..Home is where the heart is..

Gypsy Gems,

It feels good to be back in Canada. Gifting gypsy jewels is so much easier here. The other evening was such a prime example of why. People in Canada are so friendly, welcoming and excited about my social experiment.

I had very different reactions in Europe. The majority of recipients gifted in London, Madrid and Milan thought I was strange. It was as if they hadn't ever experienced a random act of kindness. They seemed to all try to discover my underlying motive while I was explaining the essence of my social experiment. But not in Halifax, Nova Scotia…  See previous post for two gifting experiences.


Until Next Time,


Much Love.


<3 Your GypsyQueen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gift Encounter No. 5 (Milan)

Gypsy Gems,

I am writing you from a Hostel in Madrid. I am sorry I have neglected you all for so long - I have been having such a lovely time during my travels and haven´t had a moment to catch my breathe let alone write you all a message.

London was lovely. It is a loud and busy city - which complimented my personality quite well. Milan has my heart. Perhaps its because my friend lives there, or perhaps its the fact that it is bursting with culture and has food that pleases my palete. Unintentionally, I managed to be in London and Milan during their Fashion Weeks - this likely added to the hustle and bustle.

Anyway, I must tell you about my gift encounter. It occured at the Malpensa Airport, after landing in Milan. I had seen a lovely lady in floral print (my second favorite print - after cougar, of course) at the Gatewick airport (in London). We exchanged a smile at the security check in London. She excerted positive energy - I wanted to gift her an earring, but the timing wasn´t right. Not in security. I had the perfect earring for her, ¨Fallen Leaf¨, with vibrant orange, black and white feathers and a gold charm of an interesting leaf.

Just as I was kicking myself for not taking making the opportunity - the girl in the floral print walked onto the plane - my plane - heading to Milan. What are the odds? After landing in Milan, and while waiting for our baggage I presented her with the gift. She was very warm and welcoming - I was nervous.

I really hope she takes the opportunity to sport my earring and take some pictures. I will be anxiously waiting by my computer.

Until Next Time,


Much Love.


<3 Your GypsyQueen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

..Pretty Pink Results..

..Erin.. TwentyFive.. Lawyer.. East London, England..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gift Encounter No. 4 (London)

Gypsy Gems,

I had a perfect day yesterday (and today) - but let me tell you about yesterday. It started with sightseeing and ended with dinner and a musical (Legally Blonde), which was unreal, might I add. The catchy songs are still replaying in my mind.


While my friend was attending Law class, I took a bus tour around London. I was so pleased to see Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and my favourite: Buckingham Palace.

There is something truly magical about Buckingham Palace - the place where I gifted my fourth gypsy jewel. I spotted a beautiful girl with cougar print tights. Which is no surprise as I have always been attracted to animal print. (Confession: my living room looks like a safari vomited all over it). I approached her to offer a brown and white feathered earring with hardware that resembled an arrow. I named that particular earring "Native". She seemed surprised by the encounter, maybe even taken back by my request to post her photos on my blog. 

I will wait, cross my fingers (and toes) and hope that the beautiful girl in the cougar print tights sends me some photos of her rocking my earring.


Until Next Time,

Much Love.

<3 Your GypsyQueen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gift Encounter No. 3 (London)

Gypsy Gems,

London is lovely. I am having a grand time with my friend. Today was filled with a pancake breakfast (compliments of moi - I brought the mix and maple syrup from Canada), more markets and delicious ethnic food. 

London is busy, vibrant and filled with fashion forward (often too forward) fashionistas. This makes the gifting of my gypsy jewels intimidating; will  the receivers appreciate the gift?, will the receiver want to participate in my blog? The answer could likely be no to both these questions, however; if I can be the spark of conversation amongst friends, or provide a minuscule amount of joy to the receiver - then I am completely and utterly satisfied. 

