Find cool and unusual gifts for any occasion and any recipient -- including yourself! -- at UncommonGoods!
This post is sponsored by UncommonGoods. Regardless of the compensation received, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I'm trying not to be someone who always talks about how busy they are. And I don't want to fall into the habit of
glorifying busy. Especially since I believe in pausing to enjoy a day unplanned every now and then.
This time, though, I can't get around it because "busy" really is the only way to describe the state of life over the course of the past week. My schedule was jam-packed with meetings,
time with friends,
anniversary celebrations, and tea parties. I was so consumed with balancing it all that I had to dig deep to find the energy that would carry me to the weekend.
But I didn't balance it all. One major item fell by the wayside -- celebrating Taste As You Go turning
eight. That's right... As of yesterday,
I've been blogging for eight years, and I can't quite wrap my head around what that means.
Compared to other bloggers, I've never planned anything too elaborate to mark these milestones. I've written blog posts and shared enthusiastic updates on Facebook and Twitter. But I never did anything much beyond that. This year, however, I've decided to shake things up a bit. I'm teaming up with
UncommonGoods, one of my favorite online stores for birthday gifts (see
here) and personalized gifts (like
these), to bring you this round-up of unique home decor and more.
And, you never know... I may just wind up buying one or two of the items in the round-up for myself as a special treat...
But seriously.
One of the things I love about shopping online at UncommonGoods is being able to read the story behind the products I'm interested in. Sometimes, I'm even able to learn a little bit more about the maker or the small manufacturer. When a story resonates with me, I add the item to my wish list or make a note to share it with you in one of my
gift guides (where you'll probably see the Corkcicle -- more info
here -- come Christmas).
For now, let's focus on the items in
this round-up.
Top Row:
My Family Cookbook | $35.00 |
buy it
Although Caroline will be able to look up recipes on Taste As You Go when she gets older, I just love the idea of this customizable cookbook. It has blank spaces for ingredient lists and methods, as well as spaces for photographs and stories. Online recipes are convenient, but there's something really special about collecting hand-written recipes to pass down through the generations.
Mother & Daughter Letter Book Set | $40.00 |
buy it
I teared up when I discovered this product because the story behind it hit so close to home for me. I've been keeping a journal for Caroline since she was born, but that journal is full of my observations of
her. Something like this might help me document pieces of
me that I might otherwise forget to share with her.
Stoneware Rice Cooker and Steamer | $98.00 |
buy it
This rice cooker and steamer is an example of functional art. Since the piece is handcrafted, each piece will be varied and unique, and I can't think of a more beautiful way to make rice to go along with our meals!
Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag | $16.50 |
buy it
I tend to graze between meals, and this glass bowl in the shape of an open baggie would be such a cute way to store my snacks. Though, being able to see the snacks all the time might mean refilling it more than once each day... ;-)
Bottom Row:
Dachshund Pull Toy | $36.00 |
buy it
Okay, I confess. I was looking for gift ideas for everyone in the family while putting together this round-up. Since Monty is a dachshund and Caroline is obsessed with puppies, this pull toy would make an adorable surprise for her. She's much more coordinated now, so she stands a good chance of being able to play with it without dragging it behind her while it's on its side.
Literary Scarf | $48.00 |
buy it
Back to Mama now! When the weather starts to get cooler, you'll start to see me wearing scarves every day. And if I had this infinity scarf in my collection, then I'd wear it all the time. What a great way to incorporate my love of books and reading with my favorite accessory!
Nordic Tea Light Trough | $40.00 |
buy it
I could seriously see myself incorporating this tea light trough into our holiday decor. I love how those tea lights give off just the right amount of light to cast tree-shaped shadows on the wall. Such a romantic scene.
Multicolor Ombre Stemless Wine Glass Set | $85.00 |
buy it
The product description online says it all --
"Mouth-blown by Mexican artisans from recycled glass, this stemless set features an array of splashy colors." LOVE.
In fact, these wine glasses are a physical representation of the company's mission. Not only does UncommonGoods connect artists and makers of handcrafted gifts with consumers looking for truly uncommon goods, but they also feature many items that incorporate recycled and/or upcycled materials. At the core of their company is a deep respect for the integrity of the creative individual and the belief that it is their responsibility to use their business to impact the world in a positive way.
Have you purchased items from UncommonGoods before? What are your favorite finds? Let me know in the comments below!
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One year ago:
How To: Boil Eggs
Two years ago:
Summertime Nectarine Sorbet
Three years ago:
Taste As You Go Turns Five Today
Four years ago:
Guest Post: Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Five years ago:
Williams-Sonoma eGift Card Winners (and a Thank-You)
Six years ago:
Taste As You Go Turns Two Today
Seven years ago:
Taste As You Go Turns One Today
Eight years ago:
Welcome!
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