Day 7: A Gift Guide A La Jamison Bays
I am a big believer in gift giving the whole year-round. I mean, how much fun is it to receive a ‘Just Because’ present? “The most fun,” is the answer.
So when I was asked to write a Gift Guide, I was all in.
These can be gifts for you, gifts for another, or you can pass this gift guide on to a friend or lover that may need an idea or two… or 15.
For the Kitchen Lover:
Egg Maker aka Cuisinart’s Central Egg Cooker
I eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs. I think everyone can agree the worst part is when an egg won’t peel. Second most awful part about boiling eggs is when they cook too “hard”… I’d rather skip them all together at that point.
But if you want to make the perfect eggs every time, that peel like heaven every time, buy this for yourself or fellow egg-lover. It’s 35 bucks and does other fancy tricks with eggs, but I’ve only done the one thing so…
I am a soft-boiled girl but play around with it to find your perfect egg.
Keep Cup
I really don’t know how more people don’t know about Keep Cups. In all of my five years in Cleveland, I’ve only seen 1 other person with one.
My bff gifted me with mine years ago, and it’s still going strong after near-daily use. They come in various sizes, color and materials depending on your deepest desires — but I am a simple girl, as my dearest Kelly knows, so mine is medium glass + cork, and I love it.
https://us.keepcup.com/?countryNameChange=us&countryChangeType=auto
Turkish Cotton Tea Towels (kitchen, bath, hair)
Everyone who walks into my house says, “Where’d you get these?” They are multipurpose in my world. I use them as kitchen towels, hand towels and they make a great hair towel too. They are super soft, wash up great and are beautiful to look at. The pattern I have isn’t on the listing any longer, but with free returns, you can’t really lose.
For a Beauty Aficionado:
Instant UpLift Face Roller by Nurse Jamie
Don’t want your lover to have a face that reaches their knees? Try this little gem. It is made of tourmaline stones that give a temporary lift to your skin.
It sits on my bathroom sink or on my nightstand. It always seems to stay cool to the touch, which I enjoy because I feel like I am getting some depuffing action. Just a few minutes of facial love and everything is right back where it should be.
ZiiP
Have a few more minutes and want more longterm results, reach for this guy. It’s the electrical facial that I spoke about it a few posts back. It uses nano currents and microcurrents to communicate with your skin cells to do a bunch of amazing things that you can read more about in the link.
If my husband would have handed me a box with this magical device in it, I think I would have been his sex slave for years just for having the brilliant idea and killer initiative. He didn’t though, so…
https://www.violetgrey.com/product/ziip-device-with-80-ml-gel-bottle/ZIP-Z003
Glass Nail File
I receive my first glass nail file in a subscription box from Beauty Heros (very cool boxes, btw). I wasn’t hip to the benefits of using glass, but after a few weeks, I noticed a difference in my nails so of course, I googled. They prevent splits and breakage and seem to last forever from what I gathered. Plus, they can be sterilized and look damn pretty.
You can pick them up at various places — Amazon, Sephora, Sallys and many of the designer boutique-beauty sites.
For the Slightly to Full WooWoo:
doTERRA Essential Oils
Don’t be fooled. All e.o.’s are not created equal. Favorite’s include Peace, Peace and more Peace, onGuard to keep immunity function up, Slim & Sassy for cravings, Copaiba to keep me chill, Vetiver because I love the smell, Frankincense for everything else. I could seriously name 20 more, but I really need to sleep tonight.
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/jamisonbays
The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck
I was drawn to the original tarot deck years back. So when these came out, I got really excited. Both decks have the most remarkable illustrations, but I’ve not taken the time and care to really learn the art of tarot, so the animal deck is more my speed.
I can pull a card, reference the equally as cool guide and walk away with some wisdom and reflection for the day.
If you like to support small business or want to buy it from the source:
For Those Who Don’t Have Time to Mess Around:
Tequila
I will never get tired of being gifted a good bottle of tequila — but it must be damn excellent. I could list off all the recognizable brands but why? I do have a lovely recommendation for one that I just recently fell hard for — It’s is by Cantera Negra.
I’ve had both the Anejo and the Reposado and way prefer the Anejo. It’s beautiful.
A Pocket Knife
My Spyderco has come in handy more times than I can count. If you and I were ever on a game show together and the question was, “Name 3 things Jamison is carrying in her bag at this moment,” make sure one of your answers is “A knife.”
