Go-To Gifts!

As the holidays creep closer and closer, I'm hoping to make your shopping even easier.  The best way to get things done fast?  Go-to gifts!  Gift cards are lame-they show a lack of originality and a lack of enthusiasm as well.  The only time they're appropriate?  When they are for Starbucks or a spa!

Instead, have a list of great gifts that work for almost everyone, not only for the holidays but for birthdays, housewarming, showers, etc.

For starters, I often go straight for candles.  I am a huge candle fan, but some brands are certainly better smelling, longer lasting, and more luxurious than others.  My two favorites are Jo Malone ($65) and Diptyque ($60).  I have given these candle brands as housewarming, birthday, and bridal shower gifts and have always gotten a positive response.  Both are available online and in finer department stores (think Barney's, Neiman Marcus, and Saks).

From Jo Malone (candles start at $65) I prefer  Orange Blossom (a delicious citrusy floral) or Grapefruit.  You can snap the whole line up at jomalone.com

Her bath oils and perfumes are to die for as well (one of my mom's favorite gifts!).

As for Dityque, I love Roses, Gardenia, or Lilas (lilacs).  All are lovely florals, but there are some spicier or more manly scents available as well.

These candles run at around $60.  If you are in Chicago, stop by Jayson Home and Garden on Clybourn, one of my FAVORITE stores (and a great spot to grab unique housewarming gifts).  If not, they can also be bought at barneys.com.





I also love to give costume jewelry as a great and easy gift.  For affordable and stylish picks, I favor J Crew and Banana Republic, which both offer some vintage inspired baubles that look pricier than they actually are.  Ditto for Kenneth Jay Lane (buy his pieces at Intermix stores, Nordstrom, or at shopbop.com).  I have also been paying attention to the new jewelry available at Ann Taylor Loft-quite cute and eye-catching!  Coach has great bangles too.  If you're looking to spend a bit more, I am partial to little blue boxes from Tiffany of course, especially their new key pendants.  These work because they are so many incarnations available-large keys, small keys, basic sterling silver, diamond encrusted, platinum, gold, gem studded, etc.  So there is something to satisfy every price point and taste level.

Is money no object?  I think any girl would be thrilled to get a orange box from Hermes!  Everything this fashion house touches becomes a classic!  Their silk scarves are TO DIE, as are their enamel bangle bracelets.  And of course, a Birkin or Kelly bag is nothing to scoff at!

The scarves are available online, at hermes.com.  They are also carried at Neiman Marcus.  However, you can snap up some deals and discounts at bluefly.com on several Hermes items.  The scarves are around $375, though they come in a variety of sizes.

The bracelets and bags are only available at Hermes boutiques and hermes.com

Another money-is-no-object item?  A Lanvin pearl and ribbon choker!  I adore these necklaces beyond words.  While they vary in price, the one at the right is from net-a-porter.com and will cost you $825.  I have also seen these elegant baubles at Barney's and online at kirnazabete.com  These necklaces are instantly recognizable and work with cocktail dresses or jeans and a tee.  Instant glamour!




But don't think I've forgotten the fellas!  Guys can be much tougher to buy for.  When in doubt, I go for super soft tees.  I love Junk Food tees.  They are available with sports logos, classic TV shows, superheroes, anything!  It's a great way to let you guy show some love for a childhood favorite.  Bloomingdale's carries the brand, as does Urban Outfitters.  If you're guy is on the skinner side, Aviator Nation tees are ridiculously soft.  I've seen them at Scoop stores, but again, they run small.

I also love Coach products.  Not the first thing that pops into your head for men, right?  But their wallets, key chains, and money clips are surprisingly stylish and mainly logo free.  The slim card case below is $48.

And, as I was saying, their key fobs.  They come in tough and manly sterling silver and my favorite is the bottle opener key chain below, $98.  Your guy will love the easy access to his beer on his next night out!

Just remember, of course, that the holidays are about giving as opposed to getting.  As long as you put true sentiment and thought behind your gifts, and show the effort you put in to make it special, you can feel confident that you're giving some good gift! And if there are still doubts?  Well, that's what gift receipts are for! :)

Trend Alert: Bodycon Dressing!

There is a saying that as the economy goes down, hemlines go higher.  That certainly seems to be true as of late, as runways and stores are flooded with the new form of body conscious (bodycon) dressing.  Skin tight skirts and dresses, also known as "bandage" styles, have been popping up on plenty of celebs.

