i know, i said there would be some after-christmas-sale mentions at the very least over the last week.  and, well, there haven’t been.  but, in my defense, let me just say the following:  

1, the after-christmas sales not only sucked this year, they were basically nonexistent.  i’ve decided everyone marked things down before christmas instead, so the after-christmas sales were that much more anti-climactic (less climatic? damn double-negatives).

2, do you ever get to the point that you’ve just shopped and shopped and shopped, and can shop no more?  i know…hard to imagine.  but i’m there.  and i needed to not shop for 5 minutes.  fortunately for all of you, i’m back on the horse…and have some lovely things to share next week, as well as a “top buys of 2008″ post i’ll be sharing in the next few days, if i can get my act together.

3, on a personal level…well, the best way i can explain the past week is to send you off to read this.  yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

BUT, since this is, first and foremost, a shopping blog (and therefore, 95% of you care not a bit about my adventures in miscreant canines), i will remind you all that the thakoon for target collection hit stores over the weekend, and it’s actually the first go international collection i’ve liked since paul & joe.  

i’m heavily in the market for patterned tees in anticipation of spring.  cardigans will be everywhere, and i seem to have become the official cardigan queen of the west coast, but i’m getting tired of all the monochrome in my wardrobe.  so, i’ll be stocking up on some fantastic floral and striped tees to layer underneath (particularly this one, which i anticipate aggressively stalking at local stores, since i was an idiot and did not buy it online before it was gone).  also, i have it on good authority that this floral trench is even cuter in person, which means it has serious potential to make the cut as my spring jacket.

(for the record, the hayden-harnett target collection was released as well….it’s generally disappointing, though i’m sort of curious about this print canvas version of their classic flight bag.  it has the potential to be a great carry-on, as it’s stylish and fun, but you won’t care a bit when the flight attendant forces you to jam it into the overhead compartment.)

happy new year’s eve, everyone!

well, this is it – happy chrismakkah, everyone!  i’ll be around a bit next week…i’m sure i won’t be able to resist sharing a few after-christmas sales.  but posting will be light, and drinking will be heavy…’tis the season, after all.  

for those of you that are entertaining family and friends, or just needing some R&R this week, i thought i’d leave you with a few words of advice from interior design guru bella mancini on using my favorite jo malone scents to make the world a little less hectic and a little more festive:

• During the holidays, some of my favorite moments are those spent in the silent, early morning hours.  I love to turn on the tree lights, start a fire, sit on the sofa and drink my morning coffee.  Jo Malone’s Fragrance Combining Candle enhances this special moment.  I light it near my hearth, and it illuminates brightly while smelling of sweet holiday scent.

• When holiday entertaining, I place a small bouquet of fresh cut eucalyptus and large white roses on the sink in my powder room.  I then spritz Pine & Eucalyptus Living Cologne, which smells like freshly cut pine trees, into the air and on hand towels.  Voila – the bathroom not only looks gorgeous, but it smells gorgeous, too!

• Before holiday overnight guests arrive, I spritz their bed linens with Jo Malone Acqua di Limone Scent Surround Spray.  Its lime, citrus scent is refreshing and clean.

• The Wild Fig & Cassis Home Candle is my absolute favorite – I adore its wintry, woody fragrance so much that it has become my home’s signature scent!  When staying with my in-laws during the holidays, I love to bring something special from my home to theirs, and this candle is undoubtedly the gift I always bring!

i hope each one of you dear readers has a truly wonderful holiday…whether you’re lighting candles, stuffing stockings, or skipping out to maui!  thank you for a fantastic year, and here’s to much more fun together in 2009!

this is it:  our last holiday gifting post of the year…hurrah!  if you’re still struggling with a few last gifts (like, say, me), skip the generic goodies at amazon and head to the expertly-curated gift list at someone spoil me, where not only are they still shipping today for christmas delivery, but you can score 20-30% off sitewide with code STYLEWATCH.  

