Cool cakes: Heineken Cake

When looking for inspiration for a cake, I can imagine the person who made this asking themselves: “What does he like? Beer. What type of beer? Heineken.” And what a great way to come up with an idea for a cake the recipient will love!
Image from 

Why we love it:
  • This cake is perfectly decorated – the colours are clear and bright and the text is beautifully formed. 
  • What man wouldn’t love a cake like this?
  • The shape of the cake is simple, so no fancy baking tins required. 
  • The fondant icing hides a multitude of sins. Your cake doesn’t need to be perfect as this type of icing works miracles by forming a ‘blanket’ over the cake whilst keeping it moist. 
What type of beer would you choose if you made a cake like this? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Oopsmark Bicycle Leather Wine Rack

What do you love most about going for bike rides? Is it the exercise, or simply the opportunity of getting outdoors?

If the weather is nice, a bike ride accompanied with a picnic is a wonderful weekend excursion. The only challenge can be fitting everything on your bike. Oopsmark are cycling fanatics, and have thought of everything when it comes to picnicking on a bike – including the vino!



Why we love it:

  • Warm weather = more opportunities for summer bike rides, which are even more fun when they include a picnic with a bottle of wine!
  • Don’t drink? You can use this holder to carry a bottle of water (instead of wine).
  • These leather holders are handmade with high quality materials and lots of love by Oopsmark in Montreal, Canada.
  • Holders are adjustable to accommodate different sized bottles
  • Each holder has gorgeous antique brass fasteners
  • Available in black or tan leather

Handmade gift of the week: Hostess gift

A dear friend recently came to stay with us, and this is the gift she gave us to say ‘thanks’ for letting her stay (needless to say, she’s welcome anytime!;-)
Super thoughtful Thank You gift – A bottle of classic Aussie Shiraz and homemade muesli
Even the handmade gift tag was a delightful touch
Why we love it:
  • I don’t know many people who wouldn’t be grateful to receive a beautiful bottle of wine like this Chapel Hill Shiraz, but the homemade muesli really gives it a personal, handmade touch. 
  • The green hessian tie and kraft card gift give this gift tag a very natural, organic feel. 
  • Putting the homemade muesli in a jar is a great way of presenting your homemade treat, as well as recycling a glass jar. We love the addition of the crochet tie around the lid as this matches the gift tag on the wine. 
  • You don’t need to give a huge jar of muesli – we savoured ours by sprinkling if over icecream for a healthier dessert option, or fruit and yoghurt for breakfast. 
  • Never underestimate the delight homemade food brings to a recipient. 
What homemade treat would you put in a glass jar to give someone? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

The Best Wedding Gift Ideas…Ever! (from real people)

It was a simple question: 

“What gift would you GIVE or like to RECEIVE as a wedding present?”

The response was astounding – over 80 of our Facebook Fan’s answered this question with some great ideas, all of which we’ve shared with you below. So if you’ve got a wedding coming up, and you’re stuck for a gift idea, you might find the perfect wedding gift idea below…



Something for the home…

  • “I like to give and receive old china tea cups (and a gift from Mr Gift of course!)”
  • “I would love to receive something for the home.”
  • “I love to give Waterford Crystal, timeless & useful!” 
  • “I would love to give Tupperware”
  • “I would like to give or receive some homewares products: dinner sets, cutlery, vases – beautiful items to make the home look lovely.”
  • “I’d love to receive a pair of silver candlesticks.”
  • “I’d give the best crystal glassware that I could afford…trouble is that these days most brides and grooms ask for money.”
  • “Something for the home. I received many wonderful gifts at my wedding.”
  • “I’d love to give a Royal Doulton Tea Set!!!
  • “Wish I could give good health and eternal happiness for wedding gifts and am thinking a lovely metal storage box with chalk panel would make a great kitchen tea present.”
  • “Crystal always is a fav of mine to give. Something they can use and have forever.”
  • “A food hamper”
  • “I would definitely love this ice bucket (http://www.mrgift.com.au/homewares/ice-buckets/cantina-classico-ice-bucket-with-ring-handles.html) to chill the champagne for our celebrations.”
  • “I love to give a complete cutlery set – so that each time it’s used, it is a reminder of how much the couple is loved by me (by giving something that is used every day).”
  • “Depends on the couple. If they are young couple setting up home for the first time something practical like cake tins and Pyrex dishes. Anyone older – something off their Wedding Register or Gift Cards.”
  • “A cutlery set. A lasting and practical gift which will also bring memories when it is used.”
  • Cantina Serenissima Ice Bucket to put my champagne in to celebrate each anniversary after.”
  • “I’d be grateful for any gift…even a toaster!”
  • “Splades or sporks – very handy for eating with.”
  • “A clock!”

Cantina Serenissima Ice Bucket from www.mrgift.com.au 

Artwork

  • “There are so many beautiful things out there to give. I would choose something beautiful, lasting and a visible presence for years to come, such as a painting.”


