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24 gifts to spoil yourself with this holiday season

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24 gifts to spoil yourself with this holiday season

If you buy a product linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission. See all our Coveted lists of mandatory items here.

While brainstorming for this year’s gift guide with the editorial team, Goth Shakira, Image magazine’s love columnist holding court in the stars, immediately replied “luxury dental care for life.” And I’m with her. When thinking about what I wanted, things that immediately came to mind leaned closer to necessities: student loan forgiveness, a new personal laptop, therapy.

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But this is a gift guide for you, our readers, and is written with revelry — meaning merrymaking, noisy partying, dancing until the lights come up — in mind. What would we desire if basic necessities weren’t an issue? If we didn’t have any cares in the world? That permission to fantasize might be the biggest gift of all.

On our wishlist

“Artists in Space” by Mr. Wash, pre-order for $55

Artists In Space book
Patrisse Cullors spread
Alfonso Gonzalez Jr.

(Joppe Jacob Rog) (Joppe Jacob Rog)

I find it absolutely fascinating to see where artists work and how they live — and I can only assume that Mr. Wash has asked all the right questions when doing these studio visits around L.A. store.artbywash.com — Elisa Wouk Almino

Apartamento Magazine, “Happy Victims” by Kyoichi Tsuzuki, $68

Happy Victims, Apartamento Magazine

The book documents Tokyo’s most hardcore fashion collections among a trove of their most treasured items. A grail for obsessive little fashion freaks everywhere. apartamentomagazine.com — Julissa James

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Rimowa, Classic Cabin Carry-On, $1,600

Rimowa, Classic Cabin Carry-On

When you’re traveling twice a month for work, airport style isn’t optional; it’s part of the job. rimowa.com — Keyla Marquez

Susanna Chow, Carrie Shearling Coat in burgundy, $995

Susanna Chow, Carrie Shearling Coat

I’ve always appreciated a fur coat’s timeless and hedonistic glamour, and any lover of ’60s and ’70s fashion needs a shag coat to accompany their nights out in platform boots. susannachownyc.com — Katerina Portela

Botanarchy Herbs + Acupuncture, Elemental Medicine sessions, $265 for 1.5-hour new patient appointment

Botanarchy Herbs + Acupuncture
Botanarchy Herbs + Acupuncture

(Jessica Chanen Smith)

Practitioner Carolyn Barron really is “a poet first and a doctor second,” and I leave every visit to her AcuTemple feeling a little closer to the mystical and to myself. botanarchy.com — Claire Salinda

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Plasticana, Recycled Hemp Garden Clogs, $68

Plasticana, Hemp Clogs

Do I already have clogs from UGGs and Rothy’s? Yes. Do my eyes light up with envy and joy any time I see someone in NELA wearing these artist-chic yet garden-friendly clogs from Plasticana? Also, yes. gardenheir.com — Karla Marie Sanford

Issey Miyake, IM-101 Sunglasses, $560

Issey Miyake sunglasses

The IM-101 reproduces an Issey model from 1985, when I couldn’t afford nice sunglasses (I was a baby). But now I have a second chance to turn heads with these futuristic, zig-zag frames. Frankly, that’s the only way I want to live. isseymiyake.com — Dave Schilling

Prada, Teddy key chain charm, $925

Prada, Teddy key chain

I love carrying a tiny friend with me; this addition to my everyday bag would make a chic little wave in a sea of Labubus. prada.com — Goth Shakira

what we own and love banner

La Bonne Brosse, N.03 the Gentle Scalp Care HairBrush in saffron yellow, $198

La Bonne Brosse Brush

I take every opportunity to make my life more colorful and whimsical — which this brush accomplishes while also making my hair silky and scalp healthy. labonnebrosse.com — EWA

Lucky Star Candle, Ladder Candle, $70

Lucky Star Ladder Candle

While the creations from independent L.A. brand Lucky Star Candle are technically burnable, I prefer to display them around my house like beautiful wax sculptures whose sole purpose is alighting aesthetic pleasure within me. luckystarcandle.com — JJ

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The Row, N/S Park Tote in black suede, $1,490

The Row, Park Tote in black
The Row, Park Tote in black

(SSENSE)

This tote is my first piece from the Row, and one I’ll cherish forever. Effortless, timeless and a reminder of the milestones I’ve worked hard to reach. ssense.com — KM

Le Labo, Limited Edition 3×5 ml Discovery Set, $70

La Labo new Matcha scent line

As a fragrance lover with too many options to choose from, sample sets are a life saver. Enter cult-favorite New York label Le Labo’s most affordable holiday set, complete with three of their best-selling scents. From the musky floral Another 13 and Western desert Santal 33 to elegant tea-inspired offering Thé Noir 29, my next signature scent awaits. lelabofragrances.com — KP

Chava Studio, Funnelneck Reversible Shirt, $560

The Reversible Shirt

(Alexia Puga Ramirez Garrido)

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After buying a few other “practical” shirts from Olivia Villanti’s bespoke line, I finally ordered the funnelneck reversible shirt last time I visited her CDMX studio. It has since become one of my go-to tops given its versatile styling and unexpected yet understated silhouette. chavastudio.com — CS

D.S. & Durga, Cowgirl Grass Perfume, $210

Cowgirl Grass Perfume

My mom balked when I told her about buying this scent, my first big-girl purchase in L.A. But when I’m wearing this perfume — and receiving plentiful compliments, by the way — I feel the opposite of regret. dsanddurga.com — KMS

Zana Bayne, Leather Martini key chain, $60

Zana Bayne Martini Keychain

For me, martinis are not just a drink. They’re a gateway into the magic of a perfect evening and the most crucial party accessory. I know that’s a love I share with L.A. designer Zana Bayne, who offers a studded leather key chain in the iconic shape of the classic martini glass. zanabayne.com — DS

