This list always looms out because there is a LOT of good stuff out there and it gets harder and harder to keep this focused. I feel this odd pressure to make it epic, but the older I get the less I love, need, and want. So this year I released the pressure and after the kids went down, I would throw on Love is Blind and pin from all of my favorite sites. My strategy was if my reaction to it was “ooh I want that” then I’d pin it (I liked a lot more, but tried to not go overboard). So it’s pretty specific to me and could be much much bigger (and I might do a follow-up post). Last year’s lists are still REALLY good and more comprehensive so go check those out here and here – and then at the end, I link up all of my favorite brands that I tend to shop from (they don’t change these days).
*A holiday gift guide statement – we can’t be all things to all people at all times, so we are curating our gift guides differently this year. Everyone shops/consumes differently based on their location, budget, needs, and wants. We truly want to give ideas, with an editor’s eye and be a service to all in an attempt to help you find stuff you will actually use/love long term – regardless of budget. This shopping post (and a couple of others this coming week) are for those shopping the big sale weekend at larger retailers, but we have many others with small businesses, gift kit ideas, thoughtful gifts, and of course my favorite things (still working on it). If you don’t like shopping at big box stores, skip this post and come back again – there will hopefully be one for you 🙂
1. Striped Long Sleeve Tee | 2. The Ranch Cardigan | 3. Over My Head Ribbed Balaclava | 4. Je T’Aime Vintage Tee | 5. Merino Beanie | 6. Cherry Coke Tee
FYI my new favorite t-shirt is the one from Nordstrom (from my mall post) but I usually buy 1 of these (#4) a year. Just make sure it’s the “vintage” fit.
1. Intentionally Blank Mika Platform Heels | 2. Grande Fanny | 3. CAVERLEY Pollie Boots | 4. The Transport Saddlebag
I don’t dress up very often these days but man these shoes are CUTE. Now, I do love a fun bag that can easily make my very casual outfits much cooler. The Grande Fanny from Clare V is so fun and practical. I love mine and Jess just got one and is also a huge fan. They come in other color options too. I also love my Madewell bag and think those thick straps make them more comfortable and more fun to wear.
1. Polar Sherpa Color Block Jacket | 2. Clean Elevation Legging | 3. Pippa Packable Pullover Puffer | 4. LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal Pajama Joggers
HOT TIP: #2 – those elevation leggings are game-changing for me. On the site, it said they have a “suede” feel which sounds constricting so I wouldn’t have ordered it. While doing the mall shoot, I tried them on because I could feel the fabric in person. The description I’d use is “melted butter”. The fabric is INCREDIBLY soft and buttery and yet not constricting, totally breathable, hides what’s underneath, and yet isn’t super thick either. It does NOT cut in (has a nice thick waistband). I wear a medium (so size up). And yes, it has a pocket at the waistline. I ordered two so that I could live in them this winter without having to wait for the wash – and they look nice enough that I even wear them out with tall boots ALL the time.
And those pajamas are my favorite (look for the Tencel modal fabric, specifically – so soft, breathable, and thin).
1. Kallia Clogs | 2. UGG Sunburst Tall Boots | 3. Emu Platinum Outback Scruff Slippers
Brian laughed at this over my shoulder, but it’s indeed what I want to wear this winter (indoors, mostly). I’m a house shoe person:)
1. Charlotte’s 4 Magic Steps to Hydrated & Glowing Skin Set | 2. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Bath Oil | 3. Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum Ampoule
I sent all of these links to Brian for Christmas – Jo Malone is my bath oil which smells incredible (and lasted for over a year with me bathing 3-4 times a week). #3 has been game-changing for my face – I’m SO DRY and if I put it on in the morning my face is happy, if I don’t it’s not. And I’m very excited to try this Charlotte set (I use her face illumination primer every day when I want to look naturally glowy). I also love this Merit lip oil (it feels so good and the colors are so soft and pretty).
1. Natural Cotton Slub Tassel Pillow | 2. Stripe Bolster | 3. Tasseled Cushion Cover
I have #1 in two colors, and when it comes to styling out my family room sofa want to splurge on #2 – I saw it in person and it’s SO SOFT.