It has been around the world with me, around the city with me, and not in the name of self-defense.
I wouldn’t pull this thing out to cut someone if they came at me. It would be way too easy for a person to use it against me.
What I am talking about is using it for useful daily-life stuff when you don’t have an Office Max around. Or better yet, when the 17 contractors/builders get a shipment of tile and the only person who is carrying a knife is you. (That was a winning moment for me. And men always seem to be weirdly taken aback when they are fumbling to get a box open with their bare hands, and I hand them a knife. I still don’t understand why but it’s humorous none the less.)
I own a few, but this Spyderco is my buddy, and was a gift from my brother. Whatever you chose, just make sure it’s sexy and feels good in the hand. You’ll know what I mean when you find the right one.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C28/Dragonfly-Stainless-Steel/16
For Those Who Adore Shut-Eye:
I feel passionate about sleep. These items will forever and always be on top of my list for those who mention a love for — or difficulty with — sleep.
Noise Maker aka White Noise Machine
It will forever be called a ‘noise maker’ in our house. (Maybe this could be another game show question/answer.) We own 4 of them. Two in the master, 1 in the twins room and 1 in the guest room. We travel with them. No lie. I pack 3 if it’s a family affair and 1 if it’s just me.
I forgot it on my first night away as a mother. I was miserable for hours, having succumbed to using the weird looping ones you can find on apps. Then I got the bright idea to stream my sleeping kids via our home monitoring camera so that I could hear their white noise machine.
Fell right asleep. LOL> not kidding.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HD0ELFK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Weighted Blanket
I’ve slept with my kids most of their lives. Since they’ve been sleeping in their own room, I’ve missed the weighted sensation of their little bodies draped across mine.
My husband bought me a weighted blanket as a Christmas present and holy-amazing.
A quick rundown of just of a few of benefits:
- Eases Insomnia
- Helps with Sensory Processing Disorder
- Reduces Anxiety
- Improves Focus for ADHD
- Boost Mood
- Improves Sleep Quality
It all has to do with having deep touch pressure stimulation. Google “weighted blanket benefits” for more benefits and the whys behind why it works.
Here are a ton on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_3?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=weighted+blanket&sprefix=wei%2Caps%2C203&crid=1E96BKM05KOES&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aweighted+blanket&ajr=0
Silk Pillow Case
If you have a face or hair or both, buy a silk pillowcase or gift one. It not only feels like heaven but it reduces friction, so your face and hair don’t get beat up like they do with cotton pillowcase. Silk also doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton, it helps keep moisture close to the skin — so it’s not sucking the life out of your face at night.
It’s one of those not much talked about beauty secrets, I feel like. And if you don’t want to go the pillowcase route, at least try a silk sleep mask. Your eyes will be protected from the dreaded cotton, and it takes the place of black-out curtains (which are also amazing.)
Silk pillowcases can be found most anywhere bedding is sold. Amazon has a bunch too. Here is the last one I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FWZW55Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If you want something super luxe and swanky, head over to Slip.com
Moving on down the list…
For Those Who Love Excitement:
Vesper Vibrator
We are all adults here (hopefully), so this next one is a bit extra.
It is the most elegant thing you’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. When I opened the smartly designed packaging, I was not prepared for how pretty this thing was. Not that I am going to go grocery shopping sporting it around my neck, but hey, if you’re game, I’ll give you a wink as we pass each other in the produce aisle.
No complaints here. At all.
https://www.violetgrey.com/product/vesper/CRV-851-0036
Global Entry
Finally, the sexiest gift you could possibly get… Global Entry. Give someone who’s heart bleeds travel a $100 Visa card or cash or whatever and let them know that this is for their Global Entry Application Fee. It makes international travel seamless and dreamy. Just typing this is giving me yummy feelings. (Hey Cathy, I know you’re laughing at me right now… I can hear you from here.)
That wraps this episode of A Gift Guide A La Jamison Bays. Tune in next time for even more nonsensical but great gift giving ideas.
This has been a fun (and exhausting) 7-day writing challenge. A big thanks to those who sent me questions. You know who you are.
Anyone else out there having something you’d enjoy hearing me ramble on about? Send me a text, comment below or give me a ring if we are close and personal.
And with that, the first challenge is in the bag.