Though many of you may have your gifts already picked out, some of us are still struggling to find the perfect gift for someone on our list. Maybe she's the woman who has everything and wants for nothing — and yet will playfully expect a lovely gift. Or maybe it's the girl whose life is so effortless and down to earth that even material things just don't cut it. Whoever it is, a tried-and-true gift I always turn to is beauty. From lipsticks to balms to hair products to skincare, beauty is something almost any girl can get excited over, especially as gifts. Beauty products are often small and always thoughtful — I love how much consideration goes into even the tiniest pot of eyeshadow. Does this match her personality? Will she wear it often or for special occasions? Does this color scream her?
Beauty can be tricky, sometimes, but with these picks below you'll be pleasing every last girl on your list. Happy shopping!
Stocking stuffers should be considered an art. Or maybe a sport? Either way, the smaller gifts that hang across the mantlepiece are often my favorite things to open on Christmas morning. They usually have an extra personal touch, offer something fun and meaningful, and can be immediately be put to good use. I remember waking up on Christmas Day, charging downstairs, and immediately grabbing all stockings and surrounding myself with their contents.
When I was little, stocking stuffers would include practical gifts like face wash and body lotion, delicious treats like chocolate and teriyaki turkey jerky (my favorite snack, haha!), and any other little knick knacks that were honestly probably just too small to wrap such as any custom photo keychains my parents got for us. Whether it was socks or a hot cocoa mix I'd been craving, I always loved whatever was in the stockings. Now that I'm a bit older, though, I see stocking stuffers as an opportunity for the most heartfelt of gifts. Maybe a little bit more expensive than a Hershey's bar, but still reasonable enough to be able to include enough gifts to fill the stocking. I'm thinking something like this gorgeous Nixon watch that Krystal wears here - functional, sensible, but beautiful and unique. I gave my boyfriend a watch for Christmas a few years ago, and it's still one of his most treasured pieces. Currently, I'm debating gifting myself a Nixon watch (I love this tortoiseshell one), and maybe even one or two for my closest girlfriends.
I love finding little gifts that are both necessary and cute, like this Moscow mule mug (my drink of choice!) or these gorgeous zodiac journals. Check out more of my favorite stocking stuffer picks below.
Earlier this year, you may recall I partnered with The Shops at Columbus Circle team to share some of my favorite fall trends and where to find them in The Shops. Today, I'm so excited to bring you my next installment, a behind the scenes look at the making of their holiday gift guides.
When it comes to holiday shopping, I'm a one and done kind of gal, which usually works against me most years, since I'm also a wait until the last minute kind of gal. While I may have an unhealthy relationship with my Prime membership (guilty as charged), there's nothing quite like shopping around a bustling shopping center, right after Thanksgiving, once the decorations go up, Bing Crosby starts crooning overhead and every once and a while, you catch a glimpse of a man in a red suit breezing by. In fact, there's something quite nostalgic about that, right? I remember as a little girl, every year right after Thanksgiving passed, I'd head down to our local shopping center with my mom and dad to shop around, listen to carolers and oggle all the decorations in the windows and on the trees. Hot chocolate was practically mandatory as you snuck away with your shopping list, so no one knew what you were getting for them. It was all too easy to get caught up in the magic of the season.
And this is a huge reason why I love The Shops at Columbus Circle so much -- especially in a city like New York, which is already brimming with the magic of the season (side PSA note: you need to check out their Holiday Under the Stars installation -- it's breathtaking). As a New Yorker, it's easy to get overwhelmed with holiday shopping that can seemingly leave you trekking all over the city -- uptown to downtown, to Brooklyn and back. Since I'm a self-proclaimed one and done kind of gal though, I'm a huge fan of the breadth of stores at The Shops, which means I can pick up pretty much everything for everyone on my list, from the gourmand to the beauty lover, from mom to dad, from best girlfriends to the hard to shop for boyfriend. Here's a rundown of my holiday gift guide, all of which you can find over at The Shops! Plus, don't forget to check out my gift guide video right this way.
For the foodie: Williams Sonoma is just one of those stores you need to walk into, am I right? Practically every time, I do, I discover something new -- whether it's a gadget for a new in-store offering (like their cooking demonstrations!). This time around, all of rosegold accents caught my eye while I was in store and I think anything from their full copper cookware collection would be a beautiful gift for the person who loves to entertain!
