One of the boldest signs of the zodiac, the Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) is a force to be reckoned with! Capable and creative, passionate and energetic, athletic and attention-seeking, and with confidence in spades, it might be easy to write off the Lion as overly vain or self-centered. But Leos are among the most altruistic signs of the Zodiac: they’re romantic, loyal, and often have a soft spot for children, animals, or both. You will often see a Leo on center stage, at the head of the boardroom, or seated in first class — but you’ll also see Leos forcefully leading the charge for causes that are near and dear to their hearts.
Here are some gifts that are sure to appeal to this one-of-a-kind personality.
The Leo lady likes to stand out and be noticed, and chic accessories with a “wow factor” always make great gifts for her. She’ll love this Artisan Silk Bopha Handbag from Green Gecko … it’s a simple and elegant handbag with a brash oversized rose that goes seamlessly from clubbing to cocktails to the red carpet. It’s hand-spun and hand-loomed under fair trade conditions, and supports Cambodian artisans.
Similarly, the Leo gentleman appreciates gifts that convey a powerful, classy image. Stephen Estelle, designer of eco-friendly fine jewelry, comes through beautifully with these simply stunning Labradorite and sterling-silver cufflinks. Hand-forged in a bold, masculine design, these cufflinks draw the eye and make a statement.
Another fabulous gift for a Sun Sign lady … dazzling 18K-gold and sterling jewelry. Again, Stephen Estelle delivers the perfect gift for this confident personality. The sophisticated design of Estelle’s “Montpellier” collection was created by the family that designed jewelry for Nepal’s Maharajas. So, it’s important enough to satisfy a Leo’s sense of royalty, yet playful enough to appeal to Leo’s sense of enjoyment and fun. Estelle’s jewelry is tailor-made for a Leo’s fiery spirit and appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship.
The proud Leo considers the home a reflection of him- or herself, so gifts for the home should be unique, elegant, and command attention. One perfect example are these artisan hand-thrown ceramic items from Italy: the Dipping Bowl and the Wine Set, both by Tutto Mio. Leos who entertain at home will appreciate their high standards of quality and taste. After all, you can’t expect a Leo host or hostess to serve wine or hors d’oeuvres from anything less than spectacular, can you?
As for the little lion cubs: if there’s one thing Leo children love to do, it’s put on a show. With creativity and enthusiasm to spare, little Leos can always use some direction in harnessing their imagination. They will love to entertain family and friends with these organic, hand-knit “African Critters” puppets from Kenya (now on sale). Yes, the set of four includes a lion, naturally!
Of course the most important thing to remember about Leos is: Never forget their birthdays! Happy Birthday, Leo!
The Sheba Pendant is a great “date necklace” made of wood, silk and glass, that dresses up a floaty summer top or colorful maxi-dress. Dori Csengeri’s fabulous jewelry designs are impeccably rendered by women artisans in Israel.
These cute, light and surprisingly durable Organza/ Raw Silk purses from Green Gecko were handmade by Cambodian artisans. So great with breezy summer dresses.
At night when the temperature drops, reach for this light, elegant Ethiopian silk scarf. Wear it gathered around your neck or toss around your shoulders. This beautiful natural-silk scarf is handspun by the Creative Women artisan’s collective in Ethiopia, and comes in five colors to complement any outfit.
Beach Bag Bingo: tote your towel, sunblock and beach read in style with another Creative Women offering: a durable, eco-friendly textile tote. These dramatic bags have a gorgeous natural sheen and are built to last.
Rainforest Native’s simply gorgeous five-strand rainforest necklace is crafted by Amazonian artists from white acai, sterling silver, and sustainably harvested rainforest wood. A wear-anywhere necklace that can go from bikinis to cocktail dresses, it looks so great against a summer tan.
