I always love when my family and friends introduce me to new brands or items that I may have never known about. Most of the time, it’s a gift or a simple recommendation that end up becoming some of my favorite things. I put together a list of some of my favorites that I already have and love, along with some items on my wish list to Santa, to help make your season of giving a little less stressful! Every Empress is sure to love a gift from this holiday gift giving guide! So, sit back and snuggle up in your pj’s on your laptop and let’s shop Cyber Monday together…one of my favorite holiday’s!!! (post contains on affiliate links)
FASHION
Clothing – A must have are these Z SUPPLY tees that I am in love with all because of my sweet friend Sarah showing up to my house in one! I recommend sizing up one or even two sizes for a relaxed fit. I have basically every color on my wish list, but my first choice is the camo print in both green and white!
I seriously live in my Patagonia Los Gatos Fleece, Nano Puff Down Vest and Jacket during the winter, and even in the spring and summer when I get the chills. I have worn all of them so much that I am in dire need of an upgrade! So, now I am asking Santa for this Classic Retro-X Fleece (I mean how cute is that aqua pocket?!) to add to my collection!
Old Navy has serious sales throughout this month and a few of my favorite pieces from this season are great closet basics. The classic crew neck pullover and the V-Neck Sweater have been such staples lately. They go with everything and are awesome layering pieces. Make sure to size up as they run a bit small – for reference I wear a Medium. I literally bought them in pretty much every color, because when you find something you like it makes sense, right?!
The sweaters have started pilling a bit, but for the price a few years worth of wear is worth it! Even some high end sweaters pill, you just never know, so don’t think of it as “cheap” even though the price is! Did you know you can take a razor and just lightly shave it to get the pilling off. Don’t do it too hard or too many times, because you will make a hole. You can also buy a fabric shaver like this Conair one and it works, but I am more of a DIYer and love that this works way better (if you’re not a risk taker stick with the fabric shaver and do not pick up a razor)!
I’ve also fallen in love with the plaid boyfriend flannels here and here (they run true to size and for reference I am wearing a small). For this price, how could you not buy them all! Do it…I did!
And these are my go to leggings that are amazing! I have a few pairs, but none compare to my SPANX! They are perfection and I love wearing them with the boyfriend shirts above from Old Navy paired with a faux fur or quilted vest.
Jewelry – I have a few one stop shops for jewelry and during the holiday’s I stock up for gifts here. My favorites are Kendra Scott, Baublebar and Nordstrom. Right now, all three have some great deals on some of my favorite pieces, but Nordstrom carries a wide variety of both with a few MAY-JOR steals! You can get 20% off on all Kendra Scott for Cyber Monday until midnight using the code SALE20 and at Baublebar using code SAVE25 off one item and SAVE35 off of two.
I own so much Kendra Scott, because it is classic and timeless. The Danielle Earrings are a must have for any Empress, and the perfect gift if you don’t know her “style.” I have them in black and rose quartz and wear the rose quartz with so much. Especially now, with winter whites (yes, it’s true, you can wear white jeans passed Labor Day now!). A lot of times the Danielle earrings are confused with the Elle, but the Danielle is the larger style and the Elle is a great choice for a more dainty look. I seriously could have these in every color and not even think twice about it. I would match them to all twenty of my blanket scarves and the collection of Hunter Boots I’m slowly working on!
I have the new Bexley Earrings in Ivory Pearl/Rose Gold and they are also a great neutral that pairs well with so much, and the fun design gives them a little edgy vibe. I also adore and got so much wear out of my Tessa Stone Studs, until I lost one and now I need another pair. At least I have an extra one in case I lose one again (which is pretty much a given)! I had them in iridescent drusy, but now having two neutral’s above, I really need the platinum drusy (hint, hint!).
Another must have is a Rayne Necklace (I want the black opaque/gunmetal), the Elisa Pendant Necklace for a short necklace or the Aiden Pendent, which has an elegant mosaic design. I just bought my mom this, along with the matching earrings for her birthday, and she always gets so many compliments! You can never go wrong with Kendra…the perfect gift!
Another fav spot for more playful statement pieces is Baublebar. I am obsessed with these Piñata Tassel Earrings and I just ordered them in bright pink, because we all know I swoon over all things pink. I really do want them in every color…do you see a pattern here???!!! I also have had this X-Large monogram necklace on my wish list for some time, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I think this will be the year!
I am obsessed with my Alex and Ani bangles that my sister got me last year for Christmas as a total surprise! They are the perfect addition to every stack and I love the meaning behind each and every one! I’m hoping for the birthstone or initial this year, but I don’t like my birthstone color Topaz (yuck!), so I’ll pretend I’m April crystal…shhhhh, don’t tell anyone! I also want this David Yurman Albion ring, but I’m pretty sure that one’s a long shot!
