I have that Kate Baer poem framed in my hallway--it was a post-separation gift for myself. Every time I walk past it I'm reminded of the big juicy life I'm creating for myself!
Thank you for this staggeringly excellent list! When I saw my beloved —“the dip”—I thought, this list looks promising. And as I continued to read/click through, it sure delivered! Almost too much goodness to take in at once. :)
Ok, the adorable signet ring made me think... wtf am I going to get my daughter for her 18th birthday (early may) and then HS graduation (early june)? i feel like both merit Serious, Meaningful gifts and am currently stumped. I have a "everyone watches women's sports" tee coming for her birthday and... that's it. I could use other ideas, if any comments readers have them!
My go-to graduation gift is a tool set -- it says "you're a grown up" and is so useful in a new apartment or dorm room for hanging and fixing random things (tape measure, level, hammer, wrench, pliers...). If one celebration merits a ring (beautiful, feminine, delightful for its uselessness), then the other day gets the tools (practical, strong, independent).
My mother's best friend gave me a tool set for my high school graduation gift. I am 41 and have proudly taken out that tool set every time we need just the right tool, and thanked Jane in my mind for reminding me that I know how to take care of sh*t, even if I didn't know that for a while.
You are an actual genius. (Or maybe I am the genius for posing this question here 😂) I think between jewelry, digital frame and badass toolbox, I can totally pull off these gifts. THANK YOU!!
I won an “ergonomic tool set for women” as a door prize at our high school graduation lock in, 20 years ago (🤯), and I still use it all the time. It came in a lightweight case and has all of the essentials.
Catbird or Gldn jewerly are great for celebrating milestones. So pretty and special! I'm a scientist and I buy myself a new solid gold charm or earrings ($100-200) when I publish a new research article that I'm particularly proud of (maybe once every 2 years or so), and something more splurgy for major milestones (something similar to these https://www.catbirdnyc.com/gemma-garnet-earrings-pair.html when I got my first faculty position).
Co-signing both of these! My husband designed my (non-traditional) engagement ring with Catbird and I love it so much, and when our son was born a few years later he got me the small disc birth flower necklace from GLDN which I also love so much (and can’t wait to add another when our next baby is born in the fall!)
My mom got me a birthstone ring when I got my first period. I'm thinking an initial signet would be a timeless piece for my nearly 12 year old when she reaches that milestone.
what an exciting time for your daughter! this may sound boring (and isn’t an object), but the best gift my mom ever gave me as i transitioned into adulthood was helping me start a retirement account that has grown into a gift im so grateful for with each passing year as i get older 💛
I love that tee idea :) for other gifts, what kinds of things is your daughter into? is she leaving after graduation or staying home/nearby? I love those photo frames that you can digitally rotate photos through -- I'm blanking on what they are called but one of those might be cool if she's moving out of town. I also love the idea of a signet ring or a passed down piece of jewelry, if you have one that you think she'd love. xoxo
Oh, a digital photo frame is a great idea for graduation! We are in Maine and she's going to North Carolina, so I think she'll like seeing dog and family photos. She's into sports (majoring in sports management), her job at a beloved local bakery, and her very awesome girlfriend. She has worked through a whole lot of crap over the last several years - her dad (my ex-husband) died unexpectedly in 2017, the pandemic really put a damper on her early HS years, she dealt with an eating disorder... all of that has taken up a ton of space in her life and she is really looking forward to independence, warmer weather and the chance to really focus on topics she cares about.
Omg please do a story on tees! I am googling that women’s sports one and adding to cart now (even though I do not in fact watch any sports but IF I DID they would be women’s sports!). Thank you Michaela!
Respectfully, I think you are going in the wrong direction. Shapeware and jeans that can be described rigid are the opposite. More like an elasticized or flexible waste on something that looks like pants.
I think Cate may be referring to some of Spanx’s newer pant product? I don’t own any, but their kick flare perfect pant is very popular amongst my colleagues! No button or zip - just pull on.
A couple of years ago, I ordered 2 east fork mugs on sale and since then, my husband and I have ordered 4 more (usually in their “seconds” section) and basically eliminated all other mugs. They are THAT good. Definitely one of my favorite every day items!
"...the Capri Blue Volcano status candle was the height of having your shit together, but none of us could afford one" -- Never have I read a more accurate comment that transported me directly back to college when I was envying my cool, older, grad-school-roommate who always had a volcano candle in her room. The height of luxury, indeed!
Would anyone else be into swimsuit recs?
we'll get on this!
Please make sure to include plus size options!! :)
I have that Kate Baer poem framed in my hallway--it was a post-separation gift for myself. Every time I walk past it I'm reminded of the big juicy life I'm creating for myself!
Omg I LOVE that, Lee. So beautiful. I'm going to share this with Kate, I'm sure she'll be so touched.
playing a Soul Train compilation while hosting — genius!
see you soon, hunter!!
Thank you for this staggeringly excellent list! When I saw my beloved —“the dip”—I thought, this list looks promising. And as I continued to read/click through, it sure delivered! Almost too much goodness to take in at once. :)
How fast did I order those painters pants...love this!
I bookmarked them SO fast!
Oh my gosh - my comment made it! The dip! It really is the BEST! My day/weekend/week have been made 😍
Ok, the adorable signet ring made me think... wtf am I going to get my daughter for her 18th birthday (early may) and then HS graduation (early june)? i feel like both merit Serious, Meaningful gifts and am currently stumped. I have a "everyone watches women's sports" tee coming for her birthday and... that's it. I could use other ideas, if any comments readers have them!
