#28 Gift Guide
A Packed, Obsessively Curated Gift Guide
Hello Friends,
Here’s what you can expect in this drop—
🎁 Christmas Gift Guides
🔗 Links, Jams, & Gems I’D Share If We Were in a Group Chat
🍳 Recipes Plus Where to Eat, Drink & Shop
Also, this issue is packed. You may need to read it in the browser or hit “Expand” to see the entire newsletter. It’s also easier to click links via the browser format.
👉I have linked many resources for you. Press and hold the highlighted text to make reading the newsletter and opening links easier. This will display the shortcut menu. From there, tap open in a new tab. When you do this, the link opens in a new tab.
Please feel free to comment if you have questions, responses, or brilliant ideas or want to share a favorite recipe, restaurant, or anything else.
You can also email me 💌 marlayoung@mac.com.
If you are a ✨ new subscriber, check out the archives here, including travel guides.
Merci beaucoup,
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To-Do List
WATCH 🎬
Martha Stewart Documentary (Netflix): Told in her own words, this candid documentary charts the unstoppable rise, sudden fall, and hard-won comeback of lifestyle icon Martha Stewart.
Industry Season 3 (HBO): This season follows the characters as they navigate the world of finance and the pursuit of money.
Wicked Movie: One of the most beloved and enduring musicals on Broadway, Wicked journeys to the big screen as a spectacular cinematic event.
READ 📚
Motorhome Prophesies: A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness by Carrie Sheffield: Motorhome Prophesies is the story of how Sheffield recovered from childhood poverty, religious cult brainwashing, welfare, and sexual abuse and found Christianity after many years as a bitter agnostic. She shares how faith and God’s healing love helped her overcome mental illness as a result of her upbringing. The book is a message of hope and resilience. It’s the best book I’ve read this year. Carrie also writes a Substack newsletter .
We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine by Dr. Jordan Peterson: In We Who Wrestle with God, Dr. Peterson guides us through the ancient, foundational stories of the Western world, analyzing the Biblical accounts of rebellion, sacrifice, suffering, and triumph that stabilize, inspire and unite us, culturally and psychologically.
New York Nico’s Guide to NYC by New York Nico: New York Nico’s Guide to NYC is an entertaining “locals-only” guide to the five boroughs, navigating one of the world’s greatest cities through the people and institutions that bring it to life.
LISTEN 🎧
Stocks to Trade: Stocks To Trade is a real-time stock screening, charting, and trading platform that allows you to find the best stocks.
SURF
Brands of WNC: The website features small businesses and artisans in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
FOLLOW 📱
Check out Ballerina Farm on Instagram and her website, Ballerina Farm.
The Hot List // The latest places to add to your radar.
San Clemente, California
Bear Coast Coffee: A perfect location by the beach. I ordered a latte with homemade almond milk.
NYC
Le Cafe Louis Vuitton: The new cafe is located on the fourth floor of the brand's Manhattan store. Reservations are booking up fast. If you plan on visiting, reservations are available on Resy 28 days in advance.
Seattle, Washington
Grain Artisan Bakery: A delicious gluten-free bakery set up on Sundays at the Capitol Hill Farmers Market.
Starbucks Reserve: Visit the Seattle Starbucks Roastery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for exclusive drinks, tours, and experiences. This concept is similar to Eataly.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Brim: 100% gluten-free restaurant with no seed oils. It's an excellent spot for bone broth and gluten-free sandwiches.
Portland, Oregon
Fallow’s Rest Wild: The restaurant sources ingredients grown in a collaborative regenerative farming model. The menu excludes gluten, seed oil, refined sugar, soy, and corn. It’s all good!
Hammond, Louisiana
Sôlt Provisions: An artisan grocery and general store in downtown Hammond. I purchased eggs from @windmillhillfarms and raw milk from @sinagrafamilydairy.
Marla’s Favorite Coffee Shops.
Marla’s Favorite Gluten-Free Restaurants.
your cells are starving for Cretine.Osmosis vs. Young Goose skincare.
NYC new shop guide.
shared gifts under $25 and gifts for the host/hostess.
guide to eating and drinking around Toronto.- shares her simplified packing tips.
- shares her favorite spots in Los Angeles. Bookmark this guide for your next layover.
Melissa Martin recipes 7UP Biscuits, Turnip Gratin, and Shoestring Onion Rings.
Kayla Barnes and her husband, Warren Lentz, shared their daily biohacking routine.
Kayla Barnes Female Longevity Optimization Protocol.
- shares 12 things to give to people who are suffering.
Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Bayou Feasting Through the Seasons of Life by Melissa Martin: Melissa Martin owns the Mosquito Supper Club in New Orleans. In her new cookbook, she shares a year in the life of South Louisiana cooking and all the dishes eaten to celebrate life's big and small moments.
