Happy Holidays! Here is the link to my 2012 gift suggestions for women
I swear, October isn't even here yet and the Christmas faeries are already stuffing thoughts and ideas into my head! Last year I composed a brief post about Christmas gifts for intelligent women, and hopefully I helped a few people with gift buying ideas for 2010. In anticipation of the 2011 holidays, I've already charged ahead and created my "2011 Christmas Gifts for Kooky, Fun, Intelligent Women" post to help out those early shoppers, and perhaps jump start those pesky procrastinators (I lump myself into the latter category):
Meliciously Yours tshirts make my list again. These soft vintage tees with Victorian inspired designs make me feel empowered and feminine when I wear them (no, unfortunately, that is not me in the picture). When I wear these tees out, I nearly always have women asking me, "Where did you get that shirt?" That's easy! Go to the Melicious Tees site and order one (or two, or three) for yourself or the hip, bright chick(s) in your life (or if you are in the North Carolina, South Carolina area, a few boutiques along the coast sell them). I personally like the new 'Innovator' design. Meliciously Yours is also a proud sponsor of Girls Rock NC, a non-profit organization that provides music and arts programming for girls ages 7 - 17!
The Emwave Pc Stress Relief Biofeedback Heartmath System is on my personal Christmas list this year. Yeah, I know it sounds a bit like science fiction, and a few years ago I would have gone so far as to say this is a bit "flaky" but I use this device from time to time in my therapist's office and she recommends I get one for myself, so Poseidon, if you are reading this...just want you to know what you can add to my Christmas list for 2011. This little contraption guides you to achieving more creative energy levels and reducing your anxiety and stress levels. Hear that intelligent gals everywhere? This little gadget helps reduce stress! I can personally vouch for it's effectiveness (ok, its effectiveness on me...I don't want hate emails later).
What woman doesn't love shoes (there may be some out there who just don't get shoes, and I call them freaks)? Poetic License is one of my favorite shoe brands because they come in some wacky textures and colors, yet classic enough to wear to work. The Poetic License Jeweled Expression flat is a sensible, yet funky shoe for the intelligent belle. Not too high, just right. Even my batty little bunions don't scream quite as loudly as they could in Poetic License shoes. Try Endless.com when shopping for Poetic License shoes because they seem to be cheaper than other online shoe sites. I know in my area, Belk carries this line, but they usually have only a handful of styles.
Another item from my 2010 shopping list that is making a repeat performance is the B&N's Nook Color. Now, I still haven't purchased one of these myself because I worship paper books and I'm not ready to part with the feel of paper on my fingers and all of that nonsense. But, my sister does own one of these now and it is super handy and super cool. I think I mentioned last year that my mother-in-law has the nook (not the one in color), and she still loves it. As a matter-of-fact, a few weeks ago her power was out, she had no lights for hours, but she could still read! For now, ladies (and gents), I'm sticking with the old-fashioned kind of book, but I recommend these, especially great for travel. You can read, surf, or just look distinctly smart while carrying it around.
Last but not least, everyone should visit Maylee's Garden on Artfire.com. Poseidon and I buy her handmade laundry detergent and it is fantastic! The scents are incredible, most notably the nag champa. My other favorite is patchouli lavender (though I think patchouli is sometimes difficult to get because the patchouli crop demand is still greater than the supply, so sometimes she may be out). We always buy our laundry detergent from Maylee's Garden rather than local stores because the essential oils and scents make the laundry smell spectacular (I'm not just saying that). You actually use much less of Maylee's detergent than you do store-bought suds, so the price is well worth it! She often sends a sample pack of a new scent with our order, which is an added bonus. Maylee's Garden also has soaps, perfume oils, and she even makes a shampoo bar specifically formulated for dreadlocks (I've never tried it because, well, I don't have dreads -- not yet). Please do visit her site. Her products would make great gifts for moms, mother-in-laws, sisters, cousins, aunts, daughters, friends, (ok even men), etc.
I know it is a short list, but it's been a busy year (new job, gallbladder removed, house on the market, etc.) and I personally haven't seen much in the way of anything intensely new or exciting screaming "BUY ME, DAMN IT."
Before closing, I just want to add a word or two (or a few) about gift cards. Gift cards may seem boring and dull, and some may even say "tacky," but they are usually much appreciated, so if you have to wimp out and you just can't summon any imaginative shopping juice from the creativity gods and none of the above ideas are "just right," then gift cards are a sensible choice. I recommend Sephora, Amazon, or a local day spa (if you are in the Raleigh, NC area or GA, TN, FL, or KS, I highly recommend Natural Body Spa).
--Fortuitous Observer
