Are you contemplating getting the man in your life a shaving kit this Christmas? Perhaps a stylish scarf? Then whoa, are you reading the wrong list. Because you know what this list is about?
TOYS. (For grown-up - or, possibly more accurately, "grown-up" - boys.)
“But he probably hasn’t played with toys in decades. Isn't that a total waste of money? Also: how do I know what to get him?”
My skin is always a little trickier in the wintertime – on a 1 to 10 scale of dryness, I’m a six thousand – and when you add in travel on top of it, there’s some serious potential for disaster. You know when you get breakouts and dryness at the same time, and don’t really know how to handle either situation because the remedy for one issue only seems to make the other worse?
That.
But! It is totally handle-able, and the way to deal is to go for the gentlest possible skincare routine, one that lets your skin chill out and breathe and find its way back to normal. In the past, I’ve been an oh-I’ll-just-use-whatever-soap-is-in-the-hotel-room person, but no mas, because really: it’s just as easy to throw a few travel-friendly products in my bag so I can take my regular routine with me wherever I go.
I have to show you what I picked up on yesterday's mini shopping spree, because a) cute, and b) whoa good prices.
(Buy here.)
Presenting the perfect stocking stuffer or Secret Santa present: a limited-edition collection of power banks featuring customized prints by designers including Badgley Mischka, Pamela Love and Thakoon. These little pods provide a power boost to iPhones, iPads, Androids and Blackberries, and are available exclusively on eBay at a fixed "Buy It Now" price of just $25, with all proceeds benefiting the CFDA.
My favorite designs are Pamela Love's and Thakoon's, but they're all beautiful. And practical. And perfectly priced. Love it.
(They go on sale starting tomorrow (November 20); click here to learn more and to sign up for an email reminder.)
(Contrary to what this image may suggest, I actually recommend staying clothed when you visit people during the holidays.)
I’m a big believer in coming gift-in-hand to any and all holiday get-togethers – even if all you tote along is a bottle of wine (which no one will ever be sad to see), it lets your hosts know that you’re appreciative of the time and the effort they’ve put into the event, whether it’s a cocktail party or a week-long stay.
My general rule: tailor the size of the gift to the duration of your presence in their home. For a regular old dinner or cocktail party, a bottle of wine or a bottle of decent liquor is sufficient (assuming your hosts drink or are serving alcohol) – flowers force your hostess to stop whatever she’s doing and trim stems and find a vase.
