This ain’t no run-of-the-mill Christmas gift guide featuring blatant advertising cues; items you’ve already thought of. This is the gift guide that is going to change your life! I’ve featured something for everyone; gifts that are the answer to your ‘what the hell do I get them’ prayers. I’ve thought of it all! I mean, it’s difficult enough trying to find the ‘perfect gift’ for loved ones at Christmas time, let alone trying to find something special for someone who appears to have everything right? Well you’ve come to the right place then, because this is the gift guide for exactly that someone – the someone who has everything.
Now, It would appear that I in fact fall into this category myself, because of the line of work I’m in e.g. a fashion and beauty editor, apparently I’m that ‘hard to buy for’ person according to those closest to me. Whilst to some degree there is truth in their frustration – I do tend accumulate a bit more than the average person (I like to think of this as collecting, like a hobbie, only most of my collection is wearable). I also rebuke their claims by simply stating “there are a million things that I don’t have and would love, it’s really not that difficult as I love anything pretty that catches my eye and have an extremely wide range of interests”, however, I generally leave it at that. Yes, not overly helpful that I don’t follow with “and here are the items that you potentially didn’t know I would love…”.
So, given I have had this brought to my attention each and every time Christmas rolls around, who better to curate a gift guide such as this, than me!
Before you go thinking this is just my own personal wish list of Christmas gifts, of which I am cleverly disguising as a helpful gift guide for you, I assure you it’s not (I do in fact either already own most of these items, or I’ve been a little more helpful this year and have shared some thought-starters with those closest to me). Think of it more as a list of all the things that perhaps you just hadn’t thought that that certain ‘someone who has everything’ would want; maybe it will contain something that you yourself will add to your own Christmas wish list. It could be that some items are a little out of your price range, but rest assured others most certainly will be within your budget. More importantly, think of this guide as a peek into the mind of someone who has a lot, but like everyone, always has their eye on more…
For the foodie in your life that just wants to eat like they give a f*ck…
Thug Kitchen – Eat Like You Give A F*ck! RRP $35.99 (for NZ readers – you can purchase TK from Mighty Ape)
Thug Kitchen started their wildly popular website to inspire people to eat some goddamn vegetables and adopt a healthier lifestyle. With half a million Facebook fans and counting—Thug Kitchen wants to show everyone how to take charge of their plates and cook up some real f*cking food.
Outrageously hilarious – Thug Kitchen has some amazing, yet easy-to-follow food and cocktail recipes, with narrative that will have you in stitches!
Thug Kitchen lives in the real world – in their first cookbook, they’re throwing down more than 100 recipes for their best-loved meals, snacks, and sides for beginner cooks to home chefs. Roasted Beer and Lime Cauliflower Tacos? Pumpkin Chili? Grilled Peach Salsa? Believe that sh*t. Plus they’re going to arm you with all the info and techniques you need to shop on a budget and go and kick a bunch of ass in the kitchen.
This recipe book is an invitation to everyone who wants to do better in elevating their kitchen game. No more ketchup and pizza counting as vegetables. No more drive-thru lines. No more avoiding the produce corner of the supermarket. Sh*t is about to get real.
For the serious foodie in your life, with a refined palette and a genuine passion for culinary couture…
SAISON: A Year at The French Cafe by Simon Wright RRP $95
The famous Auckland restaurant The French Cafe has long been the epitome of excellence. The service is exemplary, the atmosphere cossetted and refined yet convivial, and the food… well, the food is nothing short of heavenly. This gorgeous book transports you into the world of The French Cafe. Whether you want to recreate your favourite recipes or just sit back and admire, Simon Wright walks readers through the experience of diners at the restaurant.
Lavishly produced and beautifully illustrated with photographs by Charlie Smith and watercolours by Kirsten Roberts, this handsome book is the next best thing to dinner at the French Cafe!
For the cake decorator who lives by the philosophy that a party without a cake is just a meeting…
The Painted Cake by Natasha Collins RRP $49.99
In her practical and pretty book, Natasha Collins, the leading exponent of this extremely popular form of cake decorating, shows the reader how to turn cakes into literal works of art using fondant painted with edible colours.
The painted cake provides detailed step-by-step instructions for 30 projects – from cupcakes to cookies, multi-tiered cakes and more. This book progresses from the simplest projects through to more advanced, and includes detailed information on basic techniques and essential materials and equipment.
For the interior designer, the treasure hunter, the lover of ‘things’ – a one stop shop for everyone…
Collected.co.nz by LeeAnn Yare
Guy, girl, young, youth-challenged, if you can’t find something at Collected.co.nz you should probably just quit Christmas right now!
Collected by LeeAnn Yare is an inspiration of everything ‘interiors’ that you should know about. Magazine writer and stylist, and interiors TV presenter LeeAnn has curated some of her favourite things to help you create your own style.
From LeeAnn’s book Rooms to Love (ok, you know how I said this wasn’t my wish list disguised as a gift guide – this book blurs the lines, actually everything at the Collected blurs the lines. I want this book! I want it all!) sorry, I digress… to blackboard shields & cutlery, art, jewellery, candles and more, your only obstacle at Collected.co.nz will be getting through check-out without having only shopped for yourself!
