Episode 55: TIF Holiday Gift Guide / Dominique’s Favorites 2023

Written By Dominique Astorino

let’s get ready to RUUUMBUUULLLLLLLL!!!

Welcome to Dominique’s 9th annual (WHOA) holiday gift guide, and This Is Fine’s second annual podcast gift guide. It’s unintentionally though not entirely surprisingly … hyperfemme balletcore american in paris themed.

want a visual shopping experience? click to shop below! each image is hyperlinked. need the full list with links and descriptions (a transcript from the show)? keep scrolling. we’ve got you.

Design by Dominique Astorino

THE DETAILS

GOBI Pink Cashmere Joggers

Morgan told me I need cashmere sweatpants and I was like, you know what, you’re absolutely right. I found out her favorite ones from GOBI come in a powder pink rosewater color, and I was like, what am I going to do, NOT put ballet pink cashmere joggers on my holiday gift guide? Absolutely the f*** not. 


La Bonne Brosse Hairbrush, Numéro 1 l’Universelle Brosse à Cheveux — I just found out about this brand, La Bonne Brosse, from my hairstylist Mathilde here in Paris. I’m hyperlinking her instagram so you can see how fabulous she is. I wanted a Mason Pearson for a while, but in my opinion this is so much prettier. And they have a pink one. So here we are. 

Fun fact, I haven’t had a hairbrush since childhood!! I literally don’t brush my hair, I don’t know why. I’ve always watched Cher Horowitz brush her hair in Clueless and I was like wow that’s so chic and cool and femme. But never took up the pastime myself. I think it’s time. I’d love a brush that adds some shine, and this seems to be made of the right natural materials to make that dream a reality. Glass hair here I come… if anyone buys this for me. Maybe stella. 


Pink Le Creuset Cocotte — I couldn’t bring my Le Creuset items from the US to France for obvious reasons, which is devastating in a way that is absolutely fine and totally survivable. That said, I don’t have an oven in my Paris apartment, so I feel like a dutch oven is low key necessary? My friend Tessa said it was an essential, so I’m using that as validation and enablement. Anyway, since I already have the practical color back in the US — Meringue, which is like ivory beige ombre — it’s obviously time for me to get a shell pink cocotte. It’s ballet pink. You’re all jaw-droppingly shocked, I know.


Maje Ivory Wrap Coat — Listen I know that a five hundred and thirty five euro ivory coat is neither practical nor budget friendly. I know I’ll have to have it professionally dry cleaned all the time. I also know it’s the same color as my english cream golden retriever, and thus it won’t look like I’m coated in dog hair all the time. It’s CAMOFLAUGE y’all. Plus it’s just so chic. Like, Lily Van der Woodsen Bass Humphry energy. Rich mom in a cold city. I’m here for it. 

Scarves of every color — If anyone listening to this is actually shopping for me and is like okay not the coat that’s insane, I need scarves. And gloves. Any color. Pretty colors ideally. Maybe red. I’m so cold please help. 


Guerlain Perfume — this one is tough because I cannot decide on which one I want, but as a perfume addict I neeeed to add some Guerlain to my repertoire. I’ve been testing out Spiritueuse Double Vanille, Cuir Beluga, and Angelique Noire. I thiiiiiink I want Angelique Noire, I’m still figuring it out. What I really need is a PR contact at Guerlain though. Pls. 


Memo Paris Odéon Perfume — another perfume I just had the joy of smelling is from niche french fragrance house Memo Paris. Their Paris exclusive scent, Odéon, is like a sexy sultry dark academia iteration of Roses Vanille by Mancera, or Ristretto Intense Café by Montale. A gourmand tonka rose with sandalwood and amber and the softest most lovely patchouli. I’m literally in love with this fragrance. I feel like it would be such a beautiful way to commemorate my first year — particularly first winter — in Paris. 


