mother's day picks

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching this weekend, I thought that it would be helpful to share some of my fave picks for the occasion! I feel as though Moms always want cute, style tips so why not get some amazing accessories for them.

Sarah Frances Kuhn makes a camera strap that will spice up any outfit. This is not your ordinary camera strap. It will allow your Mom to continue to snap away at the kids and grandchildren while simultaneously adding some serious spruce to her outfit. Another great option is a scarf. There are so many great ones to pick from at multiple price points – from DVF to J. Crew to Madewell – these are all perfect options for the spring transition.

fool's gold - starting at $55

nothing says thanks like napkins

Looking for the perfect hostess gift? Or don't know what to bring to meet your boyfriend's parents at their house? Then look no further than a Mariposa napkin holder. Mariposa has a vast selection of adorable options to pick from (and they are always conversation starters!). There is seriously an option for everyone in your life. When my in-laws watched our precious pooch for the weekend, we gifted them a labrador retriever option to say thank you.


Since the base for the holder remains the same, you can give multiple options for the weight that can be seasonal or just plain silly - from dragonflies to flipflops to cupcakes to lobsters. Next time you need a gift to say thank you or nice to meet you, order one of these. They are very reasonable and you can't really go wrong. 

Twisted Napkin Box with Sand Dollar Weight

clutch cuteness

There is no limit to the number of bags that a girl can have. Each bag serves its own purpose. Currently, I am lusting over the adorable and highly stylish clutches from Collared Greens. They are simply perfect to spruce up any outfit – whether you’re heading to dinner, an afternoon picnic or on vacation – it’s an ideal companion. These would be perfect gifts for bridesmaids (since they have a unique pattern for everyone) or for a gal pal’s birthday. Before gifting one of these clutches, you can add in some beauty faves and voila, gift perfected!

Not only does Collared Greens have great finds, but the company has an eco-friendly message that they are truly committed to and all products are American made. Also, their packaging is super cute - they totally do it right all around.

poplar clutch $80

sail away

Shopping for the men in our life is never easy. It's hard to come up with new and creative gifts that he'll love, and that more importantly will surprise him. Yes, the tickets to see his favorite team or band are always fun and perfect fallbacks, but what about something different? Something that he'll be super excited about that he would have never thought of before (or gone for). I'm am absolutely loving the handcrafted bracelets (yes, bracelets!) from Sailormade. Why not try something new? They are simple, but perfectly polished and subtle enough to rock without causing attention to your wrist. Not quite ready to purchase for the men? Ladies can sport them as well - they come in a variety of shades and will complement any summer outfit.  

                           Endeavour Single $100

caffeine fix

One of the best finds for locals, and tourists alike in San Francisco is Blue Bottle Coffee. With outposts throughout the city, it's hard to not join the hype and wait in line for a perfected single drip coffee or their signature gibralter. Although they now have a Brooklyn spot for east coasters, they are spreading the love even further with coffee subscriptions for those not lucky enough to have a shop within walking distance. This is a perfect gift for anyone who depends on an uber-flavorful cup to begin the day, or who fell in love with the java at first sip while visiting SF. I recently gifted this to my father-in-law with all of the fixings to make a gibralter - including the signature cup which is available for purchase on their site.  

love struck

The amazing team at Bellafare shared an absolute perfect Valentine's gift idea - these charming arrow necklaces created by a Sister/BFF team (just love that!). You can purchase for yourself, a friend, a loved one...or better yet, get two and share with your BFF! 


This is a serious upgrade to the split heart BFF necklace. 

$95 for one, $190 for two

manolo mayhem

Men, if you are struggling to find just the right Valentine's Day gift, you can't go wrong with a classic Manolo Blahnik at a fraction of the cost. At the NY store on 31 West 54th (btwn. 5th & 6th and open from 10:30- 6pm during the week; 10:30 - 5pm on Saturday and 12 - 5pm on Sunday) you can snatch up these coveted shoes for $195 per pair (vs. the usual $500 and up retail prices). Sale is through the weekend so perfect timing, but act quickly! You will show your thoughtfulness by knowing her shoe size (be prepared for European sizing, i.e. an 8 is a 38...just grab a heel from her closet for a size check) and showing her that you are a super stylish guy. 

