The RLS Father's Day Gift Guide 2014

Ahh...the age old question: What to get Dad for Father's Day? Is a tie too predictable? Does he even have enough French cuff shirts for one more pair of cuff-links? Fancy brunch is nice but not when you have small children waiting impatiently for their food or cartoons on your iPhone or just to leave. Here are some of my favorite ideas for Father's Day gifts this year. My favorite idea is actually the edible one because it is the time together which counts most. Have a wonderful day and Happy Father's Day to all of the dads in my life!

Date Night with a Man Sundae

What is a "Man Sundae?" One that involves bourbon, of course! The Maker's Mark cherries and Cherry Republic Cherry Fudge Sauce are long-time faves of mine but the Bourbon Vanilla ice cream is a recent Whole Foods discovery. The bourbon flavors of the cherries and ice cream are subtle enough that a non-drinker like me can enjoy it as well as someone who is as big a fan of bourbon as my husband. 

I like this mini date-night idea because it does not involve a meal out that is hard to enjoy while taking care of the kids or hiring a babysitter. Put the kids to bed, order takeout, make sundae in 5 minutes. Your husband will be happy and there won't even be many dishes to do.

Image from www.LunchboxBunch.com

Ingredients:

 Steve’s Ice Cream Small batch Bourbon Vanilla - $10 

You can find this at Whole Foods!

 Maker’s Mark Bourbon Flavored Cherries - $10.95 

 Cherry Republic Cherry Fudge Sauce - $7.95 

Wallet

"How many wallets does a man need?" you ask. Only one if it is this single sleeve wallet that is as cool as it is practical. Most men carry only a few credit cards (love that this pic shows a NYC Metrocard!), a little cash, and their phone. This wallet is just as small as it needs to be.

 Spencer Single Slash Wallet Winter Session - $70 

Watch

There's a watch, and then there is a watch with a "story". Shinola is a Detroit, Michigan based brand that exists to provide quality Made-in-America products and employment in an economically depressed city. Read more about Shinola in an interview on Forbes.com

 Shinola The Brakeman - $625 

Custom Suit

Let's be honest. Most men wouldn't know a well-fitting suit if they bumped into it. However, once they experience the fit and flattery of a custom suit, they will have a hard time going back to one of those chain stores. J. Hilburn uses the same fabric and factories as a lot of their designer counterparts, but without the designer price tag. My husband and clients are big fans.

 J. Hilburn Custom Suit Jacket 

Glasses

Warby Parker burst onto the scene as a hip alternative to astronomically priced prescription eyeglasses. Originally an online only venture, the brand now has multiple retail locations across the country. Want to feel even better about looking cool and saving money? Warby Parker gives a pair of eyeglasses to a person in need every time you purchase a pair.

 Warby Parker Watts Newsprint Grey - $95

Or you can give a Warby Parker Gift Card in either a conventional card or e-card

Tie

A tie too typical for your man? How about a denim tie with little bicycles on it? For the hipster dad or the dad who could use a little hip in his life, give him a whimsical, unexpected tie. We are fond of the camo and skull and crossbones designs in our house! Tie Bar allows you to indulge your whimsy for not much. 

 The Tie Bar Bicycle Chambray Dark blue - $15 

The website gives you the option to see how a tie looks against different shirt and jacket combos! Very cool.



Do you have some great ideas too? Post them on my Facebook page! 

Top Twelve Gifts for YOU (Or The Women in Your Life)

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Top Twelve Gifts for the Men in Your Life

In last week's holiday gift guide, we brought you Ten Cheerful Gifts for the Holiday Host or Hostess. For this week's post, we present the top picks for the men in your life. Whether it be your husband, your brother, or your dad, we've got the best gifts for the pickiest guy on your list. Look out for next week's post with gifts for women. Happy holiday shopping!

Pengallan Black Leather Genius Gloves, $175

Is the man in your life addicted to his iPhone? These gloves are not only made with high-quality leather and lined with cashmere, but they also have flip-back technology on the thumb and pointer finger for touchscreen use!

