May 8, 2017May 7, 2017 by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Gifts to Buy For Mother’s Day This Year

OK, guys — remain calm. If Mother’s Day crept up on you this year — or you just didn’t know what to buy for the occasion, The Style Guide is here to help today. And luckily for all of you shoppers out there, we’ve got not only a little bit of time before Mother’s Day (it’s this weekend!), but also plenty of options in this year’s Mother’s Day gift guide. Read this post, and I guarantee you your gift-giving conundrum will be solved. Just as with buying a Christmas or birthday gift, it pays to dig a little deeper, past the ordinary — simple and beautifully made gifts with character are the way to go, no matter the mom you’re buying for. And we’re making it even easier this year, with categories ranging from fashion to jewelry. So with all of that being said, I won’t waste another minute of your time. Unless, that is, you feel like shopping for yourself and perhaps crossing an item off your spring style wish list … in that case, procrastinate away! In the meantime, good luck finding that perfect Mother’s Day gift — tell me how it goes over on Twitter or via The Style Guide Facebook page.

Jewelry: Julia Szendrei Horizon Diamond Slice Necklace — $99

A simply stylish, understated addition to Mom’s jewelry collection.

You know what’s the great thing about shopping frequently via Huckberry? You get well-acquainted with the fact that they’ve got a neat, unique and well-curated selection of women’s gifts — including the Julia Szendrei Horizon Diamond Slice Necklace. It provides just the right amount of visual interest, and certainly looks more unique than other necklaces Mom might have in her jewelry rotation. Simple, understated and classic.

Accessories, Part 1: Sofia Ramsey Silver Coco Bracelets — $16

Made with hand-painted coconut wood and bright metal beads, these would be a unique, thoughtful gift.

Less a statement piece of jewelry and more a thoughtful accessory, these Sofia Ramsey bracelets blend a spring and summer-friendly color with carefully constructed quality and the type of chic looks that the mom — or moms — on your gifting list might appreciate. Perhaps even better than the eclectic style of these bracelets? Supporting two local businesses in the process (one of ’em being my favorite Brooklyn shop, Upstate Stock!). Plus, you can combine this gift with a little more personal touch — thoughtful flowers, a nice candle or a great book. Speaking of books …

The Combination Gift: Elizabeth W. Aromatherapy Candle — $23.98 AND a Great Book [“Days Without End” by Sebastian Barry, $26 on IndieBound.com]

The unbeatable combo of a great book and a nice candle.

What better way to welcome spring and summer than with an intriguing beach read? If you’ve got a book lover on your list, they very well might appreciate “Days Without End,” a richly crafted, fascinating tale of immigration, the old American West and in short, a momentous time in American history. It’s got a lot of buzz behind it, and it’s certainly among the best books for Mother’s Day (I think). It should be a gripping read — and that’s where the relaxing Lavender Aromatherapy Candle comes into play. See, two great gifts and an easy one-two punch.

Clothing: Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown — $118

A simple, well-made buttondown — match with your gift receipient if you wish!

Lest you thought Taylor Stitch only made your favorite clothing, think again. They make a nice selection of finely textured, well-made and understated pieces for the woman who values effortless style. Whoever that might be on your list, a premium shirt like the Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown could be a nice complement to something like a day of pampering or her favorite flowers — see, it’s the little things that count. And seeing as Taylor Stitch has thought of all the details possible with its Catherine Shirt, that’s great news as you shop for Mother’s Day.

Footwear: Nisolo Sofia Slip-on — $188

A clean, well-made slip-on perfect for the mom who loves — I mean, LOVES — shoes.

Just as with Taylor Stitch, Nisolo does far more than make stylish gear for guys (like the Emilio Chukka Boot). Indeed, the Sofia Slip-on is yet another unique, refined and understated pair of footwear to consider buying for the mom who considers herself a fashionista. And regardless of her footwear tastes, a chic pair of leather slip-ons should work reliably well through the warmer months — so while you buy the Nisolo Leon Weekender for yourself, buy the Sofia Slip-on for her, will ya?

Accessories, Part 2: Bellroy Carry Out Clutch — $168.98

For the mom who appreciates refined, essential accessories — here’s the gift to give.

