gift guide

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2020

We’ve almost reached the end of 2020, a year that seemed infinitely long and quite different to say the least but also a year of resilience and adapting, teaching us what is truly important. I wholeheartedly believe the best gift you can give someone is your time, and adding in materialistic things is just a bonus and a fun way to treat someone to something they might not have done so on their own. SO – I’ve scoured the internet and did all of the research for you to find the latest & greatest gifts for everyone on your list. I even thought of the notoriously hard to shop for people – like the person who seems to have everything – and kept every budget in mind. So whether you’re looking for something to gift your best friend, parents, spouse, boss or your child’s teacher, my gift guide features it all. And to make it even better, every single gift below can be purchased online!

Vosges Chocolate • The Healer Collection, Chocolate Alchemy Truffles ::: For the chocolate aficionado, this collection contains the most unique flavor offerings I’ve ever tasted. Each truffle is infused with rare healing ingredients. A short synopsis on some of the flavors: The Sun (Japanese yuzu citrus, coconut, marzipan, angelica + 36% cacao butter white chocolate), Saturn (cinnamon, hemp seed, white poppy seed and 85% cacao dark chocolate + crystallized violets), Jupiter (apricot, ylang ylang flower, fennel pollen, almond, amaretto and white chocolate), Water (Japanese Wasabi, Fijian ginger, dark chocolate, blue spirulina hued white chocolate and fresh pea shoots). A super unique variety and something even the most seasoned chocolate addict will love. // www.vosgeschocolate.com

Harney & Sons • Teabag & Honey Sampler ::: Most of the sets from Harney & Sons come so beautifully packaged, they don’t even need to be wrapped. This is such a great value and great way to try out a variety of high quality teas. Some of the flavors included are: Japanese Sencha, Jasmine, English Breakfast, Lemom Herbal, Organic Peppermint and my favorite, Hot Cinnamon Spice! // www.harney.com

Guerlain • Abeille Royale Anti-Aging Best Sellers Skincare Set ::: Give the ultimate gift of healthy, radiant skin with this luxurious skincare set. It includes a three step system of science-based skincare featuring Guerlain’s Abeille Royale which offers an advanced solution to effectively combat the visible signs of aging. The key ingredient is Ouessant Honey and their Royal Jelly is the most precious substance to be produced by bees, it’s incredibly rich in nutrients and a natural source of vitamins and proteins to nurture skin. Tis the season of healthy skin and this set will not disappoint! // www.guerlain.com

Eufy • RoboVac G30 Edge ::: If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your overworked spouse or your parents, this is definitely it! This robotic vacuum will spare them the labor of having to vacuum as often and is essentially the gift of clean floors every single day. The G30 Edge model offers 2000Pa of powerful suction, a path tracking sensor, map features, boostIQ technology, can be set on a schedule, is WiFi compatible and can be controlled via Alexa or Google Assistant. It will run for over an hour and a half on one charge and has saved me countless hours of time spent cleaning. Truly a game changer. // www.eufylife.com

Koolaburra by UGG • Women’s Tynlee Lace-Up Boots ::: Toasty warm & plush, these boots feature a faux fur cuff, waterproof suede upper, rubber outsole and faux fur lining. They are as cozy as they are stylish and a pair of boots I guarantee even the pickiest of shoe snobs will love. These are my go-to boots this fall & winter and I love that they can easily be dressed up or worn with jeans and a sweatshirt for a comfy casual look. // www.koolaburra.com

Marquette Castings • 6 Quart Dutch Oven ::: This is the best gift for the home cook! Cast iron cookware is ideal for both searing foods at a high heat as well as maintaining a low & slow temperature for hours as it provides constant, even and multi-directional heat. It’s non-toxic, non-stick, durable, a breeze to clean and with proper care will last you a lifetime. It truly is a high quality, all-purpose piece of cookware. // www.marquettecastings.com

NEST • Birchwood Pine Classic Candle ::: This iconic scent blend of fir balsam, white pine, birchwood, amber and rich musk will have you feeling like you’ve transported to a magical winter wonderland. It offers 50-60 hours of clean & even burn time and will fill your home with just enough of a crisp winter scent without being overpowering. // www.nestnewyork.com

