Christmas is almost here and other than a few things gifted throughout the year and a bit of a retail-therapy present to myself today, neither RJ nor I have done a single bit of holiday shopping. Whoops.
We do however have a few things in mind for each other and, while Christmas morning may be a bit sparse, we’ll be making up for it with the post-Christmas sales. In the meantime I figured I’d share some ideas on the off chance you are in the same boat.
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1. The Kinfolk Table
The first book from Kinfolk founders Nathan and Katie Williams, The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings is about “re-discovering the joy of slow entertaining”. Nothing about this book is fussy. The stories and recipes are infused with calm; the images — both urban and rural — have the same slow cadence as the text surrounding them.
The sections of the book are divided by geography, Brooklyn NY, Copenhagen, English countryside, Portland OR, with an extra ‘Wandering Table’ section including more people and places that have impacted the lives of the Kinfolk Team. The variety of recipes is a broad as the individuals who share them, including everything from old family jam recipes and summer salads to roast dinners and rustic cakes. If I ever manage to write a cookbook I want it to feel as real and true as The Kinfolk Table. » Check out The Kinfolk Table
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2. Harney & Sons Mutan White Tea
I’ve always been a little bit in love with NY based Harney & Sons teas because of the tins, but the leaves inside certainly live up to the promise made by the gorgeous packaging. Mutan White (from the impossibly delicate Pai Mu Tan White Tea) is gently scented and should be steeped for an extended time at a lower temperature. I do like loose leaf tea but silk pyramid sachets really are the next best thing. » Check out Mutan White Tea
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3. Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug
Let’s be honest, pretty much everything at Anthropologie makes me swoon. These gorgeous patterned mugs — a collaboration between Anthropologie and Australian artist Samantha Robinson — are whimsical and feminine with a gentle tulip flared lip. I want one in every hue. » Check out Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mugs
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4. Royalvkb Herb Garden
The only place I can grow anything is in my kitchen window. This Dutch designed herb garden with it’s gentle curves and special scissor pocket lets you snip off just what’s needed for dinner, how very perfect. » Check out the Royalvkb Herb Garden
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5. Nikon 50mm f/1.4G FX Prime Lens
Ever since I got myself a new work toy this lens hasn’t come off the body, it is a great piece of glass. Remember that the 50mm f/1.4G is a full-frame lens so if you have a crop-sensor camera a 35mm f/1.8 DX (which I used for years) is a better bet. » Check out the Nikon 50mm f/1.4
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6. Custom Camera Strap
Cameras come with camera straps, they have the brand and perhaps the camera model on them, they look like the same camera strap everyone else has. Two years ago I pinned a lovely little green design from High Key Camera, maybe this year I’ll finally get one! If you don’t like any of their patterns you can even customise your own. » Check out High Key Camera Straps
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7. Vintage Posters
Vintage posters for any thing you could imagine from Anderson Design Group. The Coastal Collection Flamingo Lounge Poster is my favourite today but tomorrow it may be the Southern Delight Kiss My Grits or Art & Soul of America New York Vintage Night Owl. » Check out Anderson Design Group Posters
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8. Because you can never have too many goats
Goats also make people living in poverty smile. When you buy a goat from Oxfam you get a card for your lucky recipient and the goat goes to someone living in Mozambique who can use it to breed more goats, provide milk for the family and even sell it to pay for school fees or tools. Perfect for that person who doesn’t really need anything else in their kitchen or closet wouldn’t you say? » Check out Oxfam Goats
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9. Portable Green Hammock
It’s been hotter than hot this week and RJ keeps saying how he wants to sleep in a hammock. I recon this one would do pretty well. » Check out the Portable Hammock
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10. Moleskine Notebooks
As much as I love my technology I still use a notebook every single day. Moleskine are the classic and come in every shape, size and page style imaginable. You do still own a pen, right? » Check out Moleskine Notebooks
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11. Kangaroo Island FEASTival
Australia’s third largest island, Kangaroo Island (or KI) is only 155 kms long and home to about 4600 people. A principally agricultural economy including wine, honey, wool, meat, grain and seafood, many residents are primary producers and have been on KI for generations. Held at the end of April, the Kangaroo Island FEASTival is a five day celebration of the gastronomic culture and character of the island. Sounds like a pretty good getaway to me. » Check out the KI FEASTival
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12. Chanel Rouge Allure
I don’t wear lipstick very often but when I do it’s Rouge Allure in Lover. I do love a good red lip. » Check out Chanel Rouge Allure
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13. Kiehls Rosa Arctica Eye Balm
Last year when we were in NY I picked up a couple of samples of Kiehls eye balm. The Rosa Arctica one was my favourite by a long shot and so when we went back in September a full-size jar came home with me. I not only have really dry skin around my eyes but lines and dark circles (sexy, no?) and this stuff seems to help everything. » Check out Kiehls Rosa Arctica Eye Balm
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That’s it for now! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and are getting everything you wish for. In the meantime you may want to whip up some Gingerbread Biscotti and Gingerbread Syrup, tie it up with a bow, and pretend like you planned it all months ago just in case you left someone off your list. Or just buy an extra goat or two, it can’t hurt.
Jane @ Shady Baker says
This is a great list JJ, so much goodness! I sometimes buy Kinfolk magazine but obviously I am a little behind the times as I didn’t know there was a book…straight to my book wish list!
Wishing you a restful, happy Christmas.
Brenda Hayes says
Great ideas. Sorry I didn’t know about them a bit earlier. I’ll hold it for another occasion.Merry, merry to u.
Maiah says
Lovely list – I’m especially loving the Kinfolk book suggestion. Las year I gifted those monogram mugs to my group of girl friends and they still use them almost daily – can’t go wrong with that either!
Happy holidays!
xo, Maiah of maiahunedited.com