Capital A

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Gift Guide: The Executive

Whether she's already in charge, or well on her way, this woman has hustle. Not just a #girlboss, but the boss, leading the charge in the boardroom and beyond. Celebrate her this season with gifts that have serious style but don't fall short on function.

For a bedroom upgrade: custom pillowcases from Hill House Home.

For putting it on: a silicon sponge that promises not to waste a drop of that pricey foundation; MakeupDrop

For touch ups on the go: a cute rubber coated pocket mirror from Individual Medley

For taking it off: a mascara specific towel. Makeup Towel from Ace Hotel Shop.

For a new take on an old thing: a decidedly glam shower cap to hold her over between blow outs. ShhhowerCap.

For not sad desk lunches: a sleek packing solution. Bentgo Bento Box from Target.

For saying how she feels: Boy Bye Calling Cards from Terrapin Stationers... or for saying how she really feels...

For dressing up a top knot: Brushed Gold Bun Cuff from Chloe + Isabel.

For smelling ridiculously divine. Really. Sueded Oud Travel Perfume by Clean from Sephora.

For ensuring she's never far from her next charge - a handsome hang-on cable for her keys. Keychain Charger from from Mark & Graham

Because every boss needs one. A pristine button-down, this one designed to fight the bust gape with specially placed buttons. The Icon Shirt by Rochelle Behrens.

For pairing with that classic shirt, or anything else in her closet: a beautifully draped blazer (I adore mine). Chevalier Blazer by Wilfred on Aritzia.

For keeping that bling blinding: an all natural cleaning solution with a built in brush. Bling Brush from Baublerella.

For her drink of choice - a glamorous opener. Belmont Gold Plated Corkscrew from Pigment.

Also for that drink of choice, and according to the New York Times, a sommelier's pick as the best all-purpose glass out there, Estate Wine Glasses from Libbey or for even less, Target

For tracking steps & sleep, providing alerts for texts and calls and all of the other fitness tracker features - all on ONE CHARGE for six months. Ray Premium Fitness & Sleep Tracker from Misfit.

For giving that tracker something to track, and giving her SoulCycle bike a personalized spin. A padded washable bike seat cover from CitySeat

For chasing the chill under her desk or in her bedroom this winter. Uberheat Ceramic Space Heater from Honeywell on Amazon.

For keeping those digits pristine. Nail Care Kit from Odeme on Izola.

See above - a beautiful 'born this way' sheer from Christian Dior available at Nordstrom

And for keeping them warm, while not missing an email. Leather touch screen gloves from Echo

For not letting that red-eye get her down while simultaneously not schlepping a neck pillow that takes up half her carry-on: an ingenious folding solution from TRTL

For serious shut-eye: the best (my favorite!) sleep mask out there by Nidra available on Amazon

For breezing through TSA and looking good while she's at it: a sturdy see-through essentials pouch from Truffle - also for sports fans/concert goers, don't miss their stadium security compliant purses.

For healthy habits in the new year: a glamorous carbonator that puts soda stream to shame. Premium Sparkling Water maker by AARKE available on Amazon

For jazzing up post-commute weeknight meals: a series of delicious all natural sauces from Havens Kitchen

For dressing up her tech: a marble Macbook Wrap from Uniqfind.

For keeping cords under control: a silicon power cord coil (also on my list). Quirky Powercurl Cord Organizer available on Amazon.

For making a smartphone into a conference line: Pioneer Portable Conference Speaker available on Amazon.

For making mistakes smell amazing: a more adult take on the fruit scented erasers from her childhood. Astier de Villatte Perfumed Erasers from Aedes.com

For sleek & sophisticated note taking: the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen available at the Goulet Pen Co

Or for something that requires less perfect penmanship: the Kaweco Sport Ballpoint Pen avaialable on Jet Pens

For GSD (getting shit done): the ultimate analog desktop organizing tools by Meg Biram

And for GSD on the run: a specially crafted planner designed to make her more successful with layouts that set yearly, monthly and weekly goals. Signature Planner from Ink and Volt.

For keeping in her desk drawer: Dark Chocolate Bourbon Bears from Sugarfina

For coffee breaks, and because she is: Boss Mug from Design Life Kids

Or a higher tech take on that coffee break: a ceramic temperature controlled mug that syncs with an app to keep her beverage at the perfect temperature from first sip to last drop from Ember

For taking a break from all that hustle: a soft jersey lounge romper with the sweetest tie up ankles. Tied Up Jumpsuit from Lunya.

Finally a classic for a reason, the best bag in the business (or for business? at least I'm told). The Classic Tote by Dagne Dover - replete with all of the organizational functions a girl could want. Looking for something a little less 'basic' in appearance? Try the Simone Satchel.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Gift Guide: Van Life

Photo by James Barkman

An adventurous wanderer with an enviable instagram account. It seems like he's always hiking, surfing, or cooking in otherworldly campsites all while collecting all the best footy of his free-wheeling lifestyle. Here's an assortment of holiday gifts to keep him kitted out on the road and off in 2018.

