Holiday Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
Thanksgiving is coming up, and that means Black Friday and Cyber Monday commercials and ads are everywhere we turn — in newspapers and magazines, on our social media platforms, on TV, on the radio, and on our favorite podcasts. With holiday shopping on everyone’s mind, then, I figured it was the perfect time to give you some fun suggestions for those on your shopping list. From sparkling baubles to soothing facial massagers and cozy weighted throws, check out my latest “We Are Austin” segment for some holiday shopping inspiration (click here to view it on CBSAustin.com). And for more in-depth info on all the items shown on air, keep reading below!
KENDRA SCOTT WINTER 2019 COLLECTION PIECES
From glitter-covered ornaments to twinkling lights adorning holiday trees, sequined party dresses and purses, glistening tinsel garlands, and metallic ribbon bows, the season is all about shining bright. To spread some joy this season and leave a little sparkling gift fairy dust sparkle in your wake, pick up some show-stopping baubles from Kendra Scott.
The Kendra Scott Winter collection is, well, a Winter Wonderland filled with treasures, but my favorite pieces are from the Jolie Gold collection, and they feature dichroic glass to create a mesmerizing, multi-colored brilliance. By layering iridescent foil in between two pieces of glass, these dichroic glass pieces seem to change color depending on how the light hits them and on the angle from which they’re viewed. I wore the Jolie Gold Drop Earrings in Dichroic Glass ($88 at Kendra Scott stores and KendraScott.com) on air, and they’re head-turning beauties — particular since they have a radial silhouette that resembles the lens of a kaleidoscope.
Other standouts include the: Jolie Gold Statement Earrings in Dichroic Glass ($158 at Kendra Scott stores and KendraScott.com), which feature three spheric stones in a linear formation; the Jolie Gold Statement Necklace ($248 at Kendra Scott stores and KendraScott.com), featuring a glorious succession of radial stones that seem to glow from within; and the Jolie Gold Cocktail Ring ($88 at Kendra Scott stores and KendraScott.com).
If you’re shopping for someone who prefers daintier pieces, consider getting the Karis Ring Set of 3 in Gold ($88 at Kendra Scott stores and KendraScott.com), which is comprised of three delicate rings that can be worn together or separately for just a hint of glamour.
As you start making post-Thanksgiving shopping plans, remember to swing by the Kendra Scott Flagship store on November 29th to celebrate Yellow Friday. Other stores may observe Black Friday but, at Kendra Scott, there’s a spirit of celebration so it’s a joyous Yellow Friday. Guests can check out the new collection and enjoy 25% off their purchase, then saunter over to the Sips & Sweets Café to savor some holiday-themed coffee, cocktails, and desserts. They can also share these moments on Insta by snapping photos in front of a brand new mural decorated with yellow boxes, lights, and a 3D Christmas Tree.
And the fun doesn’t stop there! Every Saturday in December, Yellow Santa will be visiting the store from 3 pm to 5 pm, so families are welcome to bring their kiddos in and take some very merry photos. And, if you’re shopping online, you can still enjoy 25% off your purchase from November 29th through December 2nd.
LILY ALDRIDGE PARFUMS SUMMIT EDP
Have you ever watched Taylor Swift’s Mad Max-ish, post-apocalyptic, futuristic “Bad Blood” video? Well, if you have, you likely remember Frostbyte, the snow-loving, fur cape-flaunting, Kusarigama-wielding character played by Lily Aldridge. Well, the world-renowned supermodel is even more of a badass in real life. She’s a Victoria’s Secret Angel. She’s starred in ad campaigns for Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Bvlgari, Ferragamo, Lauren Ralph Lauren, and more. She’s a loving wife and doting mother of two. She’s a philanthropist whose choice charities include St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Happy Hearts Fund, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research. And now she can add a beauty entrepreneur to her impressive resume with the launch of her namesake fragrance line, Lily Aldridge Parfums.
