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.}

because i so hate the dreaded “-ista” word, let’s just say this guide is for the girl who thrills when the latest issue of vogue hits her mailbox, never says no to a trip to barneys, and is always the first in your crowd to buy into the latest trend.  i’ll admit she’s not the easiest (or the cheapest) giftee on your list, but rest assured she gives as good as she gets.  so gift your fashion-obsessed friends well…they’re sure to return the favor!

left to right, from top: prada vespa keychain, $165; frye reagan campus moccasins (especially this shearling-lined version), $138/148; emporio armani white ceramic watch, $545; däv fleece-lined equestrian rainboot, $98; the ELLEments of personal style: 25 modern fashion icons on how to dress, shop, and live, $17; joya solid perfume lockets, $38-68; diane von furstenberg lytton minaudiere, $325; echo touch ruffled gloves, $35; lafayette 148 faux leopard scarf, $98; chance striped boatneck tee, $60; all saints kadian jacket, $500 (and a very close second).

{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 girl who’s racked up enough frequent flier miles to take a trip around the world (if only she could find time between layovers), this list is packed with presents guaranteed to make it into her coveted carry-on space.

but why stop there? so many of these travel-friendly finds would be genius picks for a friend who’s always on the go, even if her travel is mostly of the afternoon-commute variety.  or for the girl who doesn’t often travel far from home, but is forever daydreaming about her next exotic vacation.  in other words, whether it’s wanderlust or wander-must, there’s something here that’s perfect for any traveler on your list.

left to right, from top: baggu zip travel bags, $8-12 for sets; pacifica roll-on perfumes, $12; blow to go hair travel kit, $28; cz falconer barbarella cashmere zip tunic, $395; lily & lionel london cityscape scarf in sepia, $272; day-timer malibu leather refillable notebook, $59; lesportsac large zip travel wallet, $48; cityslips foldable flats, $25; ghd dazzle styler travel set with flat iron, hair dryer and heat-resistant storage bag, $240; gorjana thomspson jewelry case, $106.

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

happy hanukkah, everyone!  for those of you not frantically rushing around to find a gift before sunset, tonight is the first night of hanukkah.  and so, in honor of the festival of lights, today’s gift guide is full of ideas perfect for friends, loves, and family, but the common thread is that each and every one is under $30…and that’s a list i’m guessing you’ll want no matter what holiday(s) you’re celebrating this year.  because if you thought christmas left you feeling broke, just imagine stringing it out for eight craaaazy nights!

left to right, from top: angela adams address book and notepad sets (so, so beautiful in person), $14-15; postcarden “season’s greetings” pop-up card, $13; clinique “connect the gloss” interchangeable lip gloss set, $25; cast iron owlet (literally impossible not to love), $18; tocca crema mani viaggio hand cream trio, $18; vosges bacon chocolate chip pancake mix, $12; michelle armas signed antonia 2011 calendar, $30; allo-allo french tea towel, $15; origins “peace of mind” on-the-spot relief (great for men and women – i’m obsessed!), $10; international rescue committee blankets, school supplies or first aid kits, $20-28; happy socks (!), $10; modern madness moustache mug, $14.

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

happy birthday to me!  yep, it’s the best day of the year – the holiday i don’t have to share with anyone else, when everyone has to do exactly what i say, and when calories evaporate into thin air (or at least, that’s how it goes in my head).  to celebrate, i couldn’t resist sharing a few things that have been drifting around my wishlist this year…you know, just in case the birthday fairy is watching.  if nothing else, think of it as a little birthday porn for yours truly.

i’ve been after a new pair of silver earrings for a while, and i think this pair from page sargisson – a perennial favorite of mine – would be a perfect wear-every-day addition to my jewelry box.

i can’t seem to buy this title for myself, but i’ve been dying to take a closer look at the infamous auction of yves saint laurent’s legendary personal effects that took place after his death least year.  having the big, bound, glossy version of the sale would be almost as good as having actually been there.

i’ve fallen pretty hard for just about everything designed by aesa.  they just have this organic, almost haphazard quality i adore.  i’d honestly take any piece i could get my hands on, but this necklace is particularly lovely.

