What’s On My Wish List This Season
I’ve shared lots of gift guides over the last few weeks, so for our Style Edit over 50 this month, Cindy and I thought it would be fun to share what’s on our personal wish lists this holiday season. Mine is quite random, so hold on for the ride 🙂
Last visit with my parents
If wishes were horses…I would wish for one last, nice long visit with both my Mom and my Dad, who have been gone for many years. There are so many things I’d love to chat with them about now that I am old. I’d love to soak in their warmth and love one final time. I often feel them around me, but it’s laced with the sadness of missing them.
New car
I drive a twenty-year-old car that I love! My kids have been hounding me for years to get a newer car with updated safety features. While waiting for the dealer to make me a new car key last week, I spotted some pretty new cars with big bows on top, just waiting for new homes…we’ll see.
My husband has long given up on shopping for me, so I usually send him the links or order myself, and he wraps them up. Yes, it takes some of the magic out of the process, but he wants to be sure I’m going to love it…and so do I. And let’s be honest here, I shop almost full-time.
Cashmere
Cashmere tops the list for me this year because the moths had a field day with my collection over the summer, and much of it didn’t survive. Cashmere varies in softness, and we know it pills. Any company that tells you their cashmere won’t pill is crazy or lying because it all pills eventually.
I love my sweater shaver, but I’ve become obsessed with my Gleener. It’s a battery-free fabric shaver, lint brush, and fuzz remover. I’ve even used it on my throw pillows and couch! This puppy is gentle, fast, and efficient, so it now goes in my suitcase when we travel.
A reader just told me about this this travel Gleener which I snatched up immediately. Thank you, Teresa!
I discovered Quince cashmere last year and was blown away by the quality for the price. It does pill a bit faster than a $500 cashmere sweater, but it’s hard to beat a $50 cashmere sweater The colors are beautiful, and the fit is great.
I’m wearing the $50 cashmere v-neck in Ivory. It’s not as opaque as the other colors but a lovely soft shade. I’m wearing it with the J. Jill jersey pants I got last year (similar), my super comfy velvet Birdie flats, cashmere wrist warmers, and a cashmere and silk leopard print scarf. I sure hope J. JIll makes this style of pant again because it’s super comfy and machine washable.
After my success with their V-necks, I bought some Quince cashmere T-shirts and have been wearing the heck out of them. They come in twelve colors and are the perfect layering piece this season. J. Crew makes a similar one for twice the price, but I can’t say I’ve found much difference. I’m wearing it with a knit corduroy skirt from J. Jill that either hasn’t hit the website yet or is selling out. My long cashmere cardigan has been one of my most worn items since I bought it for our cruise last summer.
I cannot tell a lie; I’ve been waiting and waiting for these Vince sweaters to go on sale, and I ordered one yesterday. They’re incredibly soft, and the one I owned many years ago (which became moth food) took a very long time to pill, and when it did, the pills were tiny. I need a cedar chest for my sweaters this summer.
Hollywood vanity mirror
My friend Alison mentioned this mirror in her post earlier this week, and after reading the reviews, I popped it right into my cart for my husband to wrap and put under the tree 🙂
The older my eyes get, the brighter it needs to be for me to see clearly. This looks like the ticket for putting on makeup. Plus, the detachable 10X magnification mirror can be placed anywhere on the front and will be perfect for chin hair search and destroy missions.
Tupperware
Seriously! I have three nice Our Place storage containers, but the rest of my Tupperware is a train wreck. These glass ones look amazing but also look like they’ll take up lots of cupboard space. This set looks really cool because they nest together for storage.
MacKenzie Childs
I want a piece of MacKenzie Childs courtly check for my kitchen. I’ve loved the sassy pattern for many years, and surprisingly, I never bought any. I do need a nicer paper towel holder, but how dumb is this one? The roll would hide the pattern. I linked some of my favorites below.
I told you this was random, but I even surprised myself with this list.
What would be on your dream list this holiday?
Let’s check out what Cindy has on her list at Cindy Hattersley Design
I lost my Mom this year after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I would give anything to be able to sit and visit with her again. ❤️
I’m so very sorry, Lezlie. That’s a brutal disease. Sending you my very best.
