Gifts for the DND Warriors: An Elusive (International) Hot Girl Starter Pack #02
The axis is Elizabeth James (parent trap) to Iris Law: her home is a blissful cocoon that she never intends to leave...... living for chaos is trite, after all.
We’re baaaack (pt 1 here). The second Elusive (International) Hot Girl starter pack is for the chic homebodies (all picks here). She lives her life on DND because notifications disrupt the alignment of her nervous system. Her life is balanced and dare I say… perfect??
She’s an E(I)HG so of course she’s elusively everywhere yet nowhere. But by this, I mean, one moment she’s drinking tea from her perfect cloud of an apartment, and the next she’s drinking tea from her best friend’s perfect cloud of an apartment… in London.. or Nairobi.. or Mexico City.. or Hong Kong.. it’s hard to keep up. She is expert level at the rogue hobby — she may be a sommelier for fun, besting men who run prestigious wine programs during class every Sunday OR she might have picked up Capoeira as her new modality of movement (don’t disrespect the sacred art form by calling it a workout..).
Her favorite thing to do.. anywhere? Stay in (that includes dinner parties > “going out”). She’s been to enough places enough times that she doesn’t need to do things for the sake of exposure or tourism. A Maker & Son couch is her culture, actually. And when I say her life is a romcom, I MEAN IT – she loves a gorgeous stroll around the tree-lined streets of her neighborhood, the endless pursuit of finding the perfect sweater IRL, and a lived-in bookstore with creaky floors (she always brings treats and toys for the owner’s cat/dog). And if it wasn’t clear, everything she owns is soooooo chic & soooooooo perfect, but the kind that’s rooted in a globalized relationship to the pursuit of comfort.
let’s dig in to some GIFTS —
The Nicholas Mosse Sheep Mug is everything and more. I have young memories holding versions of this mug on walks in Surrey, and had entirely forgotten about it until my bestie
posted a vintage version on her substack, Long Live, a few weeks ago. I ordered this one immediately. Mugs like these make perfect gifts because they evoke the sweet sweet angelic energy of having tea with your grandmother. There’s something incredibly chic about things that overtly give you serotonin, optimized for comfort and coziness. I cannot wait to gift this one, and love that it’s priced under $50. A classic for a reason.SUZIE KONDI’S SPOOLS OF CASHMERE OWN EHG/EIHG CULTURE. Like a winter stroll without this iconic cashmere hat? Impossible. I know this may sound.. insane, but I think Suzie Kondi cashmere knits are heirloom quality. I think there’s something compelling about knits that look homemade, like your grandmother made it for you. It evokes a feeling of care and comfort, which I think is maybe the whole point of wearing knits? Suzie Kondi’s are doubly special because the cashmere is maybe the softest thing I’ve ever touched. It’s genuinely like a cashmere cloud that’s been kissed by angels and now gets to live in your home and on your head. There are lots of good colors, but pops of bby blue is the new red (sorry), so I’m recommending this one.
Romcom DND culture is Biologique Recherche Mask Culture. Is there anything more blissful than a night in where you’re marinating with a thick face mask on whilst watching vintage rhony AND you know that your sushi order is on the way? It’s simple math — this is bliss. And because EHG/EIHGs are always on a plane…. this is her ideal evening of recuperation after travel. Biologique Recherche is the patron saint of skincare in the E(I)HG universe, and trust me.. this mask is THE ONE post a long trip. It’s like a moisturizing detox for your skin, focused on cellular regeneration and re-oxygenation (putting oxygen back in ur dry skin). Afterwards, your skin feels supple, glowy, and hydrated. Just the way we like it.
You’re telling me you don’t always have a candle burning? Couldn’t be the DND EHGs…. I’ll be honest, I am not a “collecting matches” girl. I’ve tried and failed to get into matchbox culture. However, when I saw this silver matchbox I converted effective IMMEDIATELY. I think it’s so chic because it serves as an object for the table, but is also functional, and I can fill it with nontoxic matches!!! It’s also under $100 AND is engravable… WE’RE WINNINGGGGG.
