Accessories Council Holiday Gift Picks 2021

With the holidays in full swing, these are my top Accessories Council gift picks this season, for you or your loved ones, with jewelry picks under $100. All these gifts are available online to help you avoid the crowds and save time having to shop in-store.

Ashley Wahler The Gold Collection Golden Girls, $42 (on sale for $33.60)

The Gold Collection by Ashley Wahler has all the right accessories to get you glam this holiday season, including the Golden Girls accessory, which is perfect for dressing up your ponytail.

Akola Jasmine Heart Charm Bracelet, $98

Akola jewelry is handcrafted in Uganda, creating jobs and transforming the lives of families and communities. Their jewelry ranges from stretch, unlock-it, cuff and bangle bracelets to earrings and necklaces. One of my favorite pieces is the Jasmine Heart Charm Bracelet, made with a hand-carved, heart-shaped horn charm and recycled glass beads from Ghana.

Pura Vida "The Jetsetter Pack" by The Blonde Abroad, $45

Pura Vida, founded in Costa Rica, makes handmade accessories and helps provide full-time jobs for artisans worldwide. One of my favorites from Pure Vida is "The Jetsetter Pack" designed exclusively by travel blogger @theblondeabroad. The pack features a stack of five bracelets in grey, blush and rose gold, including travel-inspired charms. 

Adina's Jewels Baby Figaro Necklace, $50

Adina's Jewels include trendy pieces such as charm and chain necklaces, pendants, chokers and more, all great for layering together. Two of my top picks for layering is the Baby Figaro Necklace, in gold plated sterling silver, and the Double Sided Herringbone Necklace.

Big Lovie Dream collection blanket, $129

Big Lovie's products are created with inspiring messages that encourage, appreciate and celebrate. The Dream collection blanket is soft and cozy in charcoal gray and black, with the name BIG LOViE on the edge of the blanket, with an imprinted label that says "big HEARTED, FUN LOVING, SOULFUL & KIND."

- Kim Weling

Celebrate the New Year with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

As we close out 2017, it's the perfect time to shift the focus back on you and prepare for the year ahead. What changes will you make to your skincare routine in 2018? One product I will be ringing in the new year with is the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, packaged in the limited edition Change Destiny bottle. 

This product will always be a staple within my skincare regimen, yet I also love the positive messaging within the Change Destiny campaign. The limited-edition bottles have three types of messaging: "DESTINY is a Matter of Choice", "CHANGE is in All of Us", and "Be the Person You DECIDE to be". As I think about my resolutions for next year, all three of these messages are a daily inspiration. Both change and choice is important to evolve and grow. I firmly believe we are in charge of our own future, and it is our decision how we want to act or react. 

As for the Facial Treatment Essence itself, it is always the first step in my AM and PM skincare routine. I haven;t been using a toner, but this would be used after a toner and before applying a serum. The Facial Treatment Essence contains 90% Pitera, and I have noticed a difference from when I use this product and when I don't use it. As I get older, I'm more concerned with making sure I keep any wrinkles or spots to a minimum, so prevention is key! My skin definitely feels more refreshed and looks more radiant when I use it regularly.

I usually just pat it on my skin with my hands, but for an updated skincare change and to make sure I get maximum coverage, I may try using a cotton pad to apply my Facial Treatment Essence and start using a toner before applying it.

I am constantly trying new skincare products but the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the one product I am loyal to. Everyone always asks me what my skincare secret is and I really believe that this is a part of it! You can find the SK-II Limited Edition Change Destiny Facial Treatment Essence at sephora.com for $229 for 230 mL.

Holiday Beauty Favorites at Sephora

Happy Holidays! If you are shopping at Sephora this holiday season, you are going to want to splurge on some of these gifts for yourself, especially to kick off the new year! 

My favorite lipstick brand is Bite Beauty, which is exclusive to Sephora. I'm in love with their new Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Mistletoe, $26, a limited-edition holiday shade of red. There's always room to add more shades to your lip wardrobe, like the Tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set, was $35 value, now $25 ($70 value). This 10-piece set has best-selling and limited-edtion nude, berry and bold shades.

If you are into bold, heavily pigmented shades, then you'll love the Kat Von D Mini Liquid Lipstick Set, $49 ($80 value), with 6 mattes and 2 exclusives - Plath, a deep russet red and Roxy, a bright grape. Don't forget to add the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette, $46, including 3 shades for contouring and 3 shades for highlighting. 

My beauty indulgence are new eyeshadow palettes, including these two: Marc Jacobs Stye Eye-Con No. 20 ($99) and Marc Jacobs Object of Desire Face and Eye Palette, was $69, now $49 ($99 value). The 20 shades in the Style Eye-Con palette are so gorgeous, with shimmery metallics, buttery mattes and lustrous sheens to create the perfect smoky eye, daytime glam or casual daytime look.  The Objects of Desire exclusive palette incudes a blush, bronzer, limited-edition luminizer and 6 eye shadows. 

