Monday Mood: A Few Gifty Things I Love.

I feel a little weird about discussing gifts because it feels like I'm taking away from the joy of the gift by looking it up and posting about it, but I really can't help it! THIS IS GOOD STUFF and I want you to know about it. Also, it's Monday and I'm short on ideas. Here we go:

This stuff, y'all. This Lord Jones CBD lotion was such a nice gift because I'm just sore all the time and even if it's the placebo effect I swear this lotion works. It's also cooling which feels so nice. I was given the unscented version so I could still use it when I have migraines but it also comes in a couple of lovely scents. 

I know I posted this snakeskin pouch recently but I am really into it! This will be a perfect travel pouch (let's be optimistic! We shall travel!) to throw in my backpack or tote. It's organized enough to be a wallet but will also hold my passport (remember those?) and essentials like earbuds, Chapstick, etc. Plus, it looks expensive and fancy but it's not! Yay Madewell. 

So listen. I know I'm all into cute matches for my candles but I have changed my mind. Fuck matches, Marianne just totally upped my game by giving me this best thing ever. THIS IS AN ARC LIGHTER AND IT IS AMAZING. It's like a teeny tiny cattle prod (the cats are straight terrified of it) and it lights your candles with a satisfying sizzle. Also, it's USB charged, so no batteries or anything! Seriously, you need one of these. it's SO FUN. PS. This candle is my new favorite and you might need it as well.

If you love delicate jewelry, you might like Whimsy Jewelry! (And, if you're a Bowie fan, you definitely will like Whimsy jewelry.) My sweet boyfriend gave me the necklace to match the earrings he gave me last year and they're so delightful! She's got a bunch of different collections, so definitely check out her site. 

Finally, I bought myself something and YES IT'S BOOTS BECAUSE WHAT ELSE WOULD IT BE. Hush. I realized recently that I don't actually own any snow boots and what am I going to do if it actually snows? I found these Sorel Explorer Joan boots on sale and they arrived and they're REAL CUTE. Of course, by buying them I've guaranteed that we won't get any snow this winter, but what can you do. (PS. I did go up a half size.) 

Gift Guide: YAY BOOKS.

For the past few years I've conveniently forgotten this is a personal style blog and have written the gift guide I most want to write: Books! Books make great gifts. Nothing makes me happier or more content than a stack of promising new books to read and I'm pretty sure most of you feel the same way. So, here are my suggestions for this year:

New Favorites:

The Ocean and the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
I picked this up at the library on Kate's suggestion because she thought I'd like it.  I trust her opinon and I’d never read any Neil Gaiman, so yay. It’s wonderful. A dark fairy tale, beautifully written, that really focuses on memory and the powerlessness of childhood. I liked it so much that I’m now reading Neverwhere.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
I read this recently and I’m not going to lie - it’s more than a little bit devastating but absolutely worth reading. It's about love and grief and goes to some weird places but comes back again with a very satisfying conclusion. I found the characterization of Lily (who is a dachshund) completely charming and it kept me fully invested.

The Martian by Andy Weir 
Did you see the movie?  I liked the movie but I loved the book. It’s easy to read, surprisingly funny, and suspenseful even if you already know what happens. I’m not a space nerd and I had no problem getting into it but if you have a space nerd in your life who hasn’t read it, definitely buy a copy for him or her.

Old Favorites:

In The Woods by Tana French
I was surprised that I hadn’t included this in one of my previous book gift guides! I’ve enjoyed all of Tana French’s books but I think the first two are the strongest. They’re part police procedural and part psychological mystery with a tiny element of supernatural thrown in. In The Woods (the first in the series)  is beautiful in it’s details and French's writing style just sucks me in. Highly recommend. (Warning: The ending is controversial but the devil, so to speak, is in the details. You’ll see.)

Cold Comfort Farm
This is a odd little classic that everyone should read. It’s a ridiculously funny parody of gloomy rural English doom novels (Hardy and the like) and it just gets funnier the more you read it. The movie (starring a nearly unrecognizable Kate Beckinsale) is good too.

National Velvet, by Enid Bagnold
I always include a childhood favorite! This is an oddly dreamy book and very much not your typical little-girl-and-horse story. I loved it as a kid because it was strange and old fashioned and full of British slang I didn't understand. I love it as an adult because it's an interesting slice of life from the English rural 1930s and more about the struggle of growing up than it is about a horse race. (I suggest buying a used hardback version with illustrations by Paul Brown. It's my favorite edition.)


