…merry christmas, everyone.  whatever you’re celebrating, i hope your december 25 is full of joy, laughter and overeating.

i want to give each and every one of you a truly heartfelt thank you for being part of my little blogging world.  it sounds cheesy, but you really are the reason i put pen to paper (er, keystroke to screen) each and every day.  thank you for making my days infinitely more merry this year.

i’m giving myself a little holiday vacation, but i’ll see you back here bright and early in the new year.  happy holidays!!!

dear santa,

i’ve been a very good girl this year, doing my best to boost the economy, and to help everyone make out their christmas lists and check them twice.  so before you whisk off in your sleigh, i thought i should send along a list of a few things i’m hoping to find under my own tree!

it will come as no shock to you that an inhabit sweater is first on my list – you know how i love them.  but combine my favorite grey cashmere with a cardigan, and zigzag detail besides?  i’m utterly smitten, santa.  (but i might need a size smaller than usual.)

i’ve been positively pining over these lily and lionel scarves. it’s incredibly hard to choose between this violet image of the london skyline, or the daytime view of paris, so i’ll leave the choice to you, santa dear.

it’s not exciting, but i could definitely use a tan trench…and since burberry’s tan is entirely the wrong shade for my pale skin, i’m thinking this apc version just might be the perfect solution.  bonus, santa:  it’s on sale!

i am still in serious need of weather-friendly shoes.  while i can’t put my finger on exactly what i’m after here, a few ideas to help you along, santa:  the morricone booties in green, the alberto fermani short boot, the cole haan air daughtry, or, possibly the favorite, the rachel comey mars boot.

as you know, i’ve been on the hunt for a striped sweater to replace my beloved h&m version that’s so badly in need of retirement.  this one from vince would be a lovely step up, santa.

and santa, i swoon every time i spy these lovely little triangle stud earrings, though i know i’ll never splurge on them for myself.

last, of course, santa, i know you need some ideas for stocking stuffers as well. so i can tell you i’d absolutely love this michelle armas calendar, a subscription to anthology magazine, and a re-stock of my favorite face scrub.

enjoy the cookies i baked for you, and give rudolph a pat on the head from me.  merry christmas, santa!

for those of you that have spied me moonlighting over at shelterrific this year, you’ll know i’ve been taking on a bit of DIY goodness this season.  since i’m feeling all warm and crafty inside, i couldn’t resist sharing this fun sale happening at rue la la today.  several different “make your own” companies have banded together and are selling some excellent customized wares for the holidays.  you can make a laptop case with a custom design or photo, custom chocolate bars, or – my favorite – design a necklace with your favorite gems, style, and metal from gemkitty.  getting all the credit for handmade gifts, without the mess, unexpected expenses, and endless trips to michael’s?  priceless.

oh, did i forget to mention the custom, organic beef jerky?  because nothing would say ‘happy holidays’ to the man in my life quite like a big bag of custom-created dried meats.  (sadly, i’m not being ironic or sarcastic.)

at first glance, the gourmand might look a bit like a martha’s apprentice, but don’t be deceived.  this girl doesn’t care a bit about how glam her house looks for the holidays, or whether her ‘winter fir’ candle blends perfectly with her cinnamon-scented pine cones.  no, this is the friend that only has eyes for the holiday’s best eats.  she knows her himalayan pink from her smoked gray sea salt, swirls her wine with finesse, and welcomes her “food snob” label with a smile.

left to right, from top: oneida cia cookware 7-ply clad copper saute pan, $140; vosges haut chocolate holiday gift box (eggnog truffles and gingerbread toffee…need i say more?), $86; harney & sons red gift box (you’ll want this set just for the hot cinnamon spice tea), $29; salt and pepper cellars by rae dunn, $44; james beard’s american cookery (just re-released), $23; moonstruck chocolate crescent moon truffle collection, $33; food network magazine subscription (my personal favorite), $15/year; magnetic spice kit from purpose design, $33+, 479 popcorn foodie sampler, $35.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

if you’re stumped for stocking stuffers this year (or every year, as i am), here’s a list of a few goodies sure to make santa very popular on christmas morning!  incidentally, these also work very nicely as last-minute, low-cost gifts for all of those people you accidentally forgot to buy for.  if i were smarter, i’d follow my own advice from last year, and have a few of these on hand for gifting emergencies.

