Take your everyday to a new level.
TEXT AND STYLING BY April Force Pardoe PHOTOGRAPHY BY Mary C. Gardella
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
This year’s Gift-to-Myself Guide is all about life’s simple pleasures. Each treat on these pages is sure to enhance your everyday life. A good night’s sleep just got better with luxury sheets; drinks with friends are bound to be a bit more festive with sparkly shot glasses; and why dry the dishes with plain tea towels when you can express yourself with whimsical linens? Take time for yourself with coloring books and pretty pencils, enjoy a new wine every month (wine tasting with friends is good for the soul, especially when accompanied by home-cooked savories) and add class to your travel with fancy shoe bags. A stylish tote and scarf will update your wardrobe and words of wisdom from Audrey Hepburn will put a pep in your step to help you take on the day. This year, pamper yourself – and others – with a simple indulgence or two. Necessary? No. More smiles throughout the year? Yes!
* Darling Daisy Bouquet RING, $80 by Pandora Jewelry, pandora.net * Tear Drop NECKLACE, $37 and Maryland State NECKLACE, $29.99 both at Serendipity, Highland, serendipityhighland.com * Rock BOOKENDS, $395 at Nouveau, Baltimore, nouveaubaltimore.com.
* Fringe PONCHO, $28 at Sweet Elizabeth Jane, Ellicott City, sweetelizabethjane. com * Surrey TOTE, $88 by Danielle-Nicole, danielle-nicole.com * Plaid SCARF, $28 at Sweet Elizabeth Jane * Embroidered SHOE TRAVEL BAG, $19.50 at Phinas, Baltimore, phinas.com.
* Creating Yourself JOURNAL, $15, Simply Circular Designs COLORING
BOOK, $3.99 and Prismacolor PENCIL SET, $24.95, all at Plaza Arts, Baltimore, plazaart.com * MINIMERGENCY KIT for Her, $19.99 at
Serendipity, Highland, serendipityhighland.com.
* Sowden Softbrew COFFEE MAKERS from Milan-based designer George Sowden in white and sleek black with festive colors, around $50- $120, available at Williams Sonoma and online, sowdenathome.com * Gourmet, Loose-Leaf TEA, Tins starting at $12 at Capital Teas, Annapolis, capitalteas. com * This Book Cooks, by Kerry Dunnington, satisfying RECIPES that use locally sourced foods, $19.95 from Artichoke Publishers or kerrydunnington.com * * Pop, Fizz, Clink, Cheers SHOT GLASSES, $12.95 at Punch, Baltimore, prettyinpunch.com * Whimsical TEA TOWELS, $12 each at Phinas
*Boordy’s Landmark WINE CLUB, Starting at $60 per quarter from Boordy Vineyards, Hydes, boordy.com * Bon Apetit CHEESEBOARD, $55 at Phinas.
* Sea Glass SHEET SET, Bedding from $395 at Phinas * TERRARIUM, planting supplies from $10 at River Hill Garden Center, Clarksville, riverhillgardencenter.com. * Audrey Hepburn WOODEN PRINT, $400 at Sweet Elizabeth Jane *