Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Every year, there is a cookbook that wins the year for me. This year, it is BraveTart. I flip through the pages over and over, and every time I open it, I have the strongest urge to bake every single recipe from cover to cover. Stella Parks is an unbelievable talent and I hope this is only the first of many more masterpieces from her.

The grill was a big focus of my family’s food traditions, but never in a way I was thrilled about. Despite his reputation as an excellent grill man, slabs of meat and not much else are simply not the way I like to eat. This grill-centered cookbook from the geniuses at Food52 is so much more interesting and far more my speed. While there are still plenty of meat-centric dishes, this includes grilled cocktails, appetizers, salads, and desserts. I cooked from it a lot this year and know it will be on heavy rotation when the weather warms up again.

The first Milk Bar cookbook is one of the most used books in my kitchen. I’ve made so many of the recipes within its pages multiple times, and it is one of my most used baking references. I was thrilled to see a second book from Tosi and it does not disappoint. I made several recipes from it the same day I received it to create what would become three multi-layered tiered cakes for my brother’s 30th birthday. That I would put that level of faith in these recipes, making them untested for an important event, tells you everything you need to know. By the way, they turned out AMAZING.

Chrissy Teigen wasn’t even on my radar until her first cookbook was published, but I was eagerly awaiting this one! I’ve only made a few recipes so far but they have been absolutely stellar. It’s more of what we all loved from the first Cravings – over the top, decadent dishes to cover every meal from brunch to dessert. This one has even more Thai recipes which I’m excited to try as well.

Pie cookbooks are a funny thing. I love baking pie and there are many wonderful variations, but after you have a few pie books, the question becomes, “Is there really something worthwhile that this new pie book has to offer me?” I was finally able to flip through a copy of Sister Pie in a bookstore and found that yes, this book has plenty of new inspiration and flavor combinations that make me want to get straight to the kitchen and bake pies! While I haven’t been able to bake from mine just yet, I am very excited to do so and can’t decide what recipe I should try first.

Zoe Francois is such a joy to follow on Instagram with her incredible pastry skills, killer baking tips, and beautifully simply aesthetic. This holiday bread book sounded really promising to me and after checking it out in person, I knew it needed to become a part of my personal library. I have no doubt this is one of those books that will eventually become permanently dusted in flour because it is so well loved.

As much as I enjoy project cookery, I rarely have the time for it. What I think we all need more of in the cookbook world is recipes that are approachable, nourishing, practical, AND delicious. Recipe goddess Julia Turshen brings exactly that with her latest, Now & Again, a book of go-to recipes that also includes ideas for reinventing leftovers. I love flipping through a book and knowing I’ll make almost everything in it, and that certainly rings true here.

I couldn’t be prouder of my friends Sonja and Alex of A Couple Cooks for publishing Pretty Simple Cooking, their first cookbook. It is stunningly beautiful and full of tons of healthy recipes that are completely crave-worthy. For anyone inclined toward healthy eating or who follows a vegetarian or vegan diet, this would be a perfect gift.

Guys, I thought I already made good homemade pizza because, well, I did. BUT. Then I made pizza from Pizza Camp by Joe Beddia and I LEVELED UP in a major way. This book is everything. I love the conversational style, the goofy little sketches, the way Joe walks you through every detail of how to make amazing pizza without overcomplicating anything, but what I love most are the results. So often cookbooks born of famed restaurants are unreliable or give underwhelming results. It’s clear that plenty of research was done to ensure successful translation from restaurant to home kitchen, and for that, and this pizza, we should all be grateful.

I visited Elizabeth Street Cafe when I went to Austin over the summer, and I instantly fell in love with this Vietnamese cafe + French bakery. I saw their cookbook there but I didn’t want to have to carry it on the plane home so I made a mental note to check it out at a later date. I eventually snagged a copy through my library and oh my dears, it is really something else. Delicious Vietnamese noodle dishes, all manner of Bahn mi, exquisite French pastries, and amazing cocktails. GUYS, SIGN ME UP. It is another one of those books that has me wanting to cook it from cover to cover. I have to return mine to the library soon but I’ll be gifting this baby to myself this holiday season

Cake stands are one of my favorite things ever, and I cherish the pretty little collection I have. Milk glass stands are some of my very favorites, and I love them in all colors and sizes. If you have a baker in your life, these are a great gift option.

