material concern

CURATORIAL skinny blazer at Urban Outfitters…online here.

Name:

Paige K. Johnston

what do you do all day?

The majority of my time is spent studying, but outside of that, i find time to sip oolong tea, work on the next issue of my journal Motherwell, and lecture to students about Artists’ Books at the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection.

what would you be most excited to received this holiday season?

For my birthday this year my boyfriend took me to an olive oil tasting at an olive orchard in Paso Robles, California. The oil blew my mind! It was as if I had never actually tasted olive oil before. Sadly, the bottles we bought stayed with him in California, so for Christmas I would love to find the Citrus oil and the Special Edition Olio Nuovo in my stocking…

While my apartment in Los Feliz is a mecca of healthy overgrown plants, my apartment in chicago is a dead zone. I’m hoping someone will help me liven it up with these handmade ceramic succulent pots from Pilar Wiley, available at Ooga Booga, Los Angeles.

And finally, I’m dying for a bottle of ROOT Liquer from Art in the Age!!

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

I was really excited to give my boyfriend an antique Japanese ceramic teapot in the shape of a camel one year, and the year we met I gave him an antique pin from a union. I’m not totally sure what I’ll go for with him this year though!

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy?

a free ham. i think free meat is all my father received for christmas (from clients) when i was a kid, and it always freaked me out.

Name:
Deana Bracken

what do you do all day?
In a nutshell… I’m an eco-luxury retailer. My company – and the consumer of most of my days – is Green With Glamour.

what would you be most excited to received this holiday season?
I waver between charitable donations and ridiculously luxe designs (every day – not just holidays). I would be thrilled with any donation that benefits Animal Welfare:

Farm Sanctuary is near & dear to my heart.

AND a little something like:

a piece or 2 of vintage bakelite that’s been dolled up by jewelry designer, Mark Davis… cheeky, luxe and eco – my favorite combo!

and/or

a trip to the Gayana Eco Resort in Malaysia… In my mind, I’m already there.

and/or

a walnut wood Geneva Sound hi-fi system… such crisp, quality sound… and gets really loud.

and/or

Onyx Drop Hoop earrings by Dawes Design from Green With Glamour… total stunners! I borrowed a pair of these for a Global Green event and they haven’t left my mind since.

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

This year my mother’s getting an incredible recycled silver ring by Kirsten Muenster. I consider her the new Elsa Peretti.

And don’t tell him, but my husband’s getting a rescue dog!

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy?

Anything made of new leather, any fur or bone.

Name:

Mitra Shady Khayyam

what do you do all day?

Owner/Curator of Blood is the New Black

what would you be most excited to received this holiday season?

A lifetime never ending vacation pass!

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

Best gift I’ve given? ‘65 Ford Thunderbird. Luckily it made it’s way back to me in the end. Goes to show, give to others as you would like for them to give to you, or something.

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy? Sarah Palin 2012. Maybe the Mayans knew something we didn’t.

Name:

Patty Yuan

Unfortunately, mostly work. Occasional day dreaming. As a designer and business owner, I like checking out shops and see new products on the market.

This super cute washi tape Holiday Gift Set from Tinted Mint which feature their new Koushi print and comes in a really cute box.

A pair of Camper Ariadna shoes which I drool over. Love the bold blue paired with the striped heels

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

One of the best gifts I received are these Shure sound-isolating earphones, comfy and great on the plane. Mine are about 3-4 years old, so not the same as the newer models sold now.

Tinted Mint now offers gift cards which are great present to share with my friends.

I can’t believe people go out wearing these blankets:

Name:

Charlie Rose
what do you do all day?

toil in the virtual world for L.A. RECORD and Ubiquity Records

what would you be most excited to received this holiday season?

a new record player

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

when i was 13 my mom gave me roller blades and my dad gave me a Winchester .223 Bolt Action Rifle.

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy?

Parents that don’t understand the benefits of both exercise and personal survival.  My parents clearly do!

Another Gift Guide! This time with Dinosaurs!

Name:

Dannielle Kyrillos

what do you do all day?

I’m the editor-at-large at DailyCandy.com, so a big part of my job is scouring the Earth for new, cool products and then talking about them on TV.  At this time of year, that means gifts!

what would you be most excited to receive this holiday season?

I’d ecstatically freak out if some kind soul presented me with a bright, happy satchel from Elliot Mann.  They’re made from vintage fabrics from all over the world and are the perfect blend of hobo, boho and retro.  This bag makes textile lovers like me cry with appreciation.
what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

One of my favorite gifts of all time was Pleo, this eerily life-like baby robot-dinosaur my husband got me a few years ago.  His little growl melts your heart and he’s very entertaining, low-maintenance company when you’re home alone.  I hope to pick some gifts this year that give back somehow, whether it’s the designers giving a portion of the proceeds to an important cause, or the entire enterprise being a way for less advantaged folks to develop skills to change their lives.

A site called www.PriscillaWoolworth.com has a neat selection of such items.

And I think my husband might love Apple’s Magic Mouse.

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy?

Another ice bucket always feels like a punishment.

loving these festive bows from kate spade: such a cute holiday look…

We return to this year’s gift guide as promised…

Name:

Chrystina Elaine Woody

what do you do all day?

Aside from look in the mirror, I’m a publicist for a large consumer brand

what would you be most excited to received this holiday season?

a new flat screen TV (I know that’s so typical but I really want to upgrade)

what are some great gifts you plan on giving or have given/received in the past?

One year my mom got me a new weave for Christmas which was awesome because I got to go all out – 18 inch hair, Brazilian texture amazing. It was the gift the kept on giving. I also received a home-made daily affirmation guide from my Aunt that I still have and it’s from years ago.

This year I plan to give magazine, blog and newsletter subscriptions to keep my family and friends up on trends. I know it’s a little snide, but hey oh well, it’s a gift.

what gift would not wish on your worst enemy?

Honestly, I think any time someone thinks enough of you to give you a gift it should be respected and loved.