1. Keel’s Simple Diary Vol. 2, $12
2. MintFusion lip balm with SPF 30, Supergoop, $9
3. Ottoman Iznik tile notecards, Metropolitan Museum of Art, $15
4. Felt keyfob, Graf + Lantz, $8
5. Christmas scratchers and Hanukkah scratchers, Chronicle Books, $10 each
6. Liam’s Robot letterpress cards, Satsuma Press, $10 (all proceeds to go sweet Liam’s special needs trust)
7. Leather tape measure, Swing Designs, $10
8. Salted caramel hot chocolate on a stick, Ticket Chocolate, $15 for 4
9. Glitter in my Stocking and Orna-ment For Each Other, Nicole by OPI, $8 each

1. Totally invigorating in the morning, and not the least bit girly. Anthony Logistics eucalyptus + mint shower gel for men, $18
2. Who can’t use another tote? This one has the added bonus of a cross-body strap and a stylish, not-too-sweet graphic. And it’s made by a dear friend of mine! Chrysanthemum tote, Westmama Designs, $29
3. West Elm has a bevy of beautiful throws this season, but this one’s cuddly soft and comes in a rainbow of hues. Add your favorite paperback of the year, and give her an excuse to snuggle up. “Favorite” throw, West Elm, $29 (on sale for $19!)
   
4. I never seem to have enough cosmetic bags to throw into handbags, carry-ons and totes. This one reminds me of Chanel, but won’t make me cry when my lip gloss leaks. LeSportSac “Kevyn” cosmetic case, $25
5. If there’s a teen or tween girl on your list, I promise you, this is the gift to get her. Absolutely every color under the sun…so you can prove to her there’s more to makeup than piles of black eyeliner. Expert Mega Palette, Avon, $30
6. Bargain gifts for men are hard to come by, but this watch is infinitely more handsome than its pricetag allows for – I especially love the webbed strap, which gives it an urban edge. Military style canvas strap watch, Avon, $15
7. I’m basically obsessed with this stuff – it’s become my savior during these dry, windy winter days. Trust me, she’ll be addicted too. Blood orange body balm, McEvoy Ranch, $22
8. Chocolates are always a great bargain go-to, and these have a fun twist. Each flavor is modeled after a bigger, badder (much more caloric) dessert. Red velvet cake truffle, anyone? Ultimate Dessert Truffles, Godiva, $25
9. A classic holiday scent that’s festive, but not cloying. And I always love the packaging from Linnea’s Lights! Pumpkin soy candle, Linnea’s Lights, $21
10. Okay, this one’s a smidge over budget. But you get six single-glass bottles of wine for that price, custom grouped by region or selected by master chefs. For a budding oenophile, it doesn’t get any better. Mario Batali Selection 6-bottle wine sampler, Tasting Room, $33 (looks like you save $10 by signing up for their mailing list!)
    

Well look, just look, at what the incomparable Kara Ackerman cooked up for you all:

I can’t tell you how much I love these bangles – I wear mine almost daily. Buy a handful, and you’ll instantly check off a stack of gifts on your holiday list (and, hopefully, a couple of extras for yourself). Or, make your significant other’s gifting significantly easier, and let him know these are up for grabs.

Hmm. Now that I think about it, I might need to add the lapis to my growing collection. And the turquoise. I’m sure Santa won’t mind a little help.

In general, my advice is to scrimp on trendier styles, and save your splurge for something classic – a camel overcoat or a black trench, for example. But none of us can survive an entire season without a little variety – after all, for at least 5 months of the year, all anyone sees of me is a coat, a pair of jeans, and my shoes. So that coat has to count! And that means having options. I wish I could splurge on each and every one, but until that lottery win happens, here are a few of my favorite bargain finds for the season.

1. Talbots has some gorgeous fall coats this season, and they’re all on sale right now (up to 50% off full price styles through the end of today, in fact!). I fell hard for this blue tweed overcoat when I first spotted it – the cut and that rich fabric make this look infinitely more luxe than it’s $220 pricetag.

2. Le Train Bleu is one of my favorite under-the-radar spots for trendy pieces at bargain prices. Owner Bria has a knack for tracking down pieces that look and feel one-of-a-kind, at prices that never fail to shock me. This bold plaid double-breasted style is one of my favorites of the season, and it’s only $113!

3. I almost can’t believe this chic leopard print coat is only $55, but it’s true. The darker animal print is infinitely more wearable than some of its flashier counterparts, and the cut makes this perfect for day or evening (I’m a big believer in pairing dressy coats with casual ensembles).

4. Red is such a great color for cold weather – all that black and grey can be depressing, but it’s impossible not to be happy when you’re wearing red. The tailoring of this classic military-style wool topper is what makes it stand out from the crowd. No one would ever believe you spent under $100 for this beauty.

