Thanking Mail Carriers

Since the start of Pandemic Life back in March, how many packages have been delivered to your house? A LOT more than usual, I bet.

Lately, I've thinking about mail carriers in my neighborhood. Their daily grind obviously makes it easier for people to stay home, safe, and stocked with necessities (or parcels from Sephora). But unlike food deliverymen/women, there's no app for tipping postal workers, and I'm not sure handing them cash is totally practical right now.

So, I decided to fill a box with (individually-wrapped) chocolates, candies, mints, etc. The basic plan is to offer them, trick-or-treat style, when the doorbell rings. (Originally, I wanted to leave the box on our front steps with a jolly note, but didn't trust it would remain un-stolen lol.)

I'm no Pollyanna -- I fully recognize how this barely amounts to the tiniest gesture of thanks. Maybe that's okay! The way I see it, getting surprised with a bag of Smarties won't solve life's problems, but it MIGHT brighten up an otherwise ordinary moment in someone's day :)

Image credit (top): Mercury News

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Gift Wrapping Ideas (Featuring Plain Paper)

Happy first night of Hannukah! 

Holiday Season 2020 is upon us. I adore giving gifts for any occasion -- nailing the perfect present for someone else is such an awesome feeling! HOWEVER, I loathe spending money on expensive wrapping. I think a plain paper shopping bag (or brown packing paper!) + fun tissue paper + ribbon makes a sweetly personal and more impactful statement than any expensive offering from Hallmark. Plus, you can have fun getting crafty (if that's your jam).

So, in that spirit, I went through my bookmarks to distill the cutest, most simple gift wrap ideas I've loved from around the web.

My preferred DIY situation doesn't necessarily require tremendous effort or a huge time investment. You might already have useful trims and trinkets hanging around the house. If not, then a fast trip to almost any convenience store is all you really need to get started. 

On the other hand, should you wish to unleash your inner Martha Stewart, feel free to take all the time and energy you need ;)

1. Accessorizing with a cookie cutter? Adorable! (It can even be incorporated as a bonus gift.) Pulling off the idea should be inexpensive -- I've seen holiday-shaped cutters at the dollar store, or you might have some on-hand from past celebrations that are still in excellent shape.

2. Create allover polka dots with pom poms! I really like the effect of only using white ones, but it would look so fun multicolored, or in shades of the same pop color. Another idea: Experiment with poms of different sizes.

3. Dangle one or two little ornaments from the bag/box. Small bells work, too!

4. "Tie" your parcel with a hand-sketched bow :)

5. Bust out the colorful twine, decorative ribbon, etc, and go for a traditional cross-wrap.

6. Adorn your present with old-school paper snowflake cut-outs. (I'm such a fan of this idea!) In case you don't remember making these in elementary school, here's a tutorial.

7. Draw/paint your own pattern all over the wrapping. I'm partial to easy stars (two pics above) and little dashes (just above). Glittery or metallic colors lend a sprinkle of extra festivity :)

8. One big, bright statement pom pom!

9. Basically snatching this idea as-is: Paint some large, colorful blobs all over your packaging. Once dry, use a sharpie to sketch holiday details on top. (My inspo pic has trees, but you can do stars or snowflakes or whatever else instead.) It's probably important to finish decorating your paper before wrapping the gift lol.

10. Splatter paint! Load up a brush and test out your best Jackson Pollock. Again, I'm drawn to the effect of using a single color, but there's no wrong answer in terms of color or how sparse the splatters.

11. Tone-on-tone wrapping with a single bow. Minimalism! Surprisingly elegant, right?

12. Have a blast with washi tape! For simplicity, I linked to Omers DeSerres; search further and you'll find PLENTY of adorable indie options on Etsy or in stationary stores across the city.

13. Get natural :) almost makes perfect has a tutorial about decorating with dried fruit and cinnamon sticks (check her story highlights). Otherwise, you could always play around sprigs of leafy herbs (rosemary is so pretty), evergreens, pine cones, eucalyptus -- endless organic ideas ;)

What gift-wrapping tricks do you have up your sleeve?

Image credit (top): Maine Sport Outfitters
Image credit (gifting): I will circle back to add the links. Sorry for the mess-up.

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DOGUE: Clothes For Pups

Does your pet wear clothes? 

(Here at Box Cake, we like to ask hard-hitting questions that really make you think lol.)

