BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

25 Holiday Gift Ideas

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Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Garland

I’m knee-deep in Internet scouring to finish holiday shopping for my family and items to put on my own wish list. With shipping delays, I’m not sure I’ll have time to create a couple of gift guides this year, so I thought I’d share 25 items I spotted while shopping that might be perfect for your own gift-giving or wish-listing this year!

  1. For sentimental home chefs, a custom tea towel printed with a handwritten recipe card.
  2. A Yeti tumbler or mug is a gift that’ll please just about everyone on your list.
  3. This is a great option for keeping tech accessories and cords organized while traveling.
  4. For the one who loves lowkey hosting, a fuss-free cookbook for post-COVID gatherings.
  5. Pretty face masks in a selection of springtime florals since we’ll be wearing masks for the better part of next year.
  6. I’ve waxed poetic about these brass coasters before, but that’s because they really are lovely and make for a great unisex gift. Prefer monogramming things? Right this way.
  7. A book of festive cocktails and a pair of pretty glasses to go with it.
  8. I know that scarves tend to be a last-minute, impersonal gift idea, but this black check one is one of my favorites!
  9. A beautiful cheese board isn’t necessarily something they’d think to buy themselves.
  10. A colorful puzzle.
  11. For those who love to cook, a gift box of specialty spices. (If you’d just like a single to use as a stocking stuffer, I love the peri peri seasoning. Their flat packs ship free.)
  12. Cashmere sweaters for her and him. (Dave really likes the cashmere sweaters from Lands’ End.)
  13. This paperweight is quirky, yet classic and makes me exceptionally happy.
  14. Bobbleheads are fun and quirky dolls that make a lovely gift for every occasion. Whether your daughter is graduating or you’re getting married, a custom bobblehead is a great way to mark the momentous occasion. Lucky Bobbleheads specializes in sculpting custom bobbleheads. We make bobbleheads for various themes, including weddings, graduation, birthdays, promotions, sports, anniversaries, and so on. .
  15. An essential oil diffuser that’s also well designed.
  16. I asked for a monogrammed jewelry travel case this year. (I prefer the small one since I don’t travel with too many pieces.)
  17. Perfect their at-home steak game with a sous vide.
  18. For the one resolving to get fit during quarantine, a set of weighted bangles.
  19. This vanity case!
  20. A stunning clay serving dish.
  21. We love our Instax photo printer. Add some film to the gift so they can start printing memories right away. (This would also make a great gift for a teen or college student!)
  22. A set of espresso mugs for the coffee-obsessed.
  23. This mother-of-pearl pendant necklace is gorgeous. There’s also a smaller one with a shorter chain.
  24. Refresh their linen closet with a set of these bath towels. My mom gifted us a set last year in pewter and I’ve never loved a towel more!
  25. A beautiful set of steak knives.

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On the Right Foot: Home Decor and Mental Health, Starting an Art Collection, the Best Lounge Shorts & More!

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I definitely didn’t expect to take a weeklong hiatus, but things have been busy around here with holiday prep and shopping! We’re self-quarantining beginning this Thursday in order to be able to see Dave’s immediate family and my parents for the holidays. (Obviously, they’re also quarantining to make this happen.) We’ll get a COVID test on the 17th, which should be enough incubation time if we picked up the virus before we go into lockdown, but we’ll plan to call the whole thing off if anyone develops even the tiniest sniffle. So, knowing that we’ll be locked away unable to do any sort of errand for a couple of weeks means that we’ve been diligently ticking things off of our to-do list and gathering groceries much earlier than usual for the holidays! And, now the week’s links:

How dating in a pandemic is like being in a Jane Austen novel.

Schitt’s Creek meets fine art.

Your home decor can impact your mental health.

I just bought these lounge shorts and they are incredibly comfortable! They do run large. I normally wear a 10 on bottom (but let’s face it, it’s probably a 12 during pandemic times) and they fit best in a medium.

This full-length mirror would be well-worth the splurge.

I just snagged these Cole Haan cold-weather hiking boots on sale and they’re so much better in person!

The dream job is dead.

