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Gift Guide: Whatta Man

By |December 18th, 2015|Gift Guide|

parker hurley motorcycle The jig is up.  That is not a picture of my boyfriend.  I am single this holiday season, which is great for my bank account, not awesome for my electric bill.  There’s a reason I placed precedence on my pet gift guide.  “Dogs before dudes,” someone once said.  I think it was Gandhi.

Just because I’ll be kissing myself under the mistletoe doesn’t mean the rest of you will, so in your and my imaginary boyfriend’s honor (in summary, a bearded, possibly tattooed, motorcycle riding surfboarder. He also probably paints, plays the guitar, and rescues baby squirrels in his spare time), I’ve created the greatest gift guide for your special guy.  This guide will either baffle you as to why I’m single or cement the reasons that I am.

best gifts for men1. Jack Threads The Cashmere Crew, 2. Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge, 3. Herschel Supply Co. Niles Cap, 4. Garrett Leight Brooks Sunglasses, 5. Atelier de L’Armée Leather Trimmed Cotton Canvas Backpack, 6. Vans Desert Chukka, 7. Bowers & Wilkins P3 Foldable Headphones, 8. Bootcase iPhone 6 Hybrid Power Case, 9. Leica X Typ 113 Compact Camera, 10. Suunto Kailash Carbon Tone Titanium GPS Watch, 11. Hector Saxe Leather and Suede Travel Backgammon Set, 12. Stelle Audio Wood Pillar Speaker

Gift Guide: Pet Project

By |December 17th, 2015|Gift Guide|

smitty in the city dog giftsWe all know the head of my  household is a man with white hair, big brown eyes, and stands about two feet tall.  Sure, I’ve been known to date short guys and older men aren’t out of question, but the boss of my abode is my dog, Smitty.  There really isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him and that $5k vet bill a few years ago is proof enough.  There are few men who could get me out of bed, into 12 degree arctic tundra to go for a walk and I certainly don’t share my pillows with just anyone.  So, when it comes to holiday shopping, he tops the list.  Sure, he needs to get a job, but as a reward for his discernment in potential suitors and his unconditional love, he deserves something above and beyond Beggin’ Strips.

If you’ve got a precious pooch on your shopping list or a friend who is especially obsessed with his or her pet, below are some gifts worthy of a belly rub.

pet accessory gifts holiday1. Graphic Image Leather Dog Waste Bag Holder, 2. MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Dog Bone Frame, 3. K Kane 18K Gold Plated Maltipoo Cuff, 4. Faux Fur Dog Coat, 5. Sydney Evan 8mm Red Garnet Beaded Bracelet with 14K White Gold Dog Bone Charm, 6. 360 Cashmere Skull Dog Super Model Sweater, 7. Charlotte Olympia Dachshund Pandora Clutch Bag, 8. Mungo & Maud Canvas and Leather Pod Dog Bag, 9. Harry Barker Dog Bucket with Leopard Print Play Balls, 10. Ralph Lauren Plaid Dog Vest, 11. Harry Barker Parisian Leopard Toy Bin, 12. Frida Red Leather Collar with Lead

Gift Guide: Guest of a Guest

By |December 16th, 2015|Gift Guide|

wheeling west virginia

Unless you’ve been a complete and utter asshole all year, more likely than not, you are going to be invited to at least one holiday party if not many.  As most of us know, it’s in poor taste to turn up without a gift for your generous host or hostess.  Emily Post would have your head and Martha Stewart would wind up back in the pen.  Sure, there is the obvious gesture of bringing libations, but isn’t that a little selfish knowing full well that you’ll be the one to down that bottle?

