Holiday Gift Guide #10 - Finale

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring - except your daughter (or sister, or wife, or niece, etc......) who is pleading to open just one present early!! If you've thought ahead, you'll know EXACTLY which one to offer up.....

#10. Big Sleep Pajama Set and/or SpaceRocker Slacker Set

Big Sleep Pajama Set - $46

(photo via volcom.com)

Wear the Big Sleep Pants as daytime leggings like Natalie Suarez does here!

SpaceRocker Slacker Pants - $42

SpaceRocker Slacker Poncho - $54

The SpaceRocker Slacker Pants are SO incredibly comfy! 

These items make a great "night-before" gift (and just a great gift in general) because your loved one will be able to immediately put it to great use, wearing it to bed and to lounge and watch "24 Hours of 'A Christmas Story'" the next day!! <- I know that's what I'll be doing Christmas Day!

Holiday Gift Guide #9

Besides being a season of gift giving and appreciation of those closest to you, the Holiday Season is also one of reflection and looking forward to the next year. One of the best ways to support your immediate community is to shop local but what about your global community? For our first holiday at alchemy hour we wanted to keep this in mind and provide a way for you to give a gift that will warm the hearts of people in your life AND in your global community by providing a selection of fair trade gift options. 

#9. Fair Trade Guatemalan Bracelets

Set of 5 (!!) Bracelets for $34

wear them individually, or....

... link them together to make a necklace!! OR...

(attach one end of each bracelet to the opposite end of another)

... keep them linked to wear as a rad wrap bracelet!

Besides being a beautiful piece all on it's own, this gift also gives back to struggling artisans in Guatemala - where 76% of the population is living below the poverty line and half of it's children under 5 years of age are severely malnourished. Kiej De Los Bosques, the organization committed to distributing these pieces, works with 17 rural companies that provide jobs to women (mostly mothers) and young people working towards paying for schooling and supporting their families. Their goal is to provide a source of income to impoverished rural communities - to "transform cycles of poverty to cycles of prosperity".

Holiday Gift Guide #8

Another gift that will go over just as well for the guys on your list as it will for the ladies! For Small Business Saturday we printed copies of a few postcards showing Maplewood Village at the turn of the last century. They were such a hit that we've decided to offer framed copies of the ORIGINAL postcards for just $24! 

#8. Original Maplewood Postcards, $24

Holiday Gift Guide #7

I know I say that every item is my favorite (and that's just because I can't decide which I love best!!) but today's gift guide item is truly a special piece and is a long time love of mine! After ordering a handmade bag from D. Leather back in January, I was instantly obsessed with the design and get compliments from ladies of all ages wherever I go. Aside from their amazing look and quality, I can also tell you that - having seen several companies lines for spring and summer '12 - the SW vibe of these rad little bags will be a staple for the year to come!

#7. Handmade Leather Bags by D. Leather

Handmade Deerskin Concho Bag $98

Handmade Deerskin Fringe Bag $72

AH x Nylon x Vintage x Volcom

NYLON Magazine has been my favorite monthly read ever since winning a free year-long subscription a few years back. I no longer have the luxury of this rad magazine arriving at my door free of charge each month but the $5 is a small price to pay for how many ideas I've taken from from these folks. I've had the October and November issues sitting in alchemy hour since purchasing them when they first hit the shelves and upon giving each another look-through this afternoon, I was DELIGHTED to see the similarities in the styles featured both in NYLON and at alchemy hour!

NYLON - Nov 2011 "Home Spun"

(photo by: Marley Kate)

 

Compare the pants from "Home Spun" to these ones from alchemy hour VINTAGE!

The Southwest trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon so you might as well enjoy all of the bright colors, rich textures and rad patterns that this look has to offer. Throw on a chunky sweater and a more sensible pair of shoes ( I have to admit I'm not liking the strappy heels here) and you're good to go!

NYLON - Nov 2011 - "Walk This Way"

(photo by: Carin Backoff)

Steal Chelsea Tyler's look with the "Not So Classic Shirtdress" by Volcom! Add some tights or knee highs and a pair or fire engine red heels for a rocker chic look (for less!)!

