7 Last Minute (But Stylish) Gift Ideas - One Size Fits All!

If you are like many of the gift shopping procrastinators, last week before Christmas gets really hectic. Preparing for the celebration and getting travel itinerary in line leaves little time for finding thoughtful and fun gifts. Here are 7 last minute, but unique gift ideas - fashionable to eco friendly, perfect for everyone, from a chef to spa lover!  Best part is - no need to worry about sizes! You can order these gifts online and shop them before Christmas!

Aromatherapy Heated Spa Booties

Give someone the gift of spa without the impersonal gift card!  Microwave the booties for a minute, massage the feet with the lavender spa cream and, and slip on the warm booties for aromatic comfort! The Kit includes everything.

Aromatherapy heated spa booties $49.95

Taxi Mittens

All you New Yorkers - grab that cab with style - no need to shout now!! The ultra soft wool keeps the hands toasty and you get the cab every time!!

Kate Spade Taxi Mittens $65

Tablet/iPad Stand And Stylus For Kitchen

Forget the old recipe box! Access your favorite recipes from the tablet, the specially made stylus allows to navigate the recipes without cleaning up your hands every time. Now that is easy and so 21st century!

Belkin Chef Tablet/iPad stand and stylus $29.99

Leather Jewelry Box

This elegant jewelry box will look good on any dresser (actually I need one too!) and faux suede lining will keep the jewelry clean and safe.

Leather Jewelry Box $199

Moroccan Rose Petals Topped Candle

This fragrant candle comes with the dried Moroccan rose petal top that can be used in potpourri basket. The candle has 50 hours fragrance time and comes in a simple and elegant 

glass jar.

Moroccan Rose Petals Topped Candle $34

Recycled Fair Trade Purse

This stylish purse is made by coopeartives artisans in Brazil with recycled pop tops. Its unique, very trendy and eco-friendly.

Recycled Fair Trade Purse $145.95

Statement Of The Art Necklace

Big bold beautiful necklaces make any outfit fashionable. I love this jade green and lemon colored beads necklace for any white, black, brown or pastel color outfit!

Necklace $49.99

Happy Holidays everybody!

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Christmas Dreams In Black & White

I wore this outfit for a holiday party dinner with friends. A simple black silk skirt with a floral brushstroke printed silk blouse - Red pumps for Christmas cheer:-) I usually wear flats or low heels, but sometimes only the tall heels would do!

Top - Ann Taylor

Skirt - Forever 21

Clutch - Target

Shoes - Franco Sarto

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Little Black Dress - Some Make It Look Hot, Some Do Not!

Little Black Dress is the party staple. You think you can't go wrong with that..Ha! Check out some of the celebrities rocking and flunking LBD.

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Image Via People Magazine

Kate Beckinsale absolutely rocked this Little black dress by Michael Kors. The sparkle, the belt, tulip hemline - everything just works!!

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Image Via People Magazine

On the other hand, Olivia Wilde could manage the unthinkable - make a dress look boring on her! I am all for simplicity, but this one just zzzzzzzzzz......

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Image Via People Magazine

May be Anne Hathaway can teach Olivia how to rock a simple black dress. With her statuesque figure, this turtle neck sleeveless black dress speaks of elegance of understated nature!

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Image Via People Magazine

Dolce & Gabbana 'ensamble' here looks like neither a dress nor a skirt - Scarlett Johansson's smile is the only winning thing about this picture!

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Image Via People Magazine

Brooklyn Decker's Nha Khanh black lace overset mini looks cute and flirty at the same time. Thumbs up! And look at the Yello Jimmy Chho pumps! Totally digging it.

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Image Via People Magazine

But Jessica Biel somehow made this lace dress look kinda dowdy! The upper half of the dress is absolutely gorgeous, but the bottom is totally ill-fitting, and the tiered frills look like a wedding cake airbrushed black!

50-50 (Probably Thumbs Down!)

Image Via People Magazine

I am split minded about Ali Larter's sparkly dress.  The texture and fall is good, but the straps on the shoulder and the V of the neck is so very chemise like!  It is making me think of Macy's intimate wear department mannequin!

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Versace for H&M 2012 Cruise Collection

Versace on H&M price? you bet! Donatella Versace has come up with some pretty pastel, floral and fresh pieces for H&M  cruise 2012 collection. Available in stores in (UK first) from January 19,2012. I really liked the baby blue belt and white flats with a butterfly sitting so prettily on top!

