I adore doing gift guides every year, but this year it kind of slid through the cracks for me. I have a Pinterest board, though, where you can see everything I’ve got my fingers crossed for to find in my stocking, under the tree, or by the menorah. (We kind of do everything up in here. Whatever.)
Anything else good I should know about? P.S. How to give excellent gifts, according to science.
Giving the Baby Back by Daffodil Campbell
A story of foster parenting on Maui by one of my dearest friends. On Tuesday I’ll be running an interview here with Daffodil and giving away a copy of her book.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
Clean all the things!
A Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London, and New York by Anjelica Huston
A memoir by a fascinating woman.
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
She’s been dying to read it after watching the TV show.
The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton w/ Natalie Norton
True story: I added this to my shopping cart on a whim and found it very inspiring. The very next week I met Richie’s wife Natalie and was able to tell her how much I liked her book!
Thanksgiving by Sam Sifton
Because hosting a big holiday meal is on her Life List.
A Year Without Makeup (for Kindle) by Stephanie Yoder
A 20-something traveled the world, got attacked by giant parrots, and found true love.
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
On pretty much everyone’s list this year. You better act REALLY fast if you want this in time for Christmas; according to Brandon’s blog post yesterday, the printer can’t print them fast enough, the publisher is pulling strings to make more, and there might not be enough for Christmas.
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You can see the entire 2013 Gift Guide for your Hipster Girlfriend here and visit my Pinterest boards for even more ideas.
Anchinalu scarf, $40
Support women-owned businesses in Africa.
circle stud earrings, $20
Just the thing to finish off her cute outfit.
Chucks, in “green”, $50
Because her other ones are literally disintegrating.
zip-up hoodie, $30
I am blogging from this hoodie right now.
cowlneck sweater, $60
Super cozy.
the sketchbook bag, $138
Great for carting around Brooklyn… or Paris.
lacy boyshorts, $29
Sexy without being sleazy.
limited edition Fat Toad Farm Irish whiskey cream caramel, $28
Yes, I posted this to the “Something She Wears” gift guide. Give it a minute.
Herkimer diamond claw ring, $148
For when you’re ready to make her your hipster wife.
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You can see the entire 2013 Gift Guide for your Hipster Girlfriend here and visit my Pinterest boards for even more ideas.
various key tags, $15
You can have any color key tag inscribed with anything you want. Some of the examples on the main page are pretty hysterical!
For washing dishes post “risotto Sunday”.
agate bookend, $20
So, this appears to be real agate, and for sale for about 1/5 the price I’ve seen hunks of agate this size sold everywhere else. Two of them together would make a beautiful pair to hold her poetry books.
truffle salt, $14
This stuff is amazing. I’ve put it on everything. Occasionally I’ll just sniff it.
Poo-Pourri, $25
Have you seen the hilarious YouTube commercial for this stuff? I was skeptical, so sent away for their free sample, and… it works. Just trust me.
bake & store glass containers, $18
Because you love cooking together.
S.W. Basics of Brooklyn cleanser, $24
For her dainty hipster skin.
The Weekender Bag, $170
Paired, of course, with a promise of a weekend away in a cabin.
bkr water bottle, $28
For bringing along to yoga.
Temba toiletry bags, $14 – $16 (on sale!)
These sweet canvas bags are on mega sale – snag one for your hipster girlfriend now!
Apple TV, $99
Protip: Shake down someone’s suburban parents for their login so you can have access to HBO Go.
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You can see the entire 2013 Gift Guide for your Hipster Girlfriend here and visit my Pinterest boards for even more ideas.
Motobecane Bistro 7V Classic bike, $400
You’re never actually too old to be thrilled with finding a bike under the Christmas tree.
Soft throw blanket, $49
For Wes Anderson movie marathons.
Dino planters, $15 each
These are amazing and wonderful.
12 x 18″ Slate cheese board, $44
Hello. Wine and cheese. Ding dong.
Creamy St. Marcellin brie in little crocks, $9
Deliciousness packaged in adorableness.
Illume Mini tin candle in “Balsam & Cedar”, $9
Illume gifted every attendee at Camp Mighty 2013 with one of these, and the quality is vastly superior to cheap wax candles.
