Lulu and Latte’s Holiday Gift Guide 2014

One of my favorite blogs of the year I write is my holiday gift guide. I am always looking for gifts that are new, unique, and useful. I  think the worst gift is when someone buys you a gift that you know you will NEVER EVER use but you feel so bad telling them you store it in a drawer never to see the light of day or maybe regift it. I never regift things because I think I will somehow get caught. Therefore I worked hard to come up with gifts that hopefully you, your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, aunt, uncle, kids or whoever you are buying gifts for, KEEPS. I am going to break down the blog into THE MAN. THE WOMAN. THE KID.

THE MAN.

Boys and their toys…

Greg’s has three favorite new toys this year

1. The Nest

This handy-dandy thermostat is pretty amazing. Most people leave the house at one temperature and forget to change it. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns your schedule, programs itself and can be controlled from your phone. So if I am away on vacation and turn off the heat. I can land,  turn on the heat from  my phone and have a nice, warm house when I return home. Teach it well and the Nest Thermostat can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%. It is simple to install (I promise). In a nutshell, it rocks!

2. Dropcam Pro Wi-Fi Wireless Video Monitoring Camera

Greg bought this as a means to see what the dog was up to when we left the house because he wanted to see what he was up to when we were away. You can drop in on the action using your smartphone, tablet or computer.  The drop camp  has  high-definition live streaming,  night vision and two-way talk. If your dog is eating your shoes you can literally talk into your phone (using the app) and say “NO!” which the dog can hear. It is crazy AND works!

3. Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home Touch Screen Remote 

What man doesn’t want the latest and greatest remote that controls everything on the TV? Best Gift Ever.

 

I love giving box sets as a gift. Last year it was 30 for 30. This year it is the entire collection of Tarantino’s Films including Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Death Proof and Inglourious Basterds. ($60) What guy wouldn’t want this?

For the smoker or toker, Ploom is the manufacturer of the best vaporizers on the market. The Ipod of vaporizers is the Pax (you can read wired’s review here) ($250)

Sick of the fitbit? How about the Spire? ($120 limited time) The first tracker for activity, breath and state of mind.It monitors and analyzes your breathing patterns in real-time to show when you are focused, tense, or frazzled. Spire tracks steps..sitting, standing and laying down, too. My favorite part is this:

 

I am a BIG fan of kickstarter. There are so many people out there with brilliant business ideas but do not have the resources to find backers. Enter kickstarter.   One of my picks for guy gifts that I found on kickstarter is the “cordito”. Greg travels a ton for work and always seems have 100 random wires floating through his carry on. This little nifty case holds all the wires in a simple elegant case. You can read more about it HERE ($40)

Personally I hate ALL iPhone cases. I have to think guys do too but maybe that’s just me. This is the simplest iPhone case around (made for the 6) that will keep your phone intact. Although I will be buying this as a gift for myself, I think this is a good one for the man in your life. You can check it out HERE.  ($80)

Ideal stocking stuffer! On the rocks ice cube maker! Set of 4 molds at Brookstone. ($19.99)

I LOVE when men wear driving mocs. The new UGG Chester are chic, stylish, comfy and affordable! ($119.95). They come in a million colors (even black) but I love new navy leather.

Every weekend Greg and I have the same conversation. Can I wear sneakers to dinner? and I say “No, no and just no. Well Converse came out with a suede version this season that just may do the trick!($70)

THE WOMAN.

Ohhh my favorite part. Even though Greg and I do not exchange gifts during the holidays it is fun to come up with a list of all the things I would want…Yeehaw!

I have been obsessing over all the GORGEOUS Jewelry by MGEMS! I literally want to buy every piece. The bracelets are the perfect arm candy for your Saturday night out on the town! ($185-$285) On top of it MGEMS is offering all of my Lulu followers 20% off now through Dec 25th! Just enter LULULATTES for the coupon code!

All time best running gloves! ($30) Keep your fingers warm while still allowing you to operate your touch screen cell phone or iPod.

