My boyfriend is a carpenter, and a good pencil is his trusted companion. You will almost always find one sticking out from under his hat. He also is very particular and when he finds something he likes, he sticks with it. The pencils I speak of were found at his Grandmother’s house still in their original box, all unsharpened. He swears they always keep a point and he loves the good solid mark they provide. Plus, he’s a history buff and lover of vintage tools, anything made with care and made to last.

So seeing that his birthday is coming up I thought I’d try to find some more of these precious pencils. I searched Google, and Ebay, and Amazon. No luck. Then I came across Bobby Truby’s Brand Name Pencils. His site is a thorough catalog of pencils through the ages. Who knew there were so many?! This was the first and only place I found the Venus Velvet American 880 HB that my boyfriend loves so much. Unfortunately, this was less of a shop and more of an incredible collection. But I figured it wouldn’t hurt to email Mr. Bobby Truby and ask his advice on other comparable pencils.

Long story short, my boyfriend is going to receive a dozen different vintage pencils in the same wheel house as the 880 HB with descriptions of each one packaged in a vintage box. This is the kind of gift I can’t put in our inventory at Lily&Strum and that probably no one else out there would even appreciate. Not all gifts need to be this specific to be great picks, but when you listen and pay attention to your loved ones you end up with thoughtful gifts that show you really care. And the feeling you get from giving a really thoughtful gift is even better than getting one.

To have Lily&Strum help you with your gifting organization and provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here. To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

PS. If any of you out there know someone with a love of vintage pencils…I highly suggest you contact the extremely knowledgeable and helpful Bobby Truby. Thanks again!

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Handcrafted Gifts: For Gals

1. Goat’s Milk Skincare Soap Trio, $21 Independently made by: Little Seed Farm

My skin felt healthier after just reading the descriptions. Plus, I adore the illustrations and you know our feelings on packaging here.

2. Infinity Cowl Neckwarmer, $42 Independently made by: KLJT

Oh hello winter. If it weren’t for cuddly infinity scarves like this one I’d want little to do with you. Check out KLJT’s cute scrunchy hats and leg warmers too. You can’t go wrong with this chunky knit.

3. Ikat Red & Grey Cosmetic Bag Set, $40 Independently made by: Frankie and Coco PDX

Little pouches are irresistible and ever so useful. I never buy them for myself but you’re welcome to buy me one…anytime. Check out all the other playful patterns too.

4. Triple Arrow Silver Earrings, $98 Independently made by: Meander Works

I say yes yes yes to all of Meander Work’s earthy yet elegant designs.

Handcrafted Gifts: For Guys

5. Shampoo & Shave Beer Soap Set, $18 Independently made by: Damn Handsome

Love the convenience of the shampoo bar! Total sucker for the rustic packaging.

6. Owl T-Shirt, $25 Independently made by: DKNG

I don’t recommend a lot of t-shirts, but the designs by DKNG really jumped out. I think this one would make the perfect gift.

7. Triumph Leather Glasses Case, $48 Independently made by: Draeger Handcraft

I know a glasses case doesn’t seem like a very sexy gift when you say it out loud, but just look at it! For the man who really cares about the quality of his accessories, this one’s a showstopper.

8. Mountain Sterling Silver Tie Clip, $75 Independently made by: EKMetals

If he must wear a tie, save him from throwing his up over his shoulder during lunch. That just looks good on no one. This little mountain however makes a much better statement.

Handcrafted Gifts: For Couples

9. Original Salted Caramels, $10 Independently made by: Shotwell Candy Co.

Little bites of heaven, that’s what I call it. Do yourself a favor and buy an extra box. We won’t tell.

10. Scone Mix & Fruit Jam Assortment, $31 Independently made by: Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon

Give the gift of a good morning. Warm scones and sweet jammy jam are the perfect way to wake up on a chilly fall day.

11. Custom Scalloped Wood Cutting Board, $39 Independently made by: Richwood Creations

So many people tell us that they love giving the personalized cutting boards we recommend. So here’s another one! The pattern makes it really special.

12. Orange House Serving Bowl, $50 Independently made by: Toast Ceramics

This bowl was love at first site for me. I think the feeling would be mutual for any young artsy couple in need of unique housewares.

So in closing, hooray for Shoppe by ScoutMob! Sites like yours make our job easier…and we thank you. And this little roundup is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our Gifts from ScoutMob Pinterest Board for tons more ideas.

