Five, Six, Pick Up... (Gifts for Your Guy)

Santa, Baby

The fireside is blazing bright, and you've decided he's worth rolling your heart's dice. He knows when to be naughty and when to be nice. One thing, though, you can't figure out what gift he'd like. He said all he wants is you, but you know better. You've gotta get him something good- it's your first Christmas together. Plus, his last girlfriend always gave him ties, cologne and such, so you refuse to go there. Don't fret, my pets, I'm here to help you make "Ronny Romance" do his happy dance. Here are five great guy-approved "Love, Your Girl" gifts I found that'll keep the kisses coming (mistletoe or not).

Deep heart, shallow pockets ($)

My homegirl's guy had the nerve to act up a week and a half before Christmas. He's in the process of making up for it, but he's not all the way out the doghouse yet. Another friend is really into her guy, but she's got a big family and can't afford to blow the bank on her beau. If you're in either situation, this $69.99 Kraftware Deluxe Bar-in-a-Box from Target is perfect for you. You'll earn extra points if you give him a bottle of "brown" to go with it. (I'm talking Henny or Remy... none of that cheap crap.)


Money Ain't Tight, But it Ain't Quite Right ($$)

He's crossed his T's and dotted the I's, so he deserves a gift that costs a lil sumthin' sumthin'. These limited edition Lacoste for Kid Robot sneakers will have him steppin' out in style for $175, or fork over $179.99 for a Flip Video Ultra Camcorder to catch all the memories you'll make.

Baby got Bank! ($$$)

If you got a big bonus this year and you're in the mood to share, put a little luxury under the tree with a $200 Hennessy XO Limited Collector's Edition gift set. If you're tired of that raggedy sack he totes to and from your crib, spend the $390 to upgrade him to a sophisticated Samsonite Black Label duffel.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might (I Will One Day when My Pockets get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my bag."

Picture Me Rollin...

In a couple of weeks I'll be rolling through the airport with my little DVF luggage set, A-Town bound. As much as I love my second home, if I was a rich girl (na nana nana nana... you know the rest), I'd be headed to somebody's foreign "clearport" with this Louis Vuitton "Ultimate Travel Bag" in tow. It's up for bid on London's CLIC Sargent children's Cancer charity website from December 10-18, and with bids starting at £10,000 (about $20,500), I'd need damn near "all the money in the world" to make it mine. A collaboration between the LV special order workshop and Times of London fashion editor, Lisa Armstrong, the purple calfskin-trimmed one-of-a-kind roller is carry-on compliant and comes with a bunch of bonuses. In case the image is too small for you to identify, they are:

• a passport cover in MONOGRAM canvas
  
• oversized cashmere eyeshades and blanket
  
• laptop case
• a transparent detachable toiletries kit
  
• a foldable jewellery kit
  
• an evening clutch in MONOGRAM Vernis leather
  
• a laundry pouch.

OK, right now, everybody close your eyes, cross your fingers and pray i win the Mega Millions this Friday. Thanks!!!

Five, Six, Pick Up... (Gifts for Coworker Claus)

Because Sometimes Secret Santa Sucks

You've picked the name from the hat and realized that a) you don't know the person you're supposed to gift, or b) you know the person and can't stand him or her. Hell, maybe you even like the person a little bit. Regardless, who wants to spend a bunch of hard-earned dough on a co-worker when you have real friends and family to buy presents for? Thank goodness there's a price limit for your office's holiday grab bag. Before you cop the cheesy reindeer socks or contemplate a $10 gift card (c'mon now), try getting something that's actually cool and has some personality. At least this way it'll be easy to re-gift. Here are five gifts I found fall under usual limits of $10-20. BTW, I'll gladly accept any of these if you want to be my Secret Santa :-).

Poppin' Bottles (10 Bucks or Below) For Wendy or Wendel Winelover, little friendly "Carlo" stoppers are a fun "welcome back" to unfinished bottles of vino. A set of two costs $8.50 at Retromodern.com. If your giftee is Mindy Manicure, this $9.95 Essie Winter '07 mini pack from Enailsupply.com is sure to make the "keeper" pile.











Fun & Yummy ($15 is Far Enough) Super Mario 'Shrooms take the mind back to simpler times. Pop of the top and take Sam Sweettooth's taste buds on a tart adventure. $15 at Fredflare.com gets your giftee a set of three. The J.R. Watkins Apothecary Sampler keeps skin butter-smooth and smelling sweet (I swear by this stuff, straight up). Carry-on friendly and made with natural ingredients, it's only $14.99 at Drugstore.com.













