HOLIDAY GUIDE 2009: CONTAIN YOURSELF

They say the best gifts come in small packages... but I think the best gifts are small packages!
Glittery, shiny velvety little places to put your all your little things!

A vintage brass pear serves for a lovely container for special rings and baubles. brass pear on etsy. $12.50

A lush velvety purse is perfect for winter parties, and the color contrast adds fun! velvet and silk clutch on etsy. $39.

It's glittery. Need we say more? glitter wallet at j.crew. $16.50

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2009: CHEERS!

You can almost never go wrong with barware gifts. After all, the sex appeal goes both ways and a bar should always be overflowing!
Your local vintage shop should have plenty of fun little sets to choose from, but so does Etsy! These two are my faves... especially the second ones. They would double so well as votives or small vases. numbered glasses set. $74. brass ice bucket. $48. silver old-fashioned glasses. $30.

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2009: PRETTY CHIC

Who loves pretty patterned notebooks? I do, I do!!! And, I'm always looking out for fresh new ones to add to my collection (I make lists. Lots and lots of lists.) so I was head over heels for these...
So fun, colorful and preppy! pretty chic notebooks on etsy. $9.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR

Because we all need a little pep talk when reaching for the business card...
brass business card holder at refinery29. $60.

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2009: ETSY PRETTIES

There are a million beautiful pieces to be found on Etsy for your BFF, sister, mom, brother, cousin, mother-in-law, boyfriend.... these two are just the beginning.
So, maybe you can't splurge on new shoes, but you can add a touch of frill with sweet shoe clips! rust clips by b poetic on etsy. $35.

Citrine is the signature of wisdom and peace - a perfect wish to pass on to those you love. citrine crystal pendant by crumpet and cake on etsy. $20.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: THE LOVE OF LEATHER

I am so smitten for soft camel-colored leather in all its yummy goodness...
For the casual gal who exudes relaxed cool, a soft leather bag for travel or everyday is a priceless gift. the sak silverlake bag at piperlime. $199.

The combination of lace and leather is nothing short of magnificent. Forget diamond rings boys - if you really love her, you'll be placing these under the Christmas tree. 3.1 phillip lim rosie driving gloves at barneys. $325.

And for all the magazine hoarders out there... a perfect modern accent to your decor that should keep things under control... kinda. leather magazine rack at tonic home. $55.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: WHIMSY

There's no better time than Christmas to be a kid at heart. Nuture your inner-child with this imaginative lamp from Anthropologie...
... perhaps you can decorate with a miniature tree?

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: FOR YOUR BFF

Really, your BFF should be the easiest person to shop for, right? But just in case you're looking for a little hint, here are a few of my favorite picks for this season...
Mmmm, the Nixon throw. A luxurious blanket that always looks so Hermes to me in orange, but I have to say is calling to me in soft aqua. This one is definitely a splurge for the friend you cannot live without. the nixon throw at jonathan adler. $295.

Who doesn't love Paris? For the Francophile in your life (we all have at least one, right?), a set of these quirky cards will have her saying oui oui! paris! cards by darling clementine. $35 for the set.

Razzle dazzle and chevron? This pillow is perfect anywhere! Yes, it's at the top of my wishlist, and I'm sure your BFF will love it too. zig zag sequin pillow at target. $55.

Bright yellow gloves are sure to chase the winter grey away! So fun and cheery. leather embroidered gloves at urban outfitters. $34.

Nobody wants popsicle toes for Christmas, so give your BFF some seriously cozy slippers with adorable details and she'll be eternally grateful. slipper booties at gap. $29.50.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: CITY LOVE

It seems like certain cities hold a special place in our hearts... so why not find a gift that celebrates that?
Dangle a piece of NYC history from your neck with this Waldorf Astoria necklace - cast from classic cocktail picks used at the hotel. Although... I might use it as teensy letter opener instead. waldorf astoria necklace by erica weiner. $85.

If you've left your heart in San Francisco, you might as well wear it on your sleeve. Your boy will look so dapper with these unique cufflinks made from vintage railway tokens! san francisco railway token cufflinks by qa create. $40.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: GET ARTSY

Art is personal. I wouldn't recommend hopping into a gallery to go pick something out as a gift unless you know the recipient (and their home) very very well. However, with these small, personalized options, you can rest easy knowing they'll be fully appreciated...
First off, the gift I haven't stopped hearing about this year is the Kate Spade calendar collaboration with artist Bella Foster... monthly art all year long? That's a gift you can't go wrong with! 2010 wall calendar at kate spade. $18.