Everyone gets cash for Christmas. It started when the kids were away at school. What college kid doesn’t need cash? Too expensive to ship presents and no room for much stuff in a basement studio! I’m gifting myself a beautiful sweater for Christmas. No wrapping necessary.
It would be so interesting to talk with my Dad again… we shared a close relationship…and he lived just 45 minutes away from where we settled six years ago… but sadly he was gone before we moved here.
I have many memories hanging on our tree, including treasured gifts from my first students back in 1972. The tree will be enjoyed for longer this year since we have decided not to deal with the hassle of flights over Christmas to frigid Edmonton…a nice respite from the usual chaos ( fun as it is) but a quieter and certainly less expensive Christmas. We decided finally to forgo adult gifts … a unanimous decision…so only wee grandchild will be receiving a gift from our local children’s store. How many L.L.BEAN tartan flannel shirts can I continue to find for the men!?
Strangely, I am quite content not to shop …I know it keeps the wheels of commerce going…but my fellow has his 70th before Christmas, and I am delighted with my idea for that special gift…. found at our local art gallery.
I too love my cashmere sweaters, also mostly found locally, and use a little tool to de fuzz carefully. I looked up Quince , and found they have very good suggestions regarding caring for cashmere.
Thanks for sharing your wish list… and Jennifer, I can report that my dental visits are over now that I have my new two front teeth… what a challenge to get done! Happily , I do not have the long drive you do to visit your dentist… just 7 minutes away here! In my 2007 Volvo👍
I will be so happy to get my new teeth. I’m sure we will soon be forgoing adult gifts too. It really makes sense.
I love helping my husband with my Christmas gift. Maybe the make up mirror?
I’m so excited for mine to arrive 🙂
I understand how you miss your parents as I miss mine as well and would love to speak with them. Most of all I would love to have a day with my husband who passed away January 1, 2017. I would love to talk to him about the wonderful life we had and the two grandson’s we have one of which he never met. Miss him so much.
I’m so sorry, Meg. That must be particularly hard during the holidays. Sending warm hugs your way.
This was a great post Jennifer. I would also love a last long visit with my mom. She’s been gone for 12 years and I miss her terribly. Hoping to get a Quince sweater for Christmas.
I hope you get one also. xo
The make up mirror is a great idea for a gift! Adding to my list now!
I loved this post… my late husband said pick out for Christmas what you want and I’d wrap and put under the tree.,, 47 years of marriage and it’s one of many wonderful memories! Love is always a compromise of caring and giving ❤️
Hi Jennifer-
My sister and I were texting last night that these almost winter days and pre Christmas days are a difficult time. Our parents have been gone for many years but the love, laughter and memories are with us forever.
I love all of your ideas, as always you inspire me. Thank you!
Warm hugs!
Like you, I would love to have the gift of time with my parents. Seeing them in memories just isn’t the same as being able to ask them questions and soak up their wisdom. The old adage by Joni Mitchell (for anyone who remembers her), ‘That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” is so true.
It’s so true!
I don’t like itchy sweaters….is the Quince itchy? The price is great but please don’t be itchy! My car is 20 years old and I love it still, especially since I don’t have any payments and I get good gas mileage; it still looks shiny and bright and people are shocked it’s as old as it is. I had a back-up camera installed last year because I always seem to be parked between two large SUVs.
If I could get a backup camera installed, I’d be thrilled! I don’t find them itchy, but everyone’s sensitivity is different.
I say give your husband the link to the new Lexus!!!!!!
LOL, you’re one smart cookie, Rory!
I keep reading about Quince. Like you, over the last couple of years, I have lost quite a bit of cashmere to the moths. Since I am retired, I no longer have the budget to replace what I lost, with the same quality. Sounds like Quince might help me fill some of my gaps. Thank you again, for providing valuable information.
Your tree is beautiful. I am not familiar with Quince but plan to check them out as well as the gleener product. Thanks for sharing useful info.😊
Oh Jennifer…I feel exactly the same as you do about missing my parents. How I would love to talk to them once again.
