This was a big year for all the ladies in my life, one of my best friends from college became a mom in March, another friend and my sister are both getting married in 2016 and they've been in a whirlwind of wedding madness this year. There have been breakups and new relationships and new jobs and new apartments and a lot of moving and shaking for the magnificent women I'm lucky enough to know. Here's what I would love to get them this year:
Clockwise from top left:
Sali Hughes' Pretty Honest - Over the last year or so I've become obsessed with Sali Hughes' Guardian column and her youtube videos that show even a dum dum like me how to put on eyeliner. I'd love to get this for my friend who is interested in beauty but shares Sali's sensible, feminist-y, go away if you don't like my eye shadow approach and because a chunky beauty book is always fun.
Fiona Fox Cards - For my youngest sister, Fiona, so she can send her thank you notes. Also because they are from my shop and I love them so.
Chunky necklace - My new-mama friend needs a present for her, something pretty that is completely non-baby related. How glamorous is this gorgeous necklace? This entire etsy shop is full of lovely things.
Fair Isle Hat - This is the coolest fair isle hat ever. Since our September trip to Iceland I've been obsessed with colourwork knitting and this just blows me away. My sister the costume designer would swoon.
Three Girls Print - My sister is living in Kansas for graduate school to get a masters degree and work with intellectually disabled adults and autistic children. She's the best at both, I'd love to get her this print which I like to think of as three sisters, since she has three sisters and she lives so far from them.
Bar earrings - These bar earrings are so divoon, My best friend needs some pretty jewels this year, to fancy the whole world up.
Candles - For my wedding, almost five years ago, I made over a hundred soy candles in jars. Once we lit them all the night of the reception I washed my hands of candle making but this fall I started up again. They are ridiculously simple to make and in a simple jar with a black lid they look pretty darn chic if I do say so myself. Everyone might be getting a lavender or bergamot or clary sage candle this Christmas.
You know you want to make gorgeous rock magnets, I think they would be great stockings stuffers or last minute gifts for anyone.
Succulent Planter - My best friend from high school got a new job this year in a fancy new city with a fancy new husband and her new desk needs a big succulent planter.
Pocket notebooks - This year I got a bunch of little notebooks and they are so supremely satisfying. I didn't think I 'd need them with everything in my phone but I ended up putting grocery lists, to-dos and endless titles of books to read. It is so supremely satisfying to check things off and not just click the box and have it disappear. I'd love to pop one in everyone's stocking.
Yarn - My gorgeous friend Kate, the oldest and loveliest of friends since we met when we were nine in YMCA swimming, is big into yarn these days. I'd love to be able to get her some gorgeous thick chunky yarn from Purl Soho, along with instructions to knit HERSELF something and not give it away.
Last year's guide.
