Gift Gorgeously | A Beauty Lover’s Guide

WhatIWore: I’m a sucker for a great gift set. I love the chance to try out a new selection of products and they make for wonderful gifts for others. And don’t tell anyone on my list but sometimes I split them up as little package decorations or stocking stuffers too! Plus things in miniature are just so. much. fun!

For this gift guide, I’m pointing you to my post sponsor Ulta Beauty and their #giftgorgeously selections. I picked these sets from their holiday gift guide at ulta.com/gifts under the Beauty Superfan personality (i.e. “for the gal who believes life is too short for one just lipstick!”)

Featured above: 

Urban Decay NAKED Basics Palette - I’m recommending this set because I’ve used the NAKED palettes for a long time and they’re perfect for the kind of gal that likes to play up her eyes but isn’t going to be wearing bright blue or purple eye shadow. Multiple tones make for great highlighting and adding depth. My sister will love this in her stocking! 

Bare Minerals Love at First Kiss Lipstick Set - If I could only pick one piece of makeup for my purse, it’s absolutely a lipstick. This set is showing sold out online, but try their Bare Minerals Lovely Lips Unlocked kit. Perfect for a bestie who loves to play with pops of color. 

IT Brushes for ULTA - Ever notice how professional makeup artists have dozens of brushes? I love having multiples for applying different shades of blush or eyeshadow. These are super soft and come in a nice case. Great for any woman that enjoys doing her makeup. 

Butter London Shadow Clutch Palette - Here’s another set of neutral shadows - this time with a little more shine - perfect for an evening out! The case is chic too! (Perfect for a niece or for a Secret Santa exchange) 

For part two of my post, I took a little field trip up the road to get some tips from the pros on how to apply everything.  I’ve been wearing the same simple black cat eyeliner for years and I need a push to try something new. I also asked for a little help with my brows, as I have a scar running through my right eyebrow, which I like to fill in.

I’d never been to the Greenwood Ulta Beauty location (it just opened this past September) and it was really bright and beautiful. The staff greeted me at the door and after a quick tour I started my brow consultation. I loved the experience (thanks Cassie!) so much that I think I’ll make it a semi regular part of my routine (it was an hour drive both ways, so not something I can manage all of time). I also really liked the products used, so much so that I bought both a Benefit Instant Brow pencil and the Benefit Gimme Brow gel to use at home. They were a splurge but I feel like a trillion dollars with my perfectly arched and filled in eyebrows!

Next I had a makeup application which turned me on to Lancome Grandiose Mascara. Again, a splurge but I felt so wide eyed after my makeup artist Amber applied it.

It was such a huge treat to get away for the morning and to be dolled up. Wouldn’t a makeup consultation be a fun gift for a women who needs some pampering? I would have loved something like this as a mom to a newborn when I had some serious dark circles and no clue how to make myself presentable! Big thanks to Ulta Beauty for making this day happen! 

Heads up! The product featured in this post, along with the salon services I experienced were gifts of Ulta Beauty. My instore purchases were with my own dime and I can whole heartedly recommend everything mentioned in this post!

Gift Guide | From the Husband

Today… a special gift guide (guarantee you haven’t seen this on any other fashion blogs!) from my main man Adam, otherwise known as the hardest person to buy gifts for ever! 

In his words: Here are some things I would like, if I was your man (but I’m not, so I can’t, then I won’t, but if I was your girl…(music emoji))

Sunglasses I lose or break sunglasses, a lot. I’ve come to accept this, and instead of shelling out $30 - $50 at a store for some made-in-China sunglasses, I go to the source. Almost all of these are $10 or less. About once a year I buy 3 or 4 pairs.

Door Lock Guys like installing things. Guys like their houses to be safe. These items combine those two desires perfectly. (another option here)

The Perfect Whiskey Glass - What can I say about this glass that I didn’t say last year. It’s the perfect whiskey glass, it’s reasonably priced, and it’s beautiful.

Laptop Cabinet - Mountthis in your home office and feel like you’re in a bunker in LOST. 

A Good Stool - I would suggest making a stool from scratch out of a single piece of wood, but if that is out of the question, get something sensible:

Forklift - Most guys secretly want one of these. They’re expensive, take up a lot of space, and you only need it once every two or three years at most. If you buy one of these, please let me know. It will make me happy. 

Cork tiles for office - This is better than paint for finishing office walls:

Klein Tools Retractable Folding Utility Knife - No house should be without a utility knife, and this one is the best.

Magnets - Beautiful and strange, magical magnets. How do they work? Nobody knows (especially Juggalos), but they make a great stocking stuffer.

