Gift Guides

We find ourselves saying this to the men in our life every season: “You are so difficult to shop for!” While putting together this guide, we researched for many hours and ultimately, nixed too many products to name. But it was totally worth it because we finally came up with 6 gifts that your guy will totally love:

ONE. Most boys we know love their toys – and that definitely includes video games. This season, Rock Band, which was just released last month, is the latest craze. Taking Guitar Hero up a notch, this game lets you play lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals to form the ultimate rock band. He and his buddies will have hours of endless fun. For the holidays, we suggesting getting your guy the special edition ($169). It’s sold out on the official website (and quite a few others) already, but don’t worry…we tracked it down for you at Gamestop.

TWO. For the golf aficionado, the following gift will fulfill one of his ultimate fantasies. Send him to the Titleist Performance Institute (various packages available, prices begin at $5,000), which is an experience worthy of Tiger Woods. Titleist will provide him with a complete assessment of his game, which includes everything from expert analysis of their swing technique to a custom club fitting. His dream of joining the PGA tour will be one huge step closer. (more…)

Do you know someone who seems to be constantly on a plane, jetting from one fabulous locale to the next? We found some marvelous presents that these chic jet setters will be able to add to their travel arsenal permanently.

ONE. If you travel frequently (especially for work), you may wish to bring with you a little scent of home. Awhile ago, we mentioned our obsession with Archipelago Botanicals‘ home fragrance diffusers and now we’ve discovered that they come in travel sizes too — perfect for stowing away in your suitcase wherever you are going. These Excursion Collection Travel Diffuser kits ($20) come with a glass bottle of fragrance and a set of sticks that you simply throw out every time you pack up and leave. One of my favorite scents comes from their Destinations collection, Havana. It’s a warm and sweet scent that reminds us of sunny days and all the historical romance of Cuba.

TWO. The elegant silk lingerie bags by Julianna Rae are ideal for the traveling girl who takes “first class” very seriously. It’s designed to hold her unmentionables in style! The bag is ingeniously built with two compartments to separate the clean from the not-so-clean, so your friend can ditch the plastic laundry bag she picked up in the hotel closet. It comes in several colors, but we just love the Midnight Flight pattern ($38); it’s sophisticated without being overly-girly. (more…)

Have a gal pal who has so many beauty products that her collection rivals a magazine’s beauty closet? You’re probably thinking that she’s seen it all and thus, has left you totally stumped on what to gift her for the holidays. No problem! We’ve got 6 presents that will satisfy her beauty cravings:

ONE. When it comes to beauty, there’s probably nobody more influential than Aerin Lauder, the SVP and Creative Director of Estee Lauder. She recently designed a decadently glam limited edition compact ($75) for her Private Collection: Tuberose Gardenia that any beauty aficionado would treasure. The luxurious golden compact is embedded with semi-precious stones, including citrine, aventurine, yellow and green jade, lemon and mustard stones. Perfect for keeping in her purse, the two mirrors will be ideal for touching up her makeup. Get her the matching fragrance for the ultimate beauty present.

TWO. Lush makes some of the best bath products on the market today. There, we said it! So there’s no reason why any lover of beauty products wouldn’t want the Ice Box ($62.95). Ready to be gifted in a silver glitter-specked ribbon and “ice” wrapped box, it contains the Dreamtime Bath Melt, Ice Blue Soap, French Kiss Bubble Bar Slice, Dream Cream, Snow Cake Soap, Silver Cloud Bath Bomb, Fair Trade Foot Lotion, and Twinkle Bath Bomb. This refreshing box of goodies is perfect for the gorgeous gal in your life to unwind and cool down after a hot holiday party. (more…)

If you have a friend or family member who is obsessed with entertaining, cooking or anything domestic…this is the guide for you. We’ve carefully selected fabulous gifts that will please any domestic goddess – and that she’ll use year-round:

ONE. Honey is a staple in every kitchen because you can use it for so many things – from adding sweetness to a cup of tea to drizzling over artisan bread. Take it to the next level with the American Honey Flight ($72), available at Violet.com. Nine distinct regional honeys are housed in glass vials, hand-corked and sealed with bees wax. A oak display block and gift box complete the set. Just think of how much sweeter your life could be (since your domestic diva can whip up delish dishes with this!).

TWO. Any true hostess will tell you she can never have enough glasses, and she can never have enough platters. Glasses can be tough to gift, but this stunning porcelain platter ($163) by Dibbern will be the perfect accent to just about any domestic diva’s lineup, whether she’s ultra-modern or classic chic. Add a gift set of self-blooming tea and we guarantee you’ll be on her permanent guest list. (more…)

Editors’ Note: This year, we put together 7 holiday gift guides that’ll make you want to shop ’til you drop. We spent hours carefully editing through hundreds of products to bring you the best of the best. Over the next few weeks, the guides will reveal themselves…starting today!

