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Steph’s Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Karrie and I have done Gift Guides at the Holly-days for as long as we’ve had this blog, I think. And we will say – they are SO FUN and we do get so much good feedback (“OMG I WAIT FOR THIS EVERY YEAR BEFORE I BUY ANYTHING FOR SO-AND-SO” // “WHEN IS THE GIFT GUIDE FOR GUYS COMING OUT? I’M LOST.”)  Our families are equally as reliant on the wishlists we do for ourselves… my Mom actually threatened to go rogue the other day if I didn’t cough this up. But we’d be lying if we said they aren’t a struggle to put together these days (cuz we’re hard-pressed to think of anything we really need), and also because we also feel a twinge silly doing them… cuz we’re old AF.

TRUTHFULLY, All I really want is:

For Gus to live forever

To hang out with my Grandparents (hey Bud! hey Ruthie! hey Nanny!)

To eat pasta with butter for every meal and never get fat

For Corepower to open a location in Crested Butte

For my entire family (and Chris’) to fly to Colorado so we can all post-up in a cabin in the woods with no wifi and play board games and sit around in PJ’s and watch movies and drink cocoa. But you know what Bud always said: “Honey, wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one comes true first.”

To stay in good health, because I’m now at the age where things starts to fall apart and it’s scary

To buy a house… trickier since I’m a 1099-er and like to live in places with an insane cost of living.

Oh I’m sorry… did you want a gift guide you could pull from and actually use?  K.. here are some goodies I rounded up – for yours truly but also pour tous-les-femmes:

1. Eberjey Gisele PJ Set in Ivory & Navy, size L, $120. #1 on my list for a reason: Because I’m 37 and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to traipse around my boyfriends’ parents’ house this Christmas season in my tattered (but so cozy!) men’s boxer briefs from college. It might be time to graduate to a for realz pair of PJ’s. 

2. Personalized Stationery.  This is the Agate Teal design from Minted and it’s real pretty.

 

3. Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press in Gold, $49: Because who doesn’t need a French Press the color of Trump’s toilet? Just kidding – we got a Nespresso a few years ago, and it works great and makes delicious coffee, but the Pods legit cost 1 ovary each. Plus, we kinda love a cup of good ol fashioned French Press coffee. I have one, but it’s only a 4-cup – since this one is an 8-cup, it means we can pour for everyone when we have overnight guests without having to boil like 19 rounds of water. Plus, it’s gold… *ting!*

4. Matteo Crochet Duvet Cover & Standard Shams, $234.50 (Queen duvet) + $144.50 (pair of standard Queen shams). 20% off this week on One Kings Lane. Matteo is the mac daddy of bedding and the bedding equivalent to your favorite pair of Levi’s you never want to take off. I’ve had this in my cart for a few years.

 

5. Oliver Peoples Marianela Sunnies in Washed Rose/Burgundy Gold, $326. I realize the price of these is ridiculous, which is why they’re on my eBay and Poshmark saved search lists… But I tried them on on a shopping day with Vani in Austin earlier this year and legit never wanted to take them off my face.

6. James Michelle Oval Ring, $68: Size 7.5, Gold. So simple and perfect for every day. Love. I have a necklace from James Michelle and it’s the one thing I never take off.

 

7. YogiToes Chakra Mat in Turquoise, Marked down to $43.50 for Black Friday (also available on Backcountry): when I moved to California 5 years ago, one of my high school teammates gifted me & my tattered little soul at the time a free month of yoga at Corepower so I could try out all their classes and figure out which one I liked (still the sweetest gesture – HOOMIE!). I immediately became hooked on HPF (Hot Power Fusion), which is a hot vinyasa class – 105 degrees and a little like Bikram, but 60 minutes instead of 90 and far less militant. Anyhow – still my favorite class (it is not only an a$$ kicking but healing and a savior for your joints), and after every other day in that class x 4 years, I should probably retire my tattered TJ Maxx mat and upgrade. Yogitoes is the tits when it comes to yoga mats.

