1. A Cozy, Yet Interesting Cardigan
All Saints Silk Itat Shrug, $230
Cardigans rarely catch my eye, but this one – in a deep “bordeaux” with silk detail – is gorgeous. Perfect for sliding over bare shoulders on a date-night-in.
2. Sexy PJs
Eberjey – Rosette Pajamas, $111
Sexy PJs are a must for a date-night-in and these are Mike’s favs. (Mine, too.)
3. Ballet-Inspired Warmups
Free People Camp Fire Thigh High Legwarmer, $28
You could lounge around in sweatpants….or you could wear tiny little shorts with over-the-knee legwarmers. Guess which one feels sexier? (This was my fav trick post-partum. I’d just add a big swingy sweater to hide the pooch.)
4. A Lux Cleansing Balm To Ease Your Nighttime Routine
Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm, $65
I hate washing my face at night. HATEIT. I’m always exhausted, and the whole splashing-water-on-face thing just feels like too much. I’ve been using facial cleansing wipes but they don’t remove all of my makeup, so I then have to follow them up with a toner (a couple of times) and even sometimes eye makeup remover and UGH. But I’ve been thrilled with this cleansing balm. It feels like a pot of solidified oil cleanser – scoop some out, warm it up on your fingertips, then rub on your face. The cleanser comes with a muslin cloth which you wet with warm water, then use to wipe off your face. Makeup is dissolved – completely (I’ve tested it by running a cotton ball of toner over my face – NOTHING is on it) – and my skin feels soft and balanced. This balm feels more like a pampering face mask then a cleanser.
5. A Bracelet To Remind You You’re Loved
MantraBand I Love You To The Moon and Back Bracelet, $35
This simple little bracelet reads, “I Love You To The Moon and Back” which makes my heart stutter a little because that’s like the game I always play with my boys. “Mom, I wuv you more den all dese GRAPES!!” Says Pax.
6. Bedtime Socks
If you have iceberg-feet, these are the ONLY socks that will thaw those frigid piggies in bed. THE ONLY ONES. Magic socks. You can find these fluffy little socks pretty much anywhere, but I like Old Navy’s price and available patterns.
7. A Huge Soft Scarf To Cuddle In
Anthropologie Hiram Scarf, $78
You’ll never take off this this huge, luxuriously soft scarf. It is fabulous, and so perfectly completes the whole ‘I effortlessly lounge looking tousled and sexy ‘ vibe we’re going for.
8. Cute and Cozy Slippers
Ugg Cozy Knit Slipper, $129
Because I keep wearing my mini Uggs in the house (gross – they go everywhere outside, too), and because Mike remarked that my Ugg Fluffy Flip Flops make my feet look like Hobbit feet.
9. Flirty Pillows
My husband irrationally hates all throw pillows which is exactly why these would be a GIFT. Besides, FLIRTY PILLOWS. (ps. Feel free to wake me with “Hey Gorgeous” anytime. Any. Time.)
Hello There Handsome and Good Morning Gorgeous throw pillows, $35 each
10. Silk Pillowcases in the Manner of Royalty
My mother claims that silk pillowcases will help prevent wrinkles from forming AND I THINK THAT SHE’S RIGHT. Nothing like says ‘stuff it Scientific Process’ like a random tidbit that relies solely on one person’s desperate attempts to not age (consider yourself warned) but here we go: I switched to silk, and now whenever my silk pillowcase is in the wash (this could be days/weeks I’ll never tell), I SWEAR I have more wrinkles when I wake up. I do. I know I do! I feel it, you guys. I feel it in my soul. #science
SpaSilk 100% Silk Pillowcases, $20 each
11. An Upgrade Of Her Favorite E-Reader
Kindle Voyage, $199 (without 3G) – $269 (with 3G and wireless)
THIS!!! You guys, I am a HUGE Kindle Paperwhite fan. Forget the Fire, forget the Ipad, all I want is a device that lets me read millions of books wherever I want. I want e-ink so I can read outside (even at the beach), and I want it back-lit so I can read in bed with the lights off. The Paperwhite does all of those things (I have one, it’s amazing) but the Voyage – the next-gen Paperwhite – has even higher resolution, automatic light sensing based on your environment, and easier pageturns. NY Times said, “You don’t just forget that you’re reading an e-book; you forget that you’re using any kind of electronic device at all.” YESYESYES.
12. Exfoiliation So Good, Even the Kids Will Notice
Roden+Fields Redefine Macro Exfoliator, $279
My friend Molly (longtime readers will remember her as, ‘M’) sent me this kit a year ago. I had been complaining that my skin was so dull and gray from all of the chemo and I felt like I had aged 10 years in a matter of months. Next thing I knew, Molly (who is selling Rodan+Fields) sent me an insanely huge carepackage of fab Roden+Fields products. I’ve been using them for a year now (am planning to do a full review next month) but THIS ONE, the Macro Exfoliator? Oh my. The first time I used it (at night), I came downstairs in the morning – no makeup, bald, and in my pjs – Raines took one look at me and said, “MOM!! WOW! What did you do? You look beautiful!!” and ran over to touch my face. I mean seriously. Even Mike was all, “Whoa, Babe. C’mere.” Good stuff, Mamas. GOOD STUFF.
13. Funky Bookends For Nostalgia
Love this witty design.
Happy Holidays!
xo,
S
I bought myself some actual ballet over-the-knee legwarmers last year and they are awesome. I love them over bright/fun (but not cozy) tights to warm up a winter outfit, but I’d never considered the possibility of using them as loungewear before. As another cozy-loving Mom, I have to admit I pull out our flannel pillow cases in the winter. You probably can’t get farther from silk than flannel, but cozy is good when you live in a draughty old apartment (so draughty the first year – before I piled on layers of weather-stripping – that the curtains in our bedroom would move when the wind blew hard).
On the throw pillow front, have you seen the show Coupling (original British version)? There’s a hilarious scene where the character Steve goes on a huge rant about throw pillows and how guys don’t understand what they’re for because sofas are soft and padded already.
I found a clip of the throw cushion rant scene on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp0-8Ibkczc
LOL! And I love how it’s called “cushion rage”. “They just sit there….watching our tvs….”
I have a feeling I know what I’m going to get for Christmas. My husband just spotted the ballet legwarmers and completely agreed with your description. He gave them two thumbs-up for being super sexy.
Great picks!
My favorite gift guide yet. 🙂 Guess that comes as no surprise for this *most-of-the-time* home-body. 😉
super great gift guide! Those leg warmers are so awesome, and the e-reader looks great too! I have an older kindle, and the fact that it doesn’t have built in light bothers me.
-Hannah