welcome back everyone - i hope your turkeys were perfectly cooked, and your family drama was kept to a minimum!  we’re changing things up a little this month in honor of the holidays, and you’ll be seeing more “what i’m giving today” posts…most of which i’d be happy to receive as well.  hey, ’tis the season to be selfish!  i’ll also be posting deals as they’re passed my way (including some huge discounts exclusively for SMC readers!) and some fun holiday giveaways (the first one starts tomorrow).  so, stay tuned for the fun…starting with the cyber monday deals below!

it seems like agates are the latest find in the jewelry world - i’m seeing them everywhere lately.  but i haven’t seen any i love so well as these gorgeous versions from isharya.  for a friend that wears jewelry you only dream of owning, i can’t imagine a better gift than these hoops accented with rough purple agate ($156 with code lucky5).  

or, for someone you’d like to ease into the chunky jewelry trend (maybe even a hip mom!), i am pretty obsessed with this rosewood cuff bracelet accented with that same lovely purple agate ($237).  even with a simple jeans-and-tee ensemble, this cuff would elevate you to effortless chic.  i’d be thrilled to find this stunner in my stocking.

whichever you like best, for giving or for keeping, you’ll be the best gift-giver in town.

wow, the deals abound…i’ll update this post regularly as they roll in (look for codes updated with “NEW”), but for starters:

• there’s a simply amazing online sample sale going on at inhabit ny - also known as my #1 source for flawless cashmere.  and when i say sample sale, i’m talking $400 classic cashmere cardigans for $80.  i ordered one of almost everything on this amazing sale - hey, i figure i can give whatever i don’t love as a gift!  run, don’t walk.
• le train bleu is offering an amazing 40% off sitewide on monday with code cybermonday.  if ever there were a one-stop shopping opportunity for all of your girlfriends, this is it.  just a cursory glance led me to the perfect gift for my boss, my mom, and a dear friend.  personally, i’ll be doing my best to justify this gorgeous sky blue coat by heidi merrick.
• another 40% discount (plus free shipping!) going on at simply soles - the home of those lovely lilybee shoes we chatted about recently.  this is a fantastic opportunity to score a pair, and maybe tack on a little something extra to use up all that money you’re saving!  i’m cursing the fact that they’re out of these gorgeous frye boots in my size - if they have yours, this is an amazing deal on a brand that rarely goes on sale.  no code needed, as far as i know.
• tobi, an online favorite of mine, is offering 30% off sitewide, including sale items.  use code WEGOBBLE at checkout to score deals on paige denim, DVF dresses, and luxe mike & chris leather jackets.  tobi’s a great spot to find gifts for the stylin’ guy on your list as well - their selection of hip menswear is among the best around.
• 20% off sitewide at piperlime with code MONDAY - it’s rare to get a deal this good on a site this broad-based, so take advantage while you can!
• and another 20% off at restoration hardware with code RTGP118 - since this store is my ultimate hook-up for even the impossible-to-buy-for on my list, i’ll be taking full advantage of this baby!
• NEW!  the fall/winter stock at NY legend kirna zabete is down to a whopping 50% off…if you didn’t check it out when it was at 40%, this should be enough to tip you over the edge.
• NEW!  30% off sitewide at cole haan with code HOLIDAYSALE - these long leather gloves in stunning moroccan blue would be a fabulously luxe gift, or you could score a chic laptop case for the workaholic in your life.  grab some retro-chic loafers for yourself while you’re at it!
• NEW!  wow…a big 40% off regular price and 30% off sale items at SMC favorite basic boutique.  use code SHOPTHESALE to take full advantage!

all are good today only (well, except the inhabit sale, but that one will be pretty well picked over by day’s end in any event) - so get ready, get set…spend!

if i thought it would actually arrive in time for thanksgiving, i’d order this slouchy brown sweater from b.chyll in a heartbeat.  i love the casual styling, and the earthy tone, and i just know this cozy cashmere would be the ultimate piece to relax in when i’ve completely OD’d on turkey and stuffing…and pie.

plus, if you order a b.chyll sweater from ron herman this weekend, they’ll add on a gorgeous tie dye cashmere scarf gratis (you can see the scarf here).  i do so love freebies!