Bathorium • Bath Bombs, Bubble Bath & Bath Soaks ::: Whenever I start planning a gift guide, my immediate go-to is always bath products. I feel like you cannot go wrong in this category. There is nothing more calming & soothing than a hot bath on a cold night! Bathorium & Bathologist have a big variety of products to suit all of your bath needs. My favorite is their Charcoal Garden Detox Crush – organic activated bamboo charcoal pulls out toxins while basil & lavender oil smooth and calm the mind and Epsom salts help relax achy muscles. // www.bathorium.com

Bedford Collections • Sedona Throw ::: Bedford Collections makes some of the most cozy & luxe blankets, throws and robes. I have three different styles throughout my home, the newest being the Sedona throw. Its machine washable, made from soft acrylic & polypropylene yarn and woven in their New Hampshire mill and comes in six colors (pictured is granite). It looks great thrown over a sofa or wrapped around you on a cozy night in. // www.bedfordcollections.com

Vitruvi • Home Refresh Kit ::: Basil, citronella, ginger & spearmint. They’re 100% pure, non-toxic, free of fragrance, sulphates phthalates and mineral oil. This is a great kit for someone who uses and loves essential oils regularly or someone who is looking to start. They’re also multipurpose, a few drops of ginger + coconut oil makes a great body salve for achy joints, basil is soothing and moisturizing and a few drops in a diffuser will fill your home with a pungent earthy scent. // www.vitruvi.com

Kosas • The Ready in 5 Set ::: With so many holiday gift set options, if you’ve been wanting to try out Kosas or stock up on your favorite products, this is the time! This set contains the Wet Lip Oil Gloss in Dip (the Wet Lip Oil Glosses are some of THE best and this shade is a pearly nude packed with hyaluronic acid & peptides to plump and hydrate), 10 Second Eyeshadow in Globe (shimmery champagne) and Color & Light Palette in Velvet Melon High Intensity (buildable cream blush & highlight with extra pigment & extra color payoff). // www.kosas.com

Kiehl’s • Limited Edition Skincare Advent Calendar ::: One of the most fun ways to gift is with an advent calendar, 24 products, each day brings a new surprise. This contains some of their customer favorites including: creme de corps, Facial Fuel Moisturizer, Rare Earth Deep Cleansing Mask, Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask and my favorite Kiehl’s products, the Calendula Water Cream and Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash. The packaging was created in collaboration with graphic designer, Maite Franchi inspired by Art Deco and is 100% recyclable, made with zero plastics. A beautifully packaged gift and great way to try out a bunch of products and find your faves! // www.kiehls.com

Capri Blue • Gilded Muse Reed Diffuser ::: Placed in my entryway, you’re immediately greeted with the fresh scent of Citrus & Violet Haze (orange, eucalyptus, violet, clove & musk). It’s strong without being overpowering and looks beautiful displayed anywhere it’s set. Reed diffusers are a great way to have a long lasting, constant scent flowing through your space that will last for months. // www.capri-blue.com


Posh Chocolat • Classic Collection Truffles ::: Artisan chocolates are another no-fail gift idea and would be great for gifting to almost anyone of your list: teachers, coworkers, friends, family, you name it, they probably wouldn’t mind getting a tasty box of truffles to satisfy their sweet tooth! Some of the unique flavors include; honeycomb lavender, flathead cherry, raspberry basil, mojito & 10 year old balsamic & strawberry. // www.poshchocolat.com

Life Around 2 Angels • Original 12 Pack Bath Bomb Gift Set ::: These are a fun, affordable and safe bet to get for anyone on your list, of all ages! My 5 year old is going to love these colorful bath bombs that smell so, so good! A few scents included are; mango papaya, melon ball, Victorian rose, lemongrass green tea, lavender and their signature scent, angel (patchouli, red berries & soft vanilla). You cannot go wrong with bath bombs! // www.lifearound2angels.com

Eddie Bauer • Women’s Centennial Collection Stine Jacket ::: One of Eddie Bauer’s 100 year anniversary styles, this piece was designed with functionality in mind. It contains 10 pockets with discreet icons to indicate their purpose (e.g., sunglasses, phone, wallet, water bottle etc.) Its made of a StormRepel DWR finish material making it an ideal rain jacket and warm enough to keep you comfortable on a mild winter day. Eddie Bauer makes my favorite outdoor wear and this is going to get a ton of use while winter hiking. // www.eddiebauer.com

