Good luck, gifted wrappers!

See tip 2. Why is this picture so blurry?

I can't believe it's already been a year since the 2012 Scotch Most Gifted Wrapper contest! There's no better way to enjoy a weekend than meeting other skilled prezzie artists and enjoying holidaytime in NYC.

Not sure who's competing this year, but I'll be following the 2013 contest, which takes place Friday, Dec. 6. Best of luck to this year's contestants. Here are my top 5 tips for the big day:

1. Get good sleep the night before. It might be tough if you get jitters, but contest day starts early, the rest is worth it.
2. Smile, and don't take yourself too seriously. That's good advice for anytime, right?
3. Relax. The atmosphere can be overwhelming and mess with your focus. It will be loud and frenetic. Be prepared to deal with it.
4. Enjoy the company. This is a chance to meet other people who share your intense interest in giftwrapping; they're really interesting and fun folks!
5. Have fun. Seriously. By all means, do your best and try to win. But remember that if you don't, it's still an awesome experience.

Game on, wrappers!

Lovely and sweet: a shower of gifts for baby and mom

Happy 2013, friends! The new year is off to a great start, especially for my friend April, who's expecting a baby girl in a just few weeks. Since I missed her baby shower (stupid flu!) she and I had a make-up date recently. I gave the customary onesies and hats for baby (above, materials: yuzen paper from Kate's Paperie, plain gold paper, broad purple ribbon, sheer gold ribbon, and a little pearl charm), but wanted to give April a little something, too.

So I made her a mix of nice tunes to enjoy on her own, or as she's rocking her baby to sleep. I didn't have a lot of time to wrap it, so I just dressed it up with a cute bow.

Lastly, a yummy treat. I've become obsessed with macaron cookies lately, so made a little batch for April. Macarons are exquisite sandwich cookies made of egg whites, sugar, and almond flour with a flavorful filling. They are also the most beautiful google image search subject ever. It was fun to package them in a simple box with Tim Holtz tissue tape, a narrow ribbon, and a cute Eiffel Tower charm. (Because macarons are SO Parisian!) Sweet occasions call for sweet prezzies, right?

Stand by for another post on macarons, a cute and colorful one! Until then, take care and give pretty.

Thanks, friend.

Spring is usually my down-time for Jolie Colis, but this year my lull went into summer. I've just been dealing with other things, and haven't felt much like going into my shop. I've been sad; it's a long story.

But it's interesting, the dark times are when you're most able to see the bright spots in your life. In my case, I had five bright spots -- new friends who have become the most incredible support system at a time when I really needed them. I'm lucky; I am blessed with a great, loving spouse and family. But my mom and sisters live pretty far away, and the comfort of "my girls" has been so important to me. Lately I have needed the kind of support only girlfriends can give.

So, after a four-month hiatus, I went back into the shop and created a little tribute to my friends, who are helping me stay positive, even on the worst of the bad days. As usual, the wrappings are inspired by their styles and personalities:

C (top left) is a fun and carefree, casual fashionista. Her style is natural and polished, and her easygoing style fits her laid back personality. Her laugh is infectious, and she lightens the mood of the room when she walks in.

W loves red, and it looks great on her. She often chooses color and pattern with high-contrast and always has a high-impact look. Her style is sexy, but always tasteful. Her fiesty personality and quick sense of humor make her fun to be around.

N's style is what I like to call "monochrome chic." She's a real glamour-girl, and if I had feathers and sequins in my shop, I would have used them. She's intensely hard-working at everything: career, fitness, family, friends. Even wallpapering her living room!

A is a real girly girl. Her style is super-feminine and she reminds me of a southern belle. She often chooses soft, pastel colors that look just right on her. She has a gentle, sympathetic personality that is really comforting.

C (bottom right) is preppy and adorable, which is the first thing most people notice when they meet her. But it's not just chipper cuteness. She has amazing inner strength, and always knows just the right thing to say, no matter how heavy or serious the situation. It's such a rare combination.

The prezzies contained little faux diamond paperweights. Seemed appropriate, since they're the little gems in my life.