To have Lily&Strum help you with your gifting organization and provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here. To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

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And guess what? They even let us set up our own boutique! We’re featuring all our favorite handmade gifts which will also now be available in our growing inventory of recommendations.

We’ve just started looking around but have already found some really great gems. Maybe we were shopping for ourselves…but these gifts are all for the ladies. Here’s a taste of what we found so far:

Sentimental Gifts

Laser Cut Silhouette Pendant, $88

Love One Another Tiny Bowl, $32

Practical Gifts

Large Walnut Cake Stand, $199

Large Cork Bowl, $150

Pretty Gifts

No.6 Mint Green, $40

Yogita Scarf, $85

Modern Gifts

Pattern Block Medallion, $80

Dots Furoshiki, $48

Whimsical Gifts

Awesome Stuff Zipper Pouch, $32

Inverse Mini Airplant Pod, $35

And there will be more where this came from! New makers join the site daily and we’ll be searching their studio pages for more great gifts. So check back often!

To have Lily&Strum help you with your gifting organization and provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here. To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

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“Wow, this box is super heavy!”

“Aww the packaging is so pretty!”

“Omg these things are huge!”

“They’re so soft!”

“Holy moly, they’re so [munch munch] marshmallowy!”

Warning: Don’t eat these alone. Although they are individually wrapped, each cake is four servings, roughly a quarter pound! And while I may or may not have eaten the entire S’Mores one in a single sitting, I recommend opening one at a time and sharing. Unless it’s Toasted Coconut…you’re not getting any of that one. So that’s it. Lauren approved. A great surprise that will put a smile on any face. And that’s why you’ll find them at Lily&Strum.

Looking for a tasty gift or just want to get your munch on? Now through 9/30 get 15% off if you use code LILYANDSTRUM15.

Do you have a product you’d like us to review and maybe add to our inventory of gift recommendations? Give us a shout. We love trying new things!

To discover more great sites and products, follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

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Kitchen Gift Ideas from Provisions by Food52

By: Posie Harwood, Provisions Editor

Food52 is a community for cooks to come together and share recipes — along with expert tips, advice, and general merriment provided by our editors. We’ve loved seeing how the community has grown, and it’s important to us that we fulfill our mission of helping people become better, happier cooks. That’s why we launched our Provisions shop — we wanted a place to connect people with the products that make our homes prettier and brighter, our kitchens smarter and cleaner, and our cooking better.

Our shop is tightly curated, and we hand-select the pieces that we use ourselves and really believe in. We work with artisans and craftsmen who put real heart and energy into their companies and their techniques — and we happily get to tell their stories too (just another perk of the job!). For us, a great meal involves everything from the kitchen prep to the beautifully set table to the ingredients, so Provisions is our way of bringing all of that together to our community.

Kitchen Gift Ideas: Under $25

World Salt Tower ($16)

Exotic salts are fun to try, but we like giving a sample of small doses, so they can taste and test with just the right amount.

Blue Ball American Heritage Collection Pint Mason Jars – Set of 12 ($24)

The prettiest encouragement to keep an organized pantry, plus they work as vase, salad jar, and drinking glass too.

Kitchen Gift Ideas: Under $50

Floral Letterpress Coaster – Set of 16 ($26) 

Any consummate host will appreciate how these coasters are both a useful gift and a conversation piece.

PieBox (Starting at $28)

Anyone who loves pie needs a handsome way to carry it.

Noble Tonic 01: Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup ($28)

A love story starring maple syrup and raw Tuthilltown bourbon, it’ll improve anyone’s pancakes (and mornings too).

Traditional Shake & Pop with Popcorn ($36) 

More fun than a microwave, and better-tasting to boot.

Best of Big Spoon Roasters Almond & Peanut Butter Collection ($40)

The best small-batch peanut better we’ve tasted, so they can relive childhood PB&Js.

DIY Deluxe Hot Sauce Kit ($44)

A must for hot sauce lovers – so they can make a version as spicy as they like it.

Kitchen Gift Ideas: Under $75

Citrus Wreath ($58)

Fresh, bright, and scented of eucalyptus, this is all the vitamin C anyone needs.

Whisk Necklace (Starting at $60)

How to charm your favorite baker.

Coffee Cold Brewer ($75)

A nice-looking brewer that means no more overpriced iced coffees from the corner café.

Kitchen Gift Ideas: Under $150

Blue Celadon Porcelain Pitcher($80) 

Summer feels cooler and breezier when we serve iced drinks from this pale blue pitcher.