Herve Leger is the master of this look.  Amanda Bynes and Victoria Beckham are both wearing the designs, above.  Leger dresses and skirts are skin tight, but instead of highlighting flaws they create curves and smooth lumps and bumps.  Basically like Spanx as outerwear!  Of course, such flattering shapes don't come cheap.  Several retailers carry the celebrity fave.

Start with Saks Fifth Ave.  I am quite partial to the Colorblock Bandage Dress, $1,150.  The citrus hues make me want to go on vacation!  I also love the more elegant one-shouldered silhouette of the Ombre Bandage Dress, $1,590.  When what you're wearing is so tight, showing ample amounts of skin isn't necessary (or even recommended!).

Want Herve looks for less?  Try this INC International Concepts Beaded Collar Sleeveless Bandage Dress for just $99 at Macy's.  Black has never been so un-basic!  If you're looking for more coverage, try a long-sleeved version, like the Marciano Miter Bandage Dress, $138.  And those who want some juicy color, try Wet Seal's Bandage Tube Dress, $27.80.

Of course, these dresses are not for the shy or timid.  A skirt may be a better way to ease into bodycon clothing.  I would pair a slim and tight little number with a looser, more blouson style top.  Tuck it in at the waist, but keep it loose on top.  Large or voluminous sleeves are a good idea too.  Below check out Rhianna in her Leger mini.                                

Leger minis aren't cheap either, though they do come in at a little less pricey than their dress counterparts.    For your own sexy little skirt, start with the Velvet Bandage Skirt, $1,150 available at net-a-porter.com  The velvet fabric makes it holiday party perfect!  Or you can keep things a but more basic with a simple black and gray Banded Mini Skirt, $600 at bergdorfgoodman.com.  And for a more office appropriate look, the High Waist Pencil Skirt, $650 from Bloomingdale's fits the bill with a more demure length.

For bandage skirts that don't cost big bucks, try the Barbie-fied hot pink Rachel Pally Bandage Miniskirt, $159 at shopbop.com.  Sexy stripes are available from Arden B with their Colorblock Bandage Miniskirt, $38.  And for something a bit more old-school and lady-like, you may appreciate the Topshop Lace Bandage Bodycon Skirt, $65.

Embrace your curves, feel feminine, and get body conscious!  Yes, it's a risk.  But some risks are certainly worth taking.

What I'm Reading: Rachel Zoe Report and Who What Wear

Email is a necessary part of life, but it can be a necessary evil as your Blackberry blows up minute after minute with ugly work emails.  Give yourself an email to look forward to!

I subscribe to daily updates from both stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe, as well the online fashion magazine, Who What Wear.  Both are free, and both are fabulous!

Let's start with Rachel Zoe.  Her website is fun and fashionable, but her daily emails, called the Zoe Report, are a delight.  The concept is simple: Rachel picks something she loves, usually fashion or accessories, but the occasional beauty product and book has crept in as well, and writes a brief description on why she loves it so.  Yes, many of the things she chooses are extremely pricey, but she also offers a feature called "Parallel Universe" which suggests a similar look for less.

Recent topics of the report have been an Alexander Wang skirt, Erickson Beamon earrings, Christian Dior boots, and the CFDA American Fashion Cookbook.

Of course, all posts are written in Rachel's signature style, and words like "fabulous" and classic expressions such as "I die" abound.

Basically this fun little newsletter is a highlight of my day.  Nearly all of Rachel's picks are things that I want and love!  Since it's free, there is really no reason to not subscribe, and I believe all fashion fans should-ASAP!








My other suggestion for fashion fans to subscribe to is Who What Wear.  The online magazine has occupied hours of my time.  Every day the wonderful ladies of WWW (Katherine Power and Hilary Kerr) send out an email with a different topic.  My favorite are their regular "What Was She Wearing: Answers" posts, which dissects celebrity style and shows exactly what they're wearing, as well as where to buy those looks or similar, less expensive ones.

The site tackles trends as well, from boyfriend blazers to sequins.  They also do affordable, such as their recent post on Party Pumps under $300.  And they send the occasional video, from their web series, Ask A Stylist.  Another regular post I love is their regular Style Spotlight posts, where they choose a fashionable lady (recent pick: Diane Kruger) and pick her best looks.

And, just as Rachel Zoe, all their daily fun is free!  Truly, these two subscriptions are what keep me going on some rough days-I know soon my Blackberry will buzz and and I will have some fashionable fabulous-ness to make me smile.

