8 Valentine's Day Gifts for Him that He's Sure to Love | Valentine's Day 2022

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, finding a gift for Him that he'll love does not have to be hard. Your plans may be different this year thanks to the Omicron variant, however, that does not mean you should forget a great gift.

Shopping for the man in your life can be challenging - I've rounded 8 gifts ranging from workout apparel to Nespresso that any guy will be sure to love.

We are supported by our readers. This post contains affiliate links - we may earn a small commission at no cost to you when you shop using our link.

Elevate your Self Care Routine with Hawthorne

In the shuffle of transitioning from the Holiday season to starting a New Year, sometimes it is easy to de-prioritize ourselves, focusing on larger resolutions - getting a promotion, losing weight, etc.

However, 2022 is about keeping a focus on all the self-care routines we discovered during the Covid pandemic. If there was one thing that the pandemic brought to light for most of us, it was the realization that self-care is truly a must, and most of us were likely so busy moving from one thing to the next that we didn't have much of a focus on self-care.

Whether it is as simple as placing your favorite scents throughout your home that evoke a sense of calm or happy, or making a bigger focus on treating your body well - skin, shower routine, etc - putting an emphasis on self-care does not have to be a challenge. 

One brand in particular that can help men elevate their routines and make self-care a priority in 2022 is Hawthorne. 

Meet Hawthorne

Hawthorne was founded in 2016 by Brian Jeong and Phil Wong and has been designing modern personal care products for men. Their brand features the sleek modern aesthetic and luxurious fragrances you know and love from designer brands that cost $300+ for cologne, but at a fraction of the price thanks to their direct to consumer business model.

I was able to try the Hawthorne Handwash and Candle. You can purchase these two popular items in either the Smoky and Earthy Home Upgrade or the Citrus Home Upgrade.

The packaging has a very sleek and modern feel, on par with today's top brands. I found the scents to be strong but not overpowering. The candle had no problem filling a large living/dining area with fragrance. The Smoky and Earthy scent reminds me of some of my favorite fragrances from popular brands like Diptyque and Tom Ford.

I also love that all Hawthorne products are 

Sulfate-Free. 

Paraben-Free. 

Silicone-Free. 

Phthalate-Free. 

Cruelty-Free. 

Personalized and Tailored to Your Preferences

Through a short 5 minute quiz, Hawthorne's algorithms tailor all products to you based on your responses to the questions. This helps them determine attributes such as skin type, hair length, and shower frequency. You will also have the option to purchase a data informed subscription or do a one-time purchase. 

Take Your Quiz

Hawthorne Favorites

The bundles are a great way to explore multiple product lines within the Hawthorne brand, or get a great deal on something you love. If you are looking to dip your toes into the brand, Nordstrom carries a curated collection of items that you can purchase individually.

Shop Hawthorne at Nordstrom below as well as my favorite bundles:

Sandlewood Collection Bundle - $115

Dark and Woody Candle Set - $85

As we head into the remainder of 2022, remember, self-care is never selfish! 

This post was made possible for Hawthorne. All opinions are my own.We are supported by our readers - when you purchase a product using a link on our site, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Deal Alert: J.Crew Winter Sale

 This blog is supported by its readers. When you shop via a link on this page, we may earn a small commission at not cost to you.

If you have been following the J.Crew sale and holding off, or are just reading about their epic winter sale...now is the time to act! J.Crew upped the additional discount off sale styles to a whopping 60% off. Styles and Sizes are definitely limited, but you can find some great pieces and staples such as the 484 Slim-fit broken-in Chino which typically do not receive additional discounts.

We've rounded up some of our favorites that still remain...extra 60% off is set to expire at the end of day 1/17/22...get to shopping!

Use Code "EPIC" for extra 60% off at checkout. Additionally, earn an extra 1.5% cashback when you activate your Rakuten. (Not a member? Sign up here)

5 Holiday Scented Candles You Need for Your Home

 

We are supported by our Readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Fragrance is one of my favorite and easiest ways to transform the feeling of a space. The power of scent transports us to another world and connects us with memories. Scented candles are great any time of the year, but they are especially great during the Holiday Season, casting a cozy glow and filling your space with scents of the season.

Whether you are looking to fill your home with the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree or a crackling fire, these candles will add an instant touch of the Holiday season to your home.

1. Diptyque Flocon Candle Limited Edition

Each year Diptyque released a limited-edition candle for the season, and this year it is Flocon. The flacon, or snowflake, candle reveals notes of white musk mixed with honeyed accents of mimosa and winter bloom.

Available at Bluemercury

2. Cire Trudon Christmas Gloria Candle

Enjoy not only a luxe seasonal fragrance, but also a beautiful blown glass vessel from what is rumored to be Marie Antoinette’s favorite candle company. Christmas Gloria from Cire Trudon is a woody-heavy scent with notes of spice throughout.

Available at Saks

3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Pain D'Épices Candle

This candle will evoke all the childhood memories of building a gingerbread house filled with sweet delights. Pain d’epices has notes of orange, honey, cinnamon, and anise.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue

4. NEST New York Holiday & Birchwood Pine Scented Candle

Perhaps the most fitting and synonymous with Holiday candles is the Birchwood Pine scent from nest. Fill your home with the aromatic scent of a freshly cut tree. This special Holliday set includes both Holiday and Birchwood scents.

