Gift Guide for Your Sister (And For Yourself)

The first thing I learned about having a younger sister is that you have to buy two of everything. So in the spirit of the season, here are some gifts your sister is sure to love. And to stop any temptation of stealing hers, just go ahead and get yourself one, too.

Juice Beauty has the best mascara and primer, which I know will be gentle on my sister’s skin, yet will work wonders. Sisters need to make sure that their sisters are using the best brushes out there, and Brushcraft has you covered.

These fluffy Ugg slippers are so cute, I can barely get enough of these pink slides. What else could a sister ask for?

First of all, Benefit always the coolest packaging. When they launched this Beauty & the Bay set complete with their Hoola bronzer, my favorite mascara in the world, and so many other fun goodies, I instantly knew my sister would love it.

Even though my younger sister has the most gorgeous hair in the world, which makes me so jealous, I always like to give her quality products like this set from Moroccan Oil.

Mantra Bands has these bracelets with fun sayings like “soul sister” that are the easiest gifts for your own sister (or even your boyfriend’s sisters … even if he has 4).

For the perfect sister-bonding night, you have to have a seriously powerful face mask like this set from Too Cool for School. Maggie Louie Confections has delicious hand-painted pink chocolate truffles that will get you through any binge-movie marathon.

Cozy winter accessories are always a great sister gift, especially a shimmery star covered scarf from Kate Spade and a bumble bee-adorned pair of tech-friendly gloves from Anthropologie. Keep their coffee warm with this mug made for non-morning people from ban.do.

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Gift Guide for Mom

What all moms need most is to be pampered and taken care of … just the way they did for us for all those years. Here are some of our favorites for our well-deserved mothers.

Function of Beauty is a company where you can literally customize your shampoo and conditioner based on your hair type and needs … the perfect thing to gift for every holiday.

Gift this striped pj set from Cosabella before Christmas morning for the perfect photo-op opening gifts by the tree.

The ultimate necessities of a relaxing bath are Indie Lee’s bath soak and Aromatherapy Associate’s bath oil. For all stages of a relaxing bath and pampering look no further than L’OCCITANE’s Delicious Almond Body Collection. p.s. you’ll want to get one of these for yourself too, because the shower oil is seriously addicting.

REN skincare delivers a trio of their night-time favorites in the Silent Night, Wake Wonderful gift set that gives you an insane glow overnight.

This ultra fun book, Classic Style by Kate Schelter is perfect for whenever moms need a little light reading, or simply a perfect coffee table book.

Dermalogica’s Daily Defenders set is perfect for anti-aging skin as it resurfaces, restores and protects the skin’s barrier.

The cult-favorite Anthropologie Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle is a fail-safe gift and the perfect addition to everyone’s Christmas shopping list.

Swell launched a limited edition bottle with Swarovski that elevates their normal water bottle, and what mom doesn’t love a good water bottle?

Aroma’s vanilla and orange flavored olive oils will be perfect for a girl’s night or for when her kids come home with their new significant other and she needs a quick and elegant dipping sauce.

The holy grail of anti-aging, Alto Defense Serum is something moms of all ages will enjoy. It’s a perfectly formulated cream that your mom will thank you for, time and time again.

A lot of these gifts are also perfect for you, as you head to this season’s New York Fashion Week. The official NYFW schedule is up, so feel free to start planning for yourself, and maybe even for your mom. After all, there are open-to-the-public events for the family to enjoy, as well.

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Holidays with Social Media Icon Simonetta Lein

You may remember our friend and social media influencer Simonetta Lein from last New York Fashion Week. Recently, we caught up with her to get her thoughts about the upcoming holiday season.

 
 
Q: What do the holidays mean to you?

 
They are all about having that special smile and a sense of cheer – just like when I was a child. The holidays signify lights and over-eating without regret. Most importantly they mean being with family members who I usually don’t see during the year. 

Q: What are the most fashionable holiday destinations in your opinion? What are your favorite places to go?

Well as far as being fashionable goes, nothing beats Italy. Milan and “La Galleria” with all the lights is something to see, as well with the lit-up trolley cars; The handmade nativity scenes in spaccanapoli Naples are world famous for a reason; Salerno (near Naples) and its myriad of “flying” decorations can’t be missed; Rome’s old city lit up with magical Christmas lights brings you to another time; oh, and who can forget Venice at Christmas…. I think I’ve said it all.