Ever since reading Wine. All the Time by Marissa A. Ross, I have been having the absolute best time learning more about wine. And you know the best way to learn more about it? Drink more of it! No, not the same old stuff you’ve always been drinking, but trying varietals, growing regions, and production methods that are unfamiliar to you. One of the best ways I have done this this year was joining the Domaine LA wine club. I chose their Naturalist option and it is such a blast seeing what selections they send me each month. Not to mention, Domaine LA is just the bomb. They are always super helpful and promptly respond to inquiries, are patient when I pester them repeatedly about getting a particular bottle in stock, etc. I’m just a lone random customer in Indiana but they always help me like I’m a fancy LA chick who wandered into their store and I am grateful for their passion and service.

Still in the wine theme (there’s even more to come, and I’m not sorry), champagne stoppers have been a GAME CHANGER for me this year. Maybe I was the last remaining person not to have invested in these yet, but they work great at preserving the bottles of bubbles I love so dearly but never drink all at once unless I’m entertaining.

It might seem silly, but I have always wanted and still have never owned a butter keeper. A pretty one like any of those linked here, to store butter at room temperature for perfectly smooth spreading on some amazing artisan bread with a sprinkle of coarse salt. One of these days, I’m going to take this (apparently very serious) plunge and BUY A BUTTER KEEPER.

Handmade dishes and serve ware are truly special to me. Like my cake stands, I truly cherish the beautiful pieces I have collected over the years. Though I follow many makers in this realm, I am true to Suite One Studio. Her incredible talent, artistic eye, and the resulting aesthetic are absolutely perfect. These rose + gold dessert plates were the first thing I ever bought from her and I still adore them. As her business has grown, she is able to offer these more consistently and I know many of you are excited about that since I receive inquiries about these plates quite often.

When I’m entertaining, the only cocktail I’m willing to serve is a pitcher version. There is no way I’m standing behind the counter mixing up individual servings instead of mingling and enjoying the party. This pitcher muddler greatly facilitates large batch cocktails and I need to invest in one. I’m quite sure it would be decidedly more effective than the handle of a wooden spoon I’ve been using up to this point (which frankly, doesn’t really work that well.)

Yeah, back to wine. I can’t help it, it has become a true love of mine! This is the other wine club I joined this year, from Broc Cellars. You could purchase individual bottles or a club subscription depending on your gifting needs. My all time favorite is their sparkling Chenin blanc which they are sold out of at the moment (but I think Domaine LA might have some – worth checking!). Their Love Rosé is another favorite I’ve tried this year. The valdiguié petillant wine is another stunner. I served it at a couple of get togethers this year and everyone went nuts for it.

I love things with snarky little sayings (imagine that) and these oven mitts at a favorite local shop crack me up every single time I stop in. I would definitely not be sad if I ended up with a pair or two this year (hint hint, anyone thinking about buying me a gift).

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I adore Erin’s jewelry and that it is what I wear about 90% of the time. These gorgeous studs have been an awesome addition to my earring collection. They are a beautifully dressed up basic and I find myself reaching for them often.

Another thing I have especially loved from Erin this year has been her new resin jewelry collection. I have a few pieces and love them all, but these hoops are my favorite of all. They add a perfect pop of color to so many outfits and because of the variety of colors included, they go with nearly everything.

My transition to an ethical and sustainable wardrobe has at times felt challenging to find clothes I love that fit will and work with my personal style as well as my needs in work and in life. Amour Vert is one of my favorite companies that has definitely eased the transition for me. Their pieces are beautiful, generally made in small batches (as clothing should be!) and every one I have purchased has been a solid investment. The dress pictured here is one of my favorites that I have been wearing to events and the like, but I encourage you to explore their site fully. I so appreciate that they describe the fiber content and environmental impact of their fabrics, and also provide great information about their factories and the people making these garments.

The incredible talent behind Salame Jewelry designs happens to be a local artisan in my area who is also a lovely human being. I like to think of her as the queen of druzy jewelry which I never quite get enough of, but all of her gemstone pieces are stylish and unique. I love gifting her jewelry to friends and family. Browse all her lovely creations to find something perfect for those on your list!

