Category Archives: Gifts

Holiday Gift Guide – For the Little Ones

Posted on by

1

IMG_4173

I love, love, LOVE shopping for the little ones in my life. My nephews, my sweet little H, the newest additions to my wonderful family of friends. I just can’t get enough. This was a hard list to narrow down but here are the best of the best in my opinion. Hope you agree.

– For the Worldly One – This elephant handcrafted in Nairobi using recycled flip-flops will not only add a pop of color to a child’s room but will spark of love of adventure and travel to distant lands.

– For the Inquisitive One – I have always loved wooden blocks. They were always my favorite as a little girl. These USA Blocks, handcrafted in Michigan, not only provide an educational tool for your little one to learn about the 50 states of the good old US of A but will also make a beautiful family heirloom.

– For the Book Worm – The World According To… When I first saw this book on Pottery Barn Kids I thought… brilliant! First you will receive a gift box complete with markers and questions to ask your little one about his friends and relatives, favorite toys and more. Once this step is complete, simply mail the drawings and interview answers in the return envelope.
The pages will be printed, bound and mailed back to you as a completed book, making a fun read now and a treasured keepsake in years to come. Doesn’t get much better in my book!

– For the Future Builder/Decorator – A few years ago I was so excited to give my little nephews a teepee but then I saw this and said to myself, now the ante has been raised. I could live in this thing for sure.

– For the Adventurer – A sled. Because really aren’t we all hoping for a white Christmas!

Holiday Gift Guide – For the Ladies

Posted on by

2

IMG_4170

Less than 40 days… yikes! To help ease the stress that comes with the holidays, I wanted to provide to you, my sweet readers, just a few ideas for the ladies in your life. Whether a sister, a mom, a girlfriend, or the love of your life, I promise you won’t fail with any of these under the tree.

– Rebecca Atwood came onto the scene earlier this year with an incredible line of hand painted pillows inspired by not only her current home in Brooklyn but her childhood on Cape Cod. This zip pouch is that perfect bag that can go day to night, can be used on its own or to hold all the loose ends in that oversized tote. And at $58, it won’t break the bank.

– Oh Fresh. I have been a fan for oh so long and each year, your holiday gift sets just keep getting better and better. My pick for 2013 is the Sugar Cherry Charms. Seaberry lotion, a roller perfume and the ever so addictive sugar lip balm for $32. Thanks Fresh.

– I don’t know about the women in your life but I for one can never have too many scarves. J.Crew knocked it out of the park with this one.

– What lady wouldn’t love a beautiful robe to wrap herself up in? Plum Pretty Sugar has so many choices but this one might just be my favorite.

– I truly believe you can never go wrong with giving a beautiful gift of paper and Kate Spade’s 2014 Agenda is a great gift for your A-type girlfriends (I think that is me in my group) or a beloved co-worker.

– For the gourmet in your life I just love this idea: a custom watercolor painting of a favorite family recipe. Now, I just need to figure out which recipe to use!

– But let’s be honest. The best gifts are those of quality time together so I’m always a huge fan of a trip away. That’s right boys, do a little planning. Some of my favorite romantic getaways include The White Barn Inn, The Woodstock Inn, and The Bedford Post Inn.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Posted on by

0

logo
Friends… can you believe we are just a few weeks away from Thanksgiving? You know what this means, Christmas is right around the corner! This week, I’m excited to share with you my holiday gift guides. To kick things off, my gifts for the hostess.

I was beyond honored when Kate from The Shopping Mama (and also my dear MHC sister) asked me to curate a list for her annual holiday gift guide. Do let me know what you think and also, if you need any gift help, know I’m here!

Awareness

Posted on by

0

breast cancer
I wish what I was about to write wasn’t true but sadly it is. This year, two very close friends of mine had relatives diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, both had access to top-notch doctors, received exemplary care and an aggressive plan in place to fight. And fight they did. There is still a long road to recovery for both of these courageous women but I have much faith that they have long lives ahead of them.

Since I am a self-proclaimed shopper, I thought it was my duty to share with all of you some of the amazing products being sold this month with proceeds going directly towards breast cancer research. Here are just a few of my top picks:

– In my book, you can never have too many scarfs and this Stella and Dot number would be a great addition to any collection!