Everyday Steak Knives (Set of 4) ($145)

Food52 collaborated with R. Murphy Knives to design our ideal steak knife: elegant, sharp-looking, and comfortable.

Thanks again to Food52 for putting together this list for us. We’re proud to already count many of their products as our own gift recommendations. I invite you to check out their Provisions shop using the code LILYANDSTRUM10 for 10% off your first purchase through Sunday (8/3). But proceed with caution…I’ve lost hours of my life on this site.

To discover more great sites and products, follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

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Last week, I was lucky enough to receive a box of this goodness. Here’s what I found.

Simple but stylish eco-friendly packaging.

A cute tote for all my farm market trips.

There was also a seasonal recipe card and a sticker for my fridge. But the best part was what was inside…obviously.

Whiskey Sour Pickle ($9.95) Brooklyn Brine

I was crossing my fingers for pickles…and there they were! I opened the jar immediately and dove in. They were great. Crunchy and sour with a subtle whiskey flavor and surprising spiciness. Not sure they’re going to make it through the week. I’d be proud to serve them next to any sandwich.

Spiced Apple Syrup ($14.95) Morris Kitchen

I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the next item at first. The bottle suggested several beverage options, but I was fresh out of bourbon and it was too hot for mulled cider. So…I added a tablespoon to a cup of seltzer along with some ice and fresh mint. This made for a refreshing spiced apple soda. Who knew that was even a thing? Necessity, the mother of invention, comes through again. (The website also suggests pouring a little over vanilla ice cream which I will definitely try post-haste.)

JoJo’s Sriracha Chili Sauce ($14) JoJo’s Sriracha

How to improve the sauce that improves everything? Make it with fresh organic ingredients so you can pronounce everything in it. Then…use it to improve something else that’s practically perfect in every way.

Super Special Cheese Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 Fazio’s cheese pizza (or your local favorite)
• 1 Bunch of arugula
• 1/4 cup Feta cheese or freshly grated parmesan
• Olive oil, salt and black pepper (to taste)
• JoJo’s Sriracha (FYI…it’s pretty spicy)

Directions:

1. Toss arugula with cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Cover pizza with arugula mixture.
3. Drizzle JoJo’s Sriracha over top.
4. Stuff in face.

You’re welcome.

So…my overall review of Farm to People is two yums up! Great products, nice packaging, friendly people. And that’s why you’ll find them on Lily&Strum.

Do you have a product you’d like us to review and maybe add to our inventory of gift recommendations? Give us a shout. We love trying new things!

To discover more great sites and products, follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

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The anticipation was half the fun, and Blind Surprise did not disappoint. We received a well designed set of shot glasses from Izola baring the Mark Twain quote,“You never have to remember anything if you always tell the truth.”  True that.

After receiving our gift, we thought we’d give Ali Kitenplon, the founder of Blind Surprise, a call to see what else she’d been surprising people with. All her gifts are around $30 so they make perfect little gifts for any occasion.

Blind Surprise 1: Water Water Bottle ($29.99) Izola

“Izola makes quality products and a good water bottle is something everyone needs but few people purchase for themselves. This stainless steel model keeps any beverage hot or cold and displays the word water in 13 different languages (so you always remember to drink your agua). It makes a great gift for anyone  into working out, traveling, the outdoors, or nutrition.”

If this bottle is anything like the shot glasses we received, I’d give it a thumbs up!

Bind Surprise 2: Chargekey ($29) Nomad

“The only thing worse than a dead phone and no charger, is a charger that’s not compatible with your phone. Chargekey fits on your keychain so it’s accessible any time you need extra juice. This gift is great for people who like to travel and are interested in new technology.”

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve run around the office begging coworkers to borrow a charger….totally need this.

Blind Surprise 3: Wine’O ($12)

“This is just a fun way to keep your chardonnay cold at your next picnic, beach party or kids soccer game (just kidding). This gift is great for people with a sense of humor and a fun loving attitude who also enjoy the occasional glass of wine…or two.”

I’m more of a beer drinker. Do they make one big enough to hold a six-pack?

And now the questions we ask everyone…cause we’re into this kind of thing.

What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?

“A few come to mind but I think the best gift I’ve ever received was the privilege to have my college education paid for by my grandparents. I could never express in words how grateful I am for the education, the experience, and the growth.  I couldn’t think of a better gift to give to someone.

