Gift Guide: For the Bar Keep

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Tis the season for a daily tipple! With 10 shopping days left, there’s enough time to try every one of my favorite holiday cocktails and pick up a chic tool for your favorite mixologist.

1. Form + Function. A simple tool doesn’t have to ugly. I love the architectural lines of this chic studio Hay bottle opener.

2. Shape Shifters. For the whiskey lovers who refuse to skimp on style, these are the only whiskey rocks you should buy.

3. Deco Decanter. This decanter will look gorge down to the last drop.

4. X Marks the Spot. So so long to all flat coasters.

5. Go Big or Go Home. The jumbo ice cube is a cocktail lover’s best friend. Now you can make them at home.

6. A Sweet Treat. If you’re going to make the perfect Negroni, you must have have this sweet vermouth at your disposal.

7. Grasp at Straws. It’s officially time to kick plastic to the curb. These golden hued stainless steel straws are a must have.

8. Where My Curves At. It’s time to toast with champagne flutes that have a little more flare. This deco-inspired pair is simply gorgeous.

For our entire gift guide archive, CLICK HERE.

Thanksgiving Table Debate: Minimal or Maximal?

Entertaining

While I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year (both relieved and slightly disappointed by that), I’m always banking ideas for beautiful Thanksgiving tables. I often vacillate between two distinct table setting styles; simple and minimal or an over the top maximal look. So this year I thought I’d see which style you’re feeling.

Let’s take our minimalist look first. A minimal Thanksgiving table does often attract me. I love the simplicity of a good linen tablecloth. A mix of vintage candlesticks, mix & match glassware and antique silver offer a timeless look. Maybe you’ll use some hearty ceramic dishware. The complete look can feel both collected but also rather modern.

When you keep your table simple your food will actually become the star of the show!

An added bonus of the minimal look? No need for a major centerpiece. Think simple branches, a collection of greenery or a small bundle of herbs set atop each plate. The name of the game here is sophsiticated ease.

Conversely, can also take your Thanksgiving table rather big. Think layers upon layer, large floral arrangements, and a cacophony of color, texture, and accessories. From candles galore to serving boards, chargers and salad plates – the more you pile in the marrier. This is also the opportunity to play with color. Whether you do dramatic black and gold tones or embrace blues, pinks, even aubergines, the maximal look certainly ups the initial wow factor.

I will admit that the maximalist Thanksgiving table feels more exuberant. But it can also be less refined. I particularly love this style for Friendsgiving or a large family gathering that you want to feel more relaxed, laissez-faire, but energized.

So what say you? Do you find yourself on Team Minimalist or Team Maximalist for this year’s Thanksgiving? Looking at all these options is making want to set a table just so I can share in the fun. Can you guess which style I’m leaning toward??

PS: Be sure to back tomorrow because I have a very fun Thanksgiving decor tutorial for you! I think it’ll help you off the style fence if you remain undecided.

Need more Thanksgiving decorating ideas? CLICK HERE.

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Gift Guide: For the Wellness Guru

Shopping

While I swore this was my ultimate gift guide, as we round the bend toward the heart of the holidays, I couldn’t help but round up a few more gift ideas (because trust me, I’m still hunting too!). With wellness all the craze these days – yes, I’m trying to incorporate meditation into my daily life, I’ve become fascinated by clean skincare regimes and I carry essential oils in my purse – there are so many lovely things that can help us on the path to feeling good, both inside and out. Who wouldn’t be happy about feeling good this season.

1> If better sleep can come in form of all-natural oils, sign me up

2> The secret to healthy skin, less cellulite and better circulation is using this dry brush for two minutes a day

3> Stocking stuffer alert! You can give yourself a mini facelift with this facial roller. Doesn’t hurt that its gorgeous too

4> This face oil is glowing skin in a bottle. Srsly. I swear by it

5> Sometimes you need a little insight into the universe. This tarot deck is a stunner

6> What if you could just sprinkle fairy dust on your food to cure all your ills? Don’t know if it works, but it’s with a shot

7> Travel-ready essentials oils. Perfect antidotes for visiting family over the holidays

8> Nothing keeps moisture locked in during the cold winter months like a really good body oil

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art by rocio montoya via trendland

A Bold & Beautiful Holiday Table

Decor

Over the years I’ve taken a variety of approaches to holiday decorating. Over-the-top glam. Pops of black and white. Pseudo scandi. Every one creates a unique and distinctive feeling. So when CB2 approached me design a holiday table this season, I immediately said yes! This year I’m craving some change (in many forms) but for the holidays it is manifesting in a lush, bold and dare I saw it – colorful Christmas. I don’t know if it’s the return of velvet, the infiltration of millennial pink or my new addiction to pin to my color board, but as my mind began to swirl about a holiday tale, this is the moodboard that came forth. I made it my personal challenge to channel this vibe into a tablescape.

