Just Exhale and Give
Gift guides really have no time limit.
I’ve always loved the movie Waiting To Exhale. Even when I was too young to understand the nuances of what exactly was happening. From the surface, you see four beautiful, Black women – friends, navigating the curveballs of life. And it wasn’t until I was post college, that I really started to understand the story that was being told. And truthfully speaking, when I finally read Terry McMillan’s book during the pandemic, I began to really understand their complexities and see myself in each of the characters. Savannah (Whitney Houston), Bernadine (Angela Basset), Gloria (Loretta Devine), and Robin (Lela Rochon) have been woven into the fabric of our lives for 30 years. While each lady had their share of heartbreak, they never went through it alone. The bond of their friendship fills my soul, especially as I reflect on my core friendships that continue to sustain and ground me. 30 years later, I am still exhaling.
Waiting To Exhale is a non-holiday, yet holiday movie; so here are gifts for someone (or yourself) inspired by four iconic characters…
Inspired Gloria
Stephanie Weaver’s Hallelujah print to remind you to rejoice.
Juju Vera earrings for a touch of glam.
EAP ceramic flat iron to give yourself (or anyone else) a new look.
The Contemporary African Kitchen cookbook recipes for when you want to impress new neighbors.
Flamingo Estate’s Burnt Honey Pie for something sweet.
Le Creuset dutch oven is a staple for every kitchen.
Inspired by Savannah
Nili Lotan slip dress to make the grand entrance at any party.
Clase Azul tequila because the “drink’s on you!”
Rimowa luggage for when you’re ready to start over in any city.
Pattern Beauty body cream to keep you looking good at any age.
Smythson 2026 diary to keep track of your new starts and resolutions.
Hermes scarf for a little extra something.
Inspired by Bernadine
Olivia Von Halle silk robe for cozy at home.
Balenciaga’s No Comment perfume that does all of the talking.
The best mascara by Victoria Beckham.
Estelle Colored Glass champagne flutes to toasts to good times.
Danucera’s supremely cream supreme.
Kallmeyer blazer for when you mean business.
Inspired by Robin
The bell hooks classic redefining love as a verb.
A beautiful Toteme wallet that you’ll never lose.
Araks bra and panty set to set the mood.
Fleur Du Mal lace bodysuit for seductive moments.
A Christopher Esber dress because you’re that girl.
A Pineider journal to jot down all that touches the mind and heart.
As we’re in the holiday season and days before Christmas, there’s obviously this notion of gift giving and being locked into a deadline to receive. Yes, sure. But realistically, there’s no deadline to give or receive. I asked a few friends what they wanted to give and then what they hoped to receive, here’s what they shared…
Monica Mendal, writer and travel enthusiast, So there’s this place
To Give: “I recently stayed at Domaine de La Cavalerie in the Luberon during the olive harvest season. It was Emanuel Ungaro’s former family home, which his daughter, Cosima and son-in-law Austin, have recently transformed into an incredible villa rental for people to book for week-long stays. But the property’s real claim to fame is that it’s long been known for producing the best olive oil in France, which is what I’ll be gifting my mom this season!”
To Receive: “I’m craving anything from my friend Oli’s beautiful jewelry brand Laoli, but especially this lemon quartz puka beaded necklace she recently launched. I’m obsessed!”
Miles Pope, global fashion director, GQ; menswear director, Vanity Fair
To Give: “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tickets are the perfect gift to give your mom, dad, wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, or crush! It gets you out of the house and you are in for an incredible show. Plus, going to see an Ailey show is the perfect holiday tradition to start or continue.”
To Receive: “I’m a homebody and any chance I can to add a little magic to my personal space I try to do so! These L’Object cups are the perfect pop of color and whimsy to add to my home. I may (or may not) have a few sets in my cart already!”
Kristina Rutkowski, fashion editor, writer, and consultant
To Give: “My friend Woldy wrote a cookbook that came out earlier this year and it’s the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I’ve already gifted a few copies to friends and family, with more to come this holiday season. The book imagery and binding itself is beautiful, while the recipes are easy to make, veggie-forward, and satisfy a wide variety of tastebuds. One of my favorites is what I like to think of as his spin on cacio e pepe, noodles featuring a creamy, miso coconut sauce and pink peppercorns.”
To Receive: “I don’t love receiving (it’s better to give!), but I do always put cookbooks on my personal wish list (guilty!). I am an avid follower of Clare de Boer, whose substack The Best Bits is a good weekly read, and her restaurant Stissing House is one of my favorite places upstate. The King Cookbook just came out this November, documenting her and co-founders Jess Shadbolt and Annie Shi’s collection of best-loved recipes from the NYC restaurant institution. It was an immediate must-have, in my opinion.”
Tchesmeni Leonard, global fashion director, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Self
To Give: “This candle makes a meaningful gift because it offers someone a moment of calm and beauty; a small ritual that invites them to slow down, breathe, and feel cared for.”
