Gift guide: Just because I love you
February 11, 2021
UNDER $20
Muji
GEL INK BALLPOINT PENS, SET OF 6
US $7.99
I am a stationary girl through and through. Love letters and envelope sets with my initials, custom stamps — the whole shebang. As someone who takes notes very seriously, I am proud to say that I am an OG investor and endorser of the Miju ballpoint pen and highly recommend them as a gift. Hint: for the person that sits across from you in history class and takes notes in a bullet journal
Pat McGrath Labs
US $12
“A revolutionary lipstick so luxurious and richly pigmented, it drenches lips in a lightweight veil of opaque color while delivering a mesmerizingly modern matte finish. Sensually creamy and brilliant in texture, this collection evokes the femme fatale siren with every application. Colour and finish so sinful, your pout will speak volumes without ever whispering a word.” Can we just appreciate the description? The Celestial Divinity Divine Romance lipstick offers a gorgeous intersection of love and luxury, not to mention the out of this world packaging.
Ruth Polish
US $14
Ten free, vegan and not tested on animals. The clean nail polish of the future, without compromising the color. I’m a sucker for a sexy red, and their potent polish in the shade “pepper” is my go-to, potentially surpassing my love for the OPI “Lincoln Park After Dark.”
Cheerie Lane
US $17
A limited-edition Valentine’s Day gift box including special edition heart shaped popcorn pods, Valentine’s cards, a personalized note and a few other surprises. Add to cart and ship it directly to someone you love.
UNDER $35
The Qi
SHANGRI-LA ROSE TEA
US from $28
For the one that doesn’t like coffee or chai. The Qi, rooted in ancient Eastern holistic medicine and wellness, believes flowers are vessels for healing. Their tea presents an opportunity to unwind and appreciate inner and outer beauty.
Flamingo Estates
US $35
Radical gifting begins in the garden.
UNDER $50
Mia Moretti
US $45
Low Touch Economy, a term coined by Philippe de Ridder, refers to the behavioral shifts caused by COVID-19. How we interact with the world, but with the least amount of contact as possible. According to Moretti, as stated in Vogue Italy, “I felt very sad and lonely. People were scared, barricaded in the house. It made me want to open my heart. I was afraid that if we all closed ourselves we would forget about love: but we need love to survive. I would like to help others enjoy the journey of love. To celebrate pain, sorrow and loss as much as falling in love. The end of a story as well as the beginning. To learn to let go, to free the heart so that it can light up again.” With each book hand-pressed, the stock is limited. Order volume two before it sells out.
Food52
US $45
My new favorite kitchen accessory. I’m a sucker for dusty pink, but the Five Two aprons come in four other colors, making it the perfect gift for the hostess in your life.
Loria Stern
FLOWER PRESSED SHORTBREAD COOKIES (1 DOZEN)
US $48
Loria Stern: the OG pressed-flower cookie queen. A marvelous, and last-minute, gift, celebrating the seasons with edible flowers and herbs, not to mention the eye-catching colors that give me butterflies.
Below is a recipe for the DIY kind of people, nothing says I love you like a homemade gift.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/3 cups organic cane sugar
- 4 cups flour
- 3 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- Edible fresh flowers or herbs
Directions:
- Mix butter, sugar and salt
- Add egg yolks once at a time
- Add vanilla extract
- Transfer into a standing mixer
- Carefully add flower
- Mix on low
- Remove dough and place on parchment paper
- Roll out dough to make a sheet, approximately 1/2 inch thick
- Cut out cookie shape of choice and remove excess dough, put aside
- Add a flower to cookies
- Cover with parchment paper and gently roll to press flowers into the dough
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes
- Transfer cookies to a baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for 15 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sprinkle with sugar for a light sparkle and enjoy
John Derian
US from $48
Infamous for his decoupage pieces, this Valentine’s collection takes trinket trays to gorgeous new heights. Don’t even get me started on the vintage heart prints — they’re to die for.
Astier De Villatte
US $50
The perfect gift for the incense-lover in your life. With 12 different luxurious scents, all gorgeously packaged, these sticks create a dreamy atmosphere, great for setting the vibe.
Second Wind
US $52
As I was curating this gift guide series, I kept gravitating toward facial coverings, but in an effort to not give something as saddening as a pandemic the space to exist in this gift guide, I refrained. I finally came to the conclusion that promoting safety is always on the agenda. Presenting the same mask as worn by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez… and if that’s not reason enough to add to cart, I don’t know what is.
I would also like you to join me in taking a moment to appreciate the medical community on the frontlines of this crisis and putting their health at risk. If you are looking for ways to give back, I encourage each of you to click below and donate. Los Angeles needs our support, and I hope our collective energy and positive actions can help build a better tomorrow.
Direct Relief coordinates with public health authorities and nonprofits to provide essential protective equipment and medical gear to health care workers. Donate here to help expand Direct Relief’s coronavirus response.
