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 Kick-ass Gift Guide
Mary Elizabeth Loncich, personal shopper and assistant stylist for TESstylist had SO many fabulous gift ideas that we couldn't fit them all here! Check out her complete gift guide below her profile just to the right of this column. Print it. Share it. Give it. Wrapping Royally
"Contradict the lavish by wrapping in the simplest mediums: white waxed deli paper, string-tied with a masking tape seal," says TESstylist personal shopper and assistant stylist Mary Elizabeth Loncich. She was full of ideas for out-of-the-box wrapping: "Pages from a meaningful novel, aged and tattered, are sewn together as wrapping. Present the most precious gems and jewels perched in the center of a bird’s nest resting in a bed of grass or birch tree skin. Vintage cake boxes . . . come satin-lined with corded handles. Galvanized tobacco tins enclose your love notes. TESstylist signature finishes always include silk ombre ribbons, embossed papers, watermarked tissue, luxe fabrics, and customized seals. A stylist’s best-kept secret: double-sided tape and fabric-cutting shears — essential when wrapping.” The ordinary just won’t do for TESstylist, Mary Elizabeth explains: she “never uses a standard shirt box, stick-on premade bows, or a drugstore card."
Her Styling Roots
"Lydia Santangelo founded TESstylist over 16 years ago and has been blessed with outrageous opportunities with leading designers, celebrities, and international clients," says TESstylist personal shopper and assistant stylist Mary Elizabeth Loncich. "Our travels allow us to absorb a huge cross section of inspirational people/places, from major cities to the more obscure. It is the relatively unknown destinations, local designers, artists, and thrifters that excite us most. We LOVE our job and think the pure passion, commitment, and genuine pleasure resonates to our personal clients. Possessing enthusiasm and creativity while understanding the client’s objectives is critical. No joke: 3 am emails are sometimes what it takes when working a deadline. You have to LOVE the job." |
Santa's Hipster Elf
Brothers and sisters, no need to come clean here, but we will: we're utterly unprepared. Haven't bought a thing. All the holiday biggies -- Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa -- are less than two weeks away. We need an elf, preferably a very cool elf with excellent taste. Mary Elizabeth Loncich turned out to be our answer. She arrived at our studio with ribbon, a smile, and ideas for everyone on anyone's list. As a professional shopper and assistant stylist for TESstylist, she knows her stuff. Plus, she's been shopping since she was a toddler in Osterville, Massachusetts. Her dad was a pilot and flew his family all over France, England, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States, where Mary Elizabeth (AKA elf-to-be) honed her shopping skills and style, a distinctive mix of vintage and modern, luxe and dirt-cheap (we like that). And a little naughty. Get this: for grandparents, Mary Elizabeth suggests Chuck Taylor sneakers (maybe even a pair with some sequins). Dad gets a claw-hammer hook, while Mom receives an exclusive Le Labo perfume "Discovery" set from Grasse, France. A husband has earned himself vintage record bookends, while a wife rakes it in with a crocodile cuff with black diamonds. The best friend? You both can enjoy a class together learning how to belly dance, pole dance, or fly a trapeze. That's just a sampler - take a look at the rest by scrolling down on this page. Mary Elizabeth will buy everything for you (she charges an hourly rate) as well as wrap each gift in one-of-a-kind packaging. That black diamond cuff may be presented in a bird's nest; those Chuck Taylors could come wrapped in pages from an aged novel; the belly dancing class certificate may arrive in a vintage cake box. You never know with Mary Elizabeth, except that she'll deliver the goods in a way that you've never seen before. Call her Santa's pride. Maryelizabeth@TESstylist.com
Personal shopper and assistant stylist for TESstylist Mary Elizabeth Loncich shared her holiday picks for everyone on your list:
"Chuck Taylors have been around for 60 years and so have your grandparents. Why not bring back their rock star and rebel era? Tailor your choice from Missoni X edition, All Star Military, Premium Sequins, Holiday Stripes, or Old School White Kicks." Converse- 348 Newbury Street, Boston
