Gift Guide: Alyssa's Favorite Things

This is always one of my favorite posts to put together. I mean, if I can't be Oprah, the next best thing is cannabilizing her infamous idea, right? ;)

Everything on this list is something I already own and love. (Like, LOVE.) Some I've loved for years and some are relatively new to me, but all are awesome. 

Everything here has been tried, tested, and loved by ME. They're all certified Alyssa-pleasers, and I'd venture to say they're near-guaranteed crowd-pleasers, too. Enjoy!

Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan: I put this on my gift guide/favorite things list every year, but I can't help it. It's the best! And this year, with quarantine, I fell even more in love with it. It's the softest, coziest, comfiest cardigan that still looks super cute whether you're staying home or going out into the world. I own three (black, light gray, and blue-gray) and wear them multiple times a week.

Dyson AirWrap Complete Styler Copper Limited Edition: I've been wanting a Dyson blowdryer forever and finally got one this year as a gift. It's SOOOO fancy and nice! This set includes all the tools you need to dry, smooth, or curl your hair and comes in a sleek copper case. I haven't tried the curling yet, but I've used the blowdryer and brush attachments to dry and smooth my hair, and I've been amazed how quickly it dries. (And I have thick hair! If you have fine/thin hair, this thing is going to dry your hair insanely fast!) It's also so simple to switch attachments. (I thought it would be difficult or time-consuming. It's not.) Anyway, I get the hype now. The Dyson is amazing. (PS: This set is selling out everywhere VERY fast. If you are even considering it, scoop one up now. You can always return it later--just don't open it!--if you change your mind.)

Abercrombie & Fitch Vegan Leather Puffer Jacket: I bought this jacket for full price at the beginning of the fall, and now it's on sale for just over $100! It looks SO much more expensive though. Super cool, super cute, surprsingly warm, and comes in mutliple colors that are all so good. (I have the black, but I love all the colors, and am currently verrry tempted by the brown!)

Cupcakes & Cashmere Reese Earrings: I wear stud earrings 99.9 percent of the time, and I love these because they are like studs with a little something extra. Unexpected, but still understated. They go with everything!

Williams Sonoma Goldtone Quarter Sheet Pans (Set of 2): I could kick myself for waiting so long to buy this sheet pan. I used to use normal-size sheet pans constantly, but HATED cleaning them since they're a little too big to fit in my dishwasher, which means I ended up having to handwash. These quarter-size pans (half the size of the sheet pans you most likely normally use) are a dream. They are big enough for nearly all jobs I need them for, but they're so much smaller so they fit neatly in any dishwasher. And these gold-finish ones are the best--totally nonstick--and cute, too!

Yeti Tumbler: I bought a pair of these in blue for my husband last year for Christmas, and now we're both obsessed with them. They keep coffee piping hot (or water icy cold) for hours on end like nothing else, plus I love the sleek, unisex look. We use them while working from home, on the go, while driving, etc. 

Keurig Latte and Cappucino Maker: This is another long-time favorite that I've mentioned many times before, but I can't help it. If you love lattes, it is the best thing EVER. It makes lattes (or cappuccinos) that taste exactly like Starbucks, at the push of a button. (It also makes regular coffee.) And it was a lifesaver during the pandemic, especially in those early days, when making a coffee run wasn't really happening. We are so obsessed with it that we actually bought a second one this year, so that we can have one at our lakehouse, too (we used to bring it back and forth and it's a little too big for that to make sense long-term). 

Benefit Together At Lash Mascara Gift Set: Not only does this set have some of my favorite mascaras, but it's an INSANE value. (Honestly, buy this one for yourself!) They're Real and Bad Gal Bang are two of my all-time faves that I've used for years. This cute set comes with both of those, plus Roller Lash, which is also really good. (And all three tubes are full-size!) The best part: The mascaras normally retail for $25, but this set is only $38. So you're essentially getting three awesome mascaras for the price of 1.5 mascaras. No-brainer here!

Calphalon Nonstick All-Purpose Pan: I got a Calphalon pan almost exactly like this for my wedding a million years ago, parked it in a cabinet in my lakehouse, and then pretty much forgot about it. But while we were quarantined there this summer, I rediscovered it--and totally fell in love with it. No it's not lilac or sage like those Insta-famous pans that are everywhere, but forget about them: This one is quite possibly THE perfect pan. It's non-stick and has deep, sloping sides (it's shaped almost like a big bowl). I've used it for cooking anything from stir-frys to pastas to soups and more. The shape is perfect and it cleans SO easily. I've since relocated it to our Hoboken home so I can use it all the time. 

