Perfectly Composed Gift Guide

Giving gifts can be such a fun way to express your love or appreciation of someone. It shows the thought and care put into selecting a present for your loved one. However, chocolate, flowers, and teddy bears aren't for everyone. I've put together a list of 27 unique Valentine's Day gifts that aren't completely heart themed, but still make great presents for that special day.

PS: While I love the idea of Valentine's Day ( for me it represents celebrating your love / affection with someone special-romantically or platonically ) I don't think it's necessary to buy someone a gift to show love. It is a very special gesture that shouldn't have a lot of pressure or doesn't have to be expensive. So despite this being a guide of fun gift ideas, if giving a homemade card and a home cooked meal is how you choose to express your love, I think that's beautiful and no one should make you feel like you need to do anything else if that works for your relationship!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide // Home

1. Gold-Dipped Serving Bowls // OH so pretty!!! It comes in white + gold and blue + gold. I imagine myself being so excited to host- serving with this. Definitely on my personal wish list.
2. Gilded Greetings Cheese Board // How cute is this!?! I love all things Anthropologie and when I saw this it just screamed Valentines Day to me...or rather it said, "Hello Lovely" to me.
3. Ceramic Bells // I been coveting Emily Henderson's ceramic bells from artist MQuan for years and when I recently went to Jenni Kayne's Palo Alto store (whom I love and whose store is to dye for) I was over the moon to find she is now carrying MQuan's work. Now I just have to decide which pattern and styles I want to get...so hard to choose!
4. Round Pintuck Pillow // Such a great find for the vintage inspired gal in your life.
5. Love Trivet // Nothing says Valentines more than "Love" literally spelled out in gold. I like that this is not just another tchotchke to take up space but is a practical, working gift. Plus it's on sale right now!
6. Blush Pink Glasses // You can't get more affordable than Ikea and this blush glassware is sleek and stylish enough to go from everyday use to cocktails.
7. Dinner Plates // I've been searching high and low for the right new dishware that is modern, sleek, yet has a somewhat rustic stoneware style...all while not being CRAZY expensive. Viola! These seem to be perfect AND they're dishwasher safe.
8. Blush Vase // It's on sale right now and looks very chic. Sometimes Target hits it out of the park with home decor that is so stylish and looks high end while still being very affordable. This is great for styling flowers of all kinds as well as just using is as sculptural art on your bookshelves or credenza.
9. Leather Coasters // I like these for their simplicity, elegance, and durability.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide // For Him

1. Copper Coffee Collection // He'll drink his coffee in style (and hopefully share with you).
2. Fitbit // For the active man in your life. Plus if you both get one you can help each other keep up your fitness goals and compete on your Fitbit leadership board. #CoupleGoals
3. Domino Set // I love to play boardgames with my boyfriend and adore how this domino set is so easy on the eyes: best of both worlds.
4. Carry-On Cocktail Kit // This is a great gift anytime, but especially if you're going on a romantic getaway for Valentine's weekend. Pack this to enjoy on your flight or make your own artisanal cocktail rather than raiding the mediocre mini-bar once you arrive.
5. Jack Black Set // It's a simple facial skincare set that smells and looks masculine. I'd throw in some beard oil if you're significant other likes to keep well groomed facial hair.
6. Puma's Roma OG 80’s Sneakers // Classic, original, and perfect: just like him (O.K., I know that's incredibly cheesy but it was the honestly the first thing that came to mind when I was figuring out how to describe these and I mean, it works...because it's stinkin' true!).
7. Match Bottle // This is a simple gift I'd include with a package of things, such as a "Home Gift Basket." The waterproof strike-on-bottle design makes it great for the kitchen and bathroom or even camping (which makes it a little more masculine).
8. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses // These are really classic and durable while mysteriously somehow looking good on almost everyone.
9. Gold Coasters // I love the clean lines and Art Deco inspired gold design. Great addition for the guy that loves Mad Men and whiskey on the rocks.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide // For Her