Unsurprisingly, Intern Reggie owns a staggering collection of tees, coats, scarves, boots (though he is loathe to wear them), bow ties, and basically any other stupidity I can coerce him into wearing. In my quest to have the most well dressed pup on the block, I've gone through a fair amount of merch and sussed out major winners among them. 

  

TAMTAM outerwear -- these are the best, best coats I've found for our pup. Creative design, cute details, and really impressive quality overall. Unfortunately, their items run quite small (Reggie wears a size XL), so not a suitable brand for bigger fur babies. 

Adidog hoodies -- TBH, it pains me to recommend anything from this particularly online retailer, but I have yet to track these hoodies down elsewhere, and they are JUST SO GOOD. And practical! (They're made in real fleece -- perfect for cooler months.) Again, the sizing is bizarre. Reggie wears an XXL through this link, but if you search around, it seems like other vendors sell the same hoody for larger breeds. 

Pawz waterproof boots -- the only footwear that will stay on Reggie's feet for longer than ten seconds. These are basically "paw balloons" made of soft, stretchy, and decently thick natural rubber. Once you get the hang of putting them on your pup, they are a fantastic solution for winter walks on salted city sidewalks. Granted, these boots don't have the longest lifespan. We typically get five to ten outings before they tear, but considering the reasonable price point and just how well they keep Reggie's feet dry, I am happy to repeatedly reinvest in them.

What are some of your fail-safe brands for pet accessories?

Image credit (top): Make Them Roar

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Gifting Locally

Over the weekend, our inboxes began to bloat with pre-Black Friday e-mail blasts. It's hard to ignore the siren song of those extremely, ridiculously tempting deals.

The thing is, when it comes to holiday gifting this year, I really want to shop more methodically and responsibly (and less like a trigger-happy maniac armed with a dozen discount codes). There is a small handful of specific, timeless items I'd like to buy (or restock) on the 27th -- I'm looking at you, UGG Adirondack boots and Glossier Moon Mask. Aside from those, I've challenged myself to support smaller businesses with the rest of my holiday shopping list.

Good news: If you're on the lookout for lovely local gifting in Montreal, the options are truly endless! Let me help get the ball rolling with a few of my favorites :)

  

The soy candles from Lycka Atelier are incredible. I recently bought two: blueberry muffin and pineapple-coconut. Both smell good enough to eat!

Raplapla is the sweetest Plateau toy shop for all the hipster babies in your life.

Goye makes such dainty, delicate ceramics and jewelry. I'm lusting after, well, EVERYTHING in the shop, but the floral bowls and planters (omg those scallop edges!) really have my attention.

On that note... Why not book someone a pottery class at Les Faiseurs?

   

For plants, dried flowers, cute pots, gorgeous fresh arrangements: Jardin de Mathilde (15% off your first order if you sign up for their newsletter) and Vertuose are my MVPs.

Drawn & Quarterly will satisfy all your literary needs. Don't skip their kid-friendly satellite shop, either.

While we're on the topic of books, Westmount's Appetite for Books offers cooking lessons -- often in coordination with a newly released cookbook. (Class sizes are obviously scaled back at the moment.)

  

Les Barbos and Lili Graffiti create the most beautiful prints and paper goods.

Boucle et Papier is my favorite stationary store in the city. (THERE, I said it!) They are a one-stop shop for checking off every possible gifting need on your list: greeting cards, gift wrap, paper products, party supplies, candles, calendars, and tons of tiny whatnots that make perfect stocking stuffers. 

Personally, I love Pitou Minou & Compagnons for all things pet-related -- ESPECIALLY their location on St. Laurent and Mont Royal. They aren't exactly a tiny company, but they are from Quebec and the staff is suuuper kind and knowledgable.

  

Swing by Amber and Smoke Vintage for one-of-a-kind trinkets and housewares. Ashley keeps her inventory stocked with treasure -- you have to move fast, though, because her stuff often gets snatched up quick.

Treat someone to a photo session with Sadie from l'orangerie photographie! She always brings out so much love, personality, and style in her work (but magically makes it seem effortless).

Book an online workout class at Studio Mile End (formerly Wanderlust Yoga). I've taken their Barre and Studio de Base -- they are loads of fun and super accessible for beginners!

  

Puzzles and board games are heroes of the pandemic. Randolph and Le Valet d'Coeur both have a seemingly endless selection of entertainment, as well as helpful staff.

For music fans and vinyl lovers: Aux 33 Tours, Sonorama, and Cheap Thrills. (Thanks for the tips, Josh.)

