Gift Guide: Belle’s Holiday Wishlist
Dec 17, 2015
1. Henri Bendel Uptown Ostrich Satchel ($550 + 30% off) // 2. BR Oversize Sweater ($88) // 3. Southerner’s Cookbook ($25) // 4. Polaroid Zip Printer ($130) // 5. Max & Chloe Hammered Ring ($23) // 6. New Balance 620 Sneakers in Gold Salt ($80) // 7. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit ($80) //8. Ivanka Trump Rio Tech Sleeve ($95)
This year, my family decided to skip the traditional gifts, but that hasn’t stopped me from window-shopping. These are the items that I bookmarked for myself.
One. This bag has the most wonderful classic style. It reminds me of a Hermes Kelly bag. Plus, I’m a sucker for ostrich-embossing. Bendel’s also offers the same bag in a flirty raspberry color. Looking for something more modern? This Gotham Patent Tote in dark navy has a lot of pop.
Two. A cozy sweater is always a good gift, and I love this BR sweater in a lighter color. I wear so much black in the winter, the blush feels really fresh. The sweater also comes in grey and bright red. For something more fitted, C by Bloomingdale’s Ribbed Front Turtleneck. Plus-size? Give Ralph Lauren’s turtleneck sweaters a try.
Three. I love a good cookbook, and this one from the staff at Garden & Gun has all of your southern favorites. Other good choices include the Smitten Kitchen cookbook and the Sarabeth’s Good Morning cookbook (the best for brunch).
Four. Would you believe I have fewer than 50 photos from the past 15 years of parties, trips, and family reunions? I’m hoping a Polaroid photo printed will encourage me to start snapping and sharing.
Five. A new ring always lifts my spirits, and Max & Chloe has the best selection. I also love this Janna Conner ring in pretty, green Amazonite and this Marie Todd Silver Laurel ring, with a lovely leaf band.
Six. I already own these New Balance shoes, but I love them so much, I post them every chance I get. They’re comfortable, chic and perfectly feminine.
Seven. Hourglass’s Ambient Light Powders are one of my favorite makeup products. That blend, blur and brighten like no other. If your skin is tired or you want to smooth out some rough edges, this is the product. Their Edit palette offers bronzers, blushes and their must-have Ambient powders.
Eight. The Rio tech sleeve allows you to store your tech accessories in a stylish pouch. But its most important feature is the power pack that allows you to charge up your devices on-the-go, so no more dead batteries. Don’t need the pouch? Try the Mophie Power Station.
I have the Hourglass palette posted above and it may be the best beauty product I have ever purchased. It can even double as eyeshadow if you’re really in a pinch. Really worth the price.
I love the photo printer idea! I was going to send in an Ask Belle for how to tastefully display photos in a small apartment. Would love to hear about your journey as you accumulate physical photos.
I have a lot of photos, especially from childhood trips, but they’re all in albums and I never get to look at them. I want to display them without creating clutter.
Belle, how do you suggest going about picking an hourglass shade? Should we choose the one that most matches our skin tone? Or do you think there’s one all-purpose shade for everyone? Thanks!
It depends on the effect you want. Diffused light conceals redness; I like mood light for the brightening. If you’re looking for something universal, I would choose Mood or Luminous.
LS – it might sound a little cheesey, but a couple of years ago we were gifted a digital picture frame. You upload your photos. when it is on the picture changes. it actually is pretty cool and good for conversation.
Great grandparent gift.
Belle,
I’m am really disgusted that you would choose to promote any item from the Trump brand. As a South Asian Muslim woman I refuse to give a cent to the family that believe that I should be stripped of my civil , rounded up like cattle, and put into a concentration camp! Ivanka has never publicly denounced Daddy Trump’s views, so I one can only assume that she wholeheartedly agrees with them.
I like her, and the new products from her line really tap into the needs of working women. I don’t like him, nor do I agree with him. In fact, I think he’s fomenting hate for entertainment value and it hurts me as a Republican to see it. But I don’t expect a daughter to denounce her father publicly because family politics, esp. in a political family, are a tricky, personal thing.
If you choose not to buy products from the Trump brand, that is a choice I respect, but I don’t want to lay the sins of the father at the feet of the children.
As a moderate Republican, ditto to all of the above. That said, I totally understand Leeladee’s frustration at what the Trump name has come to represent.