8. Sko by Joe pottery. Anything by this artist out of SoCal is so beautiful, but I’m a huge sucker for the off-white guy with a crack in the back left… and the little cookies & cream fella in front of him. It’s a struggle to find anything design-wise that I need and think I would love forever, but his pottery fits the bill:

 

9. Delsey Chatelet Plus Hardside Spinner Luggage, $200 on sale at Macy’s for the carry-on size (regular: $500): Um, I got the coolest set of Calpak luggage last year (thanks Dad!), but I think I flew once a week for the entire year, and I quite literally blew a tire in my carry-on. So this is really a suggestion for you gals out there, cuz I already snapped one of these up (after reading a few reviews on the best carry on luggage). Also comes with a 10-year warranty.

10. The Wren Leopard Flat, size 10, $140: This smoking-loafer style flat is my favorite (most comfortable) shape, and omg – zoom in – they’re like UGGS on the inside. GYAH it’s like a mullet version of a shoe – yes please. Also, I had a lady I ran into in town the other day look down and go, “Oh honey, you have on your house shoes!” …cuz I walk around town in my Ugg mocs. Whoops.

11. Ugg Duffield II Double-Knit Robe, $130: Because the only thing better than nestling your crusty feet into a fuzzy pair of Uggs in the winter time is nestling your whole crusty self into this delicious Ugg robe. Oatmeal Heather, Size M.

12. Corepower Yoga Gift Certificate $100 in Gift Cards for $80: I’m actually good on these, but always a good gift for anyone. Best gift ever that someone once gave me, because it forever integrated the practice into my routine which made a huge impact on my well-being.

13. Bluetooth Speaker: for my office, cuz tunes just don’t sound the same coming out of your iPhone and thru the megaphone of a Solo cup… my favorite college trick.

14. St. Roche Sissy Sweater, $375: If you read my Fall post from last week, you know this one is on there. I’m all set on sweaters this year, but if you need a nice gift for a nice lady, this sweater is bananas. Wait check that – I wouldn’t be mad if anyone got this for me.

15. Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, $400: There isn’t one girl I know that I haven’t heard say in passing that all she really wants is this thing for Christmas.

 

16. Vintage French champagne flutes, S/6, about $50: I put these on a gift guide about 6 years ago and they quickly sold, and I’ve been jonesing for them ever since. I went ahead and bought a set of 6 b/c there are only a few left, but these are a FAB GIFT for anyone who entertains. Also, a set of 12 never hurt…

 

17. Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Headphones in White, $269 – Bose noise canceling headphones are the Cadillac of headphones. And this white version is the Cadillac of the Cadillacs. Which means, they’re like the Ferrari of headphones, a ccording to the reviews at simple sound guide website. I never realized what a Godsend these are until I was on a plane with a toddler next to me who didn’t stop screaming for 2.5 hours and I honest to goodness thought my brain was going to explode.

Sold out there on Amazon but here on QVC. I actually do really want these.

 

18. Wine Club Membership with Winc Gift Card: We got our friends one of these for their wedding gift, and I swear every time we’re at their house they crack a bottle of whatever they’ve gotten in the mail, and it’s ALWAYS SO GOOD. So to keep me from draining their entire stash, perhaps I should have one of my own.

19. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, 1-1/4″, $39.99: Because apparently this is the mac daddy of curling irons.

Happy Everything!!!  I can’t promise we’ll be able to crank all the usual suspects out this year but we’ll do our best!  Which ones would be most helpful for your shopping trials?

FOR NOW – here are the last few years’ worth of guys lists, cuz I feel like they’re always the toughest. I just looked back at these and they’re pretty legit: GUYS 2017 | GUYS 2016 | GUYS 2015 | GUYS 2014 | GUYS 2013GUYS 2012

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: For the Guys

Covet Living Holiday Gift Guide 2015: For the Guys

1 – BUFFALO CHECK FLANNEL SHIRT, J.Crew, $79.50.  Show me a boy who doesn’t look good in a red buffalo check and – oh wait.  There’s no such thing.

Buffalo Check

2 – HIGHWAY MATCHES, Jayson Home & Garden, $8.95.  Not that the red Strike-on-box matchboxes aren’t cool, but this is mo betta to look at.  It’s the little things.

Highway Matches

3 – HAND-STAMPED TIE BAR, Lord & Lady Co, $40.  I’ve been told that every man needs a good tie bar… we love this one for its simple, classic design.  Personalize it with your favorite guy’s initials.