Barack Obama A Promised Land audiobook/Libro.fm subscription: I've mentioned many times how I have grown to love audiobooks (and how I especially love Libro.fm for listening to audiobooks!). But even if you think you're not an "audiobook person," there are a few situations when audiobooks are truly better than regular books--and memoirs (especially those by celebrities or famous-people) are the best example of this. A written memoir simply does not compare to one read by the person it is written by and about. It is funnier, it is sadder, it is more compelling--you get so much more out of them! Case in point: I have been listening to Barack Obama's new memoir for the past few days, and I'm telling you: You HAVE to get it, and you HAVE to do it in audio. A subscription to Libro.fm would make an amazing gift for anyone, including hard-to-buy-for people like a dad or a person who has everything. And this is the book you should get them! (Unless they're big Trumpers, I guess? Haha.) You can get a three, six, or twelve month subscription to Libro.fm here. Your recipient will get one credit a month that never expires and can be used on anything, including this whopper of a book. And the proceeds will benefit the independent bookstore of your choice, not Amazon. (Indie bookstores need your help more than ever this year!) But hey, if you just want the physical book, that would truly make an amazing gift, too. You can grab a copy here. :)

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer: If you don't have a Dyson budget, do not worry: This blowdryer basically has a cult-following, and I'm telling you: It lives up to the hype! This is what I;ve used for the past three years or so when I have to dry my hair fast with minimal effort. You literally just brush it through your hair and it dries it and adds lots of volume. (Truth be told, it adds a little too much volume on my thick hair! So I will usually pull my hair into a ponytail for awhile afterwards to flatten it out. But if you have finer hair and are looking to add tons of body, this is the way!)

Electric Women Honeybee Sunglasses: Electric makes my absolute favorite sunglasses. The styles are super chic, and I find them pretty much indestructible. (Knock on wood: I've never ruined a pair!) I also own a pair of black Crashers and gray Encelias--both of which I also love--but this unique, golden-y pair is my absolute favorite, and the best part: They're on sale, big time!

J.Crew Factory Moccasin Slippers: I've owned these slippers for a couple years now and they are the comfiest! (And SUCH a good deal. They look and feel waaaay pricier.) I also love that they are substantial enough to wear outside if you need to grab mail, etc. After tons of wear, one of mine finally broke a few days back, but I've already ordered a new pair! (Was going to wait for Xmas, but didn't want to live weeks without them.) 

PJ Salvage Tie-Dye Sweats: Once it became clear we'd be quarantining again this winter, I invested in some more comfy clothes for home. One of my first purchases was this tie-dye lounge set, and I love, love, love it. The hoodie and pants are supremely comfy, and I adore the colors, which are pretty and kind of unexpected for tie-dye. I also like that it's super lounge-y, but not so pajama-like that you can't wear it outside to run errands or something. Grab it. You'll live in it! 

Sweater Weather candle: If loving this seasonal scent from Bath & Body Works makes me basic, so be it. It smells SO good. Sweater Weather comes out in the fall for a limited time and I stock up every year. It's crisp, fresh, ever-so-slightly fruity (I promise, the fruit thing is VERY slight!), and just so, so good. The candles are amazing, but I also love the scent in body wash, hand soap, etc.

Happy shopping!

8 Awesome Toys You Can Still Get By Christmas

If you follow me on Instastories (and if you don't, uh, get on it!), you may know that we celebrated Christmas early this year. We're going to be out of town on the big day*, and there was just no way I could get all of our presents there and back. So we did a full Christmas this past weekend with my family, and then Santa will come while we're on vacation.

As a result, I got to see which toys my kids loved the most--and I'm sharing them here now. If you still need a last-minute gift for your little ones (or for a niece, nephew, etc), this is a good place to start. My kids loved all of these, and (as of writing this post!), they are all still available and able to get to you by Christmas. Hurry!

{clockwise from top left}

Poopsie Pooey Puitton Slime Surprise: Okay this is actually the only one that I haven't seen a reaction to yet. (Though I heard Santa might be bringing it. ;) My daughter desperately wanted this after spotting it on YouTube, though, so I'm confident she'll love it. It's a big, plastic poop-shaped homage to a Louis Vuitton bag (they must be thrilled, by the way), stuffed with all sorts of sparkles and mix-ins to create a bunch of different slimes. (There are also other goodies like a keychain.) It was sold out for a long time, but they have it at Walmart at least for right now. Run!

Moj Moj Squishy Toy Claw Machine: This is an actual working claw machine where you can "win" mystery eggs filled with assorted squishy toys. It was a gift for my daughter, but both kids are already obsessed with it. (In fact, my five-year-old son has gotten so good at it that I'm actually looking forward to having him try out his skills on a "real" claw machine now!) This has been one of the hottest toys of the season, so it's sold out most places online, but there are still a few sellers on Amazon who seem to have it!

Learning Resources Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab: I love this, because it's a fun, "boy" twist on all of those blind bags and surprise eggs that are usually geared towards girls. The lab comes with a few pods (you can buy lots of extras) that you place into the "reactor liquid" and then it bubbles and you see what creature you got. Each one also comes with experiments, which is a nice twist. My science- (and surprise-) loving son adored it.

Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit: This thing is awesome--and a very cool gift for Potter-obsessed kids. It works with an iPad and kids can build a wand and then teach it all sorts of spells. I love that it's a more active, educational version of screen time, and that it teaches coding. My daughter was thrilled when she unwrapped this. Can't wait to see her start to code!

iLoom Deluxe Starter Pack Digital Friendship Bracelet Loom: I was SO excited when I randomly stumbled on this on Amazon, and my daughter was equally blown away when she opened it up. It's a physical loom that you hook up to your iPad. The app then tells you exactly how to create very elaborate friendship bracelets and gives you step by step instructions as you go. The patterns are complicated, but the app makes them easy because it shows you where to put every string, as you do it. My daughter was making an elaborate chevron bracelet minutes after we set it up. 

Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven Baking Star Edition: I had one as a kid and loved it, but for whatevver reason, we never bought one for my daughter. So this year, we got it for my son. He loves to cook and has already had a lot of fun making cookies with it. I also love that the price is really right with this one. Under $35! (Funny story: This edition is mostly white with a little gold and magenta, so not super girly-looking. Still, my son unwrapped it, got super excited, and then pointed to the magenta design and said--genuinely perplexed--"Why is it pink?" His reaction was cute but also kind of sad. He loved it, but was honestly confused why, in his mind, it seemed to be geared towards girls. Anyway, he loves it. Great, classic gift for any kid.)

Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Rocket: Stomp Rockets have long been my go-to birthday gift for little boys. They love them, and they're not super pricey. I recently found this glow-in-the-dark version, and gave it to one of my son's friends. He was jealous, so I got him a set for Christmas this year. He's excited to use it.

Little Live Scruff a Luv Mystery Rescue Pet: One of the hottest toys of the season, this is a gift that is, again, probably intended for girls (pink packaging, etc), but there's really no reason boys can't play with it. This year, it was one of the top things my son was asking for. It's a cute concept: You "rescue" a sad looking ball of fur that you then have to wash and groom in order to find out what animal (cat, dog, or bunny) it actually is. Then, you dry it off and it becomes your stuffed animal. My parents bought him the blue one, and he had a lot of fun washing it in a bowl of water, and was thrilled when he learned it was a bunny. (I'm actually shocked this one is totally still in stock, because again, it was one of the biggest launches of the year, but it's there--at least for now!)

Do you guys have your shopping done yet? That is probably the biggest advantage of having "early Christmas"--I'm totally done now! (And if you need any more last-minute gift ideas, check out my favorite-things gift guide with great gifts for her, and my beauty gift guide!)

Have a wonderful holiday!

*I know it's a total internet no-no to say you're going to be out of town, but since my dog (who does NOT take kindly to strangers coming into his domain, to say the least) and my actual dog walker are staying in our house while we're away, I feel okay about it. ;)

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This Is My Go-To Teacher Gift For The Holidays

 
Around this time of year, most of us are frantically buying presents for a ton of different people. And if you're a parent, that list includes teachers. And for whatever reason, teacher gifts can be easy to forget. (Maybe because you have to give them a little early?) I used to get all the way to the day before winter break and realize I had forgotten to pick something up as I was getting the kids ready for school. I'd frantically write out a note, haul the kids to a local store to buy a gift card, and then assemble it all right before walking into school. And I mean, that's..fine. But ideally, I want to put a little more thought into it! So, now I do by having a go-to gift ready. It makes the process so much easier--and the teachers love it!

For each teacher, I now typically do a combo holiday present of a little beauty gift set and then also a small gift card. (And for the gift card, I almost always do Starbucks.) The beauty part is the fun, indulgent, pampering part (everyone loves a beauty gift). The coffee card is almost a necessity. I know from experience that taking care of kids--at least mine--requires a healthy dose of caffeine. ;)

Then, I wrap them up with a pretty bow, write a heartfelt card, and boom--I'm done. Everyone is happy. (And a little bit prettier and a lot more awake!)






This year, I ended up grabbing my gifts at BJ's Wholesale Club, where they had tons of great, affordable options, not just for teachers, but for everyone on your list. While there, I grabbed an adorable gift set from Soho with four makeup brushes and a super cute tumbler. (This would also be amazing present for a teen, a niece, a babysitter, etc.) I also bought a pack of eight Burt's Bees lip balms, because please show me someone who does not love--and need--lip balm. (They even have Starbucks gift cards at BJ's! Just saying...)

Other great, affordable options that I noticed (all under $20!): a four-piece set of Soho cosmetic bags, an Axe men's set, and a Paw Patrol bath set that my son would love. (And yes, I may have stealthily placed some of my favorites under an in-store Christmas tree display! #diditforthegram)

What are you guys doing for teacher's gifts this year?

