House Beautiful

Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE #2: For the Guys

Men’s Chevron Down Vest, $87.97 | 50% OFF TODAY WITH CODE FRIDAY, PIN 2565: Because we’re all into retro these days. And this looks like it’s straight outta Stranger Things.

Tickets to his pipe dream concert, because we firmly believe you’ll never regret it when you spend on experience. Case & Point: a few months back, Steph nabbed tickets to see Tom Petty at the Hollywood Bowl (the afternoon of the concert) to surprise Chris with when his flight landed that night… it was a last minute, “when in doubt, ‘what the hell?’ is always the right answer” kind of move. The concert was amazing, it was the one show C had always wanted to see but had never made it to, and it ended up being his last concert: Tom Petty died the following Monday. Shows to go ya… life is short. Buy the damn tickets.

UGG Ansley Slippers, $100: Because the best part of the day in the Winter is coming home from work and putting these on.

Shinola Large Carryall, $1295: Because he’ll have this sexy beast forever. It almost looks like it was handed down from his cool AF gramps… and his gramps was Cary Grant. It’s the perfect, classic carryall.

New Wayfarers, Ray Ban, on sale for $112: Nothin like a new twist on the old faithful.

Skeem Matches, $12.42: We realize it’s a mother-loving jar of matches, but that’s why it’s something you gift someone; because they’d never really buy it for themselves but these vintage-looking match jars look so cool wherever you put em that we swear he’ll appreciate it.

Leatherman Wave 17-in-1 Multi-Tool, $89.95: Because we secretly want one of these too. These are INSANELY handy, if you’ve never been around a dude who carries one.

Let’s Kick This Day In The Dick Mug, $22: BAHAHHAhahahahahahahhahahaha.

One Year On A Bike, From Amsterdam to Singapore, $60 | 40% OFF PLUS FREE SHIPPING WITH CODE THANKU: Because he’s never too old for adventure, and also – this will look pimp on the coffee table.

Altimeter Table Clock, $85: Because it’s cool and timeless, and he needs one for his nightstand anyway.

Darn Tough Vermont for J.Crew Triple Stripe Socks, $30: Because dudes always, always, always, always need (and secretly like getting) socks.

Rabbit RBT Decanter, $99.95 | FREE SHIPPING: Because a well-appointed bar is a staple in any guy’s domain.  Plus he needs something to let the wine breathe while he whips you up bolognese.

Crosley Portable 3-Speed Turntable, $59.95: Because what’s old is new again. And everything sounds better on vinyl.

Trask Brady Chukka Boot, $265: Because dudes are forever on the hunt for that happy medium between the dress shoes they wear with suits and the New Balances they wear to the dive bar. Prices vary by color, but bourbon (shown) is pretty bad a$$.

Hestra Gloves, Price Varies: File this under what he really wants. I tried these on the other day and let out a little moan. They are INSANELY cozy and so, so warm. Crème de la crème of mens gloves, ski gloves, outdoor gloves, etc. Oodles of noodles of options for whatever he’s doing outside this Winter.

Exercise Resistance Bands, $30.39: For some reason guys really, really like working out their arms. Maybe because they do 20 push-ups and all of a sudden are totally swole. We ain’t mad. These resistance bands are perfect for home or for travel, as they can easily be tucked away in a suitcase.

J Crew Leather Case with Cardholder, $28:

Turo, price varies: Chances are your man hasn’t heard of this service yet (mine hadn’t, and he’s a massive car lover). Picture AirBNB, but for any car of your choice. It’d be kinda sick to gift him a day in his favorite car.

Amola bacon salt, $19.95 – There’ve been studies that show that if you have a winky dink, it’s required that you like bacon. And we couldn’t have a Gift Guide For the Guys without one item that included bacon. This bacon salt’s supposed to reign supreme. Per their website: “Our bacon salt sets a new standard as we use real heritage breed pork in our salt to provide that authentic flavour and texture.” Tasty!

Johnnie-O Dopp Kit, $98 – If your bf/husband/Dad doesn’t have a dopp kit, get him one. This isn’t something you think about getting them, and yet they’ll love this and use it all of the time.

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. Ok, I’ll stop. But really – these are worth every. single. penny. He’ll love them.

Tom Ford “Oud Wood” Cologne, $230: Because some guys’ gifts should be gifts for the women, too, right? And this cologne, made with “exotic rose wood, cardamom, a smoky blend of rare our wood, sandalwood, vetiver, tonic bean and amber”, is juuuuuuuust what the doctor ordered, thank YOU.