My go-to graduation gift is a tool set -- it says "you're a grown up" and is so useful in a new apartment or dorm room for hanging and fixing random things (tape measure, level, hammer, wrench, pliers...). If one celebration merits a ring (beautiful, feminine, delightful for its uselessness), then the other day gets the tools (practical, strong, independent).
My mother's best friend gave me a tool set for my high school graduation gift. I am 41 and have proudly taken out that tool set every time we need just the right tool, and thanked Jane in my mind for reminding me that I know how to take care of sh*t, even if I didn't know that for a while.
and a jumper battery for the car if she has one.
You are an actual genius. (Or maybe I am the genius for posing this question here 😂) I think between jewelry, digital frame and badass toolbox, I can totally pull off these gifts. THANK YOU!!
YOU’RE the genius :)
I won an “ergonomic tool set for women” as a door prize at our high school graduation lock in, 20 years ago (🤯), and I still use it all the time. It came in a lightweight case and has all of the essentials.
Catbird or Gldn jewerly are great for celebrating milestones. So pretty and special! I'm a scientist and I buy myself a new solid gold charm or earrings ($100-200) when I publish a new research article that I'm particularly proud of (maybe once every 2 years or so), and something more splurgy for major milestones (something similar to these https://www.catbirdnyc.com/gemma-garnet-earrings-pair.html when I got my first faculty position).
Co-signing both of these! My husband designed my (non-traditional) engagement ring with Catbird and I love it so much, and when our son was born a few years later he got me the small disc birth flower necklace from GLDN which I also love so much (and can’t wait to add another when our next baby is born in the fall!)
I just bought myself a tiny catbird z for the initial of a beloved cousin on the anniversary of his passing. Was like a little hug for myself. ❤️
My mom got me a birthstone ring when I got my first period. I'm thinking an initial signet would be a timeless piece for my nearly 12 year old when she reaches that milestone.
what an exciting time for your daughter! this may sound boring (and isn’t an object), but the best gift my mom ever gave me as i transitioned into adulthood was helping me start a retirement account that has grown into a gift im so grateful for with each passing year as i get older 💛
Grace, I am so boring that I beat you to that - I started one for her last year!
love this!
I love that tee idea :) for other gifts, what kinds of things is your daughter into? is she leaving after graduation or staying home/nearby? I love those photo frames that you can digitally rotate photos through -- I'm blanking on what they are called but one of those might be cool if she's moving out of town. I also love the idea of a signet ring or a passed down piece of jewelry, if you have one that you think she'd love. xoxo
Oh, a digital photo frame is a great idea for graduation! We are in Maine and she's going to North Carolina, so I think she'll like seeing dog and family photos. She's into sports (majoring in sports management), her job at a beloved local bakery, and her very awesome girlfriend. She has worked through a whole lot of crap over the last several years - her dad (my ex-husband) died unexpectedly in 2017, the pandemic really put a damper on her early HS years, she dealt with an eating disorder... all of that has taken up a ton of space in her life and she is really looking forward to independence, warmer weather and the chance to really focus on topics she cares about.
She sounds wonderful, Michaela! And clearly you adore her :)
Omg please do a story on tees! I am googling that women’s sports one and adding to cart now (even though I do not in fact watch any sports but IF I DID they would be women’s sports!). Thank you Michaela!
Everyone watches women’s sports!! I need this tee
https://www.togethxr.com/products/everyone-watches-womens-sports-tee
Luggage
Book editor at real simple mag sounds like a dream job!!
Obsessed with the airport sign thing!!
That was me! So weird to open Big Salad and see myself inside it, but that’s me and my sister at Dublin airport 💕
I just flew home to Dublin today and noticed all those people waiting expectantly in the arrivals area! Such a lovely idea!
me too. so sweet.
Can’t wait to try the Alison Roman dip. Love her recipes! About to make her chocolate cookies for my kids birthday!
omg those shortbread cookies are GOOD
Of course this list was excellent! Thank you!
Speaking of pants…I am always on the lookout for pants that look real but are comfy around the waist, if you get my meaning.
Hate to say it but the answer is spanx!!! So comfy but also feel put together!
Respectfully, I think you are going in the wrong direction. Shapeware and jeans that can be described rigid are the opposite. More like an elasticized or flexible waste on something that looks like pants.
I think Cate may be referring to some of Spanx’s newer pant product? I don’t own any, but their kick flare perfect pant is very popular amongst my colleagues! No button or zip - just pull on.
OMG thank you for pointing out the TJ candle dupe!
would agree with the East Fork mug - I have it and it is lovely addition to morning coffee :)
A couple of years ago, I ordered 2 east fork mugs on sale and since then, my husband and I have ordered 4 more (usually in their “seconds” section) and basically eliminated all other mugs. They are THAT good. Definitely one of my favorite every day items!
totally! i reach for it over all other mugs. worth it!!!
"...the Capri Blue Volcano status candle was the height of having your shit together, but none of us could afford one" -- Never have I read a more accurate comment that transported me directly back to college when I was envying my cool, older, grad-school-roommate who always had a volcano candle in her room. The height of luxury, indeed!
I love White Sands National Park! It’s so beautiful! And I am obsessed with the Trader Joe’s candles!