The dads in your life deserve something awesome for Father’s Day this year! Don’t ya think it’s time to go beyond the card or the cheese tie and gift him something that’ll make him freak? After all, your dad has been there for you when your car broke down on the side of the highway. He’s been there to give you that good family and career advice when you needed it most. He’s always there, at the BBQ during family gatherings, grillin’ something good to eat. Just, the best. Or how about the daddy to your littles who continues to prove over and over again just how special he is at helping raise your family. There’s just no other bond! We’re loving these special gift ideas for the best guys we know!

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GET YOUR GIFTING ON:

> 1. At Large Magazine Issue 2
> 2. Brass + Walnut Pourover Coffee Brewer
> 3. Relegated Undergarments Boxer Briefs + Socks
> 4. Brass Comb
> 5. Mixed Material Whiskey Stones
> 6. Waxed Canvas Dopp Kit

How will you show dad you appreciate him this Father’s Day? A bottle of wine? Day at the car museum? Tell stories on the front steps over beer? Any way you express your love, there’s no doubt, it’ll be a Sunday well spent. Let’s show all the dads just how much the mean to us.

original photography for apartment 34 by michelle drewes

Did you remember that one of the most important holidays of the year is just a week and a half away? Yep, Mother’s Day is fast approaching, but don’t worry if you hadn’t realized its importance either. Every year I’ve also done the last minute scramble to find a card. But now that it’ll be my first Mother’s Day as a mom {so weird!} and with my own mother at the loft lending a helping hand with laundry and diapers and everything else, appreciation for this holiday has skyrocketed. Everyone says you don’t truly understand motherhood until you experience it and it is too true. I’m now getting a minute by minute reminder of just how special moms really are. Just the fact that they gave birth to you, let alone raise you, deserves daily gratitude, if you ask me! And while flowers and chocolates do the trick in showing mama some sugah, we guarantee your mom will feel the extra love she deserves with these gorgeous and unique gifts all under $100!

GET YOUR SHOP ON:

> 1 This cute art print is perfect for the kitchen or mom’s favorite room in the house.
> 2 Candles are cool, but the crazy modern design of this one makes it the coolest!
> 3 A sweet new scent will enliven your mom’s day.
> 4 Because moms are still bold enough to wear brightly colored espadrilles!
> 5 While the flowers aren’t included, we love the idea of filling a cute bag with a bouquet!
> 6 Because your mom was your first friend, sometimes all you need is the perfect card.
> 7 A gift she’ll cherish forever? This sweet 14k gold bracelet!
> 8 This book is filled with the most lush-ious decor for the interior-loving mom.

Yes a phone call will suffice. A card is extra nice. But this year I will certainly be going the extra mile for all the mom-figures in my life. How do you plan on making mom feel extra special this year??

For the first time in what seems like a long time, we’re actually excited for this year’s holiday of love! It could be that there is extra love in the air with the wee one on the way {or it could totally just be the hormones!} but Valentine’s Day has us smitten with the idea of sending a little appreciation someone’s way. And nothing says appreciation more than a small, yet thoughtful gesture {or two!}. We have a few ideas up our sleeves {more on that coming later!}, but thought it would be helpful to throw out a hint, just in case someone {ahem!!} happens to be reading this. Any of these little lovelies would SO make our day!!

 

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Get Your Shop On:

1.) Kiss Kiss Tee
2.) BKR Heart Water Bottle
3.) White + Silver Aether Cone
4.) Chuck Taylor by Comme Des Garcons
5.) Hearts Wool Silk Scarf
6.) Fragile Hearts Plate
7.) Staub Mini Heart Cocottes
8.) Garance Dore ‘XO’ Card
9.) Heart and ‘Be Mine’ Spatulas
10.) Love Letter Trays

We’re sure to give extra kisses if we receive this adorable Kiss Kiss Tee. How cute would it be with a blazer and these Chuck Taylors for a casual, but totally pulled together day look? Talk about a perfect match!

We’re also crushing hard on these Fragile Hearts plates. They’re edgy with just the right amount of fem. Plus they’re on sale! And these cute spatulas will surely aid in whipping up more weekend pancakes and tasty sweets! Just sayin.’

But if someone {hiiiiiint!!} is seeking a little extra love and affection come Valentine’s Day, our hearts beat fast for the Aether Cone music player. It’s sleek design and streaming capabilities make it perfectly simple to take straight from the box to the dining table to set the mood for an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner – the most epic girls’ night. You can sit back and let it stream, or you can tell it exactly what you want to hear! Literally, like out loud. It can understand your voice commands! Not to mention, the Aether Cone is a gift that anyone {him or her} would totally love to receive! Something tells us he won’t dread shopping for this gift!

