Theart of
Accessories
2009 Winter Gift Guide
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Style is an art
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dear readers,
Almost 2 years ago I began The Art of Accessories, my blog about shopping for accessories and makeup. This blog has brought me so much joy and is such a great creative outlet for me to share the things I love with my family, friends and readers like you. This year, because of all the emails I received asking me about what to buy for the holidays, I decided to take my idea of a gift guide and make it a bit bigger and more interactive. I’m hoping to make it easier for Art of Accessories readers to find what they want or at least be inspired and find a great gift. On the following pages I’ve decided to share with you gifts I would want to receive as well as gifts I would want to give. They’re in different categories: • For Her: Gifts for women of all ages • Shine and Sparkle: Gifts that deliver a lot of wow factor • For Warmth: Gifts to keep someone you love cozy when it’s cold outside • For Foodies: Gifts that made me say YUM! • For Babies: Gifts for the most precious gifts in our lives • For Him: Gifts for your special guy • For You: Because after all this gift giving you deserve a little something for yourself too. These are all items I’ve swooned over because I thought they were whimsical, sparkly, wonderful and full of holiday magic. Of course the greatest gift you can always give is your love and time, but a few stocking stuffers don’t hurt either. Every item in hot pink has a link that you can click to take you directly to the website to purchase it. You can also go to www.theartofaccessories.com to find discount codes and coupons to use for all your holiday shopping. Thank you so much for being a part of The Art of Accessories family. Please let me know what you think of the guide by emailing dwj@theartofaccessories. com, I would love to hear your feedback. Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!
dwj
FOR HER
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Let’s be honest, any gift you buy for a girlfriend or sister is in danger of being kept for yourself. That always happens to me. As a beauty junkie, I’m seriously dying over the 1. Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collector Set. 25 full size liners in a rainbow of colors. Insane! The liners are smooth as silk and perfect for lining the inner rim of the eyes too. The 2. Hayden-Harnett Pleasure Slim Studded Cuff in grape is perfect for your girlfriend who is a bit of a bad ass at heart. Love the leather cuff with the stud details. Being tough can still be chic. Although the liners are a splurge, the 3. Sephora Brand Perfect Ten Brush Set is a bargain and is just what every beauty junkie needs. Plus, the pink case makes it even prettier.
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Everyone needs a statement necklace and the 4. Gap’s braided chain necklace makes just the right statement for the holidays and dressing up. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and if you can’t afford diamonds, why not grab the bling print 5. LeSportsac Pat Makeup Case? Plus the Tiffany Blue shade will definitely make you think of jewelry. You can house the most sparkly lip gloss you own in this case, it’s only fitting.
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Have a friend that has everything? Then give them a 6. Maghound gift subscription. They can choose any magazines they want and the type of subscriptions they want, you just decide how much you want to spend. If you’ve got a girlfriend who is into technology (or is a blogger like me) upgrade their laptop with the latest 7. L.A.M.B. Laptop Sleeves and other accessories. It takes geek chic a step above the rest. For the girl who is forever wishing on a star I’d suggest the 8. Cynthia Rowley Wishbone Necklace. She won’t want to make a wish, but it can remind her daily that dreams can come true. A great gift is a personalized gift and 9. DesignHer Gals gives you the chance to design a girl that looks like anyone you know and put her on stationary, T-shirts, water bottles, mugs...you name it. Have fun dressing her up and gifting her to your BFF.
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Plan on partying this holiday season? Then pack a pair of 10. AfterSoles in your bag. These chic ballet flats roll up and fit in your purse & come with a tote for you to stash your stilettos when you’re leaving the party. All your girlfriends will love you for this one.
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FOR HER
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FOR HER
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If your friends are obsessed with social media like I am, you may want to get a 12. Tweetbookz made of all their infamous Twitter updates or get them a Twitter necklace! Order your 15. Survival of the Hippest Twitter ID necklace, bracelet or tie clip by December 10 to ensure that you get it in time for the holidays. Since I already mentioned custom, why not make your girlfriends a custom lip gloss? Order 13. Three Custom Color custom lip gloss or lipstick by December 3 to ensure you get delivery by Christmas. Create a jazzy red shade for all of your girls to wear to your big New Year’s Eve party and name it after your crew.
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A gift that I would love to receive is the new 11. Harvey’s Seatbelt Bag Lola Ruffle Hobo in Rose. Girly with the ruffles but the fabulous durability of a Harvey’s Seatbelt bag. This bag will last forever and be indestructible. Want to add some stars to your friends life? Give them the 14. Swatch Star Edition. It’ll definitely add a twinkle to their wrist.
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SHINE
Anything that sparkles and shines is always on the top of my list. I’m dying over this 16. Kenneth Jay Lane Cocktail ring with it’s big blue stone and black and ruby colored sparkle. Fabulousness indeed.
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I want to go on a trip just to carry the 17. Victoria Secret’s PINK Sequin Duffle, because that’s how you’re supposed to travel in style. The 18. Betsey Johnson Monkey Ring is whimsical and fun and a perfect conversation piece at a party.
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I feel chicer when I take notes in my 19. silver leather Pocket Notes notebook with lined sheets. The silver leather is simply stunning. My holiday staple and a great stocking stuffer is the 20. C.O. Bigelow Ultra Mentha Lip Shine. A little gloss that packs a lot of minty punch and a great shimmer free shine. It’s a beauty bag staple.
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SPARKLE
21 Special Note: While you’re at it, don’t forget to enter to win a Makeover from People StyleWatch, sponsored by Maghound!
