Holiday Gift Guide Part 3 — Picks For Damsels Who Love All Things Dainty And Cute
We’re easing on down the gift giving road! Today we unveil the latest installment of our Holiday Gift Guide, which features an assortment of finds for girls who like all things dainty, pretty, miniature, and undeniably girly. Don’t be shocked if you yourself let out a well-timed “Awww,” an exuberant “Qué lindo!,” or an “Adorabs” when you lay eyes on these!
Stella & Dot “You Are My Sunshine” Necklace, $69. Available at StellaDot.com
Does this person make you happy when skies are gray? Then let her know she brightens up your world with this sterling silver necklace, featuring a 16″-long sterling silver chain and four charms — a round, flat sterling silver number with the word “You” etched across its center; a gold-plated diamond shaped charm with the word “Are” etched across it; a slim, oblong-shaped sterling silver one with the word “My” etched in a vertical manner; and a hollow, round, gold plated charm with the word “Sunshine” etched along its perimeter. What do they spell? You guessed it: “You Are My Sunshine.” Awwww!
Charlotte Olympia “Be Mine” Acrylic Clutch Bag, $1295. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
It may not be Valentine’s Day, but it’s never too early for candied hearts. Though it features a hard shell, this Perspex acrylic clutch weighs lass than a pound, making it all the more lovable. The powder pink piece features a rounded shape similar to that of a retro hat box, but its bottom surface is completely flat, which allows you to set it down on any surface with ease. And, of course, the winning detail is the red heart shape inlaid along the front, with the words “Be Mine” spelled in its center — a nod to the pastel-toned sweetheart candies kids pass around on February 14th. Made in Italy, the clutch measures 5 3/4″ in height, 6 1/4″ in width, and 1 3/4″ in depth, and it features a hinged bottom and a magnetic top closure. It’s perfect for any gal who is an absolute sweetheart!
Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glacé Collection in Bold Brights, $48. Available at Nordstrom.com and SaksFifthAvenue.com
Forget the lights on the Christmas tree! Nothing will make a woman’s eyes sparkle quite like these miniature Laura Mercier lip glosses. The Bold Brights set features five punchy shades that can be worn alone or layered over a lipstick or lip stain — best of all, they’re so teeny they’ll easily fit inside your pocket or clutch. The five shades in the collection are: Azalea, a pale, lavender-toned pink with a creamy texture and an all-over sheen; Camellia, a blue-toned, almost bubblegum-like pink with a creamy texture; Bonbon, a medium peach color with a creamy texture; Grenadine, a cool, semi-sheer red with a berry quality to it that makes it reminiscent of watermelon and cherry sorbets; and Poppy, a highly pigmented, fiery red that’s perfect for the season of jolly wreaths.
Check out swatches of the Mini Lip Glacé shades below:
Godinger Ferris Wheel Cupcake Holder, $49.99. Available at Macys.com
Who can’t appreciate a yummy cupcake? Whether you’re baking them from scratch or taking them out of the box, you can present them to guests in a whimsical manner with this cupcake Ferris wheel from Godinger. Measuring 18.25″ in height, this playful cupcake holder is crafted out of nickel-plated metal and features eight baskets that clip on to the main wheel, so you can detach them when it’s time to load a new tasty passenger onto the ride.
Ted Baker Amaris Bow Tee Top, £45.00. Available at TedBaker.com
A polo shirt with a bow on the collar? Who can resist? This ivory Ted Baker crew neck get is just right with a peach trim along the sleeve cuffs, along the collar, and down a vertical strip immediately below the collar (where buttons would normally be located), directly beneath the cheeky bow detail.
Tarte Thoughtful Treasures Set, $19. Available at Sephora.com
This perky set contains miniature versions of three of Tarte’s best-selling items — all in one festive box. The deluxe-sized goodies treasures in this set are: a 0.24 oz. bottle of Pure Maracuja Oil, which boasts a high concentration of vitamin C and essential fatty acids that make skin appear more luminous, hydrate and soothe irritated skin, and promote cellular regeneration to keep visible aging signs at bay; a o.53 oz. compact of Tarte’s stellar Amazonian Clay 12-Hour blush in Thankful, a limited edition golden pink hue; and a 0.06 oz. tube of Tarte’s LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint in Energy, a shimmering, delicate, opalescent, almost celestial pink.
When going for a youthful, fresh-faced look, this set is just the ticket, as the Pure Maracuja Oil will leave skin glowing, the Thankful Amazonian Clay Blush will give cheeks a slightly flushed rosiness, and the Energy LipSurgence Lip Tint will make pouts look positively kissable.
