The Bourbon Lover's Wish List
Every Kentuckian has at least one bourbon lover on her holiday shopping list.
Now, in theory, shopping for the bourbon lover is easy. You stop by the corner liquor store, and mark one present off the list. But, it doesn't really work that way. You can either pick up a tried-and-true favorite, or risk a flavor profile that doesn't suit the recipient. You sure aren't going to be able to find a bottle of Pappy anywhere. And the bourbon accessories that have sprung up in recent years are a tricky business as well. Bourbon lovers are very precise in their enjoyment of the spirit -- whisky stones and rocks glasses are the impetus for a million debates. Loving bourbon is a serious business, y'all.
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| I want that julep cup! |
If you're shopping for a bourbon lover this year, why not give the gift of knowledge? The Bourbon Review is a quarterly, Lexington-based magazine that explores all things bourbon. From cocktail reviews to recipes to tasting notes, TBR is a must-have for anyone seeking the full Bourbon Experience. It's one of those magazines like Garden and Gun or Southern Living that I just can't wait to find in my mailbox. It's a fantastic gift for the bourbon lover in your life!
The guys at The Bourbon Review have graciously offered a one-year subscription to The Bourbon Review and a t-shirt from their Bourbon Outfitter merchandise line to one lucky HerKentucky reader. Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. The contest runs through midnight on Friday the 14th, and a winner will be announced on Saturday.
Cheers and Good Luck!
Edited: Congratulations to Townsley M., the winner of this giveaway!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The guys at The Bourbon Review have graciously offered a one-year subscription to The Bourbon Review and a t-shirt from their Bourbon Outfitter merchandise line to one lucky HerKentucky reader. Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. The contest runs through midnight on Friday the 14th, and a winner will be announced on Saturday.
Cheers and Good Luck!
Edited: Congratulations to Townsley M., the winner of this giveaway!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A Very MEllen Christmas to You!
Y'all know I'm just obsessed with MEllen Designs!
Ever since I interviewed Mary Ellen for HerKentucky earlier this year, I can't get enough of her whimsical designs!
I mean, who wouldn't love to send a Christmas card featuring these adorable ladies?
And how lovely is this calendar? A year of MEllen sure sounds fun!
I am so excited that Mary Ellen has graciously offered one lucky HerKentucky reader a chance to win my very favorite design -- a customized set of KY Lady Flat Cards. Silks, a horseshoe, and a julep -- it doesn't get any cuter than that!
Just enter the Rafflecopter drawing below! The contest lasts through midnight Monday December 10th. We'll announce a winner on Tuesday the 11th. Good luck, and I hope y'all have a very MEllen Christmas!
Edited to announce: Congratulations to Allison P. for winning this drawing. Allison, look for an email today!a Rafflecopter giveaway
A Vineyard Vines Wish List
Vineyard Vines is one of those brands that I just love for fun, classic pieces with a bit of a preppy twist. I adore the company's motto of "living the good life," and their iconic whale logo never fails to make me smile.
This year, I was thrilled when our friends at Vineyard Vines sent over some suggestions for HerKentucky readers. I want all of them!
The Fisherman Scarf: Oh my word, I love this! The color is amazing (they call it "Pink Tulip"!) and would match pretty much everything I own. When I took up knitting a few years ago, I had visions of whipping up fancy cable-knit scarves like this to give as presents. It hasn't quite happened yet.
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What's on your holiday wish list?
Fur Coats and Cabbage Patch Kids
My grandparents taught me that Christmas presents should sparkle. It's a nice tradition to uphold.
My grandparents always gave the greatest Christmas presents.
Now, looking back, most of those gifts were exactly what most kids our age were unwrapping. Toys that matched our interests. I seem to recall a couple of monogrammed sweaters. But, it always seemed like they'd hit the nail on the head. They got us exactly what we wanted, and sometimes things that we didn't even know we wanted. We were always so excited to open them!
There was the year we got Cabbage Patch Kids. That was exciting stuff in the year when EVERYBODY had to have Cabbage Patch Kids. There was the year they had "surprise" presents for us after everything else was unwrapped -- a collector's Scarlett O'Hara doll for me, and a 10 speed bike for my cousin. And then, there was the year of the fur coat.
Yeah, I'd wear the same outfit today.
Oh, y'all. A rabbit fur coat. From Dawahare's. Now, as every good Kentuckian can recall, Dawahare's was just about the best store ever. When you unwrapped a package to find their iconic bugler logo, you just knew that box was going to contain something really good!