Boozy business: Veux-tu une bière?, Dépanneur Peluso, Ils En Fument Du Bon will satisfy any need for microbrew beer and/or intriguing organic wine.

Stocking someone's pantry Italian-style: Epicerie Conserva and Il Miglio are cherished all-stars in our house.

Consider a Th3rdwave coffee subscription for the caffeine addict in your life.

Not a groundbreaking idea, but an excellent one nonetheless: Gift cards to favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. 

Donate to a meaningful local charity or grassroots organization in your loved one's name. Here are some ideas: Hoodstock, La Maison d'Haiti, Desta, Meals For Milton-Parc, The Open Door, Sun Youth, Chez Doris, Native Women's Shelter of Montreal.

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There you have it! Even though this is hardly an extensive list of Montreal's local shopping landscape, I've hopefully given you enough juice to jump-start your Nice List :)

What are you planning to gift others over the holidays?

Image credit (top): Time Magazine
Images of merchandise come from their company's respective websites

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Fun(ny) Baby Books

I love giving books as gifts *almost* as much as I like getting them for myself. I'm especially weak when it comes to children's books -- they're usually so playful and colorful and sweet. So, when the time came to shop for my nephew's first birthday, you can bet I wanted to load up his ever-growing literary collection ;)

During that search, I came across the most (inadvertently?) hilarious collection of baby books...

  

  

COME ON! Adorable, right?

The series is written by a Canadian mathematician, often co-authored with another expert in the field. While the premise is obviously supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, I actually found the books very well composed and fun to flip through. (Plus, my sister is pharmacist, so I figured she could proofread lol.)

If you're in the market for a fun kid's gift, I totally suggest taking a peek at these! :)

Do you have go-to gift ideas?

Image credit: A Beautiful Mess
Image credit (products): Each image is linked back to its source

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21 Housewarming Gift Ideas

It's Moving Day in Montreal!

Sending strength to whoever is schlepping their lives across town today. Under normal circumstances, switching to a new place is exhausting. During a pandemic? I can't even fathom.

Housewarming parties are a natural extension of "pay your friends with pizza for moving your stuff" season. I suspect things will be a little different this year, given social distancing measures and (in my case) a general phobia of sharing confined space with loads of people. But that doesn't mean you need to skip out on celebrating your pal's new milestone!

When you eventually swing by their new place, here are some cute gift ideas to commemorate the occasion. There should be something for all bonds and budgets in this list, so hopefully it'll come in handy for someone out there :)

FOODIE FRIENDLY

1. WINE (duh)

If you drink the stuff, then there is no such thing as having too many bottles of wine in your house! For me, the goal of a good housewarming gift is CONVENIENCE, so I would choose a red that doesn't need to be refrigerated. Consider including a corkscrew with your gift, in case theirs was misplaced during the move. Stokes has a bunch of nice options, but a regular one from the grocery/pharmacy does the trick too.

Bonus: You can also get your friend those little drink markers -- they're great when you're hosting groups :)

2. Good olive oil

I'm always so thrilled to get this as a gift because it's something I rarely (if ever) buy for myself. 

Montrealers looking for a huge assortment can hit up Milano's, Capitol, and Cavallaro. My trick for finding the best one? Ask the oldest-looking Italian person on staff for help (joking) (not joking).

Another take on this idea: A fancier balsamic reduction or specialty hot sauce, both are fun alternatives to olive oil.

3. Easy herbs

Look, depending on the giftee, giving someone plant can be straight up rude lol -- it's a lot of commitment to spring on a person!

Herbs, however, are generally super low maintenance. And there's the added perk of EATING them down the road. Two gifts in one ;)

Mint, basil, and parsley are safe bets. You can do one large plant in a terracotta pot (don't forget the drip dish on the bottom), or a more elaborate set-up with 3-4 plants in one container.

4. A trusted cookbook

I love gifting books for any occasion!

In terms of cookbooks, my personal favorite is from Smitten Kitchen. Ottolenghi and Mark Bittman are other solid options.

Don't forget to jot down some well wishes on the inside cover.

5. Oven mitts

Even if theirs didn't go missing in the move, it's always good to have back-up oven mitts for when the old ones inevitably get destroyed. This pair from Crate and Barrel is really pretty and these from Genuine Fred are hilarious.

6. Pints of your fave local ice cream

Look no further than Kem Coba, Les Givres, or Bilboquet. For folks who aren't located in the city, Coaticook is an A+ option and most grocery stores carry a range of fun flavors.

