Gift Guide
The Elevated Life
Welcome to The Elevated Life Gift Guide — otherwise known as “Jeffrey went down the rabbit hole so you don’t have to.”
Every year, there seem to be multiple categories in life that I want to upgrade. So, I research and discover a handful of products and items that quietly (and sometimes dramatically) elevate my life. And if you know me at all, you know I approach every decision like an archaeologist on an important dig, sifting through endless options, and refusing to stop until I uncover something truly remarkable.
These 15 products genuinely elevated my daily life this year, across everything from comfort to skincare to wellbeing. They make fantastic gifts for people you love — and, yes, gifting yourself absolutely counts. Consider this your shortcut to well-chosen, high-standard living… without the endless spreadsheets that I may or may not have created.
*Photos taken in front of my own Christmas tree
ON MOBILE, DESCRIPTIONS ARE BENEATH THE GALLERY AND PHOTOS ARE CLICKABLE
GLASSHOUSE CHRISTMAS CANDLE
Every year, I go on a mad search for the perfect pine-scented candle, and this year, I think I may have found it.
Strong enough scent to fill an entire room with the scent carrying through the entire candle. Cheap candles tend to only add fragrance to the top so it smells good in the store.
But not only is the scent a delight, but the glass vessel is truly exceptional. When lit, the glass vessel itself glows like stained glass windows with three different wintery scenes. It's amazing!
A gift that's sure to delight, a great addition to your holiday home decor, and would make the perfect hostess gift.
I bought mine in a local boutique but you can also purchase online. This is Winter Wonderland in 13.4 oz. There are a variety of holiday-themed fragrances in different glass vessels. I'll be getting more for sure!
Website- Glasshouse Fragrances
BOLL & BRANCH SHEETS
Holy sheets was this some work!
I decided I wanted to upgrade to luxury linens, so I started with what I know to be the very top luxury brand in the world of linens. Lovely, but I couldn't convince myself to spend thousands of dollars on a single top sheet. I could just imagine how stressful it would make every intimate encounter!
Ok, let's come down a notch to another familiar brand that is well known in luxury hotels. Very nice, still expensive but palatable.
Then, this brand Boll & Branch, which I wasn't very familiar with but won me over with the way they described the feel of their sheets and the integrity behind the company. All organic, they focus on thread quality, not thread count. Using only the tips of cotton, the sheets get softer with every wash. Finding out they practice completely ethical and sustainable practices confirmed for me that I would sleep better knowing I made the right choice.
When they arrived, I was blown away by the beautiful packaging. I had always bought sheets that came in a plastic envelope!
Boll & Branch has instantly become a favorite choice for linens and I have to say, at a really reasonable price for the quality and brand reputation. To be honest, I almost didn't buy them because the price point was so much lower than I expected from luxury linens. Definitely a case where the value far exceeds the price.
Website- Boll & Branch
LAUNDRY SAUCE
This has been one of the most fun upgrades of the year! Who knew laundry detergent could be so exciting?
It can be when it's called Laundry Sauce!
This is like a fine parfum instead of cheap cologne typical of store-bought detergents. So subtle and elegant that I think even people with fragrance sensitivities would be pleased.
There are a variety of fragrances. I've been using Indonesian Patchouli with matching dryer sheets. I've never spent so much time sniffing a pile of freshly cleaned laundry!
And make no mistake, it cleans extremely well! All around, this is a top-rate product.
You can order a sample kit to start so you can decide on your favorite fragrance. Then it's a subscription model so the pods arrive just when you need them.
Make doing laundry something you look forward to!
Website- Laundry Sauce
HARLEM CANDLE CO.
This is not a new upgrade, but it's still my favorite candle company of all time.
Harlem Candle Co. does everything right. Every candle pays homage to an important figure or place in the Harlem Renaissance. They are beautifully scented and the vessels are gorgeous.
Teri Johnson, the Founder and Owner, has poured her heart into every candle, sharing meaningful stories behind every creation.