We’ve all been there – it’s holiday season and for some reason or another, you need to pinch those pennies this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a divine gift for your loved ones! We came up with 6 fabulous ideas under $25 that are so chic that the recipient will think it is worth 10x more. Let’s get started, shall we?

ONE. Who doesn’t love a pair of earrings? These crystal studs by Viv & Ingrid are the perfect stocking stuffer for any fashionista friend. Each pair is made of sterling silver posts with tiny 2mm CZ crystals. These must-have earrings are incorporated onto a holiday card and is perfectly packaged with a festive gift box. You can choose from a variety of cards (wreaths, snowflakes, etc.) and colors (ruby, sapphire, yellow topaz, etc.). At only $12, we think they are a complete steal!

TWO. For the insomniac on your list, we love these gorgeous sleep masks by Cris Notti ($20). The patterns are really gorgeous, and the silk backing makes them every bit as luxurious as your friend deserves. Our picks are the Moroccan Tangerine and Wonderland patterns, but the beauty of this gift is you can pick the pattern that would sing to your recipient (even if that means buying the faux leopard version). For a really perfect bedtime gift, we’d suggest pairing this with a box of chamomile tea or maybe this lavender pillow mist. She’s sure to thank you for many sleep-full nights to come. (more…)

Though the other mothers in the world are fantastic, you know that you think that your mom is the BEST! So why not treat her this year with some fabulously indulgent goodies?

Let’s start with the obvious indulgence – flowers! This year, show your love for Mom AND Mother Earth with an order from Flowerbud.com. Why? Most of their flowers come from VeriFlora farms, which means the blooms are grown in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards of freshness and quality. Our pick is the Mother’s Day Garden Grand Box ($159, shipping included); it includes 10 Lilies, 20 Hyacinth and 50 Tulips (20 pink, 30 purple). For the quantity and quality (especially compared to many other florists), you are definitely getting a value!

The Me! Bath Bucket of Ice Cream is a delicious gift for the mom, who’s young at heart and needs some R&R! This yummy treat will provide hours of blissful bathing and time to relax. Drop a scoop into the bath and watch it fizz away, leaving unique essential oil blends, purifying minerals, salts, and indulgent fragrances behind. Available in a 5 scoop ($38) or 12 scoop ($79). The 5 scoop contains the following flavors: Cucumber Melon, Valley of the Roses, Peppermint Grapefruit, Strawberry Kiwi and Vanilla Purity. The 12 scoop contains all the previous flavors PLUS Coconut Cove, Gotta Have It Pomegranate, Peaches ‘n’ Cream, Ripe Mango, Tantalizing Tuberose, Hawaiian Lei and Vanilla Berry Ambrosia. Purchase at Amazon.com.

So, you’re on a budget, but want to treat mom to something sweet? Well, she’ll be sure to find delight in sweetriot – chocolate-covered cacoa nibs that are full of antioxidants, kosher, dairy-free and gmo free! Derived from cacao beans found in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, savory nibs are extracted, lightly roasted and covered in three intensities of dark chocolate (Flavor 50, 65 and 70). Any mom with a sweet tooth will be sure to count these as a new obsession, especially since she can keep them in her purse for a last minute sweet tooth pick me up! Oh, and when you tell her the entire tin is only 140 calories, you’ll probably become her favorite child. Retails for $4.99. Go to sweetriot.com for retailers. (more…)

Want to stay in your Mother-in-Law’s good graces? Say that you care and spoil her a little bit with these lovely indulgent gifts this Mother’s Day!

This Shawl Collar Cardigan by Vince in marshmallow ($290) is the perfect luxurious springtime cover-up! Featuring a playful safety pin closure, it’s styled and graceful – and giving this to your mother-in-law, will say that you think she is, too. (Major points!) Made of cashmere, alpaca and wool, this cardigan is super soft, versatile and comfortable. Drape throughout a breezy day, wrap tighter during a chilly night and the extra fabric at the collar will even serve as a hoodie to protect against a light drizzle. Available at Azalea Boutique.

Does your mother-in-law have a green thumb? With beautiful May weather, you’ll be sure to find her in the garden planting and caring for her blooms. What does she need afterwards? A great skin-softening solution, of course! Try Le Couvent des Minimes’ new Gardeners Collection featuring Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser ($12), Gardener’s Hand Healer ($15) and Nail & Cuticle Fortifying Salve ($9). Scented with the light, refreshing scents of verbena and lemon. Purchase at BathAndBodyWorks.com. (more…)

What’s more flattering that your daughter wanting to be just like you? Indulge her (and yourself!) with these adorable “Mommy and Me” gift ideas…

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a sunny day and a splash in the pool! We recommend these cute matching lime green polka-dotted swimsuits by Boden (women $64, kids $28). Mom can get some sun in the flattering boyleg one-piece, perfect for accentuating shapely legs! It also features an adjustable halterneck, removable pads, a scooped back and a nylon-spandex blend – emphasizing comfort AND curves. Meanwhile, girls will feel grown-up by looking like mommy, but also girly because of her playful ruffled skirt. Purchase at Bodenusa.com.