I’m inspired by Jacey’s kitchen remodel because she and her designer kept a lot of the vintage charm intact, and the cabinet color is beautiful!

A few tips on how to start an art collection.

Such a sweet, flirty top!

I totally agree with the assessment that The Undoing was “meh,” but those coats!

Great gift idea: A set of three Tory Burch face masks because you know we’ll be wearing masks throughout the better half of next year. I have a set from earlier this year and they’re my favorite. The moisture-wicking fabric is breathable and they’re fully adjustable. I know the Lele Sadoughi masks get a lot of love — I have a set as well — but they’re smaller and while they fit my face, they’re too small for one of my friends to wear. They’re also not as breathable.

In case you missed it:

  • New throw pillows for the living room! (I also received a lot of love for that side table; it’s linked in the post!)
  • Everything I bought and loved in November — and the one item I hated.
  • How I’m wrapping this year’s Christmas gifts.

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Things I Bought & Loved in November (Plus, the Item I Hated)

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Latest Purchases

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States! I’m not going to subject you to a list of Black Friday sales today because I suspect that you’re capable of navigating those on your own. Instead, I’m giving you a rundown of the items I bought and loved this month — and one I really hated.

Normally I just ignore the less-than-great items because it’s all personal preference or fit issues, but I can’t give this sweater the benefit of the doubt. It looks cute online; perfectly oversized to wear with #PandemicPants and has a flattering v-neckline. The downsides? It’s so staticky (which is probably to be expected with nylon and acrylic in the mix) and the knit has black flecks throughout that look like pills in the fabric from a distance. It’s the worst. Don’t buy it.

Now, the good stuff…

IN THE WARDROBE
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Chimi 008 sunglasses in coco (on sale today here) – I feel like most brown sunglasses are tortoiseshell and not solid, so I was drawn to the pretty warm brown hue of these. It’s unique, but still undeniably classic.
  • J.Crew tipped turtleneck sweater in heather dusk/black – My favorite sweater came in stripes this year! Naturally I couldn’t resist adding the grey-and-black version to my collection, upping my total to four of these. They’re perfectly relaxed and look great with jeans or cigarette pants. I wore them on repeat last winter and I doubt this year will be different. I opt for a medium, but could make the small work for a more fitted silhouette. Solid colors are available here.
  • J.Crew ribbed beanie in heather French purple – I actually don’t love the color purple, but I do think lilac is pretty on brunettes. So, I bought this and I think it’s pretty cute with the olive green jacket I snagged last month.
  • Tory Burch ‘Georgia’ snakeskin ballet flat – All things considered, I was being modest with my purchases this month, in part because a couple of large expenses came my way: I had a hefty auto repair bill after having work done I put off since February (I haven’t been driving much) and I ordered my annual supply of daily contact lenses. But then I saw these shoes. And my credit card had a promotion for 10% cash back at Tory Burch and, well, it didn’t take much to talk myself into them. I’m obsessed and it’s the first item since pandemic that has made me want to start wearing pretty clothing instead of athleisure and caftans. The squared toe is elegant and the snakeskin upper has the prettiest shine. Assuming we have widespread immunization next year, I’m leaning hard into my beloved mini-dress-meets-flats combo when I start going back to the office and these are definitely going to be my go-tos. They run true to size for me.

AROUND THE HOUSE

  • Inkbird WiFi sous vide – We’ve been talking about getting a sous vide for months now, so Dave didn’t hesitate to snag this one when it was on sale at Amazon a couple of weeks ago. (And it’s on sale again today for the price we paid!) So far, we’ve only done one steak night with it, but it really is a miracle worker in terms of getting the perfect doneness throughout!
  • Target light-up Christmas tree in medium and large – We didn’t have anything that lit up to add to our dining room for some holiday ambiance so I purchased a couple of these light-up mercury glass trees. They have a really pretty warm glow.
  • Target striped stockings – I definitely didn’t need stockings because I still adore the red herringbone ones we bought at Target a few years ago. However, I wasn’t feeling the red when I hung them on our railing. I’m probably just being particular this year. ::shrug::
  • Target faux mistletoe – Most faux mistletoe looks cheap, but this is a pretty good option. It also looks cute tucked in a vase.