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Deck the halls with lots of SPARKLE! If you haven’t seen it, you should check out my YouTube video review on the 21. Bare Escentuals Jewel Collection limited edition kit. It’s the perfect amount of sparkle for your beauty kit during the holidays. I’m obsessed with the amethyst shadow...OBSESSED. Who really wants to wear a hat? No one right? Unless it’s a 22. Studio 54 Sequin Beret because adding a sequin automatically makes it better and sequins help combat hat hair. If you don’t want over the top sparkle but still want to make a bold statement try the 23. Swatch Full Bodied in White. It’s a great contrast to winter’s dark colors and it’s a Swatch, my favorite watches of all time.
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Want to really splurge for your Mom or sister? How bout the 24. Bond No. 9 Swarovski Crystal purple velvet refillable pocket spray. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a dazzling piece to pull out of your handbag and refresh your scent. This would make me want to put on perfume all day long.
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Winter doesn’t have to mean bitter cold. Why not add a bit of warmth to someone’s stocking? Any teenager would love the 25. Juicy Couture tube socks. A major label in an affordable accessory. Nothing makes a home feel more cozy and friendly than a great smelling candle and the 26. Tocca Candele Da Viaggio boxed set of travel candles is a great hostess gift or gift for travelers that might want to refresh their hotel rooms. Torn between getting a stylish scarf or a statement necklace? Then grab a 27. Necklush. This gorgeous Kelly green accessory is handmade and will be the most unique thing you can add to someone’s closet. Everyone needs slippers for cozy winter days inside and I’m always buying multiple pairs of the 28. Gap’s Slipper Booties. They’re great gifts and they’re great to have on hand in case you forgot someone. Have a teenager, spouse or friend who loses everything? Give them the 29. Julian scarf so they can stash their iPod and keys in the zipper pockets. Brilliant!
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When I think of the holidays I always think of comfort food and warm beverages. My husband is obsessed with Chai Lattes and I may pick up the 30. Demeter Chai Tea fragrance to see if he notices it on me. Might be a great stocking stuffer for someone else. I love to cook and I make tons of soup all winter long and I don’t know what I would do with out my 31. Lodge Dutch Oven shaped like an apple. Absolute best gift for someone who loves cooking. Celebrating a birthday during the holidays? How about creating a 32. Custom Ice Cream for the party at eCreamery? They’ll think you’re pretty fantastic. Instead of just getting a giftcard to a favorite coffee shop, add a 33. HandiSleeve by Umbra to their stocking. It makes sipping your daily jolt of caffeine a bit easier.
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FOR FOODIES
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FOR FOODIES
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I adore any 34. Tea for One Teapot by Paper Chase* because they make tea drinking a delightful experience. It’s like having tea time at your desk or in your living room. It also reminds me of my china tea set that I had when I was a little girl, but I definitely was serving up air instead of Republic of Tea’s 35. Comfort and Joy Tea or 36. Apple Cider Tea. Yum! I always buy a few Starbucks gift cards for the folks at work but I’m holding out so that I can get the 37. Christian Siriano Mini Starbucks card. The design is just as ferosh and fierce as he is.
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Do you always bring a bottle of wine to an open house or party? Then get it personalized and create 38. custom wine bottles for wine or apple cider from Picture My Wine. I did bottles of apple cider that said Happy Holidays. Then everyone knows who picked the fabulous wine for the evening. I live for a great cup of hot chocolate but it’s really because I’m dying to eat the marshmallows. Indulge and buy someone you love the 39. Williams-Sonoma chocolate and vanilla marshmallows. They’re just as decadent as the hot cocoa. *In Borders stores only
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Babies are the easiest to shop for because everything is so little and cute! I love the red 40. Bear one piece and the 44. Joy fleece one piece outfits from Old Navy. Adorable and affordable. To keep little toes warm I suggest 41. Robeez soft shoes with a holiday motif or 45. Jazzy Toes because even though they’re too small to walk it doesn’t mean they can’t have cute footwear! For the toddlers that have a packed holiday schedule, how about a pair of 42. Chuches sequin boots? They come in black, pink and red and will make any little girl even more sparkly and wonderful. I can’t forget about keeping little ones warm either. The perfect 43. Faux-Shearling Trapper hat keeps little heads warm and ears covered in the winter wind.
FOR BABY
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FOR HIM
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Have a bad boy on your list? Give him a box of 46. Coal Bubble Gum in his stocking and maybe he’ll get the point. Have an eco-friendly beau? Give him the 47. I’m Not A Paper Cup reusable coffee up for his daily cup of joe. Give your guy a bag that is durable and cool with a 48. Harvey’s Seatbelt Black Label Camo Laptop Sleeve in camouflage print. This makes carrying his laptop with him way cooler than his ordinary bag.
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Dress up his holiday coat with a 49. Lazy Oaf Tuxedo Scarf. Everyday will be much dressier than his jeans and tee with this scarf. Do you have a guy in your life who lives for music? Give him the 50. iPod desktop speakers to help him keep the beat going all day long. Help him clean up his act with the 51. Jack Black Core Collection. It’ll give him a cleanser, moisturizer
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and bear lube to help him “moisturize his situation and preserve his sexy” as Diddy would say.
FOR YOU
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After all of this shopping for others, you should pick up a little something for yourself too. To help perk up your fingertips I’d suggest the 52. China Glaze Love You Snow Much nail collection. Four glittery nail polishes that scream holiday cheer. Capture all of the holiday cheer and laughter on a 53. Flip Mino Video Camera. Choose from lots of fabulous designs, design your own or even upload your favorite image to really personalize it. You know that you’re going to go to tons of holiday parties, so why not grab the 54. Paris Hilton Destiny peep toe? They’re a little bit croc, a little bit girly with the bow and a lot of gorgeous. Keep the party going all night long with the 55. iKaraoke. It’ll turn your iPod into a karaoke machine. How fun is that? And when you’re playing hostess and running around, be cute and festive in the 56. Kate Spade Fiona ballet flat.
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