Well, here we go…. Ready or not 🙂 Gifting season can begin today, and we are doing it differently this year in hopes of making all our shopping easier. My team and I worked tirelessly building a new feature on the site and curating what we think is simply the best stuff worth buying, owning, or giving. The shop page is categorized “For Her” (fashion/beauty), “For Home,” “For Him” (Brian did most of this), “For Kids/Tweens/Teens” (our kids were heavily involved), and “For Boomers” (straight from our parents’ mouths). As well as “Gifts Under $50” and “Great Gifts For Anyone.” Everything is directly clickable and very easy to navigate. We’ll be adding to the list weekly as new products crop up or as we shop in person locally and see something rad. I really hope they help give you ideas and check some of the boxes that can make this season a bit stressful.

Today’s post will highlight my favorite fashion/beauty (mostly what I own) with some pretty new styled out shots from Kaitlin. Let’s face it, these posts are more for you to buy for yourselves, but if there is anything you like, copy and paste and send to the gift givers in your life (trust me, they want the help).

The black and white sweater is so easy to wear, layer over or under, and the multi-stripe makes it not boring.
The Madewell darted barrel is excellent (size down and comes in a lot of different colors/fabrics now). Great if you are like me and don’t want crazy high-waisted (I find these the most flattering barrel pants on the market).
The heeled ankle boots I’m wearing have won “most comfortable boot” 2 years in a row, and my new tall boots (leaning) are so good you are going to get sick of seeing me in them.

Here are some more things I love…

Charm Necklace: I bought this for myself – but the kids buy the charms 🙂 It’s a scrapbook I can wear around my neck.
Burgundy Tote: Big enough for everyday but still looks polished.
Chore Jacket: Excellent color, fit, style, and easy to wear. Done.

Tall Leather Boots: How classic are these tall boots – timeless.
Crossbody Bag: An affordable yet high-end-looking crossbody bag.
Fleece Vest: A fantastic vest for us enthusiastic walkers (hides my weighted vest really well).

For a splurgier sweater, Varley truly knows how to make things unexplainably comfortable. That Target throw is also great, should you want that subtle pattern.

Lexington Oversized Bag: I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to receive this.
Striped Rollneck Sweater: An easy-to-wear, layerable, cozy sweater that’s not boring.
Crescent Bag: Love the black and brown combo – makes it so easy to go with everything.

I finally found my trench. And with an excellent secret plaid pattern (you can see it on the sleeve) that is easy to layer over (I sized up, wearing a M, so I could put it over thin sweatshirts or sweaters).
The jeans are very flattering, while being a great wash (scroll the post to see them sans-boots).

Trench Coat: This coat has the best plaid on the inside and cuffs.
Classic Crew Cardigan: Has great reviews and comes in a lot of colors (including vivid red).
Varley Filey Collared Sweater: Incredibly soft, drapey, and such a beautiful color. Perfect for a cozy sweater lover.
LED Red Light Therapy Mask: An INCREDIBLE gift for anyone in your life who loves skincare and might be interested in wanting to boost that collagen production. 10/10!

Berkley Bag: Big enough for a laptop, but still really elegant. I love the fold-over top and the color so much.
Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans: Viral jeans for a reason – so great and only $50.
Brown Ballet Flats: Apparently, brown ballet flats are the IT flat for 2026.

The dark burgundy wool hat is making all my bad hair days so much easier (and I like that it’s dressier than a trucker hat).
And shout out to the Target necklace that looks so much more expensive than it is.

Alpaca Sweater: So soft, slouchy, and easy to layer on top of (it’s thinner than it looks).
Tall Brown Boots: My new boots that are perfect, TBH. Great with dresses, easy to shove pants into. Perfect heel.
Wool Baseball Hat: 10/10 great flattering shape. I’ve been wearing this constantly

The sweater is crazy soft and lightweight (some magical wool, methinks). And I’m clearly in my belt era, and this one is great (sueded on one side, perfect patina – from Madewell).

Cargo Pants: These cargo pants come in a ton of colors (I’m wearing ‘teak’ literally while writing this). I love them.
Denim Jacket: I love the toggles on this Lioness Jacket (and the contrast collar).
Grande Fanny Purse: A splurgy cool bag by Clare V. – IYKYK. I bought mine almost 4 years ago and still wear it.