Freshneck Monthly Membership - Silver, $20 - Gold, $35 - Platinum, $55

The self-proclaimed "Netflix of ties," Freshneck is perfect for the fashion-obsessed man in your life. Simply choose from their selection of ties, pocket squares, and other accessories, add your favorites to your "queue," then receive your top three in the mail and wear all you want! Whenever you decide you're ready for some "fresh" looks, mail them back and receive the next three ties from your queue. 

Everett Handcrafted Manhattan Set, $110

For the man who needs help curating a trendy new look, choose from one of the many gift sets from Everett. Choose from more simple, solid colors or go all out with camo print or paisleys. I love that they come pre-packaged in a cigar box!

Armstrong and Wilson Pocket Squares - In The Wild, $55 - Stain Glass, $65 - Salad with Raisins, $80

Created by two of Esquire Magazine's "Best Dressed Real Men," Armstrong and Wilson has the best selection of pocket squares for any man's suit. Whether he wants a funky print or a simple white square with blue trim, these buttoned pocket squares are a great gift for any man who loves to accessorize.

12 Month Birchbox Subscription, $195

No man could say no to a Birchbox subscription! With samples of all the top grooming products sent monthly, he'll be able to discover new brands and purchase straight from the Birchbox website. 

Dapper Classics Sky Blue with Navy Polka Dot Socks, $20

The perfect stocking stuffer, Dapper Classics has men's socks in every color and pattern combination he could dream of.

Everlane Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $120 

Every man should have a classic cashmere sweater in a neutral color. Everlane uses the same manufacturers as designer clothing, yet offers high quality at a more reasonable price.

Trask Jackson iPad Sleeve, $85

Give him an iPad sleeve that will impress his boss and coworkers.

J.Crew Skull Flannel Pajama Pant, $34.50 

We love all things skull and crossbones in my house. Pajama pants too “old” for the man in your life but you can’t look at his holey sweats from college for one more minute? How about these edgy J. Crew PJ pants I bought my husband last year?

Sephora Fragrance Sampler for Him, $65

Is he picky about his cologne? This Sephora gift set includes 10 samplers and a coupon to redeem for a full-sized bottle of his favorite fragrance.

Mark and Graham Gentleman’s Zip Folio, $145 

Perfect for keeping pens and electronics organized inside his work bag for easy (and super chic!) access.

J. Hillburn Custom Belt, $125 

Does your husband dress well at the office but lose it on the weekends? This J. Hilburn belt allows you to choose your own combination of leather or suede and stitching. I got my husband chocolate suede with blue stitching for his birthday this year and he wears it all the time.

Ten Cheerful Gifts for the Holiday Host or Hostess

Looking for just the right thing to bring to your boss’s annual holiday shindig, or your 20-something sister-in-law’s first ever holiday cocktail party? We have something special for every event this season. Happy Holidays!

Nate Berkus for Target Stoneware Vase, $12.99 

So many parties this season, too many hostess gifts to buy? Get Nate Berkus’s name and style at a great price. Fill this vase with freshly trimmed branches and garnish with a bow for a fancy gift without a fancy price tag.

BeachHouseLiving Vintage Hand-Stamped Cheese or Jam Spreaders, $48 

Etsy is THE place to look for adorable gifts with a personal touch. Your host can spread these knives around a communal cheese plate and serve with after dinner drinks. Order a set now and have them ready to gift for that last minute invite to a sophisticated soiree. I dare you not to buy a set for yourself!

Kate Spade New York Coaster Set, $35 

What 20-something girl doesn’t love an extra touch of glitter in her household? These coasters would look beautiful under champagne glasses at a New Year’s Eve party. My regular readers, and my clients, will recognize these coasters as matching my glitter iPad case!

Palmette Scented Candle Jar in Gift Box, $40 

This candle smells amazing and your host will want to keep the jar on his or her desk as a small stash spot after they burn through the wax.