Thank you to BJ's for partnering with me on this post. Hey BJ's members: You can get FREE same-day delivery this month with code BJSHOLIDAY. Enjoy! If you're not a member, click here to join.

Gift Guide: The 17 Best Beauty Gifts

Beauty has been my job for the past decade-plus, so asking me to choose my favorite beauty gift is kind of like asking me to pick a favorite child. Especially because I literally saw hundreds of them this year! (Beauty gifts, not children...!) So, I narrowed it down to 17, which I still consider quite a feat. I really, really love the options here--and I know you will, too. Here, my favorite makeup, hair, skincare, fragrance, and candle gifts of the year. 

Sephora Favorites Beauty Unmasked: Face masks are sort of the perfect gift. They're indulgent, but also kind of practical at the same time. There are about 2 zillion different face mask gifts out there these days, but I love this set because it includes seven different masks from seven different brands like Fresh, Glamglow, Origins, and Boscia that are all best-sellers in Sephora. Fun way to try out a bunch of different products!

Sephora Collection Midnight Wishes Eyeshadow Palette: This was one of my favorite items at the Sephora holiday event and I can't even pinpoint exactly why. Maybe it's because the packaging is so pretty. Maybe it's because it comes with 16 gorgeous and--and this is key--wearable eyeshadow shades. Or maybe it's because of the price. It was a good deal when I first saw it at $24, but now it is inexplicably on sale for $16, which makes it an insanely good deal. Grab it!

Nars Hot Tryst Cheek Palette: Nars makes my favorite blushes, and this kit has four of them, plus two pretty highlighters. But let's get real: I really love this for the way it looks. (Superficial, I know.) I absolutely die for that studded case and that amazing embossed pattern on the blushes themselves. The whole thing is so rocker-ish and cool. Also love this version with red studs!

Dyson Blown-A-Ouai Noir Set: If you (or your giftee) has been eyeing this amazing blowdryer that everyone's obsessed with, now is the time to buy it. With this set, you get the dryer, plus a bonus of four cult-favorite Ouai products for free.

Nails Inc Paint Your Nails Happy Set: Nails Inc makes amazing nail polish, and with this set you get four bold and pretty-darn-awesome shades. Also, hello--who wouldn't immediately smile upon seeing this cheery rainbow packaging?!

Krisin Ess Dry Shampoo and French Hair Pin Set: For the woman who frequently rocks second-day hair, I love this duo. The set includes a great dry shampoo, and a super chic oversized gold hairpin. Her messy bun will have never looked better. 

Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum Spray: I feel like everybody has had a Chanel No. 5 moment in their life--either they've worn it, they still wear it, or they've dreamed of wearing it. For me, it came back in high school. Fashion and supermodel-obsessed, Chanel seemed like the pinnacle of luxury to me, so I was thrilled when I bought a small bottle of No. 5. I felt so fancy. This new, limited-edition bottle makes me want to live that moment again. I love the deep red glass. It's jewel-like and even a little bit subversive. It's like a big gorgeous ruby and I love it so much. 

Rebels Refinery Skull Lip Balm: A lip balm shaped like a skull. Such a cool stocking stuffer.

White Barn Fresh Balsam Candle: Show me someone who says they don't love candles, and I'll show you a liar. Everybody loves candles. This one is one of my all-time favorites, because it smells exactly like a Christmas tree, but the subtle white-and-sky-blue packaging doesn't look cheesy or overly "Holiday." 

Kiehl's Creme de Corps: One of the all-time best body creams all dressed up in the brightest, cutest holiday packaging.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix By The Dozen: Any makeup-loving woman (especially teens and especially anyone who logs hours watching Fenty YouTube tutorials) will go nuts for this collection. She'll get 12 shimmer sticks that will add color or shine to her lips, lids, and cheeks. 

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe Collection: Super luxe, not cheap, but oh so freaking fabulous, this box of drawers reveals 12 Charlotte Tilbury favorites--some full-size, some deluxe minis. You'll get Magic Cream, Wonderglow, Supermodel Body, lipsticks, mascara, and more. 

Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer: Yes, everyone loves the Dyson (and it's awesome), but this is the blowdryer I personally use, and I adore it. It's super high-powered, and since I've started using it, my hair looks way better (shinier, less frizzy) and takes much less time to dry. It's certainly not inexpensive, but even at its normal, full price of $250, that's $150 less than the Dyson. And right now, it's actually on sale at Target for $199! (FYI: If it sells out there, it's also sold here at full price.)

Burt's Bees Personalized Lip Balm: How cute is this? You can customize Burt's Bees awesome lip balms online by choosing the flavor (there are seven choices including Cucumber Mint, Vanilla Bean, and Strawberry) and then printing any name on the label. Such a good stocking stuffer for literally anyone. (And would also make great wedding favors!)