Check out swatches of the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Thankful and the LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint in Energy below:
ban.do Mini Heart Headband, $18. Available at Shopbando.com
A smaller version of ban.do’s classic heart headband, this cutie pie incorporates a 5mm silk satin covered headband in a pale gray hue with a heart accent along the side measuring 2.5 inches in diameter and covered in metallic pink sequins. How can your heart not skip a beat over this sparkling piece?
Aveda Give Soft Hands Gift Set, $27. Available at Nordstrom.com, Aveda.com and Aveda salons and spas.
Any dainty damsel knows the importance of having soft, delicate-looking hands. This Aveda gift set comes pre-packaged in lokta bark paper handcrafted in Nepal by a group of artisans who have earned a livelihood and created a self-sustaining commerce model via their craft (with the help of companies dedicated to creating a global marketplace and helping impoverished communities create their own thriving, self-sustaining economies). This set features three travel-sized versions of the beloved Hand Relief hand cream: one in Original Aroma, a blend of orange and lavender oils; one in Holiday Aroma, which combines vanilla, ginger, and cassia notes for a creamy but slightly spicy scent; and one in Rosemary Mint, an earthy scent with the fresh, invigorating quality of mint. Each of the three hand creams is formulated with hydrating and softening plant extracts, among them sunflower seed oil, aloe leaf juice, and licorice extract.
Tory Burch Liv Dress, $995. Available at ToryBurch.com
Classic and ladylike, this princess-ready 100% silk dress features knife pleats running down its length, a flounce along the hemline, and gold sequins covering the collar and splashed along the shoulders for a bit of holiday razzle-dazzle.
Ariel Gordon Jewelry Lapis Rectangle Necklace, $595. Available at ArielGordonJewelry.com
When it comes to dainty jewelry, Ariel Gordon is a true master. Small in size but big in impact, this necklace more than proves the point, with a 3/4″-long rectangular lapis stone bezel-set in 14k yellow gold and soldered into a delicate 16″-long cable chain.
J.Crew Colorblock Leather Passport Case, $45 . Available at JCrew.com
Your beloved jet-setter will always feel like she’s flying first class when she whips out this leather passport holder in a retro seafoam green color.
Kate Spade New York Cake Topper Stud Earrings, $32. Available at Nordstrom.com
Know a blushing bride or someone who, like Katherine Heigl’s character in 27 Dresses daydreams about her own trip down the aisle? Then she’ll love these clever, sculptural, 12k gold-plated stud earrings, measuring 1/8″ in width and 1/2″ in length, a nod to the bride and groom figurines you’d find atop a delectable layered cake.
Ted Baker Miyaa Feather Appliqué Motif Dress, £399.00. Available at TedBaker.com
Everything about this confection feels sweet and dainty — from the fluffy, cotton candy-esque, cloud-like quality of the full skirt to the delicate precision of its pleats; the heaven-like, soft aqua blue color; the ethereal effect created by the sheer bodice; and the lightness and airiness of the feather details adorning the bodice.
Tocca Beauty Florence Luxury Spa Set, $78. Available at Sephora.com
Any princess knows how to pamper herself, and this Tocca spa set is all about indulgence. The centerpiece of the set is Tocca’s Florence Eau de Parfum, a scent inspired by old-world Paris. The romantic fragrance opens with juicy, mouth-watering apple and green pear notes alongside the zesty, invigorating, citrus aroma of Italian bergamot and grapefruit leaves. These fruity notes usher the way to the perfume’s floral heart, combination of blossoms typically associated with love and femininity like jasmine tuberose and ivory gardenia, paired with the innocent allure of crushed violet petals, and the soft, powdery quality of blue iris. Lastly, white musk and blonde wood base notes give the fragrance its balance and longevity. Packaged in a bulbous glass bottle with grooves all along its perimeter and featuring an antique-looking golden cap with Tocca’s bird logo etched into it, this scent feels like a glimpse into a different era — one you’ll never want to end.
The 1.7 oz. Eau de Parfum bottle in the Luxury Spa Set is accompanied by a 6.8 oz. Bubble Bath bottle and a 2 oz. Mini Candelina: everything a girl needs for a relaxing soak in the tub.
Emily Elizabeth Jewelry “Cute As A Button” Earrings, $38. Available at MaxandChloe.com
Bringing new meaning to the phrase “cute as a button,” these 14k gold-plated earrings were designed to resemble classic four-holed buttons. The best news: no needle and thread required to flaunt these babies!