Speakeasy shown here remains my favorite but since I own almost every candle they make, they are all wonderful.
Makes a great gift, hostess gift, and every night in your own home something special.
Website- Harlem Candle Co.
SONOS ACE HEADPHONES
There comes a time in all our lives when we must grow up a bit. And I don't know, I no longer felt like I was the typical Beats demographic. For as much as I fly, business class and Beats were no longer feeling aligned.
Of course, I considered the fruit-inspired brand, but since my entire house is connected to Sonos, these over-ear headphones, Sonos Ace, became the obvious choice and I'm really glad I did.
They are sleek, elegant, and not heavily branded. They just look sharp. I mean, as sharp as one can look with over-ear headphones on.
Easy controls and I like that the music stops when you remove them from your head when you're listening to the flight attendant demo for the millionth time. Besides, I don't need the entire plane hearing me blare Barbra Streisand. I have to maintain my cool façade.
Oh, yeah, and they are considerably less expensive than Apple's headphones, and truthfully, I prefer them.
Website- Sonos Ace
TRANQUILITEA STEEPING CO.
This tea brand, Tranquilitea Steeping Co. is a local brand in Jacksonville, FL. I buy it at our local arts and crafts market every weekend. But it's also available online.
I gifted a whole selection of teas to an informed tea-loving friend and she also loved them!
They have some very unique blends. Shown here is Peppermint Bark which is like hot chocolate in herbal tea form. My favorite Hallmark movie-watching drink! I also love Milk Oolong and Sweet Dreams.
Fantastic teas made locally by a sweet husband and wife team, and supporting a small business fits me to a tea!
You'll enjoy this for yourself and for gift-giving.
Website- Tranquilitea Steeping Co.
IL MARCHESATO UMBRELLAS
One of my greatest finds of all time is Il Marchesato umbrellas! You seriously cannot imagine how this will elevate your life. It takes carrying an umbrella to a whole new level of awesomeness. Who says you can't be fashionable in the rain! I was in Paris this Spring for six weeks and was so disappointed that it only rained one day that I could walk around with my umbrella!
They are handmade by a family-owned business outside of Milan, Italy. The choice of fabrics is so extensive that you may have a hard time choosing. Each one a statement. Each one stunning. And don't get me going on the choice of handles! Crazy!
Shown here is my umbrella with a Swarovski crystal handle. I know, right? What you can't see is that the handle is also engraved with my initials.
Just go to the website, you won't believe it. Are they expensive? Compared to a Tote, yes. But in my opinion, they are less than you'd expect and as something you don't buy often, well worth the investment. Just don't leave it behind at a restaurant! You can't imagine how many compliments I get for my umbrella. It seems to brighten the most miserable days.
I gift these often! It's fun to pick fabrics based on someone's personality. Cover yourself in the flair you deserve!
Website- Il Marchesato
HANZ DE FUKO GRAVITY PASTE
Yes, I'm that guy who spends way too much time experimenting with endless hair products, but I think I finally found the winner!
HANZ DE FUKO Gravity Paste may be the best cross-section of elements in a hair product I have found. Strong enough to hold without being heavy. Dry enough not to add moisture. If you have naturally curly hair, as I do, you understand the importance of this. I also chose one with medium shine because it's best to accentuate the silver fox look :). You might choose a matte finish.
All around, it has proven to be the perfect hair product. I was not familiar with the brand but after testing so many more common brands, I was glad my rabbit hole research led me here.
It's available at many retail outlets and online.
Website- HANZ DE FUKO
NICE LAUNDRY
This might be TMI, but that's how much I care about you!
There's sexy underwear and there's your father's boxers. These are definitely not your father's boxers!
Nice Laundry is sort of a hybrid of cute, sexy, and comfort. The slim leg design prevents that ridiculous baggy look and risk of WAY too much information. The pattern choices are cute and the little button fly is a nice touch.