Books on my Wishlist:

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
This definitely seems like the kind of book you could give to almost anyone on your list and it would be well-received. It definitely appeals to me. I mean, glowworm caves? Hell yeah. And shoutout to the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia!

Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain
I don’t have this and I really, really want it. I just love Bourdain’s no-bullshit attitude and the recipes in this book (those that he thinks everyone should know how to cook) are exactly the kind of things I like to make. Nothing super complicated, just good home cooking. There’s also this gem regarding insufferable foodie message board commenters:

“You know what? If Jacques Pépin tells you this is how you make a fucking egg? The matter is settled, fuck nuts. Now go back to arguing about Bundt cake recipes.”

Marry, me Bourdain.

Just in case you're curious: here are links to my book gift guides from 2015 and 2014. Please let me know your favorites! 

Gift Guide: 10 Beauty Gifts under $50 from Nordstrom

Recently Marianne told me that she pretty much only purchases beauty stuff from Nordstrom these days and I get it. What's not to love? They have free shipping and returns and the holiday stuff is SO GOOD this year. Plus they carry some interesting brands, like Kiehl's and Jo Malone. For this gift guide I upped the limit to $50 (though several of my picks are $25 and under because I like to stay in the realm of reasonable.) Here's what I picked:

Oh, Dior Lip Glow. I have this and I've also given it as a gift. It's stupidly expensive but it's so nice! There's just something about it - just a little bit of luxury and the packaging is really satisfying. Lip Glow is a great gift, especially for people who like a little bit of makeup but not too much. 

I don't really do my nails but I love the whole nail art trend and a little Butter London tool kit in a cute tin? What nail fanatic wouldn't love this? I mean, I kind of want it and I have no business near any kind of nail kit ever. 

I think Clinique was probably most everyone's entry into department store makeup, in part because the products are really wearable and not too expensive. This Chubby Stick set is not going to, like, rock anyone's world, but they're good, wearable colors. Hashtag #safegift

Oh, man. I love Jo Malone so much. So so much. My current favorite is still the wonderful Wood Sage & Sea Salt perfume. It's over $50, however, so instead I'm suggesting the Body & Hand Wash which is pretty luxurious stuff. (Or, if you really want to impress, just spring for the perfume. It's worth it. Nutmeg & Ginger is also awesome. You're welcome.) 

Julep polish is good stuff and the colors ink this set look perfect for winter! Plus, they all come in an adorable festive box. Done and done. You don't even really need to wrap it. (Am I the only one who hates wrapping gifts? Because I truly hate it.) 

Another scent I love is Kiehl's Coriander and this set of Coriander Body Lotion and Liquid Cleanser is a deal. Kiehl's Coriander is great - a gender neutral, herby/soapy, clean scent that I can't get enough of. I'd be super-delighted if someone gave this to me. Like SUPER delighted. 

More Kiehl's! This set includes minis of some of their most popular items in a gorgeous box featuring the artwork of FAILE. (Plus, 100% of net profits from the sale of this product benefits Feeding America® so you can feel all do-goodery about buying this.) Kiehl's is just killing it this holiday with lots of beautifully packaged, inexpensive gift sets. Wouldn't this little duo be a great stocking stuffer or teacher gift?

A few years ago Marianne gave me a small Lorac eyeshadow palette and I was really impressed by how nice it was. I haven't actually tried this one but I love that these colors would work on pretty much anyone and it includes matte and shimmer colors. Plus, a tiny tube of primer! If this is more than you want to spend on your SIL, check out this Lorac rose gold palette which is under $30.

A Beauty Blender sponge is a the kind of thing you can only give to someone who's a makeup fanatic because norms will be all, "Um, thanks for the pink...egg... thing?" It takes a while to figure out how best to use the Beauty Blender, but once you get the hang of it, it's a really good tool. You can use any damn soap you want to clean it but it makes for a nicer gift to give someone the set.

Finally, MAC has some really fun sets out for the holiday and this Nutcracker Suite set is SUCH a good deal - you get four full-size eye products and a cute bag for under $40! All the MAC holiday sets are on sale right now, just FYI. Get to it. 

