It’s that time again! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and there are countless beautiful ways to tell your loved ones they are special. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite picks from small, indie, B-corp, and sustainable brands below. Enjoy!
Local fave Blockshop just restocked their stunning, oh-so-soft Flock throw, plus debuted two new colorways. Perfect to cuddle up under with a special someone.
These versatile and beautiful matchstick hoops from Baleen make a sweet wink-and-a-nod gift for that hotter-than-hot person you want to spoil this V-day. Plus they are 20% off with code LOVE20 for Valentine’s Day.
For the Goth-but-girly John Derian-esque aesthete in your life, theIn My Dreams necklace is the perfect way to tell them you’re dreaming of them. Plus, it is HUGELY marked down right now!
When you and your partner are weird in all the right ways together, it’s magic. Tell them so with this quirky-sweet card from indie printmaker Pier Six Press.
For something intimate, you can’t go wrong with a massage candlefrom Maude. Hand-poured with cruelty-free ingredients, there are three scents to choose from (I’m eyeing no.3) plus an unscented option if you’re unsure of your lover’s preference. Mood lighting can turn to pampering, and then who knows? *wink wink*
These gorgeous disc chimes are handmade by female-powered Pigeon Toe Ceramics, perfect for the tasteful homebody or décor aficionado in your life. Hang them indoors as a decorative object, or outdoors for a soft, modern windchime. They’ll think of you fondly every time they look up.
Bluebonnet soapfrom A Wild Soap Bar is my favorite shower indulgence right now. Responsibly wildcrafted and organically grown botanicals, certified organic oils, and a company that gives back — yes and please! Plus it smells heavenly and lathers beautifully. Pick up a couple and get down and dirty.. err… squeaky clean with a partner, or stock up to share with your favorite pals who deserve some self-care.
And finally, a gift of poetry to ponder alone or to share with a loved one. Kate Baer’s newest collection is on my short short list to read, and I’m looking forward to her signature blend of pathos, humor, and razor wit with bated breath. Consider it an unorthodox bouquet of flowers for your valentine that will last and last.
Welcome to December, land of colder weather, warmer sweaters, and visions of sugarplums. Here is my wish list for this year – lovely items to give that special someone on your list, or maybe even yourself! After all, YOU are definitely a special someone.
Coach”s new Studio bag in green is everything I’ve been craving – an evergreen shade that takes me right back to the 90s (in the best way) paired with a sleek shape and classic brass hardware. Love love love.
Speaking of love, Pamela Love’s designs hit just the right sweet spot between edgy and classic, with an undertone of mythos I adore. My favorites are these pomegranate studs and heart-in-hand huggies, each sold singly. They’d be the perfect additions to my earring mix right now, plus they are made from recycled (and recyclable) materials. Style AND substance!
And speaking of the 90s, I am fully on board with the the chunky loafer resurgence. These are well-priced, beautiful, and this Alpine green shade would go with just about anything.
If you have someone in your life you’d like to spoil with incredible sleep, may I suggest one of these gorgeous velvet weighted blankets from Bearaby? Their eco-velvet is 100% upcycled, GRS-, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® and Fairtrade International certified, perfectly cozy, and oh-so-soothing to sleep under. Trust.
I couldn’t possibly do a December gift post without including my favorite winter candle of all time. This gilded white ceramic iteration of my beloved Frasier Fir candle is calling my name.
At the top of my list are gifts that do good, and you can’t go wrong with any of the gift items featured in the ACLU’s shop. My personal picks are this excellent civil rights calendar and this minty soft reproduction rights tee. Every purchase made supports the ACLU and allows the fight for our civil liberties to continue.
For the beauty lover in your life, a clean beauty set like this one from Ilia is oh-so-nice. I can’t get enough of their Balmy Tint hydrating lip balm these days, and this pretty set will have your mom or bestie looking glowy and holiday-festive in a flash.
Ideal as a stocking stuffer, cool-aunt gift for a teen (hello!), or hostess gift, these super-stylish bubble candles are scented with grapefruit – if you can bear to light them.