Aldridge, who is based in Nashville, Tennessee, is sharing her personal journey with us via scent, creating fragrances that are inspired by the places and moments she holds closest to her heart. Her newest fragrance, the Lily Aldridge Parfums Summit Eau de Parfum ($50 at LilyAldridgeParfums.com), was inspired by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, a place she calls “her favorite escape.” The woody and spicy perfume delicately marries cinnamon, pink pepper, rosemary, tobacco, leather, sandalwood and patchouli notes. The result is a fragrance that’s sultry and enticing.
ACEOLOGY ICE GLOBE FACIAL MASSAGERS
Jade and rose quartz facial rollers have been trending for several years now. And whiles one question about the purported healing properties of the stones out of which they’re fashioned, no one can argue against the primary benefits of these rollers: facial massage. See, when you massage facial tissue, it improves lymphatic drainage, thereby helping to eliminate toxins and move any pent-up fluid that may be causing puffiness. Facial massage also improves circulation, which can make your skin appear smoother, give it a healthy glow, and help to deliver a more lifted and sculpted countenance.
But what if you could combine the principles of facial massage with those of cryotherapy? That’s precisely what Australian beauty brand Aceology achieved with its Ice Globe Facial Massagers ($54 at Aceology-USA.com), lightweight, maraca-like facial rollers made of premium glass and filled with a blue liquid. These spheric rollers are much easier to glide over skin, and they feel insanely soothing against the skin. You’ll want to place them in the fridge or in a bowl of ice for about 10 minutes before using so they can get nice and cold. Then, shortly after applying your favorite serum or after removing a nourishing gel mask, you can reach for the Ice Globes and gently roll them over your face. This will help the skin better absorb the nutrients in those products. Moreover, the cool spheres will rapidly reduce puffiness, eliminate redness, heal irritation and breakouts, and tighten pores.
And can I mention how much fun these are to use? These miracle maracas are music to your skin!
TIEGE HANLEY STEP 3 SKINCARE SYSTEM
We’re all cognizant of some ways in which men are physiologically different from women: they burn calories faster than us (totally unfair, I know!), they have 1/3 more muscle mass than we do on average, they have larger lungs than us (weird fact, right?), and they have less erogenous zones (won that battle, guys!). But there are even more interesting distinctions between the two sexes — down to the structure of our skin. Male skin is about 20% thicker than female skin, and it has a rougher texture. Moreover, men produce more sebum than women, which can lead them to face greater challenges when trying to control oiliness and breakouts. I other words: your fella really does need his own skincare products.
And while all men want to look rugged and dapper, many are completely clueless when it comes to skincare. They have no idea which products they need to use, when to reach for them, or how much product to use — much less the order in which to apply them. To help the men in your life establish a great skincare regimen, check out Tiege Hanley, a subscription-based skincare service for men that’s simple, affordable, and effective. Each skincare system is built around a 30-day regimen so that, every month, subscribers receive a box with all the products they’ll need to use, along with a step-by-step instruction card. Subscriptions start at just $25/month at Tiege.com.
The Tiege Hanley Step 3 System ($45/month at Tiege.com) is the most comprehensive system available featuring products that not only maintain healthy, balanced, nourished skin, but also deliver anti-aging benefits. The system includes the following products: a wash, a scrub, an AM and PM moisturizer, an eye cream, and a super serum. The WASH is a daily cleanser that contains lavender oil to fight acne-causing bacteria, as well as eucalyptus oil (a natural antiseptic) and soothing cucumber extract. The SCRUB is a facial exfoliating scrub designed for use twice weekly that contains apricot seeds to polish off dead skin cells, revitalizing vitamin B3, and calming cucumber extract. The AM is a morning facial moisturizer that delivers SPF 20 protection and nourishes skin with calendula extract, lavender oil, and plantain extract. The PM, meanwhile, is an evening facial moisturizer designed to regenerate and repair skin as men sleep with ingredients like hydrolyzed elastin, collagen, and niacinamide. EYES, as its name implies, is an eye cream designed for morning and evening use, and it contains de-puffing caffeine, brightening vitamin B3, and more. The SUPER SERUM, meanwhile, is an anti-aging powerhouse containing ingredients like skin-plumping, ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and Retinyl Palmitate, a retinoid that stimulates collagen production.
JCPENNEY HOME GIFT SETS
Looking for affordable gifts that will please just about everyone? Well, JCPenney has a ton of gift sets that will make everyone rock around the Christmas tree.