Treat your Nose ($20's the Top) Inhale, Exhale let good vibes flow. Ilio Nectaire Diffuser Duos from Target are great for gifting. For $19.99 choose from vanilla bean/ berry cinnamon bark or lavender/ cucumber. If the recipient isn't fond of one scent, there's another choice. Bigger than that, he or she can keep one home and put another in the office. Ain't no fun if the homies can't haaaave none, right?

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might... (I Will One Day, When My Pockets Get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my coat."

Cold Chillin...

Baby, it's cold outside, but don't stay in and hide! I'm a summer bunny, so I'll take camisoles and sandals over coats and scarves any day. I live in the Northeast, though, and I've got bills to pay. Like most of you, my paper chase requires I brave the blustering winds. No matter how drab the weather, who wants to blend in? This weathered metallic leather anorak I found on Vivre.com would be a great way to stand out if I had an extra $695 laying around. By no means am I saying that's a bad price, but my family's too big for me to splurge with only a couple of weeks left til Santa visits.

The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

On the Low, Though, Shhh...

Last week, when my fam was here from "Tha A", they wanted to do the tourist thing in NY. Then a friend of mine came up from B-More to shop. I'm game for wearing heels to do almost anything, but with all the cracks and vents, New York streets are too treacherous for long treks in good shoes. As I got dressed, I realized the need for a fly pair of flat boots. I'm not into looking like a cookie-cutter teeny bopper (though I'm barely a day over 20, wink wink), so the 80's-inspired pointy-toed, slouchy boots don't do it for me. A pair of equestrian boots, though, is the perfect wardrobe addition for this clotheshorse. Unfortunately, riding boots (at least the cute ones) can cost a pretty penny. I gotta shout out Tia at Shake Your Beauty for her post on a party dress from Delia's, which, of course led me to a search of the site's shoe department. Gasp! These boots are only $67! Don't spill the beans, though or everybody'll be beat-biting, and we can't have that. So these will be our little secret... pinky swear?

Gangsta Heezeelz!!!

If you're a true music fan, you'll rock a t-shirt featuring your favorite act, right? Well, why should it be any different with fashion, or more specifically, footwear? This "Dressed to Kill" raglan from Hellz Bellz is the edgiest shoe shout out I've ever seen, and I'm lovin' it. I see it with gray or black skinny jeans and converses or ankle boots. I might even be funny and wear a denim mini and ballet flats with opaque tights. I like to keep folks on their toes like that. For only 48 smackeroos, you can get one of your own at Cultlist. Be forewarned, any chick who dares wear this tee better have enough attitude to carry it off. Not for the faint of heart (or foot), it screams "sex, murder and mayhem" (Hov is so quotable!). When you wear your heart on your heels, though, there's bound to be a little bloodshed, right?.

Five, Six, Pick Up... (Gifts for Cosmetics Connoisseurs)

About Face

There's one in every crew... the girl whose wardrobe is a little blah, but her makeup is always perfect. She doesn't care much about the Christian trinity (you know, Louboutin, Lacroix and Dior), but she sure knows the ABC's of beauty (Anastasia, Bobbi Brown, Cargo, and so on). You and the rest of your gal gang give her fashion goodies every year, but she never seems to wear them (because she's given them to her other friends for their birthdays). This year, stop trying to reinvent the wheel, for once, and give her something she won't have to re-gift. If you're reading this, you've got more of a fashion focus than a beauty brain, so I did the foot- (er, finger-)work for you. Here are five glam-up giftsI found that should fit a variety of friendship (price) levels.

BFF on a Budget ($)

If it's a stocking you're stuffing, spend $5.09 for this set of 8 e.l.f. Hypershine Mini Cell Phone Lip Gloss Charms at drugstore.com, or up the ante a little for a $25 Sugar Cosmetics Zip Kit containing a lip gloss and 4 eyeshadow choices at makeup.com.












Generous Gal-Pal ($$)

Cargo's $45 collection of favorites makes it easy to achieve this holiday season's sophisticated looks. A $108 value, this festively packaged limited edition kit is available only at Sephora. Every face-ionista knows no face is completely "beat" without perfectly bowed brows. Give your homegirl the upper hand with this $75 Anastasia Beverly Hills kit.













Sister-friend with a Surplus ($$$)

If you got it like that, then give like this: Bobbi Brown's limited edition Rose Gold Collection. For $125 your beauty-addicted buddy'll get a glamorous 5-piece makeup set in an exclusive shimmery Beauty Kit.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

There Once Was a Tree...