How do you think I did??

This table breaks all kinds of rules. Navy plates, teal trees, rose gold place settings all on one side and mix and match glassware. But it’s your party so why not have fun?!

If you haven’t quite figured out what you want your holiday table to look like this year, why not just use mine? Seriously – you can win the entire thing. Visit the CB2 in Berkeley, CA any time through Wednesday, November 29 to entire to win this tablescape for eight ($1,000 value!). Simply ask an associate how to enter.

Better yet, I’ll be at the Berkeley CB2 to celebrate the start of the season with you THIS Wednesday from 5-8pm! There will be more giveaways, flash sales, gift wrappers & personal shoppers to help you treasure hunt. And I’ll be recreating this entire table in person. I would so love to see you there.

If you’re not based in the East Bay you can also meet Caitlin Flemming in San Francisco, Meg Biram in Washington DC, Adrienne Raquel in NYC, Alaina Katz in Chicago, Kate Arends in Minneapolis, Whitney Leigh Morris in LA and Paola Mathe in Austin.

Let’s kick this season off in style, shall we friends?

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photography by andrea posadas / florals by natalie bowen designs

This post is in partnership with CB2. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

Last Second Gift Guide

Decor

There are five sleeps left until Christmas. Are you as unprepared as I? There’s no shame in that game. Life is just too busy sometimes. If you can’t squeeze in an IRL shopping trip (though the slow-shopping experience is actually rather uplifting), thankfully things like Prime have been invented. There are always those last second gifts that leave you a little stumped. Stocking stuffers, the gift for that last Christmas cocktail party, your best friend who already has everything. But you don’t have to resort to cheesy mugs, bad t-shirts or other tchotchkes. With just a little extra online sleuthing you can, in fact, find some pretty dang looking gifts that will get to your front door with just enough time to wrap up and get them under that tree. Btw, if you think this shopping list might be self-serving because it represents everyone I still need to shop for, you might be right.

1. Showing up at a Christmas party empty handed is a major faux pax, but showing up with a bad bottle of wine is even worse. Why not gift something your host can enjoy long after all of the holiday trimmings are put away. An oversized marble candle is a nice step up from any old candle that you see everywhere. ($29)

2. I’m always hunting for the perfect little stocking stuffer that isn’t just total cheap crap. This lip tint by the organic skincare line Herbivore has purdy packaging and a universally flattering color. ($28)

3. There’s nothing I enjoy more than girl talk over good wine with a best friend. These rose gold tripped wine glasses would be a welcome addition to anyone’s bar. ($65)

4. If you know a cooking enthusiast, it can be tough to find them something interesting, but this cookbook featuring traditional Venetian dishes from famed restaurant Polpo would offer any home-cook a fun challenge. And I’m not just saying that because I honeymooned in Venice and am obsessed with food there and might want this book to show up under my own tree! ($34)

5. There are a lot of flasks out there. This is not a new nor groundbreaking idea for gifts for the guys, but if you’re serious about you guy having a little nip, give him a serious flask. This flask, sold at retailers like REI, is designed for the outdoorsman. It’s made of stainless steel, is leakproof and has a lifetime warranty. Leave those wanna be flasks at Urban Outiftters alone. ($16).

6. Moms seem to always love Christmas decor, but instead of another set of cheesy hand towels, why not give her a piece of cool modern holiday decor like this christmas tree will add cool touch to next year’s holiday trimmings. ($32)

7. Everyone loves cute animals, but they’re particularly fabulous in a nursery. This art print of a highland cow is so dang cute, I’d be happy seeing it anywhere in my house but I think a new mom would be so excited for something that lasts longer than a onsie or an overpriced pair of baby moccasins. ($25)

8. A salt and pepper shaker can be a pretty ho-hum gift, but this set designed by modern home furnishing brand Menu, shows you didn’t just grab something off the discount isle at Target – aka, you care . ($70)

For rest of our Gift Guides, including for Kiddos, Neat Freaks, Coffee Aficionados, Art Lovers, Dinner-Party Throwers, the Hostess with the Mostest, Decorators, Workaholics & Fashionistas, CLICK HERE

I’m also pinning more of my favorite gift picks HERE

Gift Guide: Kitchen Pretties

Decor

The clock is ticking. We’re 10 days away from Santa’s arrival. Are you ready yet? Yeah, I’m not either. The toughest gifts can often be those little things, for friends, in-laws, coworkers, the boss’s wife. Thankfully, you don’t have to resort to 2-buck chuck or the proverbial scented candle when you show up at someone’s door. We all have enough candles.