First, you can infuse some holiday cheer into any space with the Tri-Coastal Design 6-piece Votive Candle Set ($40 at JCPenney.com). Some of the adorable candles feature charming wintry motifs — like a snowman with a Buffalo print scarf, matching hat, and red mittens — while others feature saucy sayings like “Get Lit” or pretty graphics like a plaid pattern in shades of baby blue, carnation pink, and a raspberry red. The candles come in seasonal scents like Gingerbread Cookie, Peppermint Kiss, and Balsam Fir, so they’ll create the perfect ambiance.
Another great choice — particularly for those who journal regularly or who use notebooks to stay organized and on task — is the Mixit Mommy and Me Cozy 4-Piece Desk Supply Set ($30 at JCPenney.com)), which features a notebook with a cable knit sweater motif as a nod to the winter season, as well as pens so you can jot down thoughts and ideas, make shopping lists and to-do lists, sketch and doodle to your heart’s content, or even get a jumpstart on their New Year’s goals.
Lastly, you can add some whimsy to those Wine Down Wednesdays with a 2-piece set stemless wine glasses from Tri-Coastal Design ($30 at at JCPenney.com). One of the glasses e says “Warm Your Mistle Toes” while the other reads “Jingle Til You Tingle,” so there’s a wit and irreverence to these glasses that’s sure to elicit some chuckles.
GRAVITY FLANNEL-SHERPA WEIGHTED THROW
In my family, it’s tradition to gather in the living room on the weeknights leading to Christmas and watch some of our favorite Christmas movies: Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, Four Christmases, This Christmas, Jingle All The Way, and more. Now think of how much cozier those holiday movie marathons would be if you were curled up under the snuggest and most soothing blanket. You can make that dream happen with the new limited-edition Flannel-Sherpa Weighted Throw from the makers of the Gravity Blanket.
The 10-pound weighted throw is lined with plush Sherpa on one side and classic flannel on the other. The charming red-and-black Buffalo plaid print is really festive and timeless, so it will complement your holiday decor, and the Sherpa lining is so soft that it will immediately make you feel toasty and cozy.
The throw retails for $129 and it’s only available while supplies last, so make sure to visit GravityBlankets.com now and order yours. Through December 31st, you can enjoy 25% off your order at GravityBlankets.com with the code HOLIDAY2019.
MARY’S GONE CRACKERS
From Thanksgiving all the way through December 31st, healthy food choices tame to fall by the wayside. After all, everywhere you look, there are sugar cookies, apple pies. hot cocoa, eggnog, peppermint bark…. You feel like Neo dodging bullets in The Matrix trying to avoid all these temptations! Luckily, it is possible tpo make smarter snacking choices without sacrificing taste thanks to Mary’s Gone Crackers.
Available in a number of flavors, these crackers are gluten-free and feature plant-based and organic ingredients like whole grain brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, and sesame seeds, so they have a rich and earthy flavor and a satisfying crunch.
Not only are they a great gift for those who love healthy eating, but they’re a fantastic option for frequent hostesses since the crackers cater to guests with dietary restrictions but are still surefire crowdpleasers. They can also be paired with tons of foods! Try serving the Chili Lime Super Seed Crackers with guacamole or crumbling the Original Crackers atop roasted red peppers or butternut squash soup.
You can find these at HEB and MarysGoneCrackers.com
FOUR ROSES SMALL BATCH BOURBON
Thanksgiving is next week, y’all! And if you’re spending the day at someone else’s house, you don’t want to show up empty-handed. Make your hostess happy by bringing her this perfectly balanced Small Batch Bourbon from Four Roses. She’ll be so delighted that she might just send you home with all the leftovers!
As you sip this bourbon, you’ll detect the subtle flavor of mellow ripened red berries and dried spices like nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon, and it has a deliciously smooth, pleasantly long-lasting finish. You can drink it straight up, on the rocks, or work it into a cocktail like a Hot Toddy or a Manhattan.
Not only is it a great hostess gift, but it’s a perfect present for colleagues and business associates.
For more info, visit FourRosesBourbon.com
