All I Want For Christmas Is You

Boys, boys boys.  Don't you love shopping for them?  I've always gotten excited about getting gifts for boyfriends and have usually had their presents wrapped and hidden away beneath my bed weeks before Christmas.  The Gift Guide: Men's Edition was fun to put together because there's so much great stuff out there for guys (the list could go on), and unlike their female counterparts they generally don't go out and buy them for themselves before you have a chance to.  

1. Ralph Lauren Paulson II Shearling Slippers $75
2. Jack Spade "Dart" Duffel $395
3. Burberry Camel Check Billfold Wallet $250
4. Anthropologie Horned Beauty Bottle Opener $28
5. Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultimate Man Collection $50
6. Michael Kors Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch $236
7. ImagineNations "To The Rescue" Globe $299
8. Jay-Z's Decoded $26
9. Olympus PEN E-PL1 Digital Camera $550
10. Persol® 0649 Sunglasses $310

For The Girl Who Wants Everything

I intended to start my collection of gift guides (more to come this week) with a stocking stuffer edition but, as always seems to be the case, it proved much easier to accumulate a list of pricier finds.  So while I promise that the stocking stuffers are still to come, here are some holiday gift ideas for the fabulous girl(s) in your life...even if that fabulous girl just happens to be you.

1. Hunter Original Wellies, Aubergine $149 
2. Coach Quilted C Gloves, Berry $128
3. Club Monaco Noel Seed Beaded Pillows $?
4. MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Quilted Crossbody Bag, Gunmetal $148 
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Alta Printed Modal-Weave Scarf $180
6. GHD Purple Indulgence Professional Styler $230
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs Hayley Hammered Silk-Satin Top $250
8. Burberry Dégradé Checked Umbrella $150
9. Tim Walker's Pictures $79
10. Swarovski Nirvana Tanzanite Ring $220
11. Diane von Furstenberg Mariela Printed Laptop Case $135
12. Tiffany & Co. 1837™ Cuff In Sterling Silver, Wide $605

The Cutest Girl In The Office

{Elie Tahari Pre-Fall 2011, New York}

The best thing about fashion is that there is ALWAYS something new, and right now it's the pre-fall lines.  How cute is Elie Tahari's?  You may not see his looks breezing down a red carpet anytime soon, but Tahari has made a name for himself designing chic & luxurious office basics.  Don't you just wish you could pick an outfit from his collection for each day of the week?   I'm loving the fur accents and the equestrian feel of the brown leather gloves.  Work might not always be fun, but dressing for it definitely can be. 

-images via style.com-   

You're What The French Call "Les Incompétents"

{Great Christmas Movies}

It's December, and it's been snowing here for days.  Outside my window is a sea of white, and the onslaught of inclement winter weather doesn't seem to be stopping.  They're calling it "Snowmageddon".  140cm in 4 days.....and counting.  We're getting buried, but I can't say that I really mind.  It's not especially cold, and it's gorgeous out.  It is however making me want to curl up inside with hot chocolate & warm blankets and have quiet, early nights....preferably with Christmas movies.  Home Alone might be one of my all-time favorite films.  Both of them.  And while they will always top the list, there are definitely a few others that always make it in to the annual holiday rotation.  Here's my top 10:             

1. Home Alone
2. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
3. Love Actually  
4. The Grinch
5. Harry Potter - I know, not technically a Christmas movie, but something about the soundtrack and a chunk of it always taking place at Christmas makes me associate them (particularly the first one) with the holiday season.
6. The Family Stone
7. The Santa Clause
8. Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas)
9. Elf
10. The Holiday

Things We Love

{Kate Spade's Things We Love}

Kate Spade has put together a new book based on the popular "Things We Love" section on their website katespade.info.  Its premise is an inspiration board come to life, giving us a sneak peek into what gives the amazing creative team over at Kate Spade New York their inspiration for the bright, fun, charming designs they churn out season after season.  I love their colourful collection of favorite things, from glittering confetti and peonies, to vintage typewriters and zebras.  Unfortunately, the book is not yet being published for public sale - which hopefully changes, because it would make a perfect addition to any girl's coffee table or library.  In the meantime, we'll have to settle for the preview pages.

     

Sick Days

I am hiding in my bed, sleeping off feeling sick and over-tired and trying to get in as much rest time as I can outside of work.  Meanwhile my to-do list is getting ever-longer and accumulating items at an alarming rate.  Tomorrow productivity will have to resume....  But until then I'm laying low (at least until my shift starts) and copping out of a real post for the day to instead share this photo of what have to be the loveliest shelves I've ever seen.  I'm a little OCD so I'm loving the colour coordination.  Add a dressform, Chanel bag and some framed photographs and I think they're pretty much perfect.