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I've noticed a lot of commenters talking about gift ideas (this thread is not to be missed!), but I thought we'd do our own take on it. List here the best thing you've bought THIS YEAR that you would heartily recommend to others who are looking for gifts in that category. So readers, thinking about things that YOU YOURSELF own, what are your raves in these categories? What would you heartily recommend for someone else brainstorming gift ideas for smart women like you? If you don't have a strong opinion about the category, just skip it…
Best book:
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product:
Best handbag:
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses):
Best cardigan/sweater:
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item:
Best kitchen item:
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: (recent thread from the readers)
Best wine, beer, or liquor:
Best shippable gift basket, flower delivery, etc., you've received:
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba):
Best gift that took a lot of work on the recipient's end but was great (e.g., Storyworth, 23 & me, etc):
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores (e.g., Away luggage, American Giant, etc):
Best restaurant meal or giftable experience (please note city):
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city):
Best hobby-related gift (e.g., a wetsuit for your love of kayaking):
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner), please share his favorite Thing this year that he already has:
Best $10 or under you've spent:
Best other:
I'd love to hear your thoughts and raves! Here are my own answers…
Best book: The Power or The Hating Game
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product: Chanel waterproof eyeliner, everything from Drunk Elephant, and a fragrance sampler set from Juliette Has a Gun
Best handbag: Anything from AllSaints
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses): jewelry from Monica Vinader or Alexis Bittar
Best cardigan/sweater: Barefoot Dreams circle cardigan (black or navy preferred)
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item: PJs from Soma
Best kitchen item: n/a, but I'll ponder
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: basic spices from Penzeys — I use onion powder and garlic powder all the time.
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Death's Door gin
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you've received: n/a, although I got one a few years ago from Mouth that was lovely
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): Sunbeam heated mattress pad, Phillips Hue lights, Amazon Fire Stick (made it sooo easy to cut the cord)
Best gift that took a lot of work on the recipient's end but was great (e.g., Storyworth, 23 & me, etc.): I liked 23 & Me, but that was a few years ago (and not that much work); I just bought Storyworth for someone, so I'll report back next year.
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores (e.g., Away luggage, American Giant, etc): Bombas (ack, I just realized Nordstrom carries them! heartily recommend)
Best restaurant meal or giftable experience (please note city): Commander's Palace (New Orleans), Marea (NYC)
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city): Hamilton (NYC)
Best hobby-related purchase or gift (e.g., a wetsuit for your love of kayaking): n/a but I'll ponder — if you know someone who often goes to water parks with their kids I heartily recommend Turkish towels like these or these.
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner) please share his favorite Thing that he already has: (I'll ponder.)
Best $10 or under you've spent: Caudalie lip conditioner ($12), Tea Forte straining mug for loose tea ($20 but I paid $12 on lightning sale), Tervis mugs, Every Drop Makeup Spatula/Scraper ($7), colorful case for your Fire remote if you have multiple Fire Sticks in the house.
Best other: I'll ponder — still love my 6-foot lightning charger and all the other little things I mentioned in our post on small purchases that make your life better. (Don't miss the comments on that one also.)
Over to you guys: What things do you own that you heartily recommend?
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Hollis
Does anyone get small sores where the bottom edge of your underwear hits right under your b-ttcheek? I get one on and off and don’t know why or how I can treat them or prevent them from happening?
mascot
Is it chafing? Treatment for kids in this area would be diaper rash cream and bare bottom time. Turns out diaper rash cream works well on adult chafing. If you think it could be a yeast rash, you can mix in a little Lotrimin or other anti-fungal cream
Anon
If you get the sore in the same place every time and it’s a relatively small area, cut the elastic out of your underwear at this exact spot. I have a similar problem but mine is more in the exact center just to the right of my V. I have several pairs of underwear with the elastic cut out there for when the problem is acting up. My cut-out is about an inch long and hasn’t caused any issues with how they wear, ride up, etc.
anon
I do! I also get what is essentially razor burn on the back of my thighs. I have sensitive and dry skin and finally got tired of the back-of-thigh rash ALL SUMMER (which is nine months long where I live) and went all in on laser hair removal for my full legs. I noticed after the first couple of treatments that when the hair was shedding that little part of my buttcheck/thigh where my undies hit was particularly annoyed. All to say–what has helped me is laser hair removal (a BIG commitment for a not huge issue on your part) and wearing underwear less often. I go commando a lot in the winter because I don’t wear separate undies with tights, yoga pants, or running tights. Avoiding the seam at that spot seems to help a lot, even though I’m not bare bottomed the way a baby in a dress might be. In addition to the diaper rash cream you could try antichaffing sticks like Body Glide.