I moved to Philadelphia two years ago therefore the holidays for me are at HOME as I enjoy getting settled in. I also just became an aunt and my baby niece needs her routine – and I love to spoil her so very much.

 
Holidays with Simonetta Lein

[portfolio_slideshow id=45921 align=center width=699 click=advance thumbnailsize=40 showcaps=false]

(Pictures by Raphael Amabile, Backpack by Zac Posen for Simonetta Lein / style by @ninortamalke #ootd provided by @dreamsonairnyc #gown by @jacquelinethen #pictureoftheday by @bcproductions215 #hairstyle by @alelucchetta #makeup by @catinwonderlandd)

Q: What is the greatest thing about the holidays?

 
The spirit, that magical feeling that surrounds us all – where you can even sense that people’s hearts are more open than usual. Everyone seems to becomes a child again (albeit for a few wonderful days). I am obsessed with Christmas movies and holiday songs in the car. Yes, I have become that person and I love it.

Q: What is the most difficult thing?

 
A few years back I would have had to say getting along. Since I myself had to start my life over from scratch and risk everything, I have started to understand other people better and I have learned to be much more patient. I am determined to give my extra smile during the holidays so that I can make sure everyone around me will feel the Christmas spirit. Saying no to all the delicious food is difficult, and if you are into Christmas lights beating your neighbors can become somewhat of a challenge :).

Q: How do you shop for friends and family? What are your holiday shopping or gifting tips?

Gifts can be tricky. How many times have we all received an unwanted present? Gifts also have a lot to do with patience and creativity. I use social media a lot to see the latest trends and to pull some inspiration about something new. Going shopping for antiques can be something different and unusual, and when you find something cute and useful for the house you generally can’t go wrong. In any case, try to have fun thinking about the people you are selecting the gift for. This is a cheerful moment of the year when we show appreciation to those we love – that is the most important tip. 

In particular for this holiday season, I’m so excited to announce that I have partnered with iMaxAlarm to help empower women and raise awareness for the growing Street Harassment movement. Throughout the month of December, with the sale of each iMaxAlarm SOS device, iMaxAlarm SOS Kids device or iMaxAlarm SOS Alert band, iMaxAlarm will donate $1 to www.thewishwallfoundation.org in order help make a meaningful and inspiring wish come true for a woman or family in need this holiday season. Please learn more about iMaxAlarm by going to www.imaxalarm.com and make a SMART AND MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT. Together, we CAN make a difference!

Q: How do you dress for the holidays? What are your holiday style tips?

Life is a party, dress like it. That should be your general mood. For the Holidays I always add some sparkles to my makeup, and some gold to my clothes and accessories. Red is always appropriate as is silver. Glitter and more glitter, metallic and velvet (if not now, when?). This is the holidays season and traditions reign. If you are a woman, please never forget red lipstick at Christmas. If you are a man, demand that your woman kiss you in red. It is the Holiday season!

Q: Who is your favorite designer for the holidays?

I just buy everything that fits me well and I make it classy and especially holiday spirit oriented. I must say that last year Gucci won me over with their stunning print for the gown that First Lady Michelle Obama wore. It was done in Christmas colors like emerald green with golden pink on an elegant black elegant – an off the shoulder beauty. I go weak in the knees for prints and when elegance meets the holidays you have won me over forever. As always, good job Gucci.

Q: Do you like to cook? What are your favorite holiday tips for hosting a meal or party?

Yes, I do. My husband however is so talented that I leave him center stage perform incredible homemade traditional Italian meals. I set the table. I love colored crystal glasses at Christmas: they are my favorite tip to immediately create a holiday vibe, fine porcelain and vintage decorations are a must. I like old school ornaments put together on a pretty plate or bowl, with some fake ice and some green (from the flower shop or your garden) and you have Christmas magic. This composition can be put as a center piece on your table, maybe with a candle in the middle.

Q: Any other advice for the holidays?

 
Have fun. This is the season. We are allowed to be cheerful and have those same feelings we had when we were children. Do not forget the real holiday spirit. Try to do at least one good thing for someone less fortunate than you: even if for some reason you don’t like the Holiday season, doing this good deed might make you feel the true spirit of Christmas. Be well, may this holiday season bring you and your dear ones’ happiness. We need more happy people in this world.

