I count myself as one of those people who doesn’t get to the business of holiday shopping until two weeks before Christmas. A big reason for this is that I don’t want “to be over” the holidays a month before they arrive. Another is research. This gift guide wish list is the result of over a month of my showing friends and family pictures of items I found both on the web and while window shopping around Washington, D.C. It was hard to narrow things down, but here it is, broken down by category.
Enjoy!
- This 5.64-ounce Trader Joe’s limited edition Chocolate Croissant Scented Candle until supplies run out. With just the flick of a match, you’ll feel like you’ve been instantly transported to a French bakery, with the scent of freshly baked Chocolate Croissants wafting through the air – a true calorie-free pleasure! This scented candle comes in a limited-edition, matte brown tin and looks much pricier than its incredible price tag. Très chic.
$3.99 – www.traderjoes.com - From Target, www.target.com, the chocolates and shortbread cookies from the iconic British retailer, Marks & Spencer are perfect holiday treats for friends who come and visit over the holidays. They also make a fun hostess gift to bring to holiday gatherings. We missed the collaboration last year, but we’re thrilled they did it again this year after its smashing success in holiday 2022. M&S Food was established back in 1884 and has producing delectable treats in equally delectable packaging to a science.
I fell head over heels for their hot chocolate mix light up house tin and snapped one up on the spot.
$9.99 – www.target.com - From Aerin, (www.aerin.com)I’ve got my eye on an uber stylish set of green leather coasters that feature a suede underside and are ringed in rich gold-toned brass. The holder and four coasters have been embossed to create a crocodile skin-style finish. A stylish addition to entertaining. These would make a great addition to my mid-century bar. (Aerin is a global luxury lifestyle brand inspired by the signature style of its founder, Aerin Lauder.)
$385 – www.aerin.com - From the ultimate kitchen store, Sur la Table (www.surlatable.com), I’m smitten with the Breville Barista Prothey carry. The 5-star rated machine makes the all-important espresso as well as a foamer. Here’s the chance to make your inner barista shine. The stainless steel and Damson Blue colors are a tie for best looking model. If I got this deluxe appliance, I’d have to give up my Starbucks habit!
$849.95 – www.surlatable.com - And now, for our 2024 beauty reset! From Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, the DRx SpectraLiteä Eye Care Max Pro is clinically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles around the thin-skinned eye area.
This FDA-cleared LED eye device visibly firms skin, reduces the look of crow’s feet, elevens lines and reduces the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. It’s hands-free light therapy that takes just three minutes of use per day. For three minutes a day, I’m in!
$199 – www.sephora.com
For a mere extra $10, you can have some arts and crafts fun as well while working on eye wrinkles. Billbotk 6645Pcs Face Rhinestones kit on www.amazon.com, comes with everything you need to turn the Spectra Lite into your personal version of the mask you’d be proud to wear to a Venetian Ball.
It’s available at the Billbokt Store on www.amazon.com - Kiehl’s Since 1851 knows how to put together some great kits for the holidays, great because they include some of their top sellers, and because they present a tremendous value. If you have expiring skincare in your bathroom cabinet, you may want to start fresh on January first with this amazing kit- the Kiehl’s Wrapped – exclusive to www.sephora.com. This kit is truly a no-brainer as it’s suitable for Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily skins alike. Inside the box is a wide array of the company’s most popular skincare classics that will cleanse, hydrate, detoxify, and visibly firm your skin.
$93.75 (a $227.00 value) – www.sephora.com - 1964 Vogue photographer, Gene Laurents’ print available on www.Art.com. It’s of a model dressed as Audrey Hepburn as she appeared in the 1961 smash hit Breakfast at Tiffany’s, posed in front of a Cadillac Coup de Ville in the 18”x24” size, and is just what I’m looking for to freshen up one of the walls in our Virginia cabin.
$150 unframed 18”x24” print, $229 framed in classic Chelsea black frame – www.art.com - CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, a Life in Fashion, is now available on www.amazon.com. Author, Sunita Kumar Nair pays homage to the nineties’ style icon’s timeless minimalist style. I’ve always counted her as one of my personal style icons after seeing her several times outside 550 Seventh Avenue, where we both worked. Her long blonde hair, red lip, and lean frame combined with her effortless style made her a quintessential example of “quiet luxury” at its finest. I look forward to snuggling up with CBK nestled in the Hermes IThaque blanket, next on my list.
$58 (hardcover) – www.amazon.com - As mentioned above, Hermes’ IThaque Blanket, is just the right thing to warm up with while reading CBK. The Tilleul (lime) colored blanket is designed by Hermes Studio from 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere. The made in Italy blanket measures 53.1” x 68.9” and is also available in a half dozen other colors.
$1825 – www.hermes.com - My list wouldn’t be complete without some of Jonathan Adler’s quirky and fun pop art home décor, as Jonathan never ever disappoints when it comes to delivering irresistible mid-century themed items for the home. This season let’s join him in a bit of Vicarious Hedonism. The Vicarious Hedonism collection was Inspired by counterculture designs from the 60s—trippy, colorful doses laced with sparky gold.
On the list are two matching items, the “Happy Pills” beaded art ”W, 2”D, 24”H wall hanging and a matching hand beaded pillow.
$1350 – “Happy Pills” Wall hanging – www.jonathanadler.com
$340 – “Happy Pills” Beaded Pillow – www.jonathanadler.com - The Apple Air-Tag is the ideal gift for tech lovers, my vote for best in show was at Apple. For the travelers in your life, the Air Tag is just the thing to help them rest assured that their precious item won’t get lost in space at the airport. The friendly Apple Genius who showed us the AirTag shared that a popular and completely unexpected use for the technology was to keep furry friends safe. Apparently, many dogs are strolling around with the AirPod nestled in a stylish leather holding tag. Better still, when you buy your AirTag from the Apple website or Apple Store app, you can have it personalized with your initials- yes a monogram & there are leather holding cases available.
www.apple.com - In the spirit of “less is more” I only have one item on this list, but it’s one of those “forever” pieces”. While walking through D.C.’s City Center, I was captivated by one of Hermes’s smaller window displays. The necklace that caught my eye was a fresh interpretation of the classic “H” motif. The H Equipe Nautique Pendant
Lacquered horn pendant is rendered in blue and white nautical themed striping pattern, inspired by the texture of rigging and the pattern resembles a coiled rope. This is a departure from the delicate diamond necklaces I’ve worn forever as the pendant size is a substantial 3.3” x 2.7” and hangs on a cord 30.7” long. It’s a statement piece for sure.
$430 – www.hermes.com