Plaid Hat: Wear with fleece, hoodies, trench coats – more elevated than a trucker hat!
Lad Cardigan: Comes in a lot of colors and is easy to layer.
Emerson Fry Dress: So easy to throw on, flattering, and multi-seasonal.

A great green stripe shirt (holiday adjacent?) that is in a fabric that doesn’t wrinkle easily, and a nice boxy shape that has huge cuffs. It’s so good for work. These are the jeans that I’m loving/wearing (especially when I have a heel). They make me feel pretty good, you guys – a great cut and fit for those of us who miss skinny jeans (Brian loves these). Big shout out to this Quince belt bag – exceptional quality for the price. A great Clare V. alternative.

Suede Sling Bag: LOVE THIS. Like Clare V. but way more affordable.
Flare Jeans: I feel hot in these, full stop.
Striped Poplin Shirt: A fantastic cut that is easy to wear and has great structure.

Two of my favorite sweaters this season – the white quarterzip has great details (and nice cuffs). The navy blue cashmere is so thin and soft and flattering (and comes in a lot of colors). Both outfits are with the darted barrel pants (the olive ones are the slack version, and they were out of my size, so these are a bit big, again size down). I think we can all agree that the scarf around my head is so cute – if only I had a convertible…in Italy 🙂

Checkered Bag: Handmade in Portland, this bag is incredible and worth every penny – I LOVE THIS BAG
Day Glove Flats: I have these in both nude and navy. I wear them ALL THE TIME.
Cashmere Polo Sweater: I love this. So flattering and soft and easy to layer over. 10/10

Daily Pullover Sweatshirt: A quarter zip with a lot of great details.
Striped Tote Bag: These colors – PERFECTION. Great for every day (or weekend trips).
Check Ankle Socks: You may know that Em is a big fan of a patterned sock to help elevate is simple outfit, and these absolutely fit into that category. Cute but classic.

Valencia Cardi: A zip up sweater that’s perfect for fall through winter (and super layerable).
Silk Bandana: The prettiest color palette that pops a bit (but not too much).
Heart Charm Bracelet: Great charm bracelet.

Two Target sweaters that are pretty great. Both of these are so soft, with the cream one being more oversized and long, and the brown more boxy and wide. The darted barrel jeans are on the left, and my $50 Quince Bellas are on the right.

Extra credit if your sweater matches your adorable pup. Hi Buttercup!

LL Bean Slippers: Between these LL Bean Slippers and my tall Uggs, my “coldsies-feetsies” are fully covered this winter.
Cuff Bracelet: I mix this cuff with a lot of others to add some structure (I like the architectural nature of it).
Staped Ankle Boot: These leather boots have such nice detail for the price.

Another great blouse that was designed for easy wearing – i.e. doesn’t hug anywhere, drapes really well in a fabric that doesn’t wrinkle with a short front that is easy to 1/2 tuck. Dress her up or down. Or pair the with the vintage flares like I did and pointy slingbacks.

Pointed-Toe Slingback Pumps: Very flattering shoes (great for the office or dinner out).
Oval-Buckle Belt: The perfect belt that’s also reversible!
Easy Y-Neck Button-Up Shirt: Drapes perfectly, looks awesome, and doesn’t wrinkle.

T-Strap Flats: I really want these T-straps (“T straps” are “supposed” to be the new “ballet flat”). But also so classic.
Fleece: A fantastic color combination for a splurgy gift for someone who loves casual high-end fashion.
Leather Flat Buckle Belt: I have this belt in both brown and black. Simple, but still gives “western”… just a bit.

Bandana: An easy-to-wear bandana (you know I’m a fan).
Bourbon Jacket: A great cut of a classic coat with mixed fabrics.
Sanctuary Heels: I can only wear comfortable, wider heels – these still look polished and not too chunky.

Gap Pajamas: I take pajama sets seriously (mostly because I’m extremely picky about comfort and hate when anything cuts in or tugs or makes me sweat – I want to be so comfortable that I don’t even notice I’m wearing anything). My favorite set is from The Gap, this year by far.
Free People Puffer: The jacket I search for the most (it’s so cozy and easy to throw on) and comes in so many colors. It will never go out of fashion (and packs into its own pocket).
Ugg Tall Slipper Boots: I can’t do winter without these. I wear mostly inside because I work from home. LOVE.

Wool Trench Coat: What a pretty classic wool trench coat. Will be in forever (and currently very on trend).
Knot Bag: I have this bag and love that it fits my laptop and a million other things, and the pattern is subtle but still so fun. It’s been my big carry-on on the last two quick flights I took.
Quarter Zip Sweater: I love this sweater’s unexpected color combination – and it comes in a few others as well.

