Cheers! Kampai! Salute! Prost! Chin Chin! Sante!
Courtesy of Rachel Zoe
Since tonight marks not only the end of the year but the end of the decade, there are some decade reviews out there, including this one that NBC10 put together – A Decade in Dressing.
Marie Claire has tips on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions. Cosmopolitan has ideas on what to do and what not to do on New Year’s Eve, and assuming you still have time to run around and get a dress, iVillage has posted 10 Ways to Dress for New Year’s Eve.
Lastly, these Rachel Zoe suggests the cute glasses to the left toast in the new year. If only she suggested them earlier, we’re thinking if we order online, it won’t get to us in the next 30 minutes. Sigh…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Halfway through Hanukkah
If you are doing some last minute shopping – we’re shocked that it’s already last minute! Halfway through Hanukkah and days away from Christmas! – Look no further than Urban Outfitters with their free shipping offer and Ann Taylor Loft - with their gifts under $25.
To help you de-stress, Philadelphia Magazine has the scoop on 5 amazing massages for less. Make sure you mention their article when you go to get a rubdown (woohoo!) because it might save you a few bucks. Karl Lagerfeld produced a calendar for Italian Marie Claire and it’s gorgeous.
We’re also newly obsessed with Alexa Chung since we made a trip up to NYC yesterday to see one of her last tapings. We don’t know what’s up next for her, we’re hoping something good. We love how she styles her skinny mini self. MTV also has a style guide for Christmas, including a Kanye West inspired shirt that reads “Imma let you finish.”
Here’s a clip from It’s On With Alexa Chung, featuring a 2 second sighting of yours truly:
Better to Give…
Love gadgets? So does Marie Claire, who’s staffers have come up with a fun list including a USB/Flash drive disguised as a necklace, and a foldaway bike. The Limited has a list of trends for holiday parties, but we just love the page design.
The website 29 Gifts aims to ‘revive the spirit of giving in the world.’ The website was started by a woman with multiple sclerosis. After speaking with a friend, he suggested she started the healing process by giving a gift a day for 29 days. This act had such a positive impact on her life that she wrote a book about it and created the website. The creator of the site was featured on the TODAY show where she offers an explanation.
Even though we’re a little bummed that Daily Candy no longer has a daily Philadelphia edition, we’re glad they’re helping us give back to our troops.
As mentioned before, we’re Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals fans. Now they’re giving away a free compact if you type in the code PRETTY at checkout when you spend $30. While the makeup is a fave, it can be a mess if you try and apply on the go. The compact is the perfect solution.
Sparkle and Shine
One of our favorites from Ann Taylor
Just in case you were getting a little bored with the selection at Target, which is difficult because their boots and fedoras are amongst our faves – they’re rolling out a new collection. Nylon spills the beans about the new Rodarte collection – a favorite of Keira Knightley, Dita von Teese, & other celebs.
Marie Claire has tips on how to make makeup last all day, while Glamour is on the lookout for sequined clothing that won’t break the bank. We’re fans, since sometimes sparkle can cost a pretty penny.
Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor LOFT have some great jewelry out for the holidays. We’re smitten with their selection. Diamonds may be a girls best friend, but sometimes all it takes is some sparkle to catch our eyes.
Spreading Cheer
Courtesy of Glamour.com
There are so many holiday gift suggestion lists out there including I Heart Daily’s Gifts $20 and under, Glamour has over 177 gift suggestions, and Marie Claire has 100+ ideas both lists have TONS of pictures – our favorite for – ahem – quiet mental breaks at work. HBO is selling their DVD’s for 20% off for the rest of the day.
While trinkets are nice, we’ve also been on then lookout for gifts that give back.
In addition to suggested holiday gift lists, I Heart Daily also suggests that you give gifts that mean something deeper, including donations to Heifer International which I Heart Daily explains ‘is dedicated to ending global hunger and poverty through the gift of animals to communities in need. Buy a flock of chicks for $20 that will produce eggs, or honeybees for $30 that will cultivate honey.’ We’re willing to bet that a cause like that would even make the Grinch’s heart grow a little bit bigger.
Another charity, MyCharity: Water is dedicated to bringing safe drinking water to everyone on the planet. You can ask for donations in lieu of Christmas gifts, or you can run, bike or donate to bring safe drinking water to people from around the world.
Another great charity is She’s The First, a media campaign that strives to send girls to school that wouldn’t have the chance to go to school otherwise. Your donation can help send a girl from a number of countries in Africa and Asia to school.
You can also help those in your backyard by giving to Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI) which helps promote access to healthy food in Philadelphia as well as provide education on exercise and obesity. Philabundance is another great charity that aims to end hunger and malnutrition in the Delaware valley.
Wish List
Courtesy of InStyle.com
There are some great holiday gift lists on Marie Claire. The lists include almost free gifts – you’ll need some supplies like baking trays and friendship bracelet string, but they’re low cost and cute just the same. They’ve also got a list of gifts under $20, as well as gifts that Marie Claire staffers wouldn’t like to receive. We’re big fans of their list that includes charitable gifts. A lot of them are affordable, and the jewelry listed is gorgeous. So, you’ll be helping out and wearing a great accessory.
Seventeen also has suggestions on how to help make a difference without spending a penny. As well as what gifts to give. They’ve got great suggestions in a lower price bracket. Nice.
Lastly, InStyle’s look of the day is Gabrielle Union. We’re loving the black dress with the yellow belt and yellow clutch.
Turkey Lurkey Loo
Courtesy of Baraskit.se
Facials sound like a luxe, indulgent experience, but sometimes when you’re getting your pores cleared out it HURTS. This Rice Facial at Moko that Daily Candy found sounds like a nice alternative. Ingredients used in a facial from Moko include basmati rice, ghee (clarified butter), milk, cardamom and cinnamon. Mmm. Sounds like you should stop here for dessert after Thanksgiving weekend. Also featured in Daily Candy is Jimmie the Psychic, who sounds like a good stop this weekend as well — aside from all the Black Friday sales obviously.
While Black Friday has offers on big things like flat screen TV’s and laptops, Marie Claire and Glamour have lists of little things that will make those on your shopping list happy.
Marie Claire also has tips on how to get hair like our girl crush Blake Lively, as well the best beauty products of 2009. They just don’t have pictures of creative rings – but this blog seems to have it covered.