Polly here, in holiday bliss : )
I love, love, love (all underlined, with three lines) the holiday season in Princeton!
Once I see the garland begin to go up around Palmer Square, I start feeling it. There’s something about those sparkly lights shining against the familiar Douglas Fir that takes this town to next-level wonderful, am I right?
Now, some people might find holiday shopping to be somewhat of a chore, but for me taking in this walkable town allows me to enjoy every minute!
The Square has become my one-stop-shop to crossing every name off my lists. And yes, I said lists, plural, with a capital “S.” In one afternoon I got my holiday shopping done and tied it all up in a giant red bow. A true miracle!
So, in the spirit of gift giving, I have taken it upon myself to lay out the perfect finds you should be wrapping up this season.
For her: so many options!
At Dandelion Jewelry, pieces by Adel Chefridi Designs caught my eye; evoking art and architecture, and drawing on ancient designs, these sterling silver or 18K gold pieces are something that I know my sister will adore–and wear often. To pair with that exquisite jewelry I will also be gifting her a month intro pass to Pure Barre: 4 weeks of unlimited classes. She loves trying something new, and I just know she’ll be energized by the fitness community at the studio!
Working my way down Palmer Square West, I spot an all time fav Nic + Zoe! Dare I resist picking up a few things for myself? Not a chance. Their holiday styles are to-die-for right now. Between the Shadow Mix Jacket and the supersoft sweater in grey tones, I’m ready to go from the office holiday party to my kids’ holiday concert, all while feeling cozy and looking fabulous.
And don’t think I forgot my New Year outfit: I’ll be looking my best when the ball drops in a jaw-droppingly, sexy blouse from Rouge: the Samara Top. The lace, exaggerated cuffs, blouson sleeves, and high neck almost deserve their own pop of bubbly!
And for those coworkers that are sweet to me all year long – and even the Scrooges – I’ve got the perfect gift: chocolates from Thomas Sweet. You can build your own boxes, or pick up their pre-packed one pound box of assorted goodies including creams, clusters, melt-aways, and more.
For a quick treat yourself moment: Rojo’s – time for that latte! And then it hit me, why not get the perfect gift for your favorite coffee lover! The Technivorm (Mokkamaster) KBTS741, is a countertop brewer that blows those bulky plastic machines out of the water. Think about it: if you want to brew a good cup of coffee at home, you want to use what the coffee experts use! Trust me this gift will have your coffee-fiend buzzing more than a doubleshot of espresso!
Can’t think of what to get Mom, and the mother-in-law? A cozy robe from Lace Silhouettes is a good place to start, and the Duffield Robe by UGG is exactly what they’ll want. This blanket-soft fleece, available in a range of sizes and colors will become a staple post-soak item without a doubt!
Next, a fresh but sophisticated makeup palette that she’ll get plenty of use out of: the Trish McEvoy Fall 2018 Planner at Bluemercury. (It’s a top-seller, and that’s no surprise!)
To top it all off, go with a find from Princeton Floral Design: a divine handmade porcelain rose-shaped fragrance diffuser… ahh! So lovely.
For him: a thoughtful & practical gift
So, maybe He’s worn the old one to death, but the Ashby jacket from Barbour is ready to be used just as hard (plus it looks wayyyyy more contemporary.) What’s awesome about the Ashby is that it’s windproof, three-season, and can be rewaxed – it’s designed to last forever! (They also have one for women, the Beadnell.)
At Homestead Princeton, I found a truly unique gift for my brother-in-law, the world traveler. Map journals! These gorgeous, leather bound notebooks are handmade in the USA, and engraved with historical maps of Manhattan, Philly, and Brooklyn.
Thinking ahead to the busy holiday season and the weeks beyond, I just need a bag that can get me through it all. Cue a stop at Botari. The MZ Wallace Jimmy Small Duffle has a padded shoulder strap, and is lightweight and durable. And rollable. And packable. And ok-to-accidentally-crush-and-wont-lose-its-shape-able!
And with that, it’s me, Polly, signing off. Wishing you a fun, busy, special, happy, satisfying, and Princetonian holiday, friends!