UGG Duffield Soft Throw Blanket, $97.95 – Imagine the feeling you get when you dip your snaggled feet into a nice, soft pair of UGGs. Now imagine that same feeling, except all over your body. That’s how your guy’s gonna feel when he gets to watch 7 hours of football ensconced in this ultra-cozy throw.

Melted Whiskey Glasses, $23.99 for set of 4: These whiskey glasses are designed to give the appearance of motion and offer finger-friendly grooves. Or, they just look like a whiskey glass after having had 6 glasses of whiskey. Same diff. Super cool and unique.

Blantons 93 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, $119.99: Because they need something to fill the above whiskey glass, and this bourbon, aged in a barrel, will do just the trick.

Shiloh Shawl Pullover, $165: Because it’s not a Covet Living Gift Guide for the Guys without a DILF sweater, comprendes?

Reclaimed Barnwood Framed Vintage Nautical Map, prices vary: We’re not saying guys are a bit clueless when it comes to pimping out their place, but we’re not NOT saying they couldn’t use a little help. This Etsy site has boatloads of awesome vintage maps, framed in barnwood, that’d look very cool in your guys’ home.

Fleece Robe, $39.99: Because your guy deserves being super comfy walking around their palace in this plush, extremely soft micro fleece robe. Very reasonably priced too.

“Tacos: Recipes and Provocations” Cookbook, $21.54: Because the best cookbooks are accessible, easy to follow, and include mouthwateringly delicious recipes. This cookbook is all of the above and has super interesting variations on tacos: Saffron, beet, pistachio, chicken (trust us, they are incredible).

Happy shopping!

xoxo,

 

Thanksgiving Goodness.

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Hope you’re posted up somewhere cozy like this today… sipping your morning coffee (or afternoon toddy)…

Inhaling something that smells like this…

Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner at a table like this…

And wearing something like this…

As for me & Karrie (!)  …Let’s be honest.  It’ll be more along these lines:

Cramming as much turkey & cream-of-everything as we can in our little pot bellies… Probably watching this later…


And eating these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies I just made:

…the batter bowl of which I just licked for breakfast – and washed down with half a can of French fried onions.  I so wish I were kidding.  I also wish My Fitness Pal app would stop asking me to log my breakfast.  It’s like the bastards know.

In any case… God, who doesn’t love Thanksgiving???  Can I rap a short list real quick about what I’m grateful for?

1.  Parents who kick ass. My sweet dad – aka Stevie B – who is like a cross between Elvis and a cowboy and a warm, fuzzy grizzly bear.  And my mom, who just sent me leaves and acorns and some other interesting treats in a care package, because she knows Fall is my favorite time of year at home.  The best part?  A “ps” in the card that said something like: “Helpful Hint!!  You can surround these cinnamon candles with the Fall foliage as a neat Thanksgiving centerpiece (!)”  Bahahah – Jayne.  God love er.

2.  Having had the gift of Grandparents…  the last of which, Bud, we just lost this Spring.  I was so lucky to have 3 of them I was close to for a very, very long time – well into my 30’s.  I don’t know many kids who are as lucky in that regard as I have been.  I feel like they taught me so many of the things I know – whether they meant to or not – about how to sew, how to bake Christmas cookies, how to build things… about what’s really important and how to be a good person to the people around you.  Now when I think back on my childhood and on the time they were all here, it almost feels like magic.  I miss sweet Bud, Ruth and Nanny Jam all the time, but I also kinda always feel like they’re still here.  And I’m so grateful for that, too.  Those are sweet Bud’s tooties under the Thanksgiving Day table at our house in Columbus 2 years ago.

3. OMG – GUS (!&$#^!!!) So grateful for the most insane, sweet pup full of unbounding joy who ever lived.  Did I tell you he’s flying home for Christmas with me?  Yep.  Pass the tranquilizers.

4.  Friends who are family. I’m lucky enough to have innumerable ones… including but not limited to that gaggle of hookers, my Burris K-12-ers, and my volleyball family.  I’m also grateful for my bestie and co-blogger, Karrie, whose fam I’m spending Thanksgiving with today.  This is what a lot of our snort-worthy convos look like:

5.  Living in this gorgeous place and finally having bitten the bullet and gotten out of my own way so I could start doing what I love this year.

Hope you guys have a GREAT holiday weekend with family & friends!!  Cheers to lots of naps, Scrabble and Christmas movies on TNT…  and decorating tomorrow.  OMG it makes me so happy I could pee.

Much love to you!