Holiday Gift Guide

*Not Soap Radio Gift Set: $19.95-23.95

When in doubt, a gift set is always a safe go-to but don’t just settle for a drug store cop-out! Show that you put some thought into it by wrapping up one of Not Soap Radio’s spunky novelty sets this holiday season! Each collection comes with its own unique scents and sayings such as their “Do Over” bundle equipped with three matching sets of shower gel and hand lotion for the busy body in desperate need of a spa day. Shopping for a special someone? The “So Long to Going Solo” set comes with 1.25 oz. travel sized bubbles and lotions including “The stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in,” all sealed up in a zip vinyl pouch with a kiss a la their chocolate lip balm. Need an all-in-one option? Check out their “Everything but the Robe” set which comes stacked with a body wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and even a 1 oz. facial bar to cover all your bases. Pick up any of these bundles at the Otter & Oak and keep tabs on their website for any upcoming holiday collections!

*Whiskey River Soaps: $8.99-9.95

Need the perfect stocking stuffer for the practical joker in your life or having trouble breaking the ice with a colleague you’d like to buy for but don’t want it to seem weird? Provided they have a sense of humor, let Whiskey River Soaps do all the talking! Pay it forward after those many months of virtual learning by gifting your child’s educators a “Soap for Teachers” so they can spend their Winter breaks smelling like “Grading Papers.” Take a jab at your old man with a “Soap for Dad Jokes,” which begs the question, “Why do the jokes always happen in the car?” Hey, at least it’s not talk radio! Show some love for the middle child with a “Soap for Gen X,” which “Smells like Teen Spirit” with hints of Saturday morning cartoons. There are countless examples of niche soaps for every “Karen,” “Introvert,” or the “Messy People” in your circle available at the Otter & Oak. If you want to stay away from soaps, Whiskey River’s online store sells everything from gag gifts like “Personal Space Rulers” and “Emergency Ambiance Candles,” to astrology obsessed products for that special Capricorn who thinks they’re “The boss of everyone!”

*Ovalware Cold Brew Maker $39.95

If you’re looking to buy something a bit more practical, who couldn’t use a new inventive way to brew their morning coffee? With Ovalware’s RJ3 Cold Brew Maker, you can give the gift of ditching the drive-thru line all together with their chic, two step brewing method to turn your wannabe barista into a fully certified coffee snob! Designed to fit easily into any fridge, just fill with water, ice, and joe to the desired strength ratio for instant results! Uncover one of the best kept secrets in the artisan coffee community by ordering from Otter’s online store for an equally convenient in-store pick up!

*Hideaway Collapsible Bottle: $24.95-29.95

Backseats, dish strainers, gym bags, nowhere is safe from the constant clutter of reusable water bottles! How has something meant to save our landfills from filling up with plastic instead taken up all of our own personal space? Well because you’ve been doing it all wrong! Hideaway’s introduced a new line of collapsible bottles that are not only very eco-friendly but extremely space saving as well. Available in 17 or 25 ounces in a variety of colors, come by the Otter & Oak to do some one stop shopping for anyone left on your list that could use a motivator to cut out their plastic footprint and stay hydrated!

Party Games: $14.99-49.95

How about a gift you can also enjoy? Be the talk of your holiday mixer when everyone wants to bust open the eggnog and play a silly round of Exploding Kittens, Sushi Go, or everyone’s guilty pleasure Cards Against Humanity! Get outside and play ENO's Trail Flyer. The more the merrier as these games are best suited for a game of four or more ! So unplug and enjoy each other's company this holiday season.

Tech Candy Tripod: $34.95

This portable, lightweight tripod is perfect for Zoom meetings and hands-free calls. So you can talk to grandmom while she's making Christmas cookies or multitask during video calls. The phone clamp is expandable to fit larger phones and pivots for the best angle.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Internet culture is always buzzing about the latest and greatest trend. In the world of fashion, where trends are essential, the current hype is all about a radical new concept called the “capsule wardrobe.” A quick social media search will turn up endless content from those in vogue claiming to be gurus on how to adapt this revolutionary concept to your own style, complete with pricy recommendations and chic runway collections of course. Luckily, the capsule system can be applied well beyond the posh headlines of social media influencers to fit any budget, any style, and zhuzh up even the most drab ensemble of outfits!

