what i want today: new goodies from dejarnette nola

i am positively addicted to dejarnette's goods - everything she makes has that quirky, antique-but-chic look i just adore.

this darling little sausage dog ($44) would be such a cute statement piece to accent an otherwise-average ensemble.


i'm normally of the opinion that shoe accents are a little cheesy, and rarely stylish, but i have to admit these vintage embroidered poppies ($28/set) would be pretty darling on my white canvas ballet flats...especially in that lovely yellow color.


this emerald quartz necklace ($60) is a gorgeous alternative to turquoise, which can be a little too hippie chic for my taste. my mom's birthday is drawing near, and i'm thinking she'd adore this. and i'd have something fabulous to borrow...talk about a win/win!

ooh, and in celebration of the site's second birthday, they're running a fantastic promotion. through the end of the month, buy any two pieces, and the third piece is free (fine print: equal or lesser value, of course, and the refund for item #3 will come back to you through paypal, no code required)! check out all of the goods from dejarnette - you're sure to find something perfect for mom...or for you!

shoppingsmycardio interviews: violet.com's genius gift-givers

from the first time i stumbled onto violet, it has become my number one go-to for unique gift ideas. so, when founders bonnie cohen and amy barnett offered to chat with us about their best gifting tips and tricks, i jumped at the chance! with the calendar counting down to the 25th a little too quickly for my taste this year, i think you'll find the ideas from these fabulous ladies inspiring, and maybe even a little bit life-saving.

shoppingsmycardio: I adore violet – it’s genius! How did the idea come together? And how did the two of you come together?

Bonnie & Amy: We’ve known each other for many years. When we first met, we discovered that we owned a lot of identical stuff. So right off the bat, we admired each other’s style!

Bonnie has a background in Merchandising and Visual Design and Amy is an Electrical Engineer, so for us, the Web is a natural venue.

SMC: You have such a knack for finding gift ideas that really are off the beaten path. How do you come up with the items on your site? Are you sent ideas, or do you spend your days out shopping for great additions to the site? (and if so, how do I sign up for that gig!?)

Bonnie: I am constantly on the lookout for merchandise, and I source product everywhere I go! There’s lots of amazing stuff out there, but for Violet, I focus on the question, “What makes a great gift?”. Then I try to find things that are really fresh or totally timeless.

SMC: What is your absolute favorite item on the site right now?

Bonnie: I have a 3-way tie for favorite product: the American Honey Flight, the Retread Purse, and the Aviary Desk Set. The American Honey Flight has a gorgeous presentation, and producing it is a Labor of Love. The Retread Purse is “Eco-Couture” - constructed from tire inner tubes, it could be right at home in the front row during Fashion Week. The Aviary Desk Set harkens back to a time when manners and etiquette were revered. I’m a little nostalgic for that era; in this electronic era, I try to "reach out and touch" my friends with paper as much as I can.

SMC: Okay, I’m going to put you guys on the spot now – would you be willing to answer a few “what should I give this person” questions? Around the holidays, I’m always looking for a classic “works for everyone” gift – something to take to cocktail parties, give to clients, etc. It has to be classy and unique, but not too pricey...and I hate giving the standard bottle of wine. What ideas would you have for that?

B&A: the Who’s Wine-ing System. Solves the “Which glass is mine?” problem. Six color-coded tags slip onto glass stems; you can even write names on the tags (they wipe clean with a damp cloth). The tags are stored in a clever cube that fits on the neck of a wine bottle. For $14, it’s a great way to present a bottle of wine.

SMC: I think dads (and men in general) are the toughest to buy for. Either you buy for a hobby (hello, personalized golf tees), or you buy those super-boring traditional boy gifts: ties, cologne, or gadgets. What’s your best no-fail gift idea for men?

B&A: Men are definitely tough. These are our "field goals":
1) The Astronaut Pen. Invented for the Apollo 7 Space mission (engineering requirement: must defy gravity). It is a design classic. Sleek and techie.
2) The Dinobite Bottle Opener. This is equal parts beast and sculpture -- and it opens beer bottles. Genius.
3) The Fantasy Post-it System. Tear Post-It’s to fit any size thought. Also looks handsome and impressive on the desk.

SMC: What are your favorite websites/designers to check out for fabulous new ideas (other than your own, of course!)?

