Good morning, friends! And welcome to our annual Holiday Gift Guide Spectacular! This year, I have a whopping nine guides for you, and they’re absolutely gorgeous (thanks entirely to my genius hubs, who made all of these pretty graphics for us!). I think they’re our best yet! When it’s all said and done, I think I’ll have covered absolutely, positively everyone on your list. I truly hope this will make each and every one of your holiday shopping lists a breeze, and your season a bit brighter.

Let’s kick things off with a few of my favorite gifts for the beauty addict. If she can’t hit a mall without beelining for Sephora, changes her nail polish color as often as she changes her clothes, and always has the inside scoop on the best new spa in town, look no further.

1. The beauty gift that keeps on giving – Birch Box will deliver a box of product samples to her door every month, so she can test out the latest and greatest from her favorite brands. Birch Box beauty gift box subscription, from $30
2. Bobbi Brown nails the holidays every year, but this petite little palette is one of my favorites. Eyes, cheeks and lips covered in a kit barely bigger than a box of matches. To Go palette, Bobbi Brown, $25
3. I’ll admit, I’m mostly after this for the Peter Som-designed makeup bag. But it’s also packed with goodies from Clark’s Botanicals, which is a great bonus. Peter Som for Clark’s Botanicals travel kit, $59
4. I’m officially obsessed with NUDE’s Replenishing Night Oil, which moisturizes beautifully without clogging pores. Her skin will thank you for months to come. Radiance Collection, NUDE Skincare, $78
5. Tarte has a cult following, and any beauty addict will know their cheek stain is legendary. This kit gets you the classic shade, plus a few fab extras, all at a very gift-friendly price. Shining Stars gift set, Tarte, $25
6. I love REN for holiday sets – they’re always so beautifully designed, and the products are every bit as good as the packaging. I’m a sucker for a great citrus scent, and their Neroli Grapefruit is one of the best. Neroli Grapefruit body duo, REN, $45
7. This gorgeous gold compact is as luxe a gift as I’ve ever seen, and the subtly shimmery powder inside will have her glowing all season. Passion face palette, Clarins, $55
8. This time of year, everyone’s skin is a scaly mess, but this Borghese scrub will make her limbs silky smooth, with a delicious citrus scent I can’t resist. Vitamin C body scrub, Borghese, $49
9. Creme de Corps is a cult classic, with good reason. This limited edition package by Jeff Koons is pretty enough for her nightstand, and proceeds go to help rescue missing and exploited children. Limited Edition Koons Creme de Corps, Kiehl’s, from $29
10. elizabethW has recently redesigned their entire line, and the new packaging is unbelievably pretty. This Cranberry Ginger scent is perfect for the holidays, but totally appropriate for year-round use. Cranberry Ginger perfume diffuser, elizabethW, $65

Mom, you’re officially banned from reading this!  Move along…

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Anyway.  Friends, I’m feeling so behind this year – I can’t believe it’s already nearly Mother’s Day!  More importantly, I haven’t nabbed my mom a gift for Mother’s Day yet.  So, as I wander the world wide web searching for ideas, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite finds, just in case you’re in the same boat.  A note, though: I’m skipping jewelry this year. I feel I’ve tapped that well too many times.  Plus, it’s just not hard to find a mom-friendly necklace…you don’t need my help with that.

These gorgeous candles are a collaboration between Jo Malone and the work of legendary interior designer David Hicks.  I’m in love with each of the scents, as I always am with Jo Malone fragrances, but it’s really the packaging that shines here.  Best of all, they come in a box so beautifully pulled together, gift-wrapping would just be gilding the lily.

{Jo Malone limited edition David Hicks candles, $65 each}

And, as long as we’re talking gorgeous patterns, I’ve fallen pretty hard for Jonathan Adler’s new Carnaby collection.  The collection includes mugs and serving trays that are all pretty wonderful, but I’m especially fond of these vases.  They’d be particularly lovely presented with a big bunch of peonies or tulips inside.

{Jonathan Adler Carnaby collection vase, $68}

What mom can’t use another tote?  These are a couple I’m loving at the moment.  The cotton twill is a perfect weekend/market/go-anywhere bag, but that leather travel tote?  It’s destined to be your mom’s new favorite…I’m sure of it.

{Jesse Kamm classic tote, $135}

{Clava Bags leather travel tote, $220}

In the category of the sentimental, I love the idea of finding an art print that reminds you of a special memory you and your mom share.  For me, a lot of my best memories with my mom are of traveling together.  So, I’m thinking of a print that would help us both remember a city we explored on a girls’ trip.

{London or Paris print by Blanca Gomez, $30; Portland, Oregon print by JHill Design, starting at $25}

One of my most treasured possessions is my grandmother’s recipe box.  Every sauce-stained card is a dear memory, and the box holds a prize spot in my kitchen.  If your mom’s cooking is second to none, I love the idea of surprising her with this gorgeous recipe box, complete with letterpress recipe cards and dividers.  It’s a splurge, but it’s not something you replace.

{Charles Fradin letterpress recipe card set & box, $100 ($80 this weekend, with code FRIEND3)}

And of course, if all else fails, beauty products are always a sure hit with moms – they’re often something she’d never treat herself to.  The new Citrina fragrance sets from Space NK are a favorite of mine – the clean, light citrus scent is the perfect thing for spring. You can pick up pieces from the line starting at $12 for the beautifully-wrapped glycerin soap (I love the idea of wrapping a trio of them in twine for giving).

{Citrina body care fragrance set by Space NK, $58 (or $30 without eau de toilette); Citrina glycerin soaps, $12 each}

Yes, I think there’s a winner here…for my mom, at least.  Have you picked out your Mother’s Day gift yet?

every year, i start out grousing about valentine’s day.  how it’s a hallmark holiday, created by retailers to force us to spend money, is sheer torture when you’re single, allows restaurants to charge ridiculous amounts of money for mediocre prix-fixe meals, and really…didn’t we just finish buying christmas gifts?

but i always end up falling for valentine’s day in the end.  i’m swayed by all that pretty pink and red candy, the paper hearts strewn everywhere i go, and the fantasy that maybe, just maybe, i’ll send out valentine’s day cards where i failed so miserably at holiday cards this year.

what are your plans for valentine’s day this year?

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!

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.}

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.}