Vases

  • “I would gift beautiful vases and picture frames to make their house look like a home.”
  • “Vases are beautiful to give or something for the home.”
  • “Beautiful glasses or vases, so they would have memories many years later.”
  • “I would like to gift or receive beautiful crystal vases for keeping fresh flowers in.”


Linen

  • “I like to give linen in the recipients colour choice. I would like to receive the same.”
  • “Personalised embroidered towels – something unique something to keep.”
  • “1000 count sheets”
  • “I would like to give or receive beautiful bed linen.”


Something indulgent…

  • “A couple’s hamper filled with chocolates, champagne, candles…Netflix subscription lol”
  • “I’d like to receive a MAGNUM of Dom Perignon Champagne!”
  • “I would give a pamper pack voucher for both of them to use together. Wedding planning can be so stressful. So some pamper time after the wedding would probably be well deserved.”
  • “Champagne, candles and a massage package.”
  • “I’d love to receive a day spa for two or a weekend away.”
  • “A day of pampering, maybe a day spa for myself and my partner…or for the bride and groom.”
  • “A couple’s massage. A great way to relax and unwind after the big day!”
  • “We would give the blushing bride and groom something playful that they can use in the bedroom to keep the spark burning stronger and brighter with each passing day, week, month, and year.”


Cash or vouchers

  • “Gift certificates or cash. Yes I know, boring.”
  • “A gift card.”
  • “Cash is always good or gift cards.”
  • “I think gift cards to homewares stores and Bunnings are great wedding gifts – a great way to set up house together.”
  • “Voucher to Bunnings or a homewares store!”
  • “Money. Our tradition is money for weddings.”
  • “Money seems to be the latest trend so they can buy or use it in whatever way they like. I actually like to buy a gift and it’s normally something useful as well as money.”
  • “I think people appreciate gift cards, because to be honest, we’ve all been given things we simply can’t use or don’t like.”


Photos and frames

  • “My favourite gift I received was a Harvey Norman photo shop voucher to get one of our wedding photos put on canvas, was such a thoughtful and awesome present so I do the same when I go to a wedding.”
  • “I would give this: Waterford Crystal Lismore Lace Frame.” 
  • “Photo frames are always useful and I always seem to buy more as years go on, so for me that is an excellent gift to give or receive.”
  • “A beautiful picture frame for our wedding photo!”
  • “Photo Frames as a wedding present would be heavenly to have our special snaps displayed on our wall.”
  •  “I would love picture frames too keep memories alive.”
  • “I’d love candid pics from our wedding day on a disc so we can enjoy from our guests point of view.”
  • “Black Photograph storage.”
  • “Linen/photo frames.”
  • “Memory storage e.g. box , tin etc.”
  •  “An album full of photos – historical and of the wedding day.”
  • “A crystal photo frame to place a picture of our wedding day so we could look at the picture and always remember our day.”
  •  “I love to give silver frames so the married couple can display lovely pictures of the big day!”
  • “A wedding photo album is the gift I would give.”
  • “A beautiful photo frame, or money if they have requested it.”


Travel

  • “Round the world plane ticket…. Business class of course – but really, I would be happy with a toaster!”
  • “I would give a travel gift card and would also like to receive this as well.”
  • “Gorgeous crystal glasses – a gift to last a lifetime and a beautiful reminder of a truly special day!”
  • “A holiday!”
  • “A caravan”
  • “Might be hoping for too much, but I couldn’t receive a better present than plane tickets to Paris!”


Handmade/personalised gifts

  • “A replica cake keyring or ornament (business in USA makes replicas of your wedding cake into ornaments or a mini one for your keyring) to remind us of the day we became one. They’re also on Etsy but they are costly. A girl can dream!”
  • “Personalised gift with engraving on it, to look back at.”
  • “I would love to get something homemade/ from the heart and I love to give these sort of gifts too.”

Donations to charity

  • “I would be happy enough to receive “best wishes” for a successful marriage from my guests or money to an animal charity.”


General

  • “Definitely something sentimental.”
  • I’d give the gift that means the most to the couple. It depends on the individuals on the gifts I give. A sentimental sap I am.”
  • “Something from the heart”
  • “I’d like to receive a lifetime of happiness!”
  • “I think your Manly List Notebook will make for wedded bliss! Keeping the Groom under control!”
  • “My brother’s wedding next week. My husband is part of the navy. My brother once told me ‘I think women and seamen don’t mix,” after meeting him. I think I’ll bring my husband to the wedding and show him what mixes.”
  • “More than presents, I’d prefer the presence of my friends and family.”
The Brightside Manly List Notebook from www.mrgift.com.au


So there we have it – an amazing wedding gift ideas list with suggestions of what lots of different people (men and women) would love to receive. Hope this has been helpful!

