Fresh Equation Holiday Gift Guide 2012

It's been a week of amazing gift ideas from Christina of DeSmitten, Bryn of Byrdie, Lauren of Undelcared Penache and Jeannie of The Covert Boutique.  Thank you to these talented ladies for sharing their beautifully curated gift guides with us.  To top off the week, I'm sharing my picks with you today. 

 

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired by all of these amazing items... and if you're lucky, hopefully you will find some of them under your tree on Christmas morning.

 

Happy Shopping.

1. PENDLETON MERINO WOOL THROW $118 Available in super soft merino wool, this throw from Pendleton comes in classic tartans and plaids. Many of the products produced by the Oregon based family-owned Pendleton company are made in the USA, including this throw.

 

2.LEATHER TOTE $285 I believe it's the little things that make an outfit… like a great scarf, sunglasses, a hat or a fabulous bag. This simple, chic leather tote from Rib + Hull is a great investment as it will complete any outfit and will only get better with age.

3. VITAMIX 5200 $449 If you have the money, you have to invest in a Vitamix. In seconds, you can make soups, sauces, dips and (MY FAVORITE) green smoothies.

 

4.SADDLE LEATHER DRINK COASTERS $29 FOR A SET OF 6 Coasters are a necessity but this monogrammed leather set manages to also be sophisticated. Plus, personalization ups the ante on gift giving. It shows the receiver you picked the gift out just for them!

5.CRAZY SEXY DIET $11.48 If you aren’t familiar with Kris Carr or haven’t read any of her work, you must start now! After a cancer diagnosis, Kris, a self-proclaimed party girl, turned her life around. She is now a cancer survivor, author, blogger, wellness warrior and inspiration for all seeking to live a healthy life full of peace, love and veggies. Kris’s book, Crazy Sexy Diet, is a must read introduction to the basics of health + wellness and one that I recommend to all of my clients.

6. MARA HOFFMAN INTARSIA SWEATER $473 You can never have too many cozy sweaters to get you through the winter. I'm loving the bright colors in this one from Mara Hoffman.

7. GOLD SEQUIN IPHONE 5 CASE $46.50 This gold sequin phone case will brighten up even the dullest of conversations.

8.10-PIECE GLASS BOWL SET $39.95 I use these bowls ALL the time... for prep, for leftovers and for serving. They are made of tempered glass so they can be used for hot or cold foods and are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. For those of you that don't have a lot of storage space, or should I say especially for those of you that don't have a lot of storage space, these are great because they nest inside of each other so you only need a space big enough to fit the largest bowl. I don't know what I ever did without them!

9. MICHAEL BUBLE CHRISTMAS $11.39 I’m a sucker for Christmas music. Michael Buble’s holiday album is full of classic Christmas songs and is the perfect soundtrack for any festive holiday party!

10. NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY SIGN ART $99 As my husband and I contemplate buying a house in the suburbs, I can guarantee you that this New York City Subway Sign will be framed and hanging in our new home to remind us of the many amazing years we spent in the city. Sigh…
 

Guess who I met yesterday...

I met the crazy sexy Kris Carr (who told me that her full name is also Kristin and is spelled just like mine) and the amazing Chef Chad Sarno.  They are the authors of Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant Empowered  recipes to ignite a mouthwatering revolution.   

They even signed my copy...

If you aren’t familiar with Kris Carr or haven’t read any of her work, you must start now!  After a cancer diagnosis, Kris, a self-proclaimed party girl, turned her life around.  She is now a cancer survivor, author, blogger, wellness warrior and inspiration for all seeking to live a healthy life full of peace, love and veggies.  Kris’s book, Crazy Sexy Diet, is a must read introduction to the basics of health + wellness and one that I recommend to all of my clients. 

 

Chef Chad worked with Kris on all of the mouthwatering recipes in Crazy Sexy Kitchen.  For those lucky enough to get seats at the  book signing + cooking demo at The Whole Foods in Tribeca yesterday, Chad prepared the Crostini with artichoke puree, garlicky mushrooms, and horseradish (p. 144) and the Kale Salad (p. 159). 

 

I would have sworn there was bacon in the crostini if I didn’t know that all of the recipes in Crazy Sexy Kitchen are vegetarian.  I may not eat meat anymore, but I must confess that I do miss the taste of bacon sometimes.

 

 

 The kale salad will make a believer out of anyone who thinks that healthy food doesn't taste good and, with only 6 ingredients, is super easy to make. 

 

 

Kris Carr is one of the first people I discovered when I started my journey and investigation into healthy living.  She is a motivational force in the health + wellness industry and I was so excited to have the opportunity to finally hear her speak and to meet her in person.  Stay tuned for my adventures as I cook my way through Crazy Sexy Kitchen. 

 

Have a great day and, as Kris would say, “Eat your veggies, ignite your spark and live like you mean it!”