I think we all know the camp song about "the prettiest tree that you ever did see." Well, on that tree, there was a leaf, (also the prettiest that you ever did see) and it somehow fell into melted 18K gold before ending up on the end of a 30" chain. OK, that's not exactly how this beautiful piece of jewelry came to be, but it's pretty close to the truth. The real deal is that eco-conscious Nugaard Designs dipped dehydrated real leaves off Brazilian trees into silver or gold to create their Flora Collection. Through a partnership with Trees for the Future, a tree will be planted for each piece sold from the collection. Lucky's editors liked the Round Leaf Earrings, but my favorite piece was this necklace I found on delight.com for $87.75. Either choice makes the perfect Holiday gift, (no matter which you celebrate), so this Cyber-Monday, get one for every eco-chic(k) in your life.

That New New for You You (Pat Field for Barbie)

Barbie Never Plays Out

When i was a wee stylista, my playmate/exemplar epitomized glamor, success and almost everything a girl could want. She was plastic, though, and her world was all for fake fake. (Dunno why we used to say it that way). The dollie days have ended, but thanks to Mattel's strategic partnerships, real-life fashion figures can still channel the eternally chic icon. First, there was the limited edition makeup colabo with M.A.C, and now there's the new fashion line from Patricia Field. (You know, the mind behind Sex and the City style.) Launched November 13 at Field's Manhattan boutique, "Barbie by Patricia Field", a collection of audacious apparel and accessories is comprised of two separate lines, "Barbie Luxe by Patricia Field" (Sold exclusively at Macy's East stores) and "Junior's Barbie Wear by Patricia Field" (sold at Hot Topic). Both lines,however are available at House of Field. So far my favorites are the "I Want My Dream House tee" and the vintage-inspired belted black satin dress.

Five, Six, Pick Up...

Turkey Day Dressing...

It happens every year... you ponder what you'll wear for the big gathering. You want to look cute, yet fam-appropriate. You also need something that will either accommodate or camouflage your post-dinner bulge. Instead of trying to undo the top button on your jeans without anyone noticing, this Thanksgiving, try rockin' an empire-waist frock. Here are five i found that will compliment most body types and fit a range of spending limits:

Bougie on a Budget ($): Wear this $22.80 mock-neck sweater dress from Forever 21 with a cardigan to keep your arms warm.


A Little Wiggle Room ($$): The layering options are endless with this $59.50 pleated denim shift dress from the Gap, and this $44.99 Isaac Mizrahi for Target merino wool turtleneck is a complete look on its own.

















Extra Dough to Throw ($$$): Do it demure in this $240.00 purple knit jersey dress from T-Bags or go girly with the "Lipgloss" ruffled dot dress from Joie. From Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom, respectively.















P.S.
Each of these dresses goes great with any of this season's footwear trends. Just make sure you wear opaque tights. Oh, and if you've decided that you're not doing any shopping until after Thanksgiving, I'm sure you can pair one of your dresses from summer with tights and a cardigan too.

For tha Low Low (Gotta Love a Sale)

I Don't Wanna Grow Up...

Is it me, or do these shoes make you hum the Toys R Us theme? (C'mon sing along) Giraffe prints to round toes to school-girl bows, it's the cutest pair of flats there is... (OK, no more singing.) These adorable flats from the Gap, originally priced at an affordable $39.50 but on sale for $12.99, won't even take away from your milk (ahem, cocktail) money. Here's the catch, though, they only have size 6 left.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might... ( I Will one day, When My Pockets Get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my shoe"

Rope-A-Dope

I don't know about you, but gray skies make me blue. These gray Missoni boots, however... well, they make me a little blue, too, because I'm madly in love with them. However, at $2080, they're about as accessible as Djimon Honsou right now. Still, I'm picturing them with a really cute shift dress, a slouchy cardigan and some opaque tights. Gray skies always clear up, but owning these boots would really make me put on a happy face! Now, be a dear and make a donation to the StyleScrybe Needs New 'Ssoni Boots Fund, or you can let your fingers do the walking to Net-a-Porter and cop 'em for me. Please? Ok, fine. Don't. I love you anyway.

The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

Buns of Steal

When it comes to music, "Crews pop to Hip Hop" (Shout out to the Youngstas... where are those dudes now anyway?), but fashion's all caught up in metal mania. These lustrous, stretchy jeans from Cheap Monday are a perfect way to keep my derriere debonair. Pop into your local Urban Outfitters and cop a pair or two. At only $65, it's almost like you didn't pay for them at all... get it? "Buns of Steal?" And all this time you were thinking I had a typo in the title... pshaw!

Pump Pump Pump Pump it Up!