With a just a little extra sleuthing you can find unique ideas for all the randoms left on your list. A kitchen tool combined with a dash of design means it won’t get shoved in drawer or hidden in cupboard. A lesser known bottle of bubbly will take center stage. Anything hand crafted feels special. Any of the beautiful pieces below are sure to stand out in a crowd.

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brass coasters / area whiskey rocks / steak knives / black marble board / franciacorta sparkling wine / candle holders / serving bowls / heath ceramics whiskey set

Our Christmas shopping days are numbered. Check out the rest of our Gift Guides HERE. And I’m pinning all the rest of my favorite finds HERE.

Gift Guide: For the Neat Freak

Decor

Some people are meticulous cleaners. One speck of dust, one object out of place makes their skin crawl. They usually have good tidying habits – cleaning as you go. Picking things up from the floor. Having a consistent cleaning schedule. Sadly, I am not one of those people. I tend to put off cleaning until the chore just absolutely has to be done. But maybe, just maybe, if I had really pretty cleaning tools in my arsenal, I might be more inclined to keep the dust at bay. A girl can dream. Whether you love to clean or absolutely loathe it, these design-driven cleaning tools will make a dirty job much more pleasant.

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1 feather duster / 2 copper scrubbers / 3 dish soap / 4 small duster / 5 shoe shine brush / 6 all-surface spray / 7 detergent / 8 sweeper and funnel

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For our Gift Guide Archive CLICK HERE

Gift Guide: For the Workaholic

Decor

We all know one. Someone who is all about their job. Obsessed even. They might be hard persuade to meet up for happy hour, but thankfully they’re easy targets for Christmas shopping. You can make their work-focused lives a little more pleasant by helping them create a gorgeous work space. Not convinced? The new Kinfolk offices in Copenhagen are a shining example.

Yes, our beloved Kinfolk picked up from their Portland headquarters and moved to what could arguably be called the design capitol of the world. And it’s done them good. Their stunning modern, minimalist office is just so so good. It’s no surprise I love it – it’s designed by Norm Architects of course (if you missed my home tour of their founder you can check it out here). I’m a firm believe that a clutter-free space helps cultivate a clutter free mind and focused work environment.

Of course, Kinfolk keeps this sparse look to a whole new level and I don’t know if I could ever manage to be that buttoned up. Seriously – where do you put papers?? But it gives me something to aspire to. The space is also the inspiration for our latest gift guide. Imagine how good it would feel if your desk was a pristine clean slate, with only absolute necessities and maybe a pretty something or two. A desk calendar, a really good pen, a place to jot all the s*** you need to get done. But nothing more. I’m so into it. And now I’m thinking I need to grab of couple of this chic office accessories and redo my office for the new year!

1 appointment calendar / 2 bowl / 3 gold pen / 4 shit to do notepad / 5 notebook / 6 scissors / 7 lamp / 8 waste basket

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images via dezeen

My Cyber Monday Wishlist

Shopping

I know it’s time to buy things for other people, but admit it. You use Cyber Monday to add a few little things to your cart for yourself. Am I right, or am I right? Well I’ve been stalking the interwebs all day for the best steals, whittling it down to what I’ll be putting in my cart tonight once the babe is in bed and wine is in my hand!

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1. You can never have too much lotion in the winter. This balm is the perfect elixir for dry hands.

2. I add to my sunglasses collection anytime I can. This cute pair by Loewe would add a nice light look on cold sunny days.

3. I’ve been eying this leather moto jacket for months. At 40% off, it’s officially time to pull the trigger.

4. You always get the most wear and tear out of a good utility bag. A classic crossbody in black is a must-have for our hands free way of life – especially when its 50% off! Grab one while you can.

5. I’ve resisted the mom clog successfully thus far, but this chic pair by Loeffler Randall has me seriously reconsidering. Those tassels are everything – as is getting them at 30% off.

6. Forever the hostess, I can never have too many beautiful bowls. These gorgeous bowls, hand carved of American beeach wood are 20% off today. I’m getting one in every size!

7. A cozy throw is a must this time of year and camel never goes out of style. I’m definitely scooping up this super soft St. Frank cashmere throw since it’s 25% off today,

8. Every year I like to retire one worn out sweater and replenish my collection with a fresh one. Rag & Bone at 40% off? Don’t mind if I do!

For more Gift Guides, CLICK HERE

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