As far as material possessions, my parents gave me a watch for my 21^st birthday that I will have for the rest of my life. It’s the best piece of jewelry I own, but more importantly I feel like I have my parents with me when I wear it.”

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given someone?

“Every year my mom looks for the perfect calendar. A few years ago for Mother’s Day my brothers and I gave my mom a calendar and every month contained pictures of us and the rest of the family. I couldn’t believe how touched she was by it but I could just tell she absolutely adored it.”

Why we decided to add Blind Surprise to our recommendation inventory:

• Gifts are tailored based on your interests
• Only unique well crafted items are ever included
• They’re delivered in super cute packaging
• Surprises are awesome
• We love supporting innovative entrepreneurs!

Do you know a maker or online retailer with a great story and great gift ideas? Let us know! We’d love to check them out and maybe even add their products to our inventory of gift recommendations.

For more great gift ideas, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And to be sure you never miss a moment and always get it right, sign up here.

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From humble beginnings as an Etsy shop seven years ago, Wendy has built an impressive business and internationally sought after brand. Her work has been featured everywhere from Design Milk and Cool Hunting to People Magazine. For many designers, this kind of growth inevitably leads to outsourcing manufacturing overseas. But Wendy remains committed not only to quality workmanship, but to a quality of life for herself and all of her employees. And we think that’s awesome.

We think all Moop bags make great gifts, but we asked Wendy (seen above on the left) for a few of her favorites.

The Porter ($134)

“The Porter in waxed canvas is a great gift for new parents. It’s large, gender neutral, water resistant and most importantly, does not look like a diaper bag.”

I would totally carry this with or without diapers, wouldn’t you?

Messenger no.3 ($185)

“This bag is great for new college graduate students. It is effortlessly casual, while still maintaining polished functionality. It’s large enough for laptops up to 15”, several books and your typical daily bag items. Plus it’s water resistant.”

Funny, we just recommended Backpack no.2 in our blog about gifts for those heading off to college!

Moop + Thread Collaboration, Paperback ($187)

“Lined in fabric made from 100% post-consumer, recycled plastic bottles collected from the streets of Haiti, this special edition is the perfect gift for your environmentally conscious friend who loves eco friendly materials.”

Love this new collaboration with Thread. Looks great and does good. It’s a win win!

Tiny Clutch no.1 ($39)

“These are the perfect gift giving item. Small, useful and made from 100% merino wool, they are perfect for filling with small treasures.”

Pretty sure I need one of these. And definitely in this color!

We also asked Wendy the questions we ask everyone…

What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?

“One Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend made me a small heart, rimmed with flashing LED’s that he soldered and electronically wired so they pulsed a bit, almost like a beating heart cartoon.  Four months later we were married.  The little heart sits on the bookshelf in my living room and always makes me smile.”

Looks like Joe’s got some competition, eh Traci? (To understand this reference, click here.)

And finally, what’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given?

“A former studio assistant of mine was married a few years ago. She loves to cook, share food with friends and is committed to supporting local agriculture as much as she can. She wanted to participate in a community supported agriculture program but it was a little beyond her reach at the time. So, my husband and I, in honor of her marriage (and not wanting to give her a toaster), gave she and her new husband a CSA farm share. They were able to indulge in a season’s worth of locally grown produce and provisions and I was able to support something I deeply believe in: local farms and cooking from scratch.”

Great idea! So thoughtful and useful. We knew Wendy would be a kindred gifter.

What an awesome way to start a Friday. Moop is just the kind of business we love connecting with at Lily&Strum. Unique products with great stories always equals great gift recommendations. Want more? Check out our last Field Trip to The Shop in East Liberty.

Do you know a maker or online retailer with a great story and great gift ideas? Let us know! We’d love to visit them and add their products to our inventory of gift recommendations.

To learn about more great gift ideas, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And to be sure you never miss a moment and always get it right, sign up here.

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Now we may or may not have been on our way to Harvard & Highland for happy hour when we first discovered The Shop, but however it happened we’re sure glad we found it. Opened by Julia Reynolds in September 2012, The Shop offers fresh and modern home and personal accessories that are artful, well-made and won’t break the bank. Imagine that, a gifting oasis right in our own backyard! Since The Shop also has an online storefront, you can bet we added them to our list of recommended retailers.

So Julia, what are your favorite things about being in this neighborhood?

