Hayley’s Holiday Wishlist

With the holidays around the corner, I think it’s justified I’ve created my very own wish list. I mean, helllooooo then people can see EXACTLY what I want which will make them be like, “omg, I totally want to spend $90 on a flapper dress for Hayley–she’s so cute and knows what she wants so she deserves this.” Or something like that.

So, here goes:

This delectable Angie Bead & Sequin Embellished Dress, $88, from Nordstrom. While I’m 99.98897% positive my ass will also be featured while wearing this dress, I think it’s simply scrumptious, don’t you? Plus, after watching creepy baby-freak Nora on American Horror Story and all her cool flapper clothes I want some. It’s only fair, people.

While this mixer is completely unnecessary (as I already am a proud owner of the ice blue version), I will casually direct your eyeballs up to the picture once more so you can truly see THIS ONE’S HOT PINK!!!!! I need it. It will probably add more awesome sparkles and magic to my baked goods simply because of this cheerful, flirty color. (Can Kitchenaid mixers be flirty? Whatev) Oh, and it’s like, $400…. but yeah….

Philosophy’s Pure Grace perfume ($50) has been a longtime favorite of mine, ever since I went creepy scent-detective on some innocent lady in a store and asked her what perfume she was wearing. It was so fresh and clean–reminiscent of fresh laundry, clean houses and wonderful, non-sweaty summer days reading books in a meadow full of puppies and cupcakes. It’s truly wonderful. I need more. And usually around this time, Sephora hooks it up with awesome Philosophy gift sets, where you can receive a perfume, plus lotion and/or body wash. Yay!

You wanna know the real deal? I cannot LIVE without rubber spatulas. They’re a MUST in the kitchen, and sometimes I’ll go to people’s houses and cook or help cook and I’m like, “hey, can you pass me the rubber spatula?” and they’ll be like, “I don’t have one. Will this work?” (hands over regular spatula). And I’m like “OH MY GOD THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO IF WE WERE SURGEONS IN SURGERY AND I SAID PASS THE SCALPEL AND YOU WERE LIKE “LOL SORRY WE DON’T HAVE ONE, WANT THIS KITTEN INSTEAD?” SO unhelpful and def. NOT the same thing. Jeez, people. Get one. They’re useful for everything! And this one, from the looovely Crate & Barrel ($8), has a cupcake on it. Um duh. Give me 80.

I spotted these awesome sprinkles at my local Michael’s, but you can find them here. It’s Duff Goldman’s (the dude from Ace of Cakes) line of bakeware, and these sprinkles in particular are the delicious-sounding vanilla sanding sugar sprinkles (they have chocolate sanding sugar, too, which I can find multiple uses with–um, like devouring from the bottle). Think of the possibilities, people!! Sprinkle these bad boys on the tops of cookies, blondies, brownies, cupcakes… even pie! Mm.

The one absolutely ridiculous thing I want for Christmas? A trip to New Orleans! Seriously, of all the places in the USA, this is my top pick to travel to. Never been, but I’m 99.9% sure I was supposed to be Southern because Laura is my favorite contestant on Top Model AND I’m a slut for Cajun food. I could live off gumbo alone. While a trip to eat would be expensive, it’d be the damn best present EVER.

Yay, gifts!

But since I don’t want to be a complete selfish hog, here’s some awesome presents (some DYI, some available for purchase) that are totally cool for giving others. I’m really generous.

DYI Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub from That’s What We Said. The lovely ladies Kristan and Shelly made this oh-so-amazing sugar scrub from scratch, tied it up in a jar with a bow, and gifted it to friends and fam. For under $15, it’s an easy and inexpensive gift that will have any girl who loves pampering herself more reason to take a shower.

Christmas Wreaths by me! These are slightly pricier, but well worth it to give someone you love a completely one-of-a-kind wreath made from scratch. Best of all, you don’t have to be super crafty to do it–just get sparkly picks and hot glue and you’re good to go! Insider tip: search for coupons to your local craft store to save some money before DYI’ing!

Classic 3-way Popcorn Tins from Popcornopolis. Don’t let these fool you–everyone loves popcorn, especially when they get three delicious flavors from the popcorn specialists at Popcornopolis. My dad goes bananas for the Cinnamon Toast flavor, but I’m partial to the caramel corn, the cheddar, and obviously, Cupcake. Best thing? Use the code “GIFTBOX” at checkout for FREE SHIPPING!!

Give your sweets a custom sweet from Chocomize! After hearing about this website from a magazine a few years back, I got hooked! Here, you can create your own custom chocolate bar–by adding delectable toppings like chopped candy bars, spices, nuts, baking chips, fruit and more–to create your own unique candy bar. Or you can choose a variety of pre-made options. So fun and cool!

Kids will be getting plenty of toys, so why not encourage their baking side with a cute baking kit from Crate and Barrel? Get this yummy Santa’s Elves Cookie Mix, plus an adorable snowman apron, and this cute elf cocoa tin to whip up while the cookies are baking. So cute!

Another fun DYI option? These elegant homemade vanilla extracts from Baked Bree. Who knew vodka and vanilla beans could transform into the delicious, all-purpose extract every cook uses? Tie them up with a beautiful holiday ribbon and maybe nestle it alongside a jarred cookie mix (a store bought version above, or this version by Bakerella, where the baking chips can be subbed for Christmas or Hannukkah colors). Easy!

(And if it wasn’t obvious, I’m aware I didn’t really put anything for guys as every year I battle the same WTF problem of what to get the men in my life. I can’t keep gifting socks, but seriously?!! What else is there!? Your guess is as good as mine).

Hope these awesome gift ideas helped both you for your family and you for buying for ME! (I can wish, right?)

Happy Holidays! And stay tuned for a Week of Christmas Cookies (ok, technically only 6 days and they’re not all cookies but whatever, I can make the rules since this is my blog) COMING SOON!

xo, Hayley

Tagged: christmas