holiday gifts by
some of my favorite women
I'm lucky enough to have several women around me who are entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders who all happen to offer things that would make incredibly thoughtful and unique holiday gifts.
(They have all also been invaluable supporters of din din!)
I have compiled their spectacular offerings here-- the best things always have the added bonus of being impactful, so please peruse!
(Some are NYC-based, others aren’t, but most can ship/offer virtually.)
You can’t not begin by talking about the singularity and excellence of this coffee (this roastery from coffee-capitol Portland, Oregon has stacked up awards galore!). But to owners Caryn and Mike Nelson, quality coffee equally means being an equitable piece of the coffee supply chain and using their product and cafe to educate consumers and support community justice. Also, for all their talent and activism, they’re super fun!
While quality is about roasting coffee to best suit its terroir, and brewing it to best represent all of the hard work and dedication that poured into that product from seed to cup, they wanted quality or “specialty” coffee to mean more than just excellent taste. They wanted quality to be better sound environmental and social conditions at the farm level, about equitable trade practices between all supply stream partners, about how Junior’s operates as a business in Portland, and about how Junior’s transparently shares that story with the consumer. Junior’s Roasted Coffee aims to make coffee better by helping people make a connection with their coffee in the cafe, at educational events, and through wholesale partnerships. They welcome you to join Junior’s in exploring how to make coffee better.
Shop all Junior’s collections (including holiday samplers & coffee subscription) here:
Tracy*Talley is a connector of people. She is constantly weaving a network of creatives, bolstering everyone's projects with new relationships and opportunities. Tracy* is particularly talented at connecting us not only to others, but to our higher selves and to a collective "other." When you talk with Tracy*, you feel genuinely seen and heard-- at once open and safe. Tracy* uses frameworks of ancient and mystical knowledge with her own keen insight to help you realize a fulfilling, layered life. There couldn't be a more meaningful gift and you couldn't place your loved one in better hands (and she created a special package deal just for us!).
You have arrived at the perfect time. I am here to articulate how the mysteries of life influence the twists and turns of your life's journey. Numerology, tarot, astrology, archetypes, symbolism, ceremony and connection are the elements I use to do this. Please come in and explore the wonderful world of The Mystical.
Nasrin’s Kitchen
Chef Nasrin’s new line of jams, pickles, and pastries couldn’t be more timely for the holiday. This is how to gift food products that are genuinely “made from the heart,” freshly unique, and skillfully delicious (and have gorgeous packaging!).
Chef Nasrin can’t remember life before cooking. For her, cooking is an expression of love. In her family’s kitchen in Tehran, Iran, she faithfully absorbed secret recipes and delicate skills from her grandmother and mother.
Learn more about this talented & lovely chef and peruse her stunning dishes here:
Masami Adachi Photography
If you’re looking to capture a loved one on camera, Masami’s portraiture is more alive than I often feel and always leaves me wanting to know more about her subjects. Or if you’re selling your own products, her stills beckon customers right into your brand.
Masami Adachi is a professional photographer living and working in New York City. Her work spans a diverse range of genres, with a focus on portraiture and still life photography. Born in Japan and coming of age in London, Masami is a global citizen whose artistic practice has been informed by the many people she’s met and photographed during her extensive travels. She uses light, observation and composition to tell stories with her photographs.
Peruse Masami’s enthralling photography here:
My boss friend Karina Nagin runs this world-class film festival in an Arkansas town so beautiful it’s literally named “Hot Springs.” This festival is at once a global spotlight for the documentary film world and the multicultural, intergenerational celebration of a local community. If you’re searching for a gift for a filmmaker friend, a documentary buff, or a lover of art and community tradition, donate to HSDFF to receive a slew of perks, from t-shirts and posters to VIP festival passes for those lucky enough to be local.
Now approaching its 30th year as the oldest all-documentary festival in North America and one of the longest running non-fiction festivals in the world, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival remains a prominent champion and protector of the documentary film genre.
Hannah's art is so boldly honest that it immediately creates connection and a sense of shared experience from highly personal portrayals. Her paintings and prints make for an extremely special gift-- beautiful and eloquent.
Alaskan born and Brooklyn based, Hannah is a painter and printmaker whose work marries the dramatics of classical figure painting with the light-heartedness of a cartoon. Through her practice, she is slowly unpacking her relationship with her body and--ultimately--nature. These narratives are layered with personal symbolism inspired by her childhood in Alaska.