Restoration Hardware - The Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill
Jonathan Adler- Mr. and Mrs. Muse Mugs- $24
"The Equinox, a quintessential New England resort, is a drivable getaway for your parents. Located in the green mountains of Vermont, it'll let them stay where past presidents have rested their heads. It's rich with tradition and history. Your parents will love it, and maybe, if you're lucky, they'll spring for a family reunion." The Equinox- Gift Card Value- Gifter's Choice "How is it dads have the knack to fix everything? If yours has earned the title, his man-cave can be complete with this claw-hammer hook, found at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum's gift shop. The trip comes complete with 35 rolling acres and packed with modern and contemporary art." deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum- $15.95 "Allow your mom to be her own chemist with Le Labo's Discovery Set, a sample set of three fragrances of her choice. They come direct from Grasse, France's perfume capital. Throw in a Santal 26 vintage candle in its crazy-good galvy container. Smells so good we would wear that, too." Le Labo, Grasse- New York - $58
"Boys' night. Presenting him with Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select single-batch bourbon and a hand-rolled cigar will certainly bring a smile, but wow him with a night filled with custom-rolled cigars and bourbon tastings live at your doorstep. Custom-designed cigar bands and personalized bottle labels commemorate your thoughtfulness." Woodford Reserve- $32 "These vintage record bookends may just be the hottest vinyl to hit the shelves since The Doors. Handmade from throwback 45rpm records, they'll keep your books from rocking and rolling right off the shelf." Uncommon Goods - $40 for set of two "Keep your cutie warm and chic with this dual-purpose funnel hood/scarf by Robert Geller. Bonus = you can borrow it too."
"Scattered throughout designer runway collections, the cuff has had a prevalent presence. Adorn her with arm candy. Good news is we have options for every budget. If you're feeling generous, spring for two, a TESstylist top pick." Louis Boston, Lisa Sein, Crocodile Cuff in Oxidized Sterling with Black Diamonds- $3,950 "The unmistakable red sole will make any girl gasp. A work of art in itself, this pop-up book celebrates 20 years of Christian Louboutin's artistry. Throw in a pair and she'll keep walking towards you." Christian Louboutin Book, available at Neiman Marcus- $150 "Sequin hot pants for your very own hottie. Midnight ankle-length pant. See how long you can keep them on her." Calypso Boutique, 114 Newbury Street, Boston- $225
"Show your bestie how much she means to you with this customized necklace from Boston-based designer Ripe Goods. Personalize it with your secret inscriptions." Ripe Goods- $65 "Fly from a trapeze, shimmy a pole, or master your fiery hip work. Make your gift last with weekly commitments. Point is, try something new together - aerial trapeze, pole dancing, or belly dancing. Let her pick." Aircraft Aerial Arts - $25 and up
"Go green and create a floating world of clear glass botanical planters." West Elm, Boston and Burlington - $9-$24 "Boston-based Eat Boutique offers a Homemade for the Holidays Gift Box, equipped with sweet and savory treats of the season. A foodie favorite." "Raw and organic mineral magnets. Amethyst, pyrite, quartz, geode, and four colors of agate slices by Brooklyn-based designer Leif organize and educate."
"For the budding DJ, pick up Beats by Dr. Dre in a variety of explosive colors, from Day-Glo hues to a Red Sox edition." DR DRE HEADPHONES- $299.99 "Monkey and the Bug has killer kid clothes. See your little bug flutter in this moth suit with tie-dye button-off wings. Spoil her more with an iridescent tutu and feather headband." Stel's, Moth Suit- $170 "TESstylist is over the moon about the gift of curiosity and exploration. Moon in My Room realistically illuminates the 12 phases of the moon and does a fine job of keeping away the Boogie Man." To avoid coming home to a finger-painted wall, try this interactive coloring and activity book from Urban Outfitters. They will learn what art is and how to make it. Mess not included. |
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