Subscribe to both the Zoe Report and Who What Wear at Rachel Zoe and Who What Wear.  Because everyone needs a fashionable inbox!

What I Just Bought

I am a huge fan of all things Disney.  There is something about the Florida theme park that makes me so genuinely happy.  It's true that anyone can be a kid there.  While I favor the decades long relationship between Mickey and Minnie Mouse (and have plenty of t-shirts to prove it!), there are other aspects of the Disney world that I love as well.

Of course, besides those classic black mouse ears, nothing is more iconic than the Disney Cinderella castle, which greets you upon entering the park.  In homage to the happiest place on Earth, I recently picked up this Disney Magic Castle Pendant from one of my favorite websites, fredflare.com.

If you are unfamiliar with the Disney Couture Jewelry line, you've been missing out.  This isn't something you'll find in the kids section of the Disney store at the mall.  It's cute, yes, but still quality.  This castle pendant has some serious heft.  It looks plenty playful with basic tees, but also adds some whimsy and fun to a cocktail dress as well.

If you'd like your own dose of Disney glam, check out some other baubles from Disney Couture.  Beauty and the Beast fans may appreciate this subtle homage to Lumiere.  The Lumiere Pendant ($58) is available at boutiquetoyou.com.  From the same site you can also grab the Snow White themed Poison Apple Necklace ($45).

Fans of Peter Pan will love either the Tink Pearl Necklace ($58) from karmaloop.com or the Tinkerbell Pixie Window Necklace ($78) from regencies.com.  Inscribed on the front it reads "Second star on the right, straight on til dawn."  

Other options?  Create your own charm bracelet (available at the official Disney website, as well as other locations) and play favorites with all your childhood classics and memories.

Either way, Disney Couture jewelry is a fun way to indulge your inner child.  My next planned purchase?  A ticket straight to Orlando!

Look of the Week-Alexa Chung

While out and about for the Luella show at London Fashion Week a few weeks ago, host of MTV's It's On with Alexa Chung, Alexa Chung was spotted wearing a perfectly layered fall look.

The stylish Brit has been catching my eye lately.  She always looks good, favoring short hemlines to show off her skinny mini legs and slim silhouettes.  She also has a penchant for Chanel bags-a girl after my own heart!-and is rarely seen without one.

This particular style choice is an ideal pick for fall transitioning.  She layered a basic black jumper, as the Brits call it, over a striped long sleeved tee.  The look is finished with simple black flats, a leather vintage-looking belt, and of course a Chanel bag.

To take this look from cool days to bitterly cold ones, just add tights!  It can also work for day or night.  For nighttime partying, add more jewelry and bolder shoes, either a sky high heel or embellished flats.

To get this look for yourself, start with the black dress.  A good place to start is at shopbop.com with the Dolce Vita "Wren" Jumper, $144.  The Generra Shift Jumper in Black, currently on sale for $121.50 at couturecandy.com, is also a similar pick.  And this Kensiegirl Double Knit Jumper in Black, $78 works because of the buttons.  It's available at urbanminx.com.

Next, add the layering piece-your striped sailor tee.  I adore this The Lady and the Sailor Raglan Tee, $85 for its looser look.  Very laid back cool.  You can buy it for yourself at madisonlosangeles.com.  For a slimmer fit, try this striped number from St. James $135, available at calypso-celle.com.  And of course, a preppy stripe story wouldn't be the same without Tory Burch.  Her Pigadia Tee, $125 is available at Saks.

To compete the look, don't forget a pair of chic flats.  Alexa's are Chanel, but for a less pricey option, look to the suede Elizabeth and James "Jessi" Flat, $225 or the leather Nine West "Naughty" Flat, $59, both of which are available at piperlime.com.

Alexa's bag is a classic Chanel, but if you wanted the quilted look for less, try the TopShop Double Quilted Cross Body Bag, $50 from topshop.com.  Want a dose of color?  Marc Jacobs has a similar bag available in hot pink with his Sinlge Quilted Bag, $525 at net-a-porter.com.

And finally, the belt.  If you have a vintage one, more power to you!  But if not, you can buy a similar one.  Try the Braided Belt, $29.50 from American Eagle.  Or for a more bohemian option, check out this braided belt from MICHAEL Michael Kors, $45 available at Macy's.

With this look you are ready for anything fall throws at you.  It's on!