Laneige Lip Mask: A leave-on lip mask that softens lips while delivering intense moisture and antioxidants while you sleep. I’m addicted.
Le Bone Shoppe Boyfriend Socks: My favorite socks.
Christian Louboutin Stiletto charm: Purse charms are one of the year's hottest accessories.
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen: Snoop Dogg hosted a cooking show with Martha Stewart called Martha & Snoop's Potluck Party Challenge. His cookbook sold over 1 million copies.
iRestore LED Face Mask Light Therapy: This cordless, lightweight mask targets wrinkles, sun damage, acne, and enlarged pores in 10 minutes, 3-5 times a week.
Mahjong Mat: A beautiful mat or set of Mahjong Tiles for game enthusiasts.
Westman Atelier Lipstick Trio: My favorite lipstick. The shades are beautiful and do not chap my lips.
Tesla Puzzle from Puzzle Potato: It’s an escape-room-style puzzle in a compact package. It’s great for anyone who loves a challenge.
Headlamp: A headlamp is essential for hikers and hunters for safety and convenience.
AirTag Case: For the traveler, gift an Apple AirTag and keychain so they always know where their bag is.
VFZO Heated Coffee Mug: It has a charging coaster that doubles your phone's wireless charging pad. It also comes with a lid to extend the battery life.
Sleep Crown Over the Head Pillow: A pillow that goes over your head and blocks sounds and light.
Olley Cat Cut-Out Boxes: A “cat house” that is aesthetically pleasing.
Cat Dancer Cat Toy: The best cat toy.
Cozy Robe: I love anything from Lake Pajamas. This robe is so soft and comfy.
Quince Slippers: These slippers will keep your feet warm and toasty in winter or cool and cozy during summer due to the moisture-wicking shearling lining, which naturally adjusts to your body temperature.
Kodak Film Camera: This camera is perfect for beginner film photographers. Batteries and film make great stocking stuffers.
Make Frying Oil Tallow Again: Perfect for the advocate for healthier food.
Voluspa Laguna Candle: Voluspa candles smell amazing. The Laguna candle has notes of Sea Salt, Plumeria, and coconut.
Catbird Tennis Bracelet: This bracelet is so dainty and beautiful. I love all of my Catbird jewelry.
Salt and Stone Soap: It smells so good!
The Candy Apothecary Seafoam Honeycomb Dark or Milk Chocolate: This candy tastes like a softer chocolate malt ball, and it may be even better. Trust me on this one…it will be hard not to eat the entire bag.
Cat Bird Gold Hoop Earrings: I love this classic earring.
Giesen 0% Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Bruth: This is one of the best non-alcoholic sparkling wines. It tastes exactly like brut champagne.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L: Great for weekend getaways.
Our Place Wonder Oven: A stylish appliance that can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil.
Our Place Dream Cooker: A versatile, multifunctional cooker makes slow cooking, steaming, and baking effortless. Its nonstick, easy-to-clean pot and compact size make it perfect for any kitchen.
Wellness Gifts
Jolie Filtered Shower Head: Remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from your shower water.
Box Bollen: Put the headband on, punch the ball, and avoid getting hit. Stay focused while improving your eye-hand coordination, reflexes, and body control.
Plunge Cold Plunge: It can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation and promote overall physical well-being.
Bio Charger Session: A BioCharger session is a non-invasive treatment that uses energy waves to revitalize the body. During a session, you sit or stand 3–5 feet away from the BioCharger and let the energy waves pass through you. You don't need to attach any devices to your body.
Fringe Red Light Therapy Wraps: Red light lowers pain and inflammation and increases healing.
Freak Athlete Hyer Pro: This piece replaces nine machines with one and stores upright to occupy minimal space.
Gifts for Kids/Teens
Bijou Build Mainstay: Bijou Build is an outdoor play structure. Purchase the mainstay and add-on features like a rope bridge or hover swing to fit children’s abilities and interests. It can be easily collapsed for travel.
Aveton Soltera.2 Ebike: An excellent bike that can get up to 46 miles on a single charge. It weighs 41 lbs. and is easy to assemble.
Gifts for Travelers
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass: The America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass provides free entrance to any national park and federal recreation lands for an entire year, including up to four adults traveling together.
CLEAR Plus Membership: CLEAR Plus members can access a dedicated lane at airport security, speeding up the screening process without removing their shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets.
#27 My Favorite Things
A round-up of some of my favorite products and more recommendations worth sharing.
Thank you for including my gift guide, Marla!
You have listed so many great items, here 🎄 Merry Christmas to you.
Appreciate the kind words regarding my book Motorhome Prophecies! God bless you!