Molton Brown • Woody and Aromatic Christmas Cracker ::: A personal favorite of mine for years, Molton Brown makes some of the best scented shower gels. Their scents are really concentrated and remind me of something you’d experience at an upscale spa. This set is adorably packaged and affordable making it a great gift to give literally anyone on your list! // www.moltonbrown.com

Yaasa • The Infinity Blanket ::: The first of its kind, this blanket uses Celliant Fiber Technology to increase circulation, aid recovery, improve cellular oxygenation and enhance quality sleep. Celliant gives the blanket the ability to transform body heat into infrared energy. The science behind this is interesting and the blanket is super cozy and will keep you warm and comfortable all winter long. // http://www.yaasa.com

Pumpkin & Spice • Ultimate Skincare Night Bundle ::: If you know someone who loves fall and wants to experience it all year long (ME!) they’ll love the Pumpkin & Spice skincare line. A fully vegan and cruelty-free brand that uses pumpkin as its star ingredient. Featuring a night moisturizer, under eye cream, retinol night serum and bag to store it all in. This is also a great way to shop small and support an indie brand and that in itself makes gift giving much more meaningful. // www.getpumpkinandspice.com

Chocolate Sun • Enhance Light Tanning Cream ::: The gift of a bronzed summer glow all year round. An all natural, organic sunless tanning solution made from organically grown and wild crafted botanicals and herbs, shea butter, aloe and coconut oil. It’s super moisturizing, will gradually tan your skin and can be applied as frequently as you’d like to deepen your tan. // www.chocolatesun.com

Biossance • Dive Into Deep Hydration Set ::: In partnership with Oceana, 5% of the proceeds of this set will go directly to Oceana’s effort in working to keep our oceans healthy, safe and abundant. Made with their signature ingredient squalane (sustainably sourced from 100% plant-derived renewable sugarcane). Ideal for winter months when our skin could use the extra hydration, this includes their Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream, Squalane + Omega Repair Cream & Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil for deeply nourished, firm, brighter skin. // www.biossance.com

Upness • CBD Infused Products ::: CBD derived from hemp is thought to boost serotonin, reduce inflammation, improve mood, and help with pain management. Upness has a big variety of products including; bath melts, Updrops (tincture) in several flavors and potencies, essential oil roll-ons and my favorite, their Very Savvy hemp-infused body salves. The scents are therapeutic, a little goes a long way and it’s great for achy muscles or headache relief! // www.upness.com

Aroma360 • Hotel Collection Candles ::: A line of candles inspired by 5 star hotels such as the Westin, Aria Hotel, Marriott, W Hotels, Edition Hotels and Wynn. Aroma360 has a library of over 90 scents, reed diffusers, candles & room sprays. Pictured are two of their best-selling candles; My Way & Black Velvet. My way was inspired by the scent of 1Hotel – lush sandalwood, warm cedar, tuscan leather & amber. The Black Velvet scent was inspired by Edition Hotels – bold aromas of rose, bergamot, cedar wood, zesty lemon, amber & musk). They offer 85 hours of burn time and will completely fill your home with such beautiful intoxicating scent. // www.aroma360.com

Lune + Aster • Limited Edition Golden Hour Eyeshadow Palette ::: A vitamin-infused makeup line containing all of the essentials. This palette’s key ingredients are shea butter, coconut oil and safflower oil to hydrate and soften. It’s dermatologist tested and paraben, phthalate and cruelty-free. It contains all the right shades needed to create a really quick, easy look and is the perfect size for throwing in your makeup bag to go. I also enjoy their SuperStar Blush & Bronzer. The blush is a beautiful peachy-pink shimmer tone and contains vitamin E, licorice, apple seed extract for a sheer finish that blends out effortlessly. // http://www.bluemercury.com

Josh Pond • 5lb. Box of Frozen Blueberries ::: As a niece of a blueberry farmer, this one truly hits home. Farmers are the backbone of America, and any chance you get to support them, you absolutely should! These blueberries are hand-harvested by a family of 4th generation farmers and are packed & frozen within 24 hours of leaving the field to ensure optimal freshness & peak nutrition. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and these are my new favorite addition to my daily smoothie. Delicious & guilt-free! // www.joshpond.com