As an adult, I try to think about those special Christmases at my grandparents' house as I buy gifts for the people on my own list. I want a present to reflect the recipient's interests and style. I don't want to give generic gloves or socks. I want to see an actual smile of appreciation when the present is opened. Like Mia, the comically saucy secretary in Love, Actually, I try to remember that Christmas isn't for things you need, it's for things you want -- pretty things.
Every year, my goal is to capture the joy of fur coats and Cabbage Patch Kids. That makes for gifts that are amazing to give and (hopefully) to receive.
Emily's Wish List
My wish list this Christmas is pretty simple. Glitter, world peace, and coffee.
So perhaps that middle one isn't simple. Instead, I guess I could ask for some of the following things:
So perhaps that middle one isn't simple. Instead, I guess I could ask for some of the following things:
A bottle of Leila Lou perfume from The Crushed Violet in Lexington
This truly irresistible perfume oil is made with 100% essential oils. With notes of Pear Blossom, fresh cut grass and tangerine, Leila Lou captures the alluring scent of innocence and freshness.
A Moon & Lola monogram necklace from Olive You Boutique in Richmond
Some Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray from Sephora
A gift certificate to The Morris Book Shop in Lexington
Any assortment of Keurig Vue cups (NOT K-cups) for my new coffee lovah!
Race Registration to Color Me Rad in Lexington on March 2, 2013
What's on your list?
Megan W.'s Wish List
I have a minor obsession with cool* t-shirts. I've spent the last couple of weeks on some of my favorite t-shirt web sites, because I had the brilliant idea that this year, if I'm buying a gift for someone, it's going to be a fun t-shirt.
Of course, all this has really led to is ordering three more t-shirts for myself.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.
Actually, the fact that I've only ordered three shows a tremendous amount of self-restraint on my part. I'm sharing a few of those here because my mother reads this blog and I know she wants to buy them all for me.
Warning, lovelies: You're about to get a full dose of my complete geekery.
(Psst, Mom, you click the picture to go to the site where you can purchase it. And yes you'll have to do it online. Dad doesn't even need to know.)
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| I will never grow tired of video games. |
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| Big Bang Theory. One of the best shows EVER. |
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| I can't even deal with the awesomeness of this shirt. |
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| HAHAHAHAHA Oh Bono. |
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| It's so random it's HILARIOUS. |
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| Yes. That's Michael Bolton. |
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| Because I love this place so much. |
*COMPLETELY subjective, of course.
The Best Kentucky Etsy Shops
Everyone loves shopping local but local can mean lots of different things. I take local to mean the entirety of my home state of Kentucky. Artisans all over the Bluegrass State are producing the most amazingly special holiday gifts for you and yours and most of them make in abundantly easy to buy their wares on Etsy.
So, behold the best Kentucky Etsy Shops!
Gifts for your Girlfriends
Based in Louisville, Kluster Shop sells what they describe as "happy jewelry" and do they ever mean it. Custom designed with sterling silver and semi-precious stones, these necklaces and earrings would make even your cool and collected mother-in-law squeal with glee. How happy would your besty be if she opened these poppy read beads over Christmas coffee? Passing this site along to husbands or beaus also seems like a wise idea.
Gifts for the Man in your life
Out of Russellville, Sillyette Shop is doing some seriously cool things with old vinyl, including cutting the silhouette of the Queen on an old recording of The Royal Wedding or a band rocking out on a Journey Album. Show your guy (or impossible-to-buy-for younger brother) that you still think he's the coolest guy around with one of these "sillyettes" to hang on his wall.
Gifts for your Boss
The only thing better than a hot cup of coffee is drinking that cup of coffee from a work of art. Derby City Ceramics, from Louisville, have turned the ordinary mug into just that. Your boss (or Mom or favorite manicurist) doesn't drink coffee? No problem! They also sell gorgeous bowls and cups.
Gifts for your Mom or Dad
Whether it's for your mom that has lovingly tended her garden all year or your Dad whose model train hobby has reached new heights, back.yard.photo, based in Guthrie, has the perfect fine art print for you. The beautiful photographs would be the perfect addition to any wall.
Even if these gifts aren't a perfect fit, make sure and click the "Shop Local" button whenever you shop on Etsy to see if a Kentucky artist or crafter has just the gift for you!
~ Sarah Stewart Holland