I discovered this little egg cup from my friend
. Listen, if there’s one thing these EIHGs take seriously, it’s breakfast culture. Like, I’m talking gossip girl spreads for one. So could there be anything more perfect than gifting handmade/ mouth blown egg cups in the most perfect juicy blue??? Important to think about the color contrast with a brown egg here, and I can’t think of anything that could be better. It’s such a fun yet functional gift to give, and at around $50, you can opt for two (or more) to make a little set <3.Lauren Manoogian makes the sweaters that E(I)HGs like to gatekeep. I’m obsessed with this flossy baby alpaca boatneck sweater that is both functional and beautiful. Perfect for a day at home, travel days, or even cozy date nights. I have a boatneck sweater and surprisingly get complimented on it SO MUCH. Like so much so that I’m like do I need.. more.. boatneck sweaters? Probably, if my ego can take it. I just think they’re chic and easy and effortless but also evoke a thread of intentionality so you always look thoughtful and put together. Perfect for this group!!
Cozy discourse cannot occur without conversation about bath time rituals. I was introduced to Sangre de Fruta by my mom in 2020 (chic global queen), and have not looked back. I’ve slowly started observing these bath salts popping up on the RAVE LISTS of my DND EHGs (either on close friends stories, substacks, or in group chats over text). My mom uses these almost every night, and when I’m home, I do too (I think Neroli Noir is my fave, but they all GO). I don’t know how else to describe, but maybe akin to being drawn a bath in the same space/time continuum as Cleopatra…. it’s heavenly, regal, and RICH. Also…. $40 for 3 (fab packaging), a gorg gift.
I think the value of GOOD TEA is being slept on, as a culture. I had the perfect mint tea at the Lowell with my dear friend and EIHG of the girl boss variety, and it reminded me that we need to be gifting our friends some proper tea. Like I close my eyes and think of Elizabeth James (the parent trap mom) drinking a stunning blend of fresh chamomile flowers and mint in Good China and I feel peace. This brand makes some of my favorite blends. Obviously, nothing would top getting tea from a chic, unnamed place in any continent other than North America…. but for the commercial varieties, I think it’s hard to top Marriage Freres. I grew up on rooibos, so obvi recommending their deeelicous rooibos + bourbon vanilla, but I also think the chamomile (in organic muslin tea bags) is FAB and Very Couch Marination Core.
These are gossip girl pajamas. It just so happens that Blair Waldorf in her tower of silk and laduree was my entire vision board throughout middle and high school….. and now I’ve found the perfect set of pjs to Take Me Where I Wanna Go. Everything about this is perfect - the color, the cut (legs are not too wide not too narrow, would pool on the ground slightly), the buttons are perfect, the placement of pockets and the lining.. perfect. Can get monogrammed... Enjoy bliss.
Ah yes… these fckn shoes (sold out almost everywhere?). I get that it’s so ridiculous to froth over The Row’s version of a Birkenstock dupe (although, I was recently reminded that all the cool girls at camp wore Bostons) but I MEAN. They are DND EHG core because they are actually impossible shoes to wear if you’re planning to do anything aside from leisure. They’re for a stroll, a jaunt to ur rogue hobby, a gentle travel experience, or a sexy roadtrip upstate. And BEST with a strong cashmere sock.
I’ve talked about these spoons for the past 3 years, and I will talk about them for at least 3 more. Under $100 (on sale!!), and so so so chic and so so so fun. I love a mismatched spoon, and I can just see an EIHG using one to stir your espresso with a splash of whole milk in the perfect little espresso cup.
Last, but certainly NOT LEAST… is this gorgeous, gorgeous Thierry Colson cotton nightgown in white on white Chintz. It’s inspired by the nightgowns worn by gentlemen in the Jacobean era….. which is just a dizzying couple of sentences to type, and TBH the only sleepwear backstory I really care about. It’s sexy in an Olsens Boheme era kinda way, and I can see so many of the EIHGs in my life in this. Also, this brand is incredibly gatekept, and operates as very stealth in plain sight, so it makes for a gorgeous gift to earn some brownie points with those In The Know.
Ok kids, that’s all for today. Happy thanksgiving/turkey day/indigenous people’s day to all who celebrate. I am so grateful for each of you in ways that make me shed real tears. I love you!!!!!! MORE GUIDES DROPPING SOON (tomorrow hehe). Ciao 4 now;
TM x
***please note that some of these links are affiliate, and a small commission may be earned with your purchase***
me: "ummm, is this f*cking play about us?"
Number 12 is a necessity!