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@simonettalein

With love,

FWO

Gift Guide for the Holiday Hostess

Don’t be a bore and give the party host a bottle of wine this year; we have the perfect line up of gifts they will actually want to use and show off.

As we all know, throwing a party is exhausting. To help get them through next day clean up this set that will give you the perfect bloody mary and burger.

Perfect for the minimalist are these chemistry carafe and glasses, no matter what you fill them with.

Replace cheap, funny paper napkins with these cheeky yet chic matching embroidered cocktail napkins and wine glasses.

(Photo: Casey Smith)

To elevate any cheese platter use an ultra trendy agate platter like this from Anna By Rablabs.

Try something besides champagne, like this sake brewed similarly to champagne to achieve a similar purity.

For the bachelor that you don’t know what to get, try a fun race car martini shaker.

Whether your host has terrible cooking skills and you hope to casually break one of these global salt test tubes out during appetizers or your host is an Iron Chef they’ll love this salt set.

What better way to elevate a bottle of booze than this Graf & Lantz felt and leather wine carrier?

Perfect for when all the guests have gone home and your hostess needs a well deserved long night’s sleep is this essential oil diffuser and holiday scents kit from Young Living. Any of these gifts will ensure an invitation to next year’s soiree and upstage all the other guest’s gifts by a landslide.

These might even come in handy if you plan to throw a party this New York Fashion Week.

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Gifts for Your Insta Famous Friend

Every woman with more than 50k followers on Instagram knows that you have to be on your A-game at all times, and that every single thing in your life has to be picture worthy.

So here are some blogger-approved items that your Insta Famous BFFs are sure to love, use, and post.

Coffee table shots are crucial, so they have to have candles that are both aesthetically pleasing and smell beautifully. You cannot forget luxe hand-painted truffles like these festive ones from Maggie Louise Confections.

Medicine cabinets and nightly routines have to be filled with the prettiest bottles and products. We are loving the Dry like a Deva set with an amazing hair dryer, diffuser, microfiber towel, and plenty of hair pins for the perfect blowout at home.

You cannot go wrong with a cult favorite facial oil like Herbivore Botanical’s Phoenix Oil.

For the perfect Kira Kira moment gift them L’OCCITANE’s Lumiere parfume with gold flakes floating around in the bottle.

We all know a strong lip and highlight is key for all the Instagram live stories, achieved with Benefit’s Hello Sanfrancisglow set and Bare Minerals 10 days of Lip set.

To help them keep a perfect complexion after all the layers of makeup come off, what is better than Dr. Jart’s tarot card face mask set? Perfect for the morning of Christmas photoshoot is this ultra fun Desmond & Dempsey PJ set.

As we all know, family gatherings require a little extra liquid courage. This ban.do flask is so cute that even if your family finds it, they can’t be mad.

Finally, for all those photo shoots in the snow, you have to gift an ultra chic and warm hat like this one from Anthropologie. (It might also come in handy next New York Fashion Week, if last February’s blizzard was any indicator of what to expect next season.)

Are you even a blogger if you don’t always use the Lumee case? For perfectly lit selfies and mirror shots, this marble case is a saving grace, sure to be a smash hit with your Instagram Famous friends. Or, hey, with you. Enjoy!

With love,

FWO

We all know that men can be the hardest people to shop for on your, list year after year. (And with the advent of New York Fashion Week Men’s, the bar keeps getting higher.) This year, stick to the classics, everyday essentials, and consider some surprising, quirky pieces.

Ted Baker is always my go-to brand when I am shopping for holiday gifts, because how could you go wrong with this cozy, reversible polka dot scarf?

Women like their men with fluffy, soft hair. Do them (and yourself) a favor and get them this shampoo and conditioner set from Refinery you cannot go wrong with.

Men need a good shave set, so why look any further than this one from Harry’s made in a German factory?

I know my boyfriend rarely wears anything fancier than a button up to work, but a tie like this one from the Tie Bar with a silver shark clip will really peak any casual guy’s interest.

No one can ever be upset when they unwrap a gift from L’OCITTANE, especially this set for the bold and adventurous man in your life.

Socks don’t have to be boring when you get them monogrammed from Nice Laundry, bonus points if you have the same initials because you will want to steal a pair for yourself too.

For the man who has everything or for your grandpa that can be really hard to read these flavored toothpicks and leather case are a really fun gift. Perfect to add to any gift is this indulgent and addictive Christmas bark from Williams Sonoma.

With love,

FWO