Bonus: Throw in some waffle cones and an ice cream scoop!

7. Cast iron skillet

Okay... Maybe a skillet is 10% less cute than the others ideas on this list lol, but I guarantee your friend will be 150% pumped to get one!

Lodge is the best. They make a wide assortment of sizes at different price points. You can find this brand almost anywhere -- just do a quick web search to find the store closest to you.

Consider adding a little note (or link) on how to keep it properly clean and seasoned.

HOME GIZMOS

8. Cloth masks

Gifting in the Covid era! A new home gets lots of traffic during housewarming season. I'm sure your host would appreciate having a stack of these handy in case a guest forgets to bring their own.

9. Fancy soap

Notice a theme? ;)

You can't have enough soap on-hand during a pandemic, right? Splurge on a something really special (hello Aesop), extra points if you pair it with the matching hand cream.

10. Framed photo

Such an easy personalized gift -- especially if you already have printer-access.

Umbra makes really cool picture frames. (This basic one looks tailor-made for printing out your insta favorites.) Stalk your buddy's social media for a kick-ass photo and voilà!

11. Bluetooth speakers

I have this affordable little guy from Anker and really, really love it. Great for playing music when people are over, or listening to podcasts while cooking.

12. A board game

If your friend intends to host more people than usual in the coming days, now is the time for party games to shine. I like Jenga, Codenames, and Cranium. When in doubt, a deck of playing cards and some poker chips are fun :)

13. A super cute (and FUNCTIONAL) fan

Montreal is creeping toward peak summer heat. If your pal doesn't have A/C -- or even if she does! -- a good fan makes all the difference between comfort and, well, melting away on the sofa. Something vintage-inspired is stylish and crowd-pleasing -- I have something similar from Homesense, their stock is obviously inconsistent but you can still take a look there.

14. Tote bag

A lot reusable bags get purged after you move homes. It's also nice to have a cute canvas tote by the front door, ready and waiting for your next grocery run.

Put a bottle of wine inside, and your tote suddenly doubles as a gift bag.

Wherever your friend moved, chances are there's a local hot spot that sells merch lol. (Here in the Plateau, for example, Lawrence Boucherie and Drawn & Quarterly totes are ubiquitous.) Grab one of those and help your friend transition into their new neighborhood ;)

Baggu also has a HUGE assortment of fun, bright options.

Or... For people who lack car access... One of those roller shoppers are super useful and make for a very thoughtful gift.

R & R

15. A weighted blanket

Look, moving can be freakin' nerve-wracking. If your pal is prone to anxiety flare ups, a weighted blanket might help soothe their stress.

These can be pretty cost-prohibitive, though, so pretty throw (like this one from Structube) is a decent alternative.

16. A special candle

Help them set an olfactory tone to their new space. Maison Louis Marie is a faux-Labo brand that passes for the real thing. The fragrance I linked is a really convincing Santal knock-off lol.

Also a big fan of these "neighborhood scents" -- they're funny and, more importantly, smell really great. (Don't tell the Plateau, but Rosemont is my favorite fragrance.)

Make sure to remember a matchbook or lighter!

17. Flowers

Blooms are always pretty, but I actually prefer a bouquet of eucalyptus because, when dried (preferably upside down), you can keep them for a really long time.

Bonus: Put them in a stylish vase :)

18. Makeshift emergency kit

There's a good chance tons of your friend's belongings are still buried in a box somewhere. No one wants to go digging for a bandage when they urgently need one! Find a small hat box or tin (I own something like this) and load it with band-aids, advil, polysporin... Maybe even some CBD oil if you're feeling particularly generous ;)

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

19. Gift card to a nearby restaurant or café

With all the headaches involved in moving, a gift card will give your pal a necessary worry-free break and some time to breathe. Plus, it gets them out exploring their new surroundings!

20. Personalized map of the neighborhood

This works best if you are very familiar with the area. Print out a map and jot down all the awesome spots you know -- bakeries, coffee shops, exercise classes, parks to read, places to people watch, key bus stops, etc. It can even be done digitally! Save a google map with your collection of pins and e-mail it to your pal.

THE MVP

21. Card with a heartfelt note

Self-explanatory and, honestly, the sweetest gift you can give :)

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Happy Moving Day! Bon courage and congrats!

Image credit (top): The Spruce

Image credit (olive oil): Lifehacker Australia

Image credit (tote bags): Bon Appetit

Image credit (candles): Dieline

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Celebrating A Birthday In Lockdown

Talk about a weird, awkward time to celebrate your birthday.

