Capital A

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Gift Guide: The Whiskey Sour

Photo Via

The perfect counterpoint to the Old Fashioned - a Whiskey Sour is sweet but not without it's namesake tang. Loyal and reliable, a classic charmer.

Gift this drinker with treats that suit her tastes - heirloom and homespun. Make sure that winter finds her warm and cozy with a few quirky touches.

For making her list and checking it twice - charming custom kraft paper notepads from Haute Papier.

For a steady stream of the lifeblood that is cold brew - in an easy 'pour and store' fridge pouch. Grady's Cold Brew Kit from Grady's.

For her windowsill - a garden that requires minimal upkeep. Jewel Box Garden from Lula's Garden.

For craft night - a garden that requires no upkeep. Felt Succulent Kit from Uncommon Goods.

For craft night snacking and pairing - Whiskey Pairing Chocolate Collection from Recchiuti Confections.

For evoking her favorite space through scents of meyer lemon, bergamot, neroli, cedar and moss. Ladies' Cabin Candle by Austin Press available at Catbird.

For drinks, snacks or just looking good on the sideboard. Nights and Weekends Tray from Izola.

For sweet dreams and staying in - a cute and comfortable pajama set that's delicious in every color option. Cotton Pajamas Short Set from Lake.

For going out - a slightly heightened version of her natural look with all natural ingredients. Undone by Kosas.

For spicing things up - a homemade green chile sriracha, Jojo's Sriracha from With Love From Brooklyn.

For cozy evenings at home - all natural, lightly scented Pinecone Fire Starters by Christopher Pourney available on Amazon.

For lighting that fire, and decorating the mantle, a little handmade pot with a special striking base. Milk Bottle Match Striker from Farmhouse Pottery.

For curling up by that fire - a colorful recycled cotton throw that brightens up the entire room. Kilim Throw from Happy Habitat (don't miss all of her lovely patterns).

For toasty fingers - an incredibly handsome set of mittens. Narpes from Hestra. Not quite that good? Try this pair from Anthropologie.

And for toasty toes - Autumn Slippers from Muk Luk's - for something with a little more character, don't miss these.

For a whimsical touch - a wintery moth necklace by Bristorium on Etsy. Don't miss her little animal badges as well.

For a shirt that speaks to her soul - Home Grown Tee from Scout Mob.

For her sock drawer - the sweetest seasonal options. Bandit and Ski Dazzle Socks from Hansel from Basel. Also snatch up these Hike Tights (I know I am).

For breakfast - Bourbon Pecan Hometown Granola from Manready Mercantile.

For serving up that breakfast with a side of joy. Happy Happy Serving Spoon from Waiting on Martha.

Also for breakfast and EVERYTHING, but really, everything. Maple Sugar Cube from Mouth.

For wearing everyday this winter - Arapahoe shirt from Tradlands. Not quite that good? Try these close competitors from J Crew, Athleta and Eddie Bauer.

For the vanity - a charming catch all. Darling Tray from Lulu & Georgia.

For solving the pesky problem of constantly tangled headphones with a simple and elegant solution. Cord Tab by Noah Marion Quality Goods.

For the mood of the morning - Happy Mug or Sad Mug By Alexandria Cummings available on Bridge and Burn (Happy, Sad)

Finally for this holiday season and many to come, a textured sweater jacket in a wintery white - Fringed Cardigan from Anthropologie.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Gift Guide: The Old Fashioned

Photo by Daniel Krieger Via

In a season where we've found ourselves doing more than a little self-medicating, this year's gift guides will follow our recipient's drink of choice.

We're starting off with an Old Fashioned - a classic, no-frills cocktail for a classic no-frills guy. He's a little rustic and a lot outdoorsy with a penchant for hardy handmade design, square-jawed style and functional goods. Treat him this holiday with gifts to make his winter a little warmer, indoors and out.

For everyday wear; a handsome shirt. Fleur De Lis Washed Poplin Button Up from Normal Brand.