– Without fail, I always leave the house on a rainy day forgetting my umbrella and so I have decided to purchase this cute Tory Burch one to keep in my car always! As an added bonus, Tory Burch is donating 20% of the sales of this item (or up to $30,000) to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

– Looking for that perfect pink nail polish? Well, your search is over with OPI’s Pink of Hearts. Created exclusively for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, OPI has donated $25,000 to this worthy organization.

– Keeping with my beauty finds, I just love this Bobbi Brown blush set. Between this October and next March, Bobbi Brown will donate $10 from each sale of this set to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Click on the link and get yours today!

– New Balance has guaranteed a minimum donation of $500,000 each year to Susan G. Komen for the sales of their Lace Up for the Cure product line. If you are in need of some new kicks, I suggest the Komen 860.

– As I have mentioned before, I love candlelight and think this Marie Todd Heal candle is just lovely, especially since 30% of the sales will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

– Chan Luu’s Breast Cancer Awareness Stretch Bracelet would be a welcome addition to any arm candy. Ms. Luu will donate 50% of all sales of this bracelet to the Think Pink, Live Green Initiative.

– And saving one of my favorites for last, La Mer has created a limited edition hand treatment set. La Mer will donate $10 from each sale of this set to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Smooth hands and a great cause, you can’t go wrong.

So ladies (and gents), do a little shopping and know that your dollars are going to a worthy cause. And I know I am the worst at this, but do remember to do your own self exams. Early detection is key!

I Do

Posted on by

0

IMG_3170
Wedding season is certainly upon us! And from all the Facebook updates, it looks like all of you have been to quite a few weddings. Hope you have been enjoying yourselves. To help ease some wedding time stresses, I thought it might be fun to post some of my favorite go-to wedding gifts.

– My dear friend’s Macey and Cam celebrated their third anniversary this past May. After a beautiful wedding down in Vero Beach, the happy couple jetted off to Greece. Macey and Cam are lovers of the arts and thus I knew this customizable print by JP-based artist would be a treasure! I included not on their wedding date, but the hotel they stayed in while on Mykonos and one of their favorite memories.

– My sweet college friend Kate found love back in her home state of Minnesota with Kerry and had one of the best wedding weekends in Steamboat, Colorado. Kate is a romantic, just like me, so I knew these Simon Pearce candlesticks would be put to good use in their home.

– My big brother Todd is marrying his best friend Kirah this November in Maine and I am so excited for a family affair. Both Todd and Kirah love to cook so I am thinking of filling this recipe box with some of our family favorites, along with some island inspired recipes. This would equally be a wonderful shower gift!

And, on a side note, I finally found that little black dress to say “I Do” to for all these weddings. Success!

Now here’s to the happy couple(s)!

Soul Mates

Posted on by

1

photo-13
Sadly, I didn’t get that beach day I was hoping for this past Sunday. But, I was able to enjoy a Sunday stroll. While exploring the little shops along Old South Wharf, I met these little lovelies. Aren’t they great? I discovered them at Sweet Little, owned by Emily Brooke Rubin, a very talented island jeweler. If you are looking for that perfect gift, check out Sweet Little. In addition to my new little flats, I fell in-love with a great clutch, the most delightful tea towels from London and some new hair ties. Should have made my list of New & Noteworthy for sure.

Bookmark This

Posted on by

1

M&G Logo
Ladies (and gents)… I have some very exciting news. My dear friends over at Milly & Grace launched their on-line store today. Emily Ott Hollister, owner and just about the sweetest girl I’ve met, opened her delightful shop four years ago in a charming, ivy covered building just off Main Street. Emily was well-versed in the retail scene on Nantucket, having worked in a few retail landmarks, so she knew exactly what this little island was missing and what we island girls needed. Her shop is filled with feminine and vintage inspired pieces for your closet and home.

Here are just a few of my picks from their new site:

– No surprise here I am sure (I’m a boho girl through and through), I’m in-love with this Joie top. Great piece for summer that will transition nicely into fall with jeans and tall camel boots.
– LBD… I say LBR. It is my personal belief that a black ruana should be a staple in every woman’s closet.
– My go-to summer cocktail (I will share my recipe soon, I promise) will be even more refreshing in these glasses.
– This is by far one of my favorite gifts to give. A cloth bag that can be used for groceries, as a beach bag, or for an overnight trip.