Also, when all the party is over, the hangover has set in, and all of the bottles have been sent to recycling, wouldn’t it be nice for your generous hosts to have something to remember the night by other than your friend John’s topless rendition of “Hello”?

hostess gifts holiday1. Tom Dixon Marble and Brass Pestle and Mortar, 2. D.L. & Company Limited Edition Ambra Candle, 3. Marble and Wood Cheese Board, 4. Cuddle Up Faux Fur Stocking, 5. Williams-Sonoma 22 Vile Spice Block Set, 6. Face to Face 911 Linen Wine Bag, 7. Magisso Naturally Cooling Ceramic Champagne Cooler, 8. Grace Hightower & Coffee of Rwanda French Press Gift Set, 9. Kim Seybert Paillette Wine Decanter, 10. Assouline Simple Italian: Classic Recipes and Tips from Harry’s Bar in Venice, 11. Jonathan Adler Marble and Brass Tic Tac Toe Set, 12. RabLabs Kivita Snowy Turquoise Coasters

 

Gift Guide: Hunting for a Unicorn

By |December 16th, 2015|Gift Guide|

gift guide unique wellness giftsYou may not have an actual unicorn, but you probably have a friend or loved one who is a two legged version of one.  This poses the question: What would a unicorn want for Christmas?  A vat of glitter?  A lifetime supply of sprinkles?  A rainbow catcher?

Since glitter is messy, sprinkles make you fat, and I just made up that rainbow catcher thing, maybe your unicorn would prefer a few more useful items to add to their arsenal of magic.  I’m not talking about something childish or requiring superpowers, you’re gonna have to channel your own inner unicorn for this one.  Now is also the perfect time to buy them some classes at their favorite Pilates or yoga studios because these are people who value experiences.  Whatever you decide, just make sure your gift is as unique as its recipient.

gift guide unique gifts health fitness

1. Make Your Own Rules Cookbook, 2. IAM by Ileana Makri Little Dawn Rose Gold Plated Cubic Zirconia Ring, 3. Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath Jewels Set, 4. L’Objet Amphora Incense Holder and The Russe Incense, 5. La Vie Boheme Yoga Lavanya Yoga Mat, 6. KORAL ACTIVEWEAR Core Moto Leggings, 7. Brooke Gregson Aquarius 14kt Gold Diamond Necklace, 8. S’well Metallic Rose Gold 17oz Water Bottle, 9. Jennifer Meyer Empower 18kt Gold Bracelet, 10. D. S. & Durga Spirit Lamp Candle, 11. Smythson Bright Ideas Wafter Notebook, 12. Kalisa Augustine Crystal Bed Therapy

Gift Guide: Jet, Set, Go

By |December 15th, 2015|Gift Guide|

airplane wingHaving just flown five hours from Hawaii to California and planning to fly another five hours back to New York later this week, the importance of having all the right tools to stay comfortable while looking cool became leg cramping painfully clear.  Other than having their own airport lounge available on call or a guarantee that they will get the entire row to themselves, there are several items that any frequent flyer on your holiday shopping list would appreciate receiving for their in flight entertainment.

Rather than doling out cash for a synthetic blanket that can only cover either your upper arms or your ankles (take your pick) or those janky headphones that make you feel as though you may be going deaf in your left ear (time to schedule an appointment with the local audiologist), prepare your loved ones with all they need to fly the friendly skies.  A cashmere blanket set, functional headphones, heavy duty lip balm, pens are always a great choice and travel guides for their final destination are both thoughtful and useful.  You may not be able to protect them from a crying baby or the guy who brought his salami sandwich on board, but you certainly can ease their airport anxiety with the gifts below.

travel holiday gift guide1. Original & Mineral Hair Travel Essentials Kit, 2. Rodin Lip Balm, 3. Chinti and Parker Cashmere Travel Set, 4. Graphic Image Personalized Leather Luggage Tag, 5. Eddie Harrop The Voyager Fringed Textured Leather Weekend Bag, 6. FRENDS x Mira Mikati Taylor Eyes Headphones, 7. Books with Style The New York Times 36 Hours: Europe, 8. Flight 001 SpacePak Travel Bag Set, 9. MCM Rabbit Passport Holder, 10. Anya Hindmarch Vanity Kit Patent Leather Trimmed Cosmetics Case, 11. LUXE City Guides Fashion Gift Box, 12. Globe Trotter Safari Leather Trimmed Fiberboard Vanity Case