how’s that for a holiday gift?  i can’t even begin to express how much i adore the wallet i’m giving away this week.  but let’s just say you’re lucky the prize is being sent to the winner straight from the designer.

this amazing pale blue-grey, croc-embossed wallet is simply decadent.  the leather is amazing, and the style is pure luxury (in fact, it reminds me a little too much of a certain hermes wallet i’ve been coveting for years).  the interior has plenty of room for credit cards, and even contains a matching zippered pouch that can be carried separately.  designed by pallie bags, this stunner retails for $260…but one of my lovely readers will be spending the holidays with it…free!  yes, it just might be the best gift ever.

for those who aren’t familiar, pallie is an up-and-coming line of handbags that focuses on classic styles, beautifully crafted.  honestly, my favorite piece in the collection is this wallet - i am just in love.  but the marshall messenger (possibly the perfect travel bag) and the mini-marie clutch (love the gold chain and stud detailing!) are also to die for.

but, anyway…about that amazing wallet.  i’ll give it away on friday to one of you lucky, lucky ladies.  to enter, post a comment on this post.  bonus entry for sharing somewhere (facebook, your blog, the message board of your choice, whatever works), and then posting a SECOND comment letting me know where you shared.  and as always, you really do have to post that second comment - my math skills aren’t good enough to add in the entry for you!  

check back on friday to see if you’ll be partying with this beauty in 2009 - if you don’t claim your prize, i’ll be forced to choose another winner!

i just love the casual rocker styling on this studded hoodie from delia’s, of all places.  the studs keep it from being too average, and the result is just the right amount of alternative hip (which i define as something that a non-hipster like me could successfully pull off).  since i’d be thrilled to find this under my holiday tree, i can only assume it would be the perfect gift for any of a number of dear friends…not to mention the perfect gift for a teen sister.  pick it up for $39.50 at delia’s by tuesday for christmas delivery - just stick to the black, please…the other colors are a bit frightening.  oh, and code DWRAFF will get you free shipping!

editor’s note:  phenomenal giveaway starts monday.  biggest ever…you’re going to flip!  don’t miss it!

i remember one year for the holidays, i forewent traditional giving, and everyone on my list got credit for a portion of a goat from heifer international.  sure, it was more fun than “a donation has been made in your name to the society for underprivileged hedgehogs,” and it did very good things for people that deserve the help, but it didn’t exactly elicit that exuberant, thrilling response you’re looking for from a holiday gift.

that’s why i love the idea of sending TOMS shoes if you’re looking for a do-gooder gift this season.  TOMS are very basic & comfy canvas flats, good for man, woman and child (mine are red madras plaid) and available in dozens of colors and prints - all for about $50.  but the bonus is that for every pair sold, they give a pair to a child in need - their holiday goal is 30,000 pair in 30 days.  so, you can give an actual gift (one that the recipient will genuinely love and use), and do some good besides.  plus, no one will dare to return a gift from a charity!

so, watch their video, get inspired, and maybe think about sending a bit of your holiday budget their way.

for those of you that are still struggling with what to buy for whom, i thought i’d share a list of a few gift ideas that i’m loving from refinery 29’s spectacular gift guide, in no particular order, rhyme or reason.

debbie fischer turquoise clover necklace for your best friend, $110.

lauren wimmer silk-wrapped circle bracelet in fuchsia or teal for your sister who thinks bangles aren’t practical, $73.

rob brandt porcelain “crushed cup” for your favorite coffee drinker, $11.

john derian arrow tray for the guy who can never find his keys, $80 (perfect for everything from keys to hors d’oeuvres).

mary green sleeping masks for your favorite insomniac, $15 (actually sold out at refinery 29, but available here if you can weed out the uglies).

barbour tartan scarf for your not-as-hip-as-he-thinks-he-is dad, $75 (also great paired with these very manly workman-style leather gloves).

here’s hoping this list provided some much-needed gifting inspiration!

i’ve been wishing and hoping that the massive sale at ron herman would improve to include some fabulous basics, and that day is here.  save 40% on personal faves like decadently warm cashmere from inhabit and demylee, hip outerwear from mike and chris, and amazing fashion finds from haute hippie.

