BentoBoxGifts

Scrabble Score

2012-01-08T16:14:00.001-05:00

Fun scrabble mugs for your favorite Scrabble-obsessed friends! Questions is, though, do you get something appropriate with a low word score... or do you go for a lump of odd letters like Q, J, Z and K, so she can rack up more points and win (again)?

Available from the fabulous Spoonsisters.

Local Treats

2011-12-13T11:18:00.002-05:00

Maybe Reading, Pennsylvania isn't your hometown but anyone would enjoy this box of "Local Treats" from Berks and Lancaster Counties. My curated collection of favorites are a Holiday Gift Guide "staff fav" at Berks County Living Magazine. (Thanks, Kristin!) Makes a totally great hostess gift. Available at Firefly on Penn in West Reading, PA, or contact me here .

Did you know the Reading Museum has it's very own mummy?

Follow me for more gift ideas! Twitter : BentoBoxGirl

Buy It, Wrap It

2011-12-04T23:43:00.000-05:00

There's sooooo much fabulous wrapping paper out there. Have you visited Mohawk Paper's Felt & Wire Shop? Or Pop Ink by French Paper? I save every scrap of pretty paper I have and finally figured out that if I roll the small pieces tightly and stash them in a container (like this Mumm champagne bucket) things stay a bit neater. Very Martha of me, no?

What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You

2011-11-04T08:43:00.003-04:00

Milo, the October calendar cat, doesn't know it's November.

Things you might not know:

"How, oh, how, do I find a gift for [insert person who's hard to buy for here]? "Bento Box Gifts to the rescue!

I'm always on the prowl for good gifts. Visit Bento Box Gifts on facebook, browse the blog and and follow me on twitter at BentoBoxGirl for even more gift ideas.

Who's the hard-to-buy-for person on your list?

Eat Cake and Move On

2011-10-23T22:58:00.000-04:00

Of all the versions spawned by the iconic many "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster, I think this is my favorite. It would make a swell birthday gift. I bought it for myself. Sorry K, there was only one. And then I broke it.

A whole set of these mugs can be yours. Or choose something else equally wonderful from this UK company.

BTW: In case you were wondering, the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster was originally produced, but never officially issued, by the British government during WWII.

Ahoy!

2011-09-23T17:36:00.001-04:00

Did you know that September 19 is Talk Like A Pirate Day?

Anchors Away.

9.11.11

2011-09-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

Wellsboro, PA

Important Dates

2011-08-08T17:05:00.004-04:00

More!
Today, August 8th, is "Sneak a Zucchini on your Neighbor's Porch Day." Aside from abandoning your overabundance of produce in the middle of the night, celebrating the day with a chocolate zucchini cake sounds just fine. SCAD designer Megan Ave'Lallemant even has a greeting card for the occasion.

But seriously, if your garden is overflowing with more vegetables than you can eat, freeze, or turn into sauce, jam, or bread, why not share them? Grow and Share, is a local program that delivers fresh fruits and veggies to the Food Bank to fight hunger and poor nutrition in our area. Donating is easy, even if you're not a gardener; I just purchase an extra squash or melon or whatever and stash it in the ice chest at the Grow and Share outpost at my Farmers' Market. Great idea, don't you think?

Shower Me With Stars.
Wake up before dawn this week to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Here's a sky watching guide from EarthSky and a great quote: "Remember, meteor showers are like fishing. You go, you enjoy nature… and sometimes you catch something."

Enjoy August.
Download a calendar from Bento Box Gifts so you don't miss any other important dates this month. http://tinyurl.com/3rtn8o3

Unconditional Love

2011-07-31T08:57:00.002-04:00

Aaack. Mr. K is a political junkie. Too much political caterwauling makes Mimi an unhappy girl. Please! Fill my world with happy things like faithful pets, or these best-of-all-worlds knitted pets from "Knit Your Own Dog: Easy-to-Follow Patterns for 25 Pedigree Pooches". Talk about unconditional love! Not that I knit. But I heart these projects by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne.

photos courtesy of muirandosborne.co.uk

Buy the book, notebooks (!), patterns or kits at knityourowndog.com.