For every evening wear - a good bottle of booze, either a newly discovered treasure or a riff on an old favorite - try the cask strength versions of Makers or Bulleit.

For when it's not a cocktail in his glass - small batch roasted beans that have been aged in whiskey barrels. Whiskey Whisper coffee from District Roasters.

For taking those beans on the road - an all-in-one portable pour over kit that grinds and brews the perfect cup no matter where he is: Cafflano

For an all-in-one of a different variety try this flask/flashlight/compass/shot glass/bottle opener that despite all those contents, weighs in at a very manageable 1 pound. VSSL Flask. For the true outdoorsman, don't miss VSS Supplies - a more survival-centric usage of this concept.

For inspiration - Start from Nothing Flag from Manready Mercantile (an awesome shop).

For two-wheeled trips that require digital support, a sturdy & strong lightweight mount for his smartphone. Quad Lock Bike Mount Kit available on Amazon.

For affirmation and protecting those pretty hard woods. You Earned It leather coasters from Owen & Fred.

For stuffing in his stock and managing those unruly locks. Fly No. 1 Pomade from Fly Barbershop.

For keeping his devices charged on the trail and off. Rugged, water-resistant and capable of holding up to five iPhone charges, the Ultimate Solar Charger from Secur.

For adventures far and wide - a master-engineered duffel that's rough and rugged enough for outdoor endeavors (read waterproof, impervious, fully taped seams) but easily fits in an overhead compartment. The Best American Duffel (BAD) - I love the limited edition from Askov Finlayson above, but for more size and color options head straight to the source: BAD.

For the beard. For real. Conditioning Beard Oil by Herbivore Botanicals for The Motley.

For a creative approach to armchair adventures - a book that explores contemporary map making as visual storytelling. Mind the Map, available on Amazon.

For moving mapping to the walls - a blue print of his favorite ski hill from Kirkwood to Keystone. Ski Resort Blueprints (available framed or unframed) from Uncommon Goods.

For upping his house shoe game - super soft sheepskin booties from LL Bean.

For taking the sheepskin a step further - Wool Fleece Vest from Best Made.

For nights when he's feeling analog - but doesn't want to forgo his carefully crafted wireless home audio system. A bluetooth streaming turntable. ION Audio Air LP available on Amazon.

For his t-shirt drawer - Rise and Grind Tee from Paulville, or from a stellar CO company: Mountain Tee from Topo Designs (I also love the Original Logo Tee) or Westward Tee from Never Elsewhere.

For breakfast - Smoked Maple Syrup from Runamok Maple.

For achieving wood-working aspirations - a spoon carving kit complete with traditional Japanese tools and a spoon blank in the wood of his choosing. Spoon Carving Kit from Melanie Abrantes.

For brightening evenings in his tent or at home - a warm and mighty little lantern with a magnetic loop for mounting and intuitive controls. Mini Hozuki LED Camping Lantern from Snow Peak.

Finally for some serious action on the slopes - a powder-coated steel saucer that promises speed and none of the cracking that the kid's plastic versions provide. Flexible Flyer from Home Depot.

Gift Guides 2016

Photo by Michael Blanchard Via

Most people who read this blog (which at this point is just an annual posting of gift guides) know that our lives in Washington are more than a little bit political. The results of the election have certainly hit us in all the big global ways and also in an assortment of far more personal ways.

In contemplating this annual project, I've been tempted over the last few weeks to suggest you pull the covers back over your head, like I regularly feel like doing. Or better yet, make large and generous donations to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, Human Rights Campaign and progressive charities everywhere (which I still think might be the best gift this year and strongly suggest this list for those looking)

Still, I couldn't let the holiday go by without some suggestions for loved ones near and far. Giving gifts big and small is something I always treasure, it's one way of manifesting love into a physical thing - and we could all use a little extra of that this holiday.

Guides will start later today - but for those looking to get an early start, feel free to re-visit those of years past here or below.

2015 Guides

2014 Guides