Sephora Favorites Lash Stash: I can't think of one woman who wouldn't love this. It comes with ten different best-selling mascara formulas (eight deluxe minis and two full-sized tubes) and includes some of my favorites such as Benefit Bad Gal Bang, Too Faced Better Than Sex, Dior Dior Show, and more.


Voluspa Pedestal Warm Tones Candle Gift Set: Again: Everybody. Loves. Candles. Especially pretty ones. This set has four fragrant candles, each housed in a beautiful jar that looks like colorful antique Mercury glass.

Le Labo The Discovery Set: This is the ultimate cool-girl fragrance company. (Seriously. All the cool girls smell like Santal 33. Prove me wrong.) With this set, you get a mini of every scent they sell. Kind of the ultimate (and definitely the coolest) fragrance wardrobe ever. 

That's it! Which one is your favorite?!

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Gift Guide: Alyssa's Favorite Things

Oprah's "Favorite Things" show was always one of my favorite episodes of television. And the "Favorite Things" issue of O magazine is one of the only magazines I actually still buy. Well, I also have a few favorite things of my own, and while I'm not saying I'm Oprah (!), I would like to share them with you! Here, a few of my absolute favorite finds (I personally own, use, and love all of them). Send this link to your significant other or generous parent, or buy some of these things for your BFF, mom, or maybe even, yourself.

Michele's Granola: I love granola, but I can't stand storebought granola. It's either too sugary or just ehh--never as good as homemade or as what you find at a restaurant. But since I don't have the time or patience to regularly make the homemade stuff, I was thrilled a few years back when I found Michele's Granola, which, I swear, is just as good as homemade. Not too sweet, and so, so yummy and fresh. I order it in three-packs on Amazon and it disappears in a flash. (Note: All of the flavors are really good--and actually not wildly different from each other--but my absolute favorites are Cinnamon Raisin and Original.)

Jennie Kwon Designs opal ring: Jennie Kwon's rings are so gorgeous! They're delicate, and justso interesting and special. My daughter picked out an opal ring (verrrry similar to the one shown above) for my husband to buy me for Mother's Day a few years and I wear it all the time. These rings aren't cheap, but they're very classic and well-made. You'll have it--and love it--forever!

Chloe Mini Marcie Crossbody bag: I was given the tan version of this a few years back, and ever since, it has become my everyday purse, even though I used to be a "big bag" kind of girl. It's tiny so it's great for days when you don't want to be laid down (shopping in the city, an amusement park, a concert, etc), but it's still deceptively roomy and holds way more than you'd think. Mine is almost always stuffed with a small wallet, a phone charger, an external battery, three lipsticks, my phone, my keys, and a few other little odds and ends. I get so much use out of it that I really want another one now. Maybe Santa will bring me this gorgeous gray version?

This Will Only Hurt A Little by Busy Philipps: I've mentioned this book before, but I absolutely love it. I'm a huge fan of Busy's InstaStories and this was basically like a bunch of long Stories strung together (but not in a "random" way!). Very funny, very moving, and lots of juicy, insider-y Hollywood info. Also, for the first time ever (!), I actually did the audiobook version of this, which I highly recommend.

Keurig K-Cafe Coffee, Cappucino, and Latte Maker: This has to be my #1 favorite thing that I bought in all of 2018. I had a one-to-two-Starbucks-lattes-a-day habit, and now I'm down to one or two a week. They've been replaced thanks to this machine, which makes lattes that I truly think taste exactly like my beloved Starbucks. And it's simpleto use! It takes three minutes to froth the milk/brew the K-cup, and you end up with the creamiest, foamiest, most amazing latte or cappucino (hot or iced) you've ever had. I'm obsessed. (P.S.: The best K-Cups I've found for making lattes are these from Target.)

MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote: I was given this a few years back and it's become my absolute favorite bag to travel with. I love it as an airplane carry-on, because it holds a ton and the bag itself is extremely lightweight. I've also used mine as an overnight bag and even a gym bag. It comes in about a jillion colors, and I actually own three of them now: this blue/black camo, a black, and a gray. Bonus: Today only you can get a free surprise gift with the purchase of any bag. Use code CYBERMONDAY.

Clark's Botanicals Retinol Rescue Eye Serum: I love this eye cream. It's the only one I've ever used that led to a noticeable softening of the lines around my eyes (and pretty quickly, too!). It has this cool cold-to-the-touch applicator that helps, I think. And the formula itself acts almost like a primer to smooth out your lines. It's great under makeup. And though I can sometimes be sensitive to retinol (especially around my eyes), I've never had any issues with this one.

Nike Lunarepic Flyknit Sneaker: I've had these sneakers for a year or two now, and I wear them constantly. They are beyond comfortablee; when you wear them, you feel like you're walking on clouds! I think this exact style may be discontinued (wahh!), but I found a treasure trove of them on Amazon. I think I want another pair of the black in case my current ones ever give out. And I'm loving that gray/rainbow one, too.