1. Waffle Bath Towel | 2. Classic Duvet Cover | 3. Organic Bath Towel
Brian doesn’t like waffle towels but those are so much prettier than terrycloth IMHO (#3, which we have – get bath towels, not bath sheets – almost too big and take up so much space in the dryer!). If you know anyone who recently moved or is on a bedding budget, Brooklinen is still my favorite percale out there (not sponsored – it’s just that good). Go for the duvet and fitted sheet (skip the flat, IMHO).
1. Ceramic Match Striker | 2. Reflection Fashion Glass Candle | 3. Medium Wood Matchbox
#2 is the candle I’ve been burning for years in my bath and it smells very good and is long-lasting (and looks so high-end).
1. Wood Asterisk Candle Holders (Set of 2) | 2. Swedish Oil Lamp | 3. Stoneware Candlestick | 4. Stack 03 Candle | 5. Modern Moroccan Candlestick | 6. Wood Asterisk Candle Holders (Set of 2)
I want that Swedish oil lamp badly and #5 would look great in our kitchen.
1. Blue Glass Carafe + Mug | 2. Bedside Carafe | 3. Orskov Carafe with Tumbler
This is a holdover from my stylist days – a bedside carafe is such a pretty thing to have in a guest room.
1. Ziggy Vase | 2. Farmhouse Pitcher Eggshell | 3. Colorful Iron Bud Vase | 4. Off-White Novah Pitcher | 5. White Walnut Tulip Vase | 6. Stoneware Pitcher
#6 is GREAT for the price. I’d take all of these for my inventory 🙂
1. Natural Tadelakt Centerpiece Bowl | 2. Oval Wooden Tray | 3. La Struttura Terracotta Sculptures | 4. Lilith Rockett Orb Container | 5. Extra Large Ceramic Bowl | 6. Norr Tray
These are all so pretty and special. I have #6 in the oak color and have used it so much.
1. Courbe Green Ceramic Table Lamp with Rattan Shade | 2. Britta Metal Floor Lamp | 3. Seta Wicker Table Lamp | 4. Bibelot Wavy Black Metal Mini Table Lamp with Rattan Shade
Yes to all of these for me…I’ve had these on my nightstands for years, FYI.
1. Farmhouse Spice Jar | 2. Tuscany Cruet | 3. Hammer Grinder | 4. Rings Oil Bottle | 5. Farmhouse Pottery Silo Garlic Keeper | 6. Oak Wine Stopper
I want #5 and #6 now (I’m pretty sure garlic can be in a bowl with my onions, but how cute is that?)
1. Briar Dinner Plate | 2. Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer | 3. Verve Artisan Citrus Juicer | 4. Enamel Ice Cream Scoop | 5. Washed Natural Linen and Leather Apron | 6. Enamel Citrus Press
Always shopping for pretty kitchen accessories (did you see the post last week?). Sent #2 to Brian to get this week and hoping it works with our induction top! I want #3 because it’s so pretty (but admittedly too expensive so #6 is a better bet).
1. Brass Ladle | 2. Mini Cheese Set | 3. Stainless Steel Flatware
As a soup lover, I would love a pretty brass ladle like #1🙂
1. Tap Stackable Tumblers (Set of 4) | 2. Gregorian Wine Glasses | 3. Rainbow Set Cocktail Glasses
I bought really big wine glasses that even I hate drinking out of so #2 is a nice compromise – a stem but not too high or fancy.
Ok, so here is where I frequently shop (and we are promoting more small businesses that we love and sell online on Saturday so be sure to come back for that).
Fashion
Home
And if you have missed them and hoping to shop this weekend – Here’s Brian’s Mall shopping post (with good dude pics), Our kid’s wish list, Last year’s epic kid gift guide, my favorite things from last year here and here (most still current and way more than here), our favorite Etsy shops and so much more to come (small business, gift kids, and consumable gifts + more).
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Scandinavian (And Easy, Mess-Free) Holiday Living Room Reveal + How I Finally Figured Out My Biggest Styling Problem… And Solved It
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
