Ad Hoc Gift Guide ˚୨୧⋆｡˚
This letter is full of treasures ✨
Good morning! This is the first Black Friday week where I am getting inundated with ads but have little desire to actually purchase anything. I feel really good about the clothing and objects in my current rotation.
Still, I love scrolling through gift guides and opening dozens of new tabs on my browser, so I decided to make my own. I think the best presents will get used often and make life better, easier, or more beautiful.
The first ever Ad Hoc Gift Guide includes my personal favorite items, recommendations from my friends, and snippets from my own wishlist. The categories are Beauty, Fashion, Home, Food + Drink, and Miscellaneous. Enjoy!
☆ Beauty ☆
Korean Lip Products from Olive Young
There is nothing like the feeling of walking into an Olive Young pharmacy in Korea. I love the K-beauty trend of wearing watery pigments that melt into your lips and leave a natural stain. You can buy a ton of different lip tints online and they’ll ship from Korea! Two of my favorites are the peripera Glowy Tint and the rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint.
GrandeLash Serum
Using this serum consistently has completely transformed my straight little stubs to curled, long lashes. I have no idea what’s in it, but I know that it works.
Perfume Discovery Kits
Perfume is so personal. I would never buy a full sized bottle for someone unless they’ve already approved it. However, I do think sample sets are extremely fun and helpful in figuring out what kinds of scents you like and work with your skin chemistry. I recommend the ones from Le Labo, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Byredo, Commodity, and Replica.
Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist
I use this body mist every day layered over whatever fragrance I’m wearing (right now it’s Glossier Doux). The scent is a warm, sheer, vanilla without being cloying.
Quick Hits:
☆ Fashion ☆
Vagabond Alex W Loafers
I have more pairs of Vagabond shoes than any other brand. They make high quality, durable, sleek leather shoes at a sensible price (though I would love to buy these Prada loafers). My most consistently worn Vagabonds are the Alex W black loafers and the knee high boots. I walk a lot, and I can wear these shoes all day without my feet hurting by the time I get home.
Slvrlake Denim Mica Jeans
These are the most flattering jeans I’ve ever put on. I have them in three washes, and I scour the internet for sales so I don’t have to buy them full price. They are low waist, rigid with a perfect drape. It doesn’t get any better, and I have tried on a LOT of jeans.
Mara Paris Jewelry
Mara Paris was founded by a former architect, which helps explain the geometric, structural elements in their designs. I got to visit two of their locations in Paris with my mom, and all of the jewelry is so gorgeous. My favorite pieces are the Flux ring and the Celestial Slim earrings.
Proenza Schouler Twin Tote
I wore this bag to work every day this summer. Mine is a slate gray, not black, but I couldn’t find that color way online. Anyway, the leather is buttery, the two compartments make it easy to carry your stuff, and the shape is more interesting than your average tote. I’ve also been eyeing their White Label camera bag.
Gentle Monster Sunglasses
Gentle Monster makes the best glasses in the world, especially if you’re Asian and have a wider face/lower nose bridge. My picks are the Atomic 02 optical and the Rococo KC6 sunglasses.
Vivienne Westwood Card Holder
I bought this card holder during an Ssense sale a few years ago and it’s been my primary wallet ever since. It’s the perfect size and snugly holds my cards without making them impossible to pry out. And the silver half moon detail is precious.
Quick Hits:
Black sambas (the most classic, perfect, timeless shoe. I’ll die on this hill.)
☆ Home ☆
Dusen Dusen Stripe Terry Bathrobe
When I lived in a college dorm, I shared a communal bathroom with everyone who lived in my hallway. To shower, I’d put on my bathrobe and scurry down the hall. This one from Dusen Dusen is plush enough to feel luxurious, but the colors and stripes keep it playful.
…Honestly, anything from Dusen Dusen
I have this multicolor striped throw blanket, glass jars in two sizes, and translucent pink mug. I love this serving bowl, cutting board, French press, and hand towel.
Ikea Orb Lamp
The easiest way to make a space feel like a vibe (as I wrote about a few weeks ago). I put a special lightbulb in mine that changes color with a remote control.
How to live a little (more)
This week, my roommate Chela and I have been in pursuit of a vibe. A vibe is hard to put into words…but I’d say it’s a combination of joy, excitement, relaxation, and contentment. Chela thinks it’s about sensations—something smells good, tastes good, looks good, the lighting and music and company are right. Of course, there is also that
Tekla Bedding
My dream bed is made of 100% Tekla. I would get this morning blue percale duvet cover, petal pink sheets, and mallow pink pillowcases. Maybe when I move to New York after graduating I will make this dream come true…
Milk Frother
I use my parents’ old Nespresso milk frother every morning. There’s something so luxurious about heating your milk and watching it swirl and froth and triple in volume.
Quick Hits:
Moka Pot (my roommate’s boyfriend got this one for her and we love it)
☆ Food + Drink ☆
Fleur de Sel
If you cook at home, you probably use salt every day. Having a great salt that adds flavor and texture in addition to saltiness will improve everything you eat. When I was in Paris with my mom, we spent 10 minutes at the salt section picking out containers of fleur de sel to bring home. You could gift it with this wooden salt holder too.
Kettl Matcha
I drink a matcha latte every day. Kettl is the best brand I’ve tried outside of Japan, and they sell these 100g bags that last months.
Fancy Chocolate
Chocolate is one of my favorite food groups. Breaking off a square from a gourmet chocolate bar is a luxe experience you can enjoy…all the time. I like Fine & Raw, Raaka, and Le chocolat des Francais.
Quick Hits:
☆ Miscellaneous ☆
Owala Water Bottle (32oz)
So many people are dehydrated and don’t even know it. I was hesitant to hop on the Big Water Bottle bandwagon, but my Owala has changed the way that I drink water. The straw makes it so easy to hydrate all the time. I love the pastel color way, and the flip cap is a fun fidget toy. I use my water bottle every day and carry it with me at all times, so I think it’s important to have one that I love.
Anything Baggu
I love everything from Baggu, because their products are not only cute but super PRACTICAL. I’m a big fan of their lunch bag, puffy glasses sleeve, cloud carry on, and reusable tote. They also just released these awesome camo slippers.
An Annual Subscription
My Substack recommendation is Feed Me—it was the first newsletter I paid for on this platform. I also think New York Times Cooking is amazing, though I get it for free through school. You could get a snack subscription, or a Sakara subscription. The options are endless (and it’s a gift that keeps on giving).
Sonny Angels
Adorable. Collectible. Sticks to your belongings…need I say more?
Quick Hits:
This concludes the gift guide! Thank you for making it all the way down. I hope it was helpful, and tell me what you are giving/wishing for in the comments!
Thank you
for inspiring the layout ☆See you next week, Happy Thanksgiving.
ur the coolest person ever btw
thanks for introducing me to mara - i love fluid silver jewelry