Lastly, one of my absolute favorite necklaces is by enewton design. This simple yet elegant signature cross necklace has become so popular and my friends and I love them. I have one in white that is so special to me, and I can’t speak highly enough about the brand, the designer Elizabeth and her team. Everything on the site is absolutely beautiful, but the cross necklace is perfection. I want a black one and hot pink to layer with my white one, because less is not more in this particular instance! I also adore the signature cross bracelets that can be stacked in a multitude of colors or added on to your own stack.
Blanket Scarves and Accessories – I have like 20 blanket scarves and they make the best gifts. These are a few of my absolute favorites!
I have this Reversible Scarf and it is so cute. It’s not as big as a typical blanket scarf, but that’s what I love about it.
I also just bought the Pretty Plaid scarf that I will be pairing with my new pink Hunter’s, and the Geo Pattern and Check Scarf are both on my wish list! I must say out of all of mine (half aren’t pictured either!) this one is my absolute favorite and my go-to!
Shoes – And speaking of Hunter boots, there are several new colors in stock, but also so many awesome colors on sale! Like I said, I recently just got them in Pink Sand (aren’t they just the cutest?!), and can’t wait to pair them with this Lucky Brand flannel! It’s supposed to rain here in Atlanta on Tuesday, so get ready to see a photo shoot! How can you not get excited about rain when you have these beauties?! LOL. I also have them in red (short), green, a snake print that is so amazing, but was discontinued for some reason (boo!) and cobalt blue! I also love my welly cable socks to pair with them to change up the look a bit!
I am also totally crushing on these SOREL ‘Joan of Artic’ waterproof snow boots in black. Kate had a pair on the other night when we went to Six Flags and they rock my world! They are on the pricey side, so it’s definitely a splurge, but well worth it in the peak of winter and on snow days, because they are SO cute!
BEAUTY
I am a perfume collector and live for new scents. Some Empresses have one signature scent and that they are known for and she can walk into a room and everyone knows it’s you. And, if they don’t, they certainly ask you what you’re wearing (you know who you are!)!! Unfortunately, that’s just not me. I love perfumes for different seasons and the memories and stories that they leave lingering on my soul from different times in my life. For that alone, I am constantly switching it up.
Here are my favorite winter scents: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Issey Miyaki L’Eau d’Issey, BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline and Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs ‘L’Original’ Vaporisateur. I also just got to test out Armini Sí and Sí Intense and love them as well. Since I just started wearing the Sí Intense just recently the last few months, I can’t add it to my favorites, because the memories aren’t there yet! Check back with me next Christmas! My favorite spring and summer scents are completely different! I’ll share those in a few months!!!
The older I get the the more I invest in beauty products. I am always looking for a new facial cleanser that’s healthy and natural and I have recently been using Beautycounter for Target’s Nourishing Cream Exfoliator and am loving it. I have a few friends that sell Beauty Counter products and my friend Casi over at How You Wear It gave me several products to try. I have also been wanting to try this Philosphy Exfoliating Face Wash for some time and there’s also a great gift set here. I also love this Estée Lauder Nutritious Foam Cleanser and I love using it with my cleansing brush.
HOME
I love Le Creuset bakeware, so I am really wanting pieces to add to my collection. I am obsessed with the colors Hibiscus (pink) and Caribbean (aqua) that match my new side room off the kitchen with my amazing Oliver Gal painting! By the way, the house reveal will be coming up this week! Eeeeek! It’s been a long time coming, but I’m so excited to show you how the remodel turned out!
I also love my Pottery Barn faux fur throw in grey ombré that we got last year as a gift from my parents. It is so cozy and my go to blanket. Fred always tries to steal it, so I am asking Santa for the Alpaca one this year, so we can each have our own!
HEALTH & FITNESS
These Dr. Dre Wireless Beats are on the top of my Christmas wish list. I also am loving my Fitbit and being able to track my sleep patterns, steps and calories. It is waaaay better than the Polar in my opinion, because the strap you have to wear around your chest is so uncomfortable. I also love my Tervis, but definitely want to upgrade to a corkcicle and a personalized 30 ounce Yeti tumbler, too!
Also, my new black Nike Free RN’s are my fav! Make sure to size up a half size with Nike, because they run small.
Happy shopping, Empresses! I would love to know the top items on your wish list’s, because I certainly can always make more room on my letter to Santa!!! Let me know and make sure to follow me along on social media, where I will be showing some more daily looks that are on major sale!
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