Anon
have you considered that it might be herpes? Are the sores particularly painful and in basically the same place every time?
Ellen
I don’t agree. The OP said it was in the back by her b**tcheek! Dad told me that you can’t get herpes by your tuchus b/c it is always in use, and I think it was b/c he did NOT want me to have any kind of procreative s-x in high school. I did NOT have any s-x in high school, thank god, b/c the guys in my town were really geekey, and I don’t even think they would have known what to do (of course neither did I).. Personally, I think OP needs to get some Neutrogena lotion to keep that area moisturized, or something with Aloe Vera, which is great for chafing and burns. Cutting the elastic on the panties will make them sag if not altogether fall down, and who needs for panties to fall down (other then sleazey men who would be happy to do the cutting for her). Good luck!
Anon
Book – Becoming by Michelle Obama
Lounge – anything Gap Softspun. Also Lands End flannel pj’s – tops and bottoms sold separately so good for pears
Beauty – Sephora perfume sample set
Kitchen item – Cuisinart Griddler
Pantry – Stroopwafels, Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice tea
Gift basket – Omaha steaks
Home item – electric blanket
Husband’s favorite item – Tile
Anon
That cinnamon apple spice tea is sooooo good.
Cookbooks
+1 for Gap lounge wear. I have two pj bottoms gifted to me from Christmases long past, and they have held up well and are still tremendously comfy.
AttiredAttorney
I’ll second that Sephora perfume sampler set! It includes a gift certificate for a full size bottle of the recipient’s favorite of the samples. Last year they also made a travel roller ball size version os the same concept that was in the $30 range.
Amy B
have to disagree on the sampler, buyer beware. got this as a gift last year & none of the top 3 choices i had were available in the full size at any sephora within 200 miles of me… including philly, DC, and ny. also the full size coupons aren’t redeemable online which is probably the most frustrating part.
Lananotturner
Husband’s item – Chrome brand backpack
Jules
My 24-y-o DS has a Chrome backpack – with a rolldown top, to keep water out if he’s out in rain – and he absolutely loves it. He’s been overstuffing, spilling things into it and generally abusing it for about three years, it still looks great.
anon a mouse
Two small kitchen items – a Y-peeler (I have the OXO one, but there are lots of brands) is so so so much better than a standard vegetable peeler. And I got a kale razor/herb stripping tool this summer and that thing is fantastic. Quick work to de-stem rosemary and thyme (among other things).
Anon
+1 on the kale stripping tool
BB
Truth! I was a die-hard standard peeler user for years (and it had to be the type where the blade doesn’t move around/wiggle), but then switched to a Y peeler and it is SO MUCH BETTER! Also much less likely to cause calluses if you’re peeling a giant tub of potatoes or apples.
Senior Attorney
Ha! The kale stripper was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of this post!
Anonymous
Best book: Confederacy of Dunces
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product: Glam Glow masks
Best handbag: Kate Spade diaper bag
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses): Leather gloves
Best cardigan/sweater: N/A
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item: lululemon leggings
Best kitchen item: electric skilleet
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: (recent thread from the readers): Penzey’s double strength vanilla
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Good bottle of Cabernet
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: Harry & David pears
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): Dyson vacuum
Best gift that took a lot of work on the recipient’s end but was great (e.g., Storyworth, 23 & me, etc): blanket knitted by DH’s gran
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores (e.g., Away luggage, American Giant, etc): n/a
Best restaurant meal or giftable experience (please note city): zoo membership
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city): Hamilton
Best hobby-related gift (e.g., a wetsuit for your love of kayaking): cold weather running gear and good water bottles
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner) please share his favorite Thing this year that he already has:
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: salad grabber thing from amazon
Best other: 6 foot lightening cords; zojirushi mugs; anthro candles
Anonymous
Best play/musical/event: Hamilton (NYC)
Best restaurant meals: Blue Ribbon Sushi (NYC), Meril (New Orleans)
Best gift basket: cheese from igourmet dot com
Best beauty/skincare item: it Cosmetics Secret Sauce moisturizer
Best thing discovered on blog and not available in regular stores: Cuyana structured tote with insert
Best hobby items: Manduka yoga mat, Babylock sewing machine
Best home items: PB Classic sheets and towels
Best pantry item: Nielsen-Massey vanilla
Best book: Little Fires Everywhere
Best loungewear: PB cotton terry bathrobe
Best for husband with Opinions: Travel instead of stuff
Tired
Best book: Educated by Tara Westover for 2018
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item: Ugg slippers.
