Gift Guide!

For the past month or so I've been collecting things for my usual Christmas/holiday gift guide. Last year I did a "beach babe" theme. This year I figured I'd also do something specific, but the theme kind of just came out as "a bunch of stuff I think is rad." And I think that worked out pretty well! You could also count it as a last minute gift guide since this one has come pretty late in the season. However, I know I am one of many who have yet to complete shopping, let alone start wrapping. That's a whole other animal! Well, without further ado, here's a bunch of stuff I like...I mean my Gift Guide!  [Follow from left to right!]

1. North Shore Candle Company Limited Release Heather Brown Collaboration Candle (Surf Wax)- When it comes to gift giving, you can hardly ever go wrong with a candle! This collaboration is super cool because not only does it smell good, but it also showcases awesome art work. Both the company and artist are native to Hawaii!

2. Goldfish Kiss Goods Print (Scenic Set in Bloom)- This one mayyyy be on my personal Christmas list this year! If you know me, you know how much I adore the Goldfish Kiss blog and it's author Rebekah Steen. She also makes lots of cool stuff, like this beautiful watercolor! A great addition to anyone's art collection and a great gift!

3. Hot Dudes Reading (The Book!)- If you haven't already followed the Instagram account, you are totally missing out! Every single post has me in stitches and now they are all complied into one handy book! It would make a great coffee table book and is a funny but practical gift!

4. Souled Out the Label Hippie Crew Mug- A cute mug is always handy, especially as a last minute gift! This one is super cute and I love the saying! Souled Out also makes other really cool stuff, like embroidered denim jackets!

5. Kopari Beauty Coconut Multitasking Kit- Who doesn't love coconut?! This little set is great for travel or just for trying out some new products! It's a cute little gift but also useful! And better than a knock of Bath & Body Works set from Kmart (like every secret santa gift I've ever gotten, lol.)

6. ALOHA Collection Monstera Tote Bag- I love this giant tote bag! It's great for every day or for a trip to the beach! Plus, the black and white palm print will go with just about everything! Perfect for the jetsetter, beach girl in your life!

7. Blonde Shark Shark Tooth Pareo- You could pick anything on this site and end up with something totally rad, however I've personally taken to this little wrap! I love the print and it's a really versatile piece. Use it as a cover up, a shawl, a sash, etc. Definitely a unique present!

8. Soda2Art Surfer Hawaiian Cuff Bracelet- I actually came across this shop on Etsy looking for a gift for my dad! This girl makes some of the coolest jewelry! She makes bracelets, earrings and necklaces out of upcycled cans with Hawaiian motif! Plus they are super reasonably priced. Guaranteed one of a kind gift!

9. Billabong Baja Beach Sweater- A beachy spin on the classic go-to gift! This cute hoodie can be worn all year long, and comes in two color-ways.

10. LvcJewelry Nalu Edison Bangle- For your beach lovin' bestie! Or anyone who loves the ocean for that matter! I love the pretty pink freshwater pearl against the golden wave! So unique and something she can wear all the time! Handmade in Hawaii!

Happy Shopping!

XO, Briana

Beach Babe Gift Guide

Since I started blogging I've wanted to do a gift guide.  I always see other bloggers post them and find myself scrolling through going "I want that, I want that..." So I figured better now than later to give it a whirl for myself! I call this the "Beach Babe" gift guide, as I've simply curated some cute things to give to that super cool chick in your life who lives every day like it's summer and loves everything about the beach. I found this simple because obviously, I am that girl.  Basically, I picked a bunch of my favorite things that I thought would make for some pretty awesome gifts! The links to each product are below (along with why I love it) and I've tried to order them in a left to right/top to bottom pattern to correspond with the picture! The gifts I chose range from about $10-$150 and hopefully will inspire ideas as well! Enjoy!

Row 1:

Colleen Wilcox Art Island Oasis Tote $28 // This artwork gives me life and even better that you get to take it everywhere!

Kula to Kuau Shell Trinket Box $15 // How cute is this little seashell?! A great gift for the girl who thinks she's a mermaid, its perfect for her to keep all of her human treasures in.

Ulu Lagoon Coconut Surf Wax Candle $28 // I currently have this in the air freshener hanging from my rearview mirror and I'm in love. The candles smell just as amazing and how cool is this special collection tin?!

S'well Bottle Waikiki $35 // S'well bottles are generally awesome, but even better in this palm frond print! Swoon. I'll admit, this one made it to my Christmas list. Fingers crossed.

Row 2:

KnitCoutureCo Chunky Knit Blanket $149 // I keep seeing these blankets everywhere and I really really am in need. I just love the boho vibe of it and of course, mermaids get cold too!

R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray $25 // A beach babe always needs a good sea salt spray (or 5). R+Co makes awesome hair products in super cute packaging!!

Lush Cosmetics The Experimenter Bath Bomb $9 // Lush is an all time favorite of mine and you can't go wrong with a bath bomb! Plus this one has glitter.  Case in point.

Rockabella Jewels Hawaii Shark Tooth Choker $45 // I have a bracelet from this designer and it's so pretty! I knew I had to put one of their pieces on the list and I came across this pretty little thing. And now I want it for myself! Perfect for your beach babe and totally on trend!

Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish in Nirvana Nirvana $9 // Nail polish is always a great gift. You can never have enough! Pacifica is all natural and they have some really pretty, beachy shades like this one!

