5 Gifts for Minimalists

I may be one of the few people in the world who hate when someone asks, “what do you want for Christmas/your birthday?”

It’s not that I don’t like people buying me presents; it’s that I don’t like people buying me crap.  And my threshold for what constitutes not crap seems to be higher than most people’s.  I’m very picky about the stuff that I let accumulate in my life, and I’m only getting more picky with age.  I don’t want candles or bath salts or kitschy home decor items.  I don’t mean to be a bitch, but owning stuff means having to clean, put away and make room for stuff.  I try to ensure that the stuff I will end up cleaning, putting away and making room for is stuff that is really, really important to me.  Scented candles?  Not even close.

What do you get a minimalist crab like me?  Of course, you can always give gift certificates and “experience” gifts.  But if you absolutely have to have something to wrap up in pretty paper, try some of these gift ideas.

5 Great Gifts For Women Who Hate Stuff (Or Call Themselves Minimalists)

1. Great sheets

I love sleeping in other people’s houses when they have better bed linens than I do, especially because I almost always end up going cheap on my own sheets.  A gift of high quality sheets would get enjoyed over and over again and is really a gift of every day luxury.

Style & Co makes a 300 count cotton percale sheet set that is soft, durable and easy to care for.  Available at Macy’s.

2. Leather driving gloves

These leather driving gloves from Saks ooze cosmopolitan style and they’re practical!  Fingers get cold!  A quality pair of gloves will last a woman years.

3. A Miche Bag (and shell, or two)

My mother has one of these and I am craving one of my own.  I need to get rid of the closet full of handbags I currently own, but a girl still  needs a purse!  This lets me be fashionable without taking up any space at all.  You see, the Miche bag allows you to change the outside of your handbag while reusing the same base over and over and over again.  If you haven’t heard of this yet, checkout their site.  Then buy me one.  Please.

4. E-reader

Whether it’s a Nook, Kindle or a Sony, an e-reader takes the bulk of a bookshelf and puts it into a slim, portable reading device.  A Nook may be the best bet for your favorite minimalist if she likes to lend and borrow books or make use of her local library.  You can find refurbished Nooks on eBay at a significant discount.

4. Handmade soaps

Bath salts?  No.  But soap?  Even minimalists wash up and handmade soaps will get used and be loved.  They’re also relatively inexpensive.  LUSH makes the absolute best soaps (and other body products), but you’ll get a better product if you purchase in store than you will if you order online and have to have it shipped.  Bath & Body Works is a satisfactory substitute if necessary.

5. Scarves

I may be pruning my closet in preparation for my big trip around the country, but I am keeping every single one of my scarves.  A collection of colorful scarves prevent minimalists from walking around in the beatnik black uniform.  Bonus? You get find tons of great colors and fabrics for a steal all over.  Target is my favorite place for scarves (and tights!).

Santa, Baby…. What I Want For Christmas

It happens every year. Someone in my life asks me what I want for Christmas. Cue the blank stares, the stammers, the desperately trying to recall some items hastily placed on my Amazon wish list… But not this year. This year, I am thinking about it in advance and putting together a list of things I would really like to see under the tree. And I figured I’d share my list with you in case you find yourself stammering when faced with this inevitable question.

First up on my list this year is a SodaStream Soda Maker Kit. I love to drink sparkling water. I probably go through at least two bottles of Perrier or an eight-pack of La Croix cans a week. I am trying to cut down on the diet soda I drink, so sparkling water helps me feel like I’m getting the treat of the soda without the chemicals and crap in diet soda. This little gem will let you create your own sparkling water and sodas at home, for about 20 cents per liter. As an added bonus, making your own sodas and sparking water can reduce your carbon footprint drastically – the bottles are glass and reusable, and the carbonation cartridges can be refilled. No more plastic bottles or aluminum cans to recycle! I have to say that I’m totally crossing my fingers that I get this for Christmas this year. If I don’t, I might be doing a little post holiday shopping for myself.

Next up on my list of wish list items is Fancy Towels. No one ever buys themselves towels. You usually get some for college, maybe some as a wedding gift, and then you use them until they fall apart and you are forced to buy some cheap replacements. But I firmly believe in having at least two sets of really luxurious towels in the linen closet. And not for the occasional house guest. For my own use when I need a really sumptuous bath, or one of those fantastic long hot showers at the end of a rough day. There is nothing like wrapping yourself in a big soft fluffy towel. Somehow my Fancy Towels managed to disappear in my last move and I have been on the lookout for the most luxurious towels at the best price. I’ve got my eye on these Turkish Towels from Restoration Hardware. They look soft, sturdy, well made, and they come in about a zillion colors.

And last on the hit parade is a handbag. Now, listen. I am a handbag slut. I don’t deny it. Some women have shoes, I have handbags. In some ways, my handbag collection is one of the things I look forward to passing on to my daughter. Not until I’m cold and dead in the ground, mind you, but eventually, they will be hers. I haven’t bought myself a new bag in a while but this little number has officially caught my eye. And I have to admit that once a bag has caught my eye, it’s only a matter of time before I make it mine. Maybe someone will help me out on that front. I give you…. the Coach Mia Leather Maggie. I love this bag because it’s a very classic shape, the leather is lovely and the size is perfect. It comes in several colors, as well as in fabric and in patent leather. Look. Sometimes you can’t explain why you love something, you just know you have to have it.

My new cute white purse!

I think every woman needs a cute white purse.  A great white handbag is as versatile, and necessary, as a black or brown bag – especially in the spring and summer.

My go-to white purse was in sad shape after much use and abuse over the last three years, so I decided it was time to replace it.  A few weekends ago I found this beautiful white satchel by Dereon (Beyonce’s brand) at TJ Maxx.

I am in love with this bag.

You can’t tell from the picture, but when carried it’s got a great slouchy look and super cute knots on the side.

I was so excited to share it with all of you – and then I couldn’t find the damn thing anywhere online.  I finally tracked it down on the Dereon website – and it can be yours, for only $119.

Um, yeah.  I paid much, much less for this bag at TJ Maxx.  Unfortunately, you never know what your local TJ Maxx will have in store because inventory varies from one store to another.

So maybe you can’t have this exact white purse.  I’m sure you’re crushed.

But!  Wait!  I’ve found a bunch of other cute white purses for you to choose from!

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Sample Sale Saturdays: Gucci, BCBG, Cole Haan

Once again, it’s Saturday.

Thank you, Jesus, that this week is finally over and it’s time for the weekend.

Unfortunately, my shopping budget this week is being spent on a new transmission.  Boooooo!

But that’s no reason for you to miss out on sample sale prices at our favorite secret sale web sites!

Bring on Sample Saturdays and Secret Sales!

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Cheap Purses For Spring

It’s officially spring.

I love when the seasons change and we get to put away the clothing and accessories we’re starting to get tired of and go shopping for new things.

For me, spring and summer fashions are all about light and bright.  I think of sunshine and being outdoors, and my wardrobe and accessories reflect a more playful attitude.

One of the first things I do when the seasons change is go shopping for new purses.

And my favorite kind of purses are cheap purses.  Scratch that.  Cheap, cute purses are my favorites.

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