my “works for just about anyone” picks are this completely fun build-a-monster kit (yes, it’s for kids, but i’d go nuts for this mr. potato head upgrade!), this ceramic takeout coffee cup (the only thing that could make me give up my daily starbucks), or these decadent chocolate caramel apples.  

or, for something a little more personal, i love this linea pelle tote for women, and this travel alarm clock is the first i’ve seen that manages to be stylish and masculine at the same time.  and this paul smith card case is the perfect thing to try to encourage the man in your life to be a little more trendy.  me, i’m just hoping someone realizes all i want for christmas is a week in my (fantastically comfy james perse) sweatpants.

if you’re still struggling, check out all of the goodies at someone spoil me…you’re bound to find something that fits the bill, all while happily bundled up on your couch.  just stick to that “last minute gifts” list on their site, and you’re home free!

that’s right – today’s guide is for the last-minute, budget-conscious shoppers among us.  whether you’re in desperate need of stocking stuffers, hanukkah gifts or just a quick, thoughtful idea that will preserve your credit balances, here are a few of my favorite ideas:

gifts from benefit cosmetics are such an easy, no-fail option for any girl on your list…and the price is always right.  plus, you can score free overnight shipping with code LASTGIFT, so you’ll have these in plenty of time.  i’m thoroughly addicted to their itty-bitty creaseless cream shadows ($19) – you truly can’t go wrong with any color, and these apply and last better than any i’ve tried.  but my personal favorite is their 24K sexy gold set, which is absolutely perfect for a new year’s eve date – the set includes a gorgeous gold lipstick, a light shimmer powder and a cute little gold clutch…all for $32 at your friendly neighborhood sephora.

olio united is one of my favorite local stores, and they happen to be offering free overnight shipping as well, so i can’t help sharing a little love.  if you didn’t buy anyone a set of TOMS from when we talked about them a while ago, consider a one-of-a-kind, handpainted pair designed by fab artists like amy ruppel and jill bliss.  all are marked down from $125 to $55, so for about the same price as a standard pair, you can score a pair that’s a work of art.  i also love these amazing little laser cut earrings ($15) made of the coolest foam matboard material, and don’t even get me started on their gorgeous notebooks and other paper goods – all perfect, creative last-minute gifts!

reusable shopping bags are all the rage right now, and these from rume are some of the prettiest and most functional i’ve seen.  each can be folded up and secured with a velcro strap, and the set of three can also be secured together with velcro.  plus, they’re stylish enough that i’ve taken to stowing one in my purse at all times for impulse buys.  tip:  these are also great to protect your designer handbag from sudden inclement weather.  order today, use code “holiday” and they’ll guarantee 12/24 arrival.  they run $30 for three, and i’m not at all above splitting up a set to give one to three different people!

and, when all else fails, my no-fail sources for last-minute gifts are old-school…everyone loves a retro classic.  so, i inevitably head to williams-sonoma and restoration hardware.  pick up an old-fashioned toy for the child in all of us at restoration hardware, or grab one of a dozen different overpriced-but-delicious treats at williams-sonoma.  who could say no to a canister of amazing hot chocolate (which also happens to make amazing fudge) or a wooly willy game?

happy procrastination shopping, everyone…we’re nearly done!

update:  for even more, quite possibly better ideas, check out the fantastic stocking stuffer gift guide from my lovely friends over at orangebeautiful!

um, wow…this just in:  effective now through 12/24, save 40% sitewide at blue bee with code HOLIDAY.  think splendid cashmere, marc jacobs handbags, and all the designer denim you can scoop up…all 40% off.  to say this is a deal that doesn’t come along every day would be a pretty serious understatement, so if you’re in the market for anything at all, well, that american express gold card is your friend.

head to blue bee this instant…that’s an order, shoppers!

i had to squint a little to see what was going on here, but this lovely copper clutch is covered with tiny sequins – the perfect holiday bling for just about any woman on your gifting list!  best of all, it’s only $49 on sale at banana republic, who is still shipping for the holidays (not to mention their presence in nearly every mall in america).

for the men out there who are still desperate for ideas, here’s a perfect one.  head to your nearest banana republic, pick up this stunning clutch, and put tickets to some fabulous new year’s eve event inside.  trust me – she’ll love it.  this clutch is the perfect holiday accent, and you’ll score serious points for planning the perfect date and accessorizing it.