5. In general, I’m skeptical of J.Crew’s “online factory outlet”. The prices never seem that outstanding, and I hate stores that have pieces that are especially made for their outlet. But my personal griping aside, this hip little peacoat offers an awful lot of style for $146 (with code MUSTHAVE) – I love the faux fur collar, and the army green hue is a perfect weekend neutral. {Update: Looks like MUSTHAVE isn’t valid today, but in my experience, if you call and ask, J.Crew will extend it for you as a courtesy.}

Any bargain fall coats on your radar? Share them in the comments – I love a good cheap thrill!

First up, nab this cute little Joie crossbody bag free with any $250 purchase at Saks – just use code WCONTEMP2 (you’ll also get free shipping on $200+ with code SFASHIP). Ordinarily, I’m not much for free gifts, as they never live up to the hype. But even though this one’s free (and faux suede), I actually love it, from the chain strap all the way down to the tassel detail on the closure.

Lots of Friends & Family love going on this weekend. Get 20% off all purchases with code FALLFRIENDS11 at Bloomingdale’s this weekend, plus free shipping (no code required)! It may be time to splurge on that DVF Mikhaila coat I’ve been eyeing all season…or maybe the Harrington vest. {It’s worth noting that Nordstrom will usually match this deal, especially if they carry the same item.}

And more Friends & Family excitement at Endless (thanks for the tip, M!) – again, take 20% off storewide (with the usual exceptions) through the weekend with code SEPEVENT. I’m thinking it’s an excellent excuse to get a little more Loeffler Randall in your life.

Remember when I told you about Matches Fashion a few weeks ago, but lamented their pricey US shipping? Well, today only, free worldwide shipping at Matches with code WWFREE. Some pieces are a little pricier than they would be stateside (damn conversion rates), but some are a steal…like this orange herringbone coat from Weekend MaxMara, which I’m pretty sure would be about $300 higher here.

Quite a weekend for indulging your inner compulsive shopper, no? Any other deals you know about? Share them in the comments, won’t you? Just think of it as retail karma.

To keep me honest, I thought I’d show off my pre-game checklist – all of the pieces I’m hoping to nab from the collection. Of course, I’m guessing half of these won’t be as pretty in person…the miniskirts will be too short, and the “silk” blouse will be polyester. But for now, this what’s on my “must have” agenda.

(Poor husband. He has no idea what’s about to happen to our checking account.)

I’ll fight you for those zigzag pumps…don’t get in my way!

Have you made your list and/or grabbed your designated shopping buddy to hit Target in the morning? What are you dying to nab? Or are you so sick of the hype around this collection, you’re tempted to boycott the entire thing? (I’m right on the edge myself, but these are just too pretty to boycott.)

It’s available in crew and v-neck styles, but my favorite is the v-neck. Believe me when I tell you these are not your typical cotton cardigan. In fact, when I get compliments on them (and I always do), people are amazed that they’re cotton, not silk. Tip: be sure to check out the separate listings for each style to see all the available color options.

Nab one in every color you love – you won’t be sorry!

Crochet is definitely a hot trend now, but the style can be hard to pull off without going too beachy boho. This one has enough structure that it works well for casual looks, but I’d also love to see it layered under a blazer for day. It’s also a nice stand-in for lace if – like me – you’ve had a devil of a time successfully styling that trend. It’s the perfect thing to throw on over a bikini top and shorts, or just to give you a bit of texture play over a tank top. Mostly, though, I’m envisioning it with a straw fedora, cutoffs and a bicycle, as a photo on Garance Dore‘s blog…which is definitely not a bad thing.

Double collar blazer, $72

Fringe sheer knit sweater, $59

Orange ruffle skirt, $48

V-neck pocket tee, $20

Chain bracelet, $22

Okay, so most some of the pieces are way a little more fashion-forward than, say, I am. And yes, there’s definitely a chance these are of horrible quality/made in a sweatshop/not as good in real life. But there are some excellent finds in here that are sure to boost your trendy quotient without throwing the rest of your closet for a loop.

What do you think? Would you give them a try, or are you in the “if it looks to good to be true…” corner?

On my last trip, I picked up this Kut from the Kloth denim jacket (the photos aren’t the best, I know…but it’s good, trust me). I’d been obsessing over finding in the market for a new one, but wasn’t willing to pay $200 and hated the cheaper versions. This one is soft, stretchy, perfectly distressed, does an amazing job of creating a tiny waist over even the most shapeless of spring dresses…and $68. Sold!  Incidentally, it was also shown off in People StyleWatch (next to pics of Reese Witherspoon – love her!), and therefore sold out awfully fast. Nab one of the last ones if you can (and size up).

{Photo courtesy of Shop Adorn and People Stylewatch}

Incidentally, if they do manage to sell out, I’ll admit that they also sell them at Amazon. But shop local!