HOLIDAY 2017: GIFTS FOR HIM

As the second post in my series of Holiday Gift Guides this 2017, I'm featuring the perfect gifts for the guys in your life (again, from independent brands). Men's items can seem so limited, it's hard to know what to get for your boyfriend, brother, fiance, dad, uncle etc. That's why I've rounded up the perfect mix of clothes and accessories so you'll be sure to find a gift for any guy on your holiday gift list. My favorites from this roundup? Life After Denim's Golden Olive bomber jacket and Le Labo's Face Lotion from their new body collection.

1. Red Wing Shoes | The perfect winter boot, beautiful constructed and versatile.
2. Throne Watches | Handcrafted in Brooklyn, this watch puts a modern twist on a classic accessory.
3. Buly 1803 | A sleek comb you can take anywhere.
4. Life After Denim | A quilted bomber with a unique color to stand out from the crowd.
5. ISM | This new tech-smart backpack is perfect for stylish guys on the go.
6. Le Labo | A lightweight yet luxurious face lotion to keep dry winter skin at bay.
7. Lightwell Co. | Cedar & Sandalwood will bring fresh, yet masculine notes to any room.
8. The Arrivals NYC | The most stunning leather gloves.
9. Deus Ex Machina | Show off his sensitive side.
10. Article One | Your new favorite sunglasses, complete with an all-flattering frame and unique pink-red lenses.
11. Away | The perfect carry-on that's both smart and durable. 
12. Basic Rights | A pair of staple sweatpants that can take you from the bed to the streets.
13. Kotn | A carefully constructed sweatshirt made from the highest quality Egyptian cotton.

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EASY MORNINGS WITH LIGHTWELL CO.

Over the past year I have accumulated a ridiculous number of candles. It seems like every time I'm done burning one, three more pop up in its place. But out of ALL the candles I've received, Lightwell Co.'s hand-poured scents have become easy favorites. 

Whether I'm working on my bed or relaxing in the bath, I love lighting a candle to create a soothing environment. However, some candles are too overpowering, and just half an hour of candle smell will have me battling a splitting headache. What I love about Lightwell Co. is their dedication to making the perfect product. Their combination of 100% American-grown soy wax, delicate fragrances derived from essential oils, and cotton wicks makes for candles that are fragrant without being overpowering. 

Fact: forest-y candles make any morning better. Even a Monday morning. Just strike a match, light your candle, pick up that magazine or book you've been meaning to read, and sip away at your cup of coffee or tea until you're ready to conquer the day.

I have just as many wonderful things to say about the fragrances themselves (I'm currently using Northern Fir and Citrus & Fir) as I do about the packaging. In this age of single-use products, it requires a conscious effort to reduce the waste one creates. After I'm done burning these candles (I'm torn between saving them so I can smell them forever and ever, and burning through them in a week because I love them so much) I'll be using these simple ceramic containers to hold pencils and pens, flowers, or maybe even some makeup brushes. 

While most of the candle burning I do happens on my beside table or desk, I've recently been letting the Citrus & Fir burn while I'm having a shower or soaking in the bath. Combined with the steam, the soothing but bright scent fills the bathroom and after I've finished I'm feeling more relaxed than I usually would. Alongside my favorite face masks and skin products, Lightwell CO.'s beautiful candles are now also a bathroom essential. 

More often than not, simplicity is best. When it comes to candles, Lightwell Co. knows exactly how to deliver simple, but high-quality products that will become a staple in your home (and that of everyone you end up gifting these candles to). Some candle scents these days are so overworked. No thank you, I would not like my room to smell like a cinnamon roll, or blueberry muffin, or gingerbread cookie. Give me lush forests (nonexistent within my immediate area) and citrus, and I'll be happy as can be.