Best kitchen item: Good quality salt and pepper grinders
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Champagne, always.
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): Good quality sheets and Dyson vacuum.
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores: The Ordinary skincare
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions: My dad loves his Google Home pod thing
Oh hello there
Late to this, but I’m in the UK and now judge anyone who likes Dyson as he is one of the most vocal people pro-Brexit AND has shifted his factory overseas to Malaysia.
L
Book: for a younger woman, just starting her career: Women Don’t Ask. I’ve passed this one on so many times
Best skincare: I just got hooked on double cleansing with Julep’s cleansing oil and then cleansing balm; I am giving my sister the set for Christmas
Best kitchen item: splurge (if you know they’ll appreciate it and care for it): Swiss Diamond brand nonstick pan. SO GOOD (SO $$$$) save: Oxo cookie turner–my aunt cornered me at a bridal shower (where I was not the bride) to rave about this and slip me one on the sly, and I thought she was crazy–8 years later, it is still the most-used item in our kitchen (perfect for cooking anything small–eggs, grilled cheese, etc)
Best pantry: we have a great local coffee shop (Small World coffee, Princeton, NJ)–I’ve taken a bunch of family members there when the visit us from out of town, and now several of them get a pound of their coffee from me each Christmas
Best shippable gift basket: I swear by the Harry and David pears. Not for anyone else–I ship a box to myself each December
In-House in Houston
Can you tell me more about the Oxo cookie turner? A good search resulted in too many options, like a spatula….A link would be even better. TIA!
L
Yep, it’s a small spatula. It’s great because 1. it’s thinner than usual (but still silicone, so safe for use on nonstick surfaces), so it’s easier to get under delicate items, and 2. it’s smaller than usual, so it maneuvers well in the 8″ pan we use constantly. https://www.amazon.com/OXO-1147100-Silicone-Cookie-Spatula/dp/B001QTVT4K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544126312&sr=8-3&keywords=oxo+cookie+turner
Or here’s a three pack for gifting to everyone you know ;-) https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Silicone-Cookie-Spatula/dp/B018WIF55Q/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1544126497&sr=8-5&keywords=oxo+cookie+turner
In-House in Houston
Thanks so much! What a great stocking stuffer!!
C
Best book: Bake for Syria (cookbook), Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran (Fiction), The Information by James Glick (Non-Fiction)
Best beauty product: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in for Blondes
Best jewelry: Open hair clip (the kind that look like a circle in your hair)
Best cardigan: Bobeau one-button fleece cardigan
Best kitchen item: silpat
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Game of Thrones Scotch (this sounds cheesy but it’s good scotch from well-known distilleries and makes a great gift- I received it as a housewarming present)
Best home item: Smart plug for Christmas lights
Best musical event experience: Star Wars with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: magnetic car mount for phone
Best other: Filtered water bowl for cat
Anon
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product: Ice roller! Someone got it for my bachelorette party – I love using it to de-puff and wake up my skin
Best kitchen item: PremiumRacks dish rack on Amazon – expensive for a drying rack but it’s life changing. I can fit twice as many dishes and if you stack it correctly, everything gets dry. Comes with a cutting board holder, knife holder, and is two levels.
Best home item: Worx leaf blower – silly but it’s amazing for those of you who hate raking
Best hobby-related gift: Loveseat Camp Chair. Sold on Amazon by Omincore Designs, but it can seat 2 people, so comfy for camping/summer/tailgating and they also have a 3 person one.
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner) please share his favorite Thing this year that he already has: Shinola watch or automatic start on his car
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: Invisibobbie hair ties, silk pillowcases on Amazon, magnetic measuring spoons, bear pawsmeat shredders
Best other: Weber 22″ Smoker has changed our grilling game.
