I did my first ever vacation reward information for vacationers just a few years in the past, which was enjoyable to compile. Readers appeared to benefit from the numerous objects, and I used to be completely satisfied to share a few of the merchandise that accompanied me on the highway. This yr, I wished to do one thing a bit totally different.
For starters, my life is a little totally different – one thing all of you already know. In consequence, my very own items to household and pals aren’t souvenirs from far-away locations, however enjoyable issues I’ve found on-line. I wished to share a few of them right here, particularly as many are small companies like myself.
The objects 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 lovely objects to make your individual.
BECCA JANE DESIGNS
When trying to find a present for my mum’s birthday final yr, I believed I might do one thing a bit totally 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 sort of reward earlier than, and Rebecca – the artist I selected – was affected person and type, and we went backwards and forwards just a few occasions 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 reward information till my mum obtained her reward, and she or he beloved it!
Rebecca’s full store right here, and be aware that she’s going to do other forms of designs as nicely, like Save the Dates for weddings, vacation playing cards, personalised 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 pals many occasions per week.
Earlier than this information went up, I wrote him to ask if he had any vacation objects I may embrace, 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 strategy to put on one of the vital 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 sequence first, and clapped my arms with glee. As somebody attempting to get out in nature throughout transient spurts of respite from bedrest, they had been a breath of contemporary air. Her constellation playing cards, that includes every of the zodiac indicators, are a transparent crowd-pleaser. I’ve put these two forms of playing cards under however truthfully it’s value heading to see her full store.
I understand these are listed as playing cards, however I believe they’re frame-worthy all by themselves.
Her full store right here.
VULVA EARRINGS
I’ve written about how a menstrual cup has been one of the vital helpful objects for a solo feminine traveler to deliver, 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 chook 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 objects are wealthy in puns and joyful artistry.
Nicola’s work jogs my memory of the youngsters’s’ books I beloved most, with artistic characters, maps, and kooky animals. A gifted hand-brush lettering artist, she additionally consists of plenty of drawn typography in her work.
From a grumpy owl to a festive sheep, you’ll remember to discover vacation playing cards to your tastes. And one in all 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 good friend launched us simply earlier than I re-leaked final summer time. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram attributable to 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 includes “the existential misery of the flightless via the eyes of the flighted.”
You’ll be able to try 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 usually share their photos with my neighborhood as a result of their eye is exclusive, and their photos compelling. Like me, they completely like to journey. In contrast to me, they specialise in photographing weird, aerial photos our planet utilizing drone pictures.
Their objective: to share views of the world in any other case unseen, captured from a vantage level most of us miss. An excellent reward choice for many who like to roam.
Right here’s one I really 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 just a few years in the past, and was hooked instantly. His work combines each conventional and digital media, a fusion of strategies that lead to elegant but crisp merchandise. On condition that my very own merchandise are typographic representations of meals, I really like that his artwork consists of quotes he’s loved over time, visually represented in distinctive methods.
Considered one of my favourites: this flower, “Your Backyard, Without end” obtainable 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 via my backyard perpetually.”― Alfred Tennyson
And the merchandise under, The Giving Tree, was created by warping/twisting the phrases from all the set of textual content from Shel Silverstein’s iconic e-book “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 trend on Instagram and Twitter, for good cause: they’re hilarious. Crafted by Aaron Reynolds, they do appear to offend some, however because the identify suggests precisely what they’re it’s exhausting for anybody to be upset. Don’t like them? Shut the tab.
Personally, I discover them precisely what I would like, each day.
Clothes, mugs, pins, and extra right here, plus an Effin’ Birds e-book 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 aspect. These new tote baggage are black and white – and if individuals like, I may swap out the handles to make them purple or mustard! – and the design is printed on each side.*
The brand new tote has sturdy handles and holds as much as 44lbs, excellent for errands and/or carrying a laptop computer with no laptop computer bag. Meals maps of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Portugal, Italy, and Mexico obtainable.
Store the brand new totes right here. The total 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 just lately and ordered a pair as my vacation reward 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 a wide range of sizes and styles. They’re light-weight and exquisite, and oh so artistic. Her jewellery is hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Purchase the identical gold leaf earrings that I really like right here, with Mica’s full store right here.
KAMOKA PEARLS
My good friend Celeste just isn’t solely an important journey author, but additionally 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 equipped 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 enhance the world’s fish inhabitants lately.
As with my former reward information, I wished to incorporate their Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s sturdy and exquisite. Celeste stated that this bracelet was initially crafted for surfers. Now, it’s one in all their greatest sellers for lively individuals who need a wonderful pearl bracelet with out worrying about fragility. The adjustable band is produced from kangaroo leather-based (the strongest leather-based on this planet), and is a good selection for the modern wanderer and the lively fashionista alike.
For one thing a bit extra delicate (and fragile!), I really like this white Tahitian keishi pearl ring, offset with a crescent to characterize the solar and the moon. Keshi pearls are completely satisfied accidents, small nuggets which are created as a by-product when the pearl grows with no nucleus, or rejects the bead nucleus because it grows.
I really like that Kamoka took these often-discarded objects and made one thing lovely 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 Presents for Well being and Residence
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. Because of an inflammatory immune situation known 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 inexpensive and use LED lights, and are increasingly transportable 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 expertise. They’re the world’s smallest for this goal, and are constructed to be snug for sleep—together with for aspect sleepers. I used to be involved they’d match, however they arrive with an XS earbud measurement that’s excellent for me.
Purchase them right here. Black Friday sale on earlier than the 2021 holidays.
KIZIK HANDS FREE SHOES
I’ve been utilizing these sneakers for nearly a yr, and I can’t see myself going again to anything. With a spinal CSF leak, I can’t simply get right into a pair of sneakers, or tie my very own laces. Previous to discovering out about these from a good friend, I used an extendable shoe horn to get into my sneakers with ease.
Not anymore!
Now, the shoe itself is sufficient. Kizik’s patented expertise in all of their sneakers incorporates 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 wished probably the most strong assist that they had. They’ve a more moderen working model (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 a lot of emails about it. So have pals who broke a leg, or are pregnant and may’t attain their sneakers, or are disabled like me. I’m not an envoy for them, I simply love the sneakers 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 sneakers, and you’ll examine 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’ll be able to add the shavings to spice up any meal, or cocktail, with a wide range of flavours. Made by hand, they’re all vegan and gluten-free, and at present provide 24 flavours.
Purchase them right here. They ship outdoors of Canada, too.
For readers who requested assist me throughout this vacation season, the most effective methods are through my Patreon (come be part of us! there are birds!), or through a one-time assist choice.
Thanks as all the time for all of the love!
-Jodi
