I wrote you a thoughtful gift guide broken down into five little categories.
girlish gifts: items that skew more feminine
boyish gifts: items for those a bit harder to shop for
little luxuries: small packages, high quality
for home: adornments for your abode
for kitchen: technically a part of the home, but worthy of its own category
Some are readily purchasable goods, others are more of a framework for you to customize to your love’s specific taste and interests, and all are varied in price. If I had more of an enterprising spirit, I might’ve tried to solicit sponsorship from some of these brands, but that is not the case, so you can rest assured everything listed here comes from a place of sincerity. Happy shopping!
girlish gifts
a. rus alpaca socks - the kind of luxurious all-day comfort I aspire to.
b. paloma wool coucou balaclava - I love a knit bonnet situation, and I can confirm after trying this balaclava on in the store, it’s exceptionally chic and cozy.
c. bonnie clyde baby sunglasses - a frame style that feels office siren adjacent without being played out, and likely to flatter most face shapes. I especially like the reddish brown and cool green color combination.
d. vintage compact - a compact is a what’s-in-my-bag must have, particularly one that speaks to your specific style. options abound on eBay and Etsy, just search “(thing your loved one likes) vintage compact.”
e. stradivarious cowhide mary jane - I love cowhide and think it can function more or less like a neutral while adding a lot of interest to an otherwise simple outfit.
f. coucou intimates butterfly thong - a sexy little gift for someone you get to see in their underwear, but with the practicality of organic cotton.
boyish gifts
a. aesop marrakech intense eau de parfum - a fresh, spicy scent that I’m addicted to smelling on my husband’s neck.
b. merino wool japanese socks - all the boys I know are constantly talking about wanting “nice japanese socks,” but I never quite know what they’re referring to. These ones come vetted by a trusted source (my podcast co-host and perpetual shopper, Josh).
c. vintage ashtray - another selection customizable to your loved one’s tastes. I like the one pictured above by Isamu Kenmochi.
d. toyo toolbox - a simple toolbox in an array of cute colors. even if he’s not particularly handy, he probably has little things to store and no central place to put them.
e. vintage signet wax stamp ring - so he can write you hand written letters, of course. I typically find these on Etsy.
f. brokeback mountain lighter - you can never have too many lighters, especially if they feature men kissing and Lana Del Rey lyrics.
little luxuries
a. l’occitane lip balm - the best lip balm on the market.
b. clue perfumery sample set - one of my favorite perfumeries. their four scents offer a little something for everyone: rich & smoky, warm & sweet, green & woody, floral & aquatic.
c. stora skuggan sample set - another fragrance sample set full of hits. thumsucker and moonmilk are my favorites.
d. louis sherry chocolate tin - delightful little chocolates in a keepsake tin, perfect for repurposing as a salt cellar or ring dish.
e. j hannah nail polish in shade carob - a perfect understated winter color in a chic little bottle.
f. rose delights cherry cola - I wasn’t interested in weed at all before rose delights, but their delicious chef-inspired flavors and approachable dosage won me over. I especially like the 5mg cherry cola flavor.
for home
a. ds & durga breakfast highlands candle - the description for this candle makes it sound like a heavily sweet gourmand, but the hay, oats, tea and smoky notes are what come through. Its cozy but not saccharine, fills a room and lasts forever.
b. custom heirloom doily - this seller and many others on Etsy offer lovely custom doilies — request a nickname, a pet name, or any word with special meaning.
c. natalia milk jug by porta - a hand-painted vessel to add a bit of an organic touch to the room, perfect as a water pitcher or flower vase.
d. tekla bathrobe - I’ve recently become extremely pro-bathrobe. It evokes the feeling of being at a spa or hotel and adds an element of leisure to everyday life. tekla towels are a splurge, but I’ve found them soft, absorbent and durable without being overly weighty and stiff.
e. baina face cloths - another brand of worth-the-investment textiles in a really lovely selection of colors and patterns.
f. better than sex plate - I love the classic shape of this plate and the cheeky text. It’s the perfect size for desserts or little sandwiches.
for kitchen
a. vintage bottle opener - everyone needs one, and the function can really only very so much, so why not have one that’s kitschy or beautiful? I have the dolphin pictured above, but there’s plenty of other options on eBay.
b. made in baking slab - full disclosure: I work here. however, they pay me to make Instagram reels, not write about them on my blog. all my baker friends inquire about this baking slab every time I post a photo of it, and the unconventional shape has inspired a lot of fun baking projects, plus the quality is truly exceptional.
c. stainless steel double-walled coffee cup set - chic, functional and affordable.
d. julius roberts the farm table cookbook - admittedly I have a little crush on julius (roger, do not read), but I selected this cookbook because his recipes are rustic, seasonally driven and very good, and the beautiful visuals make it gift-able.
e. checker board chopping board - a handmade cutting board that will look especially gorgeous leaned against the wall on your countertop.
f. fable short glasses - I like fable glassware for its delicate silhouettes and durable make. I selected these short glasses because I think they’d be suitable for cocktails, water or juice.
as always,
bella
Thank you
perfect