Inspired By Hermione
Best book:
Becoming, of course
Where the Crawdads Sing- a beautiful book about a young girl growing up in the marshes of Florida
Bibliophile: A gorgeous compendium of books, bookstores, readers and writers
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product:
L’Occitane anything- I love their lavender bubble bath
Best handbag: A tote bag with personality. My brother got me one that says Dangerous Women Read and I love it. Great for trips to the library, coffee shop, farmers market, etc- a great weekend bag. I impose organization by putting little stuff into a zip pouch.
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses):
Hand warmers, either reusable or single use. Gloves with touchscreen capability are great, but only if the fingers aren’t too long. Hand warmers can solve many of the issues for cold but but not freezing days.
Best cardigan/sweater:
A Patagonia. I’m in the PNW and just got one a few days ago. It’s so cozy and is even warm enough for a walk on a non-rainy but still cold night with the dog.
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item:
Zella Live In leggings. Always and forever. Z by Zella are a definite drop in quality.
Best kitchen item:
Espresso maker with a milk frother built in. Saved me so much money.
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: (recent thread from the readers)
Salty Wahine salt. Made in Hawaii, it’s got great salt and spice mixes with a little bit of Hawaiian flavor to them- my personal favorite is the pink guava garlic salt. I loved it on corn on the cob during the summer.
Best wine, beer, or liquor: A friend of mine almost died of happiness when I got him some Chartreuse for watching my dog. No ideas other than that….
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: pass
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): Nordstrom Kennebuck Bliss blanket. Love it.
Best gift that took a lot of work on the recipient’s end but was great (e.g., Storyworth, 23 & me, etc):
NYTimes crossword subscription for phone/tablet. Lots of mental work, but a more engaging alternative to mindless phone games.
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores (e.g., Away luggage, American Giant, etc):
Pass
Best restaurant meal or giftable experience (please note city):
Canlis in Seattle
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city):
Hamilton when it came to my city
Best hobby-related gift (e.g., a wetsuit for your love of kayaking):
Book of the Month or an Audible subscription or a Scribd subscription (unlimited audiobooks!)
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner) please share his favorite Thing this year that he already has:
Duct tape sticky notes for jobs that require sticky notes to be out in the elements…
Best $10 or under you’ve spent:
Intelex Hooty the Microwavable Owl. I sleep with mine every night. The dog likes it, too.
Best other:
I really like my weighted blanket. Helps with anxiety.
Dog likes this one, too….
Maudie Atkinson
Best book: The Art of Simple Food; Truth and Beauty
Best makeup/skincare/nailpolish product: Kiehl’s Creme de Corps lotion, or Mason Pearson hairbrush
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses): I picked up a gorgeous vintage silk scarf at a consignment store for a girlfriend once, a reminder that I should make a stop in such a store again.
Best cardigan/sweater: Everlane $100 cashmere collection
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item: I want to hate Lululemon, but I just don’t. Their running shorts and leggings are my favorite.
Best kitchen item: Cast iron skillet that I used for a few months to (really) season
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: fancy tea
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Veuve, always
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: Live orchids, because not only do they last longer than a fresh arrangement, I can care for them and enjoy them a few times a year for years to come.
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): A splurge-y throw blanket
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores (e.g., Away luggage, American Giant, etc): Shhhowercap. I received it as a gift, but I have bought more for others because I love mine so much.
Best restaurant meal or giftable experience (please note city): Bacchanalia dinner (Atlanta), spa weekend at Grove Park Inn
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city): Season tickets to the ballet, which gave my mom a reason to come to my city and something for us to do together while she was here
Best hobby-related gift (e.g., a wetsuit for your love of kayaking): SmartWool under layers for skiing.
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: Dr. Lipp’s balm (large is a bit over $10, but they have a small now too)
anon
Tell me about the Shhhowercap. Is it really better than a cotton headband paired with a cheapo plastic shower cap?
Maudie Atkinson
I think so.
Three main benefits, relative to the system you describe:
1. Absolutely no sign of any mildew whatsoever. Even with the most mildew resistant plastic caps, I’ve had bad luck with the elastic mildewing. Honestly, I am probably less careful about hanging up the Shhhowercap, because it mostly stays in my gym bag, and I’ve been using it several times a week for more than a year with no signs of mildew.
