My Holiday Gift Guide 2017
I have sourced some incredible gifts by reading and listening to podcast gift guides each year! So - I thought, why not compile a list of ALL of my favorite products I use, wear, cook with and love for a 2017 Holiday Gift Guide?
You will see a theme - ALL of my gifts are in the form of health-conscious, non-toxic, workout gear, cooking utensils, amazing beauty and skincare products and socially conscious companies - all with our ultimate health in mind (oh - and a few things for your fur babies too).
Happy Shopping!
1. Love Your Melon Beanie - (from $30)
First of all, I ADORE these beanies. I never liked any beanies on my head until I received one as a gift. This is by far the cutest, most flattering, warmest beanie on the plant!
AND it has a story - and one that might bring you to tears. Love Your Melon was founded in an entrepreneurship class at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota by two friends, Zachary and Brian. On a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer since October 22nd, 2012, Love Your Melon began with the simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America.
After achieving the original goal of giving 45,000 hats— one for every child battling cancer in America — Love Your Melon set a new goal of giving one million dollars to pediatric cancer research and providing immediate support to children and their families.
Fifty percent (50%) of profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to Love Your Melon’s nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer. To date, they have given over 2.8 million dollars and over 120,000 hats.
2. Second Skin Performance Fleece Hoodie - $50
I am SO in love with this hoodie! You can ask all my gym- friends, I wear it EVERYDAY! When it's cold outside but you still need to perform, this is your go-to. Made with soft, brushed stretch-fleece in a slim fit style, this top is the best for winter workouts OR just to wear out and about! It's sooooooo soft!
3. InstaNatural Essential Oil Diffuser - Ultrasonic Mist Humidifier and Ionizer - $33
This bad boy gets used on the DAILY at my house. I absolutely love this diffuser. AND - it also doubles as a humidifier for that dry winter heat-induced air. I sleep with one next to our bed and have one in the living room.
Why diffuse essential oils? Well for starters, most ALL of the store-bought air fresheners have toxic chemicals you are breathing in everyday that can cause:
irregular heartbeats
headaches
depression
digestive distress
cognitive issues
And much more
All of these symptoms can be tracked to PHTHALATES.
Phthalates are added to your air freshener to sustain fragrance for a long period of time. But at what cost?
Well a lot actually. Phthalates have been shown to damage: 🚫kidneys 🚫liver 🚫lungs 🚫reproductive system
Plus all of the other chronic issues above. What can you do?
DIFFUSE! PLUS you will get all the added benefits that essential oils bring like breathing in lavender for calm or Citrus for energy!
And also - for the best pure essential oils that follow rigorous standards and qualifications, shop my Doterra site here!
4. Beautycounter Countermatch Collection - $174
People often ask me if I really use Beautycounters products.
Y-E-S.
I refuse to ever represent anything that isn’t the utmost quality, safe, non-toxic and rigorously screened and that’s why I choose to use and represent Beautycounter products.
Plus, the company LOBBIES congress for better regulations on the beauty and cosmetic industry. They have a 'Never List' of over 1,500 ingredents that are known toxins that they will NEVER put in to their products. You all know me - I won't put bad things in my body - and that includes ON my body.
The Countermatch set is my skincare regimen of choice for daily (AM/PM) use. Countermatch has ‘Bio-Mimic’ Technology’ that harnesses the life-giving properties of plants. This allows to match the composition of skin and gives all the nutrients your skin NEEDS and nothing dangerous that it doesn’t need.
Ingredients like vitamin C & E and hyaluronic acid that you find in other high-grade products plus plant based ingredients like plum oil and Shea butter.
Shop Beautycounter Countermatch here https://www.beautycounter.com/tarrahlee
NEW! Want to try Countermatch in the mini-size? All new Countermatch Discovery Set - $48
5. Primally Pure Skincare Fancy Face Serum - $48
Y'all I am in LOVE with this company and products! Everything is sourced from real ingredients found in nature (hmmmmm kind of like the food I eat) like:
Tallow from grassfed cows
Organic ingredients
Fair-trade ingredients
Glass jars, bottles and BPA free plastic containers
Therapuetic grade essential oils
This Fancy Face Serum is the bees-knees! This little jar of gold contains a vitamin and antioxidant rich blend of the most potent + healing oils our planet has to offer.
Great for all skin types, Fancy Face Serum helps to diminish fine lines, scarring, age spots, discolorations and more.
6. Beautycounter Holiday Gift Sets
I LOVE Beautycounters make-up and skincare lines but I am ga-ga over their holiday gift sets as well. And I won't lie - many of them are on my wish list (and they all come in a red sliding drawer gorgeous gift box!). Here are my faves:
1. Perfect Pout Trio - $48
Limited edition shades in holiday peppermint flavors! These moisturizing sheer, cool shades go on smooth, never feel sticky AND last a long time!
2. Glow and Go Mini Oils - $28
3 mini take-anywhere bottles of
No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil blends hydrating marula oil with vitamin C, which helps illuminate and even skin tone.
No. 2 Plumping Facial Oil contains jasmine oil to replenish moisture and omega-rich argan oil to help minimize the appearance of fine lines.
No. 3 Balancing Facial Oil features ylang ylang flower oil and wild chamomile to calm and nourish skin
3. Clean Slate Charcoal Duo - $48
If you haven't heard about the benefits of charcoal - it's GREAT for acne-prone and problematic skin and gently detoxifies skin without drying it out: resulting in a smoother, clearing complexion! This set comes with the No. 3 Balancing Facial Mask and the Charcoal Cleansing Bar. TIP: Men love the Charcoal Cleansing Bar too!