Repetto ballet lounge set — OK so I was shopping in Saint Germain des Pres and came across the Repetto store. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the brand, it’s a ballet shoe maker in Paris that has become THE maker of the best wear everyday ballet flat footwear. The shop opened in the 1940s near the Opera Palais Garnier, by Rose Repetto, and she made the first ballet flats for Brigitte Bardot in the 1950s. The style is called the Cendrillon – like cinderella – I’ll get to that later. But they make beautiful ballet gear and dance wear, and I came across a beautiful powder pink lounge set that just looks so femme and lovely and cozy. I would love to lounge around in it with stella. And now you know why there are not one but two pairs of powder pink sweatpants on the visual guide. 


Biologique Recherche P50W — I had my first experience at the Biologique Recherche Ambassade on Champs Elysees for my birthday this year, and my second ever Biologique Recherche facial. Let me tell you, if you have access to one of these facials, they do NOT disappoint. My skin was SO HEALTHY for weeks after each one. I’m definitely going back soon. I’d love to have their iconic peeling toner, the P50, but the gentler version which is P50W. They used this in my facial for my past two birthdays and I want to have it on hand in my house! Speaking of all this, getting someone a gift card to get the actual facial from this place would be a KILLER gift. Like, blow-you-away best gift of the year kind of gift. 


Bianco Latte lotion, Giardini di Toscana — finally, something that isn’t from Paris but from ITALY. Our neighbors. Fragrance house Giardini di Toscana — did I do an okay accent?? — has a fragrance called Bianco Latte … like, white milk… that apparently smells like a heavenly vanilla milk. They make a lotion version of this and honestly it sounds to die for. Want. 


Laines London Croissant Slippers — my girl Sarah recently introduced me to these ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE teddy slippers from Laines London with a dazzling pearl-studded croissant on one foot and a café on the other. When you see it you’ll know how serious this is. Not a want but a need. Once you see them I know you’re going to have the same reaction.


Aphrodite Pendant from Awe — I’m on the waitlist to gift this to myself; a gold pendant with a wreath of pearls around it, and the Botticelli Venus in the middle. Venus, aka Aphrodite, is the goddess of love, confidence, sensuality, beauty… a vibe. The website has a cute little goddess quiz so you can match yourself to a goddess jewelry piece, which feels so early 2000s magazine quiz so obviously I love it. If you’re curious, I got Aphrodite and Freya as my inner and outer goddesses, respectively.


Chanel Rosy Light Drops — I don’t know why I haven't sprung for this yet, but I’ve had this illuminator from Chanel on my wish list since maybe 2019. It’s a pink highlighting liquid you can use on your eyelids, cheekbones, or anywhere else you want a little pearlescent pink princess glow. Sounds on brand for me. 


Ultra Mini Platform UGGs — OK so if you heard my paris update episode you already know, the french girlies are unironically wearing mini platform uggs with trousers and leather pants and jeans. I’m deadass serious. So this is another Cady Heron moment, I saw the parisian girls wearing platform uggs and trouser pants so I WORE platform uggs and trouser pants. But honestly I have some form of ugg slipper on every single gift guide so this feels appropriate regardless. 


Cody Foster Venus Ornament — Venus makes the list again! This ornament has been on my wish list since last Christmas and I might just get it for myself this year. If you’re familiar with Boticelli’s the Birth of Venus — the painting is in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, which I got to see this past march — the center of that is blonde newborn full grown woman venus, standing in a scallop shell in the nude, floating on the sea, waiting for angels to bring her clothes. Some genius named cody foster turned her into a christmas ornament and for reasons that are perhaps extremely obvious to anyone listening currently, I absolutely need it. 


Polene Numero Neuf Mini — I’ve had my eye on this really uniquely shaped purse from cult-fav French brand Polène. I’ve heard great things about the quality of the bags, the quality of the leather, and the originality of the designs. It’s understated and lovely, and just over 300 euros. Depending on how you feel about handbags and what your usual budget is, that may seem like a steal to you or a luxury item. I really don’t know how to frame that because I don’t know your relationship to handbags or to money, but I didn’t intend for this to be a therapy session on financial trauma so I’m gonna move onto another expensive leather item. 


Chanel Coco Sling — if you’ve been with me for a while, you know I always have one delusional pick every year. These were on some previous years, so maybe this is the year I’ll manifest the classic chanel cap-toed slingback in beige and black leather. The coco sling is honestly iconic and never goes out of style though it truly constantly goes up in price. What the fuck Chanel I literally cannot keep up. Still obsessed though because I’m an absolute simp for Chanel. 

