Happy first Sunday of December! We first want to remember last Monday, which was World AIDS Day. It is very important to ensure that we never forget such devastating times when no one had any answers and we lost many beautiful lives. So while continuing to raise awareness, research is also being funded. Health is a precious gift and it is not guaranteed to any of us. So that said, hug your loved ones and hopefully enjoy a beautiful holiday season. Ok, here are today’s links 🙂
This week’s home tour They’re calling it the Blue Box! This 800-square-foot Berlin apartment is modern and extremely cool, but also cozy and warm. you just have to see it,
From Emily: Okay, four cute stocking stuffer ideas for those of us who are confused:
, laser pointer pen (Yes, like the one you use for a cat). Charlie saved his allowance for this and he loves it. Makes all different shapes and can go really far.
, glow in the dark tapeI’m talking about this here – we love Mission Impossible style stunts in our house (usually with blue masking tape), so I was thinking this would be great fun for a family obstacle course night (or heck, maybe just with my friends in their rooms),
, Whoopee cushion Or some kind of joke gift (a hand buzzer is also a great one). These never get old.
– I suspect it’s too late to add This adorable cat is scratching nail files In your cart (you file your nails while scratching their stomach!!!).
– Elliot loves too Posca Paint Marker And sweet scratchesIf anyone else has great teen/tween stocking stuffer ideas, let me know in the comments!
From Caitlin: I used Cyber Weekend as an excuse to stock up on my all time favorite tightsAnd by “stocked up” I mean “I bought two pairs” – they’re made from proprietary, tear-resistant fabric, so one pair lasts a whole year! They range in size by weight (ranging from 79 pounds in an XXS to 340 pounds in a 4XL), so it’s easy to find the best fit for you; I took a large, my daily wear size, and an XL for any bloated days where the idea of the waistband cutting into my body is too horrible to imagine, After years of finding myself crying when a torn stocking ruins an outfit minutes before a holiday party, this is a welcome addition to my wardrobe! (Next time, I’ll buy faster — my favorite sheer onesies with sweet little polka dots sold out in my size before I could even buy them! If you’re not an M, L, or XL, take a look, Let me live vicariously through you!)
From Marli: A New Deodorant Recommendation – in a wonderful new scentI’ve been using Salt & Stone deodorant for 3+ years at this point, and I love it – and that’s because of its scent, so, Good, First of all, I went for Santal Fragrancefantastic, Then I moved on to the bergamot hinoki (I found it in a gel deodorant – I wouldn’t recommend you get solids, The gel doesn’t really last, but I liked the scent so much that I added it to the body wash), I love it too rose + oudIt’s much more floral/scented but not overpowering – now they have this Really Amazing Neroli Basil Fragrance, and this might be my new favorite. I really love salt and stone products, and whenever I tell someone this, they usually say, “Oh, their deodorant doesn’t work for me”. To which I say: First of all, you’re not using enough. You can’t hit your side with a quick swipe like a heavy-duty aluminum dove. It’s more than swipe swipe, swipe swipe. And maybe a few more for good measure. There is more! Secondly, I don’t really use it when I anticipate doing something that creates a level 7/10 or higher sweat risk. This is what pigeons are for. It still works perfectly – but if you’re doing something really sweaty, you might smell like Black Rose + Oud Plus body scent. Overall, for me it’s the equivalent of why I like to have a bottle of really good lotion in addition to my everyday CeraVe… or why it feels fun to treat myself to a latte on a Saturday after a week of making black coffee at home every morning. It’s just a small, simple, everyday luxury that makes me happy and smells amazing and creates a feeling of “togetherness.” It’s not a replacement, it’s a complement – who knew deodorant could evoke such strong feelings of happiness and splendor!
Also from Marlee: There’s nothing I love more than receiving a stocking full of consumable items – if you have a foodie in your life, I would recommend all of the following personal favorites of mine as stocking stuffers (check these out at your local grocery store, too!): a box of maldon salt, 3 Packs of Momofuku Seasoned Salt (Makes a great salmon or chicken rub!), this Not That Spicy Garlic Chili CrispThe best nut butters (IFKYK, hello rebrand too!), I love Fishwife tinned fish (if you bought me big variety pack I will love you forever!), a small bag of coffee (life hack, buy a sample pack And divide it up as stocking stuffers!), Jacobsen Salted Caramelbest tiny popcornA fancy bottle of cherries For cocktails, I can go!!!
From Gretchen: First of all, let me follow up on my link from last week and say, I still really love my new vacuumSure, it’s only been a week, which means I still can’t give you a true “how’s it going” review, but really, I love using this vac. Having this in my life has made cleaning a lot easier (and more fun), and I just wanted to share that by now it’s not a coincidence,
Now onto the actual link. Let’s talk stocking stuffers! Even though I’m 31, my sweet mom still fills my stocking every Christmas. Every year the list changes slightly, but there is one gift that has become a tradition in our family-A Toblerone Chocolate BarIt’s the perfect size to put in a stocking and is a little more special than a Reese’s pack, The other key item is a really great pair of socks, Mom, I know you’re reading this,,,my favorite couples are Girlfriend Socks from Le Bon ShopSometimes she even throws in silly trinkets or art supplies (we’re both very crafty), If you’re looking for ideas, I’ve recently fallen in love with This oil based paint penThey are very easy to use, odorless and long lasting, They come in a ton of colors, but I really like using the metallic ones, I made some fun DIY Christmas decorations this year, and they really came in handy!
From Mallory: One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) for the holidays is anything by Staub – I’m absolutely impressed with their cookware, but the best thing they have so far is the Dutch oven. They can be expensive but often go on sale (especially the smaller sizes – call your local Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table to see if their store has them on sale!) I just bought This one The most beautiful basil green color for $150 for a gift, and I bought for my mom a cast iron Even a few years ago. If they are more interested in baking or already have these things in their kitchen, might I suggest mini stabsI bought them for myself in yellow, and I’m crazy about it.
From Jess: I re-ordered two things for Black Friday because they are the absolute best. are the first Classic Aviator Ray-BanAlthough I love trying other styles, I like these aviators the most, and really feel like me, However, it’s been a few years since my last pair went missing, I think I was subconsciously punishing myself for losing the last pair, but then spending money on less expensive options that I didn’t like as much, So I decided to just pick them up, and I can’t wait to feel like “Jess” again 🙂 The second item I repurchased was my face moisturizer – Air Angel Peptide Plumping Gel Cream By Diex Skin. I was almost out, so I decided to buy 2 since they were on sale! It feels great, makes my skin look great, and doesn’t clog my pores (which is important because I’m very milia-prone).
From Arlene: I’m not a guy who looks good in sweatpants. They’re perfect for decorating around the house, but I feel like I look very sloppy if I leave the house in them. Mostly because I could never find the right fit for my slim but curvy frame (or wear a top that wasn’t a baggy t-shirt). but i took a risk on these Old Navy “Bounce Wool” Sweatpants In short lengths, and they are great! I wore them to the school drop-off on a cool morning recently, and I was very comfortable, mostly warm — they could probably be warmer, FYI, but are good for 50-degree mornings — and felt pulled together in them with cool socks and sneakers and a matching sweater. I’m thinking of getting them in another color or two.
Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow!! xx
Opening Image Credit: Photo by Keltin Green From: Christmas 2025 in our house – whimsical, colorful and non-traditional in a really cozy way