B&A: This is our hot list:
* Mahar Drygoods: Specialty kids merchandise, mainly vintage and artist-crafted.
* Rose and Radish: Unique, well-edited, themed collections. Lots of European designers.
* Charles and Marie: An interesting selection of off-the-grid, high-design products.
* Composition: Modern merchandise (and site design!).
* Papa Stour: Mostly hand crafted, contemporary products from Scotland. Beautiful things, and the photography is so evocative and dreamy.
And -- we Etsy-hunt like crazy! So many cool finds from independent designers all over the globe!

SMC: What is the worst gift you’ve ever received?

Amy: Art. Terrible gift. 99% chance it’s not your “thing”. Your friend expects it to be prominently displayed; you have to manage storing it until they visit.

SMC: And the best?

Bonnie: Probably my very fabulous Best of Flair book that Amy bought me for my birthday one year.

Amy: Thanks, Bonnie!

SMC: What one gift-buying secret do you wish you could teach everyone out there?

B&A: When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with something that’s consumable!

a huge, huge thanks to the ladies over at violet - i know they've given me loads of ideas for gifting to others, not to mention myself (that "best of flair" book is my next must-buy item!).

what i'm giving today: toasty toes

i know, i know - slippers are such obvious gifts. i would normally totally shy away from something so cliche. but the truth is that i really do love a good pair of cozy slippers...i abhor socks, so when the weather turns chilly, i pretty well live in slippers. they're my winter version of flipflops. plus, let's be honest - raise your hand if you'd die happy just finding a wonderful gift for your friend X right about now...obvious or not. i thought so.

anyway, if you're going to go traditional, i thought i'd share a few pair that i'm coveting this winter.

if the girl on your list is a little more tailored in her tastes, these gorgeous cashmere ballet slippers from banana republic will keep her toes toasty in style. we know i loooove shoes that come in cute little bags, and these do. my favorite is the grey, but the black is subtle enough she might even be able to keep these at her desk for those "i'm going to amputate my foot if i can't take these 4-inch heels off stat" days.

these hot pink shearling slippers from j.crew are making me really happy right now - i love the bright color, which will bring you out of even the worst winter blah. and the shearling is sure to keep your toes toasty. plus, the rubber soles will give you enough traction to make it down the driveway to grab the morning paper without killing yourself...a slipper feature i've overlooked to my own downfall (no pun intended) more than once. at $60 this is a completely do-able gift option for any girl on your list.

oh, and if you can find other gift options to pick up while you're there (i love their enamel bangles this fall, and the gorgeous shearling gloves that would be a perfect match for those slippers), j.crew is offering 20% off purchases of $175 or more, but only through thursday, 12/6 - use code SHHH to cash in.


if you're looking for something really exceptional in the slipper department, this burberry version is a no-brainer. sure, they're $150, but again, they have that cute little pouch! plus, they're going to go with darn near anything, and they'll be cute year-round.

what i want today: moss mills creations

i can't even remember how i tracked these down, but ever since i first saw them, i've been completely obsessed with everything over at moss mills' fabulous website.

moss designs the most amazing pieces that really straddle the line between cutesy and edgy - a major blessing for those of us who love the cutesy but are feeling maybe a wee bit too old to sport the giant bird necklace i'm seeing on every 18-year-old on the street. it's darling, don't get me wrong...i just know i'm past being able to pull it off.

but moss understands. so, instead of the giant bird, he gives me this gorgeous 'audrey' necklace (above) - a heart covered with flowers, which should be way too girly, but because it's a little larger, and because i can buy it in stunning rose gold (which i'm completely in love with these days), i'm counting the minutes until i can bring it home and sport it with any number of gorgeous ensembles.

or, if you're wanting something a little less traditional, this forrest necklace is high on my list as well. the size (about 1"x1.5") is perfect - it's subtle, but still noticeable, so it'll be perfect paired with just about any weekend look. and the design is so gorgeous - i just love the detail.

and, i have to admit, there's a very big part of me that's wondering if i can still pull off an animal necklace, as sammy, pedro, and barney are all calling my name something fierce.

while you're there, don't forget to check out their gorgeous rings. the sevilla has major long-term potential (i can completely see keeping this in my jewelry box and having my favorite niece nab it in 20 years), and i'm just loving that rose gold again. but i have to admit that i'm sort of loving the overly girly nature of the georgia and the new chrys as well.

i have no doubt you'll all be finding much to covet (and much to gift) at moss mills...and they haven't even released their upcoming clothing line yet. definitely stay tuned for that!