Soon Skincare • Smooth Operator Hand and Foot Mask Bundle ::: An area in the pampering category that is often overlooked, hand & foot care! This bundle includes 5 sets each of mitts & booties to to take multi-masking to a new level. Ingredients like peony extract will help deeply nourish & hydrate tough, dry heels, green tea extract will improve the appearance of sun damaged skin on hands while collagen helps plump & tighten. // http://www.soonskincare.com

Urban Decay • Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette ::: The best in the Naked palette series since the Naked2, this palette contains 12 golden neutrals universally flattering for every skin tone and eye color! The formula is on par with what we’ve come to expect from UD – easily blendable, long-lasting & richly pigmented. This palette is beautiful for every day use, all year round and will get a ton of use. // http://www.urbandecay.com

Urbanista • Sydney Speaker ::: For the music lover. This tiny but mighty portable speaker offers up to 5 hours of sound on one charge. Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach, a picnic lunch or just in the mood to listen to music while you cook, this is for you. It offers great sound quality, comes in several colors and it’s small size makes it ideal for taking it along anywhere you go! // http://www.urbanista.com

Crave Cupcakes • Assorted Holiday Cupcake Dozen ::: Eggnog, gingerbread, peppermint chocolate and holiday confetti – these are the most festive and delicious cupcakes you can find! If you’re local to Houston, TX you can pick them up fresh, if not they’re carefully shipped frozen and ready to eat within 3 hours of arrival. Put a bow on the box and gift it as is, or take them out and individually wrap them to gift, either way, they’re worth all of the calories and then some! // www.goldbelly.com & www.cravecupcakes.com

YBell • YBell Neo ::: Once January hits, everyone’s resolution is to get into shape and focus on health and fitness. I know mine sure is! YBells 4-in-1 design combines multiple pieces of fitness equipment in one. They can be used in place of dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls and push-up stands. They come in 5 sizes and weights from XS (9.5lbs) to XL (26.4lbs) making them ideal for beginners or fitness experts alike. // www.ybellfitness.com

Altwell • CBD Infused Products ::: A family business rooted in the wellness industry for four generations. They sourced Colorado based suppliers based on potency and consistency to deliver the highest quality product. They offer tinctures, softgels, gummies (my favorite) and a plant based protein supplement which I thought was the most unique form of CBD that I’ve seen. On weekdays, I look forward to taking a gummie to help prepare me for a busy day on the calmest note possible. A must-have for anyone looking to find their calm! // www.altwell.com

Lifepro Fitness • Waver Mini Vibration Plate ::: One of the most unique fitness products I’ve ever seen – a vibration plate. Whole body vibrations have been shown to calm the nervous system, relieve stress & pain, improve circulation, loosen stiff joints, improve range of motion, regain muscle strength, boost metabolism and tone muscles. A long list of uses packed into a portable, easy to store piece of equipment that would make a great addition to an at home gym. // www.lifeprofitness.com

Sperry • Women’s Romy Shearling Slide Slippers ::: I live in slippers and I haven’t taken these off since I’ve gotten them! Fully padded from heel-to-toe and made with genuine shearling. Loungewear is in and comfy footwear will never go out of style. They run true to size and will be something everyone on your list will get daily use of! // www.sperry.com

I+I Botanicals • Coffee Scrub + Bath Tea 3-Pack ::: Wake up in the morning with their CBD, coffee, essential oils and sweet brown sugar scrub. It will leave your skin nourished, moisturized and exfoliated and will give you the energy needed to start the day. Then wind down at night with their CBD infused bath teas. They’re expertly crafted to create a unique bathing experience: calm + collected (moisturizes & softens skin while the soothing scent of lavender calms the mind), happy + healthy (CBD & eucalyptus eases muscle aches & pains), and fresh + fierce (grapefruit oil + CBD for its anti-inflammatory and energizing affects). // www.iandibotanicals.com