To view this beautiful online store head to Collected.co.nz
For the tech savvy with a penchant for only the best in advanced technology (like-minded Apple snobs if you will)…
The Flower Power Plan Sensor / Apple iPad Air 2 / iPad mini 3 / Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Over-Ear Headphones
Flower Power Plan Sensor
The Flower Power plant sensor is a great gift for Grandparents who love to garden – or just anyone that loves to garden (I’m being ageist). It reads your plant’s environment and communicates its needs straight to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch using the free Flower Power app. The app analyses the data sent by the Flower Power plant sensor and sends real-time alerts to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch when one of your plants has special water, fertiliser, light or temperature needs. Yup – nana just officially gave you ‘ gold star grandchild’ status. You’re welcome!
Available in green, blue, and brown from RRP NZ$99.95 inc. GST at Apple Online Store.
iPad Air 2
The iPad Air 2 features a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display in a new thinner and lighter design. Precision-engineered to weigh less than half a kilogram, the new iPad Air 2 is 20 per cent thinner and 28 per cent lighter than the fourth-generation iPad, and with a narrower bezel, the borders of iPad Air are dramatically thinner — making content even more immersive. There’s so much this bad boy can do that is better, faster, stronger than it’s predecessor (it’s ok iPad Air – I still love you, just not as much as I do your shiny new sibling) plus it comes in my favourite metallic hue – hello rose-gold!
Seriously, this is my favourite new family member! Um, I mean Apple accessory – meh who am I kidding, I love it as if it were a family member (but not as much as the family member that’s reading this super neato gift guide).
Available in silver, gold and space grey from RRP NZ$749.00 inc. GST at Apple Online Store and selected Apple resellers.
iPad mini 3
Perfect for keeping in touch with the whole family, even on the go. The iPad mini 3 comes with great built-in apps such as FaceTime that lets you make video calls to anywhere in the world – for free. Plus, there are over 500,000 iPad apps to choose from for crafts, to gardening and cooking. Did I mention it comes in THE most beautiful gold hue?
Also available in silver and space grey from RRP NZ$599.00 inc. GST at Apple Online Store and selected Apple resellers.
iTunes Gift Cards
Ok, so I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel here, iTunes Gift Cards – just get some! Let them choose whatever they want from the iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks Store this Christmas. I’ve become somewhat obsessed with audio books and am getting through at least a book a week, so personally I want a truck load of these gift cards. I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t find a use for an iTune Gift Card – I mean, no one ever said “no thanks, I hate choosing whatever the hell I want for free”! A favourite song, album, book or movie is as simple as an iTunes Gift Card from NZ$20 to NZ$100 and are available at selected resellers.
Oh, and as an aside – here are some of my favourite (free) apps, which if you suggest downloading on said Apple recipient’s new iPad Air or iPad mini, will make you a next-level-hero…
Home Styler https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/homestyler-interior-design
Replay https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/replay-video-editor
Paper by FiftyThree https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/paper-by-fiftythree
Canva https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/canva-graphic-design-photo
Adobe Photoshop Mix https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/adobe-photoshop-mix
For the girl keeping up appearances – and using the best hair tools to do so…
GHD CURVE RRP $250
ghd – the innovators in heat styling, launched their first ever range of curling tools – the ghd curve, earlier this year (you can read more about the range here in an article I prepared earlier: Gurlinterrupted/ghdcurve).
Sure, the girl in your life may already have a pair of ghd straighteners, but does she have a ‘ghd curve’ housed in a limited edition rose gold roll bag? I didn’t think so. Seriously impressive and without doubt, the gift that keeps on giving!
For anyone that throws shade (the right kinda shade of course)…
Leather Wayfarer from OPSM RRP $349
Remastered in genuine calf leather, Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer Leather Polarised sunglasses are a posh edition of the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Emanate an air of sophistication with this cool polarised pair.
For the girl who walks to the beat of her own drum…
MIMCO x Frends Monogramania Rose Gold Headphones RRP$299 (available online & at selected boutiques throughout NZ)
Frends’ rose gold headphones have been on my wish list for as long as I can remember (they’re still on there by the way! Sh*t, this is turning into my own wish list) but now they’ve partnered with MIMCO – I want them even more!
FRENDS is pioneering a new category – women’s headphones – where the entire collection has been designed specifically for women from the ground up. The collection features a slimmer silhouette for a more comfortable fit, angled ear cushions so they may be worn with earrings, and a collapsible design to allow them to fit in any evening clutch.
Well that’s it from me for this years Christmas Gift Guide. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Years!
Gurl Interrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
The fragrance announces itself as a gourmand-fruity-oriental. The composition opens with sweet aromas of blackberry liqueur, blackcurrant sorbet and creamy coconut. Bold florals of velvet gardenia, dark creamy violet and jasmine are in the heart of the perfume. Amber, musk, cashmere and vanilla provide lasting finish and a new depth to this daring scent.