Jennifer, I love your list! I was sorry to read about the moths having a feast on your cashmere sweaters. I don’t like the smell of moth balls, yuck, or even a cedar chest so I keep my cashmere, on hangers, in zip up garment bags that hang in my closet. I keep multiple sweaters, cashmere or wool, in each bag. The moths can’t get to them at all and I am happy every time I pull a sweater out. I am very tempted to buy one of those Quince sweaters. I have only owned cashmere for about ten years now, but it is so soft and wonderful to wear!
That sounds like a great idea for storing them over the summer, thanks!
My favorite on the list. The reasonable cashmere sweaters.
I will check it out.
Jennifer, I am with you love cashmere and the Vince sweaters are worth the splurge. I love the v neck in cream on you. Quince is a great source! Cashmere t-shirts sound good. I have to get one. I just out the Gleaner in my cart thank you. I need it! Thanks for popping over to the blog and I hope you have a happy holiday season and get a pretty new car. xo
Kim
Merry Christmas, Kim!
I know it’s hard to give up a beloved car, but I don’t know how I ever got along without a backup camera! At the start of Covid, our dealership gave us a great deal to trade in our not very old car for the newer version. The camera is even better and the newer car also has a front camera. I’m all for as many safety features as I can get.
I admit I love the backup camera in my husband’s car. It would be very nice to have one in my car.
This post brought tears to my eyes. I miss my parents too, all year and miss all the wonderful Christmases we had as kids and them missing meeting their beautiful great granddaughter. Thanks for all you inspire us with. Merry Xmas from Canada.
Merry Christmas, Barb.
Well! I want almost everything on your list! Except for the new car that is. I did the same thing with my Lexus. We finally broke down about 2 years ago and bought a 2 year old Mercedes SUV. I did like my Lexus better I have to admit, but I was afraid I might be stranded on the freeway at some point. We never had a lick of trouble with it. I ordered the gleaner! Thanks for the tip! Love your cashmere picks. I am going to check out Quince right now!
I do worry about it on long trips to the dentist (2 hrs each way) so we may have to bite the bullet.
Thank you for your input on the Quince sweaters. I am the same height and weight as you. What size do you order in the v-neck? That could easily be my Christmas present to have my husband wrap up. It seems a lot of us do that.
I like the medium because I have broad shoulders.
I love your style, Jennifer. I am 93 and still kicking. Thanks for your ways of putting clothes together. I recently sold my home in Mill Valley and now live in Sonoma co. which is a lot more casual in dress. Keep sending your good ideas! Mimi
You are amazing, Mimi! Thank you for reading.
Your wish to visit with your parents again was touching, Jennifer.
I have a 13 year old Prius and would like to go to an electric vehicle w/ AWD but the models I am interested in purchasing are going to only 7 states right now AND are in high demand and low production! We moved from So Cal to the snowy, icy Midwest, and I would like AWD for a bit more personal security on the road here! I don’t want to ‘settle’ for a ‘meh’ choice when I purchase a car so infrequently.
I do hope you get YOUR new dream car under the tree!
WOW, you need that new car. Do they have waiting lists?
Those cashmere wrist warmers are such a wonderful accessory!! I’d get a lot of use out of them!
Your wish to have one more visit with your parents also made me teary-eyed. I’d love to have another visit with my grandparents. I was young when they all passed and I’d love to have known them better.
I still tear up often over my folks.
Love my gleener and used it on my family furniture, especially the ottoman. I plan to order the travel one. Miss my mom around holidays so your wish hit home with me. I ordered new containers and bought 2 different kinds with vents so easy to reheat in microwave. Found on Amazon.
Pinned your link for the Quince sweaters (for future reference) and do hope that Santa brings you a new vehicle. As to my own wish list; since I am a Xmas child with the assistance of my children that is how my husband (of fifty years) has done his shopping for me. In other words since ‘a double whammy’ they shop on his behalf, hand him the receipts and he wraps them however this year on my wish list there is only one item (to cover both) and that is to have a sapphire and diamond ring re-styled in a different setting that was inherited from an Aunt of his (who shared the same birth date).
-Brenda-
Footnote: Instead of gifting me; I have asked my children to donate to a food bank instead, as there are so many people currently in greater need.
Your children are smart and so helpful. That ring sounds amazing! You just reminded me, I have two rings from my granny that lost a stone and I’ve been meaning to have them reset! This may be the year. Thank you.
