a gift in every color (under $100)

cloud dancer whomst? also, my biggest unanswered style question of 2025.

When I saw Pantone’s recent announcement of their 2026 Color of the Year (COTY), “Cloud Dancer” aka white, I thought to myself girl whatever and scrolled past it.

I no longer expect anything interesting from the COTY franchise, especially after the fecal flop that was 2025’s Mocha Mousse. The last time I felt any emotional fanfare about COTY was in 2016. It was the year of Rose Quartz (aka Millennial Pink) and Serenity. It was also the year I graduated college, and arguably the last hurrah of the “millennial optimism” era Gen Z is obsessed with right now.

Because color theory is lesson #1 in the Molehill school of style, I present to you a gift guide of objects from a smattering of HEX codes. The list includes:

• Mostly accessories like jewelry and purses, because I find those to be the most gift-able

• Everything is under $100

• A mix of new + secondhand pieces

Let’s start with green!

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Green

Old leather Baggu handbag in "Citron”—$50. I had a long conversation with a friend last month about how Baggu started to lose its way as a brand when the real leather products were discontinued. You can still buy them secondhand online though. This square handbag is a near exact match for the Molehill colors, and it would add bright zest to a wintery knit set or camel coat.

Sterling Silver Peridot Cigar Band Size 7.5—$60. Not my size but it would be mine if it were. I love peridot gems combined with a more masculine band shape.

Carolina Herrera Cashmere Short Sleeve—S, $84. Super specific gift, I know, but this would be for the t-shirt connoisseur in your life who loves Flore Flore or Nu Swim. The cut and knit drape looks promising.

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Blue

Turquoise Ring from Carved Wood—Size 6.5, $19. Looks like a piece of artificial blue raspberry gum from the top. Great cocktail ring for the earth mama archetypes among us.

Bobby frames from Warby Parker—$95 (sponsored mention). I love how a cool blue frame gives my face a bit of “blue eyeshadow energy” without the sensory baggage of makeup powder. Also, I know that my little sister will ask to try these on when she visits home for Christmas.

Ok Eileen Fisher, you popped off with these cashmere silk blend armwarmers—$74. The saturation on this is just fantastic. I would be thrilled to receive these. Colorblocking a long sweater sleeve with an armwarmer is one of my tricks for dressing like a 90s Fruits Mag girl!

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Purple

2025 was a big year for the Anna Sui revival. I’ve decided that the most quintessential Anna Sui thing a girl can wear is purple suede.

ETRO paisley suede handbag—$92. I believe I saw a Note from Nora or MacKinley Jade at some point describing Etro as a sort of dark mode Pucci??…sorry if I’m making that up…but you get the gist. One of my big unanswered questions of 2025 is WHAT DO ETSY WITCHES WEAR? Let me know if you know. In the absence of firsthand reports, I’m going to assume they wear stuff like this.

Celine purple suede flat loafers— Size 6.5, $67. This should be worn by one of the vintage Marc Jacobs collectors who I know are reading this. Maybe styled with a yellow mac coat with toggles a la Paddington, a messenger bag, and gray legwarmers.

Zojirushi Thermos—$35. The platonic ideal of a water bottle, but *especially* in winter and *especially* if you’re traveling in a country where hot tea basically runs on tap. I already have the pink in the 20 oz size and reject the concept of collecting multiple colors of the same water bottle, but the plum colorway makes me feel soooo comforted and hearty.

This thermos also ranks high in the Asian Parent Gift Approval Matrix. It’s one of the rare “fancy” things they will begrudgingly accept and secretly enjoy.

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Pink

YINA Ginseng Lip Treatment—$28 (also use code VIV15). This TCM-based skincare brand came on my radar last winter and I can’t rec this enough. It’s my version of a Katie Kitamura lip gloss. Super moisturizing for winter and I like the soft pink peeking out in my makeup bag. I brought this on my long haul flight and it was a SALVE.

This is a stock photo from Etsy but my point is that a bouquet of blushing pink peonies from your favorite local florist is such a lovely gift, especially for a hostess.

Moschino button embellishment heels—Size 37, $50. Enticing pair of party shoes, very Sofia Coppola…kinda want to see these with flare jeans and a Custo Barcelona graphic tee.

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Red

East Fork Breakfast Bowl in Maraschino—$28. Glossy red glaze feels equally appropriate for winter oatmeal with nuts and dried berries or for summertime mango with a sprinkle of tajin.

Note 11:48pm: I think this form is no longer available, but Maraschino plates here.

Le Bon Shoppe Cashmere Wool Armwarmers—$52. Another pair of armwarmers, you ask? Yes. These have a puffier, thicker look than the Eileen Fisher ones, and a more articulated thumb hole. They also don’t extend as high up the wrist. Crucial styling differences! Get this for a friend who bought her first pair of red socks to wear with loafers and made it her personality for a month.

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Orange

Sterling Silver Orange Crate Charm—$30 OBO. For that friend who is always peeling a tangerine this time of year…you know exactly who I’m talking about.

People really love the Toyo toolbox—I like the size, but I’m personally in the market for a desk drawer thing that doesn’t look so utilitarian. However, I did buy one of these mini Toyo steel boxes ($34) in this shade of duck bill orange from a boutique in SF.

It doesn’t scream TOOLS INSIDE. I actually use it to store jewelry right now. Also, Toyo’s motto is “dreams will not rust” which is poetic AF…

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Yellow

Brightland Parasol champagne vinegar—$24 (link gets you 15% off). This tastes a bit sweeter/more mellow than your standard champagne vin. I use it for my everyday home salad vinaigrette base, which consists of: microplaned raw garlic, minced shallot, salt, pepper, evoo, lemon juice, and a dash of this stuff. Depending on what’s in the fridge, I will also add finely chopped chives. Dreaming of making a raddichio and cara cara salad now…

I have an Elsa Peretti silver bean money clip and it makes me feel soooo adult. Just the feeling of a small stack of monies held together by a weighty, design-y piece of metal gives me a twinge of purse feng shui euphoria.

Lately I’ve been bookmarking vintage money clips with cabochon gems on them. This lemon drop sterling silver clip ($45) is the standout so far.

That’s all for now. Also please do link your favorite gift guides in the comments as I’m seeking ideas too :)

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xo viv

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