So for all of the lovers out there who plan to get a little groovy come February 14, we’ve gathered a quick list of our favorite smooth and sexy R&B love songs. You can tell the Cone you want to listen to “By Your Side” by Sade and it not only will play the soulful tune, but it’ll also play related songs to set the mood!

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And for all of our singles, may you fancy a little “No Scrubs” by TLC, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Laupner? ‘Cause we know how it is!

While we’re at it, here are more V-Day gifts that we’re in looooove with…

 

 

This post is in partnership with Aether. You can follow Aether on Instagram here. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thank you for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

We have no problem admitting that we are suckers for good packaging. We’ve been known to buy a $10 chocolate bar and never open it, a beautiful bar of soap only to stare at it on the bathroom counter and an overpriced bottle of olive oil just for its looks. {what, you don’t??}. If you have someone in your life who has the same level of obsessive observant eye for design, these gorgeously packaged goodies are just what will make them squeal come Christmas morning!! Plus, they’re so pretty, you might not even have to wrap them! A simple dash of ribbon will surely do.

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Get Your Gifting On:

> Bal D’Afrique Parfum
> Byredo French Hand Cream
> Sans Organics Bath Products from New Zealand
> Kate Spade ‘This Round Is On Me’ Wine Tote
> Sunday Suppers Olive Oil 
> Tisane Candles
> Distellerie de Paris Vodka & Gin
> Aesop Mouthwash

We’ll be honest, if we received any of these beautiful bottles in our stocking or under the tree we may not ever open them! They’re just so gorgeous to look at, they’d immediately be placed right on a prime spot on the shelf, perfectly styled next to the cutting board we don’t dare dirty or that wooden toothbrush that just looks so cute in it’s cup! But just because we may never use it, doesn’t mean we don’t die over it every time we walk passed. With these gifts it’s totally the thought that counts, or shall we say, the packaging!

BTW, we’re not the only ones who haven’t finished our Christmas shopping yet, right??

Did you realize there are only 10 days {and counting!} ’til Christmas? Holy, Santa Claus! If you don’t want to get caught rushing to the store on Christmas eve – we’ve been there, it’s not so fun – now’s your chance to get that last second holiday shopping in while online retailers are guaranteeing shipping before Christmas Day. There’s really nothing more fun that finding the perfect gift – in your PJs, glass of wine in hand!

If you’re having trouble figuring out what to get that someone special on your list?? We’ve got you covered! We’ve found the perfect little something for your dapper dude, your fashion savvy bestie, for your mom, your dad and the new mama in your life! We can say with confidence that if any of these pieces landed under our trees we’d be thrilled!

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Get Your Gifting On:

> For The Mixologist: Brass Cocktail Stirrers
> For Her: Cashmere Beanie
> For Him: Stripe Cashmere Scarf
> For Dad: Concrete Shaving Set
> For The Host: Cookies ‘n Cream Bark
> For Baby: Organic Christmas Tree One-Piece
> For Mom: Plaid Shearling Slippers
> For The Gardener: Copper Gardening Tools

Still need more ideas? We’re banking all our best giftables on Pinterest right here. I particullary love

> A perfect find for the home decor obsessed
> A super cute scarf for your sister
> A chic mug for the coffee lover
> Beautiful bookends for the big reader in your family
> Lovely bakeware for the home cook
> A cool backpack for the world traveler
> The must-have cookbook of the season

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And just in case you’ve somehow finished all of your holiday shopping {what is your secret??} , we’re loving these holiday ideas:

> this Wreath DIY,
> this Cranberry Cider Punch and
> this Olive Oil and Orange Cake recipe! Yum.

It’s not everyday you come across something that is rugged enough for him and chic enough for her, but we have. In fact, we helped design it! We’re super excited to introduce and share the story behind our Limited Edition Black Waxed Canvas Musette Bag in collaboration with Sketchbook Crafts {that you can find in our Holiday Pop-Up Shop right now!There were only 25 made, by hand, by Amber, founder of Sketchbook Crafts, in her artist’s studio in the small town of Marshall, North Carolina. We hope you enjoy this exclusive bag, perfect for him or for her, that is as beautifully crafted and unique as its story!

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Amber is very much inspired by the the small mountain town of Marshall in Western North Carolina, where she both lives and works – out of an old high school that has been converted into artist studio spaces! Outside her studio windows runs the gorgeous French Broad River. Her small town vibe is one of the reasons we fell in love with Amber’s work. The craftsmanship and the methodical process, the artistry and accuracy of each hand driven stud really shines through and when you look at each bag, you can practically see the snow falling outside of her studio! Seriously, look how dreamy this classic town looks!

marshall-ca

Coming from a creative family {her mother an interior designer, her father an architect}, Amber learned the appreciation of making something beautiful with your hands very early on. She taught herself how to sew and worked in her parents’ basement after receiving a B.F.A in drawing before eventually developing a full line of bags.

