Swiss +Miss

After a spectacular 2 days in NYC,  I'm headed to Zurich! Contrary to apparent popular belief, Zurich is not in Germany, but in Switzerland. Christmas in Zurich should be rather magical, and I am keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas. I'm expecting exquisite chocolate, excellent fondues and over-bearing punctuality. 

It will be the first time our family is all together again since the summer so it should be grand. Last new year's we spent in Russia partying it up St. Petersburg-style. Let's see if we can top that night, shall we?

Cheers and Happy Holidays! xoxo 

Gift+ Guide (Part VI)

And, by special request from my dear friend Louis, the final gift guide of the season:

For your gorgeous girlfriend who looks good in anything, brings you soup when you are sick, glistens when she works out and somehow manages to teach you something new everyday:

because god forbid Glitterature seem, and I quote, "heteronormative".

Literary Note Card set from Out of Print. With cover art from all of her favorite classics. Bonus: proceeds send books to communities in need. boom, double whammy.

This super sexy sleepwear set from Free People. You just can't go wrong with red lace.

Crack Me Hidden Note by LitteOkins. These adorable customizable eggs show up at your girlfriends door, and she cracks it open to find a message from you! Bizarre but sweet! Below are some other cute designs. Lovin' the gold elk one. duh. 

GOLD PLAYING CARDS. I kid you not. She'll love them and wouldn't they be perfect for a rainy-day in? I'm full of good ideas. By A+R.

The concept behind this scarf might be even cooler than the scarf itself. A bunch of ex-pats living in  Peru's Andean Highlands with a passion for knitting have created an online marketplace for their dozens of knitting creations, along with DIY ideas and tons more. Check it out: Wool and the Gang.

What are her thoughts on Ireland? How about owning property? Because for only $49.99, you can purchase her a square foot of rural Ireland from BuyIreland. Kind of like that whole "naming a star" circa A Walk to Remember, but this one you could actually potentially go visit. and it won't make you cry like a baby.

 Hey, it's different.

So as we all know, buying perfumes for a girl can be difficult because we all have different tastes. There's the clean, "linen" girl, there's the sweet, floral girl, and then there's the rich, musky, amber-y girl (that's me). The best way around all of this confusion? Get her Sephora's Scent Sampler. She'll receive 12 sampler fragrances of Sephora's top selling perfumes, and once she chooses her favorite, she gets to switch it out for a full size bottle of her choice. I got this for Christmas one year and not only got a super sophisticated bottle of Prada out of it, but also kept, and still use, all the mini samplers. You can't go wrong with this one.  

Tattly Temporary "Besties" Tattoo. 

Because nothing says true love like a good temporary tattoo. 

Yoshitomo Nara: The Complete Works. 

To satisfy the artiste in her because this legendary Japanese Pop artist is to die for.

NARS lipstick in Heat Wave. 

The lipstick that claims to look good on everyone. So no worries, it will flatter her skin tone. Because I know you were worried about that.

A bouquet of flowers. It's simple, inexpensive and right around the corner. Its worked for the last couple hundred of centuries and, last I checked, it still woos. Go get 'em, tiger.

Gift+Guide (Part V)

For your best friends who are the loudest scene-causing people you know, people-watch in the library with you, agree on who to consider evil, can sit with you in a cafe for hours doing nothing and, most importantly, like to rumpus.

For the forgetful- a chalkboard skull by IamHome

This sexy gold leather turban by ban.do

Wood Earbud holder for the music obsessed by Acoustic Creations.

Honey Almond Milk Pure Organic Foaming Shower Gel from American Apparel. Heavenly

Potentially tasty...? 10 Maple Bacon Breakfast Lollipops by Custom Candy Creations. I'll let the recipient be the judge of this one... 

Tarte for True Blood Limited Edition natural cheek stain. Now they can pretend to be a victim of the immortals they know and love.

Personalizable Beer Holster for your fratastic friends. Their dream come true.

To share and compare.

I know and architecture student or two who might find this useful. Eraser/brush combo. Pretty nifty, eh? By Present&Correct.

Lomography La Sardina DXL Analogue Camera from Urban Outfitters. Heck, I want this. 

This to-die-for knitted gold sequin jacket from TopShop cause what girl wouldn't fall in love with it?

Black and gray bearded lumberjack hat from beardbeanie. For your boyos with a sense of humor and a cold face.

NARS Body Glow. Because it looks good on everyone.

Gift + Guide (Part IV)

For your boyfriend who is a hipster lumberjack, plays chess, welds, speaks 3 languages and always has a wittier comeback:

"Coming in what is perhaps the most masculine perfume bottle ever designed, Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather Perfume is rich in leather, black suede and amber wood notes."

mmm mmm good.

U-Lock holster. So convenient. So manly.

Kurt Geiger's Isla Mittens to keep his hands toasty warm.

Dante's Divine Comedy.

What he tells people his favorite book is.

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

What you know his favorite book actually is.

(Hardcover Classics Covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith with Penguin)

Grey Chambray utility shirt from J. Crew.

"The Shrine."

To organize all of his LP's while simultaneously playing that new M83 album.

Clubmaster Ray Ban's. Channel his inner James Dean.

The Perfect grey V-Neck from GAP.

Forage Bow Ties to match his eyes from STAG.

Men's blue long socks by Muza, because the wooden cabin you live in together can get chilly in the winter.

The Camper Satchel in Grey Waxed Canvas by Sketchbook. To carry pine cones around in, apparently.

This lovely handcrafted driftwood mirror on Etsy, so that he can look at his reflection (mirror not shown). 

Gift + Guide (Part III)

For your sisters who speak Chinese, casually ski on weekends, write novels and are the most beautiful people you know:

Cold Wave Scarf Necklace by Anthropologie.

Large Original Woodcut of "Baile del Sol" from 1000Woodcuts.

Free Hands Sports gloves that let you stay warm while staying connected (but actually, so practical.)

We Are Handsome Peacock swimsuit because its freaking sick.

The North Face Purple Label Rucksack in collaboration with Japanese brand Nanamica

Silk Pajama shirt in starstruck by J. Crew for those lazy Sundays at home.

Winter Skin Set - Natural Soap Gift Set by Rocky Top Soap Shop.

Sequin playsuit by Rare from Topshop. Because you all share your clothes anyway...

natural Wood vinyl Mac Book Cover by SistersDecal.

Tintin: The Complete Companion

An exploration into the background of Hergé and his adventurous boy hero. Because you can never go wrong with a childhood favorite.

These gorgeous Jeffrey Campbell's "Lita" Booties.

California Select Original Scrunchies by American Apparel. Because they are one thing I refuse to ever let go out of style.