12 ideas to improve your life

MANILA, Philippines - Sometimes it is all about buying less, but better. The hard bit is fitting gifts to your would-be recipients’ character kinks. 

Everything that surrounds us may enhance us in some way, but it needn’t be all-present, and not all at once.

1) The way it has been and could be

There are things that must go on your “to ignore” list. Part of life’s challenge is mastering the ability to organize our thoughts so that the foundation of our beliefs is never shaken. An easy-read on how to approach precaution with a bit of mindfulness to overcome what didn’t work in 2011 is Willful blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril by Margaret Hefferman. (Kindle edition: $13.50, Amazon.com)

2) Proper coffee cups and saucers

If getting up an extra hour early just to devote 60 minutes or more to scan the newspaper/bilingual news feeds is your thing, these characteristically delicate cups add lightness (with a caffeine punch) to a very necessary daily ritual better than, say, a mug. From design architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA. Made of bone china, a remarkable material for tableware. (Fruit Basket set of two Mocha cups by SANAA, P5,300 Alessi, Fort Bonifacio High Street) 

3) A gentle personal coffee maker

Awaken from the sleep of habit. For a methodical approach to drip coffee (the Japanese way), this ceramic (nobler than plastic) model is a mass-market one-hole drip that goes on top of your cup for an experiment in extraction. Thank the Internet for video instructions, and taste an alternative to a coffee junkies’ French press or Moka stovetop. (Bonmac Ceramic pour-on dripper, about $20 on store.bluebottlecoffee.net)

4) A cheese plate that’s grown-up

Natural stone slate is always real as real can get, paired with local keso or aged cheese, in case petrified wood or a full slab of travertine isn’t readily available. (Cheeseboard slate, rectangular 35cm x 25cm. P1,200, Gourdo’s)

5) Marine life on your desk

These iridescent blue little fish with cobalt fins may just convert you to become a pescetarian, if not less blue. Combine with a recycled clear container, or skip the flowers and rethink a handsome Murano vase. (Siamese fighting fish in blue, P50 a piece, Bioresearch branches)

6) A potted plant for odd corners

Plants as decorative element are nothing new. In absence of vegetable patches on your city terrace (or the absence of a balcony) limit the growth to anahaw, or a mature knotted money tree down to a hearty philodendron, indoors. (Selections at Manila Seedling Bank, EDSA, about P200 up)

7) An app for kids and kids-at-heart

An interactive iPad app that is a polymath of a literature-musical-recreation with cinematic effects perfect to curl up with. Ideal for giving to a doting bibliophile uncle/ auntie with parental aspirations. (Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by Moonbot Studios LA. $4.99 at iTunes store)

8) Just plain ordinary lamp

If energy-saving bulbs are clever, modern achievements in everyday lighting, for diffused light obsessives, this egg-shaped ball survives the test of time like an homage to a frosted incandescent lamp. Less concerned with “eye-catching” or “statement” piece, this is beyond “special” without even trying. (Flos Glo Ball by Jasper Morrison. Price upon request, Steltz lighting, Serendra)

9) A good pair of socks

In the book Designing Design, Muji’s brand architect Kenya Hara sums up Muji manifesto as “design that isn’t about simply a mediocre product but about balance of style and content.” Muji’s reused yarn socks are for those basic socks you probably own already, but never stoop to think about. (Muji recycled yarn socks in three-pair sets, at all Muji branches)

10) The spread that puts you to work

Simple, brilliant people want to be surrounded by brilliant people — with equal genius and E.Q. So if you want to peek into other people’s think tanks, blogger Paul Barbera’s honest snapshots beginning from his popular website may get you going, to organize your own HG. (Where They Create by Paul Barbera. Order at Powerbooks branches)

11) A recipe book, for takeaway

Feel like rain-checking sometimes all the unnecessary dinners and exhausting chatter? What could be more convivial than organizing a face-to-face with close friends for delicious meals, at home, with not-so-secret recipes from the very low-key Rose Bakery? Something of an autodidact, Rose Carrarini shares that good food is possible with the littlest embellishments. (Breakfast, Lunch & Tea by Rose Bakery. P1,499 Fully Booked branches)

12 ) A slow island holiday

Tired of spontaneous trips? Prepare for the unexpected. Booking tickets isn’t simply yes/no/maybe, especially if you want to maximize time. If boating to the next island is your idea of weekend fun away from the shackles of consumerism, then try no less than one of our 7,107 islands. Sandy beaches and some time alone, or with someone, is an experience to remember always. It’s also good to contribute to local spending. (Caramoanislands.com)