Gift shop has gone to the dogs

I wasn't sure where to put this blog post about a store dedicated to the canine world. Romantic gifts perhaps? No, that doesn't work. How about under birthday presents? I could only file it under specific ages so that was out. Finanlly I chose holiday and travels gifts, so I hope that's no too confusing.

I also hope that the many puns I intend to make won't send you barking mad!

Fetch and Co is based in Myaree in Perth and is the ultimate lifestyle shop for dogs, no bones about it. There are all sorts of products and gifts for dogs such as bedding, toys, bowls, collars and a range of natural grooming products for Fido and friends.

If you're looking for function over fashion at this mecca for mutts, you'll be barking up the wrong tree.  For example, Fetch and Co's dog collars are colourful and, dare we say it, quite fashion forward. Some are made from materials such as hemp, bamboo and organic cotton, so owners can pamper their pooch and be environmentally friendly at the same time.

Brands coveted in the doggy world include Molly Mutt dog doona covers, Daisy Dog dog bowls, Mimi Green dog collars and the Happytails spa line.  Perhaps your furry friend would like a facial, or just a relaxing mongel massage?

It's a dog's life at Fetch & Co, so much so that owners are encouraged to bring their canine companions along to the store.  Being in the doghouse takes on a whole new meaning at this shop!

Fetch and Co is located at Unit 12, 47 McCoy Street Myaree Perth. The phone number is 6142 1774.

Funky Gifts For Stylish Travellers

FUNKY GIFTS FOR STYLISH TRAVELLERS.

Many people believe that travel has lost it glamour. I disagree!

Even in the crudest caravan park or the most horrid hostel for backpackers, you'll always find a stylish traveller with a sexy sarong, a stylish leather notebook, an exotic scent or an intriguing novel that lends them an air of mystery.

So when you're buying travel gifts for family or friends, keep in mind that stylish presents, rather than practical travel gifts, can be useful in their own intangible way.

Here are some gift ideas....

1.  Visit Ciao Bella Travel. This website sells travel gifts for women. I love their Apple and Bee Bowling bags and their Willow and Finch sleep masks.  PERFECT PRESENTS FOR GIRLS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A BACKPACKING HOLIDAY.

2. WA-based natural skincare company, Sodashi has a range of gorgeous travel kits... including one for men (from $222.60).  They feature all-natural products such as cleansers, shaving emulsions, face mists, moisturisers, eye cremes and lip balms. They are infused with exotic aromas such as sandalwood, chamomile and rose. Plus there's a jet lag recovery kit for $51, a GREAT GIFT FOR FREQUENT FLYERS.

3.  If you've got a woman in the family who likes to take all her best clothes on holiday, she'll need quality laundry products to keep them looking good. The Laundress New York is as posh as laundry products get. They sell a travel pack that keeps even the most delicate delicate dress looking special. Their garment bag in also very stylish... and can be used for mens' suits or womens' dresses.  AN ELEGANT GIFT FOR MUM OR DAD GOING ON A CRUISE OR GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR.

4. FOR BUSINESS PEOPLE who spend alot of time travelling, this Italian leather passport holder from Piquadro is a thoughtful gift. Hand-crafted in Florence, it also holds credit cards and cash. And I bet it gets better with age.

5. If you really want to invoke the golden age of travel, why not treat the intrepid traveller to some luggage from Hermes. 

Their Fabourg Express cases have hunter hide leather and the lining is 100 percent cotton. A one tonne elephant can sit on these beauties without breaking them apparently. From $5230 they aren't a budget gift... but you can be sure these suitcases won't be left gathering dust at the back of the wardrobe. A STATEMENT GIFT FOR THE PRIVATE JET SET!

Happy gift hunting.

A Travellers Gift

There comes a point in a person's life where the urge to travel is paramount. We need to see a small part of the world and we make the necessary arrangements based on money, time and desired location.

I have a friend who regularly travels around the world - usually on her own. And she has visited some of the more remote parts of the world. One of the things I always ask her - are you keeping a diary / journal and are you taking lots of photos?

So a couple of suggestions for the new travellers are - a travel journal, a pocket sized address book - so they can keep a note of all the names and email addresses and telephone numbers of people they want to keep in touch with whilst they are away, batteries, disposable cameras and extra memory for their digital cameras. Of course if funds allow, you can also consider buying a video recorder - but a lot of the digital cameras today have that capability - but it does take a fair bit of battery power - so rechargeable batteries maybe the way to go, along with an adaptor.

Holiday gifts: Give the gift of going or coming back?

For seasoned holiday makers, giving a holiday gift can seem a little bit over the top. But for those people who have never been away, or haven’t been on holiday for a very long time, giving a holiday present may seem like a nice idea.

An elderly couple I know are going on their very first cruise. As you can imagine there are all sorts of gifts you can give for this type of holiday. Sea sickness tablets, an inflatable ring, and emergency rations all spring to mind. But then again I know them very well. But how about a nice evening scarf for the ladies, and a suitable tie for the gents for when they sit down for dinner at the captain’s table? Or a sequined evening purse? Or Holiday and travel guides, plugs / adaptors or how about a neck pillow or things for the journey itself.

Of course if you are the one going on holiday it’s always nice to bring little mementoes of the places you’ve visited for family and friends. And you can guarantee they won’t have anything like it at home - unless they’ve been there of course – but what chance that?

Travel Gifts: Backpacking around the world

Buying a gift for the traveller is interesting. Whatever we purchase has to be one of three things, and preferably all three. Travel presents should be:

• Light
• Small and
• Useful

There is something that seems to be uniquely Australian about backpacking around the world. We carry all our worldly goods on our backs, like a snail does its home. And we hope we have everything we need for every situation for our pilgrimage to places new.

But it also depends on the travellers destination(s) that will impact on the type of gift you buy for them. Why buy a beanie if they don't intend travelling to the colder climates!! Or sun screen if they don't intend to travel during summer.

But some useful travel gift suggestions can include: Insect repellant, malaria tablets, a pocket knife that can double up as a can and bottle opener, a sewing kit and of course travel guides and dictionaries being some of the more useful suggestions. But how about string, international stamps, the bag itself, baby wipes (and no you don't need a baby to benefit from these), a couple of pegs and a telephone card.

If you've ever had to travel light, and backpackers will understand this all too well. Whatever you take has to have multiple uses. So when choosing your travel gifts, think creatively and think multi-purpose.