7. R. Riveter limited edition Bags - (from $250)
I am all about supporting my fellow military wives - ESPECIALLY when they make gorgeous, functional bags made of 'upcycled' military materials.
What are upcycled materials? They are donated, autentic military materials, each with a story of their own, like: retired uniforms, canvas shelter halves, tent liners and even wool blankets.
The other amazing part about this company? They provide felxible income for military spouses who are uprooted constantly in cross-country moves, making it difficult to maintain an income. Military spouses across the country create and send individual pieces to to the warehouse where bags are put together and sold via the storefront in Southern Pines, NC or via online.
My bag is made of old Class A's (Army dress uniforms) and is my favorite bag I have ever carried!
8. NCLA 7-Free Gel Polish - $21 each
I LOVE gel polish. But I HATE the ingredients in most!
Did you know that MOST gel polishes contain:
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Formaldehyde
Toulene
What's the big deal about these? Well for starters all are severely toxic and have been linked with reproductive developmental growth, cancer and organ toxicity.
NO THANKS!
Expecting mamas - steer CLEAR of gel polishes that contain all of the above. A great alternative is to buy NCLA's 'Gelous' 7-Free polish that contains none of the 3 above toxic ingredients with an additional omission of 4 more dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde resin and camphor.
NCLA's 7-Free polishes come in so many amazing colors and last up to 21 days! Make sure to get the base and top coat also and bring them with you to your salon!
9. 'The Bowtie' by Donnie Thompson - Posture and Training Support - $59.99
I LOVE my bowtie! It has helped my posture during long work days and thus has helped my form in the gym. I wear mine daily.
Know someone who sits in front of a desk for work and needs posture support and/or is an avid weight lifter/crossfitter/athlete? The Bowtie is the PERFECT gift for them!
In a time when the average person spends much of their day working at a computer, looking at a cell phone, or stuck driving in traffic, the problem of slouching—and the shoulder pain that comes with it—is all too common. The Bowtie attacks this issue by applying firm compression to the pectoral tendons and reducing strain on the muscles behind the shoulders. When worn during warm-ups or as you move through your squats, bench, deadlifts, etc., the Formal Bowtie not only helps limit some of these aches and pains, but also trains more consistent form. Along the way, your muscle memory is rewired, as the brain encourages better posture in your day-to-day life.
The Bowtie comes in red 'formal' (more support/tougher material/for athletes) and black casual (softer material - made to wear all day at the office)
10. Enso Stackable Rings - (from $11.99)
Stackable rings are a MUST for your avid-fitness-goers. These stackable rings are adorable, customizable and high-quality for a not-so-high price.
There are so many color options and they have great selection for both men AND women!
11. Stitch Fix Gift Card
Oh how I LOVE my Stitch Fix! Stitch Fix is an online styling service that delivers a personalized shopping experience. Getting a Stitch Fix box is like Christmas every delivery!
The best part about gifting someone with Stitch Fix is that you can get them clothes they love, styled by an expert stylist and you have to do none of the work!
Stitch Fix is great for career women, fashionistas, Mama's-to-Be, Casual trend-setters and anyone who wants a better 'fit' to their clothes!
You can buy an egift card or have it mailed!
12. Ember Temperature Controlled Travel Coffee Mug - $149.95
I am known for heating my coffee back up the second it comes out of the coffee maker and I admittedly waste a lot of coffee when it gets cold.
But that all changes with the Ember temperature controlled coffee mug (isn't technology amazing?!)
The Ember Travel Mug allows you to set your preferred drinking temperature, then maintains it, so your coffee or tea tastes perfect from first sip to last drop.
13. GreenPan rio Ceramic non-stick cookware set, turquoise - $149
Non-stick cookware is widely known for releasing toxins like PFOA and PFOS in to your food during cooking. These toxins are related to such things as Alzheimer's, organ toxicity and carcinogens.
For the cooks in your life, get them the non-toxic option of ceramic cookware by GreenPan! I LOVE this turquoise set and GreenPan carries a variety of colors and styles!
14. Virus Women's Mesh Compression Pants - Electric Blue - $74
I won't lie - I am mildly obsessed with my Virus pants. If you've never heard of them, you simply must gift your fitness guru with a pair this year!
These pants are designed to withstand high-impact athletic training while regulating the body's surface temperature. The heavy-duty construction and nano-technology is designed to enhance athletic performance, endurance, and speed the recovery (yes! Enhances recovery!)
The electric blue color is poppin!
15. Blueberry Pet Fashion Collars for Dogs and Cats (From $10)
Designer pet collars without the designer price!
Find any pattern: Scottish Tartan, Patriotic, Doughnuts and even Holiday!
Shop Blueberry Pet Website Here or go to Amazon and search Blueberry Pet Collars!
16. Thrive - The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington
This book is everything. It literally changed my life and I think I have gifted this book to almost everyone who I know will experience the impact I did.
Drawing on the latest groundbreaking research and scientific findings in the fields of psychology, sports, sleep, and physiology that show the profound and transformative effects of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging, and giving, Arianna shows us the way to a revolution in our culture, our thinking, our workplace, and our lives.
17. Black Rifle Coffee Company Coffee and apparel
Veteran owned and operated, this coffee company gives back to the Veteran and First-Responder communities. Owner and Special Forces veteran, Evan Hafer, has pledged to hire 10,000 Veterans over the next 6 years.
But did I mention their coffee is RIDICULOUSLY good.
When you order:
Thin Blue Line Limited Edition Blend
100% of profit is donated to the Blue Lives Matter and Fraternal Order of Police to provide life saving equipment and funding
Warriors Heart Blend
100% of profit is donated to the Warriors Heart Foundation: military and first responders
