Holiday Gift Guide

Without sounding like a horribly bitter Grinch who isn't thankful for all the incredible things in her life—because truly I am!—I'm going to make an earnest attempt at describing my past experience with presents. Every year, without fail, I compile a list of all my most coveted birthday/holiday gifts—a Michael Kors watch, a new Coach clutch, etc.—small designer goodies a young twenty-something would die for, but let's face it, can't really afford to splurge on. But every year without fail, I...Read Full Story

(Courtesy of Madewell/Courtesy of Suck UK)  Wouldn't it be great if after you read my list of favorite things, you could peek under your chair, and all of my picks would be there, Oprah-style? Sadly, I can't make that happen. But I can give you some ideas for fun gifts to give (and get!) this year.  (Courtesy of Madewell) 1. Madewell Sequin Lightbox Dress, $158 Do you guys know how hard it is for me to find a sparkly dress that I'll actually want to wear more than once? I've been looking for...Read Full Story

Holiday shopping isn't easy. Sometimes I just want to buy everyone I know a bottle of vodka, a tube of Terax Crema, stick a bow on it all and call it a day (to be honest, I don't think there would be any complaints). But despite all my laziest and most thoughtless inclinations, even my grizzled, icy, shriveled little black heart finds there's nothing sweeter than seeing someone's eyes light up when you've given them something really personal, thoughtful, and truly delightful.To that end, here...Read Full Story

Nobody wants to be the person known for giving awful presents. And yet, I'm fairly confident everyone has at least one person in their life who consistently gives them hideous sweaters, whimsical socks and unfortunate trinkets. Unless some serious re-gifting is taking place, we're pretty sure most of these people didn't intend to spend their hard-earned cash on a gift that instantly winds up in the donate pile. While I'm no gifting wizard, I try to avoid giving and receiving cat-shaped purses...Read Full Story

Amazon, ClubMonaco, KateSpade, H&M, Photo editing by Tanya Leigh WashingtonMy memories of December are filled with small sparkly things. From prom-ready Barbies to cupcake dolls (remember those?), glitter-infused tights to chunky gold-flecked crayons, I adored all the sweet and splendid presents I woke up to on Christmas morning. But it was also the twinkling icicles my dad hung over our red door, crafty glue and glitter-covered fingers, baking with silver cookie-cutter stars, and the tiny...Read Full Story

(Ann Taylor)  Kate Hudson is really on top of her gift-buying game. It's not even December and the actress (and face of Ann Taylor) has already sat down with the retailer to pick out presents for her friends and family.  "Gift giving is a lot more important than just buying something for somebody," Hudson said in a statement. "You want it to be meaningful and lovely." Preach.  Because she has great taste, and because we could use a little holiday shopping inspiration ourselves, we pulled...Read Full Story

Dear Santa, We've been really really nice this year (at least, well, some of the time), so will you please bring us this Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Woody-Tailgate Trailer and this Versailles-inspired Luxury Chicken Coop (and maybe a small flock of Silkie Hens) for Christmas?Neiman Marcus debuted its 2012 Christmas Book today and, wow, there are some gift ideas inside that really tickle our chicken. Plus, the catalog includes an update on that super-epic biggest-ever 24-designer collaboration...Read Full Story

(Courtesy JCPenney) The Jenny Packham for JCPenney holiday collectionJust in time for holiday—and the Kate Middleton fan in your life—one of the Duchess of Cambridge's favorite eveningwear designers, Jenny Packham, has teamed up with JCPenney to create a fabulous and affordable capsule accessories collection. Check out some of the gorgeous, sparkly pieces, above! The Jenny Packham Boudoir collection (available now!) is one of three new designer collabs JCPenney is launching for holiday 2012...Read Full Story

(Getty Images) Karl Lagerfeld at the Chanel Haute Couture show earlier this yearOh hey, it's the day after Thanksgiving and you know what that means—holiday shopping has officially kicked off and, whether you're ready for it or not, you're about to face an onslaught of merriness and cheer everywhere you go (unless, of course, you just stay home, then you're safe).To celebrate the official kick-of of holiday 2012, UK department store Selfridges tweeted these amazing Christmas stockings...Read Full Story