Most women (even the little ones) love flowers – so buy mommy a bouquet and put them in these darling complementary “Mom” and “Baby” vases by Beth Mueller. (Daisies would be SO adorably matched.) Both are shaped like a milk jug and have this delicate, nostalgic feel. The “Baby” vase features a tiny pink & blue rattle and simply inscribed with “baby.” The “Mom” vase has a picture of mixed wildflowers and the word “mom” below it. Available at GiveSimple.com. SPECIAL: Enter promo code “DAILYOBSESSION” at checkout for 10% your entire order until May 11. (more…)

Is there a mommy-to-be in your life? Celebrate this Mother’s Day with some of these fabulous gifts – for her and baby:

The Koo Koo Bear Sleepy Head Bunny is a plush toy that is sure to become baby’s favorite cuddle buddy. Winner of the Oppenheim Best Toy award, these super soft bunnies are infant safe, machine washable and can be custom embroidered. Each bunny (pink or blue) wears a striped slumber suit and matching hat. The bunny is available in two sizes, large (22″ long, $45) and medium (15″ long, $25). More information or purchase at KooKooBearKids.com. Enter “WPMB” for free shipping.

Babymooning is one of the hottest travel trends among expectant parents today. This trip serves as a pampering getaway – especially for the mother – providing a chance to relax and rejuvenate before the baby arrives. Today, many hotels and spas have jumped onto the trend and are offering customized babymoon friendly packages. There isn’t a main source that compiles all the babymooning packages out there, but check out resources such as BabymoonFinder.com or SpaFinder.com for more information. A simple Google search will also do the trick. (more…)

Though Valentine’s Day may be a Hallmark holiday, it’s still traditional to send a gift to the loved ones in your life to show how much you care. Flowers are a conventional choice, but it’s a beautiful gift that is always appreciated. (Men: in other words, you can’t go wrong.) Why not do it fashionably with stunning bouquets designed exclusively by Preston Bailey, Jane Carroll, Nico De Swert, Julie Mulligan or Jane Packer – all of whom are extraordinary floral designers! Here is our guide:

For your crush – Flirtation, designed by Preston Bailey, is set in a frosted glass with a playful bouquet of hot pink roses, rare mini ‘Mokara’ orchids and vibrant pink freesia. Give this as a secret admirer or make your move and get to know that someone a little bit better!

For your significant other – Valentine’s Bouquet is a European bouquet of fresh roses, celosia, hypericum berries and hydrangea, done in vibrant shades of red, burgundy and pink. It’s finished with Jane Carroll’s signature lamb’s ear foliage at the base. This unbelievably gorgeous arrangement will undoubtedly show you much you love her!

For your mother – Emerald Excellence is a beautiful bouquet of cymbidium orchids, hydrangea, hypericum, Jade roses, carnations and green berry mums in shades of pale green. A little extravagant, but your mom will definitely know how much you appreciate her. Besides, she’s worth it, right?

For your sister – Flower Trug is a set of three small vases, set into an antiqued aged wood in a deep chocolate finish. It comes with three bouquets, available in two color selections, Raspberry-Burgundy or Orange-Gold. Afterwards, she can also use this as a candle holder. A contemporary and pretty choice that will have her raving that she has the best sibling!

For your mother-in-law – High Society is composed of fresh ‘Avalanche’ roses, ‘Prado’ and green hypericum berries, accented with green headpins. Recently featured in InStyle, this Nico de Swert designed bouquet is truly opulent and elegant…and will definitely score some points for you!

For your grandmother – Rose Marsh Pot features imported orange-yellow circus roses from Holland and wrapped in chartreuse Bells of Ireland. Set in a woven, leather-handled marsh pot, it can also hold a potted plant afterward the flowers have faded. Your grandmother will surely appreciate this lovely gesture that fits in perfectly in her blooming garden.

For the single gals – White Orchids are a fabulous way to pamper yourself! Snow-white dendrobium orchids arranged in a pale emerald vase are sophisticated and luxurious. You love yourself and that’s fabulous! And while you’re at it, why not take yourself to the spa for a relaxing treat?

For more information or to order, go to 1-800-FLOWERS. Happy Valentine’s Day!