Available at Nordstrom

5. Jo Malone Glowing Embers Candle

Evoke the aura of a cozy den or library with a crackling fire, fresh log just tossed on, with this hand-poured candle from Jo Malone. Glowing Embers has very strong notes of smoke (in a good way) and woods.

Available at Bluemercury

Holiday Cranberry Margaritas with Alacran Cristal Tequila

It is the holiday season, and that means one thing- holiday parties and gatherings! Do you find yourself running around from event to event this time of the year? I know I do! Whether you are hosting your own party or looking for a great cocktail to make for a gathering you are heading to, I have a great recipe to share with you.

Margaritas are always a crowd pleaser, but do they work at a holiday party? Yes! Nothing says winter and the holiday season quite like cranberry. Try serving this refreshing cranberry margarita at your next holiday party.

Cranberry Margarita
-2 cups Alacran Cristal Tequila
-1 1/3 cups cranberry juice (I recommend using 100% juice variety with no sugar added. Trader Joes makes a great one)
-3 tbsp Agave Syrup or sweetened to taste (Note: I use agave to make the drink fresher. If you are accustomed to an orange liqueur, use 1 Cup Cointreau of Grand Marnier) 
-2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 


1. If you like a salted rim: place salt on small plate, wet rim, and apply salt to rims of glasses
2. Combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and ice in a large pitcher, and stir.

I like using Alacran Tequila because it is an ultra premium anejo tequila. It is packaged in a beautiful, clear glass bottle that is sleek looking. The tequila uses agaves from 7-10 years old harvested in the highlands of Jalisco. It is matured for 14 months in American Oak barrels from bourbon generating a rich, woody flavor with a hint of vanilla. As a result of their exclusive clarifying filtration process, a crystal product is produced with light gold reflections. 



*This recipe yields approximately 10 servings. 













This post was made possible by Alacran Tequila

Escape to Malibu Giveaway with johnnie-O

LA-based lifestyle brand johnnie-O is offering an exciting fall giveaway to escape to Malibu. For those of you not familiar with the brand, johnnie-O is known for its west coast take on classic east coast preppy styles. The brand has recently ramped up its offering and is expanding across the country, and too celebrate their recent success, the brand is offering an exciting giveaway for the chance to win a trip to Malibu for 2!

Details:  A giveaway in celebration of its newly-formed partnership with Malibu Beach Inn and the much anticipated launch of johnnie-O’s revamped website.

As the kick-off to a series of new and exciting promotions, “Escape to Malibu” will offer johnnie-O fans the chance to win round-trip airfare to Los Angeles for two, a 2-night stay at the luxury oceanfront hotel, a round of golf with John O’Donnell, and $500 shopping spree at the johnnie-O ‘Love Shack’.

This comes on the heels of johnnie-O debuting it’s newly designed website, offering shoppers improved functionality and speed, an enhanced look and feel, shop-able look books, integration with a now shop-able Instagram, and the newly featured “Blue Room” blog (think behind-the scenes “Green Room” in show biz - where the real action happens off-camera) - giving readers insight into all of founder, John O’Donnell’s hot topics, from the best brews and signature cocktails to interviews with key leaders such as Rio Olympic golf course designer, Gil Hanse.

How To Enter: simply input your email address from now until November 13^th on the johnnie-O website here - Escape to Malibu Giveaway - for a chance to win this incredible trip and giveaway. (Rules and restrictions apply)

The Malibu Beach Inn is the perfect destination as johnnie-o has recently formed a partnership to further establish itself as a west coast lifestyle brand. The brand's partnership with the inn includes Malibu Beach Inn employees outfitted in signature johnnie-O apparel including polo’s, outerwear, and belts; selling select product in their hotel boutique; offering the “johnnie-O Light and Sunny” cocktail at the Carbon Beach Club bar; as well as promoting the “Summer of johnnie-O” special in which guests will enjoy premium beachfront accommodations and receive a johnnie-O polo and ball cap upon check-in.

Fall Fragrance: Reawaken the Senses with BOSS THE SCENT

Just as we change out our wardrobes with the season, exchanging shorts for pants and polos for sweaters, it is important to change out our fragrance as well. Summer is great for lighter fragrance; I personally loved Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue this summer, but just like the the summer days have come to an end, so, too, has my daily use of the fragrance.

A good cologne is an important part of any gentleman's wardrobe. Finding the right one can be difficult, but once you you find "the signature" you know it is right. A great cologne for the fall season is BOSS THE SCENT, by Hugo Boss. It has become my personal favorite, and I can honestly say that this is one of the best fragrances I have used.

The new fragrance from Hugo Boss is all about seduction and wearing a scent that is memorable, since scent is one of the strongest things tied to memory. BOSS THE SCENT is the perfect compliment to the fall season, rooted in notes of an intense, burnished leather. The scent is rich and powerful, yet not overbearing, and is reminiscent of some popular fragrances that cost upwards of $250 a bottle.  THE SCENT contains an exclusive ingredient from Africa: the aphrodisiac Maninka fruit, evocative of passion fruit and rum. The cologne has notes of spicy ginger and Maninka with lavender based in rich leather.

I find this fragrance to last all-day, making at a great choice for day to night or office to happy hour. Grab your favorite sweater and pair with Hugo Boss THE SCENT for the ultimate masculine fall scent.

Available at Macy's











This post was made possible by Macy's. All opinions are my own.