Capsule #76 ft. Kerry Squires

Hello hello,

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, thank YOU for being here and reading this newsletter each week. I appreciate you and hope it’s a little light in your Fridays.

Of course this week is the gift guide issue — use it, share it, treat yourself. So much of the stuff is on sale, too.

Important: If your issue gets clipped in Gmail this week as there’s a lot of images, click ‘read online’ in the top corner to see it all. Promise it’s worth it 🎁.

Holly x

✨🎁 Gift Guide 2024 🎁✨

Harling Ross recently shared a new approach to gift giving. Instead of a generic (albeit nice) gift, her friend gives her items that she herself has and loves, in hope of passing on some of life’s simple pleasures to a friend. I think that’s so nice - instead of paining yourself to think of the perfect gift for someone else, trying to imagine every touchpoint of their routine, why not scrape some of the best bits of yours and offer that to them? 

I’ve done that with this year’s Capsule gift guide. But there are also a few extra gift ideas, of things I don’t necessarily own but think are lovely, or have bookmarked for myself, or just think would be a great gift. 

I hope this gives you some inspiration, for others or for yourself! Just a head’s up, at the end of the guide I’ll ask for some ideas from you – get thinking as you read and share yours at the bottom. 🫶

And to be upfront about pricing - the cheapest item on this list is around £3 (a candlestick holder in the sale), and the most expensive is £95 for a pair of beautiful pyjamas. I don’t know what’s up with the stack of gift guides I’ve seen recently full of stuff £200 and up… In what world…! Okay here we go.

👜🩰 Self 🩰👜

• Shampoo and conditioner for hard water. One of my big 2024 revelations was learning about hard water and the minerals that affect our hair. My hair has suffered since I moved to London and I finally learned why! Aside from filters (the good ones of which are super expensive and need changing often), the main thing you need to know is that shampoos with chelating agents help to remove minerals and other build-up from the hair. The new formula of Hello Klean meets the criteria, as does the Molton Brown purifying shampoo, and also the Solu range from Davines. And if in doubt, pretty much everything from Davines is good.

• Bandana/triangle scarf. I think a lot of people would like to wear a scarf on their head and admire others who do, but feel silly when they try it themselves. I’m here to say that you don’t look stupid, you’re just not used to it. And I think gifting someone a lovely one is a nice way to show them that they can wear this look too. These silky/cottony bandana scarves from Reformation, Mango, Toast, are great, and these knitted bandanas from Free People, eBay, and Toast again are lovely.

• Good quality workout socks. I’m at that age where I say things like you get what you pay for, and I think it’s especially true of basics like socks and underwear. It also matters with running/workout socks which need to be comfortable, cushioned but not too bulky, and ultimately, a bit motivating. Some good picks: these from Sweaty Betty, these from Lululemon, and these from Sums.

• A media subscription. For paid digital media like newsletters or pay-walled sites. Maybe you always send your friend an article from The Cut, you could cover that for a year, or gift them Substack subscription for solid newsletters like Maybe Baby, Ask Polly, Feed Me, Shop Rat, or Hung Up. 

• Or, a couple of hefty magazines. My brother recently bought me two extremely chunky fashion magazines and flicking through them instead of scrolling through Instagram has been so nice. And they look great in your home. Think: Hunger, Pop, Beauty Papers, CR Fashion Book, 032c, and the ones you see stacked near them in a store. Shops worth seeking out: Magma, magCulture, Rare Mags. 

• Good vests/tanks. It can be risky to buy clothes for people but there are things that will always come in, and nice vest/tank tops are exactly that. They work because you buy them in S/M/L sizing, which is easier to get right, and having a slightly elevated white/black/grey vest is always a good idea, as a base in summer and for layering in winter. I really like these from Free People, these from Reformation, these from All Saints, these from Fruity Booty, and these from Anthropologie.

• Leather gloves. The most-worn gift I’ve ever received. Worth every penny. Cashmere-lined leather gloves are a perfect item - for winter walks, for cold Lime bike rides, for having a chic leather-gloves-on-steering-wheel driving moment. Mine are from John Lewis, but these from Cos look great too, and it’s hard to resist the cute colours of these. 

• A travel jewellery box. How do you usually carry your jewellery when you go away? And why is it just in a random tiny drawstring bag that ends up full of knotted necklaces and the fear of losing an earring? The travel jewellery box is something we can all benefit from. This Stackers one is ideal, as is this Monica Vinader one if you’re feeling a little more luxe. 

