When it comes to the holiday season, making themed gift guides is one of my favorite things. I find it oddly therapeutic to sit at my computer all night working on rounding up some of my favorite things, plus handpicking items I think other mamas and women would enjoy. Here is my 2017 Modern Woman’s Holiday Gift Guide broken into 5 parts:
- Who’s in the Kitchen
- Who’s Tredy + Traveling
- Who’s Anxious + Needs Grounding
- Who Needs Some Love + TLC
- Who Has a Sweet Home + Soul
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, there’s something on this list for everyone! I hope you enjoy playing Santa or Mrs. Clause as much as I do, and from my little family to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and HAPPY SHOPPING!
Cheers!
Whether you travel often for work, or just for your one allowed vacay a year, every girl needs a hardshell carry-on suitcase. Personally, I can’t ever carry on a suitcase anyway (back problems), but using this size as my only bag on short trips helps me eliminate overpacking. Plus, how cute is this rose gold?!
Whether you’re like, so 2017 and running a podcast, working remote and having to dial in for conference calls, or just looking for comfy headphones to listen to music, these gems are not only cute, but super functional since they’re cordless and have a built in mic.
I don’t stray from makeup favs, so when it comes to blush and bronzers, MAC is my fav. Every other brand seems to cause me to break out. Whether you’re looking to add some color to your cheeks thanks to jet-lag, or freshen up before a hot date, this is a staple every woman needs in her makeup bag.
I first heard of this water filtration system thanks to @leefromamerica, and it’s quickly become one of my favs. You can check out all their specks in the link above, but I love that it’s room temp (hi, sensitive teeth; but it’s actually easier for your body to absorb, too); I love that you hardly ever have to replace the filters, AND it’s super modern and sleek looking. Pair with #9 from the “Who’s in the Kitchen” gift guide below, and you’re all set with a trendy (and inexpensive) stand as well.
It’s like, so 2017 to cancel your cable, amIright?! Lucky for us millennials, canceling your cable to lower your house bills, doesn’t mean giving up our guilty pleasures of reality TV, Stranger Things, or Big Little Lies, because, well, there’s an app for that…with the new Apple TV, you’ll find more apps, quicker stream times, and more user-friendly tools.
If you don’t have a crystal on your desk, in your living room, or on your nightstand, are you even living?! Oh wait, I must have lived in Southern California too long…but seriously, even if the “hippie shit” makes you want to pull your hair out, quartz is known to potentially aid Chakra healing and help balance energy, and I don’t know a mom or a woman living in today’s world that can’t use some of that…
Step 1: *Refer to #2* Step 2: Be trendy AF and professional AF if you’re starting a new podcast or upgrading a mic that’s not doing your voice justice.
Are you even worthy of Instagramming or Pinteresting your home if it doesn’t have one of these gorg + modern plant stands?!
BPA free, check. Pairs perfectly with #4, check. Keeps you hydrated throughout the day, check. Which, in turn, means glowing skin, happy organs, and a healthier, more hydrated you? Check.
Every desk or garden needs a succulent. And this gem of a pot is calming, brings a bit of nature inside, and is super cute.
Whether you’re a mama wanting to hold your little(s) close to your heart, a newlywed who wants to cherish your anniversary, a proud g-ma doting her grandchildren, or a woman wanting to documenting an empowering phrase or special date, Tiny Tags are our fav gold bar necklaces, hands-down. Oh, and they’re mama owned + operated by our friend’s sister, so go support them.
I’m crushing on this coffee table SO HARD. Whether you need an office upgrade or new addition to your living room or den, this table is GORG and I love it so much.
If I could bathe in the scent of this candle, I would. I wish they made it in a car freshener so I could take it everywhere with me. Or turned it into an essential oil since I’m a mom and Tanner likes to poke his little rascally fingers in it and ruin it. So, for now, it’s sitting safely up where he can’t reach (and forgets where it lives) and seriously smells SO EFFING GOOD. Fav Anthro candle scent, hands-down. It’s my go-to housewarming gift for friends, too, and they all agree. Pinky promise.
