Valentine's Day Thoughts.....

Valentine’s Day is such an unusual day. Its importance varies so much from person to person. Some people see it as just a way for greeting card companies to rake in the profits; others say it’s a depressing day to them because they feel inadequate not having a romantic partner; still others say it’s ‘cheesy’; and then there are the people who look forward to this day all year because they see it as the one day of the year they finally ‘make the time’ in their busy lives to stop and show their significant other just how much they love them.

It’s important not to get too distracted with all the media hype surrounding Valentine’s Day. The day shouldn't just be about gifts – or even a romantic scenario. Valentine’s Day is about Love. Which means, this special day can be about YOU (whether you have a significant other or not)!  Think about what gifts you would like to give to yourself. A little more time for creative projects, relaxation, some quiet time alone?

Getting stressed about Valentine’s Day is such a contradiction. People get stressed about not having a significant other, or about their significant other not being good enough or not behaving a certain way. Instead of focussing on what we DON’T have in our lives, I think we need to focus on what we DO have.

On the eve of Valentine's Day, I started to wonder about the celebrated day and the very different views surrounding the rituals of love. I believe you must first and foremost fully empower yourself to stand tall in an unpredictable world - and that you can’t truly love someone until you love yourself.

We all currently possess all that we need to celebrate love. Why not use Valentine’s Day as a day to celebrate YOU. What makes your soul soar? What makes you lose track of time when you are happy? What activates your senses? Isn't it time you reactivated that hidden part of you that laughs easily, loves to play, loves to have fun and simply doesn't care what others may think? Smile, laugh out loud, dance in the rain, be authentic, skip, sing, let your hair down and eat ice cream for dinner if that makes you happy.

Whether or not you choose to acknowledge Valentine’s Day and celebrate YOU or celebrate with a special someone – have some fun, and know that you are amazing! J

Forget The Sleeve - Wear Your Heart on The Wall

Capture picture perfect moments, and showcase them in style with a Shabby Chic Photo & Memo Card Holder. 

Don't stop at photos........ 

How about showing off your ticket stub from that awesome concert last month?

 Or that unforgettable movie you went to last night?

Remember the night you met that guy and he wrote his number on that coaster 

(which you can't bare to throw out)?

Or that masterpiece your child drew?

And just what will you do with that post-it your honey left on the fridge?

The possibilities are endless!

Forget about those traditional 

photo frames, boring noticeboards 

or old shoe boxes for your keepsakes.

They say a picture says a thousand words, so why not show off your favourite snapshots with loved ones in a finely crafted heart shaped holder, which is truly a statement in itself with this beautiful shabby chic heart on your wall.

If you want to celebrate your personal style, the generic rectangular photo frame just won't cut it. Whether you're eight or eighty eight, this ornamental piece is versatile enough to compliment any decor - and is a perfect addition to any room. 

This metal wall display accessory will find it's way into any girl's heart - whether it's you or a dear friend or loved one. Just fill it up and share the display of captured moments in style. Create a smile on your own lips every time you spot your memories on the wall.

The entire heart measures 41cm x 37cm x 1cm and is available now both in store and online for $24.00 ♥

A New Year Begins With a Journal

Journals can be used for so many different purposes and Journal writing is usually of the kind that you don't share with others. Your Journal is a place where you can write freely, express your secret, most precious thoughts, create your most meaningful doodles, record your daily observations or activities, jottings, notes, ideas, gift inspirations, record a special event or write about your food and exercise regime. They can be used as an escape (a space away from modern life pressures and electronic sensory overload), to record your prayers and answers, to make a note of your dreams when you first wake up, to write a few lines of poetry, to record your favourite quotes or even used as a Gratitude Journal. (A Gratitude Journal is a book in which you write down each day the things for which you feel grateful. It is believed, that by practicing gratitude each day it will improve your health and well-being. Feeling thankful helps us to cope with life, keeps us positive, calms stress and helps us to make the best of what we have been given).

