Monday, December 3, 2012

Holiday Wishlist

Everyone and her sister are posting gift guides these days.  After all, Christmas is coming up - and we bloggers love to share inspiration, especially when it comes with a big price tag!  Sorry, I don't mean to be snarky.  But I'll tell you what I told Joelle a few weeks ago on Twitter:


Basically, I'd love to see what the best golf presents are if the blogger's father loves golf and she tells a story about how once she went golfing with her dad and she was bored out of her mind but she pretended she had a great time and so now she's stuck always going golfing with him because she can't admit that she faked it.  But if a blogger just throws out a gift guide that isn't relevant to her life at all, I feel a little manipulated.  Maybe I'm overthinking it - it's just that we're bombarded with so many ideas for presents from everywhere that they need to explain something about the blogger who's sharing them if they're going to make an impact.  (Many of the blogs I read do a great job of this; I love learning about workout essentials from the CrossFit fans and checking out top items for expats from my friends abroad.  I promise I'm not calling anybody out here!)

All that said, you're going to get two gift guides from me this season: one of things on my wishlist, and one of things that Jon will be receiving.  The first was requested by my darling fiancé because apparently it's how he finds out what I'd like without having to straight-out ask me.  And the second - which Jon has crossed his heart he won't read - will be everything that Jon will unwrap on Christmas Day.  That's right, dear readers!  You get to know before he does.  How cool do you feel?

Anyway, onto my list.  It's totally random and doesn't have a theme other than "items Betsy likes that aren't horribly expensive," so prepare for a little bit of everything.  And, because I do want to connect each piece to my life and my interests, make sure you're settled in with a cup of tea for a long read!
holiday wishlist

We're going to be spending New Year's Eve with the same group of friends as last year - the host with the most has invited us all back to his stately pile for another posh bash.  This Sheike dress is perfect - I love the full skirt, but the deep V amps up the glam.  With minimal jewelry, my hair loose, and simple pumps, the dress would do all the talking.

I have a few small cross-body bags, but they're not very well-made or versatile.  I'd really love to invest  in one that is fantastic quality and that goes with everything, so the one pricey piece on this wishlist is the Mulberry Bryn.  Hey, a girl can dream, right?

You all know about my love for Neal's Yard Dairy, the best cheese shop in London and always my first stop at Borough Market.  Well, my very favorite cheese there is the St. Tola, a goats cheese from Ireland that has the tangiest ring just under the rind before you cut through to the creaminess of the interior of the log.  Obviously it doesn't keep well and can't be shipped, but it's so delicious that I had to include it here.

When I ran in the winter in England, I was able to keep my fists tucked into my sleeves to keep my hands warm.  That's not an option now that I'm running longer distances with Charlie; I've got his leash in one hand and my water bottle in the other.  I'd love a pair of these wicking gloves from Nike to keep my fingers from freezing!

My biggest obstacle when cooking on either side of the pond is that the recipes I choose always seem to be in the wrong country's measurements.  This conversion dishtowel from Crate and Barrel would save the day!

I'm living in my parents' house, so the spaces I can personalize are limited to my bedroom and my bathroom.  This Design Darling turquoise zebra tray would be perfect as a catchall for change and bobby pins and stray earrings.

Eventually, though, Jon and I will have our own place.  If, at any point in our lives, we're not living in DC, I want to have a piece of my hometown with me.  There are tons of creative options on Etsy, but my favorite is this simple print from DefineDesign11.

While I am living at home, I might as well take advantage of the soaking tub in the master bathroom!  It's totally indulgent, but I take a long hot bath almost every weekend, and I go all out with the luxury - candles, fashion magazines, glass of wine, and bubble bath.  A few years ago, I bought my sister a bottle of Lollia foaming bubbles... which I've now almost finished.  Time for a replacement!

Last but not least, I'm dying to see The Book of Mormon, the winner of the 2011 Tony for Best Musical.  I missed it when it was on Broadway, but maybe Jon and I can see it together when it opens in London!

Phew - you know, writing all of this out in one place makes me feel phenomenally greedy.  But I guess that's why they call it a wishlist!  What are you hoping the find under the tree, dear readers?

32 comments:

  1. I LOLed at the golf thing because my dad is a MASSIVE golfer (I'm named after the brand Taylor Made... I wish I was kidding...).

    I like the runners gift guides I've seen everywhere, but I never thought of making my own except for things I'm thinking of sending home to my parents from England.

    Side note, Alex and I have been dying to see The Book of Mormon!!

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  2. well, it's a pretty name so it works! at least he didn't pick, like, Birdy. (that is a golf term, right? hehe!)


    get tickets to The Book of Mormom STAT because apparently it's got great buzz and will sell really well!

