This week has been all about L-O-V-E here on Style Notes, and today’s installment of Meg’s Gift Guide is the perfect ending: a sweet surprise to say ‘thank you’ to Valentine’s Day Party hosts. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t drool over French macarons? Yeah, didn’t think so. A note from Meg (of Mimi & Meg fame):

While visiting San Francisco last July, I strolled past Paulette Macarons and could not resist. I left with my mouth watering for more. Definitely the best macaroon I’ve ever tasted, and any host (or Valentine) will swoon over these.

To order: Paulette Macarons

Photos: Tina Rupp

I know it’s still January, but I just can’t resist doing a bit of pre-planning for Valentine’s Day. Even the years when I’ve been single (which, let’s face it, has been most years!) I’ve always had a soft spot for the sweet nothings & tokens of affection that go hand-in-hand with V-day. Even if sonnets aren’t your thing, what’s not to love about a holiday where chocolate takes center stage? These DIY Valentine’s Day Goodie Bags spotted on Twig & Thistle are such stylish little ways to package your homemade gifts. And they couldn’t be simpler to create at home!

Download the graphics, print onto a paper bag, and then follow these easy instructions. Then bake a batch of brownies, cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter, and fill ‘em up. Here’s a great recipe from Martha.

How brilliant are these gift boxes filled with all the fixin’s for a custom cocktail? Photographer Victor Sizemore whipped these up for his bourbon drinking buddies, and I can’t wait to adapt the idea as luxe favors for a multitude of parties. How about Mimosa-themed boxes filled with fresh citrus fruits & champagne for a brunch bridal shower? Or a Hot Toddy theme for a cozy holiday fete? The handwritten recipes add a chic and personal touch. Let the toasting begin!

*Spotted via Project Wedding

Anyone else falling for these sugary gestures of romance from Williams-Sonoma’s new offerings? Although I still love to give away candy hearts each Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking it might be time to step it up a bit. Made with fresh butter and eggs, Nielsen-Massey vanilla and Guittard cocoa, these cookies are the grown-up (and much tastier) version of a classic.

What could be sweeter than a box of “hugs & kisses” s’mores? Absolutely nothing, if they’re made with Guittard dark chocolate, hand-cut marshmallows, & graham crackers made with wildflower honey.

These heart-shaped macarons set my heart a-fluttering the minute I laid eyes on them. A twist on the French favorite, each chocolatey red-velvet macaron contains a luscious white chocolate-ganache filling. Totally irresistible.

These petit fours come in lemon, raspberry and vanilla. Display them on a vintage cake stand for a civilized accompaniment to afternoon tea.

I’ve been a bit obsessed with chic interpretations of S’mores this year (remember these darling favors I featured earlier this month?), and I’ve stumbled upon yet another sweet and simple packaging idea for this classic winter favorite.

This project is beyond easy, and the team over at Nice Package shared the step-by-steps so we can all make it at home:

Supplies:

• Cellophane bags, Michaels or Party City
• Glassine bags or parchment or wax paper
• Baker’s twine, nicepackage.com
• glue stick or double-sided tape
• large round punch or any object that you can trace to make a 2″ circle
• pens/markers

This kit includes 9 marshmallow pieces, 1/2 bar of hazelnut chocolate and 1/2 bar of milk chocolate, 9 large pieces of graham crackers and 9 wooden skewers.

From Marichelle: We used a mixture of cellophane and glassine bags to repackage all of the items. If you can’t get your hands on glassine bags, you may also use parchment paper or wax paper to create a protective sleeve/band for the chocolates. The crackers I purchased came with two ready-packed bundles!

The labels are simply punched out of kraft paper using a 2-inch circular punch, embellished with a red dotted border (super fine red sharpie) then attached to the packaged goods using a glue-stick.

Enjoy, and Merry Merry Christmas Eve!

Happy December, my dears!! I’m welcoming this month of festivities by baking my first big batch of Christmas cookies (Raspberry-Almond Thumbprints).  Since I find baking therapeutic during the craziness of the holidays, I always end up with WAY more cookies than A & I can consume (although we definitely give it our best shot). I’ve been on the lookout for chic ways to package up homemade cookies to give as tokens of Christmas cheer to friends & family… and party favors for the upcoming fetes!  This wooden wine box (above) is a genius way to pack up sweets: just tie on a bright ribbon for a lesson in stylish simplicity.

Strips of patterned paper add a cheery punch to individually-wrapped cookies.  This is such an easy way to carry a party’s color palette all the way through to the favors.

Small compotes holding holiday cookies make two gifts in one!  Get the instructions for these cellophane envelopes that hold one perfect cookie each.

Think outside the cookie jar, & pack up homemade marshmallows or candies in a, well, cookie jar.

Credits: H&M Home; Elizabeth Messina; Martha Stewart; H&M Home.

Today’s guest post by Mimi & Meg is brimming with gorgeous books: in my experience, the go-to gift for the person in your life who “has-it-all.”  Since I’m in London this week, I think I’ll head over to my favorite bookstore on Portobello Road and spend the afternoon browsing… after all, the holidays will be here before we know it!

This is Meg from Mimi & Meg. I am thoroughly enjoying guest posting on Style Notes! For this week’s Gift Guide, I explored books for all types of recipients with covers so attractive they’ll want them on their coffee tables.