Muir and Osborne also have "a small stock of made up dogs from the book. They cost £69 to £79 depending on the breed." A totally fun and thoughtful gift, hint, hint. They also offer "a highly exclusive knitted dog portraiture service – for £200 we will knit your dog."

I feel better already.

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-07-28T23:43:00.003-04:00

Or Random Acts of Knitting?

I spotted this bit of handiwork in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, knitted right onto the tree. Pretty cool, no?

If you're crafty, a piece of your own handiwork makes a great gift. I think everyone has a bit of creativity they can exercise and Brett Bara's new book, "Sewing in a Straight Line," proves the point. As Brett says, "Anyone can sew a straight line!"

If you're not feeling crafty, though, a copy of "Sewing in a Straight Line" makes an inspired gift.

For more knitting, sewing and other cool things like Jello, follow Brett, my favorite crafty girl, at Manhattan Craft Room.

Milestone Birthdays

2011-07-05T15:03:00.002-04:00

Here's my favorite gift idea for someone who's celebrating a milestone birthday. I like to give a combo of something classic and something campy; a bottle of champagne plus something fun and retro like Pez, a squirt gun, bottle of bubbles, yo-yo (that's a Chinese yo-yo pictured below with silly straws), those button candies on paper, Pixie Stix, or other things you haven't thought about since you were a kid.

The gift tag would say, "Something to make you feel young and something to make you feel grown up." 'Cause it's true.

How do you celebrate a milestone birthday?

Special Edition Animal Crackers

2011-05-11T18:09:00.000-04:00

JUST SPOTTED:
Lilly Pulitzer Special Edition Animal Crackers. A little bit of happy!

This box of animal crackers - available at the grocery store - is a summer's-coming, no-special-reason gift, already wrapped in a fun Lilly Pulitzer print. Buy a box for you, a box for a friend, a box for your beach bag, your trip to the zoo.

Then log onto Lilly's "Cracker Tracker" to pinpoint the location of your Barnum's Animals. It's all part of the "Lilly Loves the Arts" 2011 initiative in conjunction with Nabisco and Urban Arts Partnership.

Warm Hands

2011-01-06T11:43:00.004-05:00

Warm the hands -- and the heart -- of your favorite blogger (or account executive). Elbow-length fingerless gloves in soft, fuzzy angora would be a perfect gift -- hint, hint.

Candy Is Dandy

2010-12-20T21:36:00.001-05:00

They say it's all in the presentation. Well, here is a fabulous, fabulous presentation. It's a limited edition Hennessy V.S. cognac flask with a silicon skin. Very cool. Very colorful. I've seen the red and the black but I'm waiting for green or turquoise. But if I'm winning a Very Special flask sleeve, any color is just fine.

Bento Box Gifts are all about the presentation, too. Check 'em out.

All I Want For Christmas Is...

2010-12-19T11:14:00.006-05:00

Marisha Simmons' letterpress card, Two Front Teeth, is a fun take on the classic answer to the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" [available at artstarphilly.com]

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that two front teeth might be just what you need if you use these Whiskey Stones. Soapstone cubes, quarried in Vermont that won't water down your drink. [available at Helix Online]

Give Thanks

2010-11-24T23:09:00.002-05:00

Give thanks and good karma. I love this letterpress card by A. Favorite Designs. "Thank you!" it reads, "Your kindness has earned you good karma. Keep this ticket to redeem when necessary."

Buy it - and a Bento Box Gift - at Tangerine, a zesty little gift shop, in Bethlehem, PA.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Trick or Treat

2010-10-31T16:29:00.003-04:00

I survived 300+ kids jacked up on sugar and applied 300+ temporary tattoos for Trick or Treat night on Penn Avenue. Here's my own tattoo for the evening emblazoned across my knuckles; TRICK, OR, TREAT and a little black bat. I thought it might make me look tough but alas....