let’s see if i can do this in the spirit of giving.  i’ll be snapping up that gorgeous striped boatneck in superthick cashmere from demylee, now down to $186…for my mom, who is forever complaining she’s cold.  ooh, or maybe that phoeve dress would be just the thing.  

for my dear friend who’s vastly more trendy than me, this fleece jacket from citizens of humanity (down to $121) is a no-brainer…especially if she’ll let me borrow it.

and since i’m still desperately lacking in the stunning holiday dress department, i’ll snap up this stunning paillette sheath from haute hippie (down to $360), which will be positively perfect for this new year’s eve…and many more to come.

hey, i can’t be selfless ALL month!

just one little caution - the goodies are final sale, so be sure you love what you’re nabbing.  but really, how could you not?

and of course, don’t forget about all of the other fab deals we have this week:  25% off at gorjana, 15% off at 479 popcorn, a huge 30% off at kate mchale and 20% off at linda & harriett!  with steals this good, how is it possible your holiday shopping isn’t already done?!

i have been agonizing over which linda & harriett goodies to feature for holiday this year - everything is just so lovely!  fortunately, they’ve saved me the trouble and created a completely customizable gift pack, so my worries are over.

each set contains one of their stunning letterpress calendars (seriously, you have to see these to believe it…SO beautiful), a 100-page printed notepad (my pick is the cheeky little moose, but the zigzag is a more refined choice), a pack of notecards (the hedgehog and the birch trees are my favorites), all wrapped up in kraft paper and sealed with an adorable die-cut tag shaped like a pig (or a butterfly, but really…pig all the way) to which they’ll add your handwritten message.

i love that you can choose which notepad, cards, and tag go on each set, so that you really can make a set fit your recipient’s personal style.  but even better, linda & harriett is kindly offering 20% off their entire site through the holidays with code FRIENDS, bringing the cost down to about $43.  

this is a perfect gift for a boss, anyone that’s a born hostess or just a lover of fancy paper goods.  to be honest, it’s a great stand-by gift as well…i can’t think of a woman i know that wouldn’t be thrilled by this!

check out all of the goodies at linda & harriett’s site.  if nothing else, make sure you pick up that letterpress calendar for yourself.  it will make the next year so much easier to look forward to.

it’s no secret that gorjana is one of my favorite jewelry lines. every season, they never fail to debut pieces that are gorgeous, unique, and completely wearable. i get endless compliments on every piece of gorjana i own, and they’re unfailingly the styles that are in heaviest rotation from my jewelry box.

their holiday collection is no exception, and with pennies being pinched by all of us, i love the idea of picking up a stunning new piece of jewelry to help you update a holiday look that’s already in your closet. their olive leaf necklace, for example, is a perfect statement piece - it’s gorgeous alone or paired with a strand of longer beads (i love it with my dean harris quartz necklace).  

but the piece that has barely left my neck since arriving is that lovely silver sand coin necklace above.  at 40″ long, this piece is just amazingly wearable.  i’ve worn it as a single strand, i’ve doubled it over, and i’ve even shortened it by fastening the clasp behind one of the coins, so that part of the necklace dangles down the back.  for dressier occasions, try doubling it and layering with a classic pearl strand, or leave it long for a simple, classic statement with all black.  however you wear it, it’s amazing.

to put a little icing on the proverbial cake, i thought i’d ask gorjana, the owner and designer of the line, to share some tips on accessorizing for holiday affairs. her advice:

Making sure not to over-accessorize is key when it comes to jewelry, especially for more formal events such as holiday parties. The combinations I usually stick to are a great pair of statement earrings with a stack of varying bangles, or a great necklace with a simple earrings and a cocktail style ring.

Don’t be afraid to mix metals. The holidays are all about sparkle and shine, so I love to stack up my gold and silver bangles for a more dramatic look.

