the feels

1. my coffee situation sucks. my shattered chemex (it was bound to happen sooner or later) means using my old bialetti which has lost it's rubber ring and spews coffee water all over my stove every goddamn day and the coffee itself pours murky and gray. why haven't i bought a new chemex you ask? or a new bialetti? bc i am still looking for the mercedes of coffee makers. i have no clue what the fuck that is though. everyone has a different opinion on the matter and what i need to do is find a research lab where all the coffee makers on earth come out and make coffee for me and then i can decide. does that seem like a TALL order? but i also haven't bought one because life in general feels so overwhelming lately that even the simple task of buying a coffee maker feels equivalent to buying a house.

2. 2 cats = i clean the litter box a lot. which i gotta tell you is my least favorite thing about cats.

3. i use a lot of paper towels. not for cleaning poop. just in general and i feel like i am singlehandedly destroying our planet. 

4. my boobs hurt 20 days out of the month. my period makes no sense anymore. 

5. i need a rug pad but would rather buy every ouai product. 

6. my kid had a meltdown because i moved the christmas tree to another spot this year. saying it was better in the other spot and how there's no room to move. i told her "no ma'am" this is where it was staying and to go to her room. screaming and "you're stupid" were involved so please don't think i sent her to her room for voicing her opinion. but she never listens and goes to her room so i have to walk with authority (read fast walking with deliberate clomping) and almost fall on my padless rug en route to show her that i, in fact, am the boss. also i think she was right about the tree.

7. i just painted our sitting room this color and it's amazing. but now i want new art, a new lampshade, new pillows etc... first world problems. i get it. i'll post pics as soon as i get the room situated with all the christmas. 

8. it's true what they say, the neck is the first thing to go. my advice to you: strap on a neck brace for every moment you aren't in public. it's too late for me. save yourself. 

9. i want kim kardashian's perfume and i feel i need an intervention. 

10. i find myself tuning out important issues like the current state of EVERYTHING because it's just too much. but i don't feel like this is the right choice and then i feel disconnected and i fall down the rabbit hole of social media to numb the pain only the funny thing is social media makes me feel inferior and sad and gives me major FOMO. i just don't know what to do.

11. you = read a book. me = what book?

12. seriously though i can't wrap my head around why donald trump is still president and sometimes, SOMETIMES i think there are these other, REAL people in power that are pulling the strings and he is just there to cause a distraction. like maybe there is an alien war going on in space and the real leaders need us to focus on our "fake" president and the "fake" feud with that other "fake" leader kim jong un so that we don't see the aliens. 

i am sorry for not talking to you guys more. 

 

mfamb 2017 gift guide - for her

i know there are specific gift guides for people out there. like the gift guide for your friend who has everything (fuck her she obviously doesn't need anything). or for your mom the great cook. those are neat. but man that's a lot of time to throw at a gift guide. also brain energy. i tried to incorporate a few items for several types of ladies rather than an entire guide for one type. also 100% of this stuff is what i want and i am nothing if not a renaissance woman. so you can totes trust me. 

1. rebecca taylor tweed ribbed pullover - the color and puff sleeve on this sweater are perfect. you have to look at how cute it looks on. 

2. vogue living country city coast - guys i sat with this book at barnes and noble and was sad not to take it home with me. it's the perfect gift for anyone who loves interior design that doesn't involve hgtv. 

3. kimono by farrow - THIS for your fashion-y friend. 

4. kevin aucoin perfect lip kit - an entire lip arsenal in one compact (plus 2 pencils). no need for anything else. except a good red. 

5. maison margiela beach walk candle - sorry but in january this is what i want to smell. i'm done with smoke, pine and cinnamon. 

6. minnetonka sheepskin mule slipper - i desperately need these. when i am here in the winter painting it's COOOLD on these old floors. many times i am wearing 3 pair of socks. which isn't cute or convenient if i have to put shoes on to go outside. i can only guess that one of your loved ones is struggling with cold floors too and sock layering. 

