Amelia
Andrea
Anne
Arienne
Carol
Erin C
the art of accessories
2010 Gifts & Glamour Guide www.theartofaccessories.com
Erin J
Laura
Genevieve
Leah
Hannah
Nikkia
Jessica
Rebecca
Juana
Vyque
Kimberly & Kayla
www.theartofaccessories.com Page 1 Yuvay
Welcome The Art of Accessories www.theartofaccessories.com
Last year when I decided to do the Gift Guide it was on a whim. In a single day I whipped up a 26 page document listing all of the items I bookmarked for gift ideas I was planning on sharing on the Art of Accessories. Instead of doing a string of posts about holiday gifts I had a bright idea to turn it into one big guide to share with my readers. After getting suggestions, emails and questions about whether or not I was doing a guide again, I decided there were a few things that needed to be added and now I’ve doubled the size of the guide! You’ll still get some great gift ideas to help spark a little holiday shopping inspiration but you’ll also get style and beauty tips too! I enlisted the help of my friends, dug through their wardrobes and asked them to share with you what makes their holiday style so bright. With the help of brands like Bare Escentuals and Three Custom Color, I was also able to showcase some great beauty looks for the holiday season too. I love this time of year. I love giving (and receiving) gifts and I really love getting dressed up. I’m always up for any occasion that will allow me to wear sequins, killer heels or false lashes. I had so much fun with my girlfriends playing dress up and experimenting with different makeup looks. I’m even excited to say I got 2 of my girlfriends to try red lipstick for the first time, and they looked gorgeous! This was a fun project to coordinate, shoot and design but I definitely couldn’t have done it without all of my friends volunteering to model or without the support of my readers! I hope you enjoy the 2010 Gifts & Glamour Guide and I hope you will come back to the Art of Accessories and become a regular reader. Happy Holidays!
dwj xoxo,
Visit me online! Twitter @theaofa TheArtofAccessories.com CrumbsAndCreativity.Tumblr.com Email: dwj@theartofaccessories.com G & G Guide Page 2
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Unwrap The Guide Whenever you see pink bold highlighted text, click the link to go to that website!
For Her pg 6
The LBD remixed pg 22 Holiday Accessories pg 40
For Him pg 10 For Techies pg 14
Did Somebody Say Party? pg 30 Holiday Beauty pg 44
For Little Ones pg 12 For Stockings pg 20 G & G Guide Page 4
For Work pg 18
Blogger Holiday Tips pg 42 For Foodies pg 16
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I love gift gifting but I know that a few of those gifts might end up in my basket for myself. Whenever I’m picking out gifts ‘For Her’ I’m thinking about what I would want. Prime example, I’ve been drooling over the super cute accessories from Vividot for months now and have not purchased a necklace for myself... yet. This army green and pink lace statement necklace is an affordable and fun addition to anyone’s accessories wardrobe. And what woman doesn’t want to get jewelry? If your girlfriend/sister/ mother/wife likes bold pieces of jewelry I’d definitely put the Ace bangle by Ken + Dana designs under the tree for her. The colorful swirls will brighten up a darker winter wardrobe.
For Her
The fabulous black and white diamond print on the French Bull Harlequin Lady Jane bag is classic and the shape is fun and not too big for everyday. Added bonus, black and white goes with EVERYTHING in her closet! If she’s truly a fashionista, any print from Fifi Lapin would be a delightful gift to have matted and framed in her dressing room. My personal favorite is Fifi in a gorgeous green swing coat, but she’s got several outfits to choose from. And if she is truly obsessed with fashion, no fashionista’s library is complete without The Ellements of Personal Style. It’s a look inside the clothes of 25 modern fashion icons. The photography is just as gorgeous as the shoes!