Who isn’t anxious these days? and I don’t mean that as a joke, because I really struggle with anxiety (hence the anti-anxiety Christmas list a few sections down…). These bath salts are infused with calming essential oils and magnesium, which can help ease sore muscles. If you can sliver away 20 minutes a couple times a month, soak up the love (and the self-care) with this CALM soak.
Mustard colored clothing and accessories are always a must for fall and winter, and this beanie is the softest, cutest thing ever. Add it to your wardrobe whether you’re just planning on wandering downtown Main Street at Sundance, skiing in Tahoe, or being a snow bunny.
One of my best friends and ‘neighbors’ makes macrame, and she’s SO talented. She’s local to San Diego, but ships worldwide! Macrame is so in right now, so whether you want to spruce up your own house or your besties, this gift is perfect!
I have an issue with commitment. To people, and to books. But I have to admit, I am kind of shallow and do judge a book by its cover – sometimes. So, as my eyes were welling with tears as I wandered my favorite hippie store in Encinitas (Soul Scape), I was looking for a “sign” that something would call to me. The book table did, and this shiny gem was calling “Shelley, Shelley! You need me!” I read the first few pages, and I really did need this. The authors sold me, the cover sold me, and so did the fact it’s only about a cm thick, so I could actually read it (even if my toddler interrupted my quiet time 23485 times and it took me a month….don’t judge me and my book timelines).
Read above paragraph; same story here. LOVE.
I haven’t read this book myself yet, but the reviews are amazing, and it’s a modern crystal-saging-hippie-shit must-have.
Tea is the new coffee. Electric is the new gas-range. Pistachio is the new black.
Air cleaning, great empty space filler, and one of the prettiest plants I ever did see, I adore fiddly fig trees, and think that empty corner in your room, home, or office really needs this gem. Bring a little nature inside and give some TLC to a plant like this one. But, be sure to talk to her and dust her leaves to help her thrive (seriously). And water her once a week with a gallon of water. You can thank Deb, my favorite Enci plant lady for that tidbit.
I don’t drink coffee, but all my friends do, and so does my sister. She said my list needed it since so do 98% of other humans. So, this one is the babe of hipster coffee drips so it will look fab on your kitchen counter, and has awesome reviews, too. win-win.
This diffuser is expensive AF but so pretty and easy to clean (biggest pet-peeve of other diffusers). I used to have the Bamboo diffuser by YL and hate it, because I’ve had two different ones, both which quit on me only a couple months in. But this Queen is the real deal.
Healing and gorg? Yep!
I didn’t even know a crockpot for casseroles existed, but when I stumbled upon this, I instantly knew I had to shout the news from my little blog mountaintop. You’re welcome.
There’s really nothing better than the season of Christmas, the feeling of Christmas, the giving of Christmas, and the smell of Christmas. Luckily YL bottled it up so you can enjoy all month long (or all year long if you’re a rebel like that).
Want to take a trip to the mountains but live too far, can’t afford it, or don’t have a 4WD to get you there? Just drop a few drips of this YL oil in your diffuser, cozy up by the fire, make some hot cocoa, and boom…
’tis the season where kids bring home 234987 bugs from pre-school, and mama aint got NO time to be sick. Fight off germs with Thieves!
Channeling all good things to come in my vision board AND with this EO.
I took a poll on my Instagram to see if refurbished were 1. shit 2. the shit. Feedback was #2 – every single person said their refurbished models were going 3+ years and were absolutely worth every penny (and saving 40% off the original price!)
Every table needs these. They’re so pretty!!
If you follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my blog, you know I should probably open a baked donut shop with how often I make them. I currently have a silicone mold, but the non-stick function has been a lie. So, these babies are on the upgrade list, and should be on yours, too!
I’d definitely eat more salad if it came served in this gorgeous wood bowl. I didn’t even thing large serving bowls could be so pretty, but look at this beauty!
No one likes the person who doesn’t use a coaster and leaves a ring on the vintage table they inherited from their great grandmother. If you think 99% of coasters sold in stores are ugly and unfunctional (just made up a new word I guess), I agree. But these are the Ritz of the coaster family, and a beautiful accessory to any side or coffee table.
If you’ve been using 10-year-old plastic measuring spoons, throw them away (recycle, obviously). You’re probably being poisoned since I doubt they’re BPA free. These copper measuring spoons will pair perfectly with your new donut pans.