Minnie Macaroon Tee, $34.90. Available at Delias.com
You don’t need to be French to appreciate the chewy, flaky, creamy, layered wondrousness of a macaroon, nor do you need to be a pre-teen to gawk at the site of Minnie Mouse. This graphic tee combines these two adorable motifs for a rad design that’s as sweet as can be.
Oscar de la Renta Gladia Sandals, $895. Available at Oscardelarenta.com
Love the idea of taller statement booties but want to reveal a bit more skin without the effect being tawdry? Then you’ll swoon over these honeysuckle pink sandals from Oscar de la Renta, which fuse together the elegance, femininity and sensualness of a high heel sandal with the bold presence and attitude of a bootie. Made of 100% leather and featuring an audacious 4″ heel, the Gladia sandal features undulating strips that emulate the silhouette of a gardenia’s petal and the romanticis of lace.
Laura Mercier Hand Creme Sampler Collection, $28. Available at LauraMercier.com
Feel like you’re stepping into a pâtisserie when you apply one of these four rich hand creams from Laura Mercier. This year’s holiday collection features four gourmand scents, each packaged in a convenient, sleek, squeezable 1 oz. tube. The four scents are: Almond Cookie Milk, a milky but nutty aroma that’s reminiscent of biscotti but a bit creamier and more buttery; Crème Brulée, which features notes of spun sugar, caramel and vanilla for a scent as warm and inviting as the dessert after which it was named; Crème de Pistache, my personal favorite, which smells like a scoop of pistachio ice cream thanks to the aromatic blend of almond, praline, hazelnut and whipped cream notes; and Fresh Fig, which has the ripe and tangy quality of fig but is interpreted in a sweeter, more confectionary manner as opposed to the typical earthier iterations of the scent thanks to a blend of Celeste figs, apricot nectar and ylang ylang. All four creams are formulated with fatty acid-rich, vitamin-packed ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, grapeseed oil, cocoa extract, and aloe extract to soothe, hydrate, and soften the delicate skin on your hands.
Gorjana & Griffin Damsel Studs, $35. Available at Gorjana-Griffin.com
No more wire hangers — that is, unless they’re adorning your lobes in the form of these 18k-gold plated metal stud earrings, measuring 7/16″ in length and 1/4″ in height.
TOMS Black Suede Stars Ballet Flats, $84. Available at TOMS.com
With its socially conscious mission — for every pair of shoes sold, the company gives a pair of shoes to a child in need — TOMS has emerged as a powerful force, exemplifying how activism, fashion and commerce can all co-exist within one successful and profitable model. Now, the company has expanded its range of footwear offerings to include adorable lace-up booties as well as classic ballerina flats. Pictured above is one of our favorite ballet flats: a black suede number with a silver star print that features a two-layer insert with EVA foam and latex for underfoot comfort, a flexible one-piece outsole, and a padded heel cushion.
Oscar de la Renta Crown Goa Clutch, $2250. Available at OscardelaRenta.com
Any lady will feel like a modern-day Marie Antoinette when she carries this satin clutch, hand sewn on each side using cordwork, caviar beading, gemstone, and sequins to create the most opulent, Versailles-worthy effect. Measuring 7.25″ in width, 4″ in height, and 2.25″ in depth, this extravagant minaudiere features a golden clasp with pink Swarovski crystals and a removable chain strap for hands-free wear.
Tara Jarmon Wool-Cashmere Embellished Collar Cardigan, $385. Available at Stylebop.com
From Blair Waldorf to Charlotte York, every preppy Pollyanna owns at least a handful of cardigans she pairs with everything from printed crop pants to pleated A-line skirts and feminine garden party dresses. This navy wool-and-cashmere Tara Jarmon number can easily transition from the office to the holiday party thanks to a self-tie bow along the rounded neckline adorned with shimmering blue and white crystals.
Babycakes Mini Cake Pop Maker, $14.99. Available at TheBabyCakesShop.com
Ask not why someone would need a cake pop maker; instead, ask yourself, Why wouldn’t they? After all, if season after season of Top Chef has shown us anything, it’s that most food taste better (or at least, it’s more fun to eat them) when they’re placed on a handy little stick. This miniature cake pop maker will allow any girl to live out her Easy Bake Oven fantasies as she mixes up the recipes in the manual and fills up each of the nine slots with her delicious concoction. The non-stick, easy-to-use gizmo features 500 watts of cooking power and comes with a manual, recipes, and a number of sticks for your final donut-like, glazed, frosted, powdered, or sprinkled cake concoctions.