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There’s something about the word commute that just isn’t cute. To make her trek to work or school a bit more fashionable and warm give her crocheted headphones! Not only will her ears be warm and toasty but she’ll still be able to jam to her favorite playlists. And since we’re keeping her warm while she’s listening to her iPod, you’ll have to add the Echo Driver Touch Wool Gloves to her stocking. They have little pads on the tips so that they’re portable device friendly because no one wants ice cold fingers. And the assortment of colors means there has to be an option to match her winter coat. Every girl needs a bit of glamour and fun wrapped up in pretty packaging and that’s exactly what you get with the Tarte Royal Collection. Sixteen eye shadows, primer, mascara, lip gloss and ruffles and sequins on the case?! It will be just as beautiful as she is when it’s sitting on her vanity. Not sure what her beauty style is? Then give her options with the Sephora Lash Stash Sampler or the Sephora by OPI 18 piece nail polish collection. With Lash Stash she can sample Sephora’s favorite mascaras until she finds her perfect match. And with 18 bottles of nail polish, she’ll never be bored with her nails ever again.
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For Her
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This is what I know about men: they love sports, food, gadgets and alcohol. So when gift giving I usually try to tap into one of those categories. If he’s a sports fanatic why not get him Stadium Seat Cufflinks made from some of baseball’s most popular stadiums. Not a baseball guy? How about a Star Wars fanatic? Williams-Sonoma helps put the force in his hands with a Star Wars apron and other Star Wars themed cooking accessories. If he likes a good whiskey or scotch buy him a bottle and gift him these very manly Mustache Glasses. One for him and one for you. If he’s a gadget guy, no matter the device, Gelaskins.com will have a skin to cover it. Pick something cool and edgy, perhaps his favorite artist, and cover his phone in it before you give it to him. If he’s athletic, consider getting him the latest Nike+ sport band to keep track of the miles he’s logging in preparation for that half marathon in the spring. Or if you really want to get him moving, upgrade his video game system with the interactive Xbox Kinect.
For Him
He becomes the controller in the game and you can even join in on the video game fun. It’s like a gift for you and him!
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Children are full of laughter and joy, so I like to find gifts in that same spirit. Several of my friends enjoy tea and whatever Mom or Dad has, the little one wants too. So why not make tea time fun with Animal Mug & Spoon sets? And throw a container of a yummy hot chocolate or apple cider in with the mugs too! Every parent believes their child is the most beautiful in the world, so why not take their favorite picture and have them made into Note pads by Pinhole Press so they can be reminded of that gorgeous face at work?
For Little Ones
Have a foodie in the making? Then Donut Rattles are the perfect gift to give them an early sugar rush. Have a child that prefers to play with their peas rather than eat them? Make food fun with Food Face Plates. Making a mess of your food has never been this fun. And if you have a little guy that you’re gifting, nothing is cuter than a little boy in a tie. This Tie T-shirt for baby ensures that the ladies will ooh and ahh over him at the park.
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With today being a totally interactive world there’s a bit of a techie in all of us. So whether you splurge big or buy something small, I always find the tech toys usually get the biggest smiles. Have a budding photographer? Pick up the Vintage Camera Pencil Sharpener for their desk at work. Want to really splurge on a budding photographer? Upgrade them from a point and shoot to a DSLR. I get asked the most about my camera, so I thought I’d feature it this year. It’s a Canon Rebel T1i and I love it! If your techie is an Apple addict you can upgrade their iPad case with the Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad cover (for her) or the Book Book iPad case (for him). It will make their ultimate tech toy look like an antique book! And if you have someone in your life who is addicted to their iPhone as all my friends seem to be, pick up a pack of App Magnets for their refrigerator. Then they will never be too far away from an app ever again.
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For Techies
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For Foodies
There’s nothing I love more than cooking (example, my food blog Crumbs & Creativity). It brings me joy and I’m not alone in my love of food. If you know a foodie or want something special to bring to a party as your gift for the hostess, these might be just what you need. Ice cream makers are so early 2000...why not gift someone the Sunbeam Donut Maker instead? Added bonus, the donuts are baked and not fried! Everyone is going bagless these days and I love to give gifts in a reusable bag or buy a really awesome reusable bag like the Built NY Shopping Tote as a gift. It’s a great size, has comfy handles and it’s washable. A great hostess gift can be a fun serving platter like the ones made by French Bull. They’re durable and come in vivid colors and patterns to match any kitchen. Don’t want to bring a bottle of wine to the party? Try Twelve Beverage, a non-alcoholic sparkling tea beverage that is perfect for designated drivers. Know someone who is an awesome cookie baker? Gift them this Cookie Press and Design Kit and you’ll be guaranteed to always be on their cookie list. And if you can’t bake cookies yourself, buy some gourmet macaroons in flavours like S’mores and Peanut Butter Cup from Macaron Parlour.