Finer Form • Half Ball Balance Trainer for Full-Body Workout ::: Great for working out your core, the balance trainer includes resistance bands for intense arm exercises, grip handles for added stability when being used for upper body workouts and can be used to perform tons of exercises such as push-ups, lunges, planks, crunches and squats. I have been looking for items to add to my workout space and this one checked all of the boxes. A very versatile piece of equipment that would be a great addition to an at home gym or for anyone looking to get their health in check this holiday season! // http://www.finerform.com

Hugo Boss • Men’s Boss Bottled Cologne ::: Scent has a way of evoking memories and feelings and is such a personal gift to give. Boss Bottled has top notes of apple, bergamot, black pepper, middle notes of cardamom & cinnamon and base notes vetiver & musk. It’s captivating, masculine and my husband doesn’t go a day without wearing it. // www.macys.com


Burberry • Her Eau de Parfum ::: With top notes of blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry, middle notes of jasmine & violet and base notes of musk and dry amber. This scent is classy and sophisticated and won’t go unnoticed! // www.macys.com


Sutra Beauty • Professional Blowout Brush ::: This two-in-one tool offers 3 speed settings to dry, straighten and style all at once. It’s a major time saver when it comes to styling and great if you love a salon quality blowout at home but can’t achieve it on your own. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and will leave your hair smooth, voluminous and beautifully styled with minimal effort! // www.sutrabeauty.com

Solu • N.O.W. Tone Therapy System ::: The effect of a 30 minute meditation in just 3 minutes. N.o.w. stands for new origin waveforms which are sequences of peaceful tones based on the ancient Pythagorean tuning system used for sound healing. Essentially it’s the gift of relaxation packed into two hand-sized speakers. Just 3 minutes of uninterrupted peace to help you re-focus, re-energize and calm down. // www.nowbysolu.com

RCMA Makeup • 5 Part “Series Favorites” Palette ::: This 5 pan palette comes in 3 different shade varieties to suit a wide range of skin tones and is great for mixing & matching to customize your perfect shade each season. I love the versatility, how intensely pigmented these are, and how they can be used as a full-coverage foundation, highlighter, concealer or contour and are travel friendly and the perfect size for throwing into your makeup kit. // www.rcmamakeup.com

Lauren Conrad Beauty • Eyeshadow Palettes & Powder Blushes ::: A new beauty brand I was surprised and excited to see! Seeing Lauren’s makeup line was so nostalgic as I grew up watching Laguna Beach then later The Hills. LC’s makeup style is known for being minimalist with a laid back approach and that’s exactly what you’ll get with her collection of products. My favorite offerings are her eyeshadow palettes, they come in two color stories; Magic Hour (cool-toned neutrals) and Sunrise (warm-toned neutrals) and her powder blushes also which come in two shades; Romance (rosy mauve) and Peach. They’re both a lightweight formula that offers a smooth wash of color but are also very buildable for a bold eye or cheek! // www.laurenconradbeauty.com

Martha Stewart Collection • 16 Piece Tool Set ::: A complete collection of every basic kitchen essential you’ll need. I’ve had most of my kitchen tools since 2010 and was overdue for a refresh and excited to find everything in one set. This would also make a great gift for a new homeowner or someone just starting out. // www.macys.com


Ross & Snow • Julia Exposed Frosted Plum Slippers ::: Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy, these slippers are made of hand dyed shearling upper and and plush lined insole making them super comfy and as soft as a cloud. Shearling insures your feet will stay warm without overheating, and these also have a 1” heel amping up the “lounge glam” style. // www.ross-snow.com

Allspice • In Drawer Spice Rack ::: The gift of organization. This is by far the most organized and effective way to store your spices and is a modular system that will work in any drawer space. Each set includes 3” glass jars, foam holders and and pre-made (and blank) labels. It’s the most streamlined system I’ve seen and makes cooking a bit more enjoyable and easier as everything is in one easy to reach place. If you know of someone whose in full blown Marie Kondo mode, get them this spice system! // www.allspicerack.com

Aroma Professional • 5-cup Stainless Steel Electric Kettle ::: For the serious tea lover in your life. This kettle contains a double wall body for fast, efficient boiling and an interior made from surgical grade stainless steel for optimal safety. This will be great for making tea & hot toddys all winter long. // www.aroma-housewares.com

Disclaimer ::: As always, my reviews are not paid and are based on my own opinion, personal use and results.

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