Gift Guide #1: For the Ladies

I think that my favorite part of the holiday season is finding the perfect gifts to surprise and delight my friends and family. Below are some of my favorite gifts (none of which are over $100) to give my girlfriends, mom, sister-in-law, and other women in my life; stay tuned for a gift guide for guys (who seem to be way harder to shop for!).

Water Bottles

This might seem like a super utilitarian gift (which, to me, is less fun to give and receive), except that these bottles are so beautiful, they’re practically fashion accessories. I’m obsessed with the glass bottles from bkr (I have them in a rainbow of colors) because they’re dishwasher-friendly and easy to drink from, but these options from S’well, Lulu, and Ban.do are pretty enough to make me want to branch out.


bkr Glass Water Bottle, from $28	S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle, from $25	Lululemon Refresh Hot/Cold Bottle, $38	ban.do Glitter Bomb Water Bottle, $24

Umbrellas

Having a nice umbrella – one that’s cute, opens and closes at the push of a button, and doesn’t flip inside out at the slightest hint of wind – feels so civilized. Umbrellas are one of my favorite gifts to give, because they’re totally unexpected and often something we don’t buy for ourselves (or is that just those of us who are from Seattle, where it’s rumored that natives don’t use umbrellas at all?).


ShedRain Auto Open/Close Compact Umbrella, $27	Crimson Heart Umbrella, $32	Kate Spade Travel Umbrella, $49	Hunter Bubble Umbrella, $60

Photography Gear

We all have an Insta-obsessed friend or self-appointed family photographer, right? Surprise her with an instant camera, a pretty strap for her DSLR, a lens that will take her phone photography to the next level, or a portable photo printer.


Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera, $69	Personalized Leather & Canvas Camera Strap, $85	Moment Wide-angle Lens for iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy, $100	Kodak Portable Photo Printer, $100

Wintry Accessories

I’m a little obsessed with winter accessories – in part because I’m always cold, but mostly because I can’t resist cashmere, faux fur, and pom poms. This faux fur stole is the sort of thing I’d secretly covet, but never actually buy for myself – the recipe for the perfect gift. And the scarf, beanie, and mittens are all things I’d want to wear immediately.