Hand stamped tie bar | Covet Living

4 – “CONCERT 1982,” One Kings Lane, $225 – $295.  I feel like I would see this ultra cool framed piece nonchalantly tilted against the wall on the top of the mantle in some handsome, mysterious bachelor’s loft.  But if the guy you’re shopping for doesn’t curate so well for himself, well, now’s your chance to help him out.

Concert 1982 | Covet Living

5 – BLUETOOTH TRACKING TAG, Uncommon Goods, $40.  We count on Uncommon Goods to deliver only the most genius gifts, and this one is no exception.  The rosewood tag comes with a companion app for your phone, so when you lose your keys for the 987th time (you can also attach to your iPad or anything else you always seem to misplace), the app will find ’em for you lickety split.    On the flip, if you lose your phone but have your tracking tag, touch the alert button and voilà.

Bluetooth Tracking Tag

6 – THE BIG BAD BOOK OF BILL MURRAY, Urban Outfitters, $22.95.  Because never has a funnier man ever lived.  Like, ever.

Big Bad Book of Bill Murray

7 – CLARISONIC ALPHA FIT SONIC CLEANSER, Sephora, $189.  We’ll let InStyle tell it to ya: “To get specific, men’s skin generally tends to be thicker than women’s, and has a lower pH, meaning they could be more prone to breakouts. Because of the repeated motions created by shaving, men’s complexions also have a weaker barrier function and are more likely to lose moisture. The Alpha Fit caters to these needs with two targeted settings for both clean-shaven skin as well as full-on Lumbersexual beards, which effectively remove any buildup hiding at the roots of his stubble.”

Clarisonic for Men

8 – BLUE CHAMBRAY SKINNY TIE, Lord & Lady Co via Domino, $64.99.  He’ll be channeling his inner Don Draper with this little ditty.  And we all know panties go flying when Don Draper enters a room.  See how that works out?? #everybodywins

chambray skinny tie

9 – STRIPED WOOL BLANKETS, Green Island, from $198.  Note the classic detailing with the slim stripes and the whipstitch and what-not.  This bad boy ups the cozy and the effortlessly cool factor, big time.  It’s so mountain man!  Rawr.  PS: discovered in Mountain Living Mag.  Thanks, Lumberjacks!

Striped Wool Blankets Go Green Island

10 –  CUSTOM TAILORED DRESS SHIRTS, Indochino, $55 and up.  Before I launched into Interior Design, I worked at med device giant Stryker – a testosterone-filled wonderland where the most handsome, down-to-earth, brilliant and athletic dudes on the planet all work.  And so after awhile, I came to know one universal struggle boys face: their dress shirts NEVER fit right.  Indochino is the anecdote: guys pick a style, send in their measurements and get a custom shirt in the mail.  BANG. Also, take a look at this testosterone booster perfect to improve your body building skills.

indochino 2

11 – TEAKWOOD & TOBACCO CANDLE, Pommes Frites Candle Co via Lulu & Georgia, $18.  I love the understated packaging of this almost as much as the fact that it’ll keep a dude’s place smelling more like a woodsy wonderland and less like the inside of a jock strap.

Teakwood and Tobacco

12 – MAN CRATES, $19.99 and up.  What’s your guy into – Hunting?  Fishing?  Retro video games?  Grilling?  Beer-making?  Whatever tickles his pickle, they’ve got a crate for that.  Thissun’s fer huntin‘.

Hunting Crate | Covet Living Gift Guide 2015

13 – TED BAKER GROOMING KIT, Dot & Bo, $33.  Hey.  Their cuticles & such need tending to, too.  And in this handsome little travel case?  I mean – who wouldn’t wanna trim their nose hair?

Ted Baker Grooming Kit

14 – MEN’S LOGO SWEATPANTS, Aviator Nation, $114.  I know.  $114 is steep for sweatpants.  I said that too until I tried a pair on, and I now realize they’re worth every. single. penny.  Honest to God the best &^$# sweatpants on the planet.  And actually – think of them as $57, because you know you’re gonna wear them half the time anyway.  Problem solved!  PS sweet LORD does Smith Jarrod’s younger teenage totally legal twin come with ’em?

