>> father's day gift guide

Check out my Father's Day gift guide over at the L.A. Times, packed with gear, tech, and tools!

>> matt's gift guide for guys!

Hi folks, it's Matt, Lizzie's husband, the guy who's personal life has been spewed all over the internet since 2006—without ever having been asked a single time if it was okay. (I love you too, Lizzie.) Year after year, holiday season after holiday season, I've been begged and pleaded by my crazy/stylish (yes, I meant crazy AND stylish) wife to put out a men's holiday gift guide; unlike prior years, currently I have bigger, more dangerous battles to fight rather than deny her request (Baja 500 here I come!), hence the first-ever possibly-annual men's gift guide has finally arrived. Alright, in the spirit of honesty and transparency, there was no begging or pestering, this is just the first time Lizzie has ever felt confident enough to allow me to grace the pages of DESIGNwatcher on my own accord. I guess after 8 years of unrelenting stylistic critique, she finally felt I wouldn't make a fool of myself. I have to preface this gift guide by saying that I'm neither a huge fan of video games nor gadgets. They certainly make great guy gifts, but I'm in no position to be giving any advice on either. Alright, with that out of the way, let's get going.




Bonobos candy cane cords ($125) are fun and only moderately flamboyant; Republic Bikes ($460) are custom fixies, 'nuff said; Fischer Space Pens ($20) are pure engineering genius, and I also like Steve McQueen's folding Persols ($310) for the exact same reason; Davidoff Special R cigars ($49 for three) great quality and a quick smoke; Wilson Surge Paddle ($99) best accessory for my new favorite winter sport; Hario coffee dripper ($25) isn't for everyday use, but ideal for a weekend morning when coffee is more about quality than necessity; Kershaw pocket knifes ($140) make great companions on trips to Chinatown; Kisses' Heart of the Nightlife LP ($25) just saw these guys live before they went to Japan, definitely worth a listen; Monster Beats In-Ear Headphones by Dr. Dre ($150) speaking of listening, I have no idea if these are good, but they travel light and look cool; Lizzie is obsessed with feathers and arrows, makes sense that I'm obsessed with Softsoled Moccasins ($38); King cube ice trays ($10) make giant ice cubes, just one is enough for any cocktail; Brooks Brother's custom dress shirts (Prices start at $130) make up the majority of my wardrobe; Burton ski/snowboard socks ($25) are perfect when neither workout nor dress socks fit the bill; Life by Keith Richards ($17) will make any dude feel cool for reading; Lizzie thinks Oban scotch ($75) tastes like gasoline, therefore I get the entire bottle to myself for once; Hartford long-sleeved shirts ($150) are comfortable and stylish, my weekend go-to; Quoddy Grizzly boots ($410) are made in Maine so they're real ass-kickers; Lizzie here: Matt has lost one of almost every pair of cuff links I've ever given to him, therefore he does not deserve these Airship cuff links ($295); Elevate tongs ($12) are good for keeping drops of "Matt's famous burgers" off the counter; when your wallet is too bulky and a rubber band doesn't cut it Leffot fold wallets ($95) are the perfect option.

>> blue christmas

December necessity.

>> 2010 gift guide for her

Atlas of Remote Islands ($19); Swatch New Gent ($65); Red Camo by Trussardi 1911 iPad holder ($210); Swiss Plane key ring ($60); Loren Stewart gold stud earring (contact for price/availability); Campari 150th Anniversary limited edition bottle ($25); German colored marker pens ($34 for set of 20); Icon printed banker's envelope ($250); Sigerson Morrison flats ($495); Naviglo tape ($25 for three rolls); Aperture spice rack ($79); wool scarf ($175); Needlepoint coasters ($75); Virginia Johnson tote ($398); Black Diamond throw ($185); Tretorn rubber ankle boots ($72); Diana camera ($65); Liberty of London placemats ($38 each); Essie "Luxedo" from Winter 2010 collection ($8); Young belt ($85).

>> three wreaths

Setaria and Purple Majesty wreath ($64); Golden Cedar and Birch wreath ($68); Mahogany wreath ($40), all from Terrain, all all-natural.

>> helloooooo turkey

Things to give thanks for: striped cabin crewneck sweater ($68); Plymouth mini bottles ($4); rosemary...mmmm; football; harvest table runner ($98); clementines; butcher's apron ($29); green and blue baker's twine ($18); Vince Guaraldi in the background.

>> shamrock out

Shamrock cords ($70); Merino wool sweater ($70); Oakley Frogskins ($110); watch band ($30); Beamish Irish Stout ($8 for a four pack); Patagonia Nano Puff ($150); St. Patty's Chucks ($45); Bean Town t-shirt ($18); striped socks ($20); vintage Rolex with custom dial; Volleys canvas laceups ($60).


Thin Lizzy: Irish bad asses.

Christmas Cove stockings

I'm in love with these hand-made stockings ($40 each) made on the coast of Maine! They're made from 100% virgin wool and look soooo cozy. You can also get a personalization kit ($4) which shows you how to easily add a name or monogram.