What comprises a capsule wardrobe? In a consumerist world where minimalism is all the rage, it was only a matter of time before someone took a page out of Marie Kondo’s book and followed the momentum of the tiny house bandwagon to come up with a way for those opting out of the superfluous lifestyle to scale down their closet without compromising their taste for fashion. Enter Susie Faux, owner of the London-based boutique called (aptly enough) “Wardobe,” who coined the term back in the 1970s. According to Susie, a capsule wardrobe consisted of a limited number of wardrobe staples based on each season. Bloggers, fashion writers, and style experts have since rediscovered the term and (as is the way with all fashion) are bringing it back for the modern era.

The unwritten rule is to not let the rack exceed thirty-seven pieces, although some authorities on the matter are less strict. Basically, a capsule wardrobe is a set of around thirty-seven items (or less) incorporating your favorite looks with fresh additions of a few new pieces every season. The ultimate goal is to limit yourself to the basic essentials. What do you actually wear? What’s practical? What are your statement pieces? What can serve as a closet staple to be mixed and matched with all of your various other pieces to create fresh and invigorating looks all season long? Create a signature aesthetic without coming across as stale and recycled. So, wait. We’re talking about a strict rotation of only thirty-seven articles of clothing…and no shopping until next season? But why?

You’ll have a more easily organized closet and will spend less time shopping. Since the number of items is limited, you will either end up spending less money on your wardrobe or will spend the same amount of money but focus more on quality instead of buying a bunch of things you may never wear. The less obvious benefits are plentiful. Since capsule wardrobes focus on basic mix and match pieces, you can grab just about anything out of your closet and look fabulous! Going back to the basics means you will really hone your style and get pieces that you love and you’ll love wearing every time you put them on and you’ll want to hang on to your pieces longer.

Our next post will get into how you can create your own capsule wardrobe!

Top 4 Reasons to add to your Wardrobe

Fashion is constantly evolving. Staying up to date with all the latest changes means keeping a keen eye on the hottest trends gracing the runways and the cover of magazines. Being fashion forward can be an exhausting goal that sometimes feels too unattainable to pursue. However, that doesn’t mean we should stop being our own trendsetters! Updating your wardrobe can be an exciting way to add a little flair into your daily routine. Here are the top four reasons why you should consider adding a few new pieces to your closet.

1. Change of seasons. The turn of the seasons is a perfect opportunity to boost your mood by incorporating some new additions to your upcoming rotation of looks. Grab everyone’s attention with a new durable winter jacket that fills you with confidence every time you make an entrance at a holiday function. Be photo ready at the pumpkin patch by accessorizing your fall looks with a simple scarf or toboggan. Embrace the warm weather of Spring and Summer with vibrant pastels or neons to brighten up your wardrobe and match the energy during the time of year when things start coming back to life!

2. New job or promotion. New jobs can bring fresh beginnings. Start your new adventure on the right foot by sprucing up your office attire to make a perfect first impression. State your goals through your style by accentuating your existing looks to give off a more subdued or professional vibe to tell your new coworkers exactly who you are before you ever introduce yourself. Same job, new position? Mark it with a style evolution! Take cues from your new peers’ outfits and enhance your wardrobe by putting your own spin on it!

3. Drastic change in your size. Hitting the gym has been paying off with gains! Or losses! Reflect that with a style update. Pick pieces that accentuate your new figure and look flattering on your new and improved body. It’ll be great motivation every time you look in the mirror to remind yourself that you’re on track to achieve your fitness goals!

4. Just a pick-me up. Not having a reason is a good enough reason to shop for some new finds! You work hard for your money, you take pride in how you look, so why not treat yourself every once in a while? After all, you deserve it! Have fun with your wardrobe and wear the things that bring you joy and confidence!