or, if you happen to live in the LA area, moss just opened a boutique on 3rd street, which would be well worth a stop. from the pictures i've seen, it looks outstanding!

what i'm giving today: everything jonathan adler is selling

i'm literally so in love with jonathan adler right now that every single person on my list would be getting gifts from him if i could afford it. he just makes me happy. his site is completely cheerful, his designs are modern and hip, but fun and relaxed (i really hate most modern design because it's so stiff and uncomfy-looking), and i am such a sucker for using bright color in design, which is one of his mantras.

and really, there isn't a single person on your gift list who couldn't use a little jonathan adler in their life.

your favorite domestic diva? she'll go nuts for this gorgeous utopia faces platter, which will be perfect for all of her holiday fetes. or consider this fabulous muse candle, which will make her house smell fantastic and inspire endless exclamations of "where did you find that!" for months to come.

the guy you can never think of anything to buy for? if he's under 40, nab this fabulous condom caddy...and stock it chock full of some glow-in-the-dark items, just for added kitsch. (it was all my hubs could do to talk me down from buying this for my little brother. something about it being creepy for your big sis to buy you condoms...hmm, maybe he has a point.)

if the guy is over 40, my vote goes to the utopia remote box or the key keeper, both of which will put those things they need most within easy reach.

i can guarantee that several people on my list are getting this darling utopia mug. throw a bag of your favorite tea and a little bit of honey, and there isn't a person i know who wouldn't love this gift.

i don't know about you, but my BFF would fall hard for this darling disco chick - i'm dying to install her on a chair in my living room. and for your favorite friend who's been naughtier than nice, the sins pillow would be the perfect addition to their boudoir.

even grandma's taken care of - she'd flip for the darling spectacles case or the lipstick case, and she'll think of you every time she pulls those reading glasses out of her purse.

last but not least, i think just about anyone would find themselves loving adler's decorating how-to, "my prescription for anti-depressive living." the pics are gorgeous, the advice is lighthearted but oh-so-true, and the best part is that if you order it from his site, you'll get an autographed copy! sure, you can buy it at amazon for $12 less, but i think the autograph really makes the gift. this book really is fabulous - i leaf through my copy all the time, and it never fails to make me want to paint a wall orange...or maybe lime green.

and, in case you needed more incentive to wrap up your holiday shopping at the adler online extravaganza, there's a 'spend some, get some' coupon available. use code holidaylicious and get $20 off $150, $40 off $250, $60 off $350...and so on. plus, free shipping on orders over $150, so you have even more incentive to spend, spend, spend. isn't that what the holidays are all about?

what i'm giving today: lipstick queen's poppy purse

for the die-hard makeup diva on my holiday list, this limited edition piece from lipstick queen is a no-brainer. each hand-screened silk pouch comes packed with lipstick queen's signature shade of red, in both 'saint' (sheer) and 'sinner' (matte), so she'll be ready for any and all occasions.

and when the lipstick's gone, this gorgeous purse was designed to be the perfect size to hold credit cards, keys, and other minor necessities of life.

only 100 were made, so snap up this perfect gift at barney's while you still can!

what i'm giving today: gifts from orange button

yep, time for those holiday guides you're seeing everywhere. rather than just narrowing down by group, we'll be doing things a bit more random-like over here. we'll be doing some of the standard guides/idea lists, but other days, we'll tell you about just one fabulous gift, or maybe a whole website with so many fabulous gifting ideas that i just had to show them all.

like today, for instance. this site is so chock full of fabulous gifts that they get their very own post. truly, i think i can find something for just about everyone on my list at orange button, and all at prices low enough that i can justify picking up a little bonus gift for myself!

if you have kids on your list, please, please, buy them this darling peanut blue bluebird. if you have two to buy for, i think agatha the elephant is the logical next choice, but there are lots of darling options to choose from (including this completely fabulous mobile, if you happen to have $180 to spend).

i'm also loving these gorgeous solid wood bangles - these are cool enough that they'll work with so many different personal styles. they're all stunning, but the koa, quilted sapele and zebrawood are my favorites. i would give one to my best friend, and one to my assistant, and i know they'd both love them.

for the perfect hostess, pick up a few of these darling coasters, and give them along with a gorgeous bottle of pink champagne. i love the ones with the drinking girls, but the "it's that kind of party. you want to be there. trust me" coasters are meant to be mailed as invitations. in the right hands, these are a party waiting to happen.