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  3. Love your list, and love that you made it personal :) The dress is gorgeous, and the cheese has me drooling! I've also been dying for a California version of that Washington D.C. print for awhile. I think we have similar taste ;)


    xxx
    Jenna

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  4. I agree!! I was thinking of doing a 'what I like and what I am getting for other people' post. Looking forward to seeing what you have got for Jon!
    Love the dress! I really want to see Book of Mormon too, bet it will be so expensive when it opens in the West End though.

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  5. That dress is fantastic! And I love the DC art, we have DC and London art around our house, both representing two of my favorite cities :)

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  6. there are some amazing options for the maps on Etsy - and most of the makers seem very happy to personalize them however you want! great minds think alike :)

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  7. ugh I know, West End shows are always so expensive! But I hear it's worth it :)


    would love to see what wishlists you post!

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  8. thank you! I think so too... though I am expecting a call from Nana any minute now telling me that it's inappropriate :/

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  9. I agree with you 100% on those thoughts about the blogger gift guides! I'll likely be putting together a wish list of my own this week because I have so much fun looking back on past lists to see what I just had to have at that point in life :) Other thoughts: that dress - fierce! that towel - adorable. Hope your week is off to a great start! xo, eliza

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  10. glad I'm not alone in thinking this :) but yes I love the idea of looking back on past wishlists... I'm going to go do that now!

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  11. I never thought of doing a gift guide like that! I love seeing random stuff because it gives me ideas, but you're right. Seeing more personal gift guides would be great!


    That crossbody bag is exactly what I've been looking for! The color, the style, everything! It's perfect!

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  12. I do sometimes get ideas from random guides, but I feel like I wade through a lot of irrelevant stuff, too - I'm interested when it tells me more about the blogger!


    but YES Mulberry makes gorgeous bags :)

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  13. I love your idea for more personalized gift guides - it makes for a much better recommendation when the gift isn't just something you'd suggest, but something you'd actually buy for someone! Happy shopping!


    :D KCS
    ahappyeverafter.com

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  14. I want to see Book of Mormon as well! I think we need a theatre date when I'm in DC at some point (which is NOT soon enough for my brain)!

    I'm trying to avoid drooling over these wish lists and gift guides, since we're doing that whole "our health and etc. are gift enough" sort of Christmas... but I might just live vicariously through you :)

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  15. get to the Book of Mormon immediately. IMMEDIATELY.

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  16. When are you going to blather about how thrilled you are that Kate Middleton is knocked up?

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  17. clearly you don't follow me on Twitter, where there were many virtual shrieks of jubilation :P

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  18. yes! remind me when you're coming up and we can see what's playing around town. I like the idea of a night of cultcha :)

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  19. DO YOU HEAR THAT, JON? SHE SAYS WE NEED TO GO!

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  20. I'm adding that conversion dish towel to my wish list. What a fantastic idea! And I'm cursing myself for not having thought of it :)

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  21. Ashley @ Hop Skip JumpDecember 4, 2012 at 7:21 AM

    I ordered similiar city maps for my brother & sister-in law for Hanukkah. We have some and they add a nice touch in any space.

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  22. Hey there! I just discovered your blog and love it! I used to live in London for 5 years until I moved to Paris. (And Buenos Aires and Vancouver, actually... I'm a bit of a global nomad these days.) As a huge cheese lover, I visited Neal's Yard Dairy all the time! I've never tried their St-Tola cheese but now you've inspired me to look for it. :) I love tangy goats cheeses and it sounds right up my alley.

    Anyway, I hope you get some of the presents on your wish list this year! :)

    Best
    Milsters

    (http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com)

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  23. yay hello! very nice to meet you :) just a warning - the St. Tola is the most expensive cheese in the shop, and you'll be hooked once you try!

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  24. whoa now. that dress is a showstopper! and now I really want goat cheese, thanks to you.

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  25. Love the dress and the fact that you included cheese on your holiday wishlist. Maybe you should just put a trip to London specifically to enjoy it?

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  26. they're great! Etsy has tons o' options like this.

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  27. this phone conversation might have happened recently...

    Jon: so do you want to go to London between Christmas and NYE or just stay in Suffolk?
    Betsy: London!
    Jon: great, let's see if we can get friends together.
    Betsy: mumblemumblemumble.
    Jon: sorry?
    Betsy: mumblemumblemumble.

    Jon: there must be a bad connection, I didn't hear you.
    Betsy: I WANT TO GO TO BOROUGH MARKET, OKAY?

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  28. I'm a little behind on reading posts so I'm just now reading this! I totally agree about gift guides in general. I'm not made of money and it seems like my family has totally different tastes than anyone else's, haha. Nick actually showed me the opening (I assume) song from The Book of Mormon last night and it was so good! I'd love to go see it. Related: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8m5XZwqp2s If you don't know the song "Hello" then you won't get it? haha.

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  29. Cute wishlist I love that dress!

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  30. Hahaha, I had the same thought about gift guides this year. It's like every blogger does ten of them or something. I did my first one this year, for busty ladies, inspired by the early present my parents gave me!

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