Before I move on to beauty/hair/makeup, etc., don’t forget to head over to the fully curated gift guide for “her” that has so much more. The above are my pics because I either have and love or really want (and I like a pretty casual Portland lifestyle, but there are a lot more styles over there).

Beauty: Some Hai, Face, And Body Stuff I Love

I’m not a beauty expert but since I have to be on camera I try to take care of myself (getting older has new fun challenges). So here are a few things that I love (and some rounded out from my team).

Hair Tools:

Dyson Hair Dryer: If you have fine frizzy hair, this will make your hair so much smoother (and my goodness, it goes so fast).
Mint Curling Iron: I love that this is long and wide – great for long, loose waves.
Get Messy Hair Products: Just launched the shampoo/conditioner smells INCREDIBLE, and I love the texturizing spray (makes it piece-y but not greasy).

I’ve dove into Korean beauty products lately (I’m clearly not alone) and these are what I’m absolutely loving. All three do similar things with salmon DNA/sperm, and they plump you up and add a glow that looks instant and incredible. It’s honestly remarkable the difference. I also love these green striped towels from Anthro.

Collagen Gel with Salmon DNA: Another Korean beauty product that I’m obsessed with. Instantly plumps and glows (yes, salmon DNA FTW)
Peptide Firming Serum: Plumps up fine lines and feels incredible.
Salmon DNA One Day Serum: These capsules are like magic.

Shout out to the Amazon bathrobe that I actually bought for Elliot for her birthday, but decided to wear in this shoot because it was so festive. 🙂 Here are some other robes that I’m also very into:

Checkered Robe: I know that a patterned robe might not be as spa-like, but it’s my firm theory that robes can be really bulky (I never feel great in a big white robe), so a patterned one is simply more fun. I’ve worn the checkered one for years and love it.
Waffle Robe: This Parachute Waffle Robe is extremely popular (for a simpler spa-like style).
Patterned Robe: Brooklinen has a ton of EXCELLENT patterns (including classic stripes)
Striped Fleece Robe: The pink and red soft robe (great for big kids). It’s only $29. I’m getting it for Elliot, but it fits me, too.

Biodance Face Mask: Bouncey and glassy. I subscribe to these and try to do one a month (at least).
ExfoliKate: Hollywood’s 2-minute facial. Forever and ever.
Dr. Dennis Gross Plump + Smooth Kit: We stand by the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel. It’s amazing. It makes your skin look luminous, hydrated, and this deal is great!

Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen: I’ve just been told I HAVE to wear this sunscreen (it’s supposed to be that good).
Nutrafol Pills and Serum: They have been nothing short of a miracle for me (and my hair panic). I have 4″ of new growth after some serious shedding, thanks to it (been on it since June).
Kai Body Lotion: Kai is my favorite scent ever (also comes in body wash).

Hydrating Scalp Serum: I’m on a scalp journey (like everyone else in Peri), and this one feels really good. I could write a whole post about all the stuff I’m trying for you scalp enthusiasts.
Clinique Chubby Stick: The best lip gloss that you can put on all day without a mirror (it’s really light). It’s very moisturizing. I’ve been wearing it for 15 years.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk: Once you go Luminous Silk, you can’t go back. It’s light coverage that is glowy, moisturizing, and goes on so evenly. I’ve been using it for 15 years (might be best for dry skin like mine).

I’ll be adding more and more to the Gift Guide shop page over the next 6 weeks, so please keep checking back (new pieces will be towards the top). And a huge thanks to my team for the hundreds of hours of “back-end” work. The page is so robust and full of so many incredible things. Shop HOME, HER, HIM, BOOMERS, KIDS/TWEENS, UNDER $50, and GREAT FOR ANYONE. Let us know what you think!

Phew! That was a lot. A quick message to you all:
I could keep going on and on and on, and I’m sure I’ll still miss some of my favorites. So please bookmark our new “For Her” curated gift guide, and we’ll be adding great things over there as they come out (or as we remember them). And let us know if you like this format – my team did such an incredible job (but so many hours/days/weeks) building it and pulling it together, and we are so excited, but always open to ideas on how to make it even better and easier to navigate.

Happy shopping 🙂 Head to the epic “For Her” guide here for even more. Thanks for being here. xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green