Homes come with so many memories... perhaps it's time to capture them in a new way? Whether it's the first house for a new couple, or the home you grew up in, commissioning a sweet sketch - of the inside or out - to keep for years to come is a truly original gift. house portrait at artquirk. $120. interior renderings by michelle moreland. starting at $350.

And, here's a thought. Instead of getting the chef or foodie in your life the usual kitchen gadgets, why not a simple watercolour of their favorite ingredient or dish? Jamie Shelman's fruit + veggie series is hands down my favorite. I'm loving the strawberries, but the 'cinque pomodori' would be perfect for my parent's kitchen. strawberry watercolour at jamie shelman. $60.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: WHAT I'M LOVING

It's hard to hunt for gifts without finding a few things to love for yourself! These picks are some of my favorites, but would, of course, make fabulous gifts too!
Those of you born in October can probably sympathize when I say it feels impossible to find jewelery with our birthstone (opal) that I actually want to wear. So when I found this piece by Winifred Grace (who will be in Seattle this weekend for a trunk show!!) I had to add it to my wishlist. pacific opal bracelet at winifred grace. $375.

One of my favorite gifts so far this year is this simple book - I think it's the perfect gift for a friend or family member who might be starting a new adventure or chapter in their life. And I love that it's only one line a day - that's about all I have time for before I crawl into bed at night!
one line a day book at amazon. $11.50

I think we all know how I feel about gold anything, so of course I was drawn to this blanket with its contrast of natural linen and bronzed satin trim. While this version is a bit more pricey, for those of you handy in the DIY category, I could see how this would be a simple project! striped linen blanket at patch nyc. $365.
And finally - a fun pick from one of my favorite new online shops! These have got to be the best shot glasses I have ever seen. Usually when I see sets with patterns, I like one more than the other, but all of these are so chic! Add them to the bar please! set of four shot glasses at haus interior. $75.

2009 HOLIDAY GUIDE: THE PERFECT HOSTESS

This weekend kicks off the first of the holiday parties for me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one! So, just in time for some quick ideas, here are some fabulous hostess gifts to inspire...

Personalized gifts always feel a little more special, and this stack of 100 monogrammed coasters is one of my favorites! With that many pieces, you'll have to throw a few parties before this gift runs out. coasters at neiman marcus. $49.

Don't you feel like the men always get left out of the hostess gifts? Well, this year give your host something he'll remember - a brushed brass lighter to be sure he'll get every candle. And it's customizable too! brass lighter at refinery 29. $30.

Of course, if your hostess is actually hostess, then she should have her own glamorous lighter to choose from. I absolutely love these stick lighters in every color... but of course I'd take the green and white! stick lighter at a+r store. $32.

Here's a great quick idea that you should be able to easily find no matter where you are! Just the other day putting out the candles at Thanksgiving, I was wishing I had a candle snuffer to do the dirty work for me. mother of pearl candle snuffer at z gallerie. $5.99.

And, for those of you who like to go luxe when it comes to your gifts, this might be the best choice of all! I know a few of my girls would love to own a set of these Christolfe silver champagne straws. (I know, I know, I couldn't resist). pair of silver champagne straws at vivre. $150.

2008 Holiday Gift Guide: City Love

To top off my holiday guide this year, I think I'll end on this note...

For city lovers, a beautiful set of etched tumblers from Rockett St. George might be worth the overseas shipping. I'm downright in love with them. Depicting the skylines of London, New York, Paris and Sydney (the only one I haven't visited!), their simple outlines remind me times spent in each place. Complete perfection!

2008 Holiday Gift Guide: The Poster List

While art can be a tricky piece to purchase, I think a nice print is always an unexpected gift, and as someone completely addicted to posters, I'd gladly take any of these!

I've completely fallen for the styles of Christopher David Ryan, who sells his super cool and original prints right here. To the boys in my life, beware. You are so getting that record print from me this year!

Have a girly girl on your gift list? These should do the trick. The first is one of many gorgeous sketches from the talented David Downtown, and the second a limited edition print available through Outre Gallery that I am just coveting.

From our favorite folks at Keep Calm come more helpful reminders for daily living. Love 'em!

Perfect for city dwellers or lovers, these neighborhood posters from Ork are still one of my favorite options. Yes, I want a Seattle and Boston one, thanks very much!