books for everyone on your christmas list

Well, that was a hot blogging minute, wasn’t it?  If the next two weeks fly as fast as the last month did for me, I’m in trouble, as I’ve still got quite a few gifts to cross off my list!  I had high hopes for sharing my Christmas decor today but the weather has been so crappy lately, making it impossible to get decent pictures, so instead, I thought I’d kick off the week with some gift ideas – books!!    Whenever I’m in a jam for gift ideas for someone, I try to think of things I would love to receive and, nine times out of ten, I end up going with a beautiful book.  Who doesn’t love a gorgeous coffee table book or a delectable new cookbook?  I don’t think you can go wrong.  There are a ton of new ones out lately that would make for a gorgeous gift (Mark D. Sikes’ Beautiful and Ina Garten’s Cooking for Jeffrey are among my latest favorites), so I rounded up a bunch here that I’m loving lately; you’re sure to find something for that special someone on your list who is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for:

Beautiful – Mark D. Sikes / Beaches – Gray Malin / Domino

Cooking for Jeffrey – Ina Garten / Shake / The Southerner’s Cookbook

Monograms for the Home / Meat.  Everything You Need to Know / A House in the Country

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities / A House by the Sea – Bunny Williams / The History of Surfing – Matt Warshaw