Great Expectations

Just checked out Lost & Found's new special (permanent?) exhibition which opened last weekend and it is...expectedly great. On trend with the throw back to the '80s theme (that's 1880s, dudes), this new installation is really inspired. I'd call it seven/ninths Great Expectations one and a half/ninths crafty and just a smidgen of Holiday cheer—if I had to guesstimate. Seriously people, check this out, it's rad. 6324 Yucca, Los Angeles.

Brain Food

Just in case you don't already have a vintage Santa Claus egg cup ($35).

Christmas Seals

I found a sheet of what I thought were stamps from 1961 at an antique store. Intrigued by the Don Draperness of them, I inquired since there was no postage amount visible. Apparently there used to be (and still are) such things as Cinderella stamps which are seals resembling postage stamps aimed to raise awareness for diseases, most often TB. They were introduced in the U.S. in 1907 and were hugely popular—in fact, they continue to be produced today. Although I had never seen one until now, you can get them here ($10 for a sheet, $20 for five sheets), all proceeds go to The American Lung Association. Kinda cool! And almost makes up for this year's seriously sub-par Holiday stamps by the USPS.

My Favorite Things

Matt and I have been listening to Christmas music at night and it's been fun, especially with the chilly weather outside. Loving this John Coltrane rendition of My Favorite Things.

Jayson Home for The Holidays

As thrilled as I am to be back living in L.A., I am really missing walking into Jayson Home & Garden during the Christmas season. Their holiday decor is always so great and I just loved the smell of their store around this time. Luckily now through December 20th they're providing FREE standard shipping and FREE gift wrapping! Yesssssss!!!!! Above: Black Pine Seeding ($30), what a great hostess gift!

Stella Ornaments ($10 for two).

Antiqued silver tinsel garland ($25 for 25 feet), also available in gold.

Feather trees ($42-$60), cool centerpiece idea, no?

Floating feather ornament ($25).

Leftovers anyone?

Matt makes a pretty mean Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. It starts with a fresh loaf of sour dough from La Brea Bakery and includes elements of Thursday's meal in a very specific proportion and order that only he can produce. This year we ate them on some Sanna Annukka for Marimekko dessert plates which I can't find online, but we got them a few months ago at Reform School in Silver Lake, and I bet there are a few left.

2009 Gift Guide: For Him

The Inventor of the Modern Album Cover by Alex Steinweiss ($500); J.Press watch band ($29); Seven Fold Unlined Tie ($78); New York Maple Syrup ($18); Eena small duffle ($72); Hudson
Grey Tartan Washed Cotton Straight Fit Shirt ($198); Opinel No. 8 folding knife ($18); Under Armour Key Pocket ColdGear gloves ($35); Mason Pearson brushes ($80-$108); Moleskine Bauhaus Cahiers Set ($15); Carter Duffle ($220); shock resistant Casio Exilim EX-G1 ($300).

2009 Gift Guide: For Her!!!

Anie Lenon ceremony necklace #7 ($180); Himalayan Bath Salts ($69); Light My Fire matches ($7); Timex 80 Retro Digital Plastic Watch ($50); Birkenstock Gizeh Thong ($80); Frank Gehry Torque Ring ($650 shown in rose gold...looks excellent stacked!); Stichable Journal ($22); Velvet Lined Slipper ($98); Crystal Spicoli 3 shades ($10); Steamer Bag ($230); Moss Nos Da Blanket ($239); Patyka Rosewood Cream ($16); Vere Vere Bag ($20); fingerless mittens ($42); Isak Leaf Round Tray ($45); Union Jack ornament ($33); Gold Trimmed Blanket ($365); Wish Bone necklace ($235); "You Make My Life Incredibly Sweet" poster ($25); Utility Canvas apron ($48); Tanya Aguiniga Rope Bracelet ($70); White Bead-Trimmed Afghan Clutch ($127).

Balsam Fir incense

Love this Balsam Fir incense ($8) which smells like a pine fire burning in the hearth of the next room, and is not perfume-y whatsoever. They're made in Maine, so you know it's good!

Holiday card round-up

Anyone have any favorite holiday cards? I'm having a major identity crisis with holiday cards this year. Matt and I both LOVE the above 1967 Alexander Girard card ($15), but there's only one set left. :((( Help!

Annie Harwell Holiday Interior card ($19 for eight).

Felix Torres "Last Light" cards ($15 for ten).

Old School Stationers #1030 ($8 each).

Marikmekko Kanteleen Kutsu cards ($20 for ten).

Egg Press Dot Peace on Earth cards ($14 for eight).

Frank Lloyd Wright Greek Orthodox Church holiday cards ($19 for 20).

Chillycago Cards ($3 for five).

Auld Lang Syne cards ($4.50 each).

Christmas Pigs Kissing cards ($14 for six).

Cracking Christmas cards ($8.20 for six).

St. Nick card ($16 for eight).

Walnut Menorah

Dude, sweet Menorah ($75)! And bonus that it was designed by Niles Snyder, a Pasadena Art Center Alumnus (go Art Center!).

A Kelly Wearstler Christmas

Kelly Wearstler Christmas stockings ($40). This is real.