Holiday Gift Idea #8: The Shaker Infinity Scarf From The Limited

Functionality meets fashion with the Shaker Infinity Scarf from The Limited. I have been loving the trend lately, and with the weather really getting cold in the NYC area, The Limited's version is particularly appealing. Constructed of a chunky knit, this scarf is bound to keep you warm on the chilliest of days. The versatility of this scarf is a great, too. It is formed as a big circle, and can be worn a number of different ways (hence the "infinity" part of its name!) You can wrap it around for the double-layered look, you can wear it as a multi-length scarf, and you could even wear it pulled around your shoulders as a shrug. Whether they be beauty products or fashion pieces, you all should know by now that I love multi-purpose, multi-functional items!

I could see this being a great gift for a variety of women in your lives - mothers, sisters, and friends. Everyone wants to look cute while dressing for the cold temperatures!

The Limited Shaker Infinity Scarf comes in a variety of beautiful colors. You can find them at The Limited stores as well as online at www.thelimited.com. It is currently on sale for $23.70 as well (down from $39.50). What a great deal!

Styling Tip: Dress the scarf up and add a little character by attaching a brooch of your choice!

Holiday Gift Idea #7: LORAC 3's A Crowd Makeup Collection

Ever find yourself standing in front of a makeup counter unable to decide which colors to purchase? Well, LORAC has made our lives a little bit simpler with their new VIP set, 3's A Crowd, exclusive to the LORAC website. The collection features three shades each of lipstick, lip polish, and loose pigments. The colors are all beautiful and wearable. The metallic pigments and the gorgeous red lipstick particularly intrigue me. They are the perfect choices to dress up your look for a holiday bash!

The Shades:

Lipsticks:

Imagine (matte)
Explore (matte)
Tango (cream)


Lip Polishes:

Bliss
Delicious
Sizzle


Glam Rock Metallic Loose Pigment Eyeshadows:

Metallic Pearl
Metallic Gold
Metallic Copper

Not only has LORAC taken some of the guess work out of the selection process, but they're also offering this set for a super affordable $19.50!! That is a serious deal!

The only bad part is that this set will only be available for a limited time at www.loraccosmetics.com, while supplies last, so snatch this set up while you can!

Holiday Gift Idea #6: Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash

Urban Decay's most recent collection of their cult favorite 24/7 eyeliner pencils, the 24/7 Super Stash, includes five of their best-selling shades, along with four colors that are exclusive to this set. The pencils are mini, smaller than the travel-size liners that the brand has previously put out, but their texture and consistency is no different - they are creamy, long-lasting, and apply easily to the upper lash line as well as to the waterline. The collection offers a great mix of colors, too. There are some that are more "subdued," while others boast some vibrant hues such as green, purple, and gold.

Included in the 24/7 Super Stash:

-Corrupt (brown sparkle) --NEW

-Binge (navy) --NEW

-Eldorado (gold) --NEW

-Oil Slick (black w/sparkle) --NEW

-Zero (black)

-Graffiti (bright green w/silver sparkle)

-Ransom (bright iridescent purple)

-Rockstar (dark purple)

-Stash (dark golden green)

These eyeliners will help give your eyes the perfect pop of color, a little "somethin', somethin'" extra to a simple neutral look. You could even use these pencils as bases for eyeshadows.

You can find the 24/7 Super Stash at Sephora stores, www.sephora.com, Ulta locations and www.ulta.com, and online at the Urban Decay website, www.urbandecay.com. The set retails for $36.

Holiday Gift Idea #3: Personalized Boutique Offers So Much More Than Bling

I'm back at you again with another post that I hope you might find helpful as you search for the perfect Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza presents for your loved ones. This gift idea is especially apt for those friends (or family members, obviously) with whom you have a close relationship and for whom you really want to get something with that personalized touch.

I stumbled upon PersonalizedBoutique.com, a fantastic website (a family-owned company, I might add) that offers a wide array of high quality and personalized jewelry pieces, when I was on the hunt for a name necklace (a la Carrie of Sex and the City) last spring. I have always wanted a signature necklace, even before Sarah Jessica Parker made the neck candy famous, but I was never able to find a quality piece. I was searching for something that wasn't too flimsy, a sturdy item that I would not have to worry might bend or break on me.

You could say I did my research before making my purchase. I spent at least a month checking the site, reading reviews, emailing back and forth with the owner of the company in order to decide the style that suited me best. What helped with my choice and made me extremely comfortable with the ordering process was the amazing (and when I say amazing, I really mean it!) customer service and individualized attention that I felt my questions were receiving. The testimonials also made me feel secure in my decision to purchase from this website. I'm always wary of online shopping. However, the way that I was handled was particularly reassuring. I could not have been happier.

PersonalizedBoutique.com, in addition to offering the traditional name plate necklaces, also has a large selection of other personalized items. From rings to bracelets and anklets to individual charms, this company has it all (and they are very receptive to any and all requests for personalized pieces that they don't currently offer!) Jewelry is offered in yellow gold as well as Sterling silver. Prices vary by piece, but the necklace I ordered was $175, which I thought was very reasonable considering the strength, quality, and construction of the 14k gold piece.

I know I just gave you a lot of information about my personal experience with the company, but I just want you to know how much I respect the way they work from start to finish (and I'm not just singing their praises willy nilly). I would not hesitate to order from them again.

I highly suggest that you scope out http://www.personalizedboutique.com/ if you are looking for that extra special way to bring a smile to a loved one's face this Holiday season.

Who doesn't love jewelry, right? ;-)

Holiday Gift Idea #2: Chanel Mini Glossimer Trio

I came across these really cute Mini Glossimer Trio sets from Chanel when I went to check out the beauty floor at SAKS a few weeks ago. I am a huge fan of these glosses (I have Mica and Coral Reef). They are super silky smooth, not sticky, and have a gorgeous shine to them. They vary in finish, but most I have seen seem to contain some shimmer (not chunky glitter, but rather a subtle sparkle). Others are a little frosty, while a few are cream formulas, completely devoid of any shimmer or sheen. The only thing I don't love about the Glossimers, I would have to say, would be the price tag. A regular full-size gloss goes for $27 (ouch!)

I have been eyeing some more of these babies, but have relegated them to my wish list because they are pretty pricey. Cue in the trios! Though they have been available previously, these gloss collections are only around for the holiday season. There are two different versions of the limited edition sets, two tonalities if you will. The first, Les Soleils, features some beautiful warm shades - Pin-Up, a beige peach, Coral Reef, a pink beige, and Glow, a bronze peach. The cool set, Les Roses, includes Magnifique, a sparkly pink, Glaze, a white pink, and Satinette, a pearl pink. I think this is the perfect way to give the gift of luscious lips (or if it's for yourself, a great way to get your feet wet and test out a few of Chanel's best-selling shades!) The packaging of the sets themselves look gorgeous, too (but we are talking Chanel, of course). Each comes housed in a black box, adorned with the traditional Chanel logo, within a larger gold package.

Any luxe lip gloss lovers in your lives? These sets retail for $50, and are available at SAKS stores and online at http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/.

Kiss kiss!!