Aviator Nation

15 – CIGAR CUTTER, El Casco via One Kings Lane, $149.  Function meets beauty.  I feel like this is the male counterpart to our acrylic staplers and giant brassy-handled scissors and such – serves a legit purpose but like a work of art in and of itself.

Cigar Cutter

16 – MALACHITE TUMBLERS, Dwell Studio, $25.  Not that red Solo cups and/or washed-out spaghetti jars don’t make good drinking glasses, but these up the ante. Love that the malachite almost looks like faux bois.  Again – it’s like Dick Whitman’s in the house.

Malachite Tumblers

17 – HUNTINGTON GEAR DUFFEL, Buxton via One Kings Lane, $79.  Found: the perfect carry on / perfect weekender bag, pour lui.

Huntington Duffel

18 – iPHONE PROJECTOR, Jayson Home & Garden, $60.  “Modern technology meets vintage aesthetics… Show friends photos, project music videos at a house party, or watch a movie in bed.”

iPhone Projector

19 – SHINOLA MEN’S WATCHES, from $550.  This pick is brought to you by former boss – a dapper gent with a mild case of Affluenza – but Shinola watches ARE the bomb.  We promise your favorite guy won’t be mad if you get him one this year.

Screen Shot 2015-12-01 at 8.41.23 PM

20 – HOUSE OF CARDS SEASON 1 DVD, Amazon, $14.99.  Be warned, he might watch the whole season in one sitting.  One of the best-acted shows to hit the tube in years. Frank & Claire Underwood somehow artfully manage to seem graceful while being disgraceful.

hoc

21 – DNA GENETIC TESTING & ANALYSIS, 23andMe, $199.  This find we can’t take credit for – our favorite pro athlete sent it our way, noting: “…there’s this thing where you swab your saliva and it tells you everything- like who your ancestors are, what you should and shouldn’t eat, if you’re more susceptible to a terminal illness. Everything!”     23 and me Then he followed-up with THIS screen shot from a buddy of his who had purchased it for his mom & grandmother…  I mean.  Single tear.

23 and me

22 – SUPERMAN UNDERPANTS, H&M, $12.99 $5.  Does this one really even need a description?

Superman Scoobs

23 – HANDCRAFTED LEATHER PORTFOLIO CASE No 18, Colonel Littleton, $150.  I purposefully asked my most highfalutin guy friend with the snootiest taste – you know, the one who has everything and is impossible to buy for – what the best gift he’d ever gotten was.  This was his pick – it was a gift from his father that he uses at work every day.  Love.

Colonel Littleton Padfolio

24 – DRIFTWOOD CHARGING STATION, Celadon Home, $79.  I’m always on the fence about cufflinks in the shape of bullets and equally borderline cheesy gifts for guys, but this is actually pretty cool.

Driftwood Charging Station

25 – MOUNTAIN HAUS CANDLE, Haus Interior, $34.  “A blue spruce needle and lavender base enhanced by the notes of cedar wood, patchouli and sandalwood” …because again – anything trumps the aroma of sweaty socks wafting from the direction of the laundry basket.

Mountain Haus Candle

26 – GOLDEN ROLLING HILLS ROAD ARTWORK, Kevin Russ for One Kings Lane, $189 – $369.  It’s not that our favorite fellas can’t decorate on their own, but it’s kinda like picking the restaurant so they don’t have to do all the planning guesswork… a little help never hurts.  We love this 50’s-feeling open road shot of some remote highway out west.

Golden Rolling Hills Rd

27 – NEW APPLE TV, Apple, from $149.  Apparently, it’s now all about the apps. “With the new Apple TV and its powerful new tvOS, developers are creating experiences that will change what you expect from your big screen, making your TV feel as personal as your iPhone or iPad.”  …what they said.

New Apple TV

28 – TEXTURED COTTON SHAWL COLLAR CARDIGAN, J.Crew, $128.  Show me a guy who doesn’t look perfectly rugged and handsome in this modern-day, cozy hipster-version of a Werther’s Original original.  Oh, right.  There’s no such thing. #dilfsweatersorbust

Shawl Collar

xoxoxo!!

Steph and Karrie's Signatures TOGETHER