Gifts for guys

If you're stuck looking for the perfect gift for your Dad, brother, boyfriend or guy friend, I feel your pain. And I can help! While I find it easy to buy gifts for the ladies (probably because there's a million things in my head that I'd like for myself), I'm often at a loss for what to get for the blokes in my life. I've come up with a few good ideas over the years so I figured I should share them for anyone out there who might be in a Christmas gift buying jam.

Socks n' jocks!

I don't care that it's unoriginal, everyone appreciates nice socks and undies. Vanishing Elephant do really nice socks, and I like these Topman underwear packs. One year I got Mr Meet-Cute Ellen underwear, but it's probably a bit late to order those online for Christmas.

A simple grey sweatshirt is a wardrobe staple. You can't beat Carhartt for simple sweats, and I love this MJ grey pullover, which I would probably be pinching for myself.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi dvd is what I'm getting my Dad this Christmas (Mum, if you're reading this, don't let Dad see!). Zombie Tits, Astronaut Fish and Other Weird Animals by science blogger Becky Crew is a cool read about odd animal behaviour.

Everyone needs a good backpack or duffel and Herschel Supply Co do both really well.

Note to Self are a small Melbourne company making really great, 'comfortable and unassuming' men's jeans. And Head Full of Snakes motorcycle magazine is what I bought my brother this year. He's impossible to buy things for, but he likes motorbikes so I was pretty chuffed with myself when I found this.

This Beard Elixir sounds so amazing I almost wish I had a beard myself, though you can also use it straight onto non-bearded skin as a deluxe moisturising oil. Status Anxiety make all manner of 'fine leather goods' to treat yo' man with, but it's mostly wallets.

Go-To Nite

I don't think I've ever posted about beauty products before (that's more my sister's forté), but I feel the need to share these incredible Go-To Skincare products. The line was started by Zoë Foster Blake, ex beauty editor and hilarious author of Amazing Face. You wouldn't think a book on skincare mumbo jumbo would be so readable, but Zoë is bloody hilar. My Mum and I both follow her instagram, where we found out about a Go-To Skincare event which was held last Friday. Not something I would normally attend, but as my Mum has been in town we jumped at the chance to have a girly, fancy night out. At first during the Q&A I felt way over my head, as skincare can get pretty scientific and I had no idea what everyone was on about. But then the discussion swinged to blackheads and dark circles under the eyes and things became much more relevant to me.

Here we are being fancy ladies clinking our 'bubblegumtini's'. And then taking photos of our photo on the social media wall. Very exciting!

So I walked away with a few 'prods' at the end of the evening. They all smell like roses and oranges and leave your skin feeling great. The 'Properly Clean' face wash is a favourite. It doesn't leave your skin with that tight feeling, and it certainly lives up to it's name. My skin feels SO clean. The lip balm is also super lovely, and would be a great small gift for yourself or a pal. The range is only available online right now. I've been stalking the website for a while wanting to order stuff, but I do like seeing sizes and things irl before committing to buy. It's quite a small range at the moment, just the basics to promise you better, healthier and nicer smelling skin!

Nice Socks

Nice socks are one of the little luxuries in life that I cannot do without. Socks with holes actually really depress me. I got these pairs from Vanishing Elephant a few weeks ago and they are just so nice that they have barely left my feet. I haven't even been able to part with them to wash them. Which is pretty gross. I haven't really been going out much though. Alright, it's still pretty gross.

Markit trinkets

I went along to Markit at Fed Square on Sunday, full of good intentions for starting my Christmas shopping. Instead I ended up buying lots of presents for myself. Oops.

Actually, I did buy one cute gift for my brand new niece Evie, who was born two weeks ago! That gift is not pictured above, though I doubt Evie is quite at blog reading level, I'd like to keep it as a surprise!

Special Blanky

There's a lot of excitement in my family right now because my sister is a few weeks away from having a baby - my parents first grandchild, and I will be an aunty for the first time!

I wanted to get something really special as a gift, and found these gorgeous handmade baby blankets on Hello Polly which fitted the bill perfectly. They are made by Odds and Ends in Melbourne using reclaimed offcuts from mohair, lambswool and cashmere jumpers, making them incredibly, deliciously soft. It's almost a shame they only come in baby sizes! I chose the blanket in neutrals/greys and it was very well received by my sister, so hopefully the new arrival will enjoy it just as much, once they have arrived!

ALL ahoy!

Before this Winter ends I'm going to have one of these ALL knitwear beanies on my head. I ordered one last week, after going back and forth over these four top choices. Narrowing it down to just one was so hard!

Weekend Markets #2

Finders Keepers was on a week or so ago. It was huge! And much fun.



Beneath The Sun had a great stall, I loved this kitty pillow.

This is what it was like outside. Autumn was going crazy.

And this is what I bought - some lovely Beneath the Sun cards …

… a Stampel Studio vase, which is my new favourite thing.

And the new book Owl Know How by Cat Rabbit and Isobel Knowles, which has now been gifted to a three year old birthday girl. I hope she likes it as much as I did!

Market Buys

After declaring a month ago that I would be hand making all my Christmas gifts, I've now decided to buy handmade instead! Christmas is just creeping up too quickly, isn't it? Over the weekend I went along to the Christmas Design Mini Market and Markit @Fed Square hoping to make a start on my Christmas shopping. I did find a few special gifts, but mostly just came away with stuff for myself… 

Above: Beci Orpin bear print, Dawn Tan for Douglas and Hope Happy Fries cups, Cecilia Fox potted succulent and bouquet.

Weekend Markets Shopathon

One of my oldest and dearest friends was in Melbourne for the weekend, and we had quite the shopathon! After much trawling of second hand and vintage stores I feel as though I have seen every single vintage dress in this city! We also hit up the Camberwell Markets, where I picked up these trinkets above, and below…

Glass boot! Everyone should own at least one of these.

I need all the help I can get in the plant department. That palm in the background will be thanking his lucky stars now that I have this book.

I bought this rug for a song and it's now doing an amazing job brightening up the place. I also got the magazine/record rack, and a few records. This song has been on my mind for ages, so I'm pleased to have tracked it down on vinyl.

And we had to hit up the Pop-Up Studio Sale that was on this weekend. Lots of lovely crafty ladies were involved in this. I got my own Emily Green necklace finally! The photograph above does not do justice to this item, it is so bright and happy in real life. I also picked up a Dawn Tan recipe print, because I just can't get enough of these.

And thanks go to my lovely pal for this - the sweetest card in the world.