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Antique & Vintage Gifts & Presents For Your Father - 2016-06-10
Antique & Vintage Father's Day Gifts & Presents
Give your Dad the Gift of a Unique Vintage or Antique Present
Father's Day is almost upon us. That one day a year when we recognize and celebrate the men in our lives who helped to raise us. The father in your life may be a Grandfather, an Uncle, a close family friend or even the father of your own children. He may have coached your sports teams, cheered you on in your life endeavours, taught you to whistle, been your rock in hard times, taught you the value of hard work, been your willing personal banker, or he may have been your hero. Fathers do so much for their children (biological or not) and they deserve to be celebrated not just on the Third Sunday in June but every day.
Now you're probably thinking 'Who can afford to celebrate their dad every day?'. Buying a gift every day would not only wreak havoc on your bank account it would also make the special into the mundane. So now that we've narrowed celebrating our Dads back into a single day and a single gift given the question arises: what do you buy for a Father's Day gift? The perfect gift should be unique and intriguing, or as steady and sturdy as the man of the hour.
Is your Dad the hardworking businessman in the family? If he spends his days networking chances are he has a lot of business cards in his pocket at any given time, but he could probably use a nicer place to store them than the worn old wallet in his back pocket. Pulling out a stunning sterling silver or silver plated card holder may be just the touch of high class that makes your father stand out in his new contact's mind. As an added bonus with a card holder your father can kiss goodbye to the days of business cards with stains or folded edges from poor storage.
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For the quirky, mustachio'd fathers out there why not try something out of the box to keep that manly lip jacket dry while drinking? Moustache cups date back to Victorian times and have built in moustache protectors near the rim of the cup for a perfectly dry moustache with every sip of coffee, tea or even cappuccino.
At the end of a long day providing for the household your dad may enjoy a cocktail or a good scotch as he relaxes with his family. Whether your dad is a casual sipper or an unparalleled bartender who often ends up the life of the party, chances are he would enjoy some nice bar accoutrements. For the whiskey or scotch man some handsome rocks glasses or a stately cut crystal decanter transform his favourite label into a decadent treat for display as well as for taste. If your father fancies himself as a Tom Cruise type from the movie 'Cocktail' he would be extremely pleased to find himself in the possession of a fanciful vintage cocktail shaker or a unique ice bucket. For the wine aficionado vintage corkscrews are a whimsical and practical way to celebrate a great bottle of red or white.
Is there a special occasion on the horizon for your father? A special anniversary or the tear soaked giving away of his little girl at her wedding? A perfect Father's Day gift that will carry meaning forward to each of these special occasions is a pair of unique cuff links. Every time your dad 'suits up' he will be reminded how much you love him. The selection of cuff links at Cynthia Findlay's is vast and ranges from quirky to historical to gem studded elegance. Pair those cuff links with a handsome, understated tie pin for a look that makes snappy dressing an every day occurrence.
The Dad's in our lives deserve something special with a history as rich and interesting as their own. If these gift giving ideas left you inspired with thoughts of the World's best Dad or Grandad then come on by Cynthia Findlay's Antiques for an astonishing selection of unique 'Mantique' presents. And to all the Wonderful Dads out there: Happy Father's Day!
June Birthstones - 2016-06-09
June Birthstones
June's Birthstones are Pearls, Alexandrites and Moonstones!
Sunny, warm June marks the beginning of Summer, and lucky June babies also recognize it as the month of several Birthstones! Shimmering, iridescent Pearls share this month with the elusive Alexandrite stone and the lesser claimed Moonstone.
Never heard of Alexandrite? You're not alone! This intriguing, rare stone is known as a colour changing stone because it shifts from shades of blue green in daylight to deeper tones of red and purple under incandescent light. The exact natural circumstances that must happen to create Alexandrite with its prized colour changing property are quite rare, so the stone is highly prized and valued. While wildly popular during the Victorian era and with Russian Tsars Alexandrite is rarely found in modern jewelry because of the stone's scarcity.
Alexandrite was named for Tsar Alexander II of Russia when it was discovered in Russia in 1834 on the same day as the future Tsar's coming of Age. Alexandrite enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s when new natural deposits were discovered, after which its popularity died down again due to the difficulty of procuring one of the rare stones. Because of Alexandrite's unique traits this stone is believed to inspire creativity, inspiration and imagination in its owner. Alexandrite makes the perfect gift for the Artist in your life; with the same unique and ever changing dynamic energy of an artist encapsulated in a single stone.
For Earthy June babies who are searching for an inner calm the shifting silvery tones of the Moonstone mimic the ethereal moon itself and claim tranquil properties. Romans and Greeks honoured the stone and associated it with their beloved Lunar Deities. The enchanting milky shades of light within moonstones appear to the eye to move and shift like clouds across a luminescent moon or the tides that naturally rise and fall in the pull of the same. Moonstones enjoyed popularity during the Art Nouveau period as their natural, earthy feeling suited the tones of the movement. Moonstones can be found in many natural colours, all of which claim different healing properties. Dreamers and lovers can find a perfect match in a piece of Moonstone jewellery.