I always think about my parents at Christmas time. My Mom and I loved shopping together. I actually had a dream last night that she got to meet my youngest grandson. Pretty great dream! I would love to put a new car and cashmere sweaters on my wish list 🎄
So sweet! That dream would be so heartwarming.
We do the same thing on gifts for me. I buy them and give them to my husband to wrap. The real gift is in his creative wrapping efforts. He locks himself in the spare room with all of the supplies I lay out for him and 2-3 hours later he emerges with some of the most unusual and interesting wrap jobs imaginable. I never fail to marvel at some of his ideas and the personal effort he puts into each package. Priceless!!!
I love this Winnie!! You have a real gem there.
That is so sweet!
Thanks for all the great ideas.
I always buy myself a present so I get something I want.
I think that’s just smart 😍
I adore your wish to spend a Christmas in the company of your parents.
I would love to chat and have them see their Grandchildren and what wonderful adults they have grow into. Also, to see their Great-Grandchildren whom they have not met.
I like you, miss there physical presents. I always feel they are near but a real hug from them would be grand. 🎄
I do the same with my husband – although I love when he picks something out. I have quite a bit of the courtly check, but am spoiled because our summer cottage is close to where they started so barn sale prices 😊
Love Quince cashmere. Better quality and price than Everlane. Their silk skirt is great too. Love my gleener. Have the travel size as well.
I agree it’s better than Everlane. Travel size Gleener??? Ordering one now!
Cashmere for $50? I’m ordering several right now! Merry Christmas to me! Thanks, Jennifer!
You’ll love them.
I love Quince, too, and have several sweaters plus the Ponte pants. As always, your posts resonate with so much in my life.
Good Morning Jen, all the outfits today are fabulous! I’m not familiar with Quince, do they have stores on the east coast? Did enjoy your comment about your husband’s Christmas shopping talents, brought a very big smile to my face. My dear husband of 50 years is the same, always wants a list and every year I say, “surprise me with a very special gift”, hmm, I don’t see it happening this year, oh well. While shopping for my granddaughters, I popped into my local Talbots and picked up a black cashmere sweater (40%) off! My gift to me..
Have a great day ladies.
Good for you, Pat. Talbots cashmere is lovely!
Oh my, I teared up about your parents and chuckled at not letting your husband shop for you. I do the same – I buy what I want and let him wrap it 🙂
Lol, I knew I wasn’t alone there
Great list- looks like Santa will be good to you! I love your looks & colors. I feel I dress with more intention since I started following your blog over a year ago. I really like your new hairdo & think it is more modern. Happy Holiday!!
I doubt Santa will give me anything on my list but one can hope:) Happy Holiday
I wish I could wear the sweaters but cashmere and any wool gives me a rash. I spend a lot of time looking for cotton substitute. I do love the Mackenzie Child pieces. I have one but could use more. Happy shopping.
Good morning! I bought a Quince cashmere sweater for myself, size Large, and wound up giving it to my daughter as the fit was a bit tight. The quality seems really nice, and it’s soft.
As a result on one of your prior post I was inspired to shop at Quince. What gal is not looking for cashmere at a reasonable price!! I am now the owner Black, Navy, Off white and Grey. I find that because of the price I wear more often than if I had spent $200+. on one cashmere sweater. Also, Quince customer support is excellent.
Thank you for your many recommendations – today I plan to check out the battery operated sweater brush from “Gleener” Happy Holidays to All……
Love your wish about your parents as I feel exactly the same. Due to Covid, I hadn’t seen my sister (who lives in the USA) for over three years. But, this year, will be the first time we have Christmas together, along with her husband and daughter ( who now lives in Australia) in many years. I dream the weather is not too hot, as she wants a traditional Christmas lunch – roast Turkey/ham/roast potatoes – topped off with plum pudding and custard. To be honest, I don’t really care about gift lists – being with my family is the gift. Having said, I have entered the local shopping centre Christmas give away – a new Audi – would be nice, although I rarely drive a car anymore as I can’t be bothered.
I have been looking at the Quince cashmere sweaters for some time. Appreciate your review…I just ordered my first!