For the music lover: While walking around The Shops the other day, I discovered a new wireless speaker brand -- Devialet. They have a fully equipped, sound booth right there on the 3rd floor, so you can experience each speaker to its full potential, which then got me thinking about certain discerning music fans on my list. The sound capabilities are breathtaking, and while yours truly might get evicted if she blasted one even just at 30%, I think it would also be incredible for surround sound at home movie or TV show binge watching.
For the beauty buff: MAC can be tricky for holiday shopping, mainly because I always end up walking around with more than I intended for myself as well (I'm a Ruby Woo lip gal myself)! Come holiday time, I love that they always merchandise and curate the best stocking stuffer gifts -- from beautifully designed brush sets to travel lipstick packs -- perfect for any beauty lover (or in my case beauty vloggers) in your life.
For him: Guys can be the easiest to shop for and the hardest -- which is why I tend to rely on timeless classics when it comes to the guys on my list. This year, I'm eyeing a herringbone coat from Hugo Boss for my boyfriend, but shhh...don't tell him!
For YOU: Anddddd naturally, no shopping trip is complete without picking up a holiday frock (or two)! Of course, when I was browsing around Hugo Boss, there were a few cocktail dresses that caught my eye. Best part? If you happen to have a party, say that evening, Hugo Boss offers in-store tailoring to make sure your purchase is JUST right.
For Mom: Whenever my mom comes to visit me here in NYC, she inevitably tries out a lot of my different perfumes (and I swear, there have been a few times, they've mysteriously gone missing after her visit!), which is why I love heading to Jo Malone to pick up a few of my favorite scents for her to keep. This particular year, I've also been eyeing their advent calendar, which I think would keep her busy on 24 different Jo Malone products -- fingers crossed she shares with me!
For Dad: My dad is currently in the process of building a custom home up in a beautiful forested area outside Spokane, Washington. I'm sure anyone who's done the same will agree with his opinion that it's an exciting but very long process! I personally think if you want a custom home, then buying a modular home like those from this custom home builder north carolina is the best way to go as it is far easier and a lot quicker. But he wanted to build his home from scratch, so that's what he's doing. He knows people in Texas who've done the same, and they sold their previous property to these San Antonio house buyers that do what they say to get the cash quickly and start building their own dream. They'll be breaking ground in the spring, but since he's doing a lot of property visits up until winter hits, I'm eyeing a few of Hugo Boss' cashmere scarves and lined leather gloves for him, to keep him warm and stylish!
Video by Bobby Hicks
This post was in collaboration with The Shops at Columbus Circle. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Post-Thanksgiving New York is literally the New York you see in movies — everything is sparkling, twinkling, dazzling. Stoops are decked in red bows and green pine, store windows are glittering jewel boxes, and every corner feels like a scene from a snow globe. Christmastime in the city is one of the most magical times of year, where New York really feels like itself, able to flaunt its assets and show off a little.
I remember my first holiday season in New York; I spent most of my time alternating between wandering the joyous maze of the Union Square Christmas Market, where every booth smells like gingerbread and hot apple cider, and checking out the Greenmarket next door, where local farmers bring their amazing produce, meat, bakery, and more every other day. It was so much happiness and festivity in one place, I just loved it. And of course we'd trek uptown to see all the gorgeous window displays at Bergdorf's, and even the Rockefeller tree lighting ceremony was on my list. While I headed home for actual Christmas, I finished my winter wonderland tour with ice skating underneath the giant Christmas tree at 30 Rock.
New York is marvelous during the holidays, but one of my absolute favorite parts of the season is getting dressed up. For partiers, for dinners, for date nights, for seeing the Rockettes at Radio City – there are so many excuses to get completely dolled up, and I love it so much (especially as a way to unwind from finals season, haha!). This year, I'm looking forward to sipping champagne by a window in merry West Village, decked to the nines in a gorgeous cocktail dress like the one Krystal wears in this post. It's something about that perfect dress that makes the season all that more bright. Check out our picks below for the best holiday dresses (at all different price points!) for all your festive outings.
