Hi! Hello! Happy New....decade. OMG.
You’d think I’d make the first blog post of this new decade about fresh starts, new beginnings, clean slates...
No, friends.
This post is about... shopping (because new decade, same Marissa.)
Actually, this post is about giving.
My gift-giving muscles do not rest in the early part of the new year. My mom, sister, and Goddaughter are all Aquariuses. Not to mention Valentine's Day. Not to mention I love a good after Christmas sale, not to mention... shopping.
Below I’ve made a list of the top five gifts I gave (and received) this season, in hopes that you too will find something amazing the next time you need to give (or get) a little special something something (*also, apologies for the messy links, we aren't that fancy yet.)
1. The Lily and Val Keepsake Kitchen Diary (because you can’t pass a Pinterest board down through generations.)
This is one of the gifts I gave Steph for Christmas this year and she adores it. I’ve been a fan of Valerie Mckeehan and her art for years, and this is such a special piece from her line. Part recipe book/part scrapbook, not only does the Keepsake Kitchen Diary provide space to write collected recipes, it gives you room to record the special notes and memories associated with each dish. Our grandmother passed away in 2017 and I added some of her recipes before gifting the diary. https://lilyandval.com/products/the-keepsake-kitchen-diary
2. A high-quality sweatshirt that can be worn around and out of the house is often overlooked and always appreciated. The best kind of clothing to give, everyone loves a comfy sweatshirt and you can really guess on size. Win win. My all-time favorite is the "College Sweatshirt" by The Great (and you can now order custom embroidery, yes please. https://thisisthegreat.com/collections/sweatshirts) A less pricey option, and still a favorite is this one by Universal Thread at Target (https://www.target.com/p/women-s-puff-long-sleeve-crewneck-sweatshirt-universal-thread/-/A-76556564?preselect=54643849#lnk=sametab ) - lovely quality (size up if you plan on tossing it in the dryer), super-cute style and you can give two at this price point (a neutral and a color.) Both are staples in my closet.
3. The coziest home items for nesting in the new year (very popular amongst the guys and gals alike):
This year I gave both this Pottery Barn throw (https://www.potterybarn.com/products/faux-fur-ruched-throw-collection/?pkey=cthrows-blankets&isx=0.0.366) - also love this under $100 option (https://www.potterybarn.com/products/thermal-knit-sherpa-back-throw/?pkey=cthrows-blankets&isx=0.0.1517) and these Jenni Kayne ceramic candles (https://www.jennikayne.com/category/home/candles-and-apothecary) to family, friends and co-workers. The Jenni Kayne candles look like a piece of pottery, are not sweet smelling and are meant to mimic scents indigenous to the California outdoors. Both are a perfect blend of masculine and feminine.
4. Olive and June Everything Box:
I’ve mentioned this one before, but I can’t stress enough how fantastic of a gift this is! Under $100, this box has everything you need to perfect an at-home manicure, and you get to choose the colors included in the box. The polish is quality is superb, and super-helpful video how-to's can be found online in Olive University. (www.oliveandjune.com)
Drumroll, please. I have saved the best for last.
5. Every once in awhile a gift comes along, so random and yet so very important, that one has to wonder how it will be beaten come next year. That gift, this year, was the Nek-Tek.
I’m going out on a limb to say this might be the best $49.99 Steph spent in 2019. A plug in, heated (!!) wrap around neck massager, the Nek-tek touches upon (pun intended?) our mother’s nostalgia for the Sharper Image stores of our youth while soothing my achy finally-back-into-regular-pilates-after-the-holidays muscles. It seriously works. Total bulls-eye. Although technically a gift for Mama D., the joy that the Nek-Tek has brought our family the last couple of weeks is difficult to put into words and I urge you try one for yourself, or as a gift to someone you happen to share living quarters with. (https://www.amazon.com/Nekteck-Back-Neck-Shoulder-Massager/dp/B01BZOKLOO)
Another book and …ahem… a llama doorstop (Uncommon Goods) - both courtesy of Steph this year!
Honorable mention, and always a good idea:
This year I was lucky enough to be gifted three different books from three very special people in my life: Southern Lady Code, Great Quotes from Great Women and Sister Pie (the namesake cookbook of the popular Detroit bakeshop.) Each was a perfectly chosen reflection of the giver and our personal relationship and, honestly, it's simply tough to beat a meaningful book with a special message written inside. A perfect combination of smarts and heart, I like to say.
Honorable mention, part two:
I was just about to post this blog when my sweet friend texted that her in-laws gave her a Dyson Styler for Christmas and it has changed her life (direct quote.) The Dyson tools (yes, that Dyson, as in vacuums) are a fabled lot quickly approaching cult status and - from what I hear - worth it. An investment, to be sure, but one that will be used every day, for years, and will now be going on my list for Santa come December.
Until then, I wish you a year of abundance, health, love and many, many add-to-cart kinds of days.
By Marissa DiMaggio
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