i’ve been thinking about the economy.  (stay with me here, i’m thinking in fashion terms.)  

there are two economic theories that deal with hemlines:  in the first theory, the winner is the mini. the story goes that skirts get shorter when the economy gets tighter (in other words, less fabric = less money).  the other theory is the exact opposite:  dropping hemlines mean a falling economy.  historically, the short flapper styles of the ’20s and minis from the ’60s supported this theory, as the economy was strong.

today, while we’re being bombarded every day with news on the markets rising and falling like mad, hemlines are all over the charts.  so, what do you all think?  in poor economic times (or as the trends swing), do you go with the mini, the maxi or somewhere in between?  or do you just ignore the trends altogether and wear what you like?

personally, i choose my hems based on the event, not the economy.  here are my three picks, with three different hemlines, all for under $200.

for a night out with my hubbie, i might choose a sexy mini, like the fast mojo by french connection.  at a black tie charity ball, nothing could come between me and my one shoulder jersey calvin klein dress, in this beauty I would feel glamorous all night.  finally, my go-to length is this flirty tiered mesh dress by maggie london - it would take me anywhere from the office christmas party to the family new year’s eve gathering.  but whatever you wear to your holiday gatherings, the best look is a great smile, worn by the girl who isn’t letting the economy cramp her style!

~ J

i can’t resist…the shopbop designer sale started today, and there’s loads of holiday temptation to be had. here are a few things that just made it to the top of my christmas list:

this gorgeous cashmere dress by chris benz is a classic waiting to happen.

something about this amazing erickson beamon necklace (above) just screams serious glamour to me. it would have been just the thing for a holdiay dinner i’m attending tonight, but too late for that. i’ll have to save it for next year’s fetes.

this leather trench by jenni kayne is a splurge, even on sale…but what a splurge it is!

derek lam’s handbag line includes several gems, but i love this ultra-ladylike shoulder bag, which just makes me want to dress up and go for tea.

shop fast…i was after an anya hindmarch satchel that sold out before i could click “add to cart”.

well, we’re officially past every shipping deadline there is…if you haven’t ordered yet, you’re resigned to the crowds at the mall or a grungy poinsetta from your neighborhood grocery store.

unless, of course, you’re willing to get creative.

my favorite last-minute gift, and one i gave just yesterday, is a gift certificate to 20×200, a fabulous website that features limited edition art (200 of each) from semi-well-known artists for a cool $20. new pieces debut twice a week. you can purchase a “credit” gift certificate for $28.50 (you’re covering the shipping costs too), which will let your recipient go online, pick out the piece of art of their choice, and it will arrive at their door with your compliments.

another great option for avoiding the mall crunch is to check out the “shop local” section on etsy.com. you can find loads of great gift options just a starbucks meet-up away. just pick your gift, and send the artist a message asking if the item might be available for pick-up. most of the folks on etsy are so sweet they’ll probably even gift wrap it for you!

if neither of those work for you, or you’re just ready to throw your hands up, i have to admit i’m still a fan of the cheesy homemade gift, but i do so prefer when it’s thoughtful and specific to the recipient, not just the generic plate of cookies that gets passed around this time of year. have a friend that thinks your chicken enchiladas are to die for? go to the hardware store, pick up a pyrex, make her up a batch, and attach the recipe. have a serious cheese fiend in your life? head to whole foods, grab a few selections, a bottle of fig jam, and a cheese board, and you have a gift she’ll be thanking her stars for well past new year’s day.

(a big thanks to design sponge and lisa solomon for the gorgeous photo, above. if only my kitchen looked that great when i baked. and click here to check out lisa’s banana bread recipe…yum!!)

okay, i don’t know about you all, but i’m tired of gifts & ready to be selfish again!

whenever the weather turns cold, i get all excited about cozy, winter-weather attire. chunky sweaters, slippers, throw blankets…and pajamas. all of the cute, lacy stuff i want in the summer is suddenly ridiculous, and all i can think about is cuddling up in some men’s-inspired PJs.

i recently came across these amazing designs by CapriRose, and can’t seem to think of anything else! i love everything about these gorgeous designs. the colors, the contrasting collars and cuffs (so, so cute!), and the super-soft cotton they use for every pair (think about your favorite percale sheets…mmm). they’ll set you back about $125, but if they’re half as comfy as they are cute, they’re worth every penny. plus 10% of the proceeds from some of their designs go to support new orleans charities, and i’m all about the giving-while-shopping phenom.