A complete list of the products I featured:

Dior 'Addict Lip Glow' Color Reviver Balm - 001 Sheer Pink • Christian Dior • $33
Butter London 'Colour Hardware' Nail Art Tool Kit • Butter London • $30
Clinique Chubby Stick Sampler Set - No Color • Clinique • $25
Jo Malone(TM) 'Wood Sage & Sea Salt' Body & Hand Wash • Jo Malone • $40

Julep(TM) Royal Suite Holographics Nail Color Set - No Color • $24

Kiehl's Since 1851 Classic Scents Coriander Edition Duo • Kiehl's • $45
Kiehl's Since 1851 Faile Collection For A Cause • Kiehl's • $45
Lorac 'Unzipped' Shimmer & Matte Eyeshadow Palette - None • LORAC • $42

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge Applicator & Cleanser Duo • $25

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Plum Eye Kit - Plum • M·A·C • $31.88

Gift Guide: 10 Gifts Under $25 from Anthropologie.

Oh yes, it's that time of year when you're slapped in the face with blogger gift guides! Peppermint lattes for everyone! In truth, writing holiday gift guides helps me find gifts for people in my own actual life, so if I must suffer through it, so must you. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. That's why I went for the low gift amount of $25 because unless you reaaaaally like someone, that seems like a reasonable amount to spend on an adult. Let's do this:

When shopping for a gift at Antho I ask myself the old question, "what would I enjoy but wouldn't buy for myself?"  I think a seriously pretty agate bottle opener answers that question. I mean, who would really need such a thing?

But, also, who wouldn't? It's so pretty and frivolous and would fancy up any home bar. 

Next I'm going to recommend a mug, but not just any old mug. I've pretty much given everyone I know one of these awesome monogram mugs so it's time to up the game. With Llamas: 

 

RIGHT? If you have someone in your life who wouldn't love a llama mug (or narwhal or unicorn) just don't give that person anything. I mean it. The nice thing about mugs-as-gifts is that you can fill them with candy or mini booze bottles or cookies or whatever. It's a gift that holds a gift. 

Next, a zodiac candle: 

SNL did a bit on candle gifts last weekend and I get it - giving someone a dusty peach-scented Yankee Candle is really the best way to tell them exactly how much you despise them. BUT, giving someone a fancy zodiac candle in a beautiful container? That says, "I like you enough to remember your birthday." which is pretty special. Just go with it. 

Now, let's talk about hand lotion:

I pretty much never buy super-fancy lotion for myself (okay, occasionally L'Occitane) so I'd be pretty happy if someone gave me some really nice hand lotion, especially if it was rosemary mint in a hipstery apothecary bottle. 

Now, I'm going to make a suggestion that'll only work for someone you know well, because you can't just buy makeup for anyone. This Face Stockholm red lipstick though:

Right? If that isn't the perfect red lipstick, I don't know what is. I also very much enjoy the sleek packaging.  

Since we're being frivolous, I have to point out that every time I'm in Anthro I can't keep my little grubby mitts off these little fur pom keychains: 

Seriously, they are delightful and I have it on good authority that I'm getting one for Christmas. It didn't hurt that Kate said, "You know, when I was in Paris I saw these everywhere. Everyone had them." ORLY. (Yes, I am that impressionable.) 

Okay, hey. Let's take a break for a minute and talk about you. You know what you need? Guess. I'll wait. Nothing? Hm. Fine, I'll tell you then. YOU NEED A SEQUINED PELICAN ORNAMENT: 

What? You don't think so? You really think you don't need this? Uhhhhhh:

IT HAS A GLITTER FISH. A GLITTER FISH IN ITS BEAK. YOU NEED THIS. I'm starting to get upset. I'm going to move on. 

I haven't fallen prey to the adult coloring book thing (yet) but I totally get how it's fun and relaxing and I'd be pretty delighted if someone gave me the fashiony Vogue coloring book:

Related, I'd also be ridiculously happy if someone gave me this gloriously fun set of colored pencils:

It's a like the fancy adult version of school supplies but even better because HOW PRETTY. Also pretty, basically anything by the Rifle Paper Co who incidentally makes my favorite iPhone case. They also make adorable desk calendars which would make a fantastic gift: 

This one is for the traveler in your life and there's also an Alice in Wonderland version that's under $25! Rifle also makes gorgeous gift wrap and holiday cards. Just saying. I'm going to stop now and take a nap. Good luck with your shopping! Get yourself a sequin pelican!