…miss jennifer m, entry #10, who said “Just lovely … you didn’t oversell. I love the texture and the color.”  jennifer, so glad you love it! just make sure you email me today to claim your prize (editor at shoppingsmycardio dot com)!  otherwise, there are 70 other lovely ladies who i’m sure would be more than happy to be drawn as an alternate winner!

thanks to everyone who entered…i really wanted our holiday giveaway to be special, so that i could thank you all properly for a wonderful year at shoppingsmycardio.  i’m so flattered to have you all around every day, and look forward to sharing many more goodies in 2009.

stay tuned later today for another lovely gift idea…and monday, i’ll have a stocking stuffer/cheap gifts guide for the last-minute shoppers among us!

found via the brilliant design*sponge, as usual!

these beautiful prints from artist lisa jones will set you back about $100 each (thank god the british pound finally weakened!), but i absolutely love these as gift ideas.  for your friend who just set up her new apartment or bought her first house, the “town” print is a sure reminder that she’s in the big city now!  and if you have a new mom on your list (or her new baby), the “night owl” print would be positively precious in a nursery.

whichever you choose, order quick – they’re still shipping for christmas, but not for long! fortunately, if it doesn’t arrive in time, it’s easy to print a copy at home and let them know the real thing is on its way!

editor’s note:  the drawing for that stunning pallie croc wallet closes thursday at midnight…have you really not entered yet?

let me preface this guide with the following:  despite their rep, gift sets can be really lovely, thoughtful gifts.  added bonus:  once you make up your mind, they’re easy to track down, and usually require no wrapping at all.  for me, the key to succeeding with the gift set give is to make sure (drum roll) it’s a set of something the recipient will actually use and enjoy, and something you obviously put some thought into.  heading to the drugstore on 12/24 and picking up a box of coty perfume with a matching scented scrunchie is not thoughtful…and it comes through.  but, below are my picks (and general thoughts) on giving a gift set that’s sure to be a hit.

my absolute favorite sets this season are from diptyque and jo malone.  both are stunning, impeccably presented, and guaranteed to be the best gift under the tree.

this holiday, diptyque has released a limited edition set of its three most popular holiday candles.  girls, if you aren’t familiar with diptyque, well, let’s just say these aren’t any ordinary candles.  the scents are positively other-worldly…incredibly unique and sophisticated, and a great gift for just about anyone.  the holiday “black box” set includes their pomander, feu de bois (firewood) and spruce scents – burning them individually or together creates the most amazing holiday scent in your house.  give them to your favorite hostess, or anyone who loves the finer things – just don’t give them to your great aunt who collects yankee candles…there is such a thing as wasteful luxury.

jo malone, my other favorite this year, is a perfectly luxe gift option.  to keep it from being generic, make sure you pick a set that reflects your friend’s tastes.  if she loves to wear perfume, there’s nothing better than jo malone’s “tasting kit” – they really have pioneered the concept of mixing scents to create a custom fragrance, and this set is the perfect way to help her really have some fun.  i also happen to love the fragrance combining collection for anyone who really loves the finer things, even if they aren’t familiar with the line.  sadly, it’s sold out online, but should be easy to track down at your local saks or neiman marcus.

for someone you know a little better, i love the idea of a well-thought-out beauty sets.  but do reserve these for good friends, as they’re definitely a trickier gift to give well.  

