my curious gift guide of unusual do-das!
16 mostly (non)essential things I'd like to give and/or receive...
Bonjour-Bonjour!
I hope all is well in your home, in your kitchen, with your travels, with your family! Sending you this quirky gift guide as a fresh breeze, a pause from holiday prep and Black Friday emails. (Please note, I am endorsing these things, gleaned from my dawdling on the web, but I am not a paid influencer!)
First things first: I don’t know if you need to hear this, but life is hard.
Do Not Buy Anyone a Weighted Vest! Why ruin the joy of an evening walk?
onward!
my (non)essential
read.write.eat.
gift guide!
“Lined Up” wool blanket by Celine CornuI. Starting with my very favorite! This blanket is so beautiful. The NYer tuned me in to these blankets, and sheesh am I glad. The entire website is gorgeous. If you want to look at woven art while you have your coffee or tea… go here. If you like this blanket, buy here
Ever feel the need to hide cash? Or a pill you might forget to take? Look at this handy Hidden Secret Compartment Permanent Marker. It’s a sharpie! It’s a decoy! buy here
HARRIET THE SPY, by Louise Fitzhugh. If you’re buying the sharpie decoy for a kid, why not pair it with this fantastic novel: Oh, Harriet, how I love you! buy here
Pet Car Air Freshener because we all want our dog staring at us while we drive. Plus, you can choose from a gazillion scents… .roasted marshmallow anyone?
“Dogs do make your car stink! It’s a practical gift,” says my husband who received only socks and underwear as gifts when he was a child. buy here
Set of 5 Mini Glass Vases. My mother is a famous flower thief. Much to her neighbors’ dismay, she brazenly picked from their gardens. And, when they complained, she wasn’t above flipping a friendly bird as she waltzed away with her tiny nosegay. I’d love for her to have these vases for her ill gotten gains! buy here
La Maison Inondée Bowl. Have you heard we’re supposed to remove jewelry at night? This is the perfect bedside dish in which to place rings, earrings, necklaces which otherwise may choke you in your sleep. buy here
Fran Lebowitz Ornament. Who doesn’t need a cynic hanging from their Christmas tree? Think of the frisson of wry joy you’ll get every time you spy Fran on the tree…a private joke with yourself! buy here
Bois de Santal. Beautifully wrapped French milled soap? The pinnacle of taste. Sandalwood is the best scent. buy here
Elephant Topiary Snow Globe. For whimsy. For the person who collects snow globes… or elephants... or has an interest in topiary? This snow globe checks all the boxes. Also keyed into this from the NYer. buy here.
read:
I loved HEART THE LOVER, by Lily King. (The audio version was also wonderful.) The characters are deeply drawn, the stakes are high. If you ever wanted to live in Paris as a young person, if you ever had your heart broken, if you ever fell deeply in love and you want to remember… read this. buy here
I’m so proud that I get to call Heather Aimee O’Neal my friend. She’s written a beautiful novel. THE IRISH GOODBYE is a perfect holiday read. buy here
As soon as I heard Shonda Rhimes on this podcast, I knew I’d have to read the Anniversary Edition of YEAR OF YES. She is so certain that her life changed for the better, her relationships improved by the experiment of saying yes. And, by saying yes, she also understood more clearly when to say no! (This will be the first book for the Mentor Book Group starting up in January. Let me know if you’re interested in joining.) buy here
Don’t forget the r.w.e. book group. Our selection for December and January is THE LONELINESS OF SONJA AND SUNNY, by Kiran Desai. We are splitting the novel into two sessions because it’s long, and it’s the holidays. This is a no pressure group!
The book group is a perk for paid subscribers and let me tell you we are a lively bunch!
Go ahead, upgrade to paid and claim your spot. I hope to get to know you better!
For more book suggestions, I've made a read.write.eat. Bookshop where you will find many of the books I've recommended over the last three years. Buying books from my shop is another way you can support my newsletter.
write:
An Advent(ure) Calendar of Writing Prompts + a smidge of wit and wisdom. Starting on 1 December and continuing through 1 January, you (or a writer friend to whom you can gift this delight) will receive a little note from me. It won’t be fancy, but it will be tasty! If this sounds like a delightful perk for you, please do join in by becoming an annual paid subscriber! let me know here. And, if you know just the person who would love this calendar + my weekly notes on life, reading, writing, and a great recipe, why not gift a subscription?
A LONG GAME, by Elizabeth McCracken. She is so smart. So funny. I was lucky to once be in a workshop led by McCracken and I’m grateful. I cannot wait to buy this for myself. buy here
TRUTH IS THE ARROW, MERCY IS THE BOW, by Steve Almond. I think every writer should have this book on their shelf. Almond is conversational, so wise. This is a beautiful gift for the writer in your life (maybe a gift to yourself?) to show that you believe in them. buy here
eat:
GOOD THINGS, Samin Nosrat. I’ve already given this book as a birthday present, twice!! I love her. I love her recipes. If you have a home chef in your life, this is a wonderful gift. (Also, do follow her What’s Good list, it’s a weekly treat.) buy here
For your viewing pleasure, Stanley, beneath the covers!
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Remember to tell your people you love them and take good care of your skin.
