Rachel's Holiday Gift Guide
I’m blessed that my community is filled with makers, folks that design beautiful things to enhance our day-to-day lives. I’ve always felt that thoughtful gifts from independent designers uplift heavy hearts, so I decided to put together my favorite gift recommendations for this strange holiday season. Most pieces are from independent artisans worth celebrating (many of whom are friends), and some are ephemeral classics that’ll brighten any somber soul. From the powerful geometric shapes of Bari Ziperstein’s ceramics to my favorite daily face cream (Poppy & Someday’s Magical Face Cream), there’s something here for all of us.
Le Feu Ivoire Candle by Le Feu de l’Eau
My all-time favorite candle. Patchouli and amber, with notes of cedar leaf, vanilla, and sandalwood. Each candle is sculpted underwater with a high temperature wax, creating a gorgeous and totally unique rippled surface. The color is hand mixed and the fragrances are custom blended into a soy candle filling.
Magical Face Cream by Poppy and Someday
I love this cream so much. It is true magic. An antioxidant rich and highly absorbable cream blended with rose hydrosol, aloe vera, sea buckthorn oil, rosehip seed oil, and cocoa butter. You can feel the absorption and see the glow it gives your skin from the first application. Magical Face Cream has a lovely blend of frankincense, sandalwood, lavender and neroli essential oils. It smells incredible.
Ogden Mule by Wal and Pei
An iconic mule, handcrafted in Brazil. Extra padded comfort fit, minimal clean lines, in luxury veg tan sustainable leather, shearling, or natural hair calf. I haven’t taken mine off.
Seamless Illusion Hoops by Lorraine West
Lorraine works out of my hometown, New York City. Her jewelry is classic and finely crafted. I covet this pair of perfect Hoops. A seamless gold hoop that won’t stretch the holes in your ear lobes. A solid hoop you can trust for daily wear with any outfit.
SHOP THE SEAMLESS ILLUSION HOOPS
Intimations by Zadie Smith
Xol is an independent bookstore and creative studio, owned by Dário Solari and Kristen Spilman. Their shop includes a curated selection of new, rare, and out-of-print books ranging from the visual and culinary arts to social consciousness and counterculture.
Written during the early months of lockdown, Intimations explores ideas and questions prompted by an unprecedented situation. Suffused with a profound intimacy and tenderness in response to these extraordinary times, Intimations is a slim, suggestive volume with a wide scope, in which Zadie Smith clears a generous space for thought, open enough for each reader to reflect on what has happened - and what should come next.
SHOP INTIMATIONS AT STUDIO XOL
Bronze Bell by Cosanti
Cosanti bronze wind bells are individually handcrafted by skilled artisans in the same time-honored tradition introduced by architect and artist Paolo Soleri in the early 1960s. Featuring vibrant colors, organic textures, and design motifs that vary from piece to piece and artisan to artisan, each one is a true original. I bought one last year on a road trip, after my mother died - the sound is grounding and soothing.
Riverside Coat by Rachel Craven
Like so many of you, we are missing warm hugs from friends and family. That’s why we used the most impossibly soft felted wool for this unstructured dream cloud. The shawl collar nestles softly around the neck, with deep pockets and long generous sleeves that roll with ease over sweaters and sweatshirts. It’s designed to wrap you in unconditional love this winter.
Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power by Lalah Delia
In the midst of intense evolution, Lalah Delia’s mantras and daily affirmations give me the energy to rise. Lalah teaches us how to become aware of the vibrations—energy, life force, frequency—that run through all things. She helps us see how different elements feed our negative and positive vibes, then invites us to take stock: what simple actions raise our vibrations? What people give us good vibes? Delia reveals that when we know what brings us joy and what takes away from it, we become empowered to choose what we give our attention.
Horizontal Beret by Lauren Manoogian
Softly felted, hand loomed in Peru. The coziest of berets, I wear mine all winter long.