I'm all about commitment-free tattoos (like this love tattoo in the XXOO Bento Box) just because I like to keep my options open. So I'm wondering, if you have something more permanent, how did you make your choice?

Halloween Peeps

2010-10-21T00:58:00.001-04:00

'Tis the season for bright orange marshmallow pumpkin Peeps. Fresh, frozen, or stale and out of season, I like them all.

My generally sunny demeanor turns a bit ghoulish, however, when it comes to the marshmallow chicks. If work stress gets the best of me, I've found that popping the head off of one of them and imagining my boss can be quite therapeutic.

I'm not sure what's scarier, though: Destruction in Peeptown or the fact that I still have Easter Peeps? Happy Halloween from Bento Box Gifts!

Unwrapped Gifts

2010-09-30T17:42:00.004-04:00

I love this quote from Annie Dillard's book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:

“There are many things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But – and this is the point – who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go on your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get.”

Give this gift [the Good Karma Bento Box Gift] and make someone's day. Lucky penny included.

Baby Grand - Keys for the City

2010-09-16T17:46:00.006-04:00

I do love pink! Here's my creation for the "Keys for the City" project in Lancaster, PA. Twenty donated pianos were painted and pasted and otherwise decked out by artists and designers and unloaded at designated spots around the city -- yes, just like the piano projects in New York and London -- for anyone to play.

My piano wears a pink tu-tu. And a lace-up bustier. It's a mash-up of an upright piano and a grand piano, sponsored by "Music For Everyone." It's intended as a gathering place; the perfect spot to pull up a barstool, have a pink martini and enjoy the music. Pianos are on exhibit through September 17th.

Special thanks to Music for Everyone, Society of Design, Mayor's Office of Special Events, the City of Lancaster and all the volunteers that made this exhibit possible. And my new friends at Lowe's.
Take a peek behind the scenes at the Society of Design blog. Have you seen my design portfolio?

Piece of Cake

2010-09-03T15:28:00.005-04:00

Gift-giving is a piece of cake when you give a Bento Box Gift!

Celebrate a birthday or other cake-worthy event with Cake and Karma. Give a slice of chocolate layer cake that's a squeezable stress toy in disguise. The box also contains a bundle of candles plus Japanese wish paper. Priced at just under $5, it costs less than some greeting cards! Shop online at Funky Finds to get your cake (scroll down to see it).

So who's birthday is next? Don't miss a chance to wish someone happy birthday; mark your calendar now. Download the September calendar here.

Lucky Charms

2010-07-26T22:59:00.002-04:00

A rabbit's foot is considered good luck. Here's this little piece of advice, however: "Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit." -- R.E. Shay

Find other kinds of good luck charms in a Good Karma Bento Box Gift. It's a customer favorite!

Conserving Energy

2010-07-08T17:13:00.006-04:00

Wow. The last time I posted anything the snow was piled high. Now it's close to 100 degrees. It's so hot inside my car that the glue holding the handles on the shopping bags is melting; and right now my car is full of bags from a big Two Thrifty Girls shopping spree. If you haven't visited, Mabel and Vi [that's me] invite you to browse our Thrifty Girls vintage finds at etsy.

Anyway, with all this nasty heat, the electric company has asked us to conserve energy. So we're doing our best to comply. Calvin, as you can tell from his photo, is never one to squander energy.

If you want to conserve your own energy for lounging by the pool or any other cool activity, give a Bento Box Gift. It's an easy way to garner praises without ever breaking a sweat. Click, shop, send and be happy!

Snow!

2010-02-11T09:49:00.002-05:00

"Snow is the peanut butter of life.
It's crunchy, kids love it,
and it sticks to the roof of your house."

It's a favorite from 5th grade; aside from that, who knows? Let me know if you have any details on the author. I want to give credit where credit is due.
P.S. The roof here has at least 24 inches of the crunchy stuff!

Featured online at Esquire

2009-12-10T11:14:00.001-05:00

In Japan, there's hardly a bento box lunch that doesn't include eel or salmon or some other creature of the sea. My Cherry On Top Bento Box, however, is filled with chocolatey things. Esquire.com says it makes a great secret santa gift (it's only $16) -- and it isn't fishy at all.