Just popping in for a quick hello! Ever since the long holiday weekend started, I’ve been feeling a bit behind on things — but I can’t stress enough how much I needed that little break up to Spokane, Washington to see my dad and stepmom. It was the perfect blend of leftovers, movies and family time (and a decent amount of sleeping in, much to the chagrin of my dad, who is an even EARLIER morning person than me).
Now that I’m back in NYC, I’m hitting the ground running before I leave again, this time for Australia for most of December! I’m beyond excited to hop away for the holidays to a new to me part of Oz (Melbourne and Western Australia), but it means I’m also soaking up all the NYC holiday magic that I can while I’m here in town.
So your all my New Yorkers out there, start marking your calendars now! I’ve teamed up with the Johnston & Murphy team to celebrate the opening of their latest store up at 501 Madison — and I would love for you to toast with me! We’ll be hanging out, this Thursday, November 30th, from 6-8pm, sipping champagne, singing along to holiday songs and trying on lots of shoes. (I recently picked up this black suede pair you see here and I’m already itching for it in the congac version). Plus, everything in the store will be 20% off for the evening!
This post was in collaboration with Johnston & Murphy. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
T'was the week before Thanksgiving, and all through the apartment, every fashion maven was scrolling through the shoe department…
That's how it goes, right? 🙂
Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year. A day filled with family, friends, food, and festivities — what could be better? One of my favorite things about the holiday is the way everyone has different traditions. For some, the entire extended family piles into this year's host's home, where folding tables have been placed strategically throughout the dining and living rooms, decked out in pretty linens and lined with autumnal centerpieces. Food is served in big dishes, and everyone chats happily as they pile their plates high with corn pudding and mashed potatoes. These are my personal favourite food, I'm forever making them for myself. There is an art to it that I like to think I have mastered, and I'm sure you can too. First, find out how to choose the best potato masher because your tools make all the difference. Photos are snapped throughout the day, joy captured in quick squares, and everyone contentedly collapses on the couch to watch movies and play games. Turkey and gravy is best paired with luxe loungewear, to remain comfortable yet chic while consuming every side dish in sight.
For others, it's Friendsgiving, potlucked and cozy, recounting tales of past Thanksgivings and maybe trying to recreate that Friends episode where Joey gets the turkey stuck on his head. A proud but exhausted master chef, covered in flour from her three delicious homemade pies, looks lovingly at her friends gathered around her table in her tiny apartment. She wears heels even though she's inside paired with an oversized sweater, and reapplies her red lipstick while no one is looking.
And then there are the Thanksgiving orphans, with all friends leaving town and no desire to cook, who end up in a snug, homey restaurant in the corner of the city, grateful they decided to remain open on the holiday and serve 3-course dinners. Dressed up in cocktail attire and a chic coat draped over her shoulders, she sips warm mulled cider by the flickering firelight and smiles at her Thanksgiving companion.
So, which type of Thanksgiving celebration is your favorite? What is the fondest tradition you practice each year? How will you be spending the day next week? And, importantly, what are you wearing? See my picks below for the perfect outfit to match your own unique festivities.
With a long holiday ahead, I'm already filling the ol' weekender bag with all my beach goodies. Since I'll be getting some much needed R&R up at a Lake Tahoe cabin, the activities in store are pretty low key: napping and reading on the beach, soaking some sun, afternoon hikes and riding to the store on our bikes.
1.) Love how much this coral red pops! You all know I'm a sucker for pairing my silk shirts with laid back jeans or cut offs, which is exactly what I plan on doing! Silk shirt, J. Crew, $98
2.) A wide brim panama hat goes with me just about anytime I even think about going out in the sun. Why? It is absolutely NO fun to get sunburnt right in the part of your hair. I have a fun Coachella experience to thank for that lesson learned. Panama hat, Madewell, $58
4.) It's not the Fourth of July without a pair of your trusty denim cut off shorts. I'm pretty sure our founding fathers would agree. Denim cut off shorts, J. Brand, available at Bird, $155
6.) A good strappy flat sandal. Perfect for all the trekking and biking around. No heels here. (My feet are already rejoicing!) Strappy sandal, Madewell, $118
7.) I've been reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged for the past several months but haven't been able to get some good alone time with it. I hope to stick my nose in for several hours and only come up for lemonade refills! Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, Amazon, $9.99