There’s an awesome energy in Pittsburgh, a level of passion that’s helping make this city great again. It seems like everyday you hear about someone starting something cool or doing good in the community. East Liberty in particular, is a neighborhood where this passion is really evident. 

Do you have any gift ideas for us to add to our inventory?

One of the most beloved things in our shop is Gregory Beauchamp’s Tribe print ($50) – it doesn’t gets much sweeter than this. This print makes a great gift for Mother’s Day or for new parents.

Adorable!

For someone that’s super practical or has just about everything, one of our Stak Ceramics’ Phone Docks ($28) makes a neat, inexpensive gift. We’re all in need of a good place to charge our phones and this dock makes a design statement at the same time.

You know, I’ve been eyeing these up every time I go in…might just have to gift one to myself.

For that stylish lady who loves to make a statement, Fail Jewelry’s Arc Collar Necklace ($116) will definitely make an impression. During the day, this necklace is perfect when paired with a simple t-shirt or sweater; and at night, it looks amazing with that special dress or blouse.

Oh, I would totally wear that.

What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received?

One of the most treasured items in my home was a wedding gift from one of my nearest and dearest friends. While she was traveling in Southeast Asia, just a few weeks before she came back to the States for the wedding, she found an amazingly intricate clay lantern. She said she watched as the artist made it and knew it was the just the thing – and it really was.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given?

You might have to check with my husband on this, but I think it was a drawing I had made for his birthday one year. The art features a sketch of our pup, Jake. I love that it tells a story not just about our amazing dog but about the person who made it.

Thanks Julia for taking the time to talk with us! Looks like we’ve found another kindred gifter. If you’ve never visited The Shop in East Liberty, get yourself over there!

Have a suggestion for our next field trip? We’re always look for an excuse to go shopping! For all things gifting, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And to be sure you never miss a moment and always get it right, sign up here!

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FYI: Lily&Strum’s founder Traci is a new mom herself and has given the stamp of approval to all of the following.

New Baby Gift Baskets: Under $50 

A bucket of burpies should really come standard with every baby. Since they don’t, we think this unique new baby gift basket ($34.95) from Gift Tree is a must for any new mom. Functional and adorable, these ones are eco-friendly, super soft and of course come packaged superbly.

This Beautiful Baby Gift Tower ($39.95) from Gift Tree is budget friendly and makes a big impact! We love this new baby gift basket because it’s stacked high with essentials to keep both mom and baby happy.

New Baby Gift Baskets: Under $75

How cute is this Elliot Shoal gift set ($55) from Land of Nod? It contains three little onsies with vintage inspired drawings adorably packaged in a suitcase shaped gift box. There is also a new baby gift basket just for girls that is equally as precious. (These puppies are so cute they’re sold out until mid-may.)

Red Envelope has some great baby and kids gifts that are extra special because they can be personalized.  We especially love this baby one piece and toy gift set ($60). Whether you choose the giraffe or elephant, the modern design of this new baby gift basket shows off your great taste and attention to detail.

New Baby Gift Baskets: Under $100

We just love the selection of new baby gift baskets at Aldea Baby. The Julia ($55.95) is so sweet and makes a great impression. This keepsake basket is over flowing with fun stuff for baby including a floppy fluffy stuffed bunny by Jellycat and a classic blankie by Angel Dear.

Maybe it’s because food is one of my top reasons for living, but I can’t get enough of Romp’s The Little Foodie Basket ($75). It’s just too cute for words.  From knit donut rattles to bamboo feeding spoons, this precious new baby gift basket comes packaged in an adorable tiny suitcase that can be used as a nursery decoration now and for pretend trips to Bora Bora later. 

New Baby Gift Baskets: Under $150

Aldea Baby has new baby gift baskets for just about any budget. On the higher-end, The Noel ($145) is packaged in a cute tote by 3 Sprouts that you will want to use again and again. Among other things, it includes Organic Muslin Swaddles by Aden & Anais and Plush Baby Legwarmers by Little Giraffe. That’s right, we said baby leg warmers.

The Land of Nod is awesome for kids and baby toys alike and they’ve got some great new baby gift baskets. The Jumbo Nod Baby Gift Set is bright and colorful and bursting with fun stuff for baby as he grows. There’s also a pink version too.

Want to let us know what you think or get more great gift ideas? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. To be sure you never miss a moment and always get it right, sign up here!

NOTE: To my coworkers: I promise not to say, “omg this is soooo cuuuute” for at least a week.

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