Special edition boxes

2009-12-03T09:18:00.004-05:00

Sunny Side Up
A cheery yellow Bento Box designed to improve your outlook. $18
WHAT'S INSIDE: Fried egg squeeze toy to lower stress (and cholesterol). Bamboo sporks. Lucky Break wishbone. Chicken Poop lip junk (all natural ingredients, no poop). Plus a stack of very tasty Japanese rice crackers.

Music Mix
Stir up some spirits, play your favorite music mix, be the perfect host. Garnish however you wish. $38

WHAT'S INSIDE: Vintage-style records are really labels & sleeves for your CDs. Matchbooks dressed up like books with titles that should be in everybody's library. Cube-shaped shot glass. Whiskey sour mix. Swizzle sticks to mix up a Tom Collins; cool geometric shapes in four happy-hour colors. Chocolate fortune cookie. Plus your choice of a smooth, rich, chocolate cigar -- or for the ladies, a classic red lipstick pen.

Slice o' Cake
Chocolate layer cake stress toy is perfect for alleviating birthday stress or wishing someone a happy anniversary. Dig in! Only $4.99 (Cheaper than some greeting cards!) WHAT'S INSIDE: Cake squeezie in a clear cello bag with a bundle of candles. Gift tag included.

Call me (610-780-2932) or email me (mimi@BentoBoxGifts.com)

to buy a special edition box - or create your own!

December is Delightful

2009-12-01T23:05:00.001-05:00

Download the December and start celebrating! With a little help from Bento Box Gifts you'll have your holiday shopping finished in no time.
Click here to download the calendar -- Click here to shop!

Precious Tea Moment

2009-11-17T23:44:00.002-05:00

A cup of green tea, sweet rolls and the fish-shaped bean cakes we called "temple treats" -- these little erasers remind me so much of Japan.

I've filled some of my Bento Box Gifts with collectible Japanese erasers because they're kind of irresistible. You get sushi in the Take Out Bento and dessert erasers in the Cherry On Top Bento Box. Check 'em out.

Delicious and delectible

2009-10-27T23:05:00.005-04:00

"Succulence is about truly tasting life, in big juicy, delicious bites. It’s about finding ways to relish the moment, . . . [expressing] your own passions to make your life more meaningful," according to Anne-Marie , the self-proclaimed Succulent Wife. She blogs about art, eating, shopping -- all our favorite things -- and uncovers "Finds and Gifts" including Bento Box Gifts!

See some of the Succulent Wife's favorite ideas & resources for great gift giving and unique shopping: http://www.thesucculentwife.com/category/finds-gifts/

Enjoy every bite.

Simple Blueprint Giveaway!

2009-10-24T21:18:00.007-04:00

Have you seen the Simple Blueprint blog? Joanna's posts are so beautiful and inspirational. Plus, she's hosting a giveaway you might want to enter: the Holiday Karma Bento Box Gift, created especially for Simple Blueprint readers. It contains the LunaLux fortune folio, red blossom notecube by Snow & Graham, towel cake with cherry magnet, Lucky Lips lip balm, lucky penny, a colectible Japanese dessert eraser, chocolate fortune cookies, Lucky Break wishbone and lucky dice charm. I've also included a way for your to wash away your troubles. Simply write your troubles or worries on a piece of this special paper, drop it in a bucket of water and watch the paper and your troubles disappear. I washed away my worries at the Jishu Shrine in Kyoto!

Your lucky number

2009-10-22T23:07:00.009-04:00

Congratulations to the winner of the summer Bento Box Gift giveaway, lucky number 63! The winner gets this cheerful "Sunny Side Up" Bento Box Gift.

I found this cute little bento box in Toyko. Printed on the front is the optimistic message, " I wish it is a good day today. " So I filled it with a few Japanese snacks, a fried egg squeezie to help you keep your sunny side up and your cholesterol down, Chicken Poop Lip Junk which is made with natural, soothing ingredients none of which are actually chicken poop, bamboo sporks for scooping slaw or whatever you pack for your afternoon snack, and a completely chicken-free, synthetic Lucky Break wishbone.