1. Butter London Nail Polish // I love this brand of polish. It doesn't yellow your nails and holds up well.
2. Silk PJ Set // Soft satin silk pajamas are a nice alternative to buying her lingerie. Printed with blush hearts, this comfortable duo is perfect for Valentine's Day.
3. For Like Ever Print // This cheeky print is a Domino exclusive by artist Tracy Jenkins. She says, "In a way it was meant to be a love letter to each other and a celebration of the exciting and scary prospect of a new beginning."
4. Blush Sneakers // I adore blush and white leather sneakers and how they are both stylish and comfortable-practical enough to wear around they city all day.
5. Leather Saddlebag // Well made, neutral, and very versatile: this saddlebag is a smart accessory that's sure to please.
6. Rose Hibiscus Face Mist // Although it is excellent for daily use, I love this face mist for when I travel. Airplanes can significantly dry out your skin and expose you to bacteria and germs. This mist is moisturizing and naturally tones and lightly cleanses. On sun filled trips it serves dual purpose-soothing sunburned skin with aloe-vera and coconut water.
7. Silk Bandana // Happily, the scarf trend has yet to recede. This silk bandana is chic and simple, easy to style into most wardrobes.
8. Blush Sunglasses // Retro inspired and unapologetically girly, these sunglasses are a great addition to her collection.
9. Rose Swing Coat // I love the minimal, clean lines of this coat and how the blush rose color is soft enough you can wear it as a neutral. It's a great coat to wear through winter into spring.

What are you hoping for this Valentine's Day? 
Which gift guide would you like most? 
While I advertise "For Him" or "For Her" I don't believe these gifts are limited to genders. Would you like any gifts for him? (My top two favorite gifts here might actually be on the men's gift guide: #1, the French Press Set and #3, the Domino Set!). 

It's the most wonderful time of the year...and I can't believe it's already here. I have barely had time to do my holiday shopping this year and Christmas is only days away! My cousin got married this weekend in Tahoe-so instead of shopping for all those on my "Nice List" I drank my share of spiked mulled cider or eggnog and roasted marshmallows over the fire with my very large family in the Sierra Mountains. Aka: Bliss.

Even though I still have some gift giving to do with little to no time left, I am excited! I love to give thoughtful presents to friends and family. I think gifts are a great way of showing you care, but also creating a shared moment between one another. For example, my cousin and I scrapbooked together over this summer and got into crafts. So, to show I really enjoyed that time with her I created a personalized "craft bag" for her filled with DIY kits and craft goods. I like to think of those in my life and personalize the gifts to things they love.

For the Spa Lover: 

All of these gift guides may or may not contain things that I would buy for myself-but I was thinking of one of my closest girlfriends when I created this set. She loves essential oils, natural beauty products, and quality, locally sourced goods. My personal favorites (I use them daily) are the local Bay Area Etta + Billie products and Turkish cotton towels.