Under Armour’s new StudioLux gym bag is on my wish list. I LOVE that it has hidden lower pockets which are perfect for water bottles, while the removable laundry bag and makeup pouch let you keep your whole stash organized. ($134.99)

 

Sometimes I want to throw on kicks to be comfy but I don’t want to wear the sneakers I wear to the gym everyday.  Digging the Nike Wedge… Found them at Lester’s in the city. I am sure they sell them in a million places but this is where my little eye spied them!  (range from $100-$180)

You can also go low top and step it up with the Loeffler Randall kicks for $295.

 

I have the driest skin ever in the winter. I LOVE the products that I use but in the winter I need something more. I was at the Lash House two weeks ago and they turned me on this hydrating masque that won Elle’s beauty award of 2014. I wasn’t sure because I get nervous using new products but I would not be including it in my gift guide if I didn’t love it so much. You have three ways to use it:

• • Daytime : Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes, allowing product to absorb into the skin. Wipe off with tissue, massage remaining product into skin, or rinse with water.
  • Nighttime : Leave on to infuse the skin with moisture and wake up with extremely hydrated skin. This is my FAVORITE way to use this product. My skin was like BUTTER when I woke up!
  • In-flight : Apply at the beginning of the flight and leave on for flight duration.

Best part is it goes on clear!!  Available at Lash House ($60)

Beautycounter has a bunch of gift sets for the holidays but my two favorite are The Body Collection($165) and The Champagne Eye Collection ($70) Both come beautifully wrapped!

Chocolate lover? How about these GORGEOUS chocolate lipsticks from Maggie Louise Confections! Would you ever believe these are chocolates? Simply Elegant!! Which color do you prefer? Choose Pink or Rainbow. ($95 for box set of 20)

 

Also loving my new evil eye bracelet from Pink Jewels! I got this as a gift to myself when I was having a bad day, lol.  LOVE IT! ($150)

 

If your husband or boyfriend really wants to take it up a notch, they can buy you the hottest shoes in the city! Valentino Rockstud pumps! ($995 Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf’s, Barney’s)

 

 

THE KIDS

For the girl I will never have….I am assuming these Zaraterez emoji’s leggings are a must have! Available at Kids at Heart in Livingston.  Super Cute!! ($50)

 

Cute cosmetic, pencil case or your kids choice of what to do with this bag! Only $4.50!! Available at Bee Bee Designs

 

G’lovin the living royal gloves!($15.00)  Available at Gotham, Lester’s and I bet whatever town you live in, you will find them at your local upscale kids store. Seem to be VERY popular!! Great stuffing stuffer. The beanies are cute as well! ($20.00)

 

 

Gotham has some really adorable gifts this year. The cupcake bean bag chair is the perfect tween gift! ($99.95). Gotham taking personal orders ONLY for this chair. Not available in store.

 

I LOVE their ski goggles!!! ($49.95)

The Hiho Batik Personalized Messenger Bag is another gift I think your daughter will love. Especially because you can personalize it! ($50)

Video Gamer? Just Dance 2015

 

 

For the boys.

So I asked the 10 year-old and almost 8 year-old what they wanted this year. This is what I got…

Knicks Skullcandy Headphones. Sports Authority. ($70). Available in other teams.

 

 

Don’t get me started with the sneaker situation so I will just tell you to get them a gift card to Niketown or Footlocker and let the kids pick out their own!

Their top favorite XBOX games all available at Gamestop:

Madden 15

NBA2K15

FIFA 15

And Parker’s all time favorite video game: W2K15 (WWE)

Can’t forget the boys hats and gloves! Available at Gold Coast Kids 

Team socks! NBA Store ($17.95)

My kids favorite summer toy : Razor Electric Scooter 

This is what my 8 year-old has been asking me for a year but he is still shit out of luck! Razor Ground Force Drifter Kart

 

 

For the little wee ones!

Adults are not the only one who can wear smart watches! Introducing the kids VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch

• Camera with photo effects, video camera, voice recorder, touch screen
• 4 learning games, splash proof for everyday play (Splash and sweat proof. Do not submerge and not suitable for showering or bathing)
• Digital and analog watch displays, timer and alarm clock, 50+ clock face designs
• Rechargeable, durable design
• Connects with VTech’s Learning Lodge

violet is an Online Exclusive

Fashionista in the making? Barbie Fashion Design Maker Doll