I did my first ever vacation present information for vacationers a number of years in the past, which was enjoyable to compile. Readers appeared to benefit from the numerous gadgets, and I used to be glad to share a few of the merchandise that accompanied me on the street. This yr, I needed to do one thing slightly completely different.
For starters, my life is a little completely different – one thing all of you already know. In consequence, my very own items to household and associates aren’t souvenirs from far-away locations, however enjoyable issues I’ve found on-line. I needed to share a few of them right here, particularly as many are small companies like myself.
The gadgets under are from artists that I’ve supported, a few of whom I’ve really met, and they’re all merchandise I stand behind.
Artwork and jewellery items
Some stunning gadgets to make your individual.
BECCA JANE DESIGNS
When trying to find a present for my mum’s birthday final yr, I assumed I might do one thing slightly completely different. I regarded for an artist who may illustrate our household with a wonderful border after which ship her a printed copy for her birthday.
I’ve by no means commissioned this type of present earlier than, and Rebecca – the artist I selected – was affected person and type, and we went backwards and forwards a number of instances till I used to be glad. She even agreed to make my brother as depicted, sporting his favorite martini t-shirt.
I used to be ready on this present information till my mum acquired her present, and she or he cherished it!
Rebecca’s full store right here, and word that she’s going to do other forms of designs as effectively, like Save the Dates for weddings, vacation playing cards, customized child blankets, and extra.
LEXIGRAPHIQUE
I’ve adopted Michael Buchino’s whimsical phrase work for a while on Instagram, because it combines two of my favorite issues: studying, and artwork. His Insta feed, Lexigraphique, is a kind of accounts that I ship to a number of associates many instances every week.
Earlier than this information went up, I wrote him to ask if he had any vacation gadgets I may embody, and fortunate for all of us he was nearly to launch the hygge playing cards under.
You should purchase his prints and these cute vacation playing cards in his Buchino store, right here.
BRAIN EARRINGS
These earrings are stainless-steel, quirky, and a enjoyable technique to put on probably the most necessary components of the physique in your ears. I anticipate many, “is {that a} tree?” questions, to which you get to say, “nope, it’s BRAINS!”
You should purchase them right here.
PICTRIXDESIGN
Anne Connell’s store is a surprise to behold, chock stuffed with paper items designed — as she notes on Instagram and on her web site — with an “absurd consideration to element” She lists herself as a precisionist, and it’s simple to see why. Her art work is meticulous, delicately crafted, and really distinctive.
I discovered her botanical card collection first, and clapped my fingers with glee. As somebody attempting to get out in nature throughout temporary spurts of respite from bedrest, they have been a breath of recent air. Her constellation playing cards, that includes every of the zodiac indicators, are a transparent crowd-pleaser. I’ve put these two varieties of playing cards under however actually it’s value heading to see her full store.
I notice these are listed as playing cards, however I feel they’re frame-worthy all by themselves.
Her full store right here.
VULVA EARRINGS
I’ve written about how a menstrual cup has been probably the most helpful gadgets for a solo feminine traveler to convey, and this yr they’ve added a enjoyable light-weight jewelry choice in wooden. I purchased these for myself, and completely love them.
They’re adequately subtle to not scream VULVA to anybody you meet, they usually’re in my favorite color. Figured I’d add a second physique half to this information 🙂
Earrings here, and a necklace choice right here.
NICALLENART
Nicola is a long-time Authorized Nomads reader, and a fellow lawyer and traveler. She has generously shared chicken illustrations and different enjoyable to maintain me cheered up once I’ve been down. She’s additionally a really gifted artist, and her playing cards and different gadgets are wealthy in puns and joyful artistry.
Nicola’s work jogs my memory of the youngsters’s’ books I cherished most, with inventive characters, maps, and kooky animals. A gifted hand-brush lettering artist, she additionally contains a whole lot of drawn typography in her work.
From a grumpy owl to a festive sheep, you’ll make sure to discover vacation playing cards to your tastes. And one among my absolute faves is her marriage ceremony card under, “Of all of the fish within the sea” — pleasant.