It’s simple to update your jewelry ensemble with a new piece that you can layer with all your favorites. I love our Olive Necklace because it easily compliments my shorter, personal necklaces that I wear every day, and also my wraps that I throw on for an evening out.

as a little extra treat, gorjana is kindly giving shoppingsmycardio readers 25% off the entire site through wed 12/17.  just use code SHOPPINGSMYCARDIO at checkout!

editor’s note:  apparently you dear readers cleaned out the store!  so, no more bracelets until the new year.  but they do still have necklaces.  so, new pic below…and otherwise, hold your breath and order the bracelets in january!

what a fun and easy gift!  i’m tempted to put one of these inside a card for each of my girlfriends and call their holiday shopping done!  these chic (and green, i might add) plastic bracelets (er, necklaces) by batucada come in five designs (my favorites are the petal and the hawai designs), and are just plain fun.  

at $24 each, this fits my friend gifting budget perfectly…if only i hadn’t just shared my brilliance with everyone who would be on the list to receive these.  so much for the element of surprise!  oh well…hopefully some of you will benefit from the idea, at least.

i’m fortunate enough to work in an environment that allows me to wear denim almost every day.  and, while i’m profoundly grateful for this, the reality is that i get a little sick of sporting my favorite jeans day in and day out (not to mention how sick my co-workers must be of seeing them!).  but i just couldn’t let go of the comfort factor…or the fact that buying trousers that fit me properly is the stuff of nightmares.

thank goodness i was recently introduced to designer kate mchale.  she’s taken everything i love about denim and translated those traits to a trouser that’s chic, stylish and professional.  as with denim, styles are available in a range of rises and cuts (i’d recommend staying conservative if these are headed for the office).  and instead of different washes, you can choose from a variety of colors and/or patterns.  but they still fit like your favorite jeans - it’s a very contoured, comfortable fit, and the fabric is not unlike a spandex-infused denim.  and, as with denim, i’m going to urge you to steer clear of any colors that are too creative - stick to neutrals, please (or that fantastic retro plaid above!).

my favorites are the patricia, with its mod flared leg and cuff, and the sara, which looks like a very classic straight leg that will be gorgeous with heels (and note that office-friendly rise).  or go with the winfield for a classic boot cut fit.  whichever you choose, you’ll be strolling around your office looking like your usual fashion-plate self, only so much more comfy!

normally, mchale’s designs rival your designer denim at about $200/pair.  but she’s kindly extending a whopping 30% discount to shoppingsmycardio readers through christmas.  at that price, you might even consider picking up a second pair to gift!  use code KMPANTS to score this deal, and you’ll be the envy of all your friends.

editor’s note:  all this week, we’ll be featuring exclusive discounts for shoppingsmycardio readers on gifts for everyone on your holiday list (including you!).  so stay tuned for all the deals and steals i can muster!

i recently had an opportunity to test 479 popcorn’s new line of gourmet, organic goodies…and i can tell you, it is love.  i’m not even a person that’s particularly a fan of popcorn, and i’m so addicted to this, i’m ready to set up an automatic delivery system.

handmade in small batches in san francisco, this organic popcorn is crafted with exotic ingredients like vietnamese cinnamon and smoked paprika, and shipped in incredibly mod, chic packaging that makes this a perfect gift.  plus, it’s almost disturbingly good - founder jean arnold worked on her recipes for over a year to end up at perfection.

normally, i’m a little iffy on food gifts at the holidays - they can feel a bit predictable.  but honestly, for someone you know that’s a serious foodie, i can’t think of anything better…or easier (a virtue that’s high on my list with less than three weeks to go!).  exotic flavors like madras coconut curry, ginger sesame caramel, and alderwood-smoked sea salt are unique enough to impress even the most discerning palate.  and anyone who isn’t immediately hooked on black truffle & white cheddar (di-vine) or fleur de sel caramel just can’t be trusted.  plus, for those lovers of organic goods on your list, you won’t find “high fructose corn syrup” or anything even remotely close in this stuff.  every ingredient is carefully sourced, and completely pronounceable.

gift boxes range from $35-52, plus you’ll get a 15% discount on any size order through 12/13 (the last day to ship this gift via ground) with code CARDIO.  just take my word for it, and make sure you nab a box for yourself while you’re ordering those gifts.