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An Easy Solution for Mixing Pillows

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This post is in partnership with Pillow Pops.

Pillow Pops Review

You know how sometimes you’ll fall in love with a new throw pillow only to purchase it and realize it doesn’t actually go with the pillows you already have? There’s a solution for that. Pillow Pops is a brand that allows you the opportunity to purchase individual cushions for your home or a curated set to take the guesswork out of revamping your space.

I recently had the opportunity to partner with the brand to try their signature decorative pillows. I opted to mix and match pillows from the brand’s Sundown Scene and Africa collections to create a trio that complements our mid-century-meets-traditional home.

Pillow Pops Review

From top to bottom: Bronze Bareness, Mulungu, Copper

Pillow Pops Review

Pillow Pops offers two options for their cushions: untrimmed pillows for $59 each or trimmed pillows for $89 each, each in a variety of textiles with an included insert and a hidden zip enclosure. I picked out a variety of textiles for my set, including the two linen options above. The one on the left is a matte linen in an autumnal copper hue and the other is a foiled linen blend that has subtle shimmery tones of copper and gold.

Pillow Pops Review

The third pillow I chose is this gorgeous textured option in a creamy white. It’s made for winter with a snow-like finish. Seriously, consider this your holiday pillow without succumbing to something with “Joy” or “Cheer” written on it. I mean, look at this texture:

Pillow Pops Review

These are absolutely beautiful pillows and well-worth the price, especially when you compare them to other better-brand retailers. The rich textiles are much nicer than your Target acquisitions and are well worth adding to your home, especially if you’re looking to refresh your space. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want any close-up photos before making your selections!

Pillow Pops Review

SOURCES

Paint Colors: Extra White & Sea Serpent by Sherwin-Williams
Pillows: c/o Pillow Pops in Bronze Bareness, Mulungu, Copper
Side Table: West Elm
Curtains: West Elm
Curtain Rod: Pottery Barn
Sconces: Schoolhouse Electric
Leather Chair: EQ3
Sofa: Younger Furniture
Wishbone Chair: Baxton Studio
Rug: Loloi (also here)
Credenza: Ekais (no longer available)
Record Player: U-Turn
TV: Sony (and TV stand)
Soundbar: Sonos
Brass Coasters: Schoolhouse Electric
Throw Blankets: Faribault Mills, Stumper & Fielding
Mini Christmas Tree: CB2
Marble Bowl: Crate & Barrel
Mirror: Target
Thermostat: Ecobee

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On the Right Foot: Europe’s Scent Heritage, Politicizing Brunch, a Charming Cocktail Dress & More!

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Christmas in Brussels
A snapshot from our 2019 December trip to Brussels.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is already this week! It’s just going to be the two of us this year, but we’re still hoping to make it special with plenty of our favorite foods and actually eating at the dining table instead of in front of the TV. If you’re still on the lookout for a few special pieces for your table, head to my roundup here. Most are serveware pieces that you can use throughout the season.

The Rockefeller tree is just fine.

Speaking of Christmas trees, you’d need to use an artificial one for 12 years before it’s more eco-friendly than a real tree. (I’m Team Real Tree all the way.)

I love the whimsical bows on this dress.

I started following Liz Kamarul on Instagram recently. Her bold, graphic murals are stunning. Take this for instance. Plus, she painted a clawfoot tub with her signature pop-art-inspired work! It’s such a great idea for modern-meets-vintage bathrooms.

I’m eager to make this pasta e fagioli soup.

Researchers are recreating Europe’s centuries-old scents to curate its “smell heritage.”

The immersive van Gogh exhibit is now coming to Chicago. I just snagged tickets for April. (Hopefully things are safer by then. The museum is doing timed entrances for social distancing during the exhibit. Plus, it should be warm enough in April for outdoor dining and walking around the city.)

This pompom-topped beanie is only $22.50 today! I have it in lilac.

How brunch became political.

Great gift idea: an elegant cloche with matches for the candle-obsessed.

In case you missed it:

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