Nicola’s full store is right here.
BIRDSTRIPS
I’ve had the pleasure of assembly Jess, the genius behind Birdstrips, in particular person twice. She’s at present in Montreal, and a pal launched us simply earlier than I re-leaked final summer season. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram because of its relatable messaging, and her captions that accompany the drawings are uncooked and weak. Collectively, it’s highly effective work that makes virtually everybody really feel heard.
In Jess’ phrases, the store contains “the existential misery of the flightless by the eyes of the flighted.”
You possibly can take a look at her photos and decide up mugs, shirts, prints and extra, right here.
ABSTRACT AERIAL ART
JP and Mike Andrews, two brothers from the UK are an Instagram favorite of mine. I typically share their photos with my group as a result of their eye is exclusive, and their photos compelling. Like me, they completely like to journey. Not like me, they specialise in photographing weird, aerial photos our planet utilizing drone pictures.
Their purpose: to share views of the world in any other case unseen, captured from a vantage level most of us miss. An awesome present choice for many who like to roam.
Right here’s one I like from them: Skyline, a drone {photograph} of a freighter that appears like a cityscape.
And this aerial view of a seaside made me smile:
Their full gallery store right here.
TEKSTARTIST
Jason Markow, aka TEKSTartist is an artist I discovered a number of years in the past, and was hooked instantly. His work combines each conventional and digital media, a fusion of methods that end in elegant but crisp merchandise. On condition that my very own merchandise are typographic representations of meals, I like that his artwork contains quotes he’s loved through the years, visually represented in distinctive methods.
Certainly one of my favourites: this flower, “Your Backyard, Ceaselessly” out there right here, created by warping and twisting the phrases from Tennyson’s well-known quote – “If I had a flower for each time I considered you…I may stroll by my backyard without end.”― Alfred Tennyson
And the merchandise under, The Giving Tree, was created by warping/twisting the phrases from the complete set of textual content from Shel Silverstein’s iconic ebook “The Giving Tree”. Purchase a duplicate of the art work right here.
Full store right here.
EFFIN BIRDS
These illustrations of birds with curse phrases sayings are all the fashion on Instagram and Twitter, for good cause: they’re hilarious. Crafted by Aaron Reynolds, they do appear to offend some, however because the title suggests precisely what they’re it’s onerous for anybody to be upset. Don’t like them? Shut the tab.
Personally, I discover them precisely what I would like, every day.
Clothes, mugs, pins, and extra right here, plus an Effin’ Birds ebook and a 2022 Calendar too.
TOTE BAGS: TYPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF FOOD
I’m excited to share the brand new tote baggage within the Authorized Nomads store. Beforehand, I supplied a canvas, bull-woven tote of the maps, with the map printed on one facet. These new tote baggage are black and white – and if individuals like, I may swap out the handles to make them crimson or mustard! – and the design is printed on either side.*
The brand new tote has sturdy handles and holds as much as 44lbs, good for errands and/or carrying a laptop computer and not using a laptop computer bag. Meals maps of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Portugal, Italy, and Mexico out there.
Store the brand new totes right here. The complete store is right here. Use code TOTESAMAZING for a 15% low cost till December eighth, 2021
MICAPEET JEWLERY
Given my love of nature, it’s no shock that I additionally love jewellery that depicts it in design. I noticed these gold leaf earrings lately and ordered a pair as my vacation present to myself. They’re light-weight — nice for anybody with complications — and they’re delicate and simply so fairly. I just like the distinction of the gold with the emerald inexperienced stud within the ear.
If leaf earrings aren’t your factor, Mica additionally has necklaces, rings, and different earrings in quite a lot of sizes and styles. They’re light-weight and delightful, and oh so inventive. Her jewellery is hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Purchase the identical gold leaf earrings that I like right here, with Mica’s full store right here.