What is you favourite gift idea? 
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

Gift wrapping idea of the week: Kraft paper candles

Looking for a fun way to jazz up some kraft paper gift wrap? These cute candles would be a hit with men, women and even kids…

Washi tape candles on kraft paper are striking and fun!
Image from www.buzzfeed.com
Why we love it:
  • What’s not to love??? These candles are made from washi tape, but you could use paper scraps or pieces of wrapping paper to play around with colour combinations. 
  • You don’t have to be artistic or crafty to recreate this look – the drawing is simple and if you use washi tape you just need to be capable of sticking it down!
  • The colours in above image are quite feminine, but by simply changing the colours and patterns this look could be easily adapted for a man or a child. 
  • The natural kraft paper makes a great blank canvas, but you could also use black, white or another plain coloured paper for a similar effect. 

Do you know someone who would like this wrapping paper? 
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

Winning Wedding Gifts they’ll Cherish

Wedding gift ideas
We were living overseas when we got married and opted for the very boring and predictable ‘wishing well’ (cash) option instead of wedding gifts. However, some of our guests couldn’t get past the cash-only concept and insisted on buying a gift, and to be honest, I’m pretty glad they did.

Fast-forward 10 years and we’re back home. I’m finally going through boxes we stored post-wedding and stumble across a set of neutral coloured sheets. Perfect timing – and perfect colour – as the week before I had put out a similar set of sheets that had worn out. Winning wedding gift! So take it from me, wedding gifts can come in very handy.

To get you through the wedding season, we’ve picked out ten of our popular wedding gift ideas below…

We’re also offering a $10 DISCOUNT on all orders from now until Wednesday 21/10/15.  

Use Discount Code WEDDING in the Discount Code field when you place your order.  

This offer can’t be used in conjunction with other offers, or redeemed for cash. But please feel free to share with family and friends:)

The Little Veggie Patch Co Guide to Backyard Farming
1. Cantina Classica Champagne Bowl $159.95
This stunning stainless steel champagne bowl will be the show-stopper at every dinner or partythe happy couple host. No more plastic tubs or an Esky filled with ice!
Cantina Master Decanter
2. Cantina Master Decanter $99.95
If your couple enjoy their wine, then a good quality decanter would be a fantastic gift so they can decant and enjoy a special bottle of wine. The Master Decanter is a great shape – the wide base ensures it’s stable on a table and offers more surface area to open up your wine
 
Rosanna Trays
3. Rosanna Trays from $16.95
A set of these trays would look great in any house and brighten up a table for a party or special dinner. 
Sophisti-Case Globus Luxury Lacquered Box
4. Sophisti-Case Globus Luxury Lacquered Box $249.95
A stunning box like this one will for many years and is something your couple could pass onto their children. It’s really versatile and can be configured to store your special treasures in lots of different ways. 
Jonathan Adler Jet Set porcelain coasters
5. Jonathan Adler Jet Set porcelain coasters $64.95
I don’t think you can ever have too many coasters, because they’re great to swap around and create different looks depending on your mood. Plus they’re small and don’t take up much space to store when you’re not using them. This vibrant set of coasters reminds us of exotic overseas holidays. 
 
Atmosphere Full Circle Globe
6. Atmosphere Full Circle Globe $249.95
Globes inspire our imagination by allowing us to dream of all the wonderful places we could go. The great thing about this globe is that when you’re not planning your next adventure, it doubles as a lamp to softly illuminate a room
 
Gentlemen's Hardware Cocktail Shaker
7. Gentlemen’s Hardware Cocktail Shaker $29.95
A cocktail shaker is a great gift for a couple who love to entertain, especially one as glamorous as this – James Bond would be jealous!
 
Karlsson Wall Clock
8. Karlsson Wall Clock Floating Stripes Steel $74.95 
I can still picture the clock that hung in our kitchen when I was growing up. A clock is a ‘timeless’ wedding gift (pardon the pun!) that will get used everyday when it’s hung on the wall in a family room or kitchen. 
MAN LAW Stainless Steel BBQ Tools Set
9. MAN LAW Stainless Steel BBQ Tools Set, 3 piece PLUS BONUS $49.95 
Lots of people love to BBQ, but ‘make do’ by using kitchen utensils. Treat your bride and groom to the right tools for the job with this high-quality BBQ set from MAN LAW – it will last for years. 
Joseph Joseph No-Spill Salt and Pepper Mill
10. Joseph Joseph No-Spill Salt and Pepper Mill $69.95
Every house needs a good quality salt and pepper mill and this Joseph Joseph Mill ticks all the boxes for style and function, making it a fantastic wedding gift. 

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Keep Calm Bandaid Kit

Why we love it:
  • This is a fun gift that anyone can use (and will probably come in very handy when stored in the right spot!). 
  • Kids will also love these colourful bandaids 
  • The bright red coloured box makes these bandaids easy to spot in your First Aid Kit. 
  • This set would make a great Christmas stocking-filler gift. 

WEEKLY SPECIAL: Slate Plant Labels NOW $15 (was $19.95)

If you’ve ever accidentally forgotten what you’ve planted where in your garden it can be a real nuisance. These handy slate plant labels will help keep your plants organised and accounted for. 

Plus they’re made from a high-quality slate and come with a chinagraph (wax) pencil so you can rewrite on the labels and use them for many years to come. 

Only while stocks last.