And finally, for the chocoholic in your life, this tasting set from San Francisco small-batch maker Dandelion Chocolate is everything. They visit each origin, work closely with their cocoa producers, and use only ethically sourced beans and organic cane sugar to make their confections. Indulgent deliciousness, beautifully packaged and ready for gifting.
Welcome to this year’s holiday gift list! This year more than ever, I have been working hard to support small businesses, and to find great products that give back. Here is a curated guide of items I’m giving, would love to receive, or both!
Bloomist‘s aesthetic is stunning, minimal, and inspired by nature. Their aim is to help artists, artisans, and makers flourish, and they do so with panache. From their beautiful selection of gifts, I am especially partial to the Bright Black Koi candle and the handcrafted pale wood chain. 50% of the proceeds from the Koi candle by Bright Black go to 100 MALES TO COLLEGE, a Massachusetts-based initiative dedicated to college readiness and retention among young Black and Latinx men. And the beautiful wood chains? They are made by the Atuto group in Honduras! The group not only creates opportunities for skilled employment in the region, but they also support the Ambos Foundation, improving the lives of the people of rural Honduras at all stages of life — from providing children with school supplies to securing housing for the elderly.
Next, I am proud to announce the Pink&Green Musings shop at Bookshop.org! Here you can find all of the books I’ve discussed here on the blog, plus I’ll be adding more all the time for your perusing (and purchasing!) pleasure. Bookshop.org is a new online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Keep local book shops thriving while easily finding anything you’re looking for! Orders placed by tomorrow, Dec. 5, will arrive by Christmas with standard shipping. Hint, hint. May I suggest the sumptuous Francois Halard: A Visual Diary for the creative in your life, Kate McDermott’s Pie Camp for your favorite baker, or perhaps a copy of What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer for all of your closest girlfriends?
For the design-minded, fun-loving, or have-everything-else people in your life, a keytag by small company Various Projects may be just the thing. There are hundreds of options in dozens of color combinations — something for literally anyone and everyone — in a smart, unfussy little package. At only $15, what’s not to like?
For something a little more luxurious, Missoma jewelry has a beautiful selection of of classic yet of-the-moment baubles that are responsibly produced, environmentally packaged, and give back via a variety of charitable partners, including Treesisters, Akshaya Patra, and Magic Breakfast. Perhaps a pretty Victorian-ish necklace set, an edgy pair of claw earrings, or a bold signet ring might catch your fancy? Ahem, for someone on your list, of course. They offered a truly covetable 12-day advent calendar that has since sold out, but I also love these lux festive table favors. Bonus: you get a free pair of mini hoops right now with any purchase over $200. Gift them or keep them, I won’t tell!
Designed in London and handcrafted in Spain, leather collars from small brand Supakit are the purrfect choice for a spoiled feline. My kitty may or may not be getting a mint green collar this year. *whistles innocently* These beautiful comfort collars from House Dogge are a great choice if your tastes run more towards the canine.
I love everything they are doing over at Fur. Redefining definitions of beauty, supporting freedoms of choice and from systemic oppression, and standing up for inclusivity and body positivity? Yes, yes, and YES. All their products are made from facial-grade, vegan, cruelty free, non-toxic ingredients and are free of mineral oil, silicones, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or artificial dyes. Their now-classic Fur Oil is ideal for soft skin, silky hair, and preventing ingrowns — pubic area, legs, underarms, chin, wherever. Perfect.
One of the cooler items I came across this season is the tiny but mighty Flikr fireplace created by husband and wife team Travis and Haley Seera. It is a chunky cement vessel with a quartz-like base, and is ingeniously fueled by rubbing alcohol. Brilliant, adorable, unique. I love it. Set on a tabletop and enjoy a warm glow. Bonus points if you also gift the makings for some s’mores, amirite?
