Holiday Gift Guide: If I Filled My Own Stocking

I’m going to selfishly start my holiday gift guides this year with what I would want to see in my stocking on Christmas morning, along with a few other items I would gift to those near and dear. Because, why not?

First, I did gift myself a pair of my new South Sea Pearl Drops which go on my Hinged Hoop earrings (which you can switch drops on or wear solo). I design things I want to wear, and I’ve wanted a pair of significant pearl earrings for a long time, but ones I can wear day and night. Pearls highlight the incredible gifts nature gives us, each is unique and, well, I could go on but will stop here.

Deeda Blair’s book is a definite want. Her taste is more feminine than mine, but she also has a rigor in her aesthetic I really love. Plus, if you think Deeda is a do-nothing socialite, read this old article on her in T Magazine, she may wear couture but she has also been instrumental in raising funds for AIDS research (before anyone would touch it) as well as ovarian cancer. She is rather indomitable and I applaud her for that.

When the weather turns cooler, I swear by Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, and when I found out my friend, jewelry designer Kim Dunham, had designed the packaging for this limited edition mega bottle, I immediately put it on my wish list. Kim’s crest, IN NATURA VERITAS “In Nature There is Truth” is the fitting theme for this power packet botanical oil. There is also the more affordable travel set for first timers who want to try both products (both equally great).

If you’ve become a bit of a Westman Atelier fan (like I have), you might want to get this Petal gift set of blush stick, highlighter and lip gloss (also very good girlfriend gift). The color is universally flattering (something I learned from Cayli Cavaco Reck of Knockout Beauty), and in a month or two when you’re feeling wan, a rosy glow may be just what you need for a pick me up.

It would take a miracle to find this ladylike The Row handbag in my stocking this year, but a girl can dream…..

I recently went down an IG rabbit hole on London-based Lynn Harris’ perfume, Perfumer H, which comes in these gorgeous hand blown bottles (which you can refill for a lot less). There are so few places in the U.S. that carry her scents (you can get them at Tiina in Amagansett) and I cannot buy one without testing it, but I’m intrigued.

If I had to choose one item from my jewelry line, it would probably be link bracelet. I designed it be a have forever piece.

My friend Kelley Estes in Nasvhille kept raving about the Home Farm Cooking cookbook by Catherine and John Pawson and now I’m putting on my list. I am a so-so cook, too complicated isn’t for me, sometimes I just like to read the recipes and look at the pictures.

Another thing Kelley turned me onto is this chic electric kettle that comes in multiple color variations. It’s great for pour over coffee (they have an equally good looking pour-over set), teas and matcha, which is why I bought it. Which leads me to this…..

My favorite matcha comes from an adorable women-owned store in Beacon, NY called Matcha Thomas. They now sell their ceremonial grade matcha on line. If you’re a matcha newbie like me, don’t be surprised by how small the package seems when it arrives. It is supposed to make 15-20 servings.

Keeping it real here. I need a new pair of cold-morning dog walking shoes, because my two pairs of Birkenstock shearling Bostons are years-old and frankly not so cozy anymore. My daughter bought a pair of (unworn) second-hand UGG’s last winter and boy, did they feel good. I like this super short version. Of course, maybe they’re a Tik Tok sensation like the Birks are now too, because they are sold out in all the normal colors. But I can wait. And stay tuned for more gift ideas!