Antra’s Gift Guide

It's gift guide season! We're kicking things off with a curated guide from our creative assistant, Antra Montmarquet. She's highlighting goodies from both Alx&Co. and the featured pop-up at The Seedling Collective, Curio by Fifth and Main and Sophie Blake, so you're sure to find ideas as a variety of price points. Take a look!

Since my family and closest friends live abroad, I always think about getting something unique and ideally personalized when selecting gifts. We all know that the lines at USPS are miles long during the holidays, and I don’t see a need to go through all that hassle just to send a mainstream gift from a chain department store.

For My Mom

My mother loves silk scarves. I wouldn’t say she collects them, but she loves to switch them up to accessorize her outfit based on her mood or the season. So when I saw these fun and bright scarves at Curio by Fifth and Main, I immediately thought of her. They feel very lux and come in many different vibrant prints.

For a more indulgent option, these London blue topaz and amethyst earrings from Alx&Co.'s showroom feature her favorite colors of blue and deep purple, and I can see her wearing them at a holiday party.

For My Sister

Gold hinged hoops would be very delicate and very fitting for my sister. She wears a short bob cut, so longer earrings look very chic on her. With being stuck in a never-ending phase of “working remotely” I think these earrings would be a perfect pair to dress up just because.

I also would add a pair of Le Bon Shoppe socks, currently available at the Sophie Blake pop-up. Why socks? Well, first, her feet are always cold, but mainly because these are just so fabulous - the subtle metallic thread makes them look very stylish, and they are made from super soft and supple modal blend yarn, with just the right amount of sparkle.

For My Best Friend

She lives in Australia, and I live here. We haven’t seen each other in eight years, but when we get to chat, it feels like nothing has changed. She is a schoolteacher, and I know she prefers to wear minimalistic jewelry that’s not fussy and goes with different outfits. Thus I think this Artemer Art DecoDiamond Necklace with baguette cut diamonds would be a perfect gift. This necklace can be worn solo or can be layered with other dainty necklaces.

Since she appreciates a good joke and loves all things whimsical, I would add to her gift this napkin ring set from Dada Daily, available at Curio by Fifth and Main. They are just so cool and different and perfect for the fun-loving hostess like my friend.

Antra Montmarquet

A Latvian native with a degree in Mass Communication and experience in project and event management, Antra is a Creative & Brand Assistant at The Seedling Collective and Alx&Co. After years working in different professional settings and gaining experience in business administration and community outreach, she decided to make a rapid change in her career and chose to start a new chapter in her life where she can express her creativity and employ her passion for visual and decorative arts. Since joining The Seedling Collective and Alx&Co., Antra has learned a great deal about brand strategy, product design, and new media. She loves the collaborative process of developing new projects and believes that everyone should have a chance to bring their own sense of personality and style to make innovative ideas possible.

In her spare time, Antra enjoys lengthy nature walks, hosting long dinner parties, and exploring other cultures through food and travel.

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Ornament Sneak Peek: Part 1

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Celebration on South Royal Street: Holiday Block Party