(also, how rad is that photographer's last name?!?)

 NYLON - Nov 2011 - "Apple of My Eye"

Another pair of alchemy hour VINTAGE pants that seem to be ripped straight out of Nylon!

Only difference is that the pair in the magazine are $522 and our vintage Ralph Lauren pair are just $30!!!!

 NYLON - Nov 2011 - "Just a Girl: Hannah Ware" 

(photo by: Greta Ilieva)

I'm really into the look of leopard print in bright colors. I saw this romper on up-and-coming model/actress Hannah Ware and immediately thought of the "Cheatin' Heart" Thermal by Volcom!

NYLON - Oct 2011 - "Heads Up"

Back in July I wrote a post all about my great love for hats. Well, my feelings haven't changed AT ALL and now I have Nylon to back me up!! They did a whole page (including a lovely photo of Florence Welch) about floppy cold-weather hats! These hats are priced at $60, $245 and up to $930 (what?!) but you can get Volcom's version, the "Carrie Hat", for just $43 at alchemy hour. :)

(by the way- the above pic is what happens when I don't have my star employee, Julia, to model for me: A photo of me looking like I fell asleep standing up. oops...) 

Holiday Gift Guide #6

By Christmas morning, those of us in retail will cringe at the sound of those cheery holiday songs. At the beginning of the season, we loved them as much as you do but after a month (more for some) of nothing but "Jingle Bells" and "Joy to the World" I'll be avoiding these tunes like the plague. With that said - whether you're psyched about listening to your favorite Christmas album or just trying to drown it out the best way to do so is with a great new pair of headphones or earbuds!

#6. Premium Headphones and Earbuds by WeSC

Kazoo Earbuds: $18

Conga Classic Headphones: $36

they come in so many rad color combos!

Tambourine Gold Headphones: $56

Perfect for:

-girls AND guys :)

Holiday Gift Guide #5

In a world where you need to buy eight different items to copy one look from a brands catalog and where gloves never come with fingers, RVCA has truly been a breath of fresh air. As I mentioned in our first post about this rad line, they take inspiration from American workwear and functionality is a key element in everything they make. While it can sometimes be difficult to buy apparel as a gift, RVCA makes it easy with edgy basics and this awesome glove/scarf combo!! 

(by the way, these styles were shown in RVCA's catalog for women and MEN!)

#5. Ghost Chant Gloves and Scarf

RVCA Ghost Chant Gloves (with FINGERS!) are just $22!

RVCA Ghost Chant Scarf is just $36 and comes in 

all of the same colors as the Ghost Chant Gloves!

Holiday Gift Guide #4

If you've been to alchemy hour then you know that we LOVE Sage & Indie jewelry made in NJ by Justine Hudak! We started out with just her "Tree of Life" pendants but after seeing the amazing care and detail that she puts in to each piece, we knew that any piece by S&I was a no-brainer!! 

#4. Two Peas in a Pod by Sage & Indie

 so cute! 

Perfect for: your Best Friend

-your mother or daughter

- a mom-to-be!!

Volcom 'Chickie

Had to take a break from the gift guide today to show off some of the new pieces we just got in from Volcom! This brand has always been one of my favorites and their patterns, colors and textures never cease to impress me. 

V.Co Lives Sweater - $50

This awesome sweater is from Volcom's V.Co Logical line and is made with 100% Organic Cotton!

Caught on a Yacht Crossbody Bag: $38

A perfect little bag for day or night!

Frochickie Lace Blazer: $64

I'm in love with this blazer! It's such a rad layering piece that will work for every season.

(also comes in black!)

Holiday Gift Guide #3

Another rad gift option by Volcom!! This is another favorite of mine and makes me want to plan a trip more than I already do. The X-Ray Dreams Travel Wallet has a place for everything - including your passport, cash and cards as well as a zippered compartment for change, makeup, etc. - and it comes with a mask to help you sleep while in transit! All of this hidden away in this awesome and easy to carry case/ wallet/ clutch!

#3. X-Ray Dreams Travel Wallet

cool and compact...

how rad is that mask?!?!?!

... a place for everything!

Perfect for: College Students traveling abroad for a semester!