Love Letter Gifts for the Holidays

How is your holiday shopping going? If you’re still searching for that something special that you haven’t seen before, I have the perfect site for you! Uncommon Goods is an online retail shop based out of Brooklyn, New York, that is filled with unique gifts made by talented craftspeople who focus on sustainable design.

“We make it our mission to support and provide a platform for artists and designers; in fact, half of what we sell is made by hand. Most of the products we carry are created right here in the USA, and about one-third of our entire collection incorporates recycled and/or upcycled materials. At the core of our company is a great respect for the integrity of the creative individual and the belief that it is our responsibility to use our business to impact the world in a positive way.”

– via Uncommon Goods  

They have lots of cool home, garden, office, special occasion and even personalized gifts in their collections, and they asked me share some of my favorites with my readers this holiday gift giving season. Since I love typography and graphic design, I have chosen some text worthy treats that would certainly make a thoughtful impression.

Personalized Faux Bois Vase $90

“When lovebirds carve their initials into the knotted bark of a tree, they create an everlasting record of a romance able to stand the test of time. Ceramicist Laurel Begley translates this ages-old tradition into a keepsake vase that captures a couple's ability to always find something fresh and beautiful to love about each other as they grow old together.” 

Custom Address Stamps $72

“A thoughtful token for a couple of newlyweds, a family, or a new homeowner, this personalized stamp celebrates the place you call home. Brandy Schuman custom designs these stamps in her Atlanta, Georgia, studio and then cuts them out of durable red rubber and North American native wood. Your chosen name and address are rendered in a stylish mix of print and script lettering, adding handwritten appeal to ready-to-go writing.”

Cocktail Recipe Glasses

(Set of 4) $20

“Keep your bartending repertoire at hand and streamline your mixology with this set of clever cocktail glasses. Each rocks glass features four formulas — one on each side — for concoctions based on their main spirits: gin (salty dog, Tom Collins, gin rickey, gin fix); rum (mojito, rum sour, Boston cooler, Havana two); vodka (Bloody Mary, vodka cooler, Madras, seabreeze); whiskey (whiskey fix, de riguer, cablegram, dinah). Each glass in the set is marked on its base with its main spirit, so it’s easy to get to the bottom of things at cocktail time.” 

A Year of Gratitude $30

“You can live a life of abundance, independent of any material things, if your heart is always filled with a spirit of gratitude. This elegant box set contains all you need for a head start on such a gracious way of living. Not only does it contain 52 thank you cards—one for each week in the year—but it also has tips for writing meaningful thank you notes, and a guided journal for you to record your experiences.”

Namaste Pillow $97

“More than just a warm greeting or farewell between yogis, the word ‘namaste’ is also used to express gratitude or to thank another person for his or her selflessness and generosity. Capturing the nuanced spirit of this expression, Alexandra Ferguson’s handcrafted pillow brings a calming presence to any space and serves as a reminder to be thankful for life's many blessings.” 

What Wood You Say?

Wooden Desk Phrases $50

“Wise words spring to life in these bright desk sculptures. Artist Matthew Hoffman draws and then laser cuts uplifting phrases out of birch plywood. Highlighted by a vibrant finish and letters that climb, each pedestal-footed design is signed by the artist himself.” 

“I really like the idea of sneaking positive

messages into the world.”

– Matthew Hoffman

In addition to offering beautiful gift items, Uncommon Goods also shares the inspirational stories of the makers behind them. Be sure to check them out while selecting your next perfectly thoughtful gift from Uncommon Goods this holiday season!

Note: I was compensated for this blog post,

but the opinions are exclusively my own.

Place your UncommonGoods order by 5pm ET on the dates below to receive your order on or before December 24, 2015:

December 17 – choose Economy shipping or faster

December 18 – choose Standard or Preferred shipping or faster

December 21 – choose Expedited shipping or faster (not valid for PO Box addresses)

December 22 – choose Express shipping (not valid for PO Box addresses)

Orders placed after 5pm ET on December 23 will leave the UncommonGoods warehouse on Monday, December 28.

*Unfortunately the shipping cutoff for International orders has already passed.

Designing an exercise plan ...

balance by designvignettes featuring nike activewear tops

This weekend, I actually went out and stocked up on some comfortable yoga wear, a new core stability ball, and some fancy work out sneakers. I even got on the treadmill (see New Years Resolution #6)! My goal is to incorporate more body conscious activity into my daily routine. With all the time I spend at a computer, my back was feeling a little creaky. After one session of doing back bends over the ball (which is basically just lying down on it) I felt 100x better the next day! Plus I figure if I am wearing work out clothes while hanging around the house, I will probably feel more like dropping into a downward dog every now and then. And at the very least, if I incorporate sitting on the stability ball during my hour or so of television viewing at the end of the day (just trying to keep up with The Nate Show takes a good 4–5 hours a week) I will be working out without even trying! There is even a ball stabilizer kit available that can transform the ball into a desk chair. It is a look that would never make it into an interior design magazine, but it is something to think about for those of us committed to daily exercise with the least amount of effort : )

Art is blooming ...