When was the last time you saw a pair of shoes for under $200 that were so fly they had you stuck on stupid? It actually happens to me pretty often (yeah, my shoe obsession runs deep), but with footwear each new high feels just as good as the first one. These sexy cracked leather "Alix" pumps from Report, with their almond toes and high collar, are the perfect addition to my fall lineup. Dude, they're only $189 at Zappos! Yep, I'm officially a card-carrying "crack" head.

That New New for You You...

Ready? Set? Yo...

I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of the whole GO thing at Target (pronounced TAR-JAY by those in the know). True, the clothes aren't of the same fine fabrics as they would be in a boutique, but more often than not, they're cute as can be. Plus, they tend to be priced so low that you can get a few outfits for what you'd normally pay for a single piece. If, like me, you have a short style attention span, there's the added bonus of the quick turnover. Por ejemplo, I'm definitely diggin' what Alice Temperly's done, but after the initial thrill of seeing and buying my favorite pieces, I'm pretty over it. (Cue climactic music) The next line, by Erin Featherson, hits stores on November 18! Playfully prim and lovey dovey in a retro-girly kinda way, a lot of the clothes remind me of things I wore in grade school, but I was a fly chick back then too, so a revisit isn't at all out of the question! Oh, and when the prices range from $7.99-$89.99, you'd be crazy not to stock up.

Just So Ya Know...

Blue is the New "Green"

Everyone's all up-in-arms about the environment, and we should be, lest we find a way to live on another planet. Oil! Trees! Natural disasters! They're all important, but we often forget one of our most necessary natural resources... water. We know it's polluted because we now have to buy it by the bottle or get filters just to shower. (maybe that Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina were the Oceans' way of crying out for attention?) However, i don't see much emphasis placed on the oceans or the ever-growing Eastern Garbage Patch. Maybe that's why Women's Health Magazine has dubbed November the "Blue Issue" and dedicated it to the awareness of issues that face the oceans, the seas and their inhabitants. Alexandra and Philippe Costeau, founders of EarthEcho International and grandchildren of Jacques, are guest editors of this issue and help the mag educate its readers on how to take action. Are you ready to do your part? Let's start with a new catch phrase... "What do you do blue?"

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Saks' Holiday Catalog Helps Save Sick Kids at St. Jude's

All I want for Christmas is for someone to Saks it to me! (Please? it'll help ensure medical treatment for a child with a serious illness regardless of his or her family's ability to pay. Plus, I'll be your friend for always. I Promise.) In its first holiday catalog, " Snow or Never," the luxury retailer is offering five exclusive and extravagant gift packages. Available for purchase today, the gifts are based on the fantasies or career hopes of St. Jude's children, as expressed in their artwork, and partial proceeds will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Now, friends, here are your choices (I don't mind if I don't get #2 or #5:

A Driver's Dream- Own the new Mercedes-Benz SLR Roadster Convertible. Plus, fly to Monaco for the '08 Formula One race and for private lessons at the Circuit Paul Richard Racetrack in Provence, France. Includes flights and VIP accommodations. Cost:$520,000 of which $10,000 will be donated to St. Jude's.

The Rock Star Life- Sit front row at the kickoff concert for Matchbox Twenty's US tour. In addition to meeting the Grammy-winning group and taking home an autographed guitar, you'll get three nights of first-class accommodations and flights for two. Cost: $25,000, of which $5,000 will go to St. Jude's.

Sun, Sea and Spices- Visit Bora Bora and go deep sea fishing with, and enjoy a VIP dinner prepared by world-renowned chef, Jean Georges Vongerichten. Also, enjoy a private tour of Robert Wan's Black Pearl Museum. The $115,000 for this package, of which $5,000 will go to St. Jude's, includes first class airfare for 2 and a night in Tahiti at the luxurious St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora.

Fairytale Weekend- Experience a once-in-a-lifetime weekend in NYC, where you'll dine at the Gramercy Tavern and shop at Saks Fifth Avenue before the store opens. Plus, create a customized ring with Temple St. Claire and formulate your own fragrance with Laurice Rahme, Founder of Bond No. 9. (Didn't they just do a Saks scent?) You and a friend will also fly first class and stay in a suite for two at the Plaza hotel for $60,000, of which $5,000 will go to St. Jude's.

The World in Your Hands- Choose lanmarks, music and figures to customize Saks' musical snow globe. You'll receive 5 to share with friends and family. This is the least expensive option at $3,000, of which $1,ooo will be donated to St. Jude's.