From Amber: “Working with my hands creating high quality, thoughtful work was encouraged early on and today is a part of my everyday life. The inherent tactile nature of working with textiles seemed like a natural evolution as I grew up and started my own company.”

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Inside her studio, Amber crafted up something really special for us! We knew we wanted a bag with a classic neutral color palette and really wanted something that could appeal to both men and women- another thing we love about the Sketchbook Crafts line. We chose a thick black waxed canvas, a gorgeous natural leather and of course, beautiful brass hardware for our signature touch of glam. The ruggedness and durability of the waxed canvas paired with the carefully applied brass details and natural leather work absolutely perfectly together – if we do say so ourselves!

For him, he can adjust the strap and carry it across his chest like a messenger with iPad and notebooks inside. For her, she can wear it over her shoulder, having all of her daily essentials right where she needs them. She can even remove the strap and wear it as a modern, oversized fold-over clutch! Hello, three bags in one! Not to mention, the waxed canvas makes it practically waterproof and the double pockets with a middle compartment {perfect for stuffing a jacket between or water bottle!} makes it a GREAT travel bag. It’s just waiting for someone to take it on a wondrous adventure around the world with them!

musette-bag-roundup

Get Your Gifting On:

> Limited Edition Black Waxed Canvas Musette Bag
> Vintage Italian Notebook Set 
> Aesop Hand Balm
> ‘Things’ Pouch
> Exclusive Ombre iPhone Case
> Clare V. Leather Tassel Keychain
> Kinfolk Magazine

From Amber: “Since there is so much care and detail that goes into each bag, my hope is that the owners of these will also care for them as well as take them on wondrous journeys and exciting adventures. My hope is to create a timeless object that can be passed down and enjoyed by entire families.”

We truly believe that our Black Waxed Canvas Musette Bag is really the perfect gift. It’s durable and chic enough to last a lifetime. Whether it’s worn as a murse or a purse- this limited edition bag is going to make 23 more people completely city chic and ruggedly utilitarian!

Hurry and gift this to someone you love, or yourself, before they’re all gone!

image 1 original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // all other images c/o Sketchbook Crafts // @sketchbookcrafts 

Just in case you haven’t done enough shopping this weekend- or were staying clear of the crowds, waiting for the BEST online deals to hit- we have gathered up our absolute favorites of these epic Cyber Monday deals. Today is the day! Get everything while it’s on super sale and have it all shipped right to your door. Holiday shopping couldn’t get any sweeter!

cyber-monday-deals

> Freda Salvador Star Boots 30% off!
> Mixed Cable Knit Sweater 50% off!
> Tibetan Sherling Infinity Scarf 30% off!
> Hanging Jewelry Holder 30% off!
> Rose Gold Movado Watch Up to 35% off!

Some more steals we just can’t pass up:

> Sweetest Gifts Under $50
> Best Boots Under $150
> Favorite Fashion Finds Under $100
> Prettiest Jewelry for Her!
> Easy Hostess Gifts Under $75
> For the Littles
> Cutest Home Decor 
> Favorite Splurge Worthy Moment!

And some of the best savings of the day, whether they’re gifts or a sweet treat for youself:

> Nordstrom: 30% OFF everything here
> Need Supply: 20% OFF sitewide, no code required
> OTTE NY: 20% OFF everything
> SSENSE: Up to 50% OFF right here
> Emerson Fry: 20% OFF sitewide. Use the code EFMonday14 here.
> West Elm: 10% off $100 or more; 15% off $250 or more; 20% off $500 or more; and 25% off $1000 or more. Use the code SUPERSALE here.

And finally, below are some of the gifts we’re definitely scooping up today! You can see all our faves RIGHT HERE.

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LET THE GIFTING BEGIN!

Calling all dog lovers! Have you peeped the insanely chic leather and rope dog leash that Chapman at Sea {an awesome maker out of Florida!} designed exclusively for our Apartment 34 Holiday Shop? If you haven’t, you’re going to die- right along with us. It’s THE {and we mean it!} best lookin’ dog accessory on the market. Each leash is hand crafted with gorgeous brass hardware, a super luxuriously soft lambskin tassel and details- it’s crisp, modern and every person with a pup needs one. We love the work of this husband and wife duo so much that we thought we’d share their story, their appreciation for materials and design and a little bit of insight into the process of this exclusive, limited edition leash {there are only 25!} available in our shop HERE.

