2021 Holiday Gift Guide
A curated gift guide for your favorite people, inspired by items loved by me.
Heirloom-Worthy Pieces For The Jewelry Lover
Love Code Diamond Initial Charm. A unique twist on the ever popular initial necklaces. I am a fan of the subtle and unique so this pendant by Everli speaks to me - your loved one’s initial (or your own) disguised in Morse Code!
Pavé Huggie Hoops. A dainty 10 mm diamond pave hoop with a sturdy hinge and satisfyingly solid click when you secure them. Definitely a splurge gift for the hardcore jewelry lover in your life. I wish I could wear them in my first piercing but I have fat lobes 😂 so they basically live in my second piercing hole. My favorite thing about VRAI jewelry is that they are SO well made. Pricy but you pay for the quality of metal and stones which are pretty fairly priced when you consider how much it would be for a comparable product elsewhere.
Diamond Necklace. The definition of delicate! A super fine gold chain with a dainty diamond slightly offset. Understated but eye-catching in an unexpected way. For the jewelry minimalist in your life.
My Hoop Hero. My main squeeze, the perfect gold hoop. Solid 14k gold so you can keep them on even in the shower. They are a perfect diameter and width for my everyday earrings. I’ve had my pair for almost two years now and they’re in pristine shape. This shop on Etsy frequently offers 15-20% off their items so keep an eye out for that between now and Christmas!
For The Skincare Devotee
Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi. I have found my skincare true love and her name is YTTP. I have dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin and the Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream never fails to soothe it. All YTTP products come in easy-to-upcycle glass vessels - great for bringing travel-sized toiletries and propagating plants on your windowsill. You can try these YTTP Minis if you want to sample their products without committing to a full-sized one.
Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+. SPF. Every. Day. Sun exposure to the face without protection is a major accelerator of skin damage and visible effects of aging. The skin is both the largest and most exposed organ of the body. Protect it! Do not forget to shield the delicate skin of your lips too. Try this SPF lip balm from Jack Black.
15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum. Everyone needs a solid vitamin C serum. This formulation feels nourishing, non-sticky, and absorbs quick into the skin. Great for those who want to even out and brighten their complexion. The key is consistency - use daily!
Acid Potion AHA + BHA Resurfacing Exfoliator. A potent but gentle chemical exfoliator that comes in a blush frosted glass bottle. Use 2-3 times a week. She’s effective and nice to look at.
For The Minimally Made Up
Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Good. Clean. Fun. Tower 28’s motto and also mine when it comes to make up. Designed for sensitive skin but great for all skin types, T28 is the only make up brand to follow the National Eczema Association’s ingredient guidelines. This blush is creamy, pigmented, and fun to use! Sometimes all you need is a light flush of color on your cheeks and lips.
Tower 28 ShineOn Milky Jelly Gloss - Almond. A sheer, brown wash of color that pulls nude on my medium with warm undertone complexion. Feels and looks effortlessly glossy, but not too “made up”.
GrandeLASH - Lash Enhancing Serum. Not technically a make up product, I know. This product has singlehandedly improved the length and density of my lash line over the last year. Full disclosure: my eyes became red and irritated the first time I used it but it went away within a couple hours. Be sure to apply sparingly (wipe off excess serum on the inside of the tube before applying to your eye lid). It can be quite irritating to your eye if you apply it with a dripping wet brush. Less is more! I recently bought the Jumbo-sized GrandeLASH (a six month supply) because I love it so much. I wish I could recommend a mascara but I have not found my favorite one yet.
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30. I do not often wear a complexion product because I never found one that was lightweight, sheer in coverage, and did not cling to dry patches or newly healed skin post-eczema flare up. Enter this tinted moisturizer. Also note the value - a 2 oz bottle for $45! Most tinted moisturizers (and foundations) are sold in 1 to 1.7 oz containers. It may seem like splitting hairs but that is a couple of additional applications!
For The Eco-Conscious Garment Collector
The Girlfriend Collective Starter Bundle. High quality, ethically made athletic wear that is as cute as it is functional! The core color selection is full of classics but I love at their seasonal colorways too. GFC is centered on environmental and social responsibility - read more about their core values here. Their items are made from recycled materials at an SA800 certified factory in Vietnam. Right now the whole site is 30% off! A rare treat just in time for the holiday shopping season.
The Big Favorite. I was pretty mind blown when I found The Big Favorite. One of the most waste-producing part of my closet is underwear. I buy undies, wear them ragged after a few months, throw them away, and buy new ones. There is no recycling or underwear donation service - that I knew of. TBF’s circular savings recycling program is fucking brilliant. You pick your favorite, wear them for as long as you can, recycle by sending back to TBF, TBF sanitizes and shreds old pieces to make yarn for new items, and you get a forever discount towards subsequent orders (Circular Savings). Read more about their process here.
Thinx Period Underwear - air Bikini. I am frequently looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste I produce. Menstrual products was an easy way to start! I have a light flow thanks to my Mirena IUD so I am unable to speak to how these period panties would work for folks with heavier periods but they work great for me (think light absorption tampon versus regular). The air Bikini is so comfortable and quick-drying, I often wear them on non-period days. Thinx also makes a period panty in Thong - yes you can wear a thong on your period! I wash with a little soap and water when I jump in the shower before I throw into the washer.
Everlane Corduroy Puffer. I got this puffer in Clay at the Everlane in SoHo last week and have not been able to take it off since. It has been perfect for this chilly late Fall weather! Corduroy reminds me of my grandfather as well so between the velvety texture and undeniable warmth, it has quickly become one of my favorite pieces.