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Isn’t it so hard to find an appropriate office gift? I tend to lean towards humorous gifts with my coworkers. I was tickled pink when I saw Toasted Notes. Lots of people eat breakfast at their desk and this just makes notes fun. Have a work BFF that you always get your 3 o’clock sugar fix with? Then grab them a Chocolate Calculator to remind them to always find you when it’s time for a treat.
For Work
Sometimes you have work friends that need encouragement and this ‘Always Be Yourself ’ paperweight might be the little bit of encouragement they truly need in a day. Despite being in a digital world, I can truly appreciate a great notebook and these colorful Pantone Notebooks are perfect for staff meetings and messages. And if you really want to make your coworker interact, give them the Paper Tweet Note pad so they have to at least hand you the office gossip instead of tweeting it to you. And everyone has business cards, but not everyone has a cool Hello My Name Is business card holder. It adds a bit of fun to what can be a boring office staple.
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These might be small gifts but they pack a lot of punch! Everyone loves a lip gloss or balm to add to their collection and the Body Shop’s Twisted Peppermint is a limited edition gloss that packs a lot of shine in a little tube. Bare Escentuals High Shine Eye Color adds a lot of sparkle in just a small amount of product. It’s perfect for that touch of sparkle all year round. A LeSportsac clutch is a great small gift because who doesn’t need another handbag? And it comes in lots of prints! Zoya Nail Polish comes in tons of colors but search their site for your friend’s name and they’ll feel like that color was made just for them. Everyone is plugged in so upgrade their headphones with Scullcandy Headphones or give them iHome Mini Speakers for their desk at work.
For Stocking Stuffing
And if you have a fashionista in your house, throw in a set of Jean Straps to keep their jeans tucked into that perfect pair of riding boots you bought them last year.
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Mix It Up
Pops of Color
Classic
The LBD Remixed
We all have one. The little black dress. That one piece of clothing you can put on and instantly become chic and polished. It can truly be a jack of all trades dress. Here are 9 of my girlfriends showing how they remix their basic black dresses to get them through the holiday season.
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Going for a classic dress? For a more body conscious dress keep the accessories simple and clean. For a traditional LBD make an impact with larger accessories.
Classic
A classic black dress doesn’t need much to make it stunning. A simple silhouette like a wrap dress, a special touch like an asymmetrical neckline or a body hugging dress that fits you to perfection can take you from day to night. Kimberly’s (top left) little black dress fits her to perfection. She paired it with peep toe black heels, bangles and a rhinestone circle necklace. Her makeup was simple, with shades of lavender on her lids and in a shimmery lip gloss. Simple accessories and makeup let the dress do all the talking. Plus with her daughter Kayla, she knows she’s a hot mama. Erin (top right) chose a black dress with interesting neck detail. The classic shape gets a modern twist with the asymmetrical neckline. Shes doesn’t need a necklace but her gorgeous textured antique gold earrings make a bold statement. To play up the earrings she added metallic gold eye shadow and deep berry lip color. Anne (bottom) went with a black wrap dress, the dress that flatter every body shape out there. To give it a bit of extra glamour she added bold accessories with a bib necklaces and stacks of pearl bracelets. Paired with a nude shoe and smokey eye and she’s ready for a night out.