Who doesn’t appreciate a great addition to their everyday carry — right? While Mom’s daily carry might look a bit different than yours — I’d wager she doesn’t carry around a small pocket knife, for example — there are still additions to be made. And one of those additions should likely be the Bellroy Carry Out Clutch, a subtly stylish clutch that should be easy to slip into a tote bag or carry on its own. Hey, maybe check out some other Bellroy leather goods for yourself? You know, as a reward for your shopping prowess.

And with that … we’ve reached the end of this year’s Mother’s Day gift guide. Was it helpful? Useful? Or was it a complete waste of time and you’re still scrambling to find a gift? In that case … I do apologize. But if you found a simple, timeless and classic gift to give — like the Bellroy Carry Out Clutch or the Sofia Slip-on — that’s what we’re going for! Indeed, it all comes down to playing toward Mom’s tastes and interests; in that case, something more unexpected, yet well-made — like the Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown — could be a prime gift to give. Don’t forget small touches, like an engaging book or a nice candle. So, what do you say? Let me know what you’re buying for Mother’s Day this year in the comments below.

Good luck, stay stylish and thank you for reading — as always!

-Beau

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 by Beau H.

2016 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Editor’s note: For some other suggestions on what to pick up Mom, head to last year’s Mother’s Day gift guide.

While many of us are experts at exactly what’s on our style wish list, things can get a bit … dicey when it comes to holiday shopping, and particularly, Mother’s Day. Wait? You didn’t know it was coming? Surprise! It’s almost here — May 8 might feel like it’s a ways away, but if that day caught you off-guard to begin with, we’re here to help. We’re covering a few choice picks for every type of mom, and you might even find some gear you like at the very same brands (looking at you, Shinola). Have a question on a style situation or a gift-giving scenario? Shoot me a tweet (on Twitter) and I’ll be happy to help. Good luck out there shopping — without further ado, catch the gift suggestions below…

For the Style Aficionado: Shinola Wide Double Wrap Bracelet — $85

Different than a thin bangle or a standard piece of jewelry, and crafted with some neat attention to detail.

$85 is a lot to drop on a leather bracelet, to be sure, but Shinola crafts these pieces with the same attention to detail it applies to its stunning watches — that goes for both men’s and women’s accessories. The look of this wrap bracelet (in an eye-catching, rich navy leather) is a bit more unique than a standard thin leather bracelet or a silver bangle, although something along those lines could work, too. If the recipient in question isn’t so much into jewelry, one of the brand’s lovely small leather goods (like a wallet or a phone case) could be of interest.

For the Gardener: Air Plant Pods and Air Plant Set (Cost Varies — $10 to $15)

A delightful addition to any area of your home, and quite easy to maintain.

If you haven’t really planted or done much gardening lately due to weather or space constraints, air plants are a cool way to brighten up a living space and add a pop of color to various areas of your home. If the lucky mom is into gardening or simply caring for plants, the gift is all the better. Depending on where you buy them from, the air plants themselves are a downright steal. And the air plant pod purchasing options vary, too — a word that you have to hand over an email to gain access to the particularly colorful pods shown here, but that small move could definitely pay off in the form of a well-thought out gift.

For the Bookworm: “Eligible” by Curtis Sittenfeld — $17.12

A brand-new release that updates a modern classic.

This particular category was part of last year’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide, and it makes a triumphant return this year — after all, who doesn’t love to read in the spring or summertime? Particularly if it’s “Eligible,” an update of the classic “Pride and Prejudice”? Tough to top, especially written in a slightly cheeky and entertaining manner. A fun beach or travel read, at a low cost to you, the mindful shopper.

For the Foodie: Chrissy Teigen’s “Cravings: Recipes for All the Food you Want to Eat” — $14.95

It's been praised as maybe the "best celebrity cookbook of all time" -- test it out for yourself!

It’s been praised as maybe the “best celebrity cookbook of all time” by SELF — I’d say that’s a mighty fine gift.

Although Chrissy Teigen is arguably more famous for her modeling pursuits and being married to some dude named John Legend, she’s a pretty great chef, at least according to her Instagram — oh, and this book. She’s well-known, funny and engaging on social media, so there’s a good chance Mom might be a fan. On top of that the cookbook is a collection of her favorite recipes over the years, and it’s all put together in a fun, engaging and colorful manner. If her social media shares are to be believed, the food should be excellent — and enjoyable to make for whomever might receive this cookbook!

