SUNDAY BITES 006
its the "most wonderful" time of the year
I don’t know about you, but I am holding by a thread here. I really need to find a way to be better about organizing myself during the holiday season. I am the type of person that usually leaves everything to last minute - and I guess now the family is bigger and the stakes are higher!
Also I don’t want a “poor niña rica sob story here”, but I am officially without help for the next couple of weeks and with 2 kids it just hits differently.
Shoutout to the Montessori winter camp I found for Atlas , so this upcoming week I can get myself together run all my errands and be free the week of Christmas (Yay). So in the spirit of getting myself together, the BIG elephant in the room is gifting. I started thinking about what makes a bulletproof gift. Something you really cannot go wrong with and I reached 3 conclusions.
Its ok to gift someone something practical as long as its pretty. Lets face it specially if you are a woman the practical things are the ones that we use the most and spend the least. Which makes it the perfect opportunity for gift giving. How amazing would it be to receive a pair of cashmere socks, a luxurious soap, a tech personalized organizer for traveling (the jewelry one is great too )or even a shower filter? Sleep is the ultimate luxury, and these drops are MAGIC. This travel wallet makes for the perfect gift, the wine color on the inside is chefs kiss . The idea of something as mundane as a matchbox in a material as rich as gold feels like the perfect decadent gift.
Also randomly mentioning these earrings here because they have been living rent free ever since I saw them on Noora’s substack, and jewelry is a necessity and therefore practical so there you go.
Go Niche, Get Personal and avoid the usual suspects. In the age of social media there has been a homogenization of taste. its BORING! Lets change things up. I love getting gifts that feel “researched”. An amazing heart charm from emerging fine jewelry Mexican brand The Boveda, or an interesting beach bag. Heritage brands are always a go to- a little box from iconic Italian brand Ginori 1735, the oil from Officine Universelle Buly ( or their handcream) are incredible gifts, and the packaging is so pretty! I love anything persoanlized that doesnt feel forced or cheesy, and I think Flamingo Estate nailed it with their candles, plus how cool is this personalized Notepad? Also worth mentioning the Hass brothers cards, this little cute Parisian Box and it girl’s hat and THE one chapstick worth splurging on. This is the cutest present for a dog lover. This is perfect for your friend that loves Paris, and I never thought I would be the person to gift THIS, but I have to say its adorable.
When in doubt, buy something for Home. The truth is fashion is a complicated gift, you have to deal with sizes and different styles - so unless you REALLY know someone, it’s VERY tricky.You really cant go wrong with something sweet like chocolate from this heritage Italian brand, or a personalized olive oil bottle from Flamingo Estate. If you really want to impress someone Hermes is the obvious choice. How cute is this creamer? I might be getting this cup for someone , so I hope he is not reading this. These napkin holders will forever be a conversation piece, speaking of conversation pieces these napkins are IT. I got introduced to these wine glasses during covid, and we keep collecting all the new colors. They are so beautiful. Peruvian brand Mozh Mozh just launched home, and their tablewear is as special as their clothes. Also on the list is this amazing blanket ( if you feel like spoiling someone/ yourself ). A picnic basket with a section for wine bottles? SIGN ME UP. Sometimes I love a “demure” present, such as these wax tablets - nothing is more luxurious than something as decadent as scented drawers.
A couple of you asked me to do a gift-guide for a quirky fashion friend —> your wish is my command. Here are some of my favorite finds:
Who doesn’t love boobs? Gohar World makes the coolest tablewear-Its hands down the best house present.The Crumb catcher is so chic, the lemon squeezers are the cutest and these mother of pearl spoons make me smile. Speaking of Gohar World. They just launched a collab with one of my favorite brands Metier, and this would make for a GREAT present.
Completed Works EVERYTHING. Its SO good. This dish would be perfect for jewelry by the bed and this jug would be so good sitting pretty on any table.
If you are looking for unique ceramics Ramiro Gonzalez Luna is IT. He is SO talented. Look at this Ozempic flower vase, or this shells plate.
This cake stand is the biggest splurge, but if you can afford it why not? This bag charm would be a good play with words - like peas in a pod type of thing? These lighters are an amazing gift ( and only $10!) This candle color is so beautiful and in a way remind me of glow in the dark green, which reminds me of my childhood. This bag is the weirdest coolest thing ever and I just want to hold it? Lets be BFFS.
Ok this is all for today.
I can’t wait to share the next Zillion Trillion chat with none other than my dar friend Ajiri Aki - author of Joie and founder of Madame de la Maison - coming up next Thursday. Stay tuned!
Besos,
Victoria