My Favorite Things! A Very Mandee Gift Guide 2024
My Favorite Things!
Hey friends!
By popular request I'm back with my favorite things gift guide. I love sharing the things I'm into at the moment! I even have a couple of discount codes to share (just a couple this time). This list is made up of things I've tried and loved this year, often from women owned, black owned, or local businesses.
This year's guide includes wellness items, recent favorite books & journals, one of my favorite experience gifts, kitchen items I've recently purchased, and of course some Pilates props. Plus, make it all the way to the end to see my ULTIMATE gift suggestion!
Wellness and For the Home
Kobe Lip Balm: A small, black owned business. I love this lip balm for how it feels and works on my lips, but also for the sustainable packaging and all natural ingredients. They have fun flavors too! Grab a five or ten pack for more savings and use them for stocking stuffers. PS I gave these away in my retreat swag bag this year!
One Little Bunch: A local woman owned, affordable floral delivery service. I have used this to deliver flowers to a friend on her birthday and she loved them! She offers flowers and floral arrangements for special occasions and a special bunch delivered on Fridays for just $35.
Tongue Scraper: Like what? Yep, this is the thing to help with your oral health. I have upped my oral health game this year especially and a tongue scraper is a huge part of that! Simone Biles recently wrote on X (twitter) "If you don't use a tongue scraper don't talk to me". Use it 3-4 mornings per week for maximum benefit.
Crawling Knee Pads: As my students you know that I promote crawling as one of the most functional forms of movement, for reasons beyond physical and even into our mental health! Many of our homes have hardwood or rugs not quite big enough to crawl comfortably, so I recommend these knee pads. If you're totally confused as to what I'm talking about, check out some of my brainwork videos in the membership to learn more about why crawling is so important, or ask me!
LMNT Hot Chocolate Electrolytes for on the go: LMNT has created electrolyte packets that are meant to be prepared HOT, which are perfect for cozy season! I've been enjoying hot chocolate in the flavors Chocolate Caramel, Raspberry Chocolate and Chocolate Chai. These packets provide a way to stay up on hydration rather than just rinsing plain water through your system to further dehydrate you. I recommend getting the box of the chocolate trio with all three flavors! You can even mix them into your coffee for a yummy flavored coffee. The blend of potassium, magnesium and salt has been something I've been taking for a few years and it's something that can help reduce cramps, muscle tightness and a bunch of other issues, including pelvic floor issues that can be linked to dehydration. Buy a box with my link and receive a free sample pack with your order! Why do these cost more than other electrolytes? Because you get what you pay for. Those others have much less of the 'good stuff' because they have fillers and sketchy ingredients. You will feel the difference! PS This can also be a really great gift for teenage athletes or anyone playing sports as a healthier alternative to Gatorade or other.
For the Babies
Santosha Newborn Onesie: In honor of the newest Santosha baby on the way early next year, I had these special edition onesies customized and they are available for the littlest ones in your life! Available in size newborn or 3-6 months, please specify on the purchase page. Free shipping.
Santosha Women's Tri Blend Tee: The softest, coziest tee. I've seen many of your wearing this to class and all around lately and it makes me so happy!
Book Worms
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán: This book was absolutely life changing for me, and there are only a handful of books I would say that about. It changed me forever on not only my outlook on being completely content with the political divide without sacrificing my own values, but in how I view everyone's perspectives, everyday, always. Don't wait on this one.
Paint by Numbers Journal: A creative gift idea for yourself or someone else. Tap into your youthful creativity and your flow state as you paint or color by number like you did when you were younger. The above link is for Amazon, which was specifically requested by this woman small business owner, yet she also has an Etsy shop where you can use discount code MANDEE20 for 20% off!
Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Suck by Melyssa Allen. I am personally friends with this incredible woman and we call her Melyssa with a WHY. She is the most positive and energetic person I have ever met (seriously) and I have learned a lot from our short friendship when we met on the business owner's retreat last April. I've just started her book and wanted to share about it with you as I'm always up for promoting other women in business especially those with whom I resonate and share space with!
The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban, Whole30 CEO: I read this book last year and it's soooo helpful! She teaches us how to set boundaries that are clear and kind that will set us all free from resentment, burnout and anxiety. This book is appearing a second time on my favorite list because boundaries are something my students often ask me about and I can see that issues with boundaries are often a source of our nervous system dysregulation, which affects our muscles and tissues and can contribute to pain.
For the Kitchen
Hopewell Homestead products: I have loved Corina's natural homemaker approach to everything in her life. I receive her newsletter and often learn old but new to me ways of doing things around the kitchen or home that have been super helpful. I recently purchased her ceramic egg separator and was thrilled to support her store after all I've learned from her, and she also sells homemade aprons that are so cute and also useful to gather the bounty in the garden.
Experience Gifts
The Candle Creation Bar: This isn't just candle making, this is a deeply affirming experience that's led by Leslie in SE Portland, who walks you through a beautiful exercise of creating a customized affirmation for your candle. You'll leave feeling like you know yourself better. She also recently launched the Beauty Creation Bar, where you can create your own all natural skin care at affordable prices! You can register for group workshops or book a private experience. It's wonderful to do with a friend, lover, or to celebrate a birthday or special occasion.
Exercise/Wellness Equipment
(Because I’m your Pilates teacher)
Soft Foam Roller: If you're still using a hard roller, please don't let another day pass before you upgrade to the soft roller! New research shows that soft releases better into soft, like muscle into roller. Plus, it feels way better!
Acupressure Mat: This was gifted to me a few years ago and it's like free acupuncture- really helps relax the fascia just by laying on it. I have even used the pillow like a footrest! Using this mat is said to relieve back pain, reduce cellulite, and free you from the cycle of tension, stress and insomnia.
Mini Stability Ball: Most of you have this, but if you don't, you're really missing out on what we can do in our Pilates classes! Subbing with something else really isn't the same, and it's really affordable. I suggest the middle size- the green one- for the most versatility. Plus, it can double like a pillow while traveling and deflates for easy packing.
Need to add something else to your home workout set-up? I've created a list of my favorite props on my website. Use the affiliate links at my site to support my small business!
THE ULTIMATE, BEST GIFT IDEA I HAVE!
(and I'm not biased at all, promise)
Give the gift of movement to Santosha Pilates! My gift cards will allow you to select an amount and have a message sent along with your gift card on a certain day. I'm happy to create a custom gift card if you want a tangible one to mail rather than an ecard- just let me know!
The gift of Santosha Pilates helps support a local, woman owned business. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Nothing peaked your interest here? That's ok! Would you mind leaving me a google review about your experience working with me in Pilates before you go? It would mean the world to me!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Yours in Health,
Mandee Louie
PS: A few of the above, but not many, are linked with affiliate links where I receive a tiny percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are direct links to company websites, and some are Amazon affiliate links, especially the small business and books which are two situations where it is definitely helpful to be purchased on Amazon even if you tend to boycott amazon for other reasons. If you plan to shop Amazon anyway, using my links to click through even if you buy other items will support my business!