Not Pictured: Reformation Boots — I won’t spend too much time on these but if anyone listening wants to get me the knee high ruby leather Gaelle boots from Reformation that would be keeeewwwwlll cool cool cool cool. 

Skims Fits everybody T-Shirt — So if you guys remember my friend Les from episode 3, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast, I saw Les wearing Skims t shirts so I wanted to wear Skims t shirts. No but for real, I trust literally anything she recommends, and she told me that miss Kimberly makes some real solid staple tops. I really want to add these to my repertoire. 

Repetto Ballet Flats — OK so back to that Repetto backstory, you now know that this is a special brand with some special shoes. Those shoes that Rose Repetto made for Brigitte Bardot were for her to wear in the film God created Woman — the Cendrillon shoes — their signature ballet flat —  in red patent. I didn’t know this story until right now… but those are the shoes I have too! Red patent Cendrillon. They retail for 275 euros, up to $370, which is quite pricey, but I found mine on vinted which is like european poshmark. I obviously now need the Cendrillon in pink, beige, black, maybe even ivory. And you do too. Ballet flats are back, in case you missed the memo!


Sézane Sweaters — I personally could always use more of these, they’re all stunning, and hands down the best products that Sézane makes. I’m a big fan of this french brand, and got a couple cardigans this autumn to add to my warm layer repertoire, since, as mentioned, I am very very cold. Anything from Sezane is fabulous, but if you're gonna get anything, get a sweater.


Fabienne Delacroix Puzzle — listen, don’t yell at me but I put a 200 euro slash 200 dollar puzzle on this list. But hey, the goop gift guide has a 15 thousand dollar gold vibrator and some 400 dollar cheese on their list, so this isn’t too bad, right??

It’s a handmade in france wooden puzzle featuring art from my favorite artist. I bought the art piece itself and it’s on my wall here in Paris, but there’s a puzzle version too! It’s so so so whimsical and beautiful. They have less expensive ones from her collection too, so I’ll link to that. Honestly I’m biased because I love the art and I love puzzles and I love unique gifts like this… like, think about it… NO ONE YOU KNOW is going to give this gift. I mean, probably not. This is super unique and niche. And again, puzzles are cool as hell. I don’t care if that makes me sound nerdy.


Veggiekins Cookbook: SESAME, SOY, AND SPICE  — my dear friend Remy Park, who you know from episode 8, has been telling me of her dream to create a cookbook since the literal day I met her. We spent an evening of a press trip in Palm Springs in a jacuzzi with several La Croix mocktails, sharing our hopes and dreams and secrets, and the cookbook was something she’d been dreaming about for a long time. It’s finally finished, it’s real, and it captures some of her most incredible recipes. Disclaimer, it’s currently PRE ORDER, so it will not be here for christmas, but add this to your list anyway. 

As someone who’s eaten plenty of Remy’s recipes in my time knowing her, I can assure you that this vegan, gluten-free arsenal of asian-ish (her words, not mine) recipes is going to blow you away. As you probably know I’m neither vegan nor gluten-free myself, so it doesn’t matter if you have dietary restrictions or not. The quality, originality, flavorfulness, and honestly ease of so many of her recipes make it so easy and exciting to truly eat WELL. 


Memo Paris Sintra — Back to Memo Paris and fragrance. I bought Sintra by Memo Paris for myself for my birthday. If you heard our Perfume Smash or Pass episode with Caroline Stern, you know that this one was love at first sniff for me. It’s been on my wish list all year, and I finally took the 250 euro plunge. Let me tell y’all, it’s so incredible and I have zero regrets. It’s the most deliciously fresh and light and warm neroli milk with resin and marshmallow and orange blossom… you’ve got the green of petigrain and neroli with some citrus from bergamot, the soft white floral of orange blossom, lactonic milk and marshmallow notes, and the amber and resin to add warmth. It’s a fresh white floral that works in cold weather, I’m absolutely in love with it. 