Well done Milly & Grace team… so excited to see what happens next for you!

A Little Light

Posted on by

0

I always have candles lit. Something about the soft glow of light just puts my mind at ease. A friend recently asked me to send along some favorites. Thought you might enjoy my list too!

– Diptyque Baies – My all-time favorite candle. The scent is perfection – a bouquet of roses and black current leaves. A little pricey but well worth it, I promise!

– Sundari Amrus – I discovered this candle a few years ago on a visit to one of my favorite NYC spots, ABC Carpet & Home. Inspired by the Indian desert called Amrus, this candle is infused with scents of chilled mango pulp and fresh basil. And a fun little note, Sundari is product line created by Christy Turlington. I wonder if this is Ed Burn’s favorite candle too?!

– Illume Mediterranean – What I love about this candle is not only the scent but the packaging. The geometric glass candle holder is one that I continue to use even after my candle burns out. To get the wax out, simply put in the freezer for a day and it pops right out. It becomes the perfect container for all my make-up brushes.

– Paddywax Ocean Tide and Sea Salt – My most recent discovery. This candle is a Nantucket summer in a jar.

What are some of your favorites? Would love to hear!

Day Job

Posted on by

1

Shop
Nantucket Looms. One of my favorite shops on the island. And now, I call it my office. I am so excited to be working with the very talented team at the Looms. What am I doing you may ask? Some may say I have returned to my roots as a shopgirl, which I love. But even more exciting, I am working on redesigning the store’s Web site and e-commerce platform. It has been a wonderful process. We sent off our proposed layout to the tech gurus this week with the goal of launching Memorial Day weekend. Stay tuned!

This shop has always been my go-to for stalking my gift closet. We are known world-wide (can you believe that?), for our wildflower soaps. And at $6 for a box of 3, you really can’t go wrong. Do you keep a gift closet? I started a few years ago to purchase wonderful items to keep on-hand for those last-minute dinner invites. It has restored just a bit of sanity to my life. Here are a few of my favorite go-to hostess gifts:

– I just can’t get enough of Rifle Paper. Just when you think they have created the best product, they come out with an even better design. So is true with this shopping pad.
– Sticking with my slightly mild obsession with all things paper, this O-check is great for jotting down all your random notions. I keep one in my bag at all times.
– These playing cards from Hello Lucky! are the perfect gift for a friend hosting game night.
– For the epicurean in your circle, these little glass jars of herbs will be a hit.

What do you think? Any items I should add to my repertoire? Would love to hear!

Special Delivery

Posted on by

1

There must be something in the water. Since ringing in the New Year, my dear friends have welcomed in the next generation. I have six little ones to buy for… such a lucky auntie! Here is just a sampling of some of my favorite gifts:

This little bath set, which includes one hooded terry towel and one 100% cotton muslin washcloth, is just too cute for words. Exactly what you need to make bath time oh so fun!

Serena and Lily is a go-to for all things baby. Their bedding, nursery furniture… it’s what dreams are made of. This safari blanket (available in three colors) is perfect for stroller rides, tummy time, or to just adorn the crib. S&L collaborated with the acclaimed Austrian textile company David Fussenegger to produce this oh so soft flannel blanket.

Adorable and free trade…doesn’t get much better than that. These little slippers are 100% natural wool from local, free range sheep crafted by Chileans in rural regions of Patagonia. Perfect for a hipster baby in the making!

I always love sending along a piece of art for the nursery. This little whale plaque just makes me smile too!

Who doesn’t love receiving an iconic Tiffany’s blue box? This little elephant earthenware bank is just the sweetest and will also instill the importance of saving at an early age!

This is a gift that I would even love to receive… a collection of eight classic children’s stories with the most whimsical book covers illustrations. And the presentation… perfection. The set includes Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie, The Call of the Wild by Jack London, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

I was first introduced to Jeannie Payer in 2001, when I received her Jacob ring as my college graduation gift. To this day, it is still my favorite piece. This beautiful first tooth box is adored with a quote from J.M. Barrie: “When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies.” A piece that will certainly be passed down for generations.

And to all my dear mommy friends, you inspire me every minute of everyday!