Athleta Luxe Victory Hoodie: Two years ago, I received an Athleta Luxe hoodie as a gift, and it's pretty much allll I want to wear in the winter. It's lined in faux fur, so it's super cozy--nothing's better for the long walk to the gym or to school pick up. And it's cute! Regular sweatshirts just don't cut it after you've tried this one. Bonus: You can get 20% off today only with code BOOST.

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan: I got this for Christmas last year and I have been obsessssed ever since. It's like wearing your softest, comfiest robe all day long, only it has a nice shape to it too, so it's actually cute and not at all schlubby. I wear it with jeans and a tank or tee during the day, and sometimes I even just wear it around the house as a cozy layer. Now I want another one! I already own it in a light gray; I'd love this deeper gray or maybe a black next. 

J.Crew Mockneck sweater: I bought two of these (baby blue and light gray) a few weeks back when J.Crew had a sale, and I've barely taken them off since. They are so soft, so warm, and so cozy. Love! Bonus: You can get 50% off (!) today only with code CYBER.

Stojo Biggie Collapsible Cup: Although I try to make most of my lattes at home now, when I do buy one when I'm out, I have it poured into this genius cup. A few months back, I was stressing at how many disposable cups I was going through each week, so I was searching for a solution. I just didn't love the idea of toting around a giant cup with me all the time. Enter this genius little cup. It's collapsible!! The entire thing folds into itself so that it's a little disc (about four inches across and one inch deep). When you get to the register, you just unfold it and hand it to the barista (who will inevitably coo about how awesome and adorable it is). It holds a grande size drink and can handle hot or cold drinks (it even comes with its own reusable straw). I have the blush pink and white, but there are tons of good colors. (The solid black one is so chic!) 

Happy shopping!

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Holiday Gift Guide: The 12 Best Beauty Gifts

1. Sephora sponge set // 2. Fresh lip set // 3. Elizabeth & James fragrance set // 4. Sephora palette // 5. Urban Decay Naked set // 6. Real Techniques sponge Set // 7. Peter Thomas Roth face mask set // 8. Drunk Elephant set // 9. Too Faced palette // 10. Pinrose fragrance twirler // 11. Diptyque candle set // 12. Ouai x Dyson set

Who doesn't love a beauty gift for the holidays? And there are so many good ones this year! I've spent the last few months attending holiday preview after holiday preview--so I've seen a ton--and these are my 12 favorites. Well, they're 12 of my favorites. I couldn't narrow it down, so I'll be doing a part two of the beauty gift guide soon!

For now, here's some fun ideas for your sister, your BFF, or (let's be honest) yourself. Enjoy!

1. Sephora Fox In The Box Sponge Set, $18. I practically cooed when I saw this at the Sephora holiday event. It's three makeup sponges in an adorable little fox box. CUTE OVERLOAD.

2. Fresh Sugar Lip Lovelies Set, $26. Fresh always has such awesome holiday gifts. I loved this one because I'm obsessed with the Sugar products (this one has a lip scrub, a lip balm, and a tinted balm), and I love the pretty Christmas-cracker packaging.

3. Elizabeth & James A Little Bit of Nirvana set, $48. Somewhat surprisingly, Mary Kate and Ashley really know how to make a fragrance! Here you get four minis--one of each of their Nirvana scents. My favorite is Nirvana Black. It's so sexy!

4. Sephora Into The Stars Palette, $49.50. I'm such a sucker for the massive makeup palettes that Sephora comes out with each year. This year's is really good! It has 130 different shades for eyes, lips, and cheeks--and costs less than $50.

5. Urban Decay Naked 4Some Set, $185. The Urban Decay Naked 3 eyeshadow palette--full of gorgeous rosy, super flattering colors--is my all-time favorite palette. But they are seriously all amazing.  In this set, you get full-sized versions of all four palettes. (And it's a deal! If you bought them separately, you'd pay $216.) *FYI: If you just want the #3 palette that I love, you can find it here.

6. Real Techniques Ultimate Sponge Set, $50. Any beauty girl loves a brand new (clean!) sponge for her foundation. This set comes with 12 different versions, so she'll always have a fresh one.

7. Peter Thomas Roth Meet Your Mask Samplet Kit, $25. Peter Thomas Roth masks are legendary, (Rose Stem Cell is my fave), and this kit has six different minis, so you can try them all.

8. Drunk Elephant A Skin Story Vol 1: Hot Date, $99. Such a good gift for anyone who is into clean, more natural, but still really, really effective skincare. (Or really, anyone who just wants to have great skin! I'm not exclusive to natural skincare, by any means, but I love this brand.) The set comes with four cult products: T.L.C Frambroos Glycolic Night Serum, Beste Jelly Cleanser, Lala Retro Whipped Cream, and Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil.