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Pops of Color
If you’re like me, you think black might be boring. These three really turned up the heat by adding pops of color and going for unique details on their dresses. Amelia (top left) knows her long legs are an asset, so why not highlight them with bright pink tights? It adds a bit of edge to the sweetness factor of her ruffled LBD and makes her legs appear even longer. Playing with the sweet and tough she added a lucite bangle and bow cocktail ring. Hannah (bottom left) picked an LBD with an interesting detail, a cape! She’s definitely a super hero in those super high heels. The shock of turquoise, the pearl and fishnet necklace and the cape are all bold but adding a red lip seals the deal. Jessica (bottom right) loves her tutu like dress and wanted to play up the Alice and Wonderland/Mad Hatter like whimsy with her outfit. A deep pink tight paired with graffiti print heels and a veiled top hat are delightfully fun and whimsical. Black definitely isn’t boring.
Want a great pop of color with tights too? For the largest selection of colors and a great fit try WeLoveColors.com. G & G Guide Page 26
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Mix It Up
Accessorize and don’t be afraid to mix things up! Leah (top left) decided all black wasn’t what she wanted, so she added a dash of modern floral to her dress. Pairing it with leggings, boots and long necklaces gives her a fresh take on a holiday party look. Vyque (middle) took a more casual approach to styling her LBD. A purple plaid shirt, a leopard print belt and over-the-knee boots help to dress down her LBD but still keep it fresh and interesting. The mix of textures and patterns is playful and fun. Juana (bottom right) decided it was all about snakeskin. Her pink snakeskin heels and oversized snakeskin clutch gives her an updated look for her office party that’s a bit more than what she would wear on a workday. Add a diamond pendant and smokey makeup and she’s totally office chic.
Be bold and have fun. Dress your LBD up or down but always make sure to inject a bit of your personality into your look.
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Spread A Little Holiday Cheer
Party Looks G & G Guide Page 30
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Prints
I love prints! These four chose holiday looks featuring bold prints. The key element between all of their looks? They added neutrals to help balance out the boldness of the print. Have a little fun with prints this season and try something that you wouldn’t normally pick. And if you’re feeling really bold, add a great pop of color with your print to stand out! G & G Guide Page 32
{Left to right: Erin J, Erin C, Rebecca and Vyque}
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L o n gShort &
{From left to right: Amelia, Nikkia, Arienne and Genevieve}
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Show a little leg or not. These four show that weather you’re wearing short shorts, leggings or jeans, going long or short is an alternative to the party dress. Sometimes adding a tee with a bit of sparkle and shine to your favorite jeans is all you need. Leggings and a fun tunic mean you won’t be tugging at your dress all night. And try pairing textured tights with shorts and heels as an alternative to a skirt. www.theartofaccessories.com Page 35
Color
{From left to right: Laura, Hannah and Carol}
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If you really want to light up a room and standout, go with full on color! Go with contrasting colors to really made a bold statement. If you’re going with a full on bright like yellow, pair it with neutrals so your dress shines! Head to toe color plays up your skin tone and truly makes you glow. www.theartofaccessories.com Page 37
Neutrals
Neutrals are anything but boring when you play with texture, pattern and shine. Ruffles, lace, sequins...yes, please! And if you really want to wear a statement shoe or highlight a vintage piece of jewelry, try a bold pop of color with your neutral palette to really highlight that accessory. G & G Guide Page 38
{From left to right: Jessica, Leah, Andrea and Yuvay}
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My Favorite Ways To Accessorize A Cocktail ring is key. This Ribbon Ring from Shop Suey Boutique is a perfect compliment to any holiday outfit. Plus you get 20% off any full priced item with code: ART20! Red lips. Nothing says holiday more than a bold lip and a red lip is just classic. Hannah and Leah both wore red lipstick for the first time when we took these photos (both used Maybelline Color Sensational in Red Revival) and both unleashed their inner diva as soon as they swiped the color on. Plus, when you rock a red lip you can keep the rest of your makeup simple. Pile on the accessories. A million bangles? Why not!?! A great statement necklace? YES! This is the time to be over the top, sparkling and bold. Do not be afraid to accessorize! G & G Guide Page 40
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Blogger Holiday Tips
Jessica Designwonderland.net @jesswonderland What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? I always feel like the best accessory for the holidays is a smile but a touch of sparkle never hurts either. Mine usually comes in the form of a ginormous sparkly floral ring.. What’s your favorite gift to give? I don’t have a favorite gift to give. I just try to make it personal for each of my loved ones. What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? My younger brother gave me a sparkling silver snowflake necklace 2 years ago. It’s so simple and pretty, I just love wearing it. Plus every time I put it on I get compliments.
