so I hope you get at least a little bit of inspiration from it!
Taking it from Top Left:

1. Alessi Tigrito Cat Bowl because pets need spoiling too, this would also make the perfect gift for a crazy cat lady *raises hand*

2. Pip Studio Chinese Rose Mug– everyone needs mugs and this one is just too damn pretty.

3. “Fashionistas I Met and Liked” notebook by Archie Grand, perfect for every fashion obsessive out there.

4. Orla Kiely Fig Tree Scented Candle I do think candles make a wonderful gift; unless hastily grabbed from a pound shop and smelling like “fresh pine” toilet cleaner. I wouldn’t say no to this beauty and it would be a great gift for any female relative.

5. Igloo Hottie no-one likes to be cold and it’s nice to have something luxurious to snuggle up to at night.

6. Playful Playmats is something that will appeal to most children, and probably adults too…peace and quiet at the table? I quite fancy one of these for myself.

7. Alessi Lula Dog Bowl for those with pampered pooches. I think this is adorable!

8. Pantone Cufflinks for otherwise impossible to buy for men; yes Dad, I’m talking about you.

And now for the really lovely part of this post; as well as treating me to my candle, Amara also asked me to pick a present to give away to one of my wonderful blog followers. I’ve chosen this gorgeous Pip Studio Cushion

Want to win? There are two simple rules…

1. Be a follower of adaisychaindream (I don’t mind how, just state it in the comments)

2. Leave a way for me to contact you if you win

Any feedback on my giftguide would be great too, but I understand that you may jump straight to the giveaway.
Good luck lovlies,
the giveaway is open to all UK residents (as long as you’ve followed the rules) and will close at 8pm on Saturday 17th November.

xxx

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Gifting Guide: Ask Her Friends

25th October 2012

Sorry folks, I’m afraid it’s that time of the year when I start getting organised and planning some posts to help solve any Christmas shopping problems you may be facing. I’m kicking off by introducing you to a fab little website that was bought to my attention a couple of weeks ago…

Ask Her Friends

“An end to gifting disaster

Are you a girl who is bored of receiving the same “practical” or “interesting” gifts from the guy in your life? Do you wish he would be a little more imaginative or romantic? You aren’t alone with a massive 40%* of women claiming to have been disappointed with gifts last Christmas. This is where AskHerFriends.com comes in, aiming to decrease this percentage and increase female happiness.

A brand new, online gift-giving experience that helps guys finally get it right with gifts for their special ladies, AskHerFriends uses social media to rally together those who know her best and turns them into his own personal team of advisers. It’s simple ?he signs up, chooses from a wide variety of gifts and experiences on offer and puts them onto his Advice List, which is then sent via e-mail or Facebook to her friends. They can then rate and comment on his choices, thereby deciding which of them she will love the most. He has the confidence that she’ll love what he has chosen and she’s delighted with her new gift.

Specialising in beautiful, unique products from cool boutiques such as Coulson Macleod, Tatty Devine and Milli Millu, AskHerFriends ensures that she gets something truly special but it’s more than just another online shopping service. AskHerFriends also helps spark inspiration with the Experts’ Blog, featuring ideas and tips on gift-buying as well as stories about the best and worst presents ever received! Even if he’s completely clueless, the Idea Map can guide his thoughts in the right direction.

AskHerFriends is the creation of founder Ben Blomerley, who set up the site after far too many gift disasters. He says: “I started asking my girlfriend’s mum and friends for their advice, and they were really helpful. Then speaking to my mates I came to realise that I wasn’t the only one getting it wrong in the gifting department. So I decided to bring all that together with AskHerFriends.com, and make the whole gifting process as easy and hassle-free for blokes as possible. Because when you do surprise your partner with the perfect gift, it’s the best feeling!” An AskHerFriends app and sister site, AskHisFriends are also in construction.

*Survey of 139 female website visitors conducted between 11 January 2012 and 20 January 2012″

With the fast impending festive season and a couple of special Birthdays on the horizon I’ve been having a play around with the site and well, it’s pretty damn great! You can really personalise the search to your exact limits and the gifts it comes up with cater for all tastes and budgets. I usually enjoy searching for the ultimate unique gift myself but sometimes you need a helping hand and I have Ask Her Friends at the top of my favourites tab for a quick bit of advice and inspiration.

