Etsy Gift Guide 2014

When it comes to thoughtful, unique gifts, Etsy is one of the best resources online, but I'll be honest — sometimes you have to sift through a lot of crap to find the gems. My best advice is to find a few shops you love, and then look at who they follow. Before you know it, you'll have tons of favorite shops, and plenty of gift ideas for everyone on your list. Here are a few of my recent Etsy favorites!

Sparkvites makes affordable customized rubber stamps as well as cute stationery. Imagine how cool this would be stamped on your Christmas cards!

Sweet Peony Press has some really fun little prints starting at just $10. I like the idea of the His and Hers prints hanging in the bathroom.

Blackbird Tees is based in Richmond, and though their tea towels are a tad pricey, they're undoubtedly adorable. 

Remember I wrote about Finkelstein's Center for Charleston magazine awhile back? Michelle has an Etsy shop filled with dozens of animals who need a loving home. These Finks aren't just for kids, either. I'd love to have one for myself.

You've never seen cross stitch like the cross stitch from Bananya Stand. Choose your favorite pop culture reference or ask her to customize something just for you.

Of course, if you love vintage anything — books, blankets, clothing, brass figures — Etsy has it all. I especially love it for glassware.

You can see more of my favorites here and here! What are yours?

Holiday Gift Guide: Eight Ideas for Everygirl

Gift Guide 2013

I'm honestly not the best gift giver. I've always obsessed over whether or not someone will like something, whether they already have it, or whether they'll throw it away the moment they get home. And if it's someone I don't know particularly well—forget about it. Luckily, I've figured out a few basic gifts that just about any gal—including myself—would be happy to receive.

1. A fancy candle. It's one of those things that most of us are hesitant to buy for ourselves, but that's so nice to have.
2. Pajamas. Who doesn't love a cozy pair?
3. Notebooks. Because it's getting harder and harder to find a page to scribble on these days.
4. Drinkware. Whether they like to sip Moscow Mules or bubbly, choose a vessel that's perfect for their favorite beverage.
5. 2014 Planner. The new year is here. We all need to stay organized.
6. Fancy soap. Again, most people won't spend $8 on a bar of pretty soap, but they'd be happy to receive it.
7. Jewels. This is a bit harder to pick out, but Baublebar always has a bevy of sparkly—and cheap—options.
8. Books. One of the best things to give, I think.

swim.

I'm always shocked by how much some places charge for those little squares of fabric known as a bathing suit. I've found that the cheaper brands will last several summers with proper care, and the lower price point means you can mix it up with more options. Target has some really great suits right now. Which is your favorite? How much are you willing to spend on a good suit?

1 * 2 * 3 * 4 *

heeling powers.

When it comes to footwear, I'm pretty low maintenance. Look in my closet, and you'll find a whole lot of ballet flats in various bright colors and patterns. This is my bread and butter. You'll rarely see me in heels, but when you do, I'll probably be complaining about how uncomfortable — and unfeminist! — they are. Yet I continue to lust over pretty, feminine, glittery heels. 

These heels from Topshop are channeling the ghosts of Glinda the Good Witch 

and Ginger Rogers. They have a black and silver pair, too.

Kate Spade's Charm heels look like a birthday party for your feet.

These are also Kate Spades but much better because they're on sale.

Oh my Miu Miu (sold out).

I could probably pull these off, but now they're sold out too. Dang.

wish list.

With my birthday and Christmas on the horizon, I've been selfishly obsessed with adding to my Wish List on Pinterest. Being in a strictly enforced no shopping drought doesn't help matters. Some of my biggest current wants:

pretty graphic pillows and blankets, especially chevron and ikat.

 cookbooks! oh so many cookbooks.

a record player.

a sparkly dress for holiday parties.

I don't know why, but I'm really feeling the dead papier mache animals.

and if I was really good, I'd ask for a sweet new ride with colored rims.

What's on your wish list?

anthro love.

Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores to browse, but their catalog, with its exotic settings and beautiful photography, is pretty lovely as well. I wanted so many things in the holiday catalog, but since I don't have thousands of dollars to drop, I thought I'd just share on here. You know, in case anyone wants to buy me a $600 birthday present.

 USB typewriter.

A.P.C. Quilt

iVictrola — for your iPod! (I wanted to invent this. Glad someone took care of it for me.)

ornaments.

etsy love: son of a sailor.

I am so in love with this Austin-based Etsy shop, Son of a Sailor. They've got jewelry, stationery, and prints, all affordably priced. Thanks to Oh Joy! for turning me on to them.

j. crew fall.

I have to admit I felt a little "meh" toward J. Crew this summer, but when I stopped in this weekend I wanted to steal everything off the shelves. Steal, because I still can't afford to buy anything there, except for this little bauble. Crisp, colorful blazers, silk shirts, soft matchsticks, and lots of gray — it's like they read my mind this season. It makes me want to stop shopping at cheap places and start investing in my wardrobe. Too bad my wallet doesn't agree with that sentiment.

etsy love: blue notes.

I've been spending a lot of time on Etsy trying to extend my circles and discovering some really cool vintage shops. Here are some of my recent blue-hued favorites.

King's Down Road is an Atlanta-based shop with lots of fun glassware.

Mod Vintage Shop has a great selection of vintage glasses from the Netherlands.

Two Ring Circus has just everything I love.

 

Brooklyn Retro has antique typewriters and more.

Nod to Mod Vintage has the best dresses.

trader joe's.

For a long time, I've read with jealousy my fellow bloggers' accounts of their amazing Trader Joe's finds. Now that Charleston has one, I can do some of my own bragging. First of all, I'm a sucker for good packaging, and how cute is this stuff? I haven't tried the wine yet, but the chocolate is pretty darn tasty. I've already gotten addicted to their sparkling limeade, ravioli, and sourdough bread, and Todd became a convert thanks to their giant, cheap chunks of fresh parmesan. What are your favorite TJ's finds?

zara.

 

When Todd and I went to Europe a few years ago, there's one place I just had to go in every country and almost every city we visited: Zara. They're finally launching their online store tomorrow, but I got a little sneak peek of the goods today. It's got me craving blazers, cords, and bright, fun shoes.  And a massive shopping spree.

treasure hunt.

I've been craving a good thrifting/junk shop/antiquing adventure. I've recently learned that there are a slew of antique malls around Charleston that I haven't even been to. And I think I need to remedy that. Some things that are always on my thrifting radar:

Old silver. My grandma has always collected it, 

and I'd love to have enough mismatched silver for a dinner party.

Vintage fans are my jam. If I see one, I will probably buy it. 

I'd love to find some old soda crates. Not sure what I'd do with them, but I'll figure that out later. 

Vintage linens, including handkerchiefs, tablecloths, and napkins — especially from the 1950s.

Typewriters. Maybe it's because I'm a writer, or maybe it's just because they're awesome. 

I'll never use them, but they sure are pretty to look at.

Matchbooks. 

Ok, I'm starting to get carried away. There's just going to have to be a Part 2 of this post at some future date. Until then, let me know if you want to go junkin'.

All images found via Pinterest.

down under.

I ran across this Sydney shop tour on Decor8, and it's as if the owners are my soul mates. I could spend hours in there, and buy everything. I might have to go to Australia just to visit davidmetnicole. But wait, they're online!