Wishbone Bottle Opener, $12 

The ideal addition to any holiday bar cart! Gift this bottle opener with a case of fever tree tonic water. I like to bring a case of their ginger beer, a bottle of grenadine and a jar of good maraschino cherries to parties for a fun non-alcoholic option. Thanks to my friend Jim for that idea!

Dear Coco Christmas Collection Chocolate Truffles, $25.20 for 12 pieces 

These locally-made chocolate truffles are seriously incredible. The Christmas flavors are Bavarian Gingerbread and Austrian Linzer Torte, but there are also Chanukah flavors and addictive around-the-world toffee bars. Their November holiday collection was my go-to Thanksgiving party hostess gift this year.

Damien Hirst Anamorphic Cup and Saucer Set, $125

 For the extravagant art lover…Don’t know what to bring to your hedge fund friend’s formal Christmas dinner? These gorgeous Damien Hirst prints reflect off the silver tea cups and are a steal at this price.

 Mark and Graham Linen Satin Stitch Coasters, $35 

Stand out among your colleagues with this practical but charming host/hostess gift at the boss’s annual holiday party. Be sure to order ahead of time!

Jonathan Adler Tortoise and Hare Bottle Stopper Set, $48 

Slow and steady wins the cutest bottle stoppers! Give these stoppers with vintage bottles to serve water and homemade sodas.

Anthropologie Twilight Serving Spoons, $28 

What perennial hostess wouldn't appreciate a fresh pair of shiny serving spoons to brighten the holiday table?

Happy hostess shopping!

How to Avoid a "Who Wore it Best" Scenario

Celebrity or not, we all like to feel we have an original style. Have you ever gone to a party only to discover that another girl there is wearing the same exact dress as you? Or perhaps you’re fruitlessly searching for a truly unique gift for the person who has everything? In today’s mass-produced society, both of these scenarios are bound to happen. Finding something with a personal or unique touch that’s still well-made (and adorable!) isn’t always easy, especially if you are pressed for time. However, with the website Of A Kind, your search just got a lot easier.

Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo, best friends who met as undergrads at University of Chicago, created Of A Kind to showcase and support independent and less-known artists and designers. Each week, the website features one designer, his/her story, and the behind the scenes blog posts. Then, they release one limited edition item from that artist. The catch is that there are only a limited amount of items for sale, which is where the website gets its name. However, if you do manage to snag the item before it’s sold out, I think you’ll be proud to say that there are only 15 of your new clutch or 50 of your new scarf in existence. Here is a sampling of my favorite items from Of a Kind.

I'm OBSESSED with these pink stud earrings!

Pink Double Crystal Studs by Better Late Than Never, $177, 60 of a kind

A unique wallet for either gender, look no further.

Hawkeye Wallet by Canoe, $65, 60 of a kind 

Wear this tee with a blazer and jeans for a look that is too cool.

Dyed Julie tee by Creatures of Comfort, $135, 30 of a kind 

Look fashionable while at the store by using these cute totes as reusable bags.

Catch All Tote by Lina Rennell, $98, 40 of a kind 

This clutch is the perfect size for all of your essentials.

Mini Western Clutch by Annie Williams, $105, 90 of a kind 

This lightweight scarf makes a great addition to a spring outfit, either in your hair or around your neck.

Spots and Stripes Scarf by Rawaan Alkhatib, $112, 40 of a kind 

The perfect tote bag is finally here!

Landscape Tote by Louise Goods, $175, 22 of a kind

This pouch is too cute! Keep your makeup in here and then toss it in your tote or use it as a clutch with jeans and a tee.

Cotton Candy Clutch by Kindah Khalidy, $85, 50 of a kind 



This beautiful statement ring is sure to draw attention!

Rose Furies Ring by Unearthen, $160, 65 of a kind 

Wooden jewelry is always effortlessly chic!

Fringe Necklace by Sophie Monet, $130, 35 of a kind 

This handmade strap will make you want to keep your camera around you all day

Metallic Paisley Camera Strap by SFK, $88, 50 of a kind

Two-toned jackets such as this Garde Jacket is perfect over dresses for spring.

Garde Jackets by Veda, $350, 32 of a kind