I love this for so many reason… 1. Having endo, I basically live off soup. 2. Soup is never filling enough, and should always be served with crackers. 3. Having a soup bowl, you never know where to put a side of bread, toast, crackers, or fruit. 4. This solves almost all your life problems.
I have no idea what I’d use this for, but it was too pretty to leave off. Be super woman in the kitchen and mash your own herb blends (and bring me some since I’m too lazy to do that).
You need this for your Big Berky. Or a plant.
If you’re reading this, you’re officially a grown up, so do yourself a favor and invest in a GOOD knife set, or ask Santa for them. Get your cute little booty in the kitchen and be inspired to whip up some fresh stir-fry or chop casserole ingredients (see #13 from the 2nd list) with these knives.
It’s time to upgrade your bakeware, because this latte brown set is so freaking cute (and the reviews are amaze, and so is Rachael Ray).
I get super grossed out when people keep cooking utensils for 25 years, so replace your old bacteria-festering wooden spoons with these beauties that will look pretty on your kitchen counter, andddd work like a gem.
I’ve been wearing LL Bean mocs since middle school, and in high school, I decided to make it a fashion trend to wear them every day to school in the winter. My feet are wide AF so I secretly hate booties, boots, and sneaks. Hence, the moccasin obsession. Lately, I’m always freezing, so I came across this design (which are actually mens’ and called ‘boots’), and I love that they go up higher on the ankle, eliminating the freezing breeze that always sneaks up from your moccasin into your sweat pants through the little 1″ exposed area of skin.
Bengal and Icy Hot and their GMO ingredients are so 2001. (I don’t even know if their ingredients are GMO, I’m totally kidding). But, this rub is like Icy Hot, but all natural. Give it a try when you need to soothe sore muscles or relieve cramping.
All the sage, all the crystals, all the cleansing.
Who are you if you don’t think robes are like, the best thing ever?! How else to you cozy up for a Netflix marathon or transition from shower to bed?! This robe is snuggly warm and I love the color.
If you’re feeling anxious, order this book. Anxiety is often fear of the unknown, fear of the present, or fear of the future. Controlling anxiety is accepting it’s present while also distinguishing what’s just “noise” aka fear vs. real symptoms, thoughts, or situations. This book can help you get to the root of fear and turn it into something else.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a chronic illness or debilitating medical situation, this book may help 🙂
Mindfulness, gratitude, and journalling are all shown to reduce anxiety, help us think positively, and thus, be happier human beings. This book makes a workbook style “task” fun with engaging exercises and thoughtful quotes.
Sick or feeling blue? Try this tea for a relaxing pick-me-up or stress relief.
Lavender scent is calming and soothing, and a sleep mask is a must-have if you don’t have blackout curtains or have any annoying electronic lights in your room. Cozy up in bed with this sleep mask for a restful night’s sleep.
After I had back surgery, I literally wasn’t allowed to vacuum for months. and physically couldn’t for almost a YEAR. Seriously. A Roomba was my absolute life-saver. So, if someone you know is too sick or hurt to vacuum, or doesn’t have a lab to pick up all the crumbs on the floor from a toddler, this is an absolute must-have. There are many different Roomba makes and models, so you can find one at almost every price point.
Even expensive makeup brushes tend to have bristles that fall out and are just pain ‘ol shitty. This huge pack is not only inexpensive, but is super soft, and has like 1000+ amaze reviews.
My naturopath doc and chiropractor recommended this heating pad to me because of it’s healing properties with Jade. Call her witch doctor or not, but anyone suffering from being cold 24/7 or an illness like endo that relies on relief from a heating pad, this is one of the best, and worth the investment.
Everyone keeps saying CBD rubs for anxiety and illnesses work wonders. Let us know what you think.
See above but insert into a bath salt?! I haven’t tried this yet, but it combines two favorite things of chronic pain sufferers…magnesium from salt and pain relief from CBD.
See # 13 🙂 repeat.
This powder is the BEST. If you need some TLC or are ill, you know how difficult it is to put on makeup every day, or even feel pretty behind big dark circles or puffy eyes. This powder helps you feel bright, fresh, and beautiful. And lasts forever and pairs well with the brushes listed above.