i know it’s a little domestic to want a baking dish for my birthday, but in reality, i want several.  this one from sagaform (at the always amazing huset) is one of those i envision living in my kitchen until i’m old and grey.  what better way to ‘celebrate’ getting old than to buy myself an heirloom in the making?

and this summer vegetable bowl from heath ceramics has had me swooning ever since it was released this spring.  i’m desperately hoping i’ll be able to display it on my thanksgiving table this year.

more jewelry, i know, but this teardrop ruby ring from christine mighion is literally haunting me.  i’ve been wanting the perfect right hand ring for years now, but haven’t been able to even consider another choice since i first spotted this one.  it just belongs on my finger, plain and simple.

these crazy silver-and-neon flats by angeline tournier are just so much fun, i can’t even stand it.  i know they’re more summer than fall, but i still think they’re fabulous.  now that they’re 50% off, maybe i deserve to get myself a little birthday surprise!

and of course, what kind of list would this be without a scarf?  this one from couverture is uncharacteristically inexpensive for my typical taste, but i love the bright orange!

last, but certainly not least, i’ve been dying to try these decadent sugardaddy’s brownies since i saw them waste my darling bobby flay on throwdown.  i’d take a tower of these over a birthday cake any day!

yum!  have a great day, everyone…i’ll be off gorging on cake and cappucinos!

this year has been a little tricky for mother’s day gifts for me.  with my nana gone, i’ve been trying to come up with something extra special for my mom this year. and while i did come up with something i think she’ll love (can’t tell, of course…it would ruin the surprise!), i thought i’d share my runner-up ideas with all of you!

as i said, i’ve been a little bit more sentimental than usual about moms this year, so i loved the idea behind this book before i even saw it.  photographer jeannette montgomery barron decided to share her memories about her mom by photographing some of her most memorable outfits and using them to tell the story of her mom’s life, and the result is my mother’s clothes.  it’s incredibly touching, and the photos are beautiful.  i imagine giving this to my mom with a photo of her stylish self pasted into the front.

if your mom leans more heavily toward the martha stewart side of things, jo malone’s candle collaboration with farrow & ball is absolutely sure to be a hit.  they’ve paired their five most popular fragrances with limited edition containers from the famed paint company, and the result is a candle that looks utterly perfect and smells divine.  my favorite is the lime basil & mandarin, but pomegranate noir is also pretty wonderful.

alexis bittar is offering to personally sign a piece of jewelry for your mom this year, if you buy from their website by may 4 (include code ‘LOVEMOM’ and her name in the comments when you check out).  their signature lucite bangles are so perfectly timeless and chic, they’ll be the perfect update to her wardrobe, no matter what her style. and prices start at $55, so you should be able to grab something on most any budget.  the styles i’ve pictured above are my personal favorites for mom…clockwise from left, buy them here, here and here.

while i was out shopping with my dear friend jocelyn when she was in town last weekend, i came across this moleskine recipe journal ($20), and my heart skipped a beat.  it would be perfect for anyone that loves to cook and experiment, but what a perfect gift for your culinarily-inclined mom!  now she can write down all of her “top secret” recipes for you, and tape all of those recipes she’s torn from magazines and newspapers to the pages.

if you’re set on sending flowers (and really, what mom doesn’t love flowers?), i happened on these stunning sugar cookies from miette, one of my favorite pastry shops in san francisco.  they’ll ship anywhere, and i think they might be even prettier than actual flowers.

when the creator of these adorable little postcardens emailed me a while back, i instantly fell for the idea.  it’s a postcard that opens up into a pop-up silhouette of a building, cityscape or apartment, and it arrives with a packet of seeds to plant inside to create a darling little mini-garden.  the results are so sweet, and so creative, i couldn’t help but love them.

but back then, you could only buy them in the EU, and it just seemed cruel to torture you with the cuteness and then tell you they weren’t available.  fortunately, aimee emailed last week to let me know that they’re finally available in the US at brooklyn 5+10!

these are such a perfect little gift because they come ready to address and ship – there’s virtually no effort required on your part.  i love the idea of sending these to your favorite gardener, or someone you love who’s living in an apartment with no outdoor space whatsoever.  each one comes boxed into a postcard-sized set, complete with pop-up garden and seeds, and sprouts to create the prettiest little garden. at $12.95 each, this is a perfect “just thinking of you” gift for someone far away.