If you want your own "Sunny Side Up" box, visit one of my favorite boutiques: Firefly on Penn in West Reading, PA or Comfort & Joy in Bethlehem, PA.

And yes, by now I guess you've noticed that the summer - and the giveaway - ended long ago. Well, there's a brand new giveaway going on over at simpleblueprint.typepad.com. Log on to Joanna's great blog for the details!

Trick or treat

2009-10-08T13:52:00.010-04:00

It's October!

That means bonfires, ghost stories, and creepy crawlies.
Then there are those little peanut butter cups and Halloween Oreos (awfully good with a morning cup of coffee), M&Ms, candy corn, caramel apples....

So pencil in some fall festivities. And treat yourself to something sweet.
Click here to download your October Bento Box Gifts calendar.
Treat your friends to great gifts! www.BentoBoxGifts.com

Happy Haunting,
xxoo
Mimi

Japanese sweets

2009-07-07T22:53:00.015-04:00

We tasted all sorts of unusual - and sometimes unidentifiable - food when we were in Japan, all of it beautifully presented. But the displays of sweets and desserts were truly magnificent.

. .

. .
Here is one of the many courses we were served for dinner [yes, that's a fish].... and a tray of dishes brought to our room at the ryokan for breakfast.

. .
LEFT: You can buy many things from a vending machine in Japan, including beer and sake. Here's a line up of cold coffee drinks packaged in cute little juiceboxes ready to be dispensed when you insert your yen. CENTER: We called these "temple treats" because you can buy them on the street near various temples; it's very much like a pancake with sweet bean paste as a filling. Yum! RIGHT: Our favorite little pre-packaged sandwich from the corner quickie market: two slices of bread crimped together with extra sweet peanut butter filling in the middle. We especially loved the little peanut drawing stamped into the bread.

Bento boxes

2009-06-29T11:38:00.017-04:00

Konichiwa! Just one more day left; the Bento Box giveaway ends tomorrow. Thanks to all of you for posting such nice comments. Good luck and good karma to everyone!

In the meantime, take a peek at some of the bento boxes we saw in Japan. Our hostess bought this wonderful red bento box for her lucky niece; candy treats made to look like a bento box; an old bento box that reminds me of a binocular case but would make the perfect take-me-to-school bento box with a long carry strap; and other shoppers at the shrine sale.

For myself, I purchased this partitioned wooden box, shiny black on the outside and deep red on the interior. Also from the Sunday shrine sale: a length of fabric used to tie a kimono, a wooden element supposedly from the top of a shrine, and a Japanese top-like game piece.

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And what will I do with my new box? I'm thinking: olives, almonds and other nibbles for my summertime guests.

Win a little treat from Bento Box Gifts

2009-06-01T08:04:00.011-04:00

I went to Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend -- what glorious weather! Crafters and artists came from far and wide; there were so many fab, fun indie finds from old friends (Blossom Boutique Online) and new (Cutesy but not Cutesy and Chez Sucre Chez.)

If you were there, too, and an early bird who got a goodie bag, ENTER NOW for your chance to win a Bento Box Gift!

If you weren't there, consider this your invitation to ENTER NOW! You'll win a limited edition Bento Box Gift packed in a bento box I scooped up in Japan.

TO ENTER: Simply visit www.BentoBoxGifts.com and leave a comment on this post noting which Bento Box Gift is your favorite -- to give or to get. Giveaway ends midnight EST, June 30th, 2009.

Wonderful words

2009-05-11T19:11:00.009-04:00

Some wise and wonderful words we collected in Japan.

Printed on a shopping bag:
"Towards a delightful today with the heart playing the main roll."

A paper crane placed on the pillow wishing us a safe journey home.
And good advice about the way back to wherever!

I was surprised at how few people actually spoke English. Despite the language barrier, communicating was never a problem; the Japanese people we met were so sweet and polite and more than happy to be sure we found the right subway stop!

