Gift Guide: Books & records

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I grew up in a house literally filled with books and vinyl records. I also grew up without a TV (to this day, my parents refuse to buy one and only have a big ass screen to watch movies in), with the radio or turntable constantly on. I became an enthusiastic consumer of written words of almost any kind, and my sister (who helped considerably with this guide) an avid vinyl collector, perpetually in love with jazz and old school punk and always aware of the coolest new music. While I had a blast compiling all the previous guides featured on the blog, I have saved the best for last. So, while you shop for moms, guys, minimalist friends or siblings, foodies and cooks, get yourself a book and/ or record. Hands down, they are always the gifts that keep on giving. [READ MORE]

Gift Guide: for the cool minimalist

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This gift guide is inspired by my favourite cool minimalist, my sister. I always marvel at her dedication to the ‘less is more’ rule: from the way she dresses (she has an endless collection of plain, white, cotton tees, along with an impressive number of blazers, which she simply accessorize with beautiful scarves and few jewellery pieces), to her gorgeous apartment, filled with carefully selected items (and God forbid you dare move anything in there- she watches everyone like a hawk) and her cooking. Apart from a minimalist, Alkyoni is also the best gift-giver, so here’s hoping I won’t embarrass myself this year and get her something she will actually like.  [READ MORE]

Gift Guide: Men

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Even though the two main men in my life (my father and my boyfriend) are terrible to shop for, the men’s department in most stores is usually my favourite section. So compiling this list (which, granted includes items that are not strictly for men) was so fun and easy-hopefully, shopping for my two picky men will be  equally as easy and fun.  [READ MORE]

Gift Guide: for the One and Only (aka mom)

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One of the reasons I love the holiday season so much is the gifts that come with it.  A couple years ago, a few days before Christmas and while I was giving my dad an elaborate speech about the benefits of recycling, he told me, in his usual deadpan in-your-face manner, that another great way to recycle would be to buy less. As much as I hate to admit it, he has a point; there could be a lot less shopping, spending and consuming going around, especially during the holidays. In that frame of mind, and because I really really love presents, I have compiled 5 gift guides of few selected items, all under £ 50: for your mom (she deserves her own list, don’t you think?), for guys, for your minimalist friends, one for foodies/ cooks and one for books and music. Even though they are not holiday specific (unless edible, I actually find seasonal gifts kinda useless, even annoying), I hope that they will inspire your Christmas shopping and get you in the holiday spirit: less spending, more love. That’s the spirit.

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Family breakfast

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I love family gatherings around the table; I love them even when I hate them, you know what I mean? I don’t know what your family is like, but mine is LOUD. And opinionated. And LOUD. Our meals together consist of tenderness and eagerness to have interesting, calm conversations- from my parents’ side; also, of snarky comments and pointless arguments, followed by emotional make ups- from mine and my sister’s side. I grew up thinking that all families had similar meals; and I was very surprised to discover that, in fact, they don’t.

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