• Muslin pyjamas. Nice sleepwear is always a good idea. My mum got me this M&S set recently and they are perfect. H&M also have nice colours, this set from Sleepy Doe is really lovely, and these And/Or PJs aren’t muslin but they are 100% cotton and I think they are gorgeous, and on sale.

🍴🕯️ Home 🕯️🍴

• A butter dish. I don’t own one yet but they are on my horizon. Butter is so expensive these days... better to save on the plastic tubs and buy the wrapped blocks. But if we’re doing that, we’re going to need a good dish. These are great from Dyke & Dean, ABS Pottery, Folk, The Fine Cheese Co., and H&M. 

• A spoon rest. Like a butter dish but generally more affordable. No one doesn’t need a spoon rest, and very few people have a lovely one. AND there’s room to own more than one, so… a very fertile gift category! Some great ones here from Anthropologie, Folk, Etsy, and the Le Creuset ones are on offer (at the time of writing!). 

• Wooden chopping boards. We’ve all seen enough videos about microplastics entering our foods via chopping boards (and everything else) to know that a few plastic swaps are probably a good idea. Chopping boards are a good place to start. This Salter 3-pack with handles looks great, and this Habitat one is a great staple.

• A serving tray. One of many great gift ideas from my mum. Again, who won’t use a serving tray? Who doesn’t wish they had a nicer one for hosting or making breakfast in bed? Some to choose from: blue and orange lacquered ones from H&M, a rattan one via La Redoute, this scalloped acacia wood one from Habitat, and this mango wood tray via H&M. If your recipient is a little more refined, browse the vintage ones on Etsy. So many silver ones, and other cute ones.

• Candlestick holders. You’re unlikely to buy your recipient their first ever candlestick holder, but they do fit into the category of the more the merrier, especially the little ones. Dunelm has lovely, affordable glass ones, like this three ball one, which is great in amber, and this squat one, which is great in plum or green. These iron ones are also sweet from nkuku, as are these soapstone ones from Social Super Market. And for stainless steel ones: Søstrene Grene, H&M, and IKEA.

• An electric aroma diffuser. Your next port of call if you’ve done candles before. Great for anyone who enjoys yoga, being in the Muji store, and needs gadgets to look nice in the home. Lots of them look similar but they can be really beautiful: classic ones from Muji and Dunelm, this green one and ceramic ombre one from Oliver Bonas, and this lovely globe one from Neal’s Yard. And if you’re interested in the smart home versions of a plug in diffuser, it’s time to explore Pura.

• Striped towels. Just a nice thing to have. These ones from Tekla are exactly the type of very nice thing you buy for someone who doesn’t need anything but appreciates good design and quality products. The gift boxes with washcloths are so sweet as well.

This week, Kerry Squires popped into Capsule to share what’s 🔥hot🔥 and what’s not 🙅‍♀️ …

Kerry is an award-winning Art Director based in London. She works at the crossroads of art direction, typography, and motion, and has led high-profile campaigns for global brands like Apple Music and Condé Nast, as well as industry disruptors. See her work here! Outside of work, Kerry loves DJing, film, and spending time with her dog.

📺 Watching: Conclave in the cinema, if I’m being honest, this clip of George Daniel finally doing the Apple dance, and to, start getting us in the mood, one of the best festive videos:

📖 Reading: This article on why carrying a takeaway coffee makes you feel powerful (it’s true!), and, stick with me, I thought this thread from the menswear guy on why Tokyo has the best dressed men was really good, particularly when he points out that American fashion media tells people to break the rules and do what they want, whereas Japanese fashion media leans into rules and details that should be followed.

🎧 Listening to: ‘For Sale Sign’, the new Tiny Habits song with Lizzy McAlpine, Katie Gavin’s cover of ‘Like A Prayer’ (waiting for the whole version), and ‘Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call,’ the new festive Bleachers song.

If, like Bob, you’re wondering what people are shopping for today, here’s a good indicator. The top brands being searched for Black Friday in the US are: Aritzia, Coach, Vuori, Lululemon, and Ugg. In the UK, it’s IKEA, Next, Amazon, Lego and Lululemon. Good day to have Lululemon shares?

If you’d like to adopt Bob or one of his friends, click here to learn more.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear how you’re finding Capsule - let me know here. And if you have a friend who might like it, do refer them! 🥺

See you next week 💋

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