Need a cute tote or clutch that also happens to be ethically made? (Let’s face it, that’s the only kind you should be buying.) Bevy Goods has got you covered. These simple and chic designs are stunning and I hope to invest in one eventually. I love the fold over clutches. What about you?

Pact is another company that has excellent ethical offerings. I swear by (and live in) their leggings, but they have so many cute items and are a great resource for staples and beyond. They are a Fair Trade Certified company and their cotton fabric is organic. I love love love this open back sweater, and think they have tons of cozy items that would be ideal for gifting.

Since I adore beautiful and well made shoes but also want ethically made products, I was thrilled to discover Canadian company Poppy Barley this year. I have invested in three pairs of their shoes and I adore all of them. They are comfortable, stylish, and have excellent craftsmanship. These aren’t the exact gold flats I have but mine are similar. Not sure what pair of shoes your recipient might want? Just buy them a gift card and let them decide!

This year I started dabbling in sewing my own undergarments and it has been surprisingly easier than I thought. Even so, I like to treat myself once in a while to a pretty, sexy matching set. Anekdot Boutique is a new go-to option for me. They hand make items to order to maintain quality and reduce waste. They also source their materials from what would otherwise be wasted in the fashion industry such as deadstock fabrics, off cuts, and trimmings. Not to mention, the set I invested in is SO comfortable. They also offer gift cards so again, that might be a good option if the choice is overwhelming to you.

I have loved the offerings of FashionABLE for a long time now and they are my go-to for bags that are stylish, functional, and ethically produced. While I haven’t bought one in a while because mine are still holding up beautifully, I am really digging this canvas version of the mamuye tote. It’s cute and would also be able to hold up to the demands of daily life.

Listen, this little baby is my all time favorite lipstick and the one I wear most over. Popping this onto my lips is a guaranteed pick-me-up when I’m in a funk. Spread the red lipstick love to the world!

This fun neon light was my early holiday gift to myself this year. I saw it while traveling in Portland a couple of weeks ago and knew it had to be mine. They have lots of fun options so if “slay” isn’t your thing (why, tho?), there are plenty of other great lights to choose from.

I rarely have time these days to go to the store each time I want a card for someone’s birthday, baby, wedding, or other occasion. I’m picky about cards and random ones from big box stores won’t do, and that’s why I think a stationery subscription is a freaking fabulous gift idea! I’m sure there are plenty of people, myself included, who would love to receive a monthly delivery of cute cards and stationery items so they have a nice supply on hand. Haven Papierie is a local artist here in Indy and I adore her work!

For your sassy friend who always says what they are thinking (and I’m really hoping this is ALL of your friends), these pencils are perfection. Another item I came upon in Portland and you better believe I stocked up. My sassy moods are numerous and varied, and obviously I needed pencils for all of them.

I used to think candles were such a generic and thoughtless gift, and I suppose they can be if you buy random candles from Target, BB&BW, or some other big retailer. But high quality soy candles made by a caring artisan are another thing entirely, and a gift I am both proud to give and would be thrilled to receive. Wax & Wool’s candles are my favorite and they are all I buy anymore.

From the moment I discovered them, I have been head over heels in love with everything from Lady Fingers Letterpress. It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite but you had to know I would go with this brilliant set of protest posters. I purchased a few sets of my own to be shared widely, and possibly with my readers in the coming months. This set is just such a great idea!

As I continue to hone my mindful consumer skills, my thoughts extend beyond fashion into other areas of my life. I travel pretty frequently and am so lucky to be able to visit the beach fairly regularly (as well as our neighborhood pool). While I will let my current towels wear fully out before buying something new, I know these gorgeous Turkish cotton towels from Fair Seas Supply Co. will be my next investment. I have really come to love lightweight towels, particularly because I travel so much, and these are simply gorgeous. Their round blankets also look incredible!

Do you use a wall calendar, or have calendar traditions? The Rifle Paper world travel calendar is the calendar I buy every year and I simply adore it. At the end of every month I get excited as I look forward to the date I can flip the page over and see what the next month has in store (and I never peek ahead!) Another gift I think could be great for just about anyone.

Do you have a vinyl album lover in your life? If so, look no further for a killer gift idea. Brittany Campbell is a wildly talented artist and her latest album became a favorite of mine the moment I heard it. I purchased the vinyl for a collector in my life and I’m telling you, the sound is incredible. While you can (and should!) enjoy her Stay Gold album on Spotify or other streaming services, if you have a way to listen to the vinyl, get yourself one immediately.

