December 8, 2011 Great Gifts 2011!
Need great gift ideas? Well even the Man of Style needs some assistance in this area sometimes. When in need, I turn to the pages of my favorite magazines and websites of the leaders in fashion and design. This season I found inspiration in Vogue, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and their companion websites as well as Style.com. I threw in a few of my own discoveries as well. Happy shopping!
YUBZ retro handset
For the health-conscience techi: These hand sets cut down on the amount of radiation you are exposed to during a cell phone call. Use this at home for those long distance calls to your mother! Gwyneth Paltrow swears by these. I found them in multiple colors at West Elm. www.yubz.com; www.westelm.com
Velextra iPad2 case
For the fashion-conscience techi: Tons of options are out there for iPad cases, but some of the chicest are by Velextra, like this bright two-toned one. www.barneys.com/valextra
Buying the iPad2 for someone? Go further and buy them a favorite app or two. Many publications, like Martha Stewart Living, will do exclusive issues for iPad only.
Vivo business card holders
For the chic entrepreneur: Shagreen business card holders from Vivo Studios show you mean business! www.vivo-studios.com
Laduree macarons
For the sweet-toothed: The oh so french macoron will always dazzle with it prettiness and exuberant range of colors. Lauduree makes some of the best, and just opened their first U.S. outpost in NYC. www.lauduree.fr
Taschen Simple Diary
For the memory keeper: Taschen publishes some of my favorite books, and they also make the most simple (literally) of diaries, in a rainbow of colors. www.taschen.com
Marc Chagall plates
For the art lover: The work of Marc Chagall has been translated onto dinner plates (set of 6). Not a fan of eating on art? Hang them on your dining room walls! www.vivre.com
Quintessence candle set
For the fashion lover: A candle for every month has been created by a different designer, artist, or celebrity. From Azzedine Alaia to hair guru Frederic Fekkai, these candles reflect their personalities and style. Also through Vivre by Quintessence Paris.
Fendi bracelet
For the jewelry lover: I’m not a huge fan of charm bracelets per se, but this chic multi-colored chameleon charmer by Fendi changed my mind. www.fendi.com
D. Porthault linens
For the sleep lover: That’s me! The french company D. Porthault has been crafting some of the most amazing linens for decades now. I’m particularly in love with the Orchidee collection with one of my favorite blooms embroidered on them in rich purple-pinks. I also love the Violettes collection. www.dporthaultparis.com
Nouvel Studios vases
For the decorator: These gem-like vases are stunning on their own, but would be equally so with simple blooms in them on the cocktail table. www.nouvelstudio.com
Tod's luggage
For the traveler: Travel the world with a bold carry-on by Tod’s. These would add a bright note from Seattle to Shanghai. www.tods.com
felt baby collection
For the new parent or parent-to-be: I’m addicted to everything from Canvas Home Store! These adorable accessories for babies are among my favorite things. www.shop.canvashomestore.com
book by Muriel Brandolini
For the design enthusiast: The beaded cover of Muriel Brandolini’s limited edition book speaks for what’s in store on the pages. Drop-dead gorgeousness!! www.barneys.com
Fortuny umbrellas
For the chic Seattleite: Even if you don’t live in my city, famous for its rain, this time of year an umbrella is needed in many parts of the country/world. Fortuny fabrics are beyond gorgeous, and make for the loveliest of coverings from the pouring rain…almost too pretty. I would use these more as a cover from the sun during the summer. At Bergdorf-Goodman.
Bottega Veneta jewelry
For the fashionista: Bottega Veneta, known for their leather-goods, has become one of the leaders in fashion, and more and more, jewelry. These trinkets with shells and coral are some of my favorites. www.bottegaveneta.com
cheese knives by Match
For the entertainer: These faux tortoise cheese knives are by the company that brings us the best in pewter for the tabletop. www.match1995.com
Le Creuset cookware
For the cook: Le Creuset makes the best cast-iron cookware, and chefs around the world love it. The designer in me loves the range of colors it comes enameled in. I like Ocean (shown), and Linen. www.williams-sonoma.com
Canvas Home Store cutting boards
For the sue chef: I love cutting boards that are both functional and nice to look at. I’m not a big cook, but I would definitely enjoy these on my island or leaning up against the back-splash of my kitchen counter. Think about using attractive boards to actually serve hor dourves off of as well. At Canvas Home Store.
Juxtaposed Religion shelf
For the reader: Two versions of this shelf featuring an edited selection of literature are available, “Juxtaposed Religion” and “Juxtaposed Power.” Notches have been cut out of the shelf to bring all of them to the same level. www.blankblank.net
Fortuny dessert plates
For the fabric lover: Also from Bergdorf-Goodman (see the umbrellas above), these plates in various sizes are part of a new collection featuring the work of Fortuny. www.bergdorfgoodman.com
Hitchcock Style
For the film lover: A new book all about the iconic style and women in the films of Alfred Hitchcock is a must-have for anyone that loves cinema and fashion. www.assouline.com
DVF scarf
For the romantic: A sweet printed scarf by Diane von Furstenberg is a chic way to tell someone how you feel about them. www.dvf.com
Diptyque soap
For the bath lover: Diptyque makes the soap-on-a-rope idea totally sophisticated, and in some of the most amazing scents. I’m a huge fan of their candles, but this is another way to enjoy their fragrances. www.diptyqueparis.com
Lanvin
For the historian: The oldest french fashion label is today one of the most successful and gorgeous ones around. A book by Assouline out now tells the tale of its glorious beginning.
Elsa Peretti pen
For the writer: I’ve always coveted the jewelry and tabletop items of Halston’s onetime muse Elsa Peretti. Add this lacquer-red pen to that list of things to covet. www.tiffany.com
wrap it up!
Gift giving isn’t complete until the last ribbon has been tied. Beautiful packages need not be complicated or over-done. Think outside the box (pun intended) and use things that are around you like a sprig of fresh evergreen from outside, or string used in the kitchen for cooking. Martha Stewart Living is always a great source for ideas. www.marthastewart.com
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