All around, these may be the perfect men's underwear. Let's be honest. We gay men care about our underwear so trust me on this. You can be stylish, sexy, AND comfortable. My years of speaking an octave higher than I need to in the name of being sexy are done. Comfort rules without compromising confidence.
For you or for the man in your life, you'll thank me later.
Website- Nice Laundry
SKINCARE
The biggest upgrade this year was skincare. Seven months of trying seven different reputable skincare brands and concluded that Dior was the best all around choice. I shouldn't be surprised but honestly, I don't think of them as a leading skincare brand. But the quality of ingredients, the natural botanicals, the science backing, and most importantly, the results, proved otherwise. Certainly not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive.
While this is my entire skincare routine, any one of the products on their own is a wonderful gift for anyone or yourself.
LA MOUSSE
This is the best cleanser I have ever come across. It's called OFF/ON because it takes "off" 99% of pollutants and products on your skin and puts "on" nutrients, moisture, and protection.
Made with fresh flowers and botanicals, the fresh scent is so delightful that you'll look forward to washing your face.
You need such a small amount of this foaming cleanser; a single tube lasts me about six months.
Website- La Mousse Off/On Cleanser
DIOR CAPTURE LE SERUM
Serums are expensive but I've learned how absolutely essential they are. They moisturize at levels a moisturizer alone will never do.
What convinced me of this serum, Dior Capture Le Serum, was the texture. When you apply it, after smoothing it in, it has a slight friction. It really feels like it's soaked in and ready to receive a moisturizer. The slight friction was unlike any other brand I tested.
Using a very small amount, I get about six months from the 1.7 oz bottle.
Website- Dior Capture Le Serum
DIOR PRESTIGE EYE SERUM
Admittedly, this is a bit pricy, but wow, it is amazing.
The reduction of fine lines around the eyes is very noticeable in just a couple of weeks. They say results take eight weeks, but many people report seeing results much sooner.
It comes with the most unique reshaping applicator that, I'm not sure how it happens, is so surprisingly cold it's like an ice-pack for your eyes.
So refreshing morning and night and backed by a lot of science to prove its effectiveness. Expensive but worth it.
Website- Dior Prestige Le Micro- Serum
DIOR CAPTURE DAY CREME
After the serum, it's time to apply a day creme.
Like the serum, what stands out to me about this day creme is the texture and the way it goes on. It's as if you can feel it soaking in. It's smooth and never greasy. My skin tends to be on the oily side, but this does not make my skin oilier. It just applies perfectly. Smooth and luxurious.
I also like that you can buy refills. Cheaper and better for the environment. Well done, Dior!
Website- Dior Capture Day Creme
DIOR CAPTURE TOTALE NIGHT CREME
And then there's the night creme! This is so luxurious it's like a spa treatment every night. I find myself pushing it into my skin like a light massage after smoothing it out.
I'm not sure what it is, but I literally take a deep inhale and a deep exhale after applying it every night. This is special and it's known for its restorative properties.
Of course, like all Dior Skincare products, it's made with natural ingredients and botanicals (many grown in their own gardens) and backed by science.
This, to me, has become a must-have. I look forward to it every night. No, really, I do.
Website- Dior Capture Totale Night Creme
CAUDALÍE BEAUTY ELIXIR
This is so popular among celebrities, I was hesitant to even try it.
But it completely won me over. It's a light misting spray. I use it at night after applying serum and before creme. I find it completely refreshing and it's known to close pores and prepare the skin. I've heard others who use it to set their makeup. Either way, it's pretty incredible.
It's made from grape extract. The founder's family has a vineyard in Bordeaux and she came to learn that the ladies in the field were spreading the juice from the grapes on their faces with terrific results. After research and testing, voila, Caudalie was born and this product has a huge following.
Even not wanting to follow a trend, I was won over. A terrific gift! In the U.S., you can also buy this at Sephora and on Amazon.
Website- Caudalíe Beauty Elixir