Have a friend or family member who still buys bottled water? Buy them a beautiful and functional reusable glass bottle. I have a small collection of reusable bottles and this one is still my favorite. I love the pop top, the shape and size, and that overall look.

Vashti Harrison does it again! We simply love her book Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History which became our choice birthday gift throughout all of last year. (Pro tip: I buy several copies of books we love and keep them in a closet for the never-ending slew of birthday parties the kids attend.) I am including her latest Little Dreamers book under the tree this year for Caroline. I can’t wait to read it with her!

This book is the absolute best. Written by the folks at Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in response to bigot VP Pence’s family publishing a book about their own pet rabbit, the tale of Marlon Bundo beautifully illustrates that love is love with the cutest little bunny couple you ever did see.

We first learned about Forbidden Island last winter and loved it right away. Even better, the kids are STILL playing it which definitely says something because you know how long new games and things generally keep their attention. I love that this is a game of strategy and teamwork, so it isn’t about a winner and losers but working together to achieve a common goal. So much fun!

Color-by-number pictures were always so fun to me as a kid, and these Pixel Pages are a similar concept, except all the shapes are uniform pixels. It is fun to see what pictures reveal themselves as the artist begins to color the boxes in. We love these and find them especially fun to take when we travel.

A few years ago I got Caroline the National Geographic gemstone dig set and she loved it so much, she asked for another one this year! It seems silly to me to buy her the exact same thing again so instead I opted for this crystal growing kit which looks amazing and I think will be right up her alley.

I stumbled upon this hilarious “book” while exploring Powell’s in Portland and grabbed it up for Andrew instantly. We thumb wrestle kind of a lot (more than normal? What is normal?) and he loves Star Wars. The thumb sabers crack me up and I cannot wait to play this with him! It makes me laugh already just thinking of it.

If you haven’t yet encountered the work of Oliver Jeffers, please go find his books and read them with the kids in your life. They are delightful! I was SO excited to see this collaboration between him and Veja, a very thoughtful shoe company. I bought a pair for Caroline and for my little niece and cannot wait to gift them!

String lights add a touch of whimsy to any room or space, and they would surely be a delightful addition to a child’s bedroom or playroom. Cable and Cotton creates these gorgeous string lights through a positive supply chain. Even where you buy your string lights can make a difference!

I liked the Pottery Barn bento-style lunch boxes we had for a while, but over time they fell apart. I opted for Planet Box as a replacement and these are such good quality! I love them, the optional magnets to add some flair to the outside, and the fun variety of carrying cases to choose from. Caroline is always asking me to send soup with her to school for lunch, so I think a thermos might be under the tree for her this year. A great investment for parent, child, AND the earth!

The second best thing to reading is cute apparel and gear sporting your favorite book covers and characters, am I right? Out of Print has so many fun options and my kids loved the items I gifted them last year. I was thrilled to see the inclusion of Roald Dahl books into their repertoire this year and am really eyeing some of the Matilda shirts for myself since it was my favorite book as a kid.

This year I have read predominantly non-fiction, but An American Marriage is the fiction book that has plenty of relevance to current times. It hooked me instantly and I tore through it in a matter of days. It’s a great gifting choice for just about anyone.

Oh, this book is powerful. It is one that I would put on my Required Reading List for All of Humanity. If you can, get the audio version because it is read by the author which makes her account that much more poignant. This courageous woman’s story will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who read it, for the better.

This book is an absolutely crazy ride, made all the more mind blowing because it is a true story. This memoir from Tara Westover, the daughter of fundamentalist Mormons is unforgettable. Her childhood and adolesence are more than troubling, leading to a harrowing personal journey to extract herself from that life. This book is simply unforgettable.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK. At least, all white people need to read this book. Got white peeps on your shopping list? This book is perfect. People who think they are colorblind and “don’t see race”? People who think they don’t have white privilege because they are disadvantaged in some other way? They REALLY need this book. If you are unclear on what exactly is cultural appropriation and why it is bad, or how microaggressions take massive tolls on BIPOC, you also need to read this book. There is so much we all still have to learn and this book is an excellent tool to help unlearn racism we have all been steeped in.