I stopped in at Starbucks today (near Liverpool St. Station) to get the usual - Mocha Frapuccino light with a shot of espresso. While waiting for my drink, I noticed a beautiful girl who exerted good energy. I approached her and offered my earring; "Fallen" - with multi-colored feathers and a gold fallen-leaf charm. Her name was Tia, She was sweet and seemed pleased to receive the gift. (Success!!) 

Here's to hoping I will receive some lovely images of Tia.

Until Next Time,

Much Love.

<3 Your GypsyQueen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 1: London (Gift Encounter No. 1 & 2)

Gypsy Gems,

I have been in London 24 hours and I have already gifted two of my earrings. One to my lovely friend who I am visiting (pictures of which I will take and post later this week). As well as a beautiful lady I stopped on Brick Lane in East London. She was a bit taken back when I initially stopped her, however was quite receptive when I explained the premise of my social experiment.

I gifted her a pink and green polka dot feather earring with a puzzle piece charm. I have named the earring; "A Piece of Me". Attached to the earring was a note reading the following:

..Receive..Capture..Share..

Receive Karma; a handmade, one-of-a-kind, gypsy jewel.. Capture Karma by taking pictures wearing the jewel - up close of the earring as well as of you wearing the earring capturing the essence of your locale. Be Unique. Be true to your location. Be Monumental.. Share Karma by sending your images to gypsykarmafashion@gmail.com to be used in my blog..

My fingers are crossed, as I hope to recieve some pictures in my inbox soon.

Until Next Time,

Much Love.

<3 Your GypsyQueen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Londontown

Gypsy Gems,


I woke up in London this morning. This afternoon was filled with markets, vintage shops and rain. Lots of rain. I wasn't able to gift any of my gypsy jewels today. Londoners are very fashion forward and can be quite intimidating. I will, however; work up the courage this evening and will make sure to gift and report back.


I will now leave you with some more images of my creations.


Until Next Time.


Much love.


<3 Your GypsyQueen

Photo Credits: Layla Michaels    http://about.me/laylanicole 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated Destinations

Gypsy Gems,

I sent my final batch of earrings today, before I leave for my Euro trip. My earrings have either travelled to, or are on their way to the following locations: 

• Caracas, Venezuela
• Calgary, Alberta
• Dundas, Ontario
• Fredricton, New Brunswick
• Kingston, Ontario
• Labrador, Australia
• London, England
• Montreal, Quebec
• North Carolina, USA
• Oakville, Ontario
• Prince George, British Columbia
• Raumati South, New Zealand
• Sackville, New Brunswick
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Tel Aviv, Israel
• Tofino, British Columbia
• Tokyo, Japan
• Toronto, Ontario

I leave for Europe on Friday - 3 more days, and I simply cannot wait to gift my earrings to those I meet throughout my travels. I wonder how people will react to a gift,  from a  random stranger. Will they be receptive. Perhaps they will be reluctant and think there is some sort of catch. I look forward to documenting my social encounters - good and bad.

Much Love.

Until Next Time,


 <3 Your Gypsy Queen

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Experiment is Underway

Gypsy Gems,


So I was thinking... why am I limiting myself? Why am I only providing love to those I meet during my travels? What about the lovely ladies I have already met? I know they deserve some love too.

I told some of those I love about my social experiment, and received nothing but positive feedback. They either wanted on board or directed me to someone they knew who would likely be interested.

I have already gifted a number of earrings to the locations listed below. These loved ones include a musician I let crash at my apartment while on tour, a friend of a friend, a past co-worker, a stand partner during high school Orchestra lessons, a friend's younger sister, university students I met at business conferences in Mexico and the Netherlands, as well as others with similar unique stories.

My earrings have travelled to the following locales:

• Calgary, Alberta
• Kingston, Ontario
• Labrador, Australia
• London, England
• Montreal, Quebec
• North Carolina, USA
• Oakville, Ontario
• Prince George, British Columbia
• Sackville, New Brunswick
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Tel Aviv, Israel

Can't wait to receive and post some more pictures! 

Until Next Time.


Much Love.

<3 Your Gypsy Queen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------