People are feeling stressed, scared, and lonelier than ever before. On the flip side, birthdays prompt us to reach out and let someone know how much you care about them. Now is actually a perfect time to do exactly that!

When I started writing this, my mom's birthday was around the corner. Challenged to work around lockdown restrictions, I started brainstorming small things I could do to mark the special occasion. Since other people are in the same boat, I figured it might be helpful to share what I came up with :)

Here are some cute, contactless gestures that would brighten anyone's day.

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Send a snail mail birthday card

Getting actual paper mail is such a nice surprise! (As long as it's not bills, flyers, or those letters from the city when your street is being shut down for construction.)

Consider ordering a card from your favorite stationary store (mine is Boucle et Papier) or finding ones from local designers on Etsy.

Pharmacies are also a handy resource. Most of them stock greeting cards, but sometimes the selection isn't fabulous. When pickings are slim, I choose a blank card with the cutest cover.

If leaving your home is inconvenient or nerve-wracking, no worries. A handwritten letter, or note scribbled on the back of a photo, gets the job done too :)

Canada Post is operating way slower than usual, so cushion your time frame accordingly. And make sure you have stamps!

Video conference dinner party

By now, people know their way around digital dining to some degree. This year, we virtually celebrated Passover seder and Easter lunch with our families. I was expecting we'd have fun with the novelty of it all, but found myself beyond surprised by the true warmth and happiness that actually came through our computer screens. It was lovely! Obviously wouldn't trade the real thing, but connecting over a video chat meal wasn't bad at all.

Bonus points if you're able to coordinate a shared meal -- like having pizza delivered to the birthday person's house, and a second one for yourself. Then set up your computer/phone/tablet and enjoy the same meal together!

Drinks work too lol.

The SAQ is delivering to people's homes again. Otherwise, a number of restaurants are currently allowed to sell bottles with take-out.

Deliver an ice cream cake

Cookies, cupcakes, donuts... Thanks to food delivery apps, there is a long list of fun treats to leave on someone's doorstep. However, not much beats having Dairy Queen ice cream cake on your birthday. They deliver through Skip The Dishes, and you can ask them to write a message on top (just put it in the delivery notes).

Big thanks Josh for this tip ;)

Deliver flowers

Pretty self-explanatory. There are so many gorgeous florists on/around the island that recently reopened and offer delivery. We ordered an arrangement from Oh Fleurs (Hudson) for my mom. The flowers were beautiful, so fresh and pretty and thoughtfully arranged. My mom is a flower person, these were a big hit.

I've also heard good things about Le Jardin de Mathilde (Plateau) and Fig Fleurs (West Island). Haven't personally shopped at either yet. But, if instagram is any indication, their work is lovely.

Just call

Easy, low key, and (let's be honest) probably the thing your loved one really wants right now, second only to finally seeing you in person.

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Would love to hear other ideas for contactless celebration, if you have some! And definitely me know how it goes if you try out any of the ones above :)

Image credit (cake): Inc

Image credit (stationary): Hey Nae Daily

Image credit (flowers): Time Out

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Cutest Spring Clothes For Tiny Ones

Any excuse to share a pic of Baby D ;)

Didn't intend to post anything today. Fate had other plans.

I was rooting around online this morning, looking for new duds to give a certain wild-haired nephew of mine, and was FLOORED by what I found on H&M's website. Just the sweetest, cheeriest, most adorable selection of springtime kidswear I've seen from a big retailer. (And I've done my fair share of shopping for baby clothes.)

Even better: Everything is well priced, if not downright inexpensive. I was beside myself!

Felt compelled to share this revelation in case someone out there is shopping for kids clothes, too.

These are a few ridiculously cute choices available. It was very, very difficult to narrow down Domenic's selection lol.

  

  

  

(Judging by the pieces that caught my eye, I suspect my future-kid's wardrobe will be completely striped and animal themed. Totally fine with that.)

SO CUTE, right?

I should have filtered my search by category and size. Browsing all the merchandise would get crushing because a ton of good stuff wasn't available in Dom's size. And don't even get me started on the girls clothes. Just look at what I had to turn down!

  

  

For the record, I would wear all of these.

If you happen to be in the market for baby clothes right now, I hope this tip makes your search a little easier :)

Image credit (top): My sister (who should be a children's photographer)

Image credit (products): H&M

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