Charmed, I'm sure!

2009-02-22T21:11:00.006-05:00

Speaking of wine charms, these are some of my favorites.
I like the range; from the completely impossible "billionaire" (when it comes to guests at my house, anyway) mixed with directly to the point and oh, so true.

Wondering about me? I'm definitely "here for the food". Although I have it on good authority (thanks, Mom) that "sweetheart" applies, too.

So, what would yours say? These charms are hand painted, so the choices are endless....

Hostess Glass

2009-01-21T00:31:00.007-05:00

The heck with everyone else; this glass belongs to the hostess. You won't have to wonder, "Is this one mine?" When there's only one pink champagne coupe at the party you know it's yours. Wine charms are fine - fabulous even - but one fun glass is a nice little treat for yourself or a really great hostess gift.

Salud!

Lunch box

2008-12-12T16:23:00.004-05:00

My new bento box! (A gift to myself ;-)

Sugar Daddy

2008-12-02T15:21:00.010-05:00

What do you get for the guy who has everything, including a sweet tooth? How about a classic lunch box full of old-school favorites - snowballs, cinnamon Drake's cakes, Tastycakes, brownies and other chocolate snacks - plus a lil' box of milk to wash it all down? We tossed in a party horn, bright red linen napkin, (oh, and a token green vegetable) and shipped it off to wish our dad a happy birthday. Need I say, he loved it?

Another little something

2008-10-31T21:55:00.005-04:00

These little "Cocktails by Jenn" have all the makings of a great gift: they're fun, colorful, celebratory and beautifully packaged. Jenn even includes the matching straws.

A little gift or the 13th beignet

2008-09-16T20:34:00.005-04:00

I remember when I was a kid, vacationing out west with my family. I painstakingly selected a turquoise ring at a little shop and as the deal was wrapping up, the shopkeeper plucked a smaller ring from the case and gave it to me as a gift; a "lagniappe." Wikipedia says a lagniappe is " 'a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase' (such as the 13th beignet when buying a dozen), or more broadly, 'something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.' "

Sure enough.

A fabulous friend introduced me to the term recently -- apparently it's very much of a Louisiana thing -- but I've been the happy recipient of a lagniappe many times!

Seltzer

2008-08-29T23:02:00.012-04:00

The folks at Seltzer are "pleased to bring you products to smile about - without compromising the planet in the meantime." Check out www.seltzergoods.com for recycled cards, notebooks and cute buttons. Spied at the New York Gift Fair last week, this one really made me smile. (Although my mantra would probably be "creme brulee." "Coffee," anyone?)

The honeymoon isn't over

2008-07-21T23:11:00.012-04:00

Ms. X wanted a gift, just a token, for her coworker who's getting married. "Maybe a bride made of chocolate?" she joked. So I started to wonder: is there such a thing? I mean, chocolate would make anyone happy, and who cares if it matches her decorating scheme?

Well, I didn't find a chocolate bride, but how about this? The "Marital Bliss Bar" from Bloomsberry & Co. www.bloomsberry.com, with a not-so-even his and hers 50/50 split of premium milk chocolate.

As long as we're clear that this is the way things really are, fellas, the honeymoon is sure to last a long, long time.

The Buddha has five toes

2008-06-25T21:19:00.008-04:00

I always love to visit grocery stores and pharmacies in foreign lands. A simple pack of gum or humble box of soap powder looks exotic with unfamiliar images and words in another language. M and J went to Thailand and brought me the most wonderful gifts. Here are SnowQueen Jelllies and Soda Water.

Plus a very cool packaging design for cigs.

They say Bangkok is the land of 24-hour shopping. Makes me wish I went along.

Welcome to Bento Box Gifts

2008-06-25T19:16:00.007-04:00

I've always secretly wanted a shop with a cute little open/closed sign on the front door. I still don't have a shop, but I do have a studio. And my Bento Box Gifts sign makes me happy every time I open the front door.

There's a rose bush blooming outside right now.
Don't you just love summer?

Visit my virtual shop any time: www.BentoBoxGifts.com.