A DandyDani43 Gift Guide

I deserve nice things

There is nothing more honorable than being a person who knows how to give a really great gift - someone who just knocks it out of the park every time. And really, when you think about it, gift giving is a lost art. For most people, I think, gift giving falls to the wayside and ends up feeling like a chore, rather than an opportunity to demonstrate to someone you love that you have been listening and paying attention to them the entire time and that actually, you know them deeply and personally. Giving a gift can be incredibly intimate, which is something I’ve only recently come to realize myself. This past year, I have tried to be way more more intentional and thoughtful when it comes to my gift giving. Receiving gifts has never been one of my primary love languages (I’m more of a quality time and acts of service girlie myself), but I recognize that many others really value gift giving, and so I challenged myself to devote a little more time and effort into the birthday and holiday gifts that I’ve given to my loved ones. All the while, I have waited for my own birthday to come around, jotting down in my notes app various things that I want but don’t, or won’t, buy for myself.

It’s no secret that I’m a virgo and so, in typical virgo fashion, I have over-analyzed and perfected the following message. For my birthday this year, I have decided to be so generous as to lay out very clearly what I want in an organized, bullet-point list.

I, like you, dear reader, am not immune to targeted advertising and trend cycles. I’m not ashamed if it seems like some of these ideas came to me from an Instagram ad or worse, a 19-year-old’s TikTok. Some of the following items are super personalized and I provided context wherever I found necessary, while others are a bit more self-explanatory. Kapeesh? Alright let’s get into it then!

Aesop handsoap

Everybody either has it or wants it. If you say you don’t, you’re lying. My bottle of Reverence is running low and I can’t go back to Mrs. Meyers I just can’t go back PLEASE don’t make me go back.

A beautiful low-maintenance plant

I recently killed my first plant after not watering her for like two months and I admit that was totally on me, but I’m pretty devastated about it. My apartment needs some new greenery, and I need something to care for. And please, no succulents. It’s NOT the same.

One concert ticket to Ethel Cain’s October show in Omaha, Nebraska

I just think it would be so random and funny to take a solo trip to Nebraska just to see Mother Cain. And what better place to see her perform Preacher’s Daughter than in Nebraska?

Nikon Coolpix digital camera

I feel like I haven’t had a good photo taken of me in 2+ years so this is kind of a must must must. Oomf suggested Coolpix and her photos are like, Dua-Lipa-Ice-Spice-Addison-Rae-esque levels of iconic, but I’ve also heard that the Sony Cyber Shot and Canon Power Shot are good too. Available to purchase on FB marketplace, eBay, etc etc.

A print copy of the Lana Del Rey March 2023 Interview mag

Lana Del Rey interviewed by Billie Eilish for Interview Magazine is like a string of words that a DandyDani43 auto-generator came up with. I searched high and low for this when it came out but could never get my hands on a copy. They resell now for a pretty penny and I’ve pretty much given up on my search, but I’m still hopeful, and as you may know, hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have, but…

Boombox-style music speaker

Or really any good-quality portable bluetooth speaker. I’ve been speaker-less for 2 years now and as a music lover this is really shameful.

Gift cards to Sephora so that I don’t have to keep shoplifting sunscreen

Apparently they have really hi-tech AI facial recognition cameras?

An awesome kitschy vintage coffee mug

Or just a really cool ceramic cup. My mom recently bought me a Chemex and a fancy electric kettle, and making/drinking a cup of coffee each morning has become a nice little ritual for me. And just think, if you got me an awesome mug then I would think about you every time I use it! This could be huge for us.

A vinyl of one of my most favorite beloved albums

Or an album that you know I would love. There are many to choose from, but make sure it’s not one I already have (feel free to inquire about this).

Underwear from Araks

Listen to me carefully when I say this: 100% ORGANIC COTTON ONLY. I bought a pair of the “Isabella panty” in a size small a few months back and it’s the nicest and prettiest underwear I own. Bonus points if you choose this gift because you will likely get to see Allegra on the website modeling the garments.

Tiramisu

Real Dandydani43ers know that I have been on a major tiramisu kick lately, and have been trying to find the best tiramisu in Los Angeles. If you know of a good local tiramisu supplier, now is your time to shine.

Tank Air Studio tank top

I have a sneaking suspicion that any top from this brand would make my tits look really awesome.

Perfume

I am a fragrance girlie through and through. I love brands like DS & Durga, Byredo, Dedcool and Thin Wild Mercury. For reference, my favorite scent this year has been DS & Durga Debaser, which is woody and sweet with notes of fig. I also love musky scents with notes of pepper, bergamot, saffron, patchouli and sandalwood.

A new job

Heyyyy okay this is the part where I get vulnerable. I’m employed now but it’s only temporary. Most of my experience has been in entertainment (music and film) and it feels like everyone is LA is a walking advertisement for themselves and is networking all of the time except for me. I’m SHY! But I’m really knowledgable on all things pop-culture and I’m smart and fun and would be a great fit any place that shares in those values. I also enjoy food/restaurant/hospitality industries (and I’m really good at it!)

Acts of service also accepted as gift substitutions

Acts of service can be gifts to me. The line between the two kind of blurs around here. DM to inquire about a service you might be fit to provide me. A few examples might include:

-apartment decorating and/or second-hand furniture sourcing if you are my friend Lizzy

-personal training sessions if you are my cousin Zack

-tooth gem instillation if you are my friend Ryan

-guitar lessons if you are sexy and have feelings for me

You made it to the end of my first Substack post! This piece was made in jest and I hope you enjoyed it. If you are a loved one who genuinely read this looking for gift ideas, please know that I do not expect you to stick to this list. My hope is that with this guide, you have been provided with some inspiration, but please - take it and run with it!

Thank you for reading and follow along for moreeeee xoxoxo <3