What are we, 7? Because who in their right mind makes a Santy Claus list anytime after – oh, I dunno – 3rd grade graduation? …Slash, let’s be honest: who doesn’t love a good gift guide? So on that note, Karrie and I are kicking off gift guides this season with – you guessed it! Our favorite picks. The older we get, the tougher these are to make because – truth be told – we *kinda* already have everything we really need. That said… here are mine… Happy Shopping Mom & Dad! fjdkjfkdlsjaklfjak;ja
1 – Kiini Pink Bikini: This particular all-pastel pink one is discontinued, so I have faint hopes of finding it on eBay someday. But as a close second Kiini fave, I also love its bright yellow counterpart: Ro (top) + Ro (bottom).
2 – The Southerner’s Cookbook, from the Editors of Garden & Gun: Because ever moving back to the east coast / to my former homeland of Charleston is hard to imagine, but maybe I can teleport there and scratch that itch by whipping up a few ditties from this cookbook.
3 – Lips Dish, $38. Because is there a more adorable (or incognito) way to stow your busted-looking crusty ‘ol retainer by the bedside? I think not.
4 – Inlay Cushion in Lake/Natural, Susan Connor New York, $159 for 14″ x 24″ – Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this pillow for – oh – YEARS, and have blogged about it probably 17 times. *COUGH* a pair of these wouldn’t suck. #affluenza… but for real. Susan Connor’s prints are amazing.
5 – Ditch Plains Surfers by Christine Flynn, 48″ x 36″, $379 $311 thru Cyber Monday! – One Kings Lane is my go-to for artwork, and this photograph reminds me of my backyard in San Diego. Love!
6 – Paradise Ring, ca. 1910, price upon request – …”price upon request” are three REAL scary little words, I know. But I meeeeeaan – it’s got green opals & sapphires & pearls (!!!) and it’s an antique, which means it’s got some provenance to it, and it also means every other floozy in town won’t have it.
7 – H&M Super Low / Super Skinny Jeans in Denim Blue, $39 – These are my favorite jeans, ever. I currently have a pair at the dry cleaner being stitched up for the umpteenth time because I love them so much. Soooooo maybe it’s time for a new pair. *COUGH* size 29/32.
8 – Nespresso VertuoLine Evoluo Deluxe with Aeroccino Plus, $209 THRU SUNDAY 11/27 – Because coffee is probably my favorite part of the morning, and I love the taste of my French pressed coffee, but hate how long it takes to make. And if more than 1 person wants a cup you gotta boil the whole thing all over again. Love the instant grat of this bad boy, and the fact that it makes coffee AND espresso. Whatever tickles your pickle. NOTE TO SANTA: THIS CONTRAPTION IS THE MVP ON THIS LIST. UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY SANTA.
9 – Vina Electric Salt & Pepper Mill (Pack of 2), $25 – Manually grinding enough pepper for most recipes takes eons – ain’t nobody got time for that. The most important feature on this thing (imo) is the adjustable grind. The price for the pair of these is also AMAZING, and the reviews are spot on. #yesplease
10 – Buttery Leather Mac Book Air Portfolio, $175 – I think I put this guy on my list every year. Totally not a necessity, but I do love the simple, subtly sophisticated utility of it.
11 – Grey & Fur Pom Slouchy Beanie, $40 – The 7-year old inside of me NEEDS this.
I also love this one from Kate Spade… very Fraggle Rock chic, and sure to keep my dome toasty in the mountains this winter.
12 – Pomengranate Citrus Candle, $32 – I bought this last year for a friend and then totally wanted to steal it. Looks so pretty lit up because of the faceted pink glass, and smells like heaven.
13 – Magnetic iPhone Ring, $20 – These were all the rage with our friends in NYC a few weeks ago, and I didn’t get it at first… and then I realized that it’s a handy way to hang onto it without dropping it, that you can set it up on its side whenever you need to (I dunno, read a recipe while you’re cooking or watch Hulu online). Also mounts to your dashboard so you can be hands-free. Which you know yo mama loves.
14 – Rifle Paper Scarlett Birch 17-Month Planner, on sale for $24 – Because I’m one of those old schoolers who still likes to write down appointments & such vs. putting them in my phone.
15 – Chloé Hudson Small Braided Suede Saddle Bag, $-at-least-a-few-ovaries – I mean, it’s totally on sale for $1,450. On eBay. What kind of list would this be if I couldn’t throw a pipe dream or two in?