9. Too Faced Pretty Little Planner, $42. There's 15 eyeshadows (ranging from brights to neutrals), a Better Than Sex mascara (really good!), and an actual agenda with stickers, all tucked into the cutest little case. It's a $198 value for less than $50. 

10. Pinrose Twirl Whirl Rollerball Trio, $24. You get three perfume rollerballs in what is perhaps the happiest, silliest, most awesome packaging of all time.

11. Diptyque 3 Candles Holiday Gift Set, $210. Yes, it's super pricey. But the candles smell amazing, and they're sooo cool-looking. (Love the black and gold designs with the pops of color on the interior!)

12. Ouai and Dyson Blown-A-Ouai Set, $399. Ugh. This is SO good. I want it for myself! You get a bunch of awesome luxe hair products from hairstylist Jen Atkin's cool-girl line Ouai, plus THE hot blowdryer from Dyson that every pro stylist uses now. (And since the Dyson dryer usually costs $399 on its own, you are getting all of the products, plus a sleek carrying case, for FREE!)

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Gift Guide: My Holiday Wish List

leggings // blowdryer // sneakers // antelope-print bag // hair elastics // ring // necklace // Beautyblender set // book // makeup-palette clutch // malachite tray // snow boots

I'm at the point in my life, when I really don't need much. But it's still fun to look and dream, right? From beauty essentials to the coolest-ever boots, these are a few of the things I would love to see under my tree this year. 

{top row}

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings - I've wanted these forever. They're so flattering and so comfy--and (obviously) much cheaper than real leather. And the wine color (my favorite!) is on sale now right here.

Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer - It's so expensive for a dryer, but everyone I've talked to is obsessed. Supposedly, it cuts down your blowdrying time significantly and it weighs practically nothing.

Vans Classic Slip-Ons - They're shearling-lined! Would be so cozy for winter.

Barrington The Savannah Zippered Tote - I love me a good antelope print. 

{middle row}

David Yurman Green Onyx Ring - Like a subversive little jeweled gumball, it's a total luxury, total fantasy gift. But so gorg, right?

Ban.do Fantastic Elastics - I'm forever in need of hair elastics and I love the pink and gold color scheme here!

Lulu Frost Proxima Tassel Necklace - I wear my gold Lulu Frost tassel necklace to an almost embarrassingly-frequent degree. This one would be great for silver-jewelry days.

Beautyblender Fab.Five Set - I am obsessed with my Beautyblender, but I am in dire need of a new one. This set comes with five full-size blenders--one in every color. (Also love this set with one Beautyblender and a mini solid cleanser.) 

{bottom row}

18 and Life On Skid Row - I loved the band Skid Row--and its lead singer Sebastian Bach, in particular--as a teenager. In fact, that's actually a major understatement. I was obsessed. Now, he's out with a new biography and I'm dying to read about all the crazy backstage stuff you just know they did back then. It even comes with a poster! Be still my teenage heart...

Kate Spade Makeup Palette Clutch - Omg! A clutch that looks like an eyeshadow palette! This is the cutest!! Best part: It's currently on sale, plus you can get an extra 30% off with code SPRINKLES. (Also love this one, which is less expensive and also on sale...)

L'Objet Malachite Tray - I'd love to put this pretty piece in my (newly redesigned!) entryway.

Sorel Joan of Arc Leather Snow Boots - Hands down, these are the chicest snow boots I have ever seen. That gold hardware!! (h/t Girls of a Certain Age for this one)

What's on your holiday list this year? And what's your favorite item here? I'd love to know!

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The Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids (That You Can STILL Get In Time!)

Shopkins socks // Matchbox cars // tights // Shopkins ornament // Star Wars ornament // Mickey Band-Aids // brick silverware // Beanie Boo // Spiderman // superhero underwear // Goody elastics // Whiffer Sniffer sno-cone and banana // Lip Smackers // crazy straws // Trolls blind bag

Okay, slackers, I'm talking to you today. (And believe me: I include myself in this group!) If you still need to buy stocking stuffers for your kids, I've got you covered. Pretty much everything below will get here by Christmas for free. (Target has free two-day delivery if you order by 12/21. And then, of course, Amazon has two-day shipping with Prime.) 

I also tried to include a mix of items that are practical-but-fun and just plain fun, which is what I do with my own kids' stockings. (Personally, I am not into putting totally useless junk into stockings that will just get thrown away.)

Happy shopping!

1) Socks - I got my son this Spiderman set. There's also Trolls, Harry Potter, and more.

2) Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars - I got my son this set. I'm planning to open the package, put two or three in his stocking, and then save the others for future gifts or plane trips!

3) Tights - Cat & Jack (Target's new-ish kids brand) has great ones. I got my daughter this LOL pair and this smiley face pair.