Comfort Zone Hydramemory Cream — I’ve talked about this before, I’ve written articles for magazines that are basically open love letters to an inanimate object — Italian brand Davines and Comfort Zone make some of the best, HANDS DOWN BEST, products I’ve ever used, and they’re part of my daily routine. You know that I’ve tried a lot of product, I’ve worked with a lot of brands… I ride hard for this particular brand for a number of reasons, including the fact that they’re doing incredible things for the planet, regenerative agriculture, and innovation within natural beauty. They’re not greenwashing, they’re literally researching and making better and better products with fewer and fewer super-processed chemicals, and more natural origin ingredients. I will say, chemicals is a big scary word, but you know, like, EVERYTHING is basically a chemical. I don’t want to green wash here either. They’re just finding ways to create healthier, effective, beautiful products, and it’s working. And then they’re also like, completely revolutionizing regenerative agriculture in what is basically the food center of europe, Parma. It’s a whole thing. I wrote about it on Well and Good. But the face cream, oh my god you guys, it’s so good. It’s better than La Mer, and I actually love my La Mer. so that’s saying a lot.

Also going to link to their new Luminant Serum, which is like one of my favorite brightening serums from Caudalie – Vinoperfect – but somehow even lighter and more effective… and comes in a pearlescent pink bottle. 


Davines Oi All-in-One Milk Spray — back to Davines — if you’re buying one universal hair product, make it this. Spray it in towel dried but still wet hair. It adds softness, shine, smoothness, suppleness… it’s the most incredible elixir for your hair, like a magic potion in a chic black spray bottle. And again, it’s from Italy, with immaculate ingredients. Just trust me bro.


Typology Tinted Glow Duo — OK so I’m new to the Typology train. This is a french-based (lol shocker) skincare and cosmetic company that you CAN’T find in a french pharmacy. They’re kind of like… a fancier and frenchier version of the ordinary, but with a lot of european restrictions on ingredients. Think… super simple but effective. It's the ultimate french girl no-makeup makeup, skincare but with coverage, dual purpose product lineup. And they’re B corp certified, like Davines and Comfort Zone which I love. Not sure if you guys know this but it’s really fucking hard to get B corp certified, and then you have to maintain certification by improving your score by a certain amount every year. B corp measures environmental and social impact, so it’s basically a marker of being a really good company. Anyway, the products I’m recommending are two I’ve been using nonstop since I got them, the tinted glow duo, which includes their tinted serum — a hybrid of tinted moisturizer and facial serum with squalane, vitamin C and aloe vera — and the 5% vitamin C glow drops with pearl mica to add a bit of a dewy glowing effect to your skin. You guys have to try this. 


Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara — You may know this already, I love my chanel mascara, and it’s not the ultra popular Le Volume mascara. Inimitable Intense, in my humble opinion, is the best mascara there is for separating and lengthening, and adding volume without turning your eyes into spider lashes. If you’ve seen my eyelashes, that’s my testimonial. Price point is just hovering over 30 bucks.


Dior Lip Glow Oil — These were probably on my list last year too, but I’m still just as obsessed with Dior Lip Glow Oil now as I was back then. It’s such a luxe little treat, and if you order it directly from Dior you’ll get all the fancy packaging and wrapping, whether you buy it for yourself or someone else. Like the mascara, this is another 30 dollar present.


Diptyque Candle in Narguilé — my favorite Diptyque candle for cold months is Narguilé, which is hookah. Random right. I’ve never hookah’ed in my life. I don’t smoke. But this combo of tobacco leaf and honey … spice and amber and vanilla… it’s heavenly. It’s not clichéd, it’s not overdone… this is unique, it’s special. If you want a unisex, warm, holiday season or even late winter scent, get this one for SURE. I guarantee you your friends don’t have this one y’all. Niche luxury. This scent is only available in the classic size, the 190g candle, for around 58 euros or $75.