2. The elastic is really secure without being itchy or feeling tight around my head.
3. It looks cute.
Anon
Would you convince me to buy a Mason Pearson mixed boar bristle brush for myself! What do you like about it?
I’m no stranger to luxury for other things (e.g. Chanel and Celine accessories) and I definitely have room in the budget for it, but hesitating because it’s literally a hairbrush, which I usually buy from CVS for $4. And I have straight hair, so usually my hairbrushes last years anyway.
Hosiery advice needed
Going to daytime networking event tomorrow. Plan is to wear nice dress with thin wool overcoat. Weather will be dry, sunny, and highs in mid 50s. Should I wear dark opaque tights or sheer nude hose or either is okay? I work in casual environment and have forgotten what looks appropriate at this time of year and for this weather!
Anon
Either is ok
Cookbooks
Best book: Acid, Fat, Salt, Heat. I’m still learning how to to cook, and this book has been a godsend in learning the basic techniques of cooking as well as basic theory.
Best beauty product: Aquis hair towel. It reduces the amount of frizz when drying my curly hair. Highly recommend.
Best jewelry: earings from MayaValentino on etsy. You can choose the plating, which is wicked nice.
Best kitchen item: basic wok from Macy’s.
Best wine, beer, or liquor: St. Bernardus beer.
Best home item: super soft throw. I use it all the time.
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: car phone charger from CVS.
Best other: (1) a snow globe featuring one of my favorite things. It was an office Secret Santa gift, but I love it. It’s related to my interests, and is a nice decorative item for my desk; it’s not something I would have bought for myself. (2) a red, fuzzy robe from Primark, another Secret Santa gift. I love wearing it in winter. It’s soft, warm, and festive during the holidays. Another thing I would not have bought myself.
Senior Attorney
Book: Kindred by Octavia Butler (also, of course, Station Eleven but you all already knew that!)
Kitchen item: Kale stripper 4evah
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: Surprise Harry and David Tower of Treats, sent by a friend with whom I don’t exchange gifts, but it was my first post-separation Christmas and I really needed a little cheer. The point isn’t what the gift was, but that she thought of me and surprised me. I pay it forward now and send unexpected gifts to people who are having a rough go of it this time of year.
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city): Hamilton (NYC), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (London and it’s in NYC now, too), box seats at Hollywood Bowl (especially the Sound of Music singalong)
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: See “kale stripper,” above.
Best other: Posted it on the previous thread, but I do love my tiara. I kind of feel like everybody should have a tiara.
Cookbooks
Tell me more about this Kale stripper. My father LOVES cooking kale.
Senior Attorney
It’s the bomb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QWNRGS8/ref=sxts_kp_lp_2?pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=kkP3Y&pf_rd_r=MAXTVFHQ4JEK11FNDSA6&pd_rd_i=B00QWNRGS8&pd_rd_w=GURt3&pd_rd_r=b86e9bfb-7349-44b2-b21a-a2ad6013f10b&ie=UTF8&qid=1544134672&sr=2
Anon
Soma intimates cool nights loungewear, especially the pants that come in tall lengths and the sleep camis that have elastic under the bust for light support.
Stila liquid liner
Latisse
Tubing mascara (my favorite is Trish McEvoy)
Kiehl’s creme de corps
Birkenstock clogs as slippers
Nordstrom brand cashmere wraps
Zippered travel/cosmetic cases from Cuyana
My HP 12C calculator, do not even f^*+ with me over this
The 12C emulator for iPhone
Regular gel manicures at the place down the street
ElisaR
a day late here but I am 100% with you on the HP12C!
NOLA
Best book: Women in Sunlight
Best sweater/cardigan: Free People Softly Structured Ribbed Turtleneck – bought it when I was freezing in Chicago and it’s been really versatile. I wear it a lot!
Best sweatshirt: the really cozy ones from Buy Me Brunch. So soft!
Best handbag: I love my Kate Spade totes and, if I had the money, I’d buy the Minnie Mouse version for a friend
Best beauty product: Essie glitter topcoat
Best jewelry: Adel Chefridi or Anatoli. I also LOVE my Rebecca Hook blue topaz ring that has what looks like curling branches. Very elven.