Row 3:

Duvin Design Company Logger Beanie (Pink) $28 // I discovered this brand this summer at a surf shop in Florida! I was honored to have several guys from the team follow me on IG (much love xoxo!) Aside from that, their clothes and accessories are super cool and I love this little beanie with the palm tree pin!

Kawaiian Lion Major Peace Out Cushion $129 // Honestly, I've been wanting something from this brand for a really long time. You've probably seen me mention them before, as I constantly stalk them on IG (sorry not sorry). But really, this is the cutest cushion/pillow, great for a beach babe's bed or sofa!

Surf Glam Aloha Long Sleeve Tee $38 // I love this top because it keeps the "aloha spirit" but also keeps you warm!

With Love From Paradise Kepana | Malia Short $46 // A beach babe can never have enough aloha print! These booty shorts are great for a yoga sesh or for just lounging around!

Small Business Love

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Which means it's time to get on shopping!  I've spent a lot of time deciding what I want to buy this year and where.  My initial rule was that I would stay far away from Black Friday shopping and try to get most of my things online.  However, I also find it difficult to find things that are unique and thoughtful on websites like Amazon or the like.  So this year I realized that I could wonderfully combine my hatred of crowds and my love for the crafters and makers of the world by shopping small!

I think it's really important for us, the consumer, to support the up and coming entrepreneurs.  They are the next big thing and deserve just as much attention, if not more, as the money moguls. I love buying things from people I feel like I know.  Each and every maker has a story and having things designed, handcrafted, and packaged all by that same beautiful and talented person is humbling and truly life enriching.  Plus, there are so many small businesses and people who are making beautiful things by hand that you could get a different, meaningful gift for everyone you know!  So I've compiled a short list of gift ideas from some of my favorite online small businesses!

Wingostarr Jewelry

I've been following this lovely artist on Instagram for a while now and I've been eyeing this piece myself!  Self taught jewelry designer Mallory Wingo runs the Wingostarr shop on Etsy and sells tons of beautiful jewelry, including several one of a kind pieces!  I love that she uses all kinds of gems and crystals as well as inspirational sayings!

Chakra Gemstone Necklace- $45 

Hana Maui Creations

By now ya'll know I'm a sucker for anything made in Hawaii.  Hana Maui Creations is just one of three shops I've included on my list!  These talented mother-daughter team hand make all kinds of pretty, island inspired jewelry.  I have the wave ring in silver that I wear every day!  I feel totally naked without it. Definitely vital to a mermaid's jewelry box!  

White Pearl Hoop Earrings- $35

Cyber Monday Sale: Use code CYBER15 for 15% Off!

Salty Kisses Hawaii

How cute are these hammered saying bracelets from Salty Kisses Hawaii?!  I kind of want them all to wear just like this! You can choose silver or bronze and any saying you like! Or you can pick from the ones in the photo! These make a great gift that can be easily personalized.  All of the jewelry is "handmade with aloha" by Jennifer Tigley.  She also makes some really rad personalized wire name necklaces!

ALOHA cuff- $20-3 

Small Business Saturday Sale: Use code SHPSML30 for 30% Off!

Simply Jessica Marie

Bet you didn't think of some super cute personalized stationery to gift for Christmas.  Now your bestie can write you letters in style!!  Simply Jessica Marie sells a variety of stationary, stamps, and other fun paper products!  Jessica Marie Clinch is a watercolor artist who thrives on inspiring her customers with feminine, creative products!  I will be adding one of the custom address stamps to my own Christmas list!

A Sweet Note Stationary Set of 10 (Water Color Palm Leaves)- $25 $18.75!

The Trendy Sparrow

This chic little shop has so many great things to offer!  From cute quoted mugs to catchy graphic tees, I'd be happy with any of these under my Christmas tree!  Or in any wrapped package for that matter. The Trendy Sparrow, based in Chicago, touches on so many wonderful things like fashion, coffee, blogging, and brunching.  These are a few of my favorite things. Lindzi Shanks perfectly depicts her girl: "The Trendy Sparrow girl sips champagne any day of the week.  She enjoys eating macarons for breakfast.  She feels just as beautiful in sweats as she does in a party dress.  She dreams of Paris and wears lots of polka dots.  She loves fresh flowers and every Audrey Hepburn movie.  She works hard for what she has and looks fabulous doing it.  She is beautiful inside and out."  Seems like someone I wanna be and/or wanna be friends with, if you ask me.

Fueled by Coffee and Fashion Mug- $17

Cyber Monday Sale: Use code CYBERMONDAY for 25% Off!

Lil Coconut Hawaii

Another shop based in Hawaii.  Another shop I continuously stalk on Instagram. I finally was able to purchase one of the Lil Coconut Hawaii clutches that I'm currently anxiously awaiting in the mail.  I actually have mentioned the shop before in my Clinging to Summer Wish List post last fall! So basically, I'm saying I love this brand created by Maui native Amanda Dela Cruz.  All of her clutches are her own photos taken on her own island adventures, which I feel makes these so special!  

Aloha Hibiscus Clutch- $14

Cyber Monday Sale: Use code CYBER for 30% Off!

Molly Kay Coakley

Last, but certainly not least, is a personal friend and co-worker of mine who is super creative and talented! Native New Yorker and a Myrtle Beach transplant, Molly makes these incredible custom nail art designs!  I don't know how she does it, because I simply would not have the patience it requires.  I always give her oodles of kudos.  Not only do these make stunning artwork for the home, but also a great gift! Love you girlfriend! ;)

Home Is Where The HEART Is- $40

XO, Briana