The BIG 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

This super special gift guide calls for a celebration…it’s my 1,000th post! Two and a half years, hundreds of products and almost as many collection previews have all amounted to countless words in 1,000 posts. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for reading and growing with me…it truly means so much.

Now, onto the gifts!

In this edition of my Holiday Gift Guide, price is not an issue. With the previous guides (here, here, and here), I wanted to show you some fabulous picks that fell into certain price ranges, because budgeting during the holiday season can be so difficult and stressful. But the gifts here are geared toward the recipient; they’re perfect for all the special women in your life. And if money is no object, well…she’ll be delighted this holiday season.

So…let’s get started! (Gift picks after the jump.)

Seasonal Scents for Your Home

Candles are a necessity in my apartment pretty much any time of year, but especially around the holidays. With the early darkness and waning daylight, autumn and winter require an extra dose of illumination. Here are some of my faves for this time of year.

Image via Terrain
Sparrow & Co. Campfire candle ($34): I sniffed this lovely candle at Terrain last weekend, and let me tell you, it smells heavenly. A lovely, not-t00-heavy blend of coconut, wood smoke, and vanilla hand-poured in Scotland. And the little illustration on the label is just darling.

Voluspa Frosted Pinecone candle ($18): Cypress, pine needles, balsam, and pinecone seeds are a holiday must-have. This is especially great if you have to have a faux tree in your place; it scents your home just like the real thing.

Image via Lafco NY
Lafco Ski House Feu de Bois ($55): Ok, this is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a candle. But, if you’ve got extra cash or want to give someone a really lavish housewarming gift, this is so special. This candle literally smells like a ski lodge nestled in the snowy mountains. It’s part of Lafco’s Dream Homes line, which features a candle for every type of home — so you’re covered for hostess gifts during the summer months, too (think Beach House, Towne House, and Greenhouse, to name just a few).

Click through to see many more lovely lights.

Common Good

I love the clean lines on the package of relatively new brand Common Good. Simple, understated, and pretty. The Brooklyn-based cleaning supplies were developed by a mom who wanted to use household products that were eco-friendly and non-toxic to her kids. Included in the line are plant-based,  fragrance-free laundry detergent, liquid hand soap, soap bar, and dish cleaner. The line recently expanded to include naturally-scented soy candles and dish cloths.

The green products are also available in bulk refills to help you cut down on packaging waste. Just bring your empty glass bottle to a refill station and fill it up. It’s reusing and recycling in its simplest form.

Shhhh…I’m Gonna Let You In On a Little Secret

I love a good homegrown success story. Sh. Cosmetics is a Philadelphia-bred line of all-natural cosmetics and skincare. Sh. Cosmetics (pronounced shhh) is the brainchild of makeup artist and aesthetician Megan Ambroch. Frustrated with the lack of natural makeup options on the market, Megan created her own line of all-natural cosmetics fortified with vitamin E to help protect the skin from free radicals. The products are cruelty-free and not tested on animals. They also provide moderate color and coverage with a light, wearable feel.

Although the whole line-up is fab, there are a few standout products that I have to mention. The mint gloss ($16), in “color” and sheer formulas (pictured at top), is a fave, beloved by Philadelphia magazine and in-the-know locals. (Check back for a review of the glosses next week.) I like the Line-n-Gloss ($19) lipliner-gloss combo stick. The universally-flattering Garden Bouquet Blush ($36) is a gorgeous mosaic of color raised into a rose shape.

Oh, and also, the website is absolutely gorgeous. With a wood-grain background and professional product photos, you’ll have as much fun browsing the site as you will buying the cosmetics.

21 Drops Is Going to Cure What Ails You, Naturally

Rough weekend? Hangover? Dead tired and dreading the fact that you’re back at work on a Monday? Wondering how you’re ever going to make it through the week? Fret not…21 Drops is here to save your ass. These essential oil blends are organic and, the company claims, really effective. They are housed in little vials with rollerball tops, so you can dab them on pressure points easily.

The company says they have taken ancient knowledge of healing plant oils and spun it into a modern-day solution for 21 universal problems (hence the name). Their modern approach gives aromatherapy a fresh, fun, decidedly un-crunchy vibe.

The brand is now offering complementary oils in sets of three, called Trios. Here are the coolest ones (in my opinion).

The Weekender ($74): A hangover cure in a box? SIGN ME UP. Three vials address the most common conditions that occur during your downtime. #04 Hangover helps ease headaches, nausea, and other crappiness caused by to much imbibing. #18 Sleep contains is a blend of sandalwood wood oil, ylang ylang flower oil, palmarosa grass oil, and vetiver root oil to soothe your soul, quiet your mind, and help you wind down to get the most of your weekend sleep. Finally, #06 Passion revs you up for some weekend fun with your guy through jasmine flower oil, rose flower oil, cardamom seed oil, and sandalwood wood oil, all which help you ease your inhibitions and up your playfulness.

Read on for more info on these great little oils.

That Time of the Month?

When that time of the month hits, it can make you feel pretty crappy. Achy, bloaty, crampy, fatigued…wouldn’t it be nice if there was a miracle pill that could solve all your female symptoms? (Cause you know that Midol’s not cuttting it.) Well, now there is: chocolate pills!

Pop 1 (or 3) out of the blister packet, and you’ll be well on your way to feeling a whole lot better.  And these little cocoa pills are miracle-workers; they can take the sting out of pretty much any bad day.

Beat the Winter Blues

Image via Garance Dore

This is a topic near & dear to my heart, as I’ve been feeling extremely sluggish and just zapped of energy lately. After the holidays, I was having a tough time just making it through the day at work without feeling exhausted. As a result, I started to get really down and found myself in a funk. I’ve been doing some research on how to combat sluggishness and the winter blues, and here are some helpful tips I found, along with a few of my own suggestions. I hope that they can help you, too, if you’re a little down in the dumps.

1. Exercise. There’s a reason doctors prescribe it; it boosts endorphins and makes you feel instantly happy. When you push your physical limits, you get a sense of accomplishment that often leads to pride. It’s not easy when it’s freezing out, but getting moving is a big mood-changer. When you get that post-workout high, it’ll motivate you to keep going.

2. Revamp your diet. You might not be fueling your body appropriately, which can lead to energy dips and mood swings. Although it’s a natural instinct to reach for comfort food this time of year, try as much as possible to incorporate whole, natural foods into a well-balanced diet. Just making an effort to ditch processed foods will make a huge difference. Explore recipes online that will inspire you to prepare healthy meals. Once you start cooking and tasting how delicious it is, you’ll realize that healthy doesn’t equal bland.