And finally, any Schitt’s Creek fans out there? Please meet Beekman 1802, the real-life equivalent of Rose Apothecary. When Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell lost their jobs in the recession of 2008, they moved out to Sharon Springs in rural upstate New York, population 532. They took in a neighbor who was losing his farm AND his herd of 100 goats, started creating their goat milk soaps using fresh milk from the farm, and the rest is history. They sell a variety of natural face and body care as well as tons of great mercantile items from local farms and artisans. Pure goat milk soap, ylang-ylang tuberose body cream, or lavender creamed honey spread are A+ picks for the beauty buff or foodie in your life. They even partnered with the show on a limited run of Rose Apothecary-themed items. I love this for you.
One of the joys of the season for me is finding just the right gifts for my loved ones, so I hope this guide inspires you as well. Shop small, give back, and happy gifting!
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I love this time of year. Christmas lights are up, choosing gifts I know my loved ones will adore is one of my favorite things, and the scent of fir trees makes me happy every time I catch a whiff. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
As the holidays draw nigh, here is a list of things I am wishing for:
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kate Joseph of Clouds and Ladders at a trunk show, and I was head-over-heels for her jewelry at first sight. She is a delight. Her jewelry is a delight. I simply must have these studs.
I have pined after these beautiful cups for years, and this is finally the year! The shape, size, heft, and delicately imperfect stripe are just perfection.
The tonal stripe of this gorgeous alpaca throw offers year-round cozy vibes, not to mention it is fair-trade in the truest sense of the word.
Speaking of stripes, I am enamored with this new Coach field tote. Their new horse-and-carriage print feels so fresh, and I love the plush velvet stripes! It’s the ideal size for everyday schlepping.
For reasons I cannot describe, this jacket had me at hello. Somehow the denim, the quilting, the big slant pockets, and the slouchy comfort all add up to a lounge-y coat I want to wear all season.
And lastly, I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of Paris by Design. I love that city so much, and this would be a nice way to revisit without the hefty airfare price tag. Although, if someone wanted to slip a pair of plane tickets inside, I would not be sad.
What are you wishing for this holiday season? Wishing you a merry one!
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Everyone I know seems to have their holiday shopping already underway, while I am still a bit dazed that Thanksgiving is already here. While I haven’t started my gift shopping, I’ve at least started thinking about gifts for loved ones — and I have a few items on my mind I that would love, too! Here’s a little peek of what I’m dreaming of finding under the tree, both fantastical dream splurges and more modest wish items alike.
This lovely Doctors bag by Linjer looks like just the right size. Clean, classic, easy. Love it.
Le Labo Rose 31 is a fragrance I discovered at their shop while wandering a bit in Seattle. This woodsy, mysterious take on a traditional rose scent is addicting, and I think I’ll need a bottle once my carefully-rationed sample vial is finished.
I fell hard for the Louis Vuitton Catogram Speedy as soon as I saw the launch of Grace Coddington’s collaboration. The cat and dog illustrations are just too adorable for words.
I’ve been intrigued by Nisolo for a while, and this stylish Chelsea boot seems like an ideal way to get to know this brand. I really admire their ethical production practices.
While I was initially unsure I’d want or need an Apple watch, I’ve grown to really love mine. It is so much more discreet to get notifications via a tap on the wrist rather than a buzzing phone on my desk. The sleek new 40mm Series 4 and a pretty leather band are on my list, as I am sure it will wildly outstrip my Series 1 in functionality.
I stumbled upon Stoned: Architects, Designers & Artists on the Rocks in a shop recently, and was smitten with the gorgeous photos in this tome. One can never have enough books as far as I am concerned, especially when they are as beautiful as this.
I’m as in love as ever with my Baleen earrings, and wear them all the time. Their rose Herkimer studs are just the right sort of undone take on a traditional diamond stud, and I’d love to have these beauties in my rotation as well.
And finally, I love starting each year fresh with a new calendar. Rifle Paper Co.’s World Traveler calendar would be the perfect way to remember favorite trips as well as inspire (and maybe schedule) new ones.
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