7. prince of wales beret - i'm the only one i know who would wear this so you can just get it for me. 

8. deciem retin-oil - it's retinol for your body. so duh. yeah, we all need this. 

Highly concentrated dry body oil combines a next-generation retinoid complex (1%) that fights multiple signs of age, along with vitamins C and E, skin-enhancing Amazonian oils and deep-sea red algae to improve the looks of scars, stretch marks, cellulite, dehydration, surface irregularities and discolouration.

9. vintage touch game of palmistry - i am from the 70's and i had never hear of this game. it sounds fun and weird and silly so get it for your fun, weird, silly friend. 

10. the holiday beauty net-a-porter kit - this this this this this this. best gift ever. 

11. 1920's brown plaid blanket - i happen to think this would bring so much to an otherwise feminine bedroom. 

12. lapels faux fur coat - for the girl who wants to be margot tennenbaum every year for halloween.  comes in a glorious red too. 

13. handmade watercolor sets - for your most creative friend. these are highly pigmented and gorgeous. a lovely gift. 

14. patagonia fleece pullover - comes in many colors but love this rosewater option. it's also 30% off right now

15. 3 piece mini bud vase set - one should never have a shortage of pretty bud vases. i always break at least 3 flower heads in a bunch and put one in a glass on my sink and scatter the rest in unexpected spots throughout my house. love this color combo.

16. haute bohemians by miguel flores vianna - the book everyone is talking about. can't wait to get my hands on it. also see #2 for who to buy this for. 

17. dress scandinavian by pernille teisbaek - PT has THE best style. all her best looks in one book to inspire your outfits. but wait! there's more: 

Spanning almost 200 pages, this stylish hardcover is filled with beautiful photographs, moodboards and advice on how to mix textures, colors and fabrics to create a cool, minimalist wardrobe any Danish girl would envy. There's also chapters dedicated to achieving natural-looking makeup and turning your home into a warm and inviting retreat.

18. instant pot - been thinking about getting one of these? this is the one you want. perfect gift for anyone who lives that crock pot life. 

19. eberjey slouchy cardigan - this is basically what i want to put on when i wake up and after my shower in the evening. so cozy. know who else would love it? your mom. your mil. your auntie and cousin too. 

20. smitten kitchen every day - everyone is talking about deb perelman's second book. perfect gift for anyone who cooks dinner every day. hi! 

21. remodelista the organized home - i have every book the folks at remodelista have put out and they are all AWESOME. any book that makes cleaning and organizing look and sound fun is ok with me. also generally a great gift for anyone who likes organizing or for someone moving into their first home. 

22. reebok hayasu dance cardio shoes - ok harder to gift to someone who doesn't do dance cardio buuuut.....if you know someone who wants to try out the tracy anderson method these shoes would make a great start for her. and....

23. tracy anderson online streaming - if you're feeling super generous you could get her 6 months of tracy's streaming workout. or you could sign her up for one month here. i personally do this method and think it's the number one best workout on planet earth. it consistently challenges my brain and body and the results are evident. 

 

come back here on monday for my small luxuries under $50 gift guide.

bye then. 

 

 

mfamb 2017 gift guide - for him

your favorite and your best gift guides are here!

nothing on my lists haven't been used, perused, sniffed, touched, considered followed by late nights at my second job- internet researcher or they are things i just really really want for myself.

first up is the man guide. because they are notoriously hard to buy for. mainly because they all seem to say they don't want anything. mine just wants more sex or more underwear or "nothing, i don't need anything but more money". so that's fun. 

anyway...here.

1. converse chuck taylor black mono - i think most guys want more shoes. they just don't own it the way women do. shoes and sunglasses. as i was researching men's shoes mike anderson passed by my desk and said "ooooh those are cool." i would agree. 

2. L:A bruket shaving cream - no straight guy would buy themselves $42 shave cream. but you would. smells like laurel (which is good i think) protects and moisturizes with organic ingredients and delivers a calming and healing effect. 

