I cannot start this post without acknowledging two important things:
1. I have a LOT about which to write. I have formulated at least a dozen posts in my head over the holiday weekend (about gratitude, parenting my daughter v. my son, Thanksgiving and what it means to me…) but, for now, this is what is flying off of my fingertips and onto the computer screen.
2. I can’t really type the words “What I want” without singing “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So, tell me what you want, what you really, really want.”
Are you with me, there? If so, we should be friends. #SpiceGirls
There are so many meaningful things that I want this holiday season, and none of them can be held in my hands. I want for my family and loved ones to be happy, healthy and safe. I want justice for anyone who deserves it. I want a more peaceful year ahead. I want to affect real change in the world.
But, alas, these things are either supremely difficult or all together out of my control.
You’ve seen me write many-a-time about my friend Jordan who blogs beautifully over at Ramshackle Glam. Jordan is not only a wonderful author and writer, but she actually taught me what a blog was (she just had no idea as I was merely a devoted reader and she was somewhat of a celebrity to me…until we actually met (!) and then became actual friends, in a “long distance, middle of the night text message but I read every one of her posts” sort of way).
Lately, she has been posting some fabulous gift guides and it reminded me of one of her first gift guides, posted SEVEN years ago! When she wrote this post I just had to get my husband the Transformers cufflinks and, let me tell you, he still wears them today. When I first read that post (in November of 2010!) I was a new mom and, sometimes, that felt lonely. And so I read blogs. And I followed bloggers’ advice. I was also very worried about my finances, and so a guide to gifts under $30 felt very reasonable and, in a way, very adult.
“Oh, I’m just doing some online shopping for cufflinks at this cool, new-to-me online craft fair called ETSY and I bought some artisanal soap for my mom, a lotion for my sister and cufflinks for my husband. They were recommended by a blogger. Why? What are you doing?”
And, I am actually not kidding. Part of me feels a bit of retroactive embarrassment for 2010 Becca. I was trying to navigate this whole “adult” thing (any day now…) and none of my best friends had babies and I was a mom, but sometimes I did not feel grown enough to have that title. But, part of me feels wistful for that time.
I was less jaded, less wrinkled and my hair was amazing.
So, in an effort to take back the gift guide (in honor of 2010 Becca and as a nod to who I am today), I will present you with my 2017 holiday gift wish list. It isn’t necessarily a guide, and is primarily comprised of items that my one, dear friend sends to me almost daily (because she should be a gift-buying concierge), but it is fun and festive and something that I would NOT have had the confidence to do seven years ago, like so many things that I do today. A lot of things are still out of my reach, but I can appreciate them, nonetheless. Oh, and I have no affiliations with any of the products or brands that I will be displaying below. (What a blogger thing to say!)
Perhaps you’ll be inspired to make a wish list for yourself, as well.
Shoot for the stars, people.
So, I think that this is basically me in sweater-form. It is a cozy, cashmere sweater, it says “All the Feels” on it AND, by purchasing it you are providing 150 school meals for children. I want this sweater so badly but it is pricey.
A splurge. (But, if any of my family members are reading, I’d take an XS please 
jkjkjkjkjk!)
Williams Sonoma Regalis Black Truffle Popcorn Salt
Black truffles? Salt? Popcorn? Ooohhh yaassssss.
(P.S. Poppop, apparently it is in stock at the WS in your office building. Just saying.)
Canada Goose Mystique Down Parka
Ok, so this one is definitely a splurge. But, my current winter coat has been around longer than my son has been around. And I get so very cold in the winter. Do I need a Canada Goose jacket? Is it actually any better than other brands? I have no idea. What I know is this: My husband got one from his mom a couple of years ago and he swears that it is the warmest thing ever and trust, if we could share coats I would have stolen his already. I love this parka because it’s super warm without being too puffy AND, most of all, it’s long, so that’s so much warmth! And, I truly believe that my mother in law would want for me to have this. She always worried about us being warm enough in the winter.
West Elm Crinkle Velvet Duvet Cover
I have been adding this to my online cart for weeks now (and, miraculously, the price keeps dropping) but I cannot decide on a color and the idea that I should get a separate one of these for each member of my family, just so that I can selfishly enjoy them all, seems too ridiculous, even for me.
Brett Dennen’s Debut Album on Vinyl
This has never before been released on vinyl, it is being sold as a Limited Edition and this would make me very happy. And, apparently if you order this by December 15 it will come just in time for Christmas.
I am a Jewish girl with serious Christmas FOMO. So, yes, I would like a real, cozy, holiday-filled Christmas.
This year, at least I already have plans to make some gingerbread houses, one Secret Santa lined up and I’ve convinced this guy to sing “Baby it’s Cold Outside” with me.
I want these. I want these so so so much. My sister was wearing them this past weekend in a blush/nude color and I wanted to tear them off of her body and put them on mine. I refrained…in the hopes that someday, somehow, they will be mine.
I love mugs very much. Sometimes, my sense of humor can be compared to that of a seventeen-year-old-boy.
Enough said. (No pun intended!)
So, this is kind of funny. I love me some Jonathan Adler and I am the proud owner of 3 of his Vice Canisters, but, alas, the “Dope” canister has eluded me. I would love to add this to my collection. And, in searching for the image for this post, I typed in “Jonathan Adler Dope Canister” and the 6th google hit was MY POST from my days of blogging at 511 Ever After (the transformation of my old house into a home…that we then sold). The funniest part? I ended that post with these words:
“and I will never stop wanting this”
I know myself well!
I think that my dope Dope Canister concludes my list, for now, particularly because I am hungry, tired and “This is Us” is waiting for me on the DVR. Again, let me say that more than anything in this world I want happiness and the well-being of every human being I know and love (and the good ones whom I don’t). It is hard for me to talk about things as there is so much chaos in the world and so I hope that you were able to read this post in the spirit in which it was written. A shout out to my blogger friend; a fun way to make the holidays more festive; a nod to how much I have grown and changed (and a realization that in some dope ways, I have not).
It is funny, really. In 2010 I had an extremely messy car (think puffs on the floor, baby clothes scattered all around and at least two food groups inside it at all times) BUT I always made an effort to get dressed and to do my hair for playdates. In 2017 my car is as clean as a mother’s car can be (no food! no crumbs! no fun!!!!!!) and yet I show up to most life events in what has become my uniform: hair in a top knot, black leggings, a graphic tee/tank/top and boots. In 2010 I looked up to bloggers in a way that highlighted both my deference and insecurities. In 2017 I still look up to the people who pour their hearts and souls out for the world to read.
But, I am a blogger, too. Like, for real. And an author.
I wrote a book. That is one of the greatest gifts imaginable.
Thank you for humoring me, for following me, for sharing with me and for being a part of this wish come true.
With mad love and cashmere dreams
xx,
B
Leave a Reply