This feels like you are getting two palettes for one price, with The Estée Edit Gritty and Glow Magnetic Eye and Face Palettes, $58. Each palette has 6 pearlized shades. The Gritty palette is great for intense smoky eye looks and the Glow palette are highlighter shades for cheeks and eyes. 

For a fragrance gift, check out the Atelier Cologne Nécessaire Nomade III kit, $45, with 8 pure perfumes that come in a metal tin inspired by travel. 

- Kim Weling

2016 Holiday Gifts at Aveda

How excited was I when I received this holiday box from Aveda? I've been in love with Aveda products for as long as I can remember, especially the Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. 

It's already a given that I would love the Rosemary Mint Body Polish ($34) and Rosemary Mint Composition Oil. The body polish, with naturally-derived walnut shells, has that signature invigorating Rosemary Mint scent and leaves my skin feeling super soft and refreshed. 

The Rosemary Mint Composition Oil can be used a multi-purpose oil for the bath, body or scalp, with a nourishing blend of certified organic sunflower oil. 

The Candrimā Creme Cleansing Oil and Candrimā Body Moisturizer are limited-edition products for the holidays, with a comforting aroma of ginger and ginger lily. The creme cleansing oil The body moisturizer is made with organic shea butter and nourishing certified organic sesame and coconut oils. 

This holiday box was so nicely put together and thoughtful - it would be easy to create your own holiday box to send to someone. Thank you Aveda!

- Kim Weling

2016 Sephora Holiday Gift Sets and Exclusives

If you are still looking to find those last-minute gifts, you'll find everything at Sephora, from makeup sets, brush kits and cosmetic bags. I guarantee you're going to want some of these exclusives for yourself, too!

Some of the must-haves include the Sephora Collection Color Wonderland Eye Shadow Palette, $59 ($225 value), with 78 eyeshadows in neutral and vivid colors and two eye pencils, to create a multitude of day and night looks. 

The Sephora Collection The Graceful Eyeshadow Palette, $24, comes in a total of 16 matte and shimmer eyeshadows in on-trend shades such as deep purple, metallic silver and coppery brown. The Sephora Collection The Delicate Eyeshadow Palette comes in 9 shades from creamy beige to gold and blue-black to pinkish taupe.

You'll also find a variety of Sephora Favorites kits, like Glow For It, including highlighting products from Becca, Benefit Cosmetics, Cover FX, Hourglass, Lancôme, and Milk Makeup and Perfume Sampler (which includes 7 samples from Atelier Cologne, Chloé, Dolce&Gabbana, Elizabeth and James, Marc Jacobs, Prada and Yves Saint Laurent. After you pick your favorite scent, you can go to Sephora and  redeem the enclosed scent certificate for a full size rollerball.

For stocking stuffers, check out The Formula X City Chic CLIX with 6 nail color shades, or Sephora Collection The Mini Tea: Rouge Cream & Shine Lipstick Set ($22) with 6 lipsticks (3 cream and 3 sheer). Gift the whole set as one stocking stuffer, break up the set to gift separately or keep some for yourself! 

For the the woman who loves lashes, she'll want the Sephora Collection House of Lashes x Sephora Collection Lash Story Deluxe Set, $125 ($165 value). It includes 10 pairs of lashes and two shades of adhesive in a travel case. 

Brush sets are a practical gift, and easier to pick out if you're unsure about makeup or fragrance preferences. It's also always good to have multiple brush sets - at home, the office, and a set for travel. 

Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set, was $85 now on sale for $59 ($225 value) -  a six piece brush set with a glittery stand. There's also the Sephora Collection Sparkle & Shine brush sets  with a glittery chevron pattern, with 6 makeup brushes in a keepsake box, or an antibacterial brush set with 7 brushes in a travel pouch. 

As for cosmetic bags, there's the Sephora Collection Sparkle and Shine Weekender Bag also in the glittery chevron pattern, to store all your makeup, toiletries and other travel items. 

The Sephora Collection Objects of My Perfection bag is one of my favorites, and is now only $10 instead of $20! There's also Baby It's Bold Outside bag, also $10. Both have a crackle finish and tassel!

- Kim Weling

American Eagle Outfitters / Aerie Holiday 2016

Countdown to the holidays! With just a few shopping days left, American Eagle has what you are looking for! You'll find velvet, lace, bodysuits, dresses, and loungewear for women and sweaters, plaid and vests for men. 

Brand new this season is Aerie Home with faux lamb fur pillows and ombre knit throws. There are also a tone of stocking stuffer gifts including cleanse masks, sleep masks, socks, gloves, hats and scarves, jewelry, zipper clutches and trays. 

Here's a look at what I had previewed from American Eagle / Aerie this holiday season. Don't forget to shop for yourself!

 

 

 

 

- Kim Weling