3. your cabin in the woods by conrad meinecke - this one speaks for itself. for the guy who loves the outdoors and building shit. also for you because you secretly (or not so secretly) want your own cabin in the woods. 

In writing both practical and inspirational, Meinecke details how to turn your cabin dream into a reality, from choosing land to using tools to the basics of construction. He provides hand-drawn floor plans for a variety of cabins, from a simple two-room to a more complex long house. A number of sections focus on the best way to build fireplaces, both indoors and out. He also provides instructions for basic furniture, lighting, and other touches that make a cabin feel like home. Throughout are Meinecke's thoughts on ways to enjoy your new-found space, from hearty fireplace recipes to the types of wood for a perfect fire and the beauty found in birdsong.

4. district vision yukari g15 sunglasses - these are the type of sunglasses guys like. hiding all aspects of eyeball. comfy on the face. 

5. you guys! taco holders!! - okay like this shit doesn't bother me. i don't care if my taco falls over and everything spills out. i'll just scoop it up with my fingers like a cavewoman and shove it in my mouth. my husband on the other hand all but cries when his tacos don't stand up. gift! 

6. national parks and federal recreational lands annual pass - this one never would have occurred to me but i asked around. for just 80 bucks you can give the gift of access to a national park that is honored nationwide at national park service, forest service, US fish and wildlife service, bureau of land management, and bureau of reclamation recreation sites charging day-use or entrance fees.

7. beboe cannabis pastilles - i'll just sit here and wait for the rest of the US to catch up while you california residents give the best stocking stuffer ever. 

8. anderson and sheppard floral print wool pocket square - none of the guys in my guy circle own a pocket square.  it feels like one of those items that he needs at the last minute to elevate his suit lewk but he can't bc he'd never buy one for himself. so gift it.

9. & 10. men's classic fleece and classic french terry sweatpants - ah sweatpants. everlane makes quality stuff. i still have all of my sweatshirts that i bought several years ago and they are completely intact if not better. 

11. hanes men's red label 3-pack x-temp active cool long leg boxer brief, assorted - my husband's choice. "these are tight enough to support while still being comfortable. don't get too loose from wearing, etc. loose boxers were a thing when i was in college, but a man needs support. sleep in loose unders. do manly shit in these." there you have it. 

12. champion sports leather medicine ball - i gave this to him 2 years ago and he is in the backyard every day throwing it as high in the air as he can and catching it or throwing it at trees. it sounds like gorillas are mating but he loves it. i asked what the best part was- "convenient and great way to do many resistance exercises. challenging and fun as hell. when not exercising, awesome for foot stool or can be a friend like wilson from cast away."

13. derek rose crawford shearling-lined harris tweed slippers - he'll like them because he'll be all cary grant vibes (or thurston howell the third vibes) you'll like the because there's no clomping. soft soles. 

14. oversize wool coat - much like the pocket square no dads in the dad circle have a dress coat. at least not one that is current and stylish. this one is very nice and very affordable. mango makes a quality product guys. it's my go to when mike anderson needs to look nice. 

15. buly 1803 generaux d'empire home fragrance set - for his personal man space. no fire or sticks in a jar involved. just a few drops of the scented oil on a pumice stone.

The sweet blend of Rose Petals, Blackcurrant and Rosemary layers over rich Cedar, Patchouli and Musk and is spiked with fresh Peppermint - it will captivate and invigorate without overwhelming.

16. the century trilogy by ken follet - mike has read these back to back. i read pillars of the earth and can say it is one of the most memorable books i've ever read. 

17. v76 detox bar soap - sounds like a dream: 

This Detox Bar Soap gently exfoliates to wash away impurities, absorb excess oil and lift dead cells, leaving skin prepped for a closer, smoother shave. Notes of Lime, Ginger and Vetiver that will linger long after you've cleansed. 

 

that's it guys. hope you found something to gift! 

 

i'll be back on friday with another gift guide! this one for the ladies in your life. 

have a happy holiday!