HigherDOSE, Red Light Mask, $349

HigherDOSE Red Light Mask

I use this mask every other night. In addition to toning and smoothing my skin, it improves my mood and helps me sleep. higherdose.com — GS

What we fantasize about banner

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami, Capucines Mini Tentacle, price upon request

Louis Vuitton X Takashi Murakami Tentacle purse

I love thinking of a bag as a tentacle, and with this reimagining of Marakami’s Mr. DOB as a vibrant octopus, I’m ready to channel some Ursula energy. louisvuitton.com — EWA

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Spinelli Kilcollin, Harlow Emerald Cut ring in silver, $5,100

Spinelli Kilcollin, Harlow Emerald Cut Ring

Often imitated, never duplicated, a ring from Spinelli Kilcollin is both classic and subversive enough to be interesting for decades to come. Made in L.A., this chunky, layered silver piece often shows up in my dreams, begging: “buy me, buy me …” spinellikilcollin.com — JJ

Maison Margiela, Tabi Broken Mirror Embroidery, price upon request

Maison Margiela Tabi Broken Mirror Boots

Only 25 pairs exist in the world. They’re iconic, subversive and unapologetically Margiela — everything I love in a shoe. maisonmargiela.com — KM

Chloé, Paddington Bag in Crafty Brown, $2,750

Chloe, Paddington Bag

Slouchy and decorated in padlock hardware, Chloé’s certified it-girl bag is my dream silhouette. I can imagine it overflowing with lipsticks, credit cards, love letters and to-do lists in true messy city girl fashion, one that I can only hope to emulate. chloe.com — KP

7till8, Custom Surf Hooded Fullsuit, $850

7till8 Custom Surf Hooded Fullsuit
7till8 Custom Surf Hooded Fullsuit

I cannot think of anything more luxurious than a perfectly fitted Yamamoto #40 limestone neoprene suit on a chilly morning. It would (almost) make the acrobatics of getting in and out of a wetsuit on the side of the PCH worth the struggle. 7till8.com — CS

Bottega Veneta, Parachute bag in Dark Barolo, $5,400

Bottega Veneta, Parachute Bag

There’s something about this deep purplish brown color that Bottega Veneta dubs “dark barolo” that just turns me on. Imagine me slinging this onto a chair as I step out for a laugh-filled smoke at one of L.A.’s natural wine bars. bottegaveneta.com — KMS

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Saint Laurent, Sac de Jour Large Slim Bauletto Bag, $4,600

Saint Laurent, Sac de Jour

(Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccare)

Saint Laurent’s latest offering — understated black leather with a charming gold padlock hanging off the handle — offers the user a graceful chicness that more than justifies the price tag. In an era where casual backpacks seem ever-present in office environments, a stylish choice like this is the ultimate flex. ysl.com — DS

Audio-Technica, Hotaru Turntable, $11,596

Audio-Technica, Hotaru Turntable

When the Hotaru turntable glows, it looks like an ancient space crystal — the perfect otherworldly addition to my hermitage (aka apartment). audio-technica.com — GS

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Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts

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Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts

The building that houses the IMLS. Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order dismantling the agency.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP


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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is reinstating all grants that were previously terminated by the Trump administration. A short statement posted on the agency’s website Wednesday reads, “this action supersedes any prior notices which may have been received related to grant termination.”

The IMLS is the independent agency in charge of awarding federal grant funding to libraries and museums across the country. Earlier this year, it was the target of one of President Trump’s executive orders, which led to the termination of grants that had been previously awarded.

Library insiders said the move particularly hurt small and rural libraries, with limited access to other sources of funding.

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In response to the EO, attorneys general in 21 states filed a lawsuit against the administration, and in November a Rhode Island District Court judge ruled that the Trump administration’s actions were unlawful. Now, libraries and museums across the country will have access to money that had been stuck in a months-long limbo.

American Library Association President Sam Helmick said in a statement that the reinstatement was a “massive win” for libraries in all states.

“We are breathing a sigh of relief, but the fight is not finished,” the statement reads. “The administration can appeal court decisions. Congress can choose to not fund IMLS in future years. ALA calls on everyone who values libraries to remind their Congressmembers and elected officials at every level why America’s libraries deserve more, not fewer resources.”

NPR has reached out to IMLS representatives for comment.

Generally speaking, federal funding only makes up a small portion of the budget for public libraries. But it does help pay for workforce training and pilot programs, and it supports basic library services such as internet access in rural libraries. The IMLS awarded $266 million in grants to museums and libraries in 2024.

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Mel Robbins was in a ‘toxic’ place. She’s now sharing the tools that got her out of it. : Wild Card with Rachel Martin

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Mel Robbins was in a ‘toxic’ place. She’s now sharing the tools that got her out of it. : Wild Card with Rachel Martin

A note from Wild Card host Rachel Martin: I discovered Mel Robbins the way a lot of people do. Someone sent me a link to an episode of her podcast, saying, ‘You gotta listen to this.’ In my case, it was my sister and the episode she sent me was about fitness and menopause. It’s obviously a huge topic but this is the thing about Mel Robbins: it doesn’t matter if it’s about exercise, ambition, relationships or self esteem. She will synthesize a complex topic in a way that feels both obvious and revelatory at the same time and then leave her listeners with a handful of small, manageable actions to make positive change.

Her latest book has become a global bestseller. It’s called “The Let Them Theory.”

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Guess Who This Blue-Eyed Kiddo Turned Into!

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Guess Who This Blue-Eyed Kiddo Turned Into!

Guess Who This
Blue-Eyed Kiddo
Turned Into!

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