

Oprah Dropped Her Favorite Things & Got Our Holiday Shopping Lists All The Way Together
Like clockwork, Christmas comes around once a year but for some reason, it always seems to sneak up on me like a thief in the night, intent on swiping all of my coins with no warning, regret, or remorse. While in the past, I've been the best example of a procrastinating holiday shopper, this year, I'm ahead of the game and I've got the ultimate pre-season gift guide that will put you on, too.
Oprah recently dropped a list of her favorite things and while these items may cost a helluva lot more than raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens, they are sure to warm the hearts of your loved ones all damn year.
If you're an early-shopper and need some inspiration for what to get the ones you love for Christmas, scroll below for 20 of our favorite items from Oprah's list:
*This list includes affiliate links. If you purchase an item from the affiliate link provided, xoNecole might earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting the brands that continue to keep this platform up and running!
Beauty Gifts
La Chatelaine Luxury Soap Collection ($68)
Amazon
No rich auntie's home is complete without a collection of luxury soap, and Oprah wants you to know that La Chatelaine has your back, sis.
BlendSmart2 Holiday Glow Set ($98)
Amazon
Oprah suggests you get this four-piece, electric makeup tool for the cosmetic-lover in your life.
Murphy & Daughters Bath Salts ($88)
Amazon
Turn your bathroom into an in-home spa with this 25-ounce, botanical-scented tin of high-end bath salts by Murphy & Daughters.
Cozy Gifts
E-Marie Travel Blanket ($88)
Amazon
Not sure about what to buy the jet-setter that has everything? Try this ultra-comfy faux cashmere travel blanket that is not only warm but versatile AF.
Matte Glass Candles ($55)
Amazon
These 10-ounce candles are hand-poured in Los Angeles using a mix of coconut, soy, beeswax, and apricot oil.
G.I.L.I. by Jill Martin Oversized 60" x 70" Printed Reversible Hamptons Throw ($45)
Amazon
Temperatures are dropping and warmth must be preserved at all costs, making this oversized throw by G.I.L.I. by Jill Martin the perfect gift for the whole family.
Foodie Finds
Spicewalla Kitchen Essentials Spices and Seasonings Set ($95)
Amazon
Put some spice in your loved one's life with this 18-piece set of of essential seasonings by Spicewalla.
Borgo de' Medici - Luxury Truffle Gift Tray ($100)
Amazon
This Truffle-laced cooking set is a bougie foodie's dream and features pasta, risotto, dipping oil, balsamic glaze, and black truffle sauce.
Eastern Standard Provisions Gourmet Soft Pretzel Gift Box ($60)
Amazon
Handmade, artisanal pretzels with all-natural ingredients are always a good idea and Oprah seconds this notion.
Online Exclusives
Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice ($14)
Amazon
Our forever First Lady is hitting us with even more heat this year and is offering a guided journal featuring 150 questions that will allow you to reflect on your circumstances and truly become the woman you were born to be.
Stylish Gifts
Brouk & Co Duo Travel Organizer ($48)
Amazon
Traveling on the fly has never been easier with this fashionable Brouk and Co Duo organizer.
Intelex Plush Slippers ($25)
Amazon
Nothing says "I love you" like a pair of fuzzy house slippers and Oprah has got just the pair for you to add to your holiday shopping list.
Faux Fur Colorblock Pull Through Scarf ($59)
Amazon
Pull through scarves are the wave this winter, so lace the fashion-forward woman in your life with this efficient accessory and watch her slay.
Tech Gadgets
Rae Phone Crossbody Bag ($49)
Amazon
Throwing my phone in the endless abyss that I call a purse is a risk that I take everyday, but this Rae Phone crossbody bag is an inexpensive remedy that will definitely be on my holiday shopping list this year.
Neolab Convergence Neo Smartpen M1 and Notebook ($150)
Amazon
There are some folks who prefer write out their thoughts before they type them out, and I am some folks; some folks is me. While this can be a tedious habit to maintain, the Neolab Convergence Neo Smartpen M1 and Notebook is sure to make any writer's life a bit less overwhelming.
Magic Hands truShiatsu Neck and Back Massagers ($199.99)
Amazon
Your neck, your back, this electric massager got you on alla that.
Courant Catch:2 Multidevice Wireless Charger ($150)
Amazon
Tired of your BFF's phone dying every time the tea starts getting hot? This multi-wireless charger is here to get your homegirl's battery life all the way together.
For The Family
Pink Picasso - Adult Paint by Numbers Kit 16x20 ($42)
Amazon
Arts & Crafts and nap-time were pretty much the best parts about being a kid and this Paint By Numbers set by Pink Picasso is perfect for anyone in your life who needs a break from adulting.
The Clementine Hunter Collection-Collectible Christmas Ornaments ($58)
Amazon
Crafted by who is known as Louisiana's most famous artist, these handmade must-have Christmas ornaments are a sentimental and valuable gift for any Black art collector.
Pilo Fabric Shavers ($50)
Amazon
Say goodbye to lint brushes and sweater pills with this top of the line technological gadget which guarantees 50 minutes of continuous fabric removing.
Featured image by Reuters/Getty Images.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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Feature image by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Religion of Sports