Cologne Samples - I read something this year about how we pay so little attention to smell, but how important it is to us. Scent is directly connected to the memory center of your brain. I bought ten of these sample-sized scents earlier this year, and wore a different scent every few days for several weeks. I ended up really loving two of them, and bought slightly larger versions of them (Hemingway 1899 and Juniper Sling). Fun gift. (Jessica’s Note: Adam smells amazing)

Lodge Cast Iron Cookwear - Last year I recommended a teflon coated omelette pan. I read a few things this year that scared me about Teflon, and after some consideration I changed out all our pans for either stainless steel or cast iron. Lodge is made in the US and pretty much the best, most affordable cook wear you can buy if you’re looking for cast iron. 

Socks - Merino wool socks, made in the US 

Thanks Adam. You’re weird and wonderful. 

Gift Guide | Outdoorsy Type

WhatIWore: Know someone who loves nothing more than camping out and sitting ‘round the fire? These gift ideas span from stocking stuffers to bigger splurges and could work for a guy or gal! 

Pocket Outdoor Survival Guide - a cute little stocking stuffer with loads of tips and tricks for spending time in the great outdoors.

Firestarter - I’ve got a huge respect for those who can start a fire with minimal matches or any fuel! 

State or National Park Pass - Annual passes start anew January 1, which make Christmas the perfect time to give one as a gift! 

High Quality Sleeping Bag - This one falls into the splurge category, so best for an avid camper that could use an update. Also - check out this double sleeper! Cozy! 

Waterproof Outdoor Blanket - I’m such a sucker for red and black plaid and this one looks extra snuggly.  

Dutch Oven - Every fall my family makes a huge batch of chilli in a similar pot over the fire. This is the kind of gift someone might not buy for themselves, but would be a wonderful gift for an outdoorsy chef! 

Enamelware Coffee Pot - Honestly, I just want this for my own campsite! I love drinking coffee outside in the cold! (I like these enamelware mugs too)

Cute First Aid Kit - I like things that are ka-yoot. That’s ‘cute’ drawn out into a squeal. Of course a basic drug store variety is good to have on hand, but this one has a retro, old school appeal.

Other fun suggestions:

Day Hiker’s Backpack filled with packaged granola bars, jerky or dried fruit, a disposable camera, a mini bug spray, a new water bottle and map of a park they might enjoy.

Camp Side Kit with a deck of cards, a flask full of bourbon, a notebook and pen (we love Field Notes!), a fancy bar of chocolate, hand warmers and a cozy knitted hat. 

Camp Shower Mini Set - Some folks might shiver at the thought of communal camp showers, but when you’ve been hiking and camping days on end, they can feel like the biggest luxury! Make it even more special by making a little set of things like mini shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, nice soap (like the handmade kind you buy at farmer’s markets), a pair of flip flops and a package of cleansing wipes (I like the Burt’s Bees grapefruit scented ones!) all in a zippered bag that’s easy to pack. 

Gift Guide | Knit Wit

WhatIWore: In addition to baking, I’m also really into knitting these days! While it may look complicated (and certainly can be), it’s a really zen way to spend the cold weather months. I could knit for hours on end! If you know someone that might like to take up knitting there are a lot of budget friendly items he or she could enjoy!

1. Pretty Yarn! There are endless options of beautiful yarn out there! For a new knitter I think a worsted weight (that pairs well with size 6-8 needles) would be a great gift! I could link up to a million sites online, by why not visit your locally owned yarn store? I’m really loving Malabrigo yarns right! 

2. Set of Knitting Needles - If your knitter likes making hats or sweaters, she’ll appreciate round knitting needles and double points (in the same size). 

One of my best investments for my knitting kit has been a set of interchangable knitting round knitting needles in 24-32″ lengths.  Every knitter will have her own preference, but I really like these bamboo needles the best. They’ve got enough grip but still let the yarn flow smoothly as you knit. On loftier yarns, I’ve really enjoyed my turbo needles (not cheap but makes for a nice present). 

This is a good one to get a gift receipt for, just incase you’ve doubled something she already has in her stash.

3. Knitting Notions -  New knitters will benefit from gadgets like a counter, gauge ruler, and markers. 

4. Etsy Gift Card - There are a lot of beautiful patterns available online (here’s the one I designed!) and especially etsy. A small gift card ($10-15) would cover a few of them for your recipient to pick out! 

5. VOGUEknitting Subscription - This is one I’m asking for myself! Each issue has around 20 patterns and a lot of them are super trend forward and modern. I’ve made everything from sweaters to hats and I’ll keep each issue on my bookshelf for future project inspiration! 

6. Knitting Reference Books - I’ve been playing around with making my own patterns and have used my Cables and Arans book a lot! I’d also love something on Fair Isle knitting. And while it’s not the newest book on the shelf, this reference text is my go-to for quick help. 

7. Pom Pom Maker - Sure, you can make pom poms without it, but I’ve found this tool to be so handy! I’m putting pom poms on everything lately!