with all of the "no plastic bags, ever" hype this year, cute tote bags are a dime a dozen. but the truth is, if you find the right design, they're the perfect holiday gift for just about anyone. i mean, i own more tote bags than i could even begin to mention, but i'm always excited when i find a new one i can't live without. loads of fabulous options, but my favorites are the nest tote (great for me, your mom, or a friend with more tailored, subdued taste) and the big hen, made from vintage 1970s fabric (for that friend whose personal style is so funky and fabulous that you spend most of your time being jealous that she can pull off purple tights). of course, don't overlook the other options: i love the forest vintage and the flower branch too. they're a bargain at $25, but if you have a little extra to spend, never give an empty tote. fill it with a book or a couple of magazines the recipient will love, or just hit the drugstore and fill it with some holiday candy. you can never go wrong with chocolate!

and, if you have a paper fiend on your list, the options are endless. i'd either hand pick a stack of five or six of the fabulous greeting cards on the site, and put them together in a pretty wooden box tied with twine, or i might just pick up this beautiful silkscreened print, and put it into a fabulous frame.

holiday sale fabulousness at tobi.com

it's not often an opportunity like this presents itself, so prepare to max this benefit. tobi.com is offering 25% off sitewide when you enter code GIVEGET at checkout, now through Monday, 11/26/07. that means 25% off classic pieces like paige jeans, jennifer tuton jewelry, vince cashmere, and oh so much more. i mean sure, it's the season of giving & all that...but hey, you deserve to get as good as you give!

some of the many, many things in my shopping cart this morning:

* that yummy lily mcneal sweater we talked about yesterday

* any of jennifer tuton's gorgeous jewelry, but especially this amazing turquoise pendant necklace.

* i'm obsessed with paige denim, and have been dying to pick up their fabulous hillhurst trouser jeans.

* with all of those holiday parties you're about to get invited to, i can't think of a more perfect splurge than one of milly's gorgeous cocktail dresses. i love this tank cocktail dress - the empire waist will hide any holiday indulgence, and the style is classic enough to allow you to wear it solo or change it up with accessories.

* i love this long-sleeved, tunic version of the loomstate tee from yesterday's post - the color is gorgeous, and it will make a great layering piece. plus, loomstate is just the ultimate when it comes to amazingly soft cotton.

* this foley + corinna jet setter tote has a gorgeous, classic shape, but the dark plum color keeps it interesting, and right on trend for the winter months.

of course, it's much easier to justify spending on yourself if you're also buying gifts for others....fortunately, tobi has loads of options for your nearest and dearest.

* red flower sets the bar when it comes to candles - amazing burn times, and decadent, fabulous scents. they're perfect for your mom, your big sis, or that flawless hostess you know. for holiday gifting, i love the italian blood orange, which will give a bright, festive scent to anyone's house, without being overly traditional. and, only $25 each with your discount.

* i love everything over at juice beauty, and this little "to go" kit is the perfect way to create a new addict...especially at $22.

* denise heffernan makes some really stunning earrings, and you can pick them up for a steal. i love the grey topaz cluster earringsand the gold ginko leaves, and i think they'd be incredibly versatile for all sorts of different styles.

* and i generally shy away from buying clothes as gifts...it's just an all-around tricky business. but i happen to love this draped top by velvet - it's a very classic style, endlessly versatile (great layered or solo), universally flattering, and it's a great $50 gift for the fashion lover on your list.

and, of course, you always get free shipping at tobi...just one more thing i love them for.

so, remember, the magic code is GIVEGET. trust me when i tell you this is a sale worth taking full advantage of - it's your chance to stock up on loads of fabulous, full-price items that never see the discount side of life. happy wednesday!!

steal of the day: tiffini dooris on sale!

i got an email yesterday from one of my absolute favorite jewelry designers: tiffini dooris. she has loads of gorgeous new pieces for the holidays - i want at least 10 things from the site. plus.....she's offering 35% off sitewide with code LUCKYBREAKS. truly...this is an opportunity not to be missed. that means that you can score some of her amazing briolette earrings for about $50, or this fantastic multi-colored sapphire necklace for an unreal $150.