“Utthita Hasta Padangustasana” by Mary Taggart
Arrangement by Yvonne Blacker

From Sanskrit, the name of this painting translates to something along the lines of “one holds big toe!” I chose to use a large branch from a Rhododendron bush as the foundation for my arrangement to represent the human body as it can be either flexible or brittle depending on the flow of nutrients to the limbs. The large scale branch is very asymmetrical, almost triangular, just as the student appears in the pose.

Cheerful pink blossoms are supported by the branches, with bright Gerbera Daisys used to signify her clothing, and the single pink rose representing the opening of the heart center – or chakra – which is achieved with continued yoga practice. Peach colored tulips show increased flexibility (and are close in color to the students skin tone) and the gold vessel containing these blossoms is securely grounded on a purple yoga mat (which I intend to use more often now that the show is over!)

The arrangement is intentionally minimalist in its design, just as yoga strips away the clutter from the mind, allowing one to connect with inner harmony and peace through meditation. Namaste!

Here are the remainder of the 2010 “Art in Bloom” collaborations between the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield and the Lynnfield Art Guild ...

Village Garden Club member Katerina Georges
also used branches to interpret artist
Virginia Dodwell’s “Barn Scene.”

Gerbera Daisys take on the form of a woman tending her flower cart in “Colors of Spring” painted by Lorraine O’Brien, arrangement by Dorothy Goodwin.

“Spring Flowers” by Louise Anderson was transformed into a delightful Easter basket by club members Joan Kirk, Mary Schwartz and Micki Trigilio. Look closely and you will find some cute surprises ...

These miniature guests were also
found on the refreshment table ...

Bold colors and flower choices made this beautiful arrangement by Jan Lisaki and Bootie Stevens
really stand out. I love that orange scarf!
Painting by Frank Colombo, MD
is titled “For Jennie”

Try adding fruit to your next arrangement as
Maura Quinn so eloquently did here.
“Still Life” painting by Jim Ryan

“Rose of Sharon” by artist Carol Wilson is recreated with delicate white blossoms and trailing ivy.
Arrangement by Karen Hathaway and Betsy Foley

So fun and colorful! This mixed media collage by Gail Rober is playfully named “Birthday Party” and was joyfully arranged by club member Wendy Keefe.

A burst of sunflowers stand tall in a cobalt blue
vase and capture artist Joyce Westover’s
watercolor rendering. Arrangement by
Debbie Caniff and Paula McKeever

“Lavender Fields” by Jeannette Corbett

A delight for the senses ... this scented arrangement by Laura Thomson incorporates lavender blossoms along with Rosemary branches, citrus peels, lemon leaves and cinnamon sticks. Doesn’t it just sound heavenly??

A stunning combination of branches, stones, evergreens and harvest colored blossoms were artfully arranged by Tracy Drislane to capture the spirit of “Undressed for Winter” by artist Pauline Bacon.

Delicate purple lilacs were successfully forced to bloom by club member Jean Dalton for this final painting titled “Lilacs” by artist Rose Keefe.

Even the paint brush became art at this show!
I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did : )

Art blooms in Lynnfield

“Utthita Hasta Padangustasana”
by Mary Taggart

“Art in Bloom”

will be presented by the
Village Garden Club of Lynnfield
at the Lynnfield Library
March 8 – 11, 2010

Opening reception 6pm – 7:30pm
on Monday, March 8th

Show on display through
Thursday, March 11th

– Admission is free –


On Monday I will be interpreting with flowers this painting by Mary Taggart at a local version of “Art in Bloom” at the Lynnfield Public Library. As a member of the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield, I have participated in this much anticipated local collaboration with the Lynnfield Art Guild (along with guest artists like Mary) for the past three years. It is the main reason why I joined the garden club! Since then, I have made some great friends in the club, and have met some very talented local artists. Here are some photos of my past entries:

2007: “Fresh Squeezed”

Painting by Pauline Bacon
Arrangement by
Yvonne Blacker

2008: “A Day at the Beach”

Painting by Shaila Desai
Arrangement by
Yvonne Blacker

Also in 2008: “Seaside in Autumn”
Painting by Audrey LaRosa
Arrangement by Yvonne Blacker

2009: “Lady in Venice”

Painting by Judith Barry

Arrangement by
Yvonne Blacker

Every once in awhile I will participate in other local shows like the Blossoms at the Beebe which takes place in April at the Wakefield Beebe Memorial Library. I entered this arrangement in 2008 which interpreted a favorite selection from a book club that I am in (are you sensing that I like clubs?) ...

Life of Pi written by Yann Martel
Arrangement by Yvonne Blacker

While I am far from being a professional flower arranger, this year’s show will actually have three participating florists who will be interpreting paintings: Flowers by Botticelli’s, Gould’s Florist and Gregory’s of Wakefield. On Monday night, their donated arrangements will be raffled off ($5 per ticket) to three lucky winners. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Lynnfield Library (to add more gardening books to their shelves!) and the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield to help support club activities planned to promote:

“the development of home gardens,
the stimulation of interest in decorative
arranging, and the encouragement of civic
beautification and conservation.”