For the On-Trend Mom: Apprécier Mother’s Day Gift Shop

A sneak peek at what the site can do for you — quickly and stylishly!

If you find yourself in a really tough bind and can’t quite figure out what to get, see the above picks again — oh, and head over to Apprécier, where former InStyle Fashion Director Cindy Weber-Cleary offers up a few quick picks for Mother’s Day. The selection is well-edited, relatively affordable and varied — something for everyone, right?

While the above picks don’t cover the full range of options — perhaps consider a well-thought out exercise or travel-related gift if the mom in question loves either of those, for example, hopefully the above ideas get you thinking beyond a more typical gift. It can be tough to put yourself in another person’s shoes when searching for that ideal gift, but we’ve got your back here at The Style Guide! Stay tuned for this week’s Friday Read and Style Pick entries, and let me know how you do gift shopping over at The Style Guide Facebook page.

May 4, 2015May 4, 2015 by Beau H.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Enough said, right? (Editor’s note: Just a joke!)

Even if you’ve got your own personal shopping habits and interests covered, it can still be a little difficult to know what to get your mother, grandmother or significant other (or all three!) for Mother’s Day. Well, that day is quickly approaching (mark your calendars for May 10, in fact), so the team over at The Style Guide has put together a handy little guide for the sorts of gifts that convey thought, meaning and a little bit of fun. Of course, this is all dependent on who you’re giving the gift too, so the below suggestions might not work for everyone. If you need more general gift suggestions, head here. And in the meantime, best get to shopping if you haven’t already!

For The Homemaker: Dreambirds Dessert Plates — $16

Buy just one, or buy the whole set — your call.

These dessert plates come to you courtesy of Anthropologie. They’re small, functional and decorative, plus they’re a nice touch if you have a recipient in mind who enjoys nature and a touch of quirky color. While just one on its own is $16, a duo or a trio of plates could be the way to go. The Web site and physical Anthropologie store itself (if you happen to be near one) also stock all manner of excellent goods for the stylish women in your life, from smart & colorful bags to tech accessories that combine the stylistic touches of chic jewelery.

For The Small-Business Shopper: Silver Wrist Bracelet — $10 (via Etsy)

Small, understated and made using fine attention to detail.

Small, understated and made with fine attention to detail.

Etsy really has turned into a remarkable source for all manner of goods, from slim bracelets like the one pictured here to neat notebooks and other design-minded accessories. The best part about shopping through Etsy is perhaps the feeling and knowledge that you’re supporting a small business focused on personal touches and craftsmanship — some of that is lost by buying through other, larger retailers. A combination set featuring another simple piece (like a fun notepad or small picture frame) could make for a nice gift set.

For The Bookworm: The Girl on the Train — $14.82 (Hardcover) And a Local Flower Delivery

One of the more popular books this year to date.

Across the past few months, I’ve heard more about The Girl on the Train than perhaps any other. And if the mom(s) in your life are really into literature (or just enjoy a good read) and haven’t gotten around to picking it up yet, this would be the perfect opportunity to do it for them! While this tome is also available for purchase via the Kindle, it’s sometimes nice to hold a physical, sturdy book in your hands. The addition of flowers from your local florist would certainly be a fine complement to any of the gifts listed here — and it’s yet another way to buy local.

For The Entertainer: Monthly Wine Club Membership — $50/Month

A monthly wine club membership — the gift that keeps on giving.

A monthly wine club membership is an excellent way to recognize the recipient’s love of entertaining, fine wine and often, fine dining. Club W and other sites offer specific ways to customize the membership, including the method delivery and the inclusion of a special note. $50 is quite a lot for just one month (so one year does shoot up in price quite a bit), and in that case, a nice bottle of wine itself could perhaps be a good alternative. The WSJ Wine Club does offer a better price if you want to go the club route, however.

What do you think of these suggestions? Any categories or gifts you would add? What are you picking up for Mother’s Day this year?

Editor’s note: Looking to pick up something for yourself? Head here for a blog post by yours truly on a great spring trend — luxe, laidback joggers!

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Tag / mother’s day

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Gifts to Buy For Mother’s Day This Year

2016 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day Gift Guide