Gift Guide!
Ask and you shall receive! Below are items that are either staples in my life, or at the top of my wishlist. My philosophy is to buy someone something they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves - an extravagant condiment, a luxurious bath product - or something that you can’t live without. Where special meets useful is the best intersection for gift buying, and this means you don’t have to break the bank necessarily. I’ve made sure that most of these gifts are well under the $150 mark, with a couple exceptions, because we also have to dream! Also, how cute is my little tree this year? hehe
Anchovy Salt - Stinks, but AMAZING. I love to use this salt when batch roasting vegetables for the week, but it’s really the best on popcorn.
Butter Dish - Nothing is more luxurious to me than soft room temperature butter and this is the most darling dish by Salter House - need!
Linen Napkins - It’s a goal of mine to have a mix-matched cloth and linen napkin collection to set an eclectic table. I’m a sucker for gingham and love the accent colour of the floral embroidery. I’m also just obsessed with this store Baa Baazaar in general, and am over the moon that country leaning decor is back baby!
Tea Club - The gift that keeps on giving! This monthly tea club by Rosewood and Silver was my christmas gift to myself. Clinical herbalist Melanie Hill formulates the most beautiful, delicious and functional herbal tea blends that are small batch, hand crafted, ethically and sustainably harvested, organic, and locally made in Collingwood. By subscribing to this club, each month members receive a monthly limited edition tea that will reflect the season and align with the times.
Drinking Chocolate - Top notch herbal allies in a raw cacao with warming spices by The New New Age - the ultimate hot chocolate upgrade.
Smoky Tahini - Takes your dressings up a notch; made in Toronto by local fave Parallel.
An Everlasting Meal - Not only a favourite cookbook of all time, but a favourite book in general. Tamar Alder teaches you to think like a cook with utilitarian romance. I read this book annually to fall back in love with food and the act of cooking.
Dry Brush - Dry brushing is a favourite part of my morning routine, and an invigorating way to start the day. It stimulates circulation, jump starts the lymphatic system, ensures normal secretion of sweat and oil glands, can improve digestion and assist with regular bowel function, supports the health of the kidneys, exfoliates the skin, and can support the breakdown of cellulite; low cost, and impact - high reward! This model is great because it has an extra long handle for hard to reach places that is also removable if you prefer to go hand held.
Body Oil - Apprenti Ôr’ganik is a black owned small business that makes the most beautiful products out of Montreal. I’ve gifted this to people and have gotten rave reviews. This would be excellent to pair with the dry brush for an at-home-spa gift.
Bio Hack Bath Salts - I just heard about this serotonin supporting blend from Higher Dose on a podcast where the interviewer found herself relaxed and ready for bed at 4pm after her afternoon soak. Sign me up fam!
LED Light Mask - This has truly transformed my skin! I try to do it 3 times a week alternating red (collagen stimulating), blue (anti-inflammation), and green light (hyperpigmentation). Skin Gear’s model is great because it’s affordable, cordless, and makes you feel like a futuristic queen while you granny square and watch housewives.
Fragrance - This discovery set from Universal Flowering is at the top of my list after a highly trusted friend has been singing their praise to me for a while. I have recently reclaimed my love of fragrance and love the idea that this set allows you to try out a wide variety of their highly nuanced and unique blends before committing to your signature scent.
Smokeless Incense - Story time! I picked up these Binu Binu incense about a year ago and when I got to the cash register I just about spat my tea. Yes, they are pricey, buuuuut, one year later, I still have about a third of the way to go - all things considered it’s a great value! This green tea scent is super clean and soothing and since they are smokeless, they don’t pollute the air.
Salt Rock Lamp - A MUST for granola gals everywhere. Salt rock lamps improve air quality, boost your mood, and help with sleep. It’s the only elecrical light source I use in my bedroom and when I take a bath.
Vintage Dior Scarf - A chic edition to your winter wardrobe, scarves are my favorite way to jazz up my winter coat rotation, which gets pretty tired, pretty quick!
Dyed Cotton Socks - I pretty much exclusively wear socks by OKOKAY, they are cut, sewn, and dyed in Toronto, are warm, sturdy and always come in the best colours!
Quilted Coat - These bespoke quilted coats made in Denmark by LSJ Studio are my fantasy request! One year I got a very special coat that I had been eyeing and it was a total surprise and the best Christmas ever! Seasonal, timeless and one of a kind.
Psychedelic Vitmains - For your open and adventurous friend or family member! Microdosing is the future, and Morell Support is a women-led company offering psychedelic plant medicines for joy and healing. They have created a how-to guide to support you in finding the perfect blend and creating a supportive ritual.
CTRL+ALT+SECRETE - An owners Manual for the Human Body (pictured above on my coffee table), made in collaboration with Kirsta Schilter of Golden Chain, Dr. Melissa Cugliari, Clea Christakos-Gee, and myself. This comprehensive manual seeks to offer an exploration of the endocrine (glandular) system by way of movement from Kundalini and Katonah yoga, lifestyle practices and nourishment. The purchase of the manual includes access to a digital portal with recorded on-demand videos related to its content so you can be guided through practice wherever, whenever!
PS. I owe you a recipe! Keep your eyes peeled in the next couple weeks for a second December recipe for my paid subscribers. Thanks for your patience as I wrap up school, work and some other commitments this week. If you aren’t on the paid plan, might I suggest this as a gift for yourself? It will grant you access to the archives so you can start browsing and cooking right away! I also have A LOT of exciting content planned for 2023 that you won’t wanna miss!