This Christmas I really upped my lounge game. To be clear, it was pretty intense already, but thanks to my various wish lists I racked up two more robes (!), a pair of warm slippers, and cotton modal pajama bottoms. It was a really good Christmas.
So this gift guide is all about crafting the perfect lounge-time.* More deets below: First Row: Anthropologie Faux Fur Slippers: I saw that these were recommended on a website and I immediately added them to my wish list. Who knows? Maybe my toddler would even let me wear them. Books, coffee, winter, sofa by Eveline Mug: This mug expresses everything about my dream sedentary winter life. I also have a thing for mugs in general, so this looks perfect. Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn: If you think that you might possibly like romance novels but you haven't read Julia Quinn, you HAVE to read her books. I'm including her latest solo publication, Because of Miss Bridgerton, but you can't go wrong regardless of which of her books you pick up. She's famous for focusing on the Bridgerton siblings and each story is as swoon-worthy, sweet, and smile-inducing as the next. I get the warm and fuzzies just thinking about them. Second Row: Kentucky is My Land T-Shirt: A perfect shirt for all Kentucky-lovers. KyforKy offers lots of different t-shirt options but this one caught my eye. They have adorable socks, too (insert face with heart eyes emoji here). Victoria's Secret The Dreamer Flannel Pajama: I don't have this particular pajama set from Victoria's Secret, but I do have many others, including a long, gray t-shirt that my husband Daniel says reminds him of Danny Devito's character on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Nice, sweetheart. But these pajamas look super cozy, and I can envision myself being very comfortable reading, watching tv, and/or drinking my morning coffee in them. iRobot Roomba 650 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner: You guys, I don't have one of these, but it's on my wish list. That seems like a very "adult" thing to have on one's wish list, you say? Yes. It is. I have a toddler and two dogs (one weighs around 75 lbs. and one weighs around 130 lbs.) and my floors get messy. It sounds amazing to wear comfy clothes, sit on my couch, and let a robot clean my floors. Third Row: Happy Endings Seasons 1-3: I love this show. So much. This was a really good show that had fantatic fans but still managed to get cancelled by ABC. Wah wah. It focuses on a group of friends living in Chicago and is perfect for millenials. So cute! (If you watch Happy Endings you'll get the reference.) The show is hilarious, quirky, and New Girlesque. It's available to stream through Hulu or you can buy the dvds (see the link). The New York Times: I don't subscribe to any newspapers. Like most people (I would guess), I get almost all of my news online for free. But I always, always appreciate The New York Times articles that I read and I agree with the editorialists who have argued that now, more than ever, we need to support newspapers which provide legitimate and truthful news. I might be subscribing in the near future. What's on your lounge list? Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. If I've tried the item listed, I've noted that for you. I haven't tried several of the items on the list, but I've either heard or read good things about the product or purchased different items from the same company.
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I know that I don’t have to tell you this, but the holiday season is upon us and if you’re like me, you’re also slammed with a number of Birthdays, too. One of my favorite presents to give (and receive) is a book or a book-related item. This is chiefly because books are magical and I would like for my presents to be magical, if at all possible.