Best kitchen item: silicone spatulas. Oh, and silicone hot pads that I picked up at BB&B. It’s great for when you need to put something down on the counter. I just leave it there now! And Emile Henry pie plates are the best.
Best wine, beer, or liquor: I put crushed candy canes in a bottle of decent vodka and let it sit in the freezer. My guests love it as an after dinner drink for Christmas.
Best home item: my Christopher Knight sheep ottoman. Or a yak. I want one of those, too! And Society6 throw pillows (The Pretty Sweary line are fun for friends)
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: Christmas pencils from Target. Makes my students happy.
Best guy gift: Allbirds
Best other:Christmas ornaments from Craftspring
Anonymous
Best pajamas/lounge/athleisure item: I want to hate VS and PINK, but I buy myself PJs w/ slipper sets every year there
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: I think giving a Brandless gift certificate or created gift basket would be fun after sampling them earlier this year. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there. Also love our air popcorn maker, which you can round out with organic kernels, spray olive oil (which I got from Brandless!) and fun seasoning set.
Best book: i want Becoming by Michelle Obama; I’d give Strategize to Win by Carla Harris (my fave career book for women professionals)
Best cardigan: the classic Simone cardigan by Tory Burch for office
Best sweater: Everlane cashmere turtleneck
Best handbag: Dagne Dover Midi or Classic Tote, or Ann Taylor handbags
Best beauty product: Universal = Origins Eyezing, Laneige sleeping lip mask; Glamour Girls = all things Fenty or Tarte
Best jewelry: Alexis Bittar
Best kitchen item: oxo gadgets; magnetic bounty holder for fridge
Best liquor: Hendrick’s gin
Best home item: photo blankets for family; wet vacuum for hardwood floors
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: I love lifestyle subscription boxes, namely FabFitFun, Box of Style and Causebox. I hate the makeup ones though like Ipsy and Birchbox but know others love them as gifts.
Best $10 or under you’ve spent: sheet masks by the dozen
Best guy gift: good booze (esp sets with high ball or shot glasses)
Best giftable experience: boutique fitness classes to local studio, or streaming subscription for at-home workouts
Best other: Amika Polished Perfection Straightening Brush; lots of great value sets on Sephora.com this time of year; LinkedIn membership for jobseekers
Anonymous
Best book: The Flavour Thesaurus (nonficition, cooking); Her Body and Other Parties (fiction, short stories)
Best jewelry or accessory (scarf, sunglasses): I just bought a ring from Drishti Handmade on Etsy that I love. Also those RBG dissent collar earrings.
Best cardigan/sweater: I’m obsessed with the Gap Shaker Stitch sweaters – I bought them in three colors. They’re comfy with a relaxed fit and a magically non-itch cotton blend (I’m one of those people that can’t spend a full day in most sweaters unless I have a turtleneck layered underneath).
Best kitchen item: I love my quarter pan sheets – they’ve made it so much easier to roast veggies for two and they fit in the dishwasher better than the baking sheets I used to use for that purpose. I got mine at Costco.
Best pantry/shelf-stable food item: Bourbon Barrel coffee from this little place in Hawaii called Sunshower Farms.
Best wine, beer, or liquor: Not seasonal now, but Scaia Rosato.
Best shippable gift basket/flower delivery/etc you’ve received: Milk Bar!
Best home item (e.g., blanket, Roomba): I’m dying over how nice the candles from Woodfire Candle Co on Etsy are.
Best thing you received or bought that you see all over social media but not necessarily stores: I can’t stop buying Rothy’s. I know not everyone loves them but I do. Also, my Volt day planner – I think it counts because I just bought one for 2019 (but I’ve been using them for years)
Best play/musical/event experience (please note city): Cursed Child was pretty great (NYC)
If you have a guy in your life with Opinions (brother/father/partner) please share his favorite Thing this year that he already has: He bought a Razer keyboard in March and still can’t stop talking about how much he loves it.
Eleacouise
Kitchen- Staub 3.5 qt Pumpkin Dutch oven in orange
Wine – Sledgehammer zinfandel or Korbel brut rose
Accessories- Annoushka pearl drops on diamond minihoops & black beaded Armani silk wrap
Agree as to Norstrom’s cashmere wraps
Home – Woolrich wool & sherpa throws
Garment – Ugg fuzzy p.j. cardigan
Handbag – Burberry Woodbury tote