for your friend that’s always raving about her new yoga instructor, or that great vegan restaurant that just opened up down the street, look no further than suki.  this is a product line i’ve raved about before, and their holiday offerings are a wonderful way to introduce someone to the line.  because skin types can be tricky, stick to something that offers universal benefits, like their gorgeous deluxe moisturizing kit (that wooden case the set comes in is gorgeous!).  

if you have a friend or a mom who’s constantly bemoaning the fact that she can’t afford/is terrified but overwhelmingly curious about botox, i can think of no better gift than the eye coffret set from darphin (please, please, don’t get this gift for someone unless you’ve actually heard her express discontent with her eyes.  no self-improvement suggestions via holiday gifts, ever).  ladies, you know how rarely i’m thrilled with an eye cream…but darphin’s products work actual wonders, and are completely splurge-worthy.  your friend will thank her lucky stars that you know her so well.  (tip:  this is also a great set to put on your own wish list…i have a hard time splurging on darphin for myself, but adore receiving it!)

for the friend whose feet are more likely to be 30,000 feet overhead than planted on terra firma, get her a beauty set that’s designed to repair travel-weary skin and make it through TSA safely.  my absolute favorite is the organics to go set from juice beauty – this is another line i just love.  best of all, this set is highly budget-friendly:  pick it up for just $29 at your local whole foods!

and, if all else fails, gift sets from bliss are always fun and lighthearted, and guaranteed to please.  their products are harder to track down than, say, philosophy, so it feels more thoughtful.  my pick is the “you look spa-velous” set, which is a great set to introduce someone to the bliss world (the oxygen mask alone will make them a convert).  tack on a gift certificate for a mani if your friend has a bliss spa nearby, and you have one seriously satisfying gift.

so, those are my picks this season.  what do you think – was i convincing?  will you be giving any gift sets this year?

i used to agonize over gifting to men, until i realized it was because i was trying to get them things i thought they should have.  now, i’ve finally learned to just cave and get the men what they actually want at the holidays…even if it’s pointless (or even annoying) to me, i figure that’s exactly what they think when we ask for yet another scarf or pair of earrings.  with that in mind, i’ve compiled a list of some of the best ideas i’ve come across this year to make him smile on christmas morning.

for the geek in your life, the splurge du jour is the playstation 3.  from what i understand, it’s quite the gadget – it plays bluray discs, allows him to download movies and games from the internet, and may even julienne carrots.  okay, maybe not that last one.  pick it up for about $400 and score some serious points.

for my little bro, who simply cannot keep his house smelling even remotely decent, i’m going to give him a gift that will help him get his saturday night date inside the front door.  this cool diffuser from joya boasts a very masculine skull and crossbones on the outside, and a completely gender-neutral gunpowder green tea scent on the inside – all he has to do is set it up, and the stench is…well, masked at least.

if you’re gifting to someone a little more rugged, i can’t think of many guys that wouldn’t love this filson briefcase ($245).  it’s a great, masculine option for a laptop bag (but still incredibly stylish) that will make him feel like he’s off on a mountaineering adventure, even when it’s really just his daily commute.

when all else fails, boys do love their toys.  so, indulge him…but in as creative a way as you can.  if he’s into golf, pick up a couple of gift certificates for a round at his favorite course.  if he’s never met a microbrew he doesn’t like, cave and get him that beer of the month club membership (or yes, even that home brewing kit he’s been craving).  and if his favorite thing to do on a saturday is watch a marathon of bad sci fi, well, bite the bullet and buy him a star trek box set…maybe even tack on a promise to watch a few with him.  you get the idea.  

and, last but not least – it may not elicit childlike squeals of delight, but i promise…the man in your life is secretly thrilled you’re there to help him with his fashion choices.  so, throw a stylish cashmere sweater or a hip watch (diesel does a great job of blending cool and “stylish”) under the tree for good measure – just make sure to mix the fashion goodies with a few toys!

so, how about a little help from the committee?  what’s the best gift you’ve ever given to a guy?  share the love, people!