Stress + Anxiety Crystal Set
I may have lived in San Diego a little too long where crystals and moon circles were the new happy hour, but I don’t think it’s ever a bad thing to ground yourself, find what centers you, and have hope, love, and light when it comes to healing, growth, or strength. These stress + anxiety relief crystals will hopefully bring some peace and grounding to your anxious thoughts.
“The Cup of Courage” Anti-Anxiety Mug
Everyone needs a little pick-me-up in the morning, especially if you have anxiety, because you most likely don’t drink caffeine. This cute mug has little reminders, mantras, and whimsical cartoons to distract your mind (and your anxiety, hopefully).
Anxiety Care Cards
These are so cute. Get to the root of your emotions and lay your anxiety down on the table, literally, with these care cards that remind you to nourish yourself, rest when you need it, and give yourself grace through life’s ups and downs.
5 Minute Journal
Gratitude can be a wonderful way to help keep anxiety at bay, and so can forming a bedtime routine. Did you know adults need nightly routines just as much as babies?! This 5 Minute Journal reminds you to write things that you’re grateful for, things you’re proud of / accomplished, and things that didn’t go so well so you can aim to improve them. And, each exercise literally just takes you…you guessed it…5 minutes.
Stress-Relief Kit
Bath and Body works put together this calmly scented stress-relief kit, and it smells divine. Made up of scents said to help ease anxiety, this gift set is a win for an anxiety suffer, or anyone, for that matter.
Himalayan Salt Lamp
Salt lamps can bring healing, peace, and purity the air. Their soft color also makes for a great night light or mood-setter. Having them in every room can also potentially help with allergies and mold elimination.
My Story Is Not Over Yet ; Mantra Band
Your story is not over yet…repeat that to yourself. When you feel as if life is swallowing you whole, breathe. Pause for a minute. Grab your 5 minute journal. Remember that this too shall pass, and this is just a season of life you’re passing through to make you stronger. ;
Anxiety Rollers
There are SO many brands and so many different types of anxiety blends these days, but I love that these support a small business owner on Etsy, and they smell amazing.
CBD oil
I’ve been too scared to try CBD oil, because, ya know….anxiety. BUT people swear by the stuff. So if you or someone you know suffers from anxiety, I’ve heard Charlotte’s Web is one of the best brands that brings natural relief (with NO THC!)
Sound Machine
Take yourself to an imaginary spa with this sound machine. I love this one because it has 12 different sounds. Be forewarned, a couple of them aren’t my fav, but the “relax,” “meditation,” and “calm” are a few of my favs. I turn it on at night (like right now, writing this) to try to eliminate the stressors of the day and calm my mind, body, and spirit.
Weighted Blankie
I have no idea if these actually work or not, but because I have anxiety, I keep being target-marketed for them. So I read through about 239847 reviews and they were all excellent. So, I’ve decided that I really need one, and so do you.
Liquid Xanax
I have absolutely NO shame in anti-anxiety meds or anti-depressants, because I truly think (and know) they can save lives when used properly under a psychiatrist’s care and adjustments. But, if you want to go the natural route, try this stuff (but be sure to check with your doc first, as with anything on this list!)
Spa Finder Gift Card
Whether you’re a stressed out mama, college student, or workin’ woman, there is nothing like the serenity of a spa day to help ease tension, stress, and worry. Spa Finder teams up with a ton of local spas to offer gift cards to various locations, nationwide. Check out if they offer services for a spa near the person you’re shopping for, and if they do, this is a great way to get them a treatment they so deserve.
Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fu*k
Because when you’re giving too much of a fu*k about others, you’re not giving enough f*cks about yourself.
Mind Over Mood
Dealing with chronic illness, anxiety, or depression is absolutely debilitating. Especially if you aren’t equipped with the helpful CBT or ACT tools of shifting your mind over your mood. This book is a gem for helping with anxiety, stress, and mood disorders – whether you’ve officially been diagnosed or are just going through a rough patch.
Unf*ck Yourself
every single human needs to read this book. Get your confidence back. Get your courage back. Get your peace back. Get your life back.
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salty sweet seasons 
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