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The Chapman at Sea Story

From Tasha: Chapman at Sea is a collaboration between myself, Tasha and my husband, Joe. The whole thing began with a vintage army duffle and the need for some surfboard bags. I inherited the duffle from my grandfather. He was an old army guy with a great collection of vintage military goods. I’d had the duffle for a long time. I always took it on my travels, it holds all of our dive and beach stuff while at home. And despite it being really old, it never wears out. It’s made from a heavy duty canvas that just keeps looking better the more it’s used. So when I went to make board bags {I’ve always been into fabric and texture!} I thought it would be really cool if they had the same utilitarian style and age just as well as my grandfather’s duffle bag.

Our board bags turned out really well and we enjoyed making them so we took the whole thing online. My artistic eye {I was an illustrator prior!} and Joe’s real life marine experience {he’s a commercial diver!} came together to make a super high quality bag. And people liked them! Beach bags were the next product we came out with and then leashes.

chapman-at-sea-shop

Tales to Live By

The obvious reason we named our company Chapman by the Sea is that Chapman is our last name and we live by the sea, but that’s not exactly where the name came from… I’ve often noticed that there are a lot of Chapmans involved in sea-faring activities- there are nautical textbooks written by Chapmans and near us, in Fort Lauderdale, there’s even a Chapman School of Seamanship! It seems like past Chapmans have had a lot to do with the ocean and since the company all started to fill a need we had in our own lives – the surfboard bags – and that [out to sea mentality] is pretty much how it continues. If there’s something we need, we look into making it, making it better, making it stylish.

We’re always on the lookout for new ways to use the classic materials we work with! It’s also very important to me that nothing go to waste – especially the leather. I want to use the animal product as respectfully as possible and not discard loads of it. The leashes are a perfect example for that because they allow us to use the smaller pieces of leather that are left over from the large bags. These little bits could easily be tossed out, but instead we put them into accenting the leashes- creating something beautiful with them!

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Designing an Exclusive Piece

We started with our basic leash design and thought about what we could do to customize it further- make it special and unique. There were several versions we came up with, some more elaborate than others, but after a lot of input from the Apartment 34 crew we decided on a design that spoke most to the Apartment 34 brand – a classic style with some lovely upgraded materials and details, of course! All of our leashes have leather accents, but this one uses a gorgeous soft lambskin. And the lambskin is THE perfect shade of grey to compliment the white rope and brass hardware – nautical for sure, but with a modern, elegant twist. The oversized, hand wrapped tassel is the ultimate showstopper.

We’re in love with this uber sophisticated and elevated dog leash and you should be too! Who says that our furry friends shouldn’t look as stylish as we do? Order your leash {and one for the equally obsessed pet lover in your life!} fast because they are going to sell out QUICK. There are only 25 available!

You can buy the leash here. Happy Holidays! Woof woof.

images c/o Chapman at Sea and via @chapmanatsea // image 2, 7, 8 original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

If there is ONE style rule we strongly encourage, it is that every woman should have a small collection of fine jewelry. Starting with a bracelet {since rings are a bit more personal and earrings get lost under pretty locks!}, these pieces should be special, crafted with precision and care, and be so simple and everlasting that she never wants to nor has to take it off.

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That’s exactly where Vrai and Oro comes in. A newly launched jewelry line run by two beautiful business savvy ladies, has found a way to offer fine jewelry that will last a lifetime, but doesn’t cost the arm you plan to wear it on! Vrai and Oro has eliminated the markups, bringing delicate pieces made of the highest quality materials {read gold & diamonds!} that can be worn everyday. So when we got the opportunity to dream up the most exquisite piece in our holiday boutique with a company we already own pieces from {and whom we’ve gushed over all year long!}, we took the chance to truly came up with something that we ourselves, would never, ever take off! And here she is:

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This amazing cuff is solid 14k yellow gold. That’s right, solid gold, people. This price for solid gold is unheard of! We really wanted a cuff that wouldn’t get in the way, so it’s nice and thin and hugs around the wrist just right. The tapered ends give it that slightly edgy touch while still staying true to its classic roots. And because we wanted to make you feel extra special while wearing it, we added two brilliant cut .03ct diamonds on either end. Just the right amount of subtle holiday sparkle!

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We are ob-sessed with this cuff. We worked with Vrai and Oro to get it just perfect- going through a couple of different steps of brainstorming and revision- really making the final piece not only beautiful, but timeless. We hope some of you lucky ladies will be able to don this truly remarkable gift on your wrist this holiday season! We’d love to see that it’s made someone’s smile a little brighter!

Remember, it’s an exclusive piece available in our shop here and only through the holidays! So we say, this Christmas treat yourself to something extra special. Or better yet, send the link to your husband/boyfriend/lover and remind him or her that EVERY woman deserves a little something sparkly to help ring in the new year!

images c/o Vrai and Oro // image 3 original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick 

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