1. Etta + Billie Lotions & Body Scrubs
   These make my skin feel so smooth and buttery. They do the perfect job of exfoliating while deeply moisturizing your skin. I love the fresh scents from the different scrubs and lotions (lavender, ginger, lemongrass, etc) and the local lady boss behind this brand.
2. Essential Oil Diffuser
   Between the cold weather and dry heat I love the idea of having this in your home to diffuse essential oils for health as well as acting as a humidifier. I'd feel as if I lived in a spa. Besides, the changing LED lights and soothing oils would really help combat holiday stress.  
3. Wooden Paddle Brush
   Great for massaging your body. Helps unclog pores to release toxins 
4. Travel Spray
   I like the idea of bringing a portable spa experience with you while you travel. Having a special scent that calms and soothes that you can spray anywhere you go is like having a tiny spa to go in your bag. 
5. Turkish Cotton Towels
   I love how little space these towels take while still feeling luxurious. I use them daily in my bathroom and even have bigger ones I take to the beach with me.  
6. Voluspa Tin Candle
   This is one of my favorite candle brands I discovered ~10yrs ago and still love to this day. The scents are lovely and fragrant-without ever feeling overpowering. Luxury candles can really make you feel like you're being pampered and spoiled. 
7. Organic Cotton Spa Robe
   I don't know if there is anything that screams, "Spa," more than a fluffy cotton robe. This super soft robe is made of organic cotton and folds up well to take the spa wherever you go. 
8. Spa Experience Gift Tin
   Rather than putting together your own spa kit to give this is all ready to go with the best of portable spa experiences in a cute tin. 
9. Essential Oils
   Not only are they personal and relaxing but they can instantly soothe, enliven, or balance both body and mind. 
10. Fig + Yarrow Sea Salt Scrub
    I love how this scrub leaves you feeling soft and like you just had a whole body spa treatment. It's so pampering and perfect. 

For the Travel Lover:

I inherited my wanderlust from my mother, so this list is dedicated to her. She LOVES to travel and it re-energizes her like nothing else. I love gifting to my fellow travel lovers because I can really appreciate how these little gifts can really improve their travels, as well as hope they may remember how much I care about them whenever they use it. I would want to steal the inflatable travel pillow (my last one finally gave out) and the cashmere travel set, because who wouldn't want that!?!

1. Cashmere Travel Set
   So ridiculously soft and luxurious. The perfect travel set to make you feel at home and comfy on those long flights or when jet lagged and adjusting to the time changes. It comes with a sleeping mask, scarf, long socks, and cashmere bag.
2. Transparent Travel Phone Case
   I like how minimal, but cute this is. This slim case has a impact-resistant outer shell that protects your device from scratch, drops and dust-which is perfect if you are a frequent traveler like me. This would make me smile every time I looked at it and feel inspired to travel.
3. Leather Luggage Tag
   Soft leather that is really durable and chic. Smarten up your suitcases and carry-ons with this handcrafted leather luggage tag, detailed with meticulous stitching, hand-painted edges and a signature brand stamp.
4. Fossil Leather Passport Case
   Upgrade your on-board experience with this sleek leather passport case. The luxe and minimal design is stylish and classic. 
5. Fresh Lip Balm
   My lips always dry out so much when I travel. Fresh Sugar Nourishing Lip Balm Advanced Therapy smoothes dry lips with a refreshing sugar mint flavor and wild mango butter to help protect and soften your puckers.
6. Weekender Bag
   Versatile, minimal, and stylish. This could be a gender neutral present that will be used over and over again for ages. Unless I'm traveling for long periods of time I always always travel with a sleek weekender bag and never regret it.
7. Inflatable Travel Pillow
   These are perfect for long journeys or red eyes when you need to catch some sleep or a place to rest your head. I prefer inflatable over memory foam because once you're done you can deflate it and fold it up to fit in a pocket sized bag-so it fits with my travel light lifestyle. Bonus: with inflatable you can choose the softness or firmness to your personalized liking. 
8. Wool Scarf
   Made from 100% soft lambs wool-this was one of the 10 things I never travel without. Perfect to keep you warm through transitioning climates as you travel, can act as a blanket while on a chilly plane, and triples as a stylish accessory to complete any outfit. 
9. Gunmetal Headphones
   Minimal, stylish, and sleek; these headphones are perfect for traveling. Not only do they block outside noise but their collapsible design allows them to fit easily in your bag wherever your travels take you.
10. Soft Leather Phone Charger Wallet
    Another of my 10 things I never travel without: I always bring portable chargers on my journeys. The leather wallet comes with a power bank that has a 4000 mAH battery (produces 2 full charges), a micro USB input port and USB output port, and a small leather Stowaway envelope to hold tiny mementoes. Bonus: The arrives packaged in a smart branded gift box and dust bag, so no wrapping required!