Maggie suggest pairing this with these cherries for excellent Manhattans.
Pencil for the iPad app Paper, $60
So she can create beautiful things.
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You can see the entire 2013 Gift Guide for your Hipster Girlfriend here and visit my Pinterest boards for even more ideas.
Andy Warhol Butterflies iPhone Case, $40
It’s an artsy-girly iPhone case that will look pretty getting reflected in the mirror of her Instagram self-portraits. (Trust me, I am not making fun of anyone with that example.)
After Valentines Day soup dumplings, head home for tea and a bourbon ginger pecan pie, baked by Brooklyn cuties Keavy Blueher and Allison Kave, collectively known as Butter & Scotch. You should skip the plates and eat it with two forks while snugged up on the couch. (Keavy and Allsion, I can’t wait until your brick-and-mortar location opens this spring!)
A Cat’s Life by Gemma Correll, $14
Quirky cartoonist Gemma Correll is beloved for her dry, off-beat humor. She understands why your hipster girlfriend ends up in empty rooms at parties, petting cats like “a drunken Snow White“. This book is delightful.
Fjallraven Warm Yellow Kanken Classic Backpack, $88
She can pack for a fun weekend getaway in this adorable, campy-and-classic backpack. Note: also include plans for a weekend getaway to somewhere woodsy.
Roald Dahl print from Lisa Congdon, $18
“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl
Give her this print, hand lettered by my friend and constant inspiration Lisa Congdon, as a reminder that you love her for her inner beauty, too.
Mineral Magnet Set, $36
A rad set of mineral magnets to jazz up the crummy fridge in her fourth floor walk-up apartment. Bonus points if you include a card that says, “you rock!”
BWAHAHAHA!
I will be here all week, you guys.
Oval Stud Earrings from we see stars, $18
Just the thing for adding a tiny bit of sparkle without a lot of fuss. Both Patrice and I wear earrings from this company; hers are teeny lighting bolts, and mine are these very ovals. I got them at Old Hollywood in the Lower East Side in Manhattan (there’s also a location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn), and you can order from the website (link above) or check out the we see stars website for other styles.
Mini Wooden Speaker, $32
A pretty little wooden speaker that attaches to her iPhone easily, for gettin’ it on to the indie-artist heavy sexy playlist for Valentines Day.
p.s. More gifts for your hipster girlfriend.
Backlit screens (like the iPad and the Kindle Fire) can be hard to read, but a normal Kindle can’t be read in the dark. This illuminated screen combines the best of both worlds, plus it increases the contrast and pixels since the last model, making this the best Kindle yet. I tried one and was instantly smitten. For everyone!
Kindle Paperwhite, $139
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Vivian Maier was a nanny in Chicago and street photographer, but her photography only began receiving critical acclaim after her death in 2009. Now she is now recognized as one of the great photographers of our time. I think it’s sad she never knew what an inspiration she was! For the aspiring street photographer. photo
Vivian Maier: Street Photographer, $26
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Bill Zeman draws pictures based on his three year old daughter Rosie’s art direction. Hilarious and adorable! For the artistic parent of a toddler.
Tiny Art Director, $12
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Photos and writings from America’s coolest punk traveler reveals his time in Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and other places. For the fan who is obsessed.
Occupants, $23
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Great faces of dogs diving, swimming and fetching under water. For the dog lover.
Underwater Dogs, $11
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Gretchen Rubin’s second book about being happy. This time, she’s talking about creating a home that makes you feel energized, content, and able to create. For the person who needs inspiration. photo
Happier at Home, $15
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This party game is like Apples to Apples, but way dirtier. It says it right on the box: for horrible people. (Here are some of my horrible friends playing in my living room.)
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Luisa Weiss left New York and moved to Berlin to begin a new life and a fresh start. For my dear friend, who is about to do just that. photo
My Berlin Kitchen: A Love Story (with Recipes), $16
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It really wouldn’t be a gift guide written by The Amber Show without a Miranda July book. For your Hipster Girlfriend.
Yes to this reasonably priced luxury scarf from the middle-man eliminating online retailer Frank & Oak. It’s for gentlemen, but I would totally rock this.