The story of Trayvon Martin is the story of the tragic racially motivated murder of an innocent boy, and also a horrifying look in the mirror for present day America and how we value (or don’t) citizens of color. Written in alternating chapters by his two parents, this details the events leading to his death, the lack of adequate investigation, and subsequent failure of justice to be served. You can read my full review here. Again, everyone should read this book.

I think the subtitle of this book says it all: “Black dignity in a world made for whiteness.” Austin Channing Brown writes beautifully about her experience as a black woman in a world where white is the default setting, and this is a perspective we all need to take into consideration far more frequently. This is an important account that helps unveil the structural racism in place in our world, and in doing so, provides all of us with better understanding to help go forward and dismantle these systems we have perpetuated.

Oh my word, this is such a beautifully written book. This is another work of fiction that has so many timely lessons for today’s world. The main story line is about a transgender child, but it feels like a sorely inadequate description to say that. This novel is such an evocative portrayal of motherhood and family life, and I just can’t recommend it highly enough. I never wanted this book to end.

I know I may sound like a broken record, but this is another book I deeply believe every single person should read (or listen to). Esther Perel is a brilliant therapist focusing on love, sex, and relationships, and her work always astounds me. Mating in Captivity is a vital examination of the frequent discord between domestic relationships and sexual desire. This book provides enormous food for thought that is relevant to all our personal lives, but also to how we view and discuss relationships, marriage, and sexual connection as a society, and also how we might change the conversation with our children so that generations to come might manage these issues more successfully.

I am not often drawn to poetry, yet nothing speaks to me quite like the work of Rupi Kaur. Her first book Milk and Honey and her more recent release The Sun and Her Flowers are true testaments to the power of this medium that sometimes feels off-putting. It amazing how a poem of a single sentence, or just a handful of words strung together, can penetrate to the core. Combined with her minimalist line drawings that perfectly pair with the poems, her work is simply genius.

Overdressed will probably end up being one of the most influential reads of my entire life. It has truly changed the way I think about clothing, and consumer habits in general. I am so grateful to Elizabeth Cline for this unbelievably well researched and thoughtful investigation of how the fast fashion industry has evolved, and how it is damaging consumers, people in the industry, and the planet in catastrophic ways. Read my full review here.

For the knitter in your life, or not, because there are plenty of other crafty ways to make use of pom poms! I recently invested in this little kit myself and I am so excited about it.

These simple kits are beautiful and would make lovely delicate jewelry. This would be a great gift to double with the gift of time spent together, assembling these while sharing a snack, a beverage, and conversation.

For the knitter in your life, if they don’t already have one, this would be a killer gift. I’m a bad girl who rarely makes gauge swatches but in the event that I did, this would be supremely helpful. Not to mention I would love the needle size guide as well as my random needle collection seems to grow!

Another excellent gift for knitters is this cute little jar of stitch markers. I have this set and I love it dearly. It makes me feel so much more sophisticated than when I use the crappy plastic markers from big box stores (and that seems odd, but it’s the truth.)

If you have a relatively experienced sewist on your list, they might really love receiving a kit to try their hand at making a bra or a pair of underwear. I recently made my first bra from this kit. It turned out beautifully, is super comfortable, and I wear it a lot. I have several more kits on my shelf and I’m hoping to batch sew them soon. This could also be a fun “let’s make it together” gift for you and a friend who shares an interest in sewing.

Our country must put a stop to gun violence immediately. The number of mass shootings this year speaks for itself. Gun control now, period.

Women’s reproductive rights are vital to a healthy society and economy, and must be defended now more than ever.

You need only to read the news and the latest hashtags to understand why the work of Black Lives Matter is absolutely vital to forward progress and achieving true racial equality.

The ACLU might just be the last thread holding the country from falling over into oblivion. Donate to support their important work.

Particularly given this administration’s attempts to erase trans individuals from existence, the work of HRC is so necessary.

Refugee crises continue to escalate in many areas around the globe. The IRC does excellent work to provide aid to those in need.

In the months since the #metoo movement has taken hold and more predators from all sectors are brought to light, the importance and necessity of RAINN is clear.

With the UN’s dismal report on climate change in hand, we must do what we can to help care for the planet going forward.