When Emily asked me to put together a men's gift guide last year, I thought it would be my one-time editorial contribution to Cupcakes and Cashmere, but I was mistaken. She asked me to compile another list of items, across the same three categories (style, home and tech) and I hope you find some inspiration for the men in your life.
Happy Holidays! G
1. Shades of Grey Fair Isle Down Vest: $265 - Unexpected pattern that stands out from the normal, monochromatic puffer vests.
2. Steven Alan Cashmere Beanie: $98 - Simple, classic and comes in a wide array of colors.
3. Filson Tin Cloth Backpack: $260 - Heritage brand, specializing in durable, oil-finished cloth products. This bag transitions nicely between office and casual use.
4. Aesop Athlete Grooming Kit: $120 - Luxury, plant-based products that will make the post-workout experience a little more sophisticated.
5. Le Labo Vetiver 46 Body Wash: $50 - Le Labo's Vetiver is the ultimate interpretation of the classic scent. It's a little pricey, but their body wash is a great way to experience the same fragrance.
6. Stubble & 'Stache 2-in-1 Cream: $35 - Formulated in honor of a US Marine who served in Afghanistan, this cream will moisturize and soothe both your skin and facial hair.
7. Grenson Archie Wingtip: $430 - If there's one item of clothing men should splurge on, it's shoes. A great pair can be resoled and with proper care, will last for many years. These handmade brogues can be worn with a suit or dressed down with jeans and will always be in style.
8. Braided Leather Keyfob: $30 - The leather braid with brass hardware keeps things simple and stylish.
9. J.CrewMidweight Denim Shirt: $118 - Not too stiff and not too soft, this midweight shirt is smartly tailored and will balance casual style without looking frumpy.
10. F1 Spacepak Set: $98 - Three piece luggage organization set with separate compartments for clean/dirty clothing, toiletries, and a shoe bag. Comes with handy packing illustrations for the spatially challenged.
11. Ray Ban Clubmaster Tort: $115 - The tortoise and gold details are timeless and a nice change from heavy, black, wrap-around frames.
1. Coravin Systems: $300 - Pour a glass of wine without removing the cork. The system uses pressurized gas to channel wine through a needle. The cork reseals itself after the system is removed to preserve the remaining wine.
2. Malin+Goetz Dark Rum Candle: $52 - Most guys are clueless about candles, so do him (and yourself) a favor and take the guesswork out of it with this rich scent, which is masculine, but doesn't smell like a bottle of Axe Body Spray.
3. Serious Barbecue (book): $25 - If your man is into barbecue, this book is a must-own. Adam Perry Lang's devotion and attention to detail will change the way you approach and appreciate the grill.
4. BNTO Jar-to-Lunchbox Adapter: $8 - Turn any mason jar into a lunch box with these clever lids.
5. Illegal Mezcal: $52 - Every year has its "it" spirit and I feel like 2013 has been the year of mezcal. This smokey cousin of tequila has nice depth of flavor and Illegal Mezcal is a great introductory bottle.
6. European City Cycling Guide Set: $40 - Pocket-sized books for the cycling enthusiast.
7. Best Made Front Loading Tool Box: $94 - Not much to say, other than every man needs a tool box and this version adds a smart, front loading flap for convenient access to all your tools.
8. Shun Monogrammed Hollow-Ground Santoku: $100 - A cross between a chef's knife and a cleaver, this Japanese steel will maintain a razor sharp edge with proper care and the monogram is a nice reminder of who the blade belongs to.
9. Empire Mayonnaise (Brooklyn Assortment): $21 - Bacon, white truffle, and black garlic. Once you try these gourmet spreads, it might be hard to go back to regular mayo.
10. Stovetop Smoker: $34 - Create rich and densely flavored smoked dishes in minutes, without the need of a large outdoor contraption. Easy to clean and store.
1. SIGMO Voice Translator: $50 - Seems like a sci-fi fantasy, but SIGMO provides real-time voice translation for over 25 languages. Just press the button and speak.
2. Dark Energy Reservoir: $115 - Provides up to one week of battery life for your mobile devices, including cameras, tablets, and gaming devices.
3. Moga Ace Power: $100 - Speaking of gaming devices, you can now enhance your iPhone's game experience with a precision controller that also boosts your battery performance.
4. NOCS NS900 Headphones: $250 - Technology driven, minimalist headphones that were designed to meet the demands of the most discerning music lover.
5. Oyster Digital Book Subscription: $10/month - Over 100,000 thousands titles and growing, this "Netflix for books" is not quite a replacement for your local library, but the app design and cross-platform access are great for those who love to read on-the-go.
6. Olli Titanium Credit Card Tool: $33 - Wrenches, rulers, protractors and drill guides all packaged in a credit card sized sheet of hard titanium.
7. iPad Mini w/Retina Display: $399 - It's a toss up between this tablet and the iPad Air, but there's something about the smaller size and improved display that give the mini a slight edge. Having owned an iPad 2 for several years, I thought switching to a mini would be a huge let down, but the portability and near perfect industrial design will please even those who prefer a larger screen.