For the Jet-Setter

Taschen’s New York by Angelika Taschen (pictured above)

This Is London by M. Sasek

For the Style Guru

Like I Give a Frock, Fashion Forecasts and Meaningless Misguidance by Michi

Influence by Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic by Valentino Garavani

For the Interior Designer

Domino: The Book of Decorating by the creators of Domino Magazine

Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style by Kelly Wearstler

Elle Decor’s So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces

For the Artsy

The Cultivated Life by Jean-Philippe Delhomme

Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design

Lulu by Lulu de Kwiatkowski

For the Chef

Vefa’s Kitchen, The bible of authentic Greek cooking by Vefa Alexiadou

Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets That Taste As Good As They Look by organic baker Sarah Magid

For the Prompt

Manners by Kate Spade

Emily Post’s Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to Manners by Peggy Post

For the Tree Hugger

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver

Fresh from the Farmers’ Market: Year-Round Recipes For The Pick Of The Crop by Janet Fletcher

For the Kids

Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life compiled by Todd Oldham

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

*These books can be found at Amazon, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble and Borders

Wine Bottles by Anna Hymas

Oenophilia (pronounced EE-no-FIL-ee-ə), originally from Greek, is the love (philia) of wine (oinos). Gift-guru Meg’s picks for this week’s guide are perfect for the oenophile in your life, whether their preference is a bit eclectic or sticks to the classics.  And for those who aren’t exactly connoisseurs, never fear: these accessories will elevate that bottle of Yellowtail to new heights.

Colorful

Clockwise: Bali Wine Rack, Wrapables; Parrot Sommelier corkscrew, Alessi; Stemmarkers, MoMA Store

Two Bottle Tote, Built; Vin Eau Carafe, MoMA Store

Clockwise: Anna G. corkscrew, Alessi; Party Lantern Wine Charm Set, Crate & Barrel; Wine Journal, Paper Source; Wine Tasting Coasters, Paper Source

Classic

Mara Wine Glasses, Crate & Barrel; Stainless-Steel Wine Cooler with monogram, Williams-Sonoma

Stainless Steel Wine Coaster, CB2; Nambé “Spiral” Wine Serving Set, Macy’s; Decanting Wine Pourer, MoMA Store; Structure 21-bottle Wine Rack, CB2

Vino Wine Glass, Crate & Barrel; Riedel “O” Burgundy Wine Tumbler with monogram, Williams-Sonoma

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course 2009 by Kevin Zraly, Barnes & Noble; Wine Enthusiast Parabola Decanter, Macy’s

Monogram Bottle Topper, ZGallerie

Grafton Street Bolton Wine Coaster, Waterford; Waterford Crystal Lismore Wine Coaster, Waterford

Cora Carafe, CB2; Villeroy & Boch “Cascara” Stemware Collection, Macy’s

As a party planner (and partygoer), I’m constantly on the lookout for unique thank-you gifts, and often end up with some kind of edible, because really… who doesn’t love receiving something yummy?  Hence the gift-giving perfection of the super chic & all organic creations by 479° Popcorn, a San Francisco based company that makes the most exotic-flavored popcorn by hand.

Ginger Sesame Caramel Popcorn

479° takes its name from the optimal temperature for popping corn, and reflects the founder’s obsession with popcorn perfection (who, by the way, is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef.)  In eight incredible flavors ranging from Black Curry & White Cheddar to Vietnamese Cinnamon Sugar, these gorgeously-wrapped puffs are shipped the day they’re popped.

The Globetrotter Collection

A few facts I learned from 479° Popcorn that I found just fascinating:

• Popcorn has been known to pop 3 feet in the air.
• In 1948, a team of archeologists discovered a 4,000 year-old cob of popcorn in a cave in New Mexico. It still popped.
• A popped kernel of corn is known as a flake. Flakes that look like protruding wings are called “butterfly” while ball-shaped flakes are called “mushroom.”
• Native Americans pounded popcorn into cornmeal and ate it as a confection. They also made popcorn beer and popcorn soup.

479 Popcorn, 888 479 YUMM (9866).

Live What You Love poster, Hijirik Studio; Our Love by Enormous Champion

Inspiration is everywhere, so why not surround yourself with positive words that will lift your spirits and add a graphic pop of color to your walls all at once?  Today’s post is part of our guest blog series where Meg, the brains behind the beauty at trend-spotting design blog, Mimi & Meg, gives advice on stylish gift giving for all occasions. These prints fit the bill with inspirational phrases + a touch of whimsy.

Our Harbour, FreyaArt, Etsy

This one can be personalized… a unique wedding gift for the artsy couple in your life.

Find My Way Back To You, Courage My Love, The Poster List

The Poster List is full of modern prints with cheeky phrases.  I just found two pieces that would look great adorning my dining room walls.

T

Just Let It Go, Kotama Bouabane, 20x200

Just Let It Go is part of the text-based Melting Words series, by avant-garde lensman Bouabane, that documents phrases made from ice as they slowly disappear.

Gotta Have Heart print, Ork Posters

A little bit academic, a little bit edgy… this is sure to be a conversation starter.

Custom Heart Sampler, MiniatureRhino, Etsy

Such a cute gift… instead of carving your name into a tree, have a custom sampler made to immortalize you and your love.