16 – Ahava Dermud Intensive Hand Cream, $28.50 – I feel like my hands are never not chapped – whether is from salt water or dishes or laundry or cold weather – and I’m telling ya – this hand cream will save the skin on your paws’ life. PS did you know the skin on your face, neck and hands ages the fastest? Take heed, people.
17 – Cape Recycled Red Wine Glasses, on sale for $24 (set of 4) – Love these. Lovelovelove. More interesting-looking than your every day wine glasses but still totally classic.
17.5 – Vintage French champagne flutes by Luminarc, Set of 6, $41 – Perfection.
18 – American Rustic, $38 – I’ve been spending more time in the mountains this year, and I’m starting to embrace the aesthetic there… slash it’s already kinda in my bones, what with having Stevie B for a Pa & all. Anyhow – I flipped thru this book at one of my favorite Solana Beach outposts the other day, and EVERY page was so so good.
19 – Balloon Sleeve Pullover, 30% off of $98 with code LETSGO – This is SO SOFT I CAN’T STAND IT. And really pretty on. The shape is ever-so-slightly 80’s. AKA my favorite decade, ever. Size S, Color: Blue Motif or Black.
19.5 – Madewell Ryder Cardigan, $75 with code THATSALE – This feels like BUTTAH. I repeat: buttah. Shocking that it’s not cashmere. I always struggle in the winter to find warm, cozy sweaters that aren’t bulky / are still mildly cute and don’t swallow you whole. This is one of ’em. Throw a cami under it, belt it, live in it – whatever. Looks longer & leaner in person. Size S, Heather Fog.
19.75 – Driftweave Pullover Sweater, $75 with code THATSALE – ah balls while I’m at it this one is great too. So adorbs. Size S or M.
20 – Pink Beanie, $16 – For milder weather… not so much arctic tundra.
21 – Color Club Nail Polish in Poptastic Pink, $5.50 – I saw this in the nail salon in NYC the other day, and it was all I could do not to throw Fall colors to the wind and slap this on. Maybe log this for your winter getaway – even if that getaway is a mental one when it’s negative 7 degrees outside in January.
22 – Coconut Milk Bath Soak, $32 – This stuff is DUHLICIOUS. I snapped some up last year when I was primping for a Christmas party, and took a pre-game soak in it. It’s no joke. I think I ran thru it in a week cuz it made me wanna take a bubble bath every night.
23 – Italian Leather Coin Purse, on sale for $18 with code HOLIDAY – I need a business card holder real bad, because I’m ALWAYS THE GIRL WHO FORGETS TO CARRY THEM. What I like about this one (which is actually a coin purse) is that the little strap on it can hook around the strap of my work bag, so I always have it with me. Otherwise I’ll leave it at home and/or it’ll get lost in the bottom of said bag / the abyss.
24 – Ugg Dakota Slipper in Tabacco, $99 – Because these are the warmest your feet will ever be in the winter.
25 – Spa Day, $ PRICELESS – You can pretty much throw everything on this list out the door in exchange for a SPAAAAA DAAAAYYYYY. Haha j/k… sort of. I’m not fancy enough that I’ve ever spent an entire day at a swanky spa, but I do know that great places in San Diego to get coiffed & buffed & such are: Beauty Lounge for mani pedis, Rhonda at Dr. Libs’ Chiropractic office for medical massage (it’s UNREAL, people), or Arcona Los Angeles for facials (Esthetician: Brandi Brown).
26 – Distressed Oushak Runner, 4’7″ x 10’8″, $3915 – Again, it’s a pipe dream people. I scour an AWFUL lotta oushaks for clients, and I’m telling ya: this one is a stunner. It’s also slightly overpriced (but honestly, only slightly). The thing that doesn’t suck about antique rugs is that unless you let your kids drop trow & pee on them and then never clean the things, they increase in value over time. So I mean, it’s basically like an investment………….
27 – Beyond Yoga Spacedye Performance Essential Long Leggings, on sale for $62 – Pretty sure I wouldn’t take these off till Springtime. For inquiring minds: Color – Black/Steel or Black/Cobalt or Black/White. Size M.
That’s all I got! And by that I mean, just wait till I read everybody else’s gift guides this coming week then pluck stuff off theirs that I never knew I always needed and edit this list. HAAAAAA, I’m kidding. I totally need nothing in real life. Except immortality for GusGus and green juice and my hot yoga class and my people. And also – that Nespresso.
xoxo!