The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

Crazy Sexy Cool

Two parts biker, two parts cowgirl, and one part city-slicker, these "Ms. Fix-it" boots from Seychelles are all parts hot. I'm big on almond toes because they give you all the sexy without the squeeze of pointy toes. And the unfinished edges give them an extra shot of, well, edginess. I'm seein' them with some tights and an over-sized sweater or button up with a hot belt.


My Pink & My Two-step

How Holly "Golightly meets Cyndi Lauper" are these casual skimmers from Shellys London?! I'm usually not one for flats, but the metallic pink makes them just plain fun(ky). Surprisingly, I might even wear them out to an event or two... maybe with a mini and some tights. They're so comfy, I'll be able to dance and prance all night. They're only fitty bucks, too. It's on... grab the Patron!

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might... ( I Will one day, When My Pockets Get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my shoe" (kinda like "that's my car", but with footwear instead).

The Red, the Black & the C.R.E.A.M

With their equestrian class and touch of biker chic, these Roberto Cavalli boots are "a little bit country(side) and a little bit o' rock & roll." Supple skin & sculptured hardware with harness detail... In these boots I can tame any stallion that comes my way, whether I'm in jodhpurs or jeans. Don't be surprised if you see me in the subway station with my tap shoes trying to raise the $1608.95 to buy them from Zappos Couture, though.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Africa's the new "black." Along with the whole "green" thing, the continent and its various woes are the collective cause du'jour, and rightfully so. (Let's not forget it's the birthplace of humanity.) So here are a couple of shop ops that let you score some goods and do a little good in the process.

Join EDUN and The One Campaign to Combat AIDS in Africa

Buy one of these $40 ONE Campaign tees, and $10 will be donated to ALAFA (Apparel Lesotho Alliance for Africa), which provides life-saving ARV (antiretroviral) drugs to Lesotho's factory workers and their families. Just like last year, (yep, this is round two and folks are still dying) the shirts are made in Lesotho from 100% African cotton. I know, you're already picturing how you're gonna accessorize and personalize yours, right? Well here's how you get one: click here, bid here for one customized by a celebrity or hit up Nordstrom, which will match the $10 for every shirt sold in the U.S. up to $100,000.

Get a Gucci and Give to UNICEF

It's not here yet, but the holiday season is right around the corner, and once again, a percentage of sales from Gucci's holiday collection of bags and accessories will be donated to UNICEF. 25% of all sales will go to providing healthcare, education, protection and clean water to children in Malawi and Mozambique. Purchasing the keystone piece, the large Frida Giannini-designed Gucci for UNICEF Indy bag at $2350, will sustain the health of an orphan for a full year. The collection will be available from November 15 through December 31st at over 200 Gucci stores and www.gucci.com, so start saving now. Then, go and give some money little Gucci Bag Girl. (Ok, I'm no Lil' Wayne... Sue me)

See, Just because there was a lack of black faces on the Spring '08 runways doesn't mean the fashion industry isn't concerned about us "coluhd" folks right? Sike!

Just so Ya Know...

Reality TV is Getting a Dose of Religion...

On Tuesday, October 15 at 9 PM, BET will premier "Exalted", a new weekly series that explores the lives of African-American ministers. Narrated by Blair Underwood, the show will follow its subjects as they perform ministerial duties, prepare sermons and lead their congregations, all while facing the challenges of everyday life. The first episode will feature Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, pastor of the Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California. "Exalted" will journey with him through the past triumphs and traumas that lead to the acceptance of his call to ministry. Underwood is a member of Faithful Central, so this project is one to which he has an especially personal connection. Now the church folk can watch prime time BET TV. Hallelujah and Amen!

The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

Fit to be Tied...

Menswear-inspired? Check! On-trend with this season's "shooties"? Check! Perfect with almost everything? Huge Check! I'm starting to twitch in anticipation just looking at this pair from Report. With the mercury doing a yo-yo job, these peep-toes will pair perfectly with my pencil skirts, colored denim and everything in between. I may even do 'em with some of those great socks or tights that are all the rage this season. Not that I wear any of my shoes that often, but still, so many options. And at $189 on zappos.com, I can actually afford them.



Color Me Bad ("Not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good")...

Imma be a bad mamma jamma in these "sari pink" treats from Rich & Skinny (even though I'm not exactly rich... or skinny). They're a great color for fall, and I can rock them with pumps, ankle boots, flats or what i like to call "come get me boots." I'm getting my "1 and 2 and..." on just to make sure I can get into them without doing "please fit me shimmy" when they arrive. The $176 Shopbop.com wants for them aint a bargain, but I'll spend an extra penny or two on my favorite hue.