this is also a great gifting opportunity - tiffini's pieces are perfect gifts, because her designs are so classic, they're bound to be loved by dozens of women on your holiday list. my first choices would be this gorgeous citrine briolette necklace, this gorgeous black garnet and turquoise necklace, or this deco-fabulous black agate ring, which i've been coveting for at least a year now.


pick up a gift or two, and of course, a little something for yourself. after all, 'tis the season!

oh happy day: henri bendel goes online!

henri bendel has to be one of my all-time favorite stores in new york. they stock consistently chic, cool gifts and wares of all sorts, plus store-designed exclusive pieces that you just can't find anywhere else.

just in time for the holidays, they've (finally) joined the 21st century, and i hardly know where to begin. sadly, the whole store isn't available online, but there's more than enough to whet your appetite and put a serious dent in your holiday shopping list. one of the best things about bendel's is that even though it's a really luxe, fabulous store, they offer gifts in all sorts of price ranges and options.

i know, it's still way too early for holiday gift guides. but a few of the many picks i have from the site so far...just to file away for next month:

these gorgeous enamel bangles remind me of a much more expensive version, but are equally fabulous and maybe even a bit more hip. they're just the thing to add color to a classic sweater-and-jean ensemble, and at under $70, they're great for gifting.

this darling little manicure set is the perfect "just in case" gift to have on hand. the brown-and-white stripe print is signature bendel, and i can't think of a single woman i know who wouldn't be thrilled to have this in her desk drawer.

and if anyone's looking for a gift for me this holiday season, you definitely couldn't go wrong with this gorgeous, limited edition cashmere tee. i love them all, but the diamond ring is a little too perfect, i think. sure, it's $300...but hey, it's christmas!

of course, as with all eccentric and fabulous shops, the real fun is in the holiday catalog, which you can check out right here. i'm fairly certain someone on my list will be getting that darling striped cookie jar on page 7, the amazing opera-length cashmere gloves on page 8, a fabulous graphic ipod cozy from page 11, and i'm seriously loving the missoni sunglasses on page 15 (though i have a feeling i couldn't bring myself to part with those).

if you find things in the catalog that you love, or if you just need a little extra help, the shop is also offering online concierge services, gratis...in case you needed another excuse.

what i want today: to break the etsy cycle

seriously....etsy is slowly killing me. every time i stumble onto that damn site (which is becoming increasingly more frequent), i emerge 2 hours later with at least 15 things in my shopping cart. the place is insane - completely chock full of adorable, and ridiculously affordable goodies.

the only down side is that most of the fabulousness i run into is one-of-a-kind...and, well, at the end of the day, i'm a selfish girl. so, until i'm 100% sure i'm not buying it, well, i don't tell you all about it.

i'm making a rare exception today, probably because it's 4 am, which translates to being too sleep-deprived to think it through. so, my friday etsy picks:

we're getting close to the dreary winter in my neck of the woods. no snow, but rain...and lots of foggy greyness. so, how perfect would this "here comes the sun" necklace be to shake off the gross winter weather, or just to remind yourself that maybe today won't be as bad as you think? love the styling, love the subtlety - i know this darling would be in major rotation in my wardrobe. then again, it'd also be a great gift for a dear friend of mine who lives in an even more grey, dreary part of the world than i do. (see? i am capable of shopping for others...occasionally.)

the other etsy jewelry i've been stalking lately are the bubble rings by colleen baran. i always love big, substantial rings on others, but never feel like i can quite pull off the look for myself. i love these because they have the heft without being too cumbersome. lots of fabulous options to choose from.

what i want today: aunt sadie's candles

i can tell it's nearly fall. all of a sudden, my shopping instincts are starting to lean heavily toward gifting to others...a clear sign the holidays aren't as far away as my bank account would like them to be. cruising around anthropologie the other day, i came across these completely darling candles by aunt sadie's, and my first instinct was to buy a dozen of them and call my christmas shopping done for the year!

these cuties have the chic/kitsch blend down to a science, and it doesn't hurt that the scents are totally addictive. my favorite is the fresh cut grass (in fact, even my hubs loved that one), but check out the wacky orange and wacky lemons as well - they're so fresh and summery, without having so much citrus smell that they're overpowering. plus, the canisters are so cute that i want one in every room of my house.

pick a couple up for yourself now & give them a test drive - at only $16 each, they're a steal. once you've sampled, you'll be back for more....just in time for all of their yummy holiday scents (hello, "pumpkin pie" and "gingerbread"?!). i guarantee these will be showing up on my holiday gift list!