Manolo Blahnik Crisscross Cutout Pump Originally $735

photos made easy

With the holidays only a few weeks away, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of the lingering Cyber Monday offers that last through the end of the day. I think that one of the most thoughtful and memorable gifts is a custom made photo album to document memories from across the year. I love the idea of starting a tradition and making this an annual gift to a loved one, family or friends. With photos mainly being digital these days (which I love), you truly have to make the effort to print your photos. Instead of printing them the traditional way, I’d recommend creating a keepsake that’s already complete once it arrives at your door plus you can add copy to create a story. I love, love, love tinyprints and they offer great deals on custom photo albums. They have a plethora of options for colors, paper type, cover material, etc. to make it fit with your style and needs. I also love the idea of creating a calendar with pictures of your new baby, your pet, etc. and giving them to friends and family. They make perfect stocking stuffers and are incredibly affordable.



page turner

You can never have too many books. There is something so simple, yet so perfect about a thoughtful coffee table book. They not only serve as décor, but as conversation starters that represent an experience, a hobby, a love or passion, your personality or even your favorite restaurant. They are perfect for so many different occasions. For example, recently as a thank you gift for my in-laws, we gave them with the French Laundry cookbook – an experience in Napa that we had together that will never forget! There are tons of great options for restaurant cookbooks. If you have a favorite restaurant, do a quick search.  There is a high likelihood that they may have a book available. At our friend’s house the other night, we were immediately drawn to the book on their (amazing West Elm) coffee table. It was playful and perfect - Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, which is based on the online sensation. If you want to relive a memory with a friend from the 80s, you can go the fun route of the Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory book. You will laugh and probably be thrilled to page through and remember the concerts that you went to (yes, my sister has this and loves it). Another great option is a book that revolves around a hobby or one that represents a passion or fave vacation spot (hiking, architecture, Italy, Brooklyn, etc.). As you can see, there are endless options for the direction that the gift can go. To make the book even more special and personalized, write a note in the front that relates to why you chose the book. I love that so many of my childhood books have adorable notes in them. When possible, go for a hardcover book and check out amazon for great deals! So maybe you can judge these books by their covers...

the meatball shop $28
  

sniffles be gone

There is nothing worse than being sick. I feel as though everyone around me is sick at this time of year. It's the perfect excuse to show your friends that you care when they are stuck at home feeling terrible - show them some TLC. If you're the cooking type, make some homemade soup to bring over. You can bring it in a reusable container or go that extra step and get a nice, big soup bowl to heat up your creation. Fishs Eddy has some great, fun and cheerful options to hand deliver your soup in. If you don't cook, just pick some up at a local market on your way. You should bring over a large stack of magazines and old movies. The trashier, the better. The last thing that you want to do is think. You should also bring along a cozy blanket to make their spot on the couch more enjoyable and some must-haves such as tissues, water and tea to create a healing oasis. 

manhattan blue plate special bowl $10.95

signed, sealed, delivered

A friend introduced me to the wonderful world of tinyprints greeting cards. They have a wide selection of cards for any occasion that can be personalized with names, copy and photos! The best part is that they handle the shipping directly from their facility. So say goodbye to rummaging through your bag to find a stamp, and upon finding it wondering if the postage is still the correct amount. They make showing you care a cinch. I’d recommend these for newly engaged couples, new homes, birthdays, anniversaries, baby births and my favorite, just because. Tons of families use tinyprints for Holiday cards and they have a sister site, Wedding Paper Divas, which is dedicated to all things wedding and offers fantastic prices.

I also wanted to share another easy and meaningful gift that can be customized and ordered with ease. Recently, for a friend’s engagement, I wanted to show my excitement while not breaking the bank. I found an adorable Boatman Gellar notepad online that I could put her soon-to-be new name on. She received it and loved that I had put so much thought into giving her a personalized and beyond useful gift. Not only did she have to order more, but it’s become her go-to gift for her newly engaged friends. When I got engaged, she sent me stationary from Paper Source with our initials on it - I was thrilled! So simple, yet so practical and perfect. 

boatman gellar notepad - $26 for 2 

paper source notecards - starting at $50