KAMOKA PEARLS
My pal Celeste will not be solely an excellent journey author, but in addition runs an environmentally-friendly Tahitian pearl firm, Kamoka, that adheres to the strictest ranges of sustainable farming on this planet. Their pearls are from oysters grown within the nutrient-rich lagoon of Ahe Atoll, 300 miles northeast of Tahiti, with electrical energy provided by photo voltaic and wind energy. And in case you wanted extra convincing about supporting their enterprise: a Nationwide Geographic examine discovered that their farming strategies helped improve the world’s fish inhabitants lately.
As with my former present information, I needed to incorporate their Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s sturdy and delightful. Celeste mentioned that this bracelet was initially crafted for surfers. Now, it’s one among their finest sellers for energetic individuals who need a wonderful pearl bracelet with out worrying about fragility. The adjustable band is made out of kangaroo leather-based (the strongest leather-based on this planet), and is a good alternative for the modern wanderer and the energetic fashionista alike.
For one thing slightly extra delicate (and fragile!), I like this white Tahitian keishi pearl ring, offset with a crescent to characterize the solar and the moon. Keshi pearls are glad accidents, small nuggets which are created as a by-product when the pearl grows and not using a nucleus, or rejects the bead nucleus because it grows.
I like that Kamoka took these often-discarded gadgets and made one thing stunning out of them.
- The Mana Bracelet is obtainable right here.
- The White Tahitian Pearl Ring is right here.
- Kamoka’s full store, with pendants, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and extra, is right here. Their vacation sale is on now, with 20% off.
Sensible Items for Well being and Dwelling
Some extra concepts for this vacation season.
WINE WANDS
I used to be sceptical of those, however they actually do work for me through the occasional time that I’ve a glass of wine. Resulting from an inflammatory immune situation referred to as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (I’ve written about it elsewhere on the weblog), wine is a rarity. However these wands make a glass one thing I don’t react to anymore, which has been nice.
Purchase them right here.
SAD LAMP FOR WINTER
I exploit a SAD lamp within the winter months when in a colder local weather. As the times shorten, it’s simple to really feel the winter blues. These Verilux lamps are reasonably priced and use LED lights, and are increasingly more moveable over time. They solely model I’ve used for years.
Purchase them right here.
QUIETON 3 NOISE CANCELING EARBUDS
These tiny earbuds don’t play music or audio from the cellphone, however have noise cancelling know-how. They’re the world’s smallest for this function, and are constructed to be snug for sleep—together with for facet sleepers. I used to be involved they’d match, however they arrive with an XS earbud measurement that’s good for me.
Purchase them right here. Black Friday sale on earlier than the 2021 holidays.
KIZIK HANDS FREE SHOES
I’ve been utilizing these footwear for nearly a yr, and I can’t see myself going again to the rest. With a spinal CSF leak, I can’t simply get right into a pair of footwear, or tie my very own laces. Previous to discovering out about these from a pal, I used an extendable shoe horn to get into my footwear with ease.
Not anymore!
Now, the shoe itself is sufficient. Kizik’s patented know-how in all of their footwear contains a in-built “spring-back” motion making them simple to placed on and take off. I exploit the Cairo ladies’s shoe (above) as a result of I needed essentially the most strong help they’d. They’ve a more recent working fashion (the Atlas) or lower-profile types just like the Vegas or Prague which are additionally nice. Actually simply is determined by what you wish to put on!
Many readers have bought these already, and love them—I get numerous emails about it. So have associates who broke a leg, or are pregnant and may’t attain their footwear, or are disabled like me. I’m not an envoy for them, I simply love the footwear as a result of they’ve helped my high quality of life and are snug to put on.
Utilizing my hyperlink will get you $20 off a brand new pair of footwear, and you may verify them out right here.
FOOD CRAYONS
These are a Quebec product, and tremendous enjoyable. They’re concentrated flavours in a “crayon” that comes with its personal sharpener. You possibly can add the shavings to spice up any meal, or cocktail, with quite a lot of flavours. Made by hand, they’re all vegan and gluten-free, and at present provide 24 flavours.
Purchase them right here. They ship exterior of Canada, too.
For readers who requested how you can help me throughout this vacation season, the very best methods are by way of my Patreon (come be part of us! there are birds!), or by way of a one-time help choice.
Thanks as at all times for all of the love!
-Jodi