Lotion by LOQ
This lotion smells like heaven. A collaboration with Northern California based Among the Flowers and Loq, inspired by the plants and atmospheric scents of India and the Mediterranean; includes rice bran oil, ylang ylang water, witch hazel, beeswax, essential oils of frankincense, sandalwood, and lavender. A soothing oil based lotion for everyday.
Terracotta Face Pot by Rami Kim
I love Rami’s Face Pots because they are weird and wonderful. Clay is playful, and the Face Pot brings that playfulness into your home.
Belt Sac by Agnes Baddoo
My dear friend Agnes’ belt sac is my go-to pouch for phone, keys, and wallet when I am out and about. Beautifully crafted in Los Angeles, this leather pouch is the perfect elegant hands-free accessory.
Urban Wildlife drawing by Margaret Gallagher
Nature lovers will love Margaret’s artwork. Her detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations highlight the intimate beauty of the hidden worlds of plants, animals, fungi, and invertebrates that subtly teem in the spaces around us. Scientifically accurate yet full of whimsy, the drawings are full of details that invite the viewer to linger, studying the creatures inhabiting each drawing.
Package-Free Groceries at Tare
Tare is a package-free grocery store located in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Get a gift card for your loved one to shop plastic-free online or in-store. I fell in love when I walked through the doors this fall, it's truly a neighborhood gem.
After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love
by Alexandra Elle
I met writer Alex Elle through mutual friends, and this past July she asked me to join on her hey, girl podcast. In After the Rain, the celebrated self-care storyteller delivers 15 lessons on how to overcome obstacles, build confidence, and cultivate abundance. Part memoir and part guide, Elle shares stirring stories from her own remarkable journey from self-doubt to self-love.
This soulful collection is filled with illuminating reflections on loss, fear, bravery, healing, love, acceptance, and more. After the Rain is a soulful collection that will have you prepared for everything, no matter what life throws your way.
Exhibition Poster by Lily Stockman
This limited run exhibition poster, produced by legendary Los Angeles printers Paper Chase Press, was made in conjunction with Lily Stockman's second solo show with Charles Moffett - "Seed, Stone, Mirror, Match." I just received mine in the USPS mail and can not wait to have it framed.
Green Vase by BZIPPY
Bari Ziperstein is my favorite ceramicist (besides my mother). Her Brutalist-inspired pieces, like this Diamond Chrome Green vase, are unflinching and elegant. I have been collecting Bari’s work for a decade - her work continues to bring me awe and wonder.
Wood Tableware by Kalon
Kalon’s wooden bowls and plates are beautiful and durable. Sourced from sustainably managed forests and made by master craftspeople in the US, these are heirloom pieces that will warm your table for years to come. I am coveting this gorgeous walnut bowl.
Wonder Valley Olive Oil
Wonder Valley Olive Oil elevates any meal through its bright, herbaceous, peppery flavor and delivers a delicious dose of antioxidants. Their 2020 harvest oil is a blend of Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino, Coratino and Arbequina olives harvested from the groves in Lake County, CA and certified Extra Virgin grade by the California Olive Oil Council. I love olive oil, I use it on everything and well Wonder Valley is the best.
Narrative Food Boxes
Narrative’s beautifully curated boxes range from farm-fresh produce and recipes, to playful themes like breakfast or artisanal jams. I have been receiving Jennifer’s boxes for years and they are the highlight of my Saturday morning.
Plants by Sanso
Sanso specializes in unique potted plants paired with beautiful handmade ceramic pots. Shop their selection of cacti, succulents, Euphorbias and other oddities for pickup or delivery in the LA area. These quirky plants really make the perfect gift.
Watercolors by Case for Making
Watercolors remind me of both my mother and my grandmother, Rachel Parker. We often painted with watercolors together, especially by the sea. Case for Making’s handmade watercolors make sitting down to paint wonderfully appealing, whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, these paints are inspiring. Select your perfect colors or choose one of their sets.