(editor’s note: ooh, looks like vosges is on sale at gilt groupe this morning.  so, um…hop to it! grab an invite here, and the sale’s right here.)

you know how most people complain about weight gain over the thanksgiving-christmas-new year’s eve time of year?  personally, i have no trouble passing up yet another plate of fruitcake or turkey.

but easter.  ohhhh, easter.  ’tis the season for chocolate, hot cross buns, and all of those yummy egg-shaped candies (cadbury, i’m looking at you!).  plus all of those macarons (and macaroons) being baked up for passover (oh yes, i’m an equal opportunity binger).  and everything’s so cuuuuute!  pink speckled eggs, little bunnies and lambs…it’s too much to resist.  most of these fabulous treats are only around once a year, so naturally, i start stockpiling like a squirrel in winter as soon as the valentine’s day candy leaves the shelves.  my house right now is a diabetic coma waiting to happen.

but even with my extreme expertise in the realm of easter treats, i’ve come up with some new loves this year.  most of them are from vosges, whose chocolate is wonderful any time of year.  but when besides easter can you get bacon and eggs in candy form?

yeah, they’re at least as good as they look.  okay, who am i kidding….they’re way, way better.  if you’re skeptical (as i was, believe me), just remember how good bacon tastes dipped in maple syrup.  now imagine it’s caramel instead.  with a chocolate shell.  i know.

and i can’t really be expected to resist bunnies stuffed with toffee and pink himalayan sea salt either, can i?

then there are the absolutely adorable little truffles my mom sent me (how cute is she for sending me an easter basket?) from another favorite chocolatier, moonstruck chocolates, based right here in portland.

i haven’t been able to bring myself to eat them yet…in person, the cute factor is just overwhelming.  but don’t fear…i’m sure my sweet tooth will win out.

you’re totally craving chocolate now, aren’t you?  yeah, sorry about that.  my advice is to just give in…after all, easter only comes once a year.  grab any (or all…hey, it’s the holidays!) while you can!

i have heard from so many of you this year, begging for help with what seems to be the hardest task of all:  finding a valentine’s day gift for the man in your life.  and i fully admit, it is tricky.  after all, a holiday built on pink hearts and flowers doesn’t exactly scream testosterone.  the key, i think, is to let go and admit that valentine’s day is largely a girl holiday.  with that in mind, stop taking your guy’s gift quite so seriously.  he’ll be much happier getting something that’s sweet, funny and somehow involves you being naked.

i asked my hubs what the perfect gift for a guy was for valentine’s day, and well, his response can’t safely be printed.  but, his point is well taken.  find a cheeky valentine’s day card (my absolute favorites this year are these pun-ny versions from etsy seller westmama, who also happens to be a dear friend!), tie it to a can of whipped cream or a box containing the lacy negligee of your choice (since lingerie gifts really are for him anyway), and make sure you include an explicit proposition or two.  trust me, he’ll never notice (or care) that his gift cost you less than $5.

when in doubt, i tend to err on the side of corny when it comes to men’s valentines – pink champagne and scented candles just aren’t going to cut it.  urban outfitters has some fabulous guy-friendly ideas, but this box of candy hearts from urban outfitters ($8) is my absolute favorite.  it’s funny, just a little sentimental, and guaranteed to make you the coolest girlfriend/wife around.  especially if you pair it with a set of furry handcuffs.  (no, seriously.)

if you’re looking for something a little higher end, another favorite gift of mine for v-day is a really excellent bottle of his favorite liquor.  no, this does not mean champagne.  pick something he loves, and drinks when he’s celebrating.  a great single malt scotch, perhaps, or a fabulous tequila.  this works with nearly any price point – just get the best you can afford.

last but not least, i think guys sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to delivered gifts.  how much do you love seeing the florist show up at your office?  sending flowers isn’t the answer,  but try sending a batch of baked goods straight to his desk.  it’s creative, shows you care, and in almost every case, the way to your man’s heart really is through his stomach.  my absolute favorite for gifting are the round brownies from sugardaddy’s bakery in columbus…the flavor options are unbelievable, they’re gorgeous to look at, and they can be on his desk within 24 hours!