I recently discovered the Weatherman Travel Umbrella, and I’m impressed. I’m not the only one. This small-yet-might bumbershoot has a large and loyal following, which a scan of the Amazon reviews makes apparent. It’s compact and light, easily tucking into a tote bag or a carry-on. It’s also an ideal umbrella to leave in the […]

I’m always tickled when I find a universal gift. No one thing is right for everyone, obviously, but by universal gift I mean something that will be appreciated by many different types of people. The kind of gift that works for a white elephant party, the sort of gift you like to keep on hand […]

I’m a sucker for little beauty kits. They’re fun and make ideal gifts for so many of the women in my friend group. And the Lanolips #1 Essential Lip Tints Trio in particular I’ve gifted a couple of times. Lanolips makes really nice tinted balms, and they do it without petrolatum, parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, […]

Digital tools, it turns out, are not always the best.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the unexpected resurgence of paper planners (except for maybe in all the independent bookstores popping up). I had never used a paper planner.  I was ferociously loyal to my paper wall calendar, however, where I scribbled in birthdays, […]

These sunny treats from Hawaiian chocolate brand Koho make a luxe gift that really can’t fail. The ingredients are authentic through and through starting with Hawaii-grown cacao.  This unique gift set of 12 artisanal bon bons is almost too pretty to eat. The box is full of the brand’s newest flavors: Hibiscus Caramel, Vanilla Kona […]

$35 at Uncommon Goods Need a birthday gift for a woman who has everything under $50? Whether a good friend, a sister, a daughter, your mom, or a grandma or aunt, a Birthstone Wishing Ball will bring a smile.  A birthday is the perfect time to take stock of what she’d like to see change […]

The Maui Cookie Lady sends her decadent treats to the mainland–and yes, they’re worth the shipping.  This is the kind of business I love to love. First, the obvious. The product is great. We’re talking gigantic, gourmet desserts here.  But the backstory is the icing on the cookie, so to speak. There is actually a […]

All fall and winter, three times a day, I’m taking my slipper socks off to walk Peach, then putting them back on. Half the time she runs off with one before I can get them both back on, and it’s soggy when I manage to retrieve it.  Yet…slipper socks are so comfy. Some wait for […]