Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Design Blog » Williams Sonoma

A Gift Guide for Everyone on Your List

Darcie Dyer — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:06:54 +0000

Finally being a some-what “adult,” and by that I simply mean a college graduate, I’ve began taking my Christmas shopping a little more seriously. It sure helps having a little of my own cash to spend! My list of people to buy for this year is about as wide and varied as you can imagine; from 3-month-old twin girls, to an impossible to shop for boyfriend, to all the uniquely individual members of my dear family. So, I can appreciate the frustration that can come with trying to think up the perfect gift for each person on your list. From the most common of gifts, to some things you may not have thought of, here is my 2011 gift guide to the great and diverse on your list:

The Original Dopp Kit, $45

A true necessity for the traveling gentleman. And, although the term has become generic for any travel toiletry kit, there’s only one I recommend, and that’s the original. The term “Dopp Kit” was coined in 1919 by the original manufactuer of this piece, Mr. Charles Doppelt, and the company still produces it today. To get the real deal, check out Mori Luggage and Gift’s website, or stop by their location at Lenox.

Jo Malone Orange Blossom candle, $35-$400

Aside from this candle’s stunning fragrance, it also has a little claim to fame. The 88 oz. candle (with an amazing 230 hour burn time) priced at $400, burned throughout Westminster Abby during the Royal wedding of Kate and Prince William. The scent of orange blossoms and water lillys is sure to bring warmth to any space. And don’t worry, there are smaller sizes than the $400 one. Check out Neiman Marcus or Jomalone.com.

Encyclopedia of the Exquisite, $18.45

Author of this book, Jessica Kerwin Jenkins, who’s career has taken her all over the world and wound her up writing for Vouge, created this magestic “lifestyle guide for the Francophile and the Anglomaniac, the gourmet and the style maven, the armchair traveler and the art lover… homage to the esoteric world of glamour that doesn’t require much spending but makes us feel rich,” as the book description reads. A truly enchanting gift. You can purchase it at book stores or easily on Amazon.com.

TomTom Go Live, $249.95

I pray you all have some form of navigation system. But, if not, I’m the poster child for navigation systems. I can truly say this thing was a life-saver after my move from Auburn, AL to the big and unknown world of Atlanta. GPSs are available at all kinds of electronic stores, or this particular Tom Tom can be purchased on TomTom’s website.

J. Crew cashmere-lined leather gloves, $98

I absolutely love this color. A perfect gift for any gal on your list. (And perfect driving gloves for hoping behind the wheel with your new GPS? Just a thought…)

Williams-Sonoma Monogrammed Stainless-Steel Cocktail Shaker, $24.95

Anything personalized is always a great gift idea. This shaker, along with dozens of other personalized glassware and bar pieces, is available at Williams-Sonoma.

Pottery Barn Mirrored Dresser-top Trays, $29-$49

In keeping with the personalized theme, this jewelry tray would be a great piece to have monogramed. It would also be great with some jewelry coming along with it, hint hint!

Nespresso Essenza Coffee Machine, $149

Life is too short to drink “decent” coffee. Or to spend all your money at Starbucks, for that matter. This marvelous and surprisingly inexpensive expresso maker is sure to make anyone on your lists’ mornings a litle better.

Kate Spade Sparkler Gia, $95

Every girl loves a little sparkle (this girl loves a lot of sparkle). With glitter fabric and metallic foil coated leather trim, this is the perfect coin-purse or accessory case for this festive season.

Johnston and Murphy shoe care kit, $70

Last but not least, I don’t know any man that doesn’t wear shoes, so why not give them a little pep to their step by giving this fabulous shoe care kit? A truly timeless, and sure to be appreciated gift.

What gifts are on your shopping list this year?

Baking for a Cause

Brian D — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:32:36 +0000

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Anyone who knows me can tell you I like to cook. My kitchen cabinets are overflowing with more gadgets and tools than any college student could ever need, and I am the only student I know that has a fully stocked pantry. So when I see kitchen stuff I like, I have to have it. That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled upon this Elements of Style blog about Bake It Pretty’s selection of fun and fabulous cupcake wrappers.

I have already gotten together a wish list of things I need in preparation for my fall project of hosting a Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale. Stemming from too many hours of watching the Food Network and a desire to do some good with my spare time, I realized that the combination of hungry fans on a football Saturday and a great cause would be a recipe for fundraising success. All of the money raised in the bake sale will go toward Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, which is fighting to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. The program joins together the efforts of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children who are struggling with hunger, bringing them healthy and nourishing foods to the places they live, learn and play.

Here are a few of my must-haves before this fall:

I absolutely love these playful yet classic cookie cutter shapes from Bake It Pretty. I can just imagine how much fun it will be to decorate these cookies with icing!

Essential to any bake sale, cupcakes get a makeover with these designer cupcake wrappers.

What do hungry fans like more than sugary sweets? Sugary sweets that say things like “War Eagle” or “Go Dawgs.” I love the idea of being able to personalize my cookies to say just about anything using this Message-in-a-Cookie Cutter from Williams-Sonoma.

Also from Williams-Sonoma, this Apple Pocket Pie Mold makes perfect apple pies portable.

To learn more about Share Our Strength and its efforts to end childhood hunger in America, or to find out how to host your own Great American Bake Sale, click here.

Live in Luxury

Kate — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:02:16 +0000

Here’s an exclusive we couldn’t be more excited about:

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is presenting Atlanta’s first Luxury Living Show at Phipps Plaza on May 6 through May 9. With clever promotional tie-ins at participating mall merchants—like in-store seminars and special offers—the show will offer a flock of shoppers during this traffic-heavy time of year the opportunity to see the latest in home furnishings, products and services available for both inside and outside the home. We’ll even have a full-size “Living Kitchen” constructed in the center of the Court of the South so that you can get a peek at the newest gas appliances from Viking, peruse the latest gadgets and utensils from Williams-Sonoma, taste delicious chef-prepared gourmet samples and more while seeing the best from local names like Marcia Weber Gardens to Love, Global Imports BMW, Bell Custom Cabinetry, A&S Marble and Granite Imports, Frontgate and more at the South’s most exclusive retail shopping mall—which draws an astounding 500,000 visitors per month.

There’s still time to join us in setting up your own booth at our makeshift market this spring.

Contact your AH&L sales representative to learn how to participate or call the main line at (404) 252-6670. We hope to see you there!