Feel free to stop in to see the show anytime during regular library hours Tuesday through Thursday or join us for Monday’s opening night which starts at 6pm and will end by 7:30. Many of the artists and arrangers will be there to discuss their works of art (including yours truly : )



And if you are interested in learning more about joining the Village Garden Club of Lynnfield (we meet one Monday evening a month from September through June) just contact me by email. We are always looking for new members who share our love of flowers and gardening! We have lots of great lectures and fun events that I often post about here.

Just a month or two more and we will actually be able to get our hands dirty outside when spring returns to New England. Until then, we will have to settle for artful arranging of our favorite blossoms.

The gift of relaxation ...

A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully
at the front of the Yoga East studio.
Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing breaths) if you are in need of a little de-stressing at this point in the holiday craziness. With Christmas just one week away (and I should know since my youngest has been asking me “How many days ’till Christmas?” since about December 1st!) I am starting to feel a little twinge of “I should be closer to being done with my holiday *...* ”

(Insert one of the following: shopping, baking, decorating, organizing of the house in order to find room for new toys, ... )
Inspiring artwork adorns the walls of the Yoga East
studio like this twist portrait by Mary Taggart

Fortunately, I have a close friend, Mary Taggart, who is a yoga instuctor at Yoga East in Reading, MA (and also an art instructor at her own studio in Wakefield.) I visited her in the yoga studio yesterday morning and enjoyed an hour of restorative yoga to stretch the tension out of my body and get my mind back “in the moment.” Although I have to admit, it was a challenge for me to stay focused when the whole time I was doing vinyasas I was thinking about how great the interior of the yoga studio would be as a design post! Starting with the ceiling ...

While on the floor in bridge pose, I noticed how attractive a painted drop ceiling can be. Why keep it white? This one is a warm taupe with a mind-focusing medallion in the center. The black track lighting looked like designer trim from my vantage point.

I thought this statue was particularly beautiful
dressed in the reds and greens of the season.

Thought provoking art and sculpture was everywhere...
a great starting point for the journey into meditation.

A collection of paper cranes hang
from a piece of wood suspended
from the ceiling. I love how
the bright colors contrast with
the earthy brown of the walls.

This delicate mobile looks like a gentle reminder
to stop and take a moment to get centered.

For those of you who are local, the Yoga East store has a lot of great statues, books, cards, yoga props, beautiful gems, inspired pendants, and so much more. Class gift certificates are also available ... just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!

A piece (or two or three) of yoga inspired jewelry would also make a great gift ... even as a reminder to yourself to “keep calm and carry on.” If you aren’t close enough to make the journey to Reading, there is a lot of great yoga-inspired jewelry to be found on the web. Let me know if you have any favorite links of your own. I am in awe of this piece. Om-MG!

It was difficult for me to walk away without purchasing a tasselled set of meditation beads (I am trying to behave and only buy for others). However, I will most likely pick one out after my next class (a good reason to get back to the studio!) Although I could have used one yesterday when I came home from my travels and discovered my internet was down!

Repeat after me ...
Everything is as it should be.

I must confess, I did not react well to being disconnected, as my co-dependency on the computer has become somewhat of an issue around here. Besides using the computer for actual graphic and interior design projects, I truly look forward to sitting down to write/blog about the stories behind good design, and to check out posts by people who have similar interests. It has become my own form of meditative relaxation, emptying my mind of all the visual references that I accumulate in the course of a day (and maybe a little bit of an escape, too ; )

As a wise teacher of mine used to always say,
“Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle.”

After having a virtual tantrum, I locked myself in the laundry room (for a self-imposed time out of sorts) and organized shelf after shelf of the boys jeans/sweatpants/t-shirts, etc. This morning I felt so much better ... my internet was restored, and it was relatively easy for the entire family to find clean clothes (including socks that matched) as we all prepared to start a new day. And I vowed that I would try not to have any meltdowns today (just to be sure, I poured myself a cup of tea instead of having that 3rd cup of makes-me-jittery-coffee).

Another great gift idea: Have a photo of yourself in a favorite yoga pose turned into a fine art portrait. E-mail Mary at mctpaint@yahoo.com for more information.

I guess that’s why I appreciate the philosophy behind yoga. It’s all about accepting yourself and your body in the given moment. Not looking at the past or worrying about the future. Not to mention, a downward-facing dog can do wonders to relieve the stress of a bad day!

An inspiration board at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield

For another great way to unwind, visit Mary online at TaggArtStudio.com for a schedule of her upcoming adult art classes for 2010 (children, too). I am helping her out with the design of her new website, and expect to have it updated soon. For information on attending her yoga classes, visit the Yoga East website.





And for a little self-guided meditation, take home this Buddha-in-a-Box by Marianne Snow. It will be available (along with other inspired art and collage pieces) this Friday through Sunday at the final pre-holiday weekend at the Beth Hylan Design Studio.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have made it to Reading to visit my corner in the design studio (and to those who have been there in spirit). It has been a creative journey of my own, helping Beth out with her new venture.


Namaste,
Yvonne


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