4) Ornaments - Each Christmas, I get each of my kids an ornament based on something they're really into that year. I figure it will be fun to look back on these as they get older! (It's also an easy stocking stuffer!) So here's some ideas if your kids are into Star Wars, Shopkins, Spiderman, or Disney princesses.

5) Band-Aids - I never seem to have enough Band-Aids in the house--and my kids get super bummed over a plain one. Go get a few cute ones! There's Mickey, Monster High, Star Wars, and so much more. (These look like strips of bacon!)

6) Cute silverware - Fun flatware is such a simple little thing, but it makes meal time more fun and they get really excited about it! Here's some cute pairs with Star Wars, Minnie Mouse, and Minions. My favorite is probably this Lego set--it's really cute. (This one, too!)

7) Mini stuffed animals - Cuddly, cute, and always welcome. Beanie Boos are huge with boys and girls; my son is getting this round Spiderman.

8) Underwear - My son actually asked for new underwear this year! He's getting Thomas, but onviously there's zillions of other characters and designs out there. And a multi-pack is pretty cheap.

9) Hair elastics - Useful and fun. And they don't have to be expensive. Just grab a pack of colorful elastics from Target or Amazon. My go-to brands are Goody and Scunci.

10) Whiffer Sniffers - Both of my kids are so into these now. They are cute little plush food-shaped characters that smell like whatever they look like. (So cookie, banana, snow cone, etc.) Kids clip them on their backpacks and they are all the rage right now! 

11) Lip balm - Little kids love it--and they need it, too. The flavored ones are super fun. For kids, I love Lip Smackers or Pucker Pops. 

12) Crazy straws - Always fun!

13) Blind bags - These are little mystery bags that have a single toy inside. You know the type of toy that it will be (i.e. Splashlings, Trolls, Playmobil), but you don't know the specific one until you open it up. Kids love the surprise. These cute Shopkins blind "bags" are shaped like ornaments.

For more stocking stuffer ideas, check out last year's post on stocking stuffers for kids--that aren't a bunch of junk! And then, don't miss my other 2016 gift guides featuring the best toys, beauty gifts, gifts under $50, gifts for girls, and gifts for boys. 

Gift Guide: The Best Gifts for Little Boys

Yes, I'm doing a little gender stereotyping here, but I can't help it--I'm going by what my little guy likes. (And he likes many different things! Case in point: This year, in addition to cars and space books, he actually asked for a tea set...! Santa is bringing him this one, FYI.) So, as you're shopping, here's some fun stuff that moves, fixes, or explores for your little dude. (Or little girl! I bet, she'll love a lot of this stuff, too.) 

{top row}

Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit - Again, no, this does not have to be just for boys. (My daughter loves it, too!) But it just happens to be one of my go-to birthday gifts for boys. It's good for ages 5 and up (but will interest kids as old as 12 or so), and uses common household items for the experiments, so it's not like you have to throw it away when the ingredients run out.

Bob the Builder RC Super Scoop - Your little guy can use the remote to make him go, dig, stand up, and do other fun things. You don't usually see remote-control toys that aren't race cars, so this is kind of fun and different.

Intelex Hooty Owl Warmer - This little stuffed animal is filled with calming lavender. You can warm him in the microwave to keep your kid cozy at night and help him fall asleep or insert a cold pack to soothe ouchies. (Also comes in purple!)

PlayTape Classic Roads Series - It's a roll of tape that looks like a street! So smart. Just run it down a hallway, through a bedroom, in a hotel room, wherever, and you've got an instant race track to play on. It would make a fun stocking stuffer. Or give it to a kid in a gift bag with a few Hot Wheels cars and boom--you're done.

{middle row}

Hannah Andersson Star Wars Holiday Pajamas - Star Wars characters as ornaments on comfy two-piece pjs. Too cute!

Black & Decker Jr. Mega Tools Kit - This is another go-to birthday gift for me. Little boys love it. Last time we gave it to someone, my three-year-old saw it and cried because he wanted to keep it. So they'll be one under the tree for him this year.

{bottom row}

Thomas and Friends 3-Piece Adventure Kit - This set is brilliant in its simplicity. You get a flashlight, a camera, and binoculars--all stuff that little kids love to play with--all emblazoned with their favorite character and all for just $20. So. Smart. (Even better: The same set comes in tons of other characters, too. There's Batman (and weirdly that one's only $10!), Frozen, Spider-Man, and many more.)

Bug's World Real Insects Collection - My curious little boy it going to love this one. It has ten real insects encased in lucite, plus a magnifying glass to check them out up close.

Step2 Hot Wheels Extreme Thrill Coaster - Hard to tell in the photo above, but this is big. As in, you'd better have a yard for this one! There's a ride-on car and then there's a structure with a (very tame) roller coaster-like drop. Please don't tell my kids that this exists. (Note: The Hot Wheels one is the new, slightly souped-up version. This is the previous one that is basically the same thing--but it's over $100 cheaper!)

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