To Receive: “The holidays are a time for me to slow down and reset for the new year and I’m quite the homebody. I love staying home and catching up on life and what better way to do that than swanning about home in these silky PJ’s from Olivia Von Halle.”
MaryKate Boylan, fashion editor and stylist
To Give: “I love to give the Dries Van Noten refillable lipstick (or lip balm) as a gift. The beautiful case makes a statement and looks chic when you take it out for a reapplication. It’s a nice treat for someone who doesn’t spend much on themselves or a useful necessity for someone who seems as if they have everything. The fact that they can refill the colorful case means they can use it for years to come.”
To Receive: “Life has been so hectic lately with moving to a different city with a toddler and all that goes along with it. So sometimes my self-care routine, like eating a full meal, takes a back seat. This holiday I would love nothing more than delicious and healthy food that is already prepared for me - truly the gift that keeps on giving.”
Jennifer Gach, vice president, FKA
To Give & Receive: “I wish I could give AND receive a Lettre de Lumiére Ensemble Ring from Sophie Bille Brahe. It’s personal, precious and timeless. I may be slightly biased, but I think jewelry makes the best gift – it will always fit and can be cherished for a lifetime.”
Andrea Zendejas, shopping market editor, Vogue
To Give: “A personalized gift from Officine Universelle Buly 1803 makes for an effortlessly elegant gift or stocking stuffer. It’s the small yet meaningful gesture I have planned for the women in my life.”
To Receive: “I love giving and receiving jewelry – few gifts feel as personal. At the top of my wishlist is this Tiffany & Co’s Elsa Peretti mini alphabet bracelet, which I’m eyeing with my daughter’s initials. It’s the kind of delicate, everyday piece that will become a signature.”
Jessica Neises, senior fashion editor, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen
To Give: “The best gift to give is one you’d like to receive yourself. You can never go astray with a spa gift card, and Spencer’s is my favorite escape in the city for its homey atmosphere and top-tier treatments. They’re soon to open a second floor, too!”
To Receive: “Since having recently moved, my budget has been focused on all the practical home goods I need, which doesn’t leave much room for the more whimsical things my heart wants. Gohar World has graced many a gift guide over the years and even recently opened a store in my neighborhood in the LES, so the temptation has been there for a while, but I’ve yet to purchase these gloves for myself. I imagine them making my dishwashing experience (sans dishwasher) much more fabulous!”
Kristen Nichols, associate director, special projects, Who What Wear
To Give: “Buly has the most beautiful, customizable pieces that make perfect gifts. I always pop into their store in Paris to get monogrammed lip balms, but you can also order them online.”
To Receive: “This is my favorite film that I use when I take photos when I travel, so it has a permanent spot on my wish list.”
Jalil Johnson, writer and tastemaker, Consider Yourself Cultured
To Give: “As a way to decompress I’ve been ending the day with a few games of solitaire, and I love the idea of gifting that to someone because they are pretty affordable. You can find a set that perfectly matches the gift receiver’s interests, and I think it’s a nice way to break up screen time.”
To Receive: “The thing I want most is an everyday gold bracelet like this one from Sherman Field.”
Ashley Moubayed, jewelry designer, Don’t Let Disco
To Give: “We collaborated with Kindred Black to reimagine a nostalgic favorite and turn it into something truly special. This sculptural mancala set is hand-blown from glass and paired with hand-carved semi-precious stones and a custom silver talisman as the playing pieces. I love how it blurs the line between art object and game, beautiful enough to display on a coffee table, yet inviting play and connection. It’s the kind of gift that carries both beauty and meaning.”
To Receive: “As someone who’s deeply inspired by sensory experiences, I love the idea of receiving the Frédéric Malle Fleur Mécanique II diffuser as a gift. It feels like a thoughtful balance of technology and artistry, an object that transforms scent into part of the design of a space. I’m drawn to how it adapts to the mood or moment. More than just a diffuser, it’s a piece that adds atmosphere and emotion to everyday living and I’d love to have one in our new studio/showroom.”
As for what I’m planning to give – Michelle Obama’s latest book, The Look. When the book launched, I had the pleasure to chat with Meredith Koop on working with Michelle on what it was like in creating her unforgettable style during her White House days and post. I remember when I first saw a copy of the book to work on my story, I was filled with emotion, but also optimism. One of the many reasons why Michelle Obama will be my forever First Lady is because she has continues to inspire and give me hope. She also reminds of a time when the country did not feel as dismal. I hope that we can get back to that one day and that’s what this book serves as for me and I’m hoping the same for anyone who opens it.
Now what I would love to receive is the new Apple iPhone 17 Pro. Like most people, I use my phone for many functions of life, so I would love the updated features (better battery life, updated camera, faster performance, aluminum design, and many more) to bring me into 2026 with all the new possibilities I hope to come my way.
Whether it’s gifts for now or later, it will all be received the same if your heart is in the right place.
Until next time! Happy Holidays!
xo Kia
And also, Gregory Hines is so missed ❤️❤️❤️