Below you’ll see a list of perfect gifts for a book-lover that I’ve read about/been gifted/gifted. For the Body (Be Forewarned—these gifts are every bit as sexy as this category name suggests.) A Book Scarf like the one in the upper left. One of my BFFs, Mary Catherine Starr, purchased this scarf for my Birthday several years ago and it’s one of my very favorites. The colors are easy to pair with others and I love knowing that I’m wearing words from a fantastic piece of English literature around my neck. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on the scarf, even if the person that I’m talking to doesn’t necessarily seem that excited about Pride and Prejudice. The seller offers other book scarf options, as well as gloves, pillows, etc. One of the Shirts pictured above. Another way for a friend to wear his or her love of literature. These t-shirts also have excerpts from famous books on them, as well as an illustration which is related in some way to the content of the book. Anne (with an E) of Green Gables, anyone? Or how about a t-shirt with an excerpt written by the incredible Maya Angelou? I’ll take one of each! For the House A Literary-Inspired Candle: Makes the best kind of candle. Try the Jane Austen Library Tin Candle—another gift from the divine Mary Catherine Starr. This candle smells of gardenia, tuberose, and jasmine and burning it makes me feel like I’m extraordinarily witty and have a mother and two sisters who are trying to ruin my life. (I posted this blog entry and then realized that I'd forgotten about Mary. Oops.). Or, you could purchase the Old Book Smell Candle (pictured above). This candle has been listed on a few websites that I’ve perused. While I haven’t tried the candle, I have to say that I’m intrigued. A Fabulous Set of Bookends: When my husband was courting me, he bought me a set of beautiful elephant bookends as part of an anniversary present. I still remember how wonderful it was to receive something so beautiful and so beautifully frivolous; they were something that I would have never splurged on at that particular moment of my life. Search on Etsy and you can find virtually any kind, from gorgeous geodes to mountains to whales. A Print: I’m loving the simplicity and beauty of these prints (pictured above). Buy one for your friend and watch them be inspired! A Book Ornament: This is a Harry Potter ornament on Etsy that I have my eyes on. It’s “Made with the pages of discarded and damaged books no longer suitable for resale.” For the Book Collection A Special Edition of a Favorite Book: If your sweetheart has a penchant for a particular book or author, consider purchasing a first edition. Remember when Chandler buys Joey’s gf The Velveteen Rabbit? That’s all the proof that I need that first editions make amazing gifts, but please gift responsibly, people! Otherwise you risk breaking up your best friend’s relationship and spending quiet reflective time stuck in a box. (Thanks http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/Kathy for a reminder of how that all went down.) Abebooks.com is a site that I’ve used to buy a first edition before, although I have also had some luck browsing antique stores and even Goodwill. Or how about a gorgeous copy of their cherished favorite book? Shout-out to my best friends Mary Catherine and Laura Whitaker, because they bought me a stunning set of cloth covered classics several years ago. I couldn't find mine, White's Fine Editions, sold online anywhere, but try these on for size. If your intended recipient is a fan of Harry Potter, think about buying the illustrated copy of the first or second books in the series. A Library Stamp: This is for the person who alphabetizes all of their books by last name and lends his or her books with a mixture of generosity, fear, and resentment. I’m definitely not that kind of person. Other examples may be found on Etsy. A New Book: I was a member of English Lit. graduate programs for six years and no matter how many close readings we did or how many times I read a particular text, I never lost my belief that books can change people’s lives. Consider picking up a book that you think that your friend or family member will like and you might have the pleasure of knowing that you introduced them to a new favorite. I recently gifted people with a subscription to the Book of the Month club which allows my giftees to select one hardback book a month from a curated list chosen by a small group of well-known authors, actors/actresses, and other personalities. (Spoiler alert, Dan: you just bought me a three-month subscription for Christmas! SO sweet of you!). And don’t forget that you can be creative if you’re browsing your local bookstore or Amazon. You can buy a traditional book, or you can buy a volume of poetry (check out the fantastic Natasha Trethewey, Poet Laureate. Her volume Native Guard is phenomenal). Or what about a graphic novel or comic book? For the World Donate to a Charity that Supports Reading: If you appreciate a good book, think about donating to a domestic or international charity which supports reading and literacy. My aforementioned BFF Laura works at the Carnegie Center, of Lexington, Kentucky, and they offer amazing writing and reading programs for the people there. How about supporting them? Here are a couple other articles with more ideas: https://www.bustle.com/articles/126582-12-amazing-book-and-literacy-charities-that-are-changing-the-world and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/11/book-charities-that-help-kids_n_6817484.html. Do you have any other fabulous ideas? I'd love to read them! Happy shopping, everyone! Jess *Please note that I have not personally tried all of these products or charities (any exceptions will be clearly stated). This is not a sponsored post. |
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