In 1916 the Pearl was declared the official birthstone of June, and has quickly outpaced Alexandrite and Moonstone in popularity as a June gift ever since. Pearls have a long standing history dating back to their earliest discovery in the Sarcophagus of a Persian Princess who was laid to rest in 520 BC.
Pearls are the only organic jewel created by a living creature. Mollusks react to an irritant inside their shell by coating it in layers of protective, iridescent Nacre until a Pearl is formed. The colour of a Pearl mimics the shade of the inside of the shell from which it was created so pearls come in tones of white, cream or champagne, and from soft grey to inky, iridescent black. Every Pearl is unique, with no two identical stones in existence. What a darling way to tell that special someone that they are one of a kind, and utterly irreplaceable in your life!
Natural pearls are rare and were once very dangerous to dive for so the Pearl gained popularity as the 'Queen of gems and the Gem of Queens' - anonymous. Methods for reliably farming pearls began around 1916 and pearls became more accessible to consumers worldwide, sparking the movement for women to drape themselves in 'ropes and ropes of pearls' - Coco Chanel. In cultured freshwater and saltwater pearls a small 'bead' composed of shell or other material is placed inside the oyster or mussel which becomes the Center of a Pearl.
Pearls have found their way into the necklaces we all know and love, as the accent or the centre in rings and also into a variety of intriguing earrings. Droplets that demurely glow against the lobe of your ear or dangle enticingly innocent at the nape of your neck, pearls are a perfect earring for any occasion. Pearls are proper ladies and prefer to avoid the lavish scents, creams, and fragrant waters that we often apply to our necks and hands. The pearl earring becomes the perfect location to display and protect those radiant, classic pearls.
As written in People & Pearls: The Magic Endures; 'When a woman wears pearls, it is she who shines. Pearls complement a woman in whatever she is doing. They become part of her, not something worn by her'. Pearls are a timeless stone which have enjoyed a storied love affair with fashion, fame, and royalty; but they can still gracefully take a backstage role to the beauty of the woman wearing them.
Intrigued by the thought of this enchanting stone that symbolizes Friendship and loyalty? Or perhaps you're dwelling on the thought of Artsy Alexandrite or Mystical Moonstones? Come on in to Cynthia Findlay's for a wonderful selection of June birthstones, and enjoy the lovely weather with the knowledge of the perfect gift tucked away for that special June Event!
Vintage Graduation Gifts - 2016-06-03
Vintage Graduation Gifts
Something Antique or Vintage for a Lovely 2016 Graduation Present
Time has flown, it's moved too fast and now your baby's classes are past. Where did the time go?
June marks the end of the Educational journey of both Secondary and Post secondary students. As your heart swells with pride and your eyes with tears over the upcoming graduation of someone special you might also experience the confusion and pressure of finding the perfect gift to mark the occasion. Fear not, Cynthia Findlay's has you covered with a unique selection of timeless options just perfect for the New Graduate in your life!
Is your Grad off to conquer the business or writing world? Tired of the same old standard graduation pen as a gift suggestion? Why not jump back in time to the beginnings of the formal written word with a unique desktop Inkwell accessory? Antique and Vintage Inkwells are a perfect feature for any desk that shows a maturity and a respect for the written word. Their trays are also ideal for pens while various office accessories fit seamlessly in the ink pots (who says historical pieces can't be modernized?).
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Vintage & Antique Inkwells
Maybe the student you're buying for would rather have a graduation gift that they can wear and demonstrate the pearls of wisdom that they've picked up over their time in school. Give your grad a gift with class (and no homework!), with a strand of Graduated Pearls. Although these pearls may not have sat through lectures or pop quizzes to get their degree they are created and perfected overtime in nature. Graduated pearls are carefully strung in a pleasing arrangement that accentuates any neckline. A Princess length strand (17-19 inches) will leave your graduate feeling like the belle of the ball and provide an air of sophistication that pairs with any interview outfit!
Vintage Pearls
Marilyn Monroe famously said 'Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world'. We look with pride on students who are wishing for the world and reaching for the stars as they graduate, but sometimes the makeup helps to put a little colour in those cheeks when life gets a little tough. Give your graduate the gift of a beautiful classic compact, and the confidence to take on the world. These fun and intricate pieces can be filled with a favourite makeup and the mirror inside offers a reminder to smile and be proud of all that they have accomplished.
Antique & Vintage Compacts
Another timeless Graduation present that never goes out of style is the gift of a watch, in honour of the time that has flown by. You've watched them grow and now it's time for them to make their way into the world. Wristwatches are still a necessity in life and work; despite the clocks on our cell phones, and there is a sense of purpose and maturity that comes from wearing a watch that doesn't light up with digital numbers or pictures of cartoon characters. For an interesting antique flare why not buy a pocket watch as a gift? You can have it engraved with an inspirational message that will always be treasured.
Vintage & Antique Pocket Watches
Graduation is both the start and end of a journey. Celebrate this June not only for the accomplishments that have been earned but also for the possibilities and the bright future that lie ahead of your favourite student. Don't let the stress of choosing a present stand in the way of the pride and the joy of Convocation; let the friendly staff at Cynthia Findlay's give you a hand with that one of a kind present that you're searching for.
RVP
Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques
284 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1J2
Contact | 416.260.9057 | 1.855.260.9057