Citizen Wool Scarf, $30
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I can’t believe I’m old enough to have a favorite product for over a decade, but here it is. I’ve owned dozens of pairs of these since high school, washing each multiple times over several years until they get turned into charming plaid dust rags.
Men’s Plaid Flannel PJ Pants, $15
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2007’s advent of consumer touchscreens brought about the popularity of these gloves.
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When I’m editing photos, Matty lays under my desk, and I like to shove my feet under him to keep them warm. It’s always so disappointing when he decides to get up.
Lodge moccasins, $40
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On Robyn’s Life List is to make 10,000 hats in her lifetime. $5 of the sale of each goes to charity:water, and boy are they cute. So is Robyn!
Hadly hats, $24
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Pretty stacking rings you can rock all together or individually, made by a very excellent lady.
Tricolor textured stacking rings, $35
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Not to brag, but I’m something of a hoodie connoisseur. This is my favorite reasonably priced hoodie ever. (You will look happier than this model does when you are wearing it. Promise.)
Hoodie, $51
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Earlier this year I was at a private Ben Folds Five concert, which I totally meant to blog about and didn’t, but really all you need to know was he was all, “Hi, I’m Ben.” and shook my hand like I haven’t spent the entire second half of my existence (omg) being a huge fan, and then he played Brick while I was about six feet away from him and I looked at Katie and kind of lost it and crumpled into her arms while she patted my hair and laughed at me. ANYway, Rod Thomas was there, too, and I complimented him on his pink Chucks, and now we need a clean up on aisle five from all the names I just dropped.
low top pink Chucks, $50
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New York City eats things; I lost my favorite black cardigan this year in Otto’s Shrunken Head, which is NYC’s best Tiki Bar.
Merino Crew Cardigan, $45
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On ladies night out, all of my friends – from the blondes to the black gals – raid my purse because they know this lip color is in there. It looks good on all of us.
Lands’ End gave these to Camp Mighty attendees, and I love mine. It goes everywhere (except fancy dinners.) photo from JetKat
Medium Colored Open Top Tote Bag, $32.50
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Made of recycled rice bags, and the money from the sale of this goes to survivors of sex-trafficking in India and Cambodia. Good if you, like me, have a teeny bathroom, and no where to hide the makeup bag.
Fruit Cosmetic Case, $25
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It’s… stuff. Like clay, that you use to put on stuff to protect it… um… just watch the video, and then you will realize you do actually need this.
Sugru, $18 – $20
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This is simple, functional, good looking, and will last a long time.
Continental zip wallet, $128
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This is the blanket to get if you need one. Snug and cute!
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. SoHo Throw, $130
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Stripety flannel sheet goodness at an insanely low price. Yes.
Flannel Sheet Set, $25
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Drying the dishes is a tiny bit less miserable of a chore with these cheery dishcloths. I can vouch for these; they last for-EVVVVVVER.
Williams-Sonoma Contrast Stripe Dishcloths, Set of 4, $10
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I’m a life long Yankee, but these sweet tea glasses are charming!
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Instead of using boring clear tape to stick your lunch bag closed or pin up a love note, you can use this happy tape instead. I love this for a stocking stuffer!
Happy Tape, $3.50 – $4.50 each
When the Talking Heads start singing, “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco…” you can point to your ceiling and go, “Fuck yes it is.”
Disco ball, $30
via Maggie
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I really, really want this red bike.
2013 Mercier Elle City Bike, $400
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The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs leaves these pull-over robes in their guest rooms; they are also for sale. Here I am modeling one (thanks to Nicole for the photo). I wandered around with it over my swim suit, offering fellow guests loaves and fishes and promising to walk across the pool right before turning it into a vat of merlot.
Pullover Robe, $130
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It’s perfectly holiday, grown-up glittery.
Butter London nail lacquer in “Rosie Lee”, $14
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My belief is that special gifts should be lavish. That means if you only have ten dollars, you buy a ten dollar chocolate bar.
Compartes chocolate bars, $10 each
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I had a Liz Lemon moment recently in which I unrolled my old yoga mat after way too long and a spider crawled out.
Manduka eKO natural rubber yoga mat, $76
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Bacon-flavored olive oil. I am done here.
Bacon olive oil, $16
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How many times have I read Matilda by Roald Dahl? I’ve lost count.
Matilda mug, £8