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Hello Sunshine!!

Just love this yellow coat on Jennifer Lopez. The leopard print clutch screams Chic -Although not too crazy about the white pants. I think this coat could have been better paired on a sheath or may be on skinny jeans..The pants took little of the vivacity  out of what could have been a perfect outfit!

Jennifer Lopez in The Row Hamilton Yellow Coat - Via People Magazine

Jennifer Lopez in The Row Hamilton Yellow Coat - Via People Magazine

The Row Hamilton wool-crepe coat is selling for $1890 on sale for $1134, (as if it will help me!) (snicker)

I don't have that kind of money, but if you like to buy it you can get it at net-a-porter.

The Row Hamilton wool-crepe coat -$1134

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Freida Pinto's 'Street Runway' Style For Less

Frieda Pinto strutted her stuff in chic street style - colored jeans, motto jacket and a basic black satchel.  No wonder she is always invited to sit in the front rows of runway!

Freida Pinto Image via People

I love the amethyst/purple jeans here. It's J Brand -that means 3 digit price! Here is how to steal her style for less-

And the best part is -all these pieces work individually with other outfits! 

Buy Freida Pinto's style for less here -

Melie Bianco Kristy Flap Over Satchel $47.99

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Fashion Victim, Trends Slave - Why It Is Bad And How You Can Avoid The Pitfalls Of Seasonal Fads



As a fashion blogger, I am (or should be) really accepting of people going overboard with 'style', but I have to say, I am guilty of laughing at "don't" photos of Glamour magazine - People with their eyes hidden behind a black rectangle, totally unaware of how uncool and funny (not in a good way) they look!  I think Oscar de la Renta must be thinking of such people when he coined the term 'Fashion Victim' that is used to define a person who is unable to identify commonly recognized boundaries of style.  Fashion victims are victims because they are vulnerable to faddishness (intense but short lived fashion trends) and materialism and consequently are at the mercy of society's prejudices or of the commercial interest of the fashion industry, or of both. I have a another word for a situation like this - 'Trends Slave' - when we forget the style and only focus on whats new. We are actually susceptible of of getting something new without making sure that it looks good on us. And society's prejudices aside, being slave to 'trends' has some other downfalls too-

1.Trends slaves work with the latest fashion, not with their own body

Hence the black rectangle over the eyes!! I f I wear something that is all the rage, but doesn't make me look good - its not for me! The trend should fit my body, not the vice versa. You will never feel beautiful or stylish if you 'judge' yourself with clothes/hair/beauty products made for other people's body. 

2.Trends slaves shop more than they should (yes, shopping should have a budget limit! Its not like its 2006 y'all!)

When the trends slaves try to catch up with ALL the new trends, they make retailers very happy, but spend more of their hard earned money on another pair of shoes they may not wear after this fall. EVER. Debt on young shoulders is a scary thing.

3.Trends slaves neglect the existing good pieces in their wardrobe 

Because they are so busy buying the latest IT things, they seldom realize the worth of existing great pieces. Blindsided by the latest style, they forget that they have 3 other, better fitting outfits hanging in the back of the closet!
4.Trends slaves lose their style identity

Trends slaves forget what is unique about their own style and just blindly follow the latest IN thing! Versace had once said, "When a woman alters her look too much from season to season, she becomes a fashion victim". You know why after decades, we still remember Grace Kelley and Audrey Hepburn as style icons - they did not change with fashion, they changed fashion with them!
5.Trends slaves have messy closets

And for obvious reasons! If you collect 'things' because 'some people' are saying these are the 'must haves', chances are you collect junk too - Ain't Hoarders a REALITY show??? And Most regular people don't have Kardashian Kloset space!! (ughh, i had sworn I will never mention those Kitches* on my blog!)

But not being the trends slave doesn't mean you can not keep up with whats hot. Invest some time to figure out what works best for you, what is needed NOW and what can wait, what is smart and what is not! Its as simple as going to a buffet and eat what you really love and what makes you fell good! All you can eat is not really ALL you can eat!!

Here is how not to be trends slave (while rocking the newest trends!)-

Know your body - Wide leg pants on a super petite frame might not be a good idea, even though the celeb picture in magazine screams at you to buy it.

Know your style - Follow the trends that make you feel comfortable in your own skin. From personal experience - I know I have a more conservative style, and I LOVE seeing other people pushing out of their comfort zone.  But If I am not comfortable enough to wear something with total confidence, Its not for me - even if its the number one trend this season!

