What You’re Shopping For: December Edition, Part II.

Q: A chic pom beanie for my mom.

A: This one is so cute, a great price, and comes in great colors. For something more high-end/luxury, this black one from Mackage is fantastic, Moncler is flashy, and you know I can’t resist a pearl…

Q: Presents for my mother!

A: Parents can be so tough to shop for. My top picks for loved ones here, but I will say I have yet to find a woman who doesn’t love a new pair of nice pajamas for Christmas (have personally suggested these to about half a dozen close friends looking for gifts for MILs/moms/step-moms — and they can still guarantee delivery by Christmas) or slippers (Other slipper options: I have been living in these, but these look like heaven, I’m personally desperate for a pair of these, and I bought a loved one a pair of these, which are wildly popular. I should note that my sister and I were almost allergic to the Ugg brand after wearing them in our teen/college years and looking back with chagrin at how we paired them with denim mini skirts but…now? I totally get them. Bought mini her first pair this year! They are warm, easy to slip-on, and good for most weather. Oh, and if you want to spend more, these Gucci slippers are…to die.)

Alternately, this heart bracelet is just so perfect for a mom.

Finally, just about anything on this shopping list is something I personally am eyeing/have bought…

Q: An outfit for myself to wear home with my new baby, due in February.

A: Ooh! Congratulations! Depending on temperature, I would go with a new Hill House nap dress in an opaque fabric (most are nursing-friendly — I would probably do the navy check in the Ellie style) and treat myself to a new cardigan (a bunch of chic ones here) with a pair of slip-on mules/slides (would be dreamy and extra to wear these Guccis or a pair of timeless Manolo maysales). Easy, loose-fitting, no buckles or ties or anything complicated.

If the dress is not your vibe or it’s too cold in your parts, a fun new long-line statement cardigan (also love this — perfect for a mom and baby girl pick if daughter is wearing pink to leave the hospital) is perfect for celebrating in — I’d layer over a nursing tank and my maternity leggings!

P.S. What was in my hospital bag for baby two.

Q: The best dustbuster.

A: Honestly, I’d skip the dustbuster and invest in a Miele C1 classic canister vacuum. I wish I’d done this years ago. One of the best purchases I’ve made, and the attachments can accommodate nearly any circumstance where you’d need a dustbuster.

That said, we did buy this for our car back when we had one (we sold ours a year into living in Manhattan) and — pre-Miele — I did find I used it quite a bit at home. It’s a great, sturdy, surprisingly powerful handheld vacuum.

Q: Interesting detailed tops for zoom calls.

A: Love this! So 2020. Some of the patterned turtlenecks I shared here would be fun, as would be anything from the statement collar microtrend (this and this are amazing and both under $100). A couple of other specific finds:

THIS $118 BLOUSE, WHICH REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING BY SEA

THIS EMBROIDERED SHIRT (WOW)

THIS $60 BLOUSE IS PERFECTION

ZARA ALWAYS HAS FUN FINDS LIKE THIS HEART-PRINT BLOUSE

Q: A gift for my five-month-old son.

A: Aw – sweetest! My first thought was a Love Every subscription. People love these kits because they send you beautiful (think non-plastic/non-blinking) age appropriate toys. I wish I’d done this for Hill, to be honest — I bought him so few new toys (lots of hand-me-downs) and I think this would have been a special little treat for my second baby.

Otherwise, a few classics for tiny ones: wooden stacking rings, Cuddle + Kind stuffed animals, or Rubbabu velvet toys (great sensory toys for small hands – lightweight, interesting texture; Hill loved these).

Q: Affordable (under $30) stocking stuffers for 30-something ladies.

A: Lots of my thoughts on this exact subject here, but I really love the idea of sending a beautiful set of playing cards (also love these and these) for a future game night (Fauci says this summer?!), some pretty personalized stationery/notepads, or personalized airpods cases.

Some of the gourmet gifts here or the gifts for book lovers here would also fit the bill!

Q: Christmas gift for boyfriend’s parents! Something the whole family could enjoy?

A: Gourmet gifts — I have lots of really fun ideas from fantastic sources (i.e., not just your standard box of fruit or popcorn tin). Also love the idea of a chess set (so trendy RN thanks to Queen’s Gambit) or this luxe set of classic board games.

Q: A super-soft long sleeved tee (athleisure/loungewear) for my mother-in-law.

A: I love this one from Lululemon. (And I think a lot of us love that brand.) If that’s too sporty, I like almost every basic I buy from Everlane, and this tee is made from pima cotton (the softest).

Q: A classic gold signet ring that will last a lifetime.

A: Check out Stone and Strand! One of my chicest girlfriends wears a vintage, personalized signet ring on her pinky and she looks amazing. Upgrade pick: Tiffany.

Q: My friend is pregnant and going through a rough time (unrelated to pregnancy). $50-ish gift idea?

A: Shoot – sorry to hear that. Honestly, the most amazing and out of the blue gift I received when I was going through a tough time was a bundle of cookies and cake balls from MilkBar, and, a few years later, a big box of Levain cookies. These and other gourmet treats here. Not suggesting to eat your feelings but…haha! Sometimes it just feels good to treat yourself to something fun and frivolous and indulgent when you’re feeling blue.

Otherwise, a luxe face mask (who else loves receiving skincare/cosmetics as gifts? So fun!). I personally love this Origins clay mask and use it at least once a week — maybe bundle with the much-buzzed-about La Neige lip mask?

P.S. More of what you’re shopping for right now here.

P.P.S. Are you expecting your first baby?

P.P.P.S. How do you handle interruptions?