While this post may have a holiday undertone, the real gift to the people you love is acknowledging their concerns, ails, and dreams as your own (year round).  If you have nothing in this life, it’s your moral ground, compassion, and understanding (seemingly impossible traits when they are truly done selflessly).  While my thoughts on all of these are constantly changing, I take comfort and pride in knowing that my current weaknesses will grow stronger with time.  While I love setting out to shop during the holidays, the true donations are created by hand and lead by the heart.  Take the time to really pour your efforts into something fantastically memorable this season.  Your wallet and soul will thank you equally.

• Did you know Swarovski has it’s own Austrian indoor theme park?  Neither did I.  Prepare to step inside a crystal… 
• In a career rut?  Don’t know how to hone your natural abilities and apply them towards something you’re passionate about?  Jump on board Marcus Buckingham’s free online courses for some self exploration homework…
• This article is so important to imply (especially around children), not only to yourself – but everyone taking example from you.
• The smallest coffee shop in North America (and yet I always pass it without getting any!).  Love the concept in any case.

• I don’t think I could have these in my home (without freaking at night), but I love the aesthetic of these mannequin lamps!
• For the gardener on your Christmas wish list, Pia Design’s Flower Trap creates oh-so-gorgeous greenhouse-inspired glass bubbles for your budding green thumb.  Love!
• As soon as I have a backyard, you can bet this will be my office space.  Toolshed 2.0… the ultimate small business splurge!
• I hate that this is only available in the US… it would have been number one on my holiday wish list!

• Love these awesomely inspiring gifs?  Check out more here (the site is like a black hole for time splurging… you’ve been warned!).
• Not only do these recipes look completely divine, but their ingredients are all in season (aka cheaper and better-tasting then their grocery shelf counterparts).  I’m all about living life a la Parisian and making homemade comfort foods chez moi.  Bon Appetit!
• “Don’t play with your food” is now officially irrelevant.
• I’m falling in love with natural remedies and their incredible preventative/healing benefits… look no further than your spice rack for starting inspiration (make food your medicine/immune-boosting protection).

• You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their belongings.  Intrigued by these suitcases taken from an old insane asylum’s storage attic.  The lives of their patients…
• I have a thing for varying subway concepts and themes.  Take a look at the different details in the Munich system.
• Watch the video at the end of this post.  It felt magical just watching it from my couch (imagine in person!).
• Don’t you love snooping other people’s bookshelves?  Spy on some well known names…

• Never before have pharmaceuticals looked so good…
• Don’t you love it when Hermes gets involved in art?  Behold the printed Tokyo sunrise silk scarf…
• Kiss of approval.  Don’t know why I don’t have one.
• Big fan of the white on white embossed business card.  If you’re a graphic designer and interested in coming up with some design concepts – email me, I’m due for a grown up change!

•  If buildings can reshape our brains, are you living in the right place (in accordance to where you want to grow into?).
• For the old school students and on the go business electronics buff, this typewriter laptop sleeve is a pretty cool stocking stuffer.
• Would you (could you), live randomly in a cocoon?
• Like entering the Matrix…

• Very cute (a little wasteful), but awesome for scrapbooking mini printer.  Thoughts?
• Boys, skip to the next line… the at home pap smear!  Rude awakening, perhaps… but making this more accessible for women means healthier ladies!  I love the idea.
• I’m pretty sure this idea is less cool when you smash into the table and spill the beans.
• Another great gift idea… the miniature instagram projector!  Divine.

• Need more giftspiration?  The Fancy will keep you scrolling.
• I love Tim Ferriss.  Here he speaks on the creative process and getting your work noticed (finally, someone who understands my night owl writing tendencies).
• The more images I run into on the web, the more I know I will eventually end up visiting (and loving) Asia.  Check out this amazing Hong Kong gallery space.
• Looking for a craft project (or a cute customizable gift idea from the heart?).  Download this inspiration calendar and doll it up with your hopes and dreams <3.

• I’m all about making my own Christmas tree decorations.  This year I took manilla drawing paper and filled mine with origami cranes, baskets, and irises.  Maybe I’ll delve into clay creation too…
• “Be Hungry.  Be Humble.  Be Entrepreneurial”.  Great advice for digital agency job seekers.
• A post I needed to hear – make a 5 year commitment.
• This is a result of the last link… check out Toastmasters if you’re looking to improve your public speaking, interview, and leadership skills (I know I will).

• Looking to sink your teeth into a new book this season?  Check out the New York Times’ 100 Most Notable books of the year list.
• Now you can own a piece of Garance Dore’s artwork (what an awesome gift for the fellow fashion lover on your list).
• Kind of in love with this blog… take a peek at different menu artwork from around the globe.
• Love giving food gifts?  This DIY homemade brownie jar is the cutest thing since sliced bread.

• Need to distract your mind with a good, long, insightful read?  Try these on for size…
• Eat your heart out swan pond from the Notebook…
• A baked potato egg?  Now on my must-taste list.
• Camilla Belle will forever be on my fashion favourite list.  Impeccable!

• Loved this beauty read (and guilty as accused!).  What you’re doing to your skin that’s holding you back from your most luminous glow…
• A Christmas tree that makes me want to squeal with delight!
• Of course my love of angels always reaches an all time high around the holidays… great picture.
• Have you seen Pharrell’s new youtube interview show Artst Tlk?  A hidden gem if you love picking creative’s brains.