My husband is one of the trickiest people to shop for. Yes, I live with him. Yes, I know what he likes. But he doesn’t really need anything—and there are only so many kitchen gadgets you can get a guy who loves to cook before it gets old. Enter the RawSpiceBar monthly Flavor Kit, which includes unique freshly-ground spice blends and recipe ideas delivered to your loved one’s mailbox every month. Think spices like German Gingerbread, Indo-French Vadouvan and Peppercorn Chai. It’s an adventurous chef’s dream!

This post is in partnership with Minted. All gushing (and stray drops of drool) are my own.

Usually when I think of Minted, I think of insanely beautiful invitations and cards.

You know when you’re going through a stack of Christmas cards and one feels so luxurious in your hand that you have to touch it for a little longer than necessary? That can’t be just me, right? Or the ones with designs that kind of make you want to frame them and hang them up on your wall… even if someone else’s family will be staring back at you? Yeah, well those are usually from Minted. And I’m a total sucker for them.

What I didn’t realize is that Minted also offers a variety of holiday gifts and decor that are just as drool worthy. Let’s take a little peek together…

Who knew tree skirts could be so stinking beautiful? Yes, I’ve seen cute ones before. But these are some other level awesome without looking like someone had a little too much egg nog and vomited pent up holiday spirit under your tree. The graphic prints on these beauties are subtly festive and they get major bonus points for being reversible (kind of like dresses with pockets).

Sometimes it seems really simple to find great gifts for moms. Girls like things that look and smell pretty, right? But after a few gift-giving occasions throughout the year, it gets harder and harder to find something different that they’ll actually love… and that isn’t an exact repeat of the last gift you gave.

That’s why I took to the internet to find some really cool, pretty different gift ideas for moms that I wouldn’t mind unwrapping myself. Great for Mother’s Day, birthdays, pretty much any special occasion that pops up during the year, these gifts are sure to catch that special momma in your life by surprise and fill her up with happiness.

Also, I’ll take one of each. Thanks. 😉

I’m exhausted, but do you know what makes me feel better? Tapping out for a few minutes to put together a collection of really pretty (and pretty damn serene) pieces that I want to find under the tree this holiday season.

If you’re being pulled like taffy in a million different ways like I am, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to drift off into a world that’s all about you. It doesn’t matter if none of the pieces you find will actually make their way into your possession. What matters is taking a second to relax and give yourself a little smidge of the love you throw out to the rest of the universe.

And with that hippie dippy sentiment fresh in my head, I’m going to ease myself back into the madness…

clockwise from top left: Urban Outfitters crescent planter // Have courage and be kind print by Indigo Eleven // Xhilaration pillow // Harry Potter pullover // Rachel Corcoran sister print // Brooklyn Global buddha planter // Farm2Fashion wrap // TOMS silver glitter wool classics // Urban Outfitters jewelry box // Emily McDowell mug

I think you can tell from some of my recurring series (Local Love and Girl Boss, to name two) that I’m a big fan of small businesses and people who find something they’re passionate about and make it work. I also have a soft spot for New York’s Hudson Valley which just so happens to be where I live and which is bubbling with creative awesomeness.

While putting together gift guides for the holidays, I realized it would be crazy to miss out on tapping into some of that local goodness. There are so many talented makers out there and the little guys deserve the spotlight just as much as those with a bigger budget do.

So, I gathered a list of a few of my favorite local makers whose pieces would be perfect for gift giving any time of year to put together a Hudson Valley gift guide that’s bursting with local makers.