left to right, from top: moonstruck chocolates penguin & snowman collection, $16; la mer lip balm, $45; foot petals holiday limited edition, $7+; baggu/no.6 reusable shopping bags, $12; patrick hruby memory game (for the tykes, obviously, but it’s beautiful), $13; own plump hydration lip therapy trio, $30; jessica nails holiday heritage collection, $12.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

this entire gift guide is dedicated to a dear friend of mine who is always more interested in reading wired than vogue, happily lines up for the latest “must-have” from apple, and never goes anywhere with less than 3 gadgets in her immediate vicinity.  if you know a girl (or, for that matter, a guy) who fits that description, something tells me any of these goodies will make their eyes light up with glee on christmas morning.

left to right, from top: belkin mini surge protector with usb charger, $25; jawbone jambox wireless speaker and hands-free speakerphone, $200; ge create camera by jason wu, with leather accent (oh how i want this one!), $200; powersupport iphone cases by tibi and rachel pally, $55; ferragamo ipad case, order at 800.628.8916, $390; tantrum-throwing alarm clock, $50.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

if your friend can always be counted on to arrive at the party toting an immaculate 3-layer cake, if you envy her impeccable housekeeping every time you stop by, and if you’re still secretly hoping for an invite to her home for the holidays, you have a martha’s apprentice on your hands.  but never fear: they’re easy to gift!  show up with anything that will make her perfect little haven even the tiniest bit more idyllic, and you’re sure to please.

(incidentally, these ideas all make excellent hostess gifts as well…in case you’re tired of showing up with flowers or wine to every holiday fete you attend.)

left to right, from top: burn candle in asian pear persimmon, $35; ren holiday duo in grapefruit, $45 (love that gorgeous chinoiserie wallpaper on the box!); home pillow by committee for the rug company, $775; new york parties: private views, $35; organic bay leaf and rosemary wreath, $70; linnea’s lights candle in winter, $29; john derian walled city decoupage tray, $110; hand-painted vase by paulova, $75; crafting a meaningful home – meg mateo ilasco, $17; simple times: crafts for poor people – amy sedaris, $15.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

i can pick great gifts for the women in my life blindfolded.  but men?  they’re an entirely different story.  whether it’s a husband, a dad or a brother, something about buying for guys is just baffling, unless you want to go to the old standby of cologne, a watch or a pair of cufflinks.

i’ve left out the obvious choices…something tells me you don’t need to be reminded that a 52″ HDTV is high on his list.  but if you’re looking to head off the beaten path a bit this year, here are a few that are absolutely sure to make just about any guy smile.

left to right, from top: marshall major headphones, $99; native(x) pendleton wool scarf, $20; clinique expert shave kit, $31 (love the waterproof dopp kit it comes with); boccalone artisan cured salumi gift box, from $25; logitech harmony rechargeable remote control, $106; ecco personal digital compass GPS locator, $70; merrell guise men’s jacket (converts into neck pillow for travel!), $129;  filson small duffle bag, $225; byrd and belle felt/leather ipad sleeve, $48.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

i’m taking a brief friday afternoon gift guide break to let you all know i may have found a new pair of jeans to rival my love for paige’s hidden hills.  behold, the AG jeans jessie:

a perfect high-but-not-too-high rise, a leg somewhere between straight and boot cut, and plenty of stretch to go around.  plus, it’s sized generously enough i got to go down a size…not necessary, but always a nice surprise.

(also, it doesn’t hurt that they share a name with a dear friend of mine.)

thanks to blake at blake denim here in portland for introducing me to my new best friend.  never thought i’d meet someone even more into denim than i am…but here he is, and he owns a whole store full of the stuff.  no e-commerce yet (though i’m lobbying!)…but if you’re in the ‘hood, you should definitely, definitely stop by.

have a great weekend, everyone!

for the person on your list who flat-out refuses to get a kindle, because she just loves the way a book feels in her hands, here’s a list of ideas she’ll be thrilled to see on christmas morning.  as usual, if i start playing favorites, i’ll begin telling you how much i loved the widower’s tale, and how i can’t wait to start reading unbearable lightness, and the next thing you know, i’ll have raved about every single thing on this list.  but i can’t move on without telling you that that pride and prejudice sweatshirt is the best. sweatshirt. ever.  it’s unbelievably snuggly, but somehow manages not to make me look like a slob.  and i’m not just saying that because i’m wearing it right now.

left to right, from top: oogy: the dog only a family could love, $10; ansel adams in the national parks, $24; out of print book cover tees, from $28 (includes donation of a book to a community in need!); book darts, $10; jonathan adler dachsund bookends, $40; the widower’s tale, by julia glass, $16; unbearable lightness: a story of loss and gain, by portia de rossi, $14; anthology magazine subscription (lord, i miss good magazines!), $38; postcards from penguin, $25.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}