Basically, your Journal is YOUR place – where you can be completely honest, and begin to discover the inner YOU, flaws and all ♥

Many people around the world are using some form of journaling – and getting results. If you are just starting out, the biggest hurdle is actually beginning to write. There is usually the pressure of writing for the expectations of others, but with Journal writing you can keep your words and style totally personal – simply write what you would say to yourself. It’s important not to view your Journal writing as a chore or a burden, but as an enjoyable experience. You may even find it helpful to set the right atmosphere for your writing, such as burning a candle or some incense.

Once you've started, the next time you’re not sure what to write, just read your last entry and comment on it. Did you achieve anything that day or did anything turn out different to what you had written?

It’s always exciting choosing a new Journal. Most people do this at the start of a new year – but this is a personal choice. There’s just something so refreshing about starting a new entry on a brand new page in a brand new Journal in a brand new year.

My preference is for a hard cover Journal, and it must have plenty of space for long entries (if I feel the need), yet, still be small enough to carry around with me at times (again, if I feel the need).

I am particularly fond of a fold-over magnetic closure wrap as this helps protect my precious pages. Journals with no closure can sometimes fall open up in transit and the page edges can become damaged. Also, if you don’t plan on keeping your Journal in a safe place (like in your bedside table?), and you can’t stand the thought of loose items (like: worn pages, ticket stubs, pressed flowers, old photos or post-its) falling out – then a cover with a magnetic wrap would suit you better.

Once you have chosen your Journal, pick a special pen with a nice flow (and maybe even a pretty colour ink to write with?). One of the best things about keeping a hand written Journal is that you can’t easily delete your old entries. Online, you can make a quick decision to edit or delete something and it will be lost forever.

Putting thoughts onto paper is a great way to sort out all the stuff going around in your head. We all have so many ideas and plans – then suddenly they’re gone, as we get busy with something else. Keeping a Journal is a good way to give respect to your thoughts. As time moves on, and you write down these thoughts more and more often, you'll find your mind becoming a little more organised. Of course there aren't any rules about when or how often to write in your Journal.

Don’t take it too seriously, because you may become bored or feel pressured, and end up not writing at all. Your Journal will always be there, waiting for your thoughts – it doesn't want you to feel obligated.

Our Magnetic Closure Journals are durable enough to withstand life’s ups and down – with heavy-duty paper binding giving them a hard-cover feel. The three gorgeously designed covers are each romantically chic, bringing to mind lively fun times on the streets of Paris. The inner pages are lightly lined so as not to distract you from your thoughts. Each of these Journals would make a lovely gift for your favourite female friend – or a nice gift for yourself.

 

A "Feel-Good" Story

I love a "feel-good" story - so I thought I'd share what I just witnessed in the Mall .....

It was 10th December when a Premier Cab pulled up to the curb (Licence Plate: T-8167). The driver got out and came around to help an elderly lady get out (and her walking frame).

Not that much of a big deal, I hear you think. But wait - there's more....

The driver (with his gentlemanly hand at her elbow) then proceeded to escort the lady down into the Mall to the hairdresser. He then helped her up the step and with his hand at her back (steadying her in case she went backward) he asked if she was okay. She smiled and thanked him - and off he went, back to his cab.

He wouldn't have been more than about 30-35 years old - and it was just so nice to see this man go "above and beyond" his normal cab-driving duties that I actually had tears in my eyes. He certainly made MY day!

♥ Carla ♥

In The Beginning

So anyway, we decided to find a cute little shop to showcase our beautiful product range. We had an established web store, but quite a lot of people wanted to get all "touchy feely" with our products - and so the adventure (search for a shop) began......

Then one day, snuggled in amongst a few hairdressers, a boot maker and a cafe - we found our Perfect Shop. An ECLECTIC Shop in an ECLECTIC Location to house our ECLECTIC Product Range!

We had a few hiccups with delays in the fit-out.......

But, we finally opened our doors on Friday 25.5.12.

And, since that day - we have committed to our purpose of providing a Gift Shop with a difference. We wanted to create something a little bit unusual, something that's not "High End" and not "Bargain Shop" - but somewhere in between........a Giftware range that you just don't see in other shops, while at the same time, catering for every budget: Eclectic Gifts with a New Age Feel -  (which is exactly what our customers tell us when they step into our shop) <3