For the ideal camp coffee situation (I'm convinced from personal experience). No french press to clean, no silly multi-part espresso gadgetry and definitely no gross instant situation. A simple and elegant pour over solution made with real good coffee. Don't worry about the sweetened condensed milk, you can add that in as you wish (I wish) or drink it black. Vietnamese Portable Pour Over Coffee from Copper Cow Coffee

For the ideal camp cocktail situation: juicer, shaker and tumblers all in one. Stanley Cocktail Set available on Amazon

For a more straightforward camp drinking situation. Salty Old Bastard Noble Flask from Sneerwell or if he's looking to be active with his drinking; something a little more trail ready

Finally, for an after sunset drinking situation. Coleman Glow in the Dark Koozie available on Amazon.

For noshing around the fire at the holidays or after: Holiday Fried Pecans

For keeping his noggin warm: Coal Uniform Beanie available at REI

For keeping his noggin looking cool: Magic Hour Photo Club hat from Booooooom

For life, or at least the next decade: Flint & Tinder 10 Year Hoodie available on Huckberry - or for just a little less the Classic Full Zip from American Giant.

To match his new hoodie, and because who doesn't need an extra pair? Chup Socks available at J Crew

For maintaining all of that mountain man growth: Woodsman Beard Oil from Bearded Bastards

Also for that facial hair maintenance: a sexy mustache and beard comb from Swiss

For your ongoing tournaments: a classic cribbage board made from recycled skateboards by Adrian Martinus on Etsy

For above game, or our favorite: Oh Hell. Vintage Plaid Camp Cards by Dan & Dave

For when everyone is sick of cards. Is that possible? Reversible backgammon/checkers travel set from A Summer Shop - extra good? Don't miss the Filson Special Edition

For a post-hike or desert camp cool down: minty soap cubes that promise therapeutic results. Cold Shower Soap Cubes from Duke Cannon available on Amazon

For keeping it classy post-shower or hot spring hike: the most beautiful lightweight, microfiber camp towel from Bramble.

For showering on the road: a light & small nozzle attachment that fits on any water bottle, collapsible bottle or bladder to create an instant solution for dusty hikers, sandy pets or rinsing dishes. Simple Shower

For notes home or van decor: a series of reimagined national park logos from Type Hike - also spotted for less on Huckberry

For the ultimate soundtrack for every epic moment: a nearly indestructible bluetooth speaker. Macroboom from ROAMPROOF

For evenings, because it's dark out there: a rechargeable lantern with a beautiful vintage look from Barebones Living I also love the smaller sized Beacons

For life on the road - our personal MVA's (most valuable accessories?): a super light, rechargeable LED headlamp from UCO Gear

For keeping cozy: Deepwater Puffy Blanket from Rumpl - for something more spicy, don't miss the beautiful Pyro Fade.

For keeping track of time offline: a handsome watch from Timex

For planning his next adventure National Parks The American Experience from Guideboat Co. and The New York Times Explorer series from Amazon

For his emergency kit: a pocket size straw that filters out 99.999% of the bad stuff. MSR TrailShot microfiltration system available on Amazon

For both his emergency & non-emergency kit: a stocking full of Green Chile Beef Jerky from Side Project Jerky or my favorite trail snacks

For more gourmet campsite cooking or whittling (does anyone whittle?): N°07 Pocket Knife from Opinel

To go with the knife, and a nice assortment of cheese: El Campo Cutting Board from No. Four St. James

For feet: Ember Mocs from Teva

For faces: Salt & Stone Stick Sunscreen from Bespoke Post

For fashion: Roamers & Seekers Tee from Poler

For life: Rambler Bracelet from Stag

Finally for capturing all the footy: a padded case that makes any bag a camera bag from Topo Designs

And an awesomely intuitive robotic arm that makes his smartphone into a steadicam - the Osmo Mobile from DJI Store or a more entry level option for a lot less from OlloClip

Gift Guides: 2017

Our Christmas tree is up, carols are on the radio and I'm eating cookies like it is my full time job. As rough as we were feeling at the close of 2016 - 2017 proved that things could be worse (collectively). It's been a doozy of a year and the holidays feel like a welcome distraction from tweets and turmoil (tweets of turmoil?). So, as is the custom, gift guides are headed your way over the next few days.

However - as I noted last year, this is a good time for large and generous donations to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, Human Rights Campaign and progressive charities everywhere. Try this updated list of international causes or take care of those in Puerto Rico and the islands who were hit so hard by hurricanes this year, some good ideas here.

Show your loved ones you love them and draw your community closer, we all certainly need each other now more than ever.

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.

2016 Guides

2015 Guides