if you don’t have a gift for a wonderful woman in your life yet, these are a can’t-miss option. but for me, these are a gift i’m dying to give myself this year!

honestly, the holiday sales are supposed to be after christmas! these pre-holiday discounts are slowly killing me. but, since i have no willpower whatsoever, and i assume my readers are just as challenged as i am in that respect, i’m going to go ahead and let you all know that tobi, one of my very favorite fashion sites, is offering 25% off all full-priced merchandise on its site, through the end of the year.

but okay, for those that are still holiday shopping, let’s see if we can put this discount to good use. tobi is such a fabulous site that i think perhaps we can knock off your entire holiday list at once. watch me work…

for the hubs, i’d love to snag him a fabulous leather jacket, and no one does it better than mike & chris. right now, i’m leaning toward the super cool, but casual temple street style, which i know would become an instant favorite in his closet.

for mom, i always love red flower candles…they look gorgeous, they’re topped with those fabulous dried flower petals that make for a gorgeous display, they smell divine, and they burn forever. pick up one or two in her favorite scents (i love the blood orange and french lavender). or, if she’s more into fashion than fragrance, i think really lush cardigans are always a safe bet for mom. i love this one from eden, which is a great wardrobe staple. if she lives in a colder climate, or is just perpetually freezing (like my mom is), this cardigan coat by lily mcneal would be just perfect.

for a little sister, i think it’s tough to go wrong with a funky graphic tee. if she’s a rock star wannabe, she’ll love the new tees by andy warhol for levis - my pick is this pink moto design. but if her style’s more girly, i love this mod peacock tee by topless california, which is a great tunic length and perfect for layering.

for dad, you can up his ‘cool factor’ with this merino wool sweater by theory. or if he’s still using that ancient bottle of old spice aftershave, try giving him this gift set from sharps barber shop to bring his morning routine into the 21st century.

brothers are a tough group to buy for, but i’m thinking i’ll pick up a pair of these funky skull socks and a fabulously cool new wallet for my little bro, like maybe this black-and-green “loungemaster” by j.fold - even the name is perfect for him.

and….as long as i’m shopping for others, i think i probably deserve a little gift for myself, don’t you? so, there’s a very decent chance i’ll be sneaking some paige denim, this gorgeous swing coat from (who else) lily mcneal, and maybe one of these beautiful italian linen scarves by love quotes. hmm, maybe i’ll pick one up for mom too, while i’m at it…

if i can manage to rack up $250 in purchases (which shouldn’t be tough), my whole order gets gift-wrapped for free, in tobi’s gorgeous signature wrapping. that should leave me plenty of extra time for even more shopping! um…for others, of course.

i love having friends that travel…i think that travel-friendly gifts are some of the easiest and best finds out there. here’s a list of a few that are sure to make the top of anyone’s ‘best gift’ list this year.

for that person you know who’s always jetting off to some new, exotic locale, i love picking up a box of luxe travel guides. these fabulously chic, pocket-size guides put fodor’s to shame - they’ll give her the very best tips for the top restaurants, spas, shopping, and oh so much more…without boring her with all of the mundane basics she undoubtedly already knows. for a real jetsetter, i love the world grand tour box, which comes with guides for 12 major cities (london, paris, rome…), along with free online updates. it arrives in a gorgeous, black and white box, and you can pick it up for $99. or, for a more personal touch, you can customize a bespoke box of five (for $50) or twelve (for $110) guides for spots you know she’ll be visiting in 2008. she’ll thank you every time her plane touches down in a new destination.

i absolutely adore all of red flower’s products, and this travel set is a perfect way to check out some of their best. it comes with travel sizes of their famous gingergrass bamboo scrub, wild lime silk oil, yuzu mimosa algae wash (are you salivating yet?), and tons more, and they all arrive in this gorgeous roll that will be perfect for her jewelry. best of all, it’s regularly $60, but coco’s shoppe is having an amazing 40% off sitewide sale until sunday only, so use code lastchance to knock the price on this perfect gift down to a very wallet-friendly $36.