Memo Paris Fine China Candles — As mentioned I’m in love with Memo Paris, surprise surprise, there’s another item on my list here. To be clear, this isn’t sponsored… I WISH. But if you’re giving a gift to someone who loves perfume, or candles, or wants a new teapot or mug or china egg cup set… this is one of the most creative and beautifully done things I’ve seen. They’ve made candles out of some of their most popular scents like Marfa and French leather, and poured them into these gorgeous pieces — Bone china porcelain, hand gold-gilded and made in France pieces. So you burn this luxury candle, you get an incredible perfumed scent in your space, and then at the end you have a coffee mug, teacup, teapot, or egg cup you can use every day. So freaking cool!


Philips SmartSleep Sunrise Lamp — I didn’t put it on the visual guide because the color scheme was off.  BUT OKAY. The Philips SmartSleep Sunrise Alarm Clock. I’ve been calling this a sad lamp, like Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD — to help me combat the sads. The lamp itself is not sad. It helps me to NOT be sad. I just got it, after reading tons of reviews. My sleep has been SO off since moving this far north of the equator, and I really need the light support to wake up. The sensors measure the spaces light, noise, temperature and humidity levels, which is wild, and it connects to an app for sleep tracking so you can customize your ideal wakeup and sleep times. It’s got sound effects to help you either wake up or doze off, and a place to charge your phone. Since the sun isn’t coming up until about 8:30, I’ve been really struggling and I’m banking on this to help me.


Longchamp Tote — if you’re old enough to remember when these were the it bag, get ready for round two. I’ve been seeing these literally everywhere. Maybe they never went out of fashion here in France because they’re so damn practical, but everyone’s got a foldable tote from Longchamp. I want the papier beige color or the monochrome pastel pink. They’re great water resistant bags for rainy days, especially if you’ve got a lot to carry. My friend Trish uses hers as beach bag as well. Versatility! Utility! We love!


Mariage Frères Tea — to be honest I also want this for Christmas but I can also strongly recommend it so it’s making it onto my favorite things of 2023. The Tea from french brand Mariage Frères is so unique and special… their famous marco polo tea is a tropical black tea that has also been made into a tea flavored jelly, and they serve it at high tea in claridges in london. That’s actually where I discovered the brand, before exploring more of their teas in paris. I would recommend you start with the Marco Polo black or green tea, depending on your preference, their Christmas teas, and their the de lune which is moon tea in english. They have pleine lune, or full moon, in black and rooibos versions. You truly can’t go wrong.

Anissa Kermiche Adjustable Ring — my most favorite thing that I bought myself last year was my Christmas present, to myself from myself, that was also on last year’s gift guide. I’ve never gotten so many compliments on a piece of jewelry. She’s london based now but a french designer, and makes these beautiful adjustable gemstone rings. There are also matching bracelets which might be my next purchase. 


Nespresso Vertuo Next Premium — did I buy a copper accented deluxe espresso machine this year? Sure did! Am I European yet? I’ve used my Nespresso every day since I got it, and have been making my own cappuccinos at home which has saved me a ton of money, so maybe I can buy a house hahahaha. JOKES. My favorite pods, if you’re curious, are Chiaro, Bianco Doppio, Tamuku ma Zimbabwe, kona hawaii, and the holiday festive black double espresso.

Papier Croissant Journal — as a Virgo stellium individual, I am ALWAYS excited to receive a journal or notebook. Papier is one of my favorite brands in this arena, I’ve had several of their journals in the past and present. I just discovered their leather journal with gold croissants printed all over and I am truly obsessed. Check it out in the visual guide for the gift guide. It’s too cute.


Slip Silk Pillowcases — One of the things I brought with me from the US was my 100% silk pillowcases from Slip. Are they a pain in the ass to wash? Absolutely. But do they keep my skin and hair healthy and lovely? 1000%. I am so used to the literal silkiness of these that other pillowcases literally feel scratchy. I think these make a great gift, especially if you are kind of stumped on what a person wants or needs. 


Raclette Machine — One of my favorite items of 2023, and my recommendation for you to try if you haven’t already, is raclette. This is part meal, part machine, part group activity, and 100% cheese. I’ve included links to raclette machines so you can try this at home.


Dominique Astorino
Previous

Valentine’s Gifts 2024
Next

EPISODE 22: Dominique’s Favorites 2022 / Gift Guide