Have you tried the site yet? I’d love to know what you think and how you over-come shoppers block.

xxx

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Christmas at La Senza

09th December 2011

There is a certain appeal about La Senza. Ask anyone where they head to on the high street for fancy underwear and 99% of the time, that’s the first place that gets mentioned. This week, I had an e-mail showing their offerings for the festive season, and this further cements my point…whether it’s a cute gift your looking for, or perhaps some cosy slippers or a fancy bra…La Senza has it all.

At £25, the Dalmatian Tee & Legging set has gone straight on my list of wants/needs…and the Dalmatian hottie or neck warmer are now only £5 making them a cosy treat for you, or a little stocking filler for, well, big kids and little kids alike.
Slipper wise, I covet them all…and as for the underwear…well, I’ll take anything that comes in a 34A, thanks.
xxx

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Gifts under £50 from Boticca

08th December 2011

Looking for something a little bit different to give this Christmas? Look no further than Boticca who have a fabulous array of quirky jewellery and accessories for under £50!

Perfect for a special friend or family member (any boyfriends reading this…take note!) here are my favourites;

1. Love, hope, faith rings, £24 each
2. Ant brooch, £26
3. Triangle striped scarf, £44
4. Katie-Jane purse, £28
5. Portfolio, £39

And, for those who don’t know…a little about Boticca:

“Boticca is the online boutique for unique jewelry and fashion accessories by top emerging designers from around the world.

The marketplace is curated and edited by a team of fashion experts, designers, stylists, editors, bloggers and collectors, who illustrate the culture, stories and inspiration behind the collections on the site.
Boticca was born out of an inspired moment when one of our founders discovered a rare find in the bustling Medina of Marrakesh, and realised that such unique design talent was almost impossible to find.
So we created a website that makes it easier and more enjoyable for customers to discover high-quality, distinct jewelry, bags and accessories with a meaningful story.
Our team scours the world looking for the very best emerging designers and puts them all in one place, so that everyone can experience the joy of that rare find and discover the unique stories of these fascinating people and their pieces.”

‘Visit Boticca to view more of the clutch bag selection as well as their scarves for women and brooches collections

Has anyone shopped with Boticca before? What has caught your eye?

xxx

This is not a sponsored post, I’ve heard a lot about Boticca lately and wanted to share.

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Spotlight on: Zazu!

15th October 2011

It’s no secret that I love to shop, and my absolute favourite type of shopping is buying gifts from other people. I’m always on the look out for independent gift shops to support, so when Chloe from Zazu Jewellery got in touch I was more than happy to oblige.

A bit of background information taken from the website:

“Zazu Jewellery was created by designer maker Chloe Mabey back in 2009. After years of making jewellery she decided to take the leap and turn it into a business.

The jewellery which is all hand crafted features a wide range of semi precious stones, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal. The end result is a pretty piece of jewellery designed to be worn everyday and eventually to be passed down through your family.
Although a lot of Chloe’s skills are self taught she trained as a jeweller for two years to create unique sterling silver pieces of jewellery.
As all of the items on the site are individually made adjustments and customisations can be made. We also take on commission work which is perfect if you want a one of a kind jewellery item”

The jewellery designs are all beautiful and affordable, making for a unique gift. Chloe sent me a selection of their range of cards, which all feature the same beads used to make the jewellery, replicated in quirky photographic prints. She also popped in a little pocket mirror made with the fabulous star print. The parcel came wrapped in the most luxirious quality gift wrap too, which you can also buy, but it my excitement I tore it beyond redemption (FAIL Laura!)
The cards cost £1.80 each, or a pack of postcards (5) costs £2.50. The giftwrap costs £1.10 per sheet. I think this is pretty damn good considering what you pay in highstreet card shops these days, and I know where I’d rather my money went to!

I can’t wait to see more from Chloe, I know she has plans to expand in to mugs, tote bags, note books and planners…
what would you like to see?

Do you prefer to support smaller businesses? What do you think of Zazu, and where are your favourite places to buy gifts online? (feel free to promote your own shop!)

xxx

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