tocca is another line i just can’t get enough of - their scents are just amazing. their laundry delicates travel set is a fantastic way to pamper her, while letting her try out all of the amazing fragrances at tocca. the set comes with four bottles of their amazing delicates wash (one in each of their four signature fragrances), and includes a gorgeous lace lingerie bag to keep everything safe and sound. wrap it up at bluemercury for $48.

last but not least, the truth is that as glamorous as a travel-filled life might sound to those of us who don’t do it, living out of a suitcase gets old…fast. give her a little extra comfort with a set of accessories that lets her feel like she’s in the lap of luxury, even if her boss stuck her in a horrible best western in suburban tampa. i love this set at acacia ($40), which is made of a bamboo/microfiber blend, so it’s sure to be silky soft. the blanket actually has a pocket for her feet, so she won’t have to worry about keeing her toes warm on an overseas flight.

and, at the other end of the spectrum is this gorgeous cashmere version by white + warren ($495), which makes some seriously decadent cashmere goods. the set includes a yummy cashmere throw, eye mask, and cashmere slippers that are sure to make her feel at home anywhere in the world.

much as we all love to ooh and aah over the fabulously expensive and extravagant gift options out there, the sad truth is that i’m pretty well broke by the middle of december. so, for those of you who are still struggling to come up with the perfect gift with your less-than-perfect budget, here’s a list of ideas that won’t set you back more than $30. don’t say i never gave you anything good.

for your fashion forward friend, i love this gorgeous scarf by alena hennessy. made of super-soft knit jersey, it’s thin enough to layer, but still sure to keep her warm all winter and into the spring. pick it up for $28 from hennessy’s website.

if she’s more into jewels than jersey, i just can’t get enough of this darling little hedgehog necklace from the curiosity shoppe - he’s $20, and is sure to make any girl smile.

if she’s a paper freak like i am, she’ll love this gorgeous set of stationery by british designer cath kidson.
kidson is known for her over-the-top designs that manage somehow to make country into chic. the set includes 30 sheets of paper, mix-and-match envelopes, and a gorgeous gift box…all for $15.

or, if your paper freak friend likes things a little more refined, this letterpress calendar by decoy lab is one of the prettiest i’ve seen. buy it for $28 at their website, which is definitely worth checking over.

for the right-brained artist in your life, i just adore this little notebook by little otsu. it’s divided into three sections: the first is designed for to-do lists, but each has an origami pattern printed on the back, so she has incentive to check off those errands. the second section is made of blank pages waiting for her random sketches…but each page is pre-printed with a frame, so her impromptu artwork has a proper setting. and the third section has a mix of all sorts of different note-taking pages, so she’ll never get bored with the same old straight lines. nab it for $14, and shipping’s free!

if she’s a tea drinker, she’ll love this tea-for-one mug from urban outfitters - the two pieces match up to make a gorgeous peacock, and you can nab it for $24. or, if she’s more of an afternoon “coffee and snacks” person, i love this cafemug by shinzi katoh. it that comes with a little mini dish that’s perfect for packing with your afternoon ration of m&ms. there are a few different designs, but i love the birdcage best - how can you resist something with the word “gazouillement” (chirping, in french) printed on the side? grab it for $18 at three potato four.

good things come in small packages. i think just about every girl out there can use another mini purse to organize her life - i know i could. my favorites these days are vintage-style frame purses, and the best i’ve found are over at etsy. for well under that $30 mark, you can pick up some really gorgeous options from sellers like oktak, absoluut (who makes hers using vintage fabrics - so cool!), and takae. throw in an accessory, like a cute lip gloss (i love these cocktail lip glosses by not soap, radio) or a mirror, and you have a gift you know will keep on giving all year long. just remember, these are all handmade, one-of-a-kind items…so shop early, and allow a little extra time for shipping from these crafters.

and if none of these ideas work for you, shopbop has a lovely “under $100″ list up right now. sure, it’s not as good as “under $30,” but we can’t all be rock stars.

ooh, and please, feel free to comment with any other ideas…i know this time of year i’m always scrambling for fabulous gift options, so share and share alike! after all, it’s better to give than to receive. (wait…that’s so not the motto we live by here at shoppingsmycardio…)