Know your environment - A traditional office environment demands a different closet than say, a trendy boutique PR firm. Whats new doesn't make it fit for all the occasions/places.

Know your logistics - What is your budget, how much closet space do you have, If you need or have storage space needed for not-in-use items - answer these question before you make a buying decision - unless its something you really need and can work with it even with logistical constraints.

Now I have a question for you - How do you decide if you want that latest "must have"?

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How To Style A Black Leather Motto Jacket

One of my all time favorite outerwear is a chic biker or motto jacket. I got one this spring and have been using it all the time! A leather (or even faux leather) motto jacket is so cool and trendy and believe it or not - totally versatile. Its not just for the faded jeans and lace up boots - you can pair it up with pretty much any bottom or dress and for any occasion - well, may be not for the wedding!:-) but you get my drift!

Here are 4 stylish and totally delightful ways I would style a black leather motto jacket!

1. With the black jeans 

Pair it with a black skinny jeans, add a muted printed tank or even a watermark tee. Change the look with the shoes - Lace up ankle boots or high heel strappy peep toes for an edgy style or a simple flat oxford if a lot of walking is ahead in the day!

2. With a pencil skirt

Who says you can't mix leather with pearls! The brown or bronze pearl strands with the motto jacket are perfect for an evening look. A metallic pencil skirt rounds up the outfit. Solid metallic, studded or leopard print pumps adds extra interest, yet keep the outfit sophisticated.

3. With colored jeans

Take the blush skinny jeans from summer into fall and winter with the black motto jacket. Basic nude or black pumps make this outfit look easy and put together. I would even wear a pair of flats to pick the color from the colored jeans.

4. With a dress

This look has been very popular lately among celebs. This look reminds of of Blake Lively.  Feminine yet edgy. Dress and motto jacket can go from day to evening and from east coast cold to California mellow winters.

In fact, I am going to the City today in a dress and motto jacket - Outfit post coming soon! Happy Monday everyone!

For daily dose of style delights, connect with me on -

 

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Celebrate The Season - 5 Winter Scents For Your Home

Its the season to be jolly - and to feel cozy, comfy, loved and grateful!! A season when you have joy in your heart, hope in your future and a bone deep gratitude for the blessings you have. What better way to feel that happiness all around you than to fill your house with wintery scents  of firs, sugar plums and glistening snow! Her are 5 scented candles I would love to fill my home with. They come at different prices, but they all have that magical fragrance of Holidays!

1. Diptyque Epinette (Spruce) Holiday Candle

6.5 oz jar - $68.00, 50+ hours of fragrance

This candle comes in a jar with beautiful green and gold motif. The scent is woodsy with that is reminiscent of fresh pine needles sprinkled with snow. With fire crackling in the fireplace, Christmas music playing in the background, this scent is comforting as well as nostalgic.

2. Yankee Candle Christmas Eve

22 oz jar - $25.99, 110-150 hours of fragranc

This candle has all the traditional scents of Christmas - warm hearth, sugared plums and candied fruit to make the house smell like home!

3. Jonathan Adler Home For The Holidays

7.5 oz jar - $28, 50+ hours of fragrance

This candle come in a glossy gold glass jar and has the wonderful scents of a magical winter season - Pine and evergreens, winter berries, cinnamon, clove and snow! No wonder its called home for the holidays!

4. Thymes Frasier Fir

6.5 oz jar - $26, 40 hours of fragrance

This candle comes in a modish glass jar with fir needles design and has the crisp scents of Siberian firs and cedarwood with the hints of sandlewood. Perfect fragrance to feel cozy and relaxed.

5. Febreze Glistening Alpine

5.5 oz jar - $6, 30 hours of fragrance

Ah, the good old Febreze! The candle comes in an unassuming glass jar and has a clean scent of pine and brisk mountain air. It not only fills the home with fragrance but neutralizes odors as well. The scent actually lingers on long after you blow it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holdiays everyone!

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Cold Sun and Warm Smiles

I love textured skirts for winter. Tweed, houndstooth, wool - you name it. This one actually has a Polka dot pattern (you can see it better in 3rd picture). It is chocolate brown and pairing it with a simple sweater or cardigan makes it a little boring, so I decided to use this braided belt with the good old brass buckle! I like the way it is adding interest in the outfit and accentuating the waist.

Skirt, Sweater - Ann Taylor

Boots - Naughty Monkey

Bag - Banana Republic

Belt - Unknown

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