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Andrea StylinandProfilin.net @Stylin_Profilin What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? For a dressy cocktail party -- especially around the holidays -- there’s something very chic and sexy and coy about a smokey eye paired with a nude lip. It says “look at me” without being over-the-top. What’s your favorite gift to give? Something that I know for sure the person receiving it really wants and can appreciate. I typically ask weeks in advance for a list of must-haves from those I’m giving to, so I have time to decide what’s in my budget. What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? One of my favorites has to be a pair of Nine West Kane pumps. They’re black velvet platforms with a patent leather toe and heel in a snack print. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. They are perfect for a holiday party and will definitely be making the rounds this year!
Stef WeHeartThis.com @weheartthis What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? This is THE time for a red lip, even if you insist you can’t wear one. You absolutely can, and should! Red pros can go bold with a pure red lipstick (MAC’s Russian Red is a stunning bluebased matte). For newbies, a gloss is the easiest way to get over red-phobia (I love Fresh Sugar lip gloss in Sugar Shag, a shimmering, super glossy cherry red). What’s your favorite gift to give? Beautifully wrapped soaps can work for anyone. I like to keep a few on hand for any last minute gift exchanges or hostess gifts that might come up. I especially love MOR’s, they’re beautiful and look like little soon-to be sudsy pieces of art! What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? For my 30th birthday my husband gave me 3 pieces of Tiffany’s jewelry, 1 at a time throughout the day. I had no idea that there were more coming after I unwrapped the 1st and after I unwrapped the 3rd piece and he told me “ok, that’s really the last one!”
Nikkia SilverLipsBeauty.com @SilverLips What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? My favorite beauty tip for the holiday is to wear bold lips! When all other accessories fail or aren’t glam enough, a bold lip will take your outfit up a notch. What’s your favorite gift to give? Wine or sweets. They both are usable and usually never sit around unused/unwanted. What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? To date it has to be my iMac. I’m a total gadget girl and this was an unexpected but awesome gift to receive.
Andrea FlyGirls.Typepad.com @FlyGirlBlog What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? Anything sparkly is my tip for dressing up or accessorizing for holiday parties. Little sequins camisoles, shiny jackets, or metallic dresses make nice statement pieces. For a more subtle look I like funky earrings, clutches, and bangles with clusters of sparkle. What’s your favorite gift to give? I love books. They make perfect gifts for anyone at any age. Books are so special and personal when thinking about that person’s interests or needs. Whether it’s for the cook in the family or someone who loves fashion, you can always find the perfect book to fit what that person is into. What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? I remember falling in love with a perfume that had the most amazing scent and was also way out of my budget. I happened to see the VP of the company where I worked looking at the same perfume and I was telling her about the beautiful scent. Months later my colleagues threw me a going-away lunch and presented me with a bottle of that perfume. I couldn’t believe she remembered!
Sydne ThinkThruFashion.com @SydneSummer What’s your favorite holiday beauty or accessories tip for holiday parties? Statement necklaces! I always buy a few new ones during the holidays to update my classic dresses I’ve had in my closet forever. What’s your favorite gift to give? My favorite gift I ever gave were glass ornaments I hand painted myself. Each was personalized with something that made me think of my friends. What’s a favorite gift you’ve received? My favorite gift I’ve received was a trip. There’s nothing better than spending time with someone you love.
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3 Easy Makeup Looks * Soft Glow * Metallic * Smokey Eye
Go beyond your basic beauty routine this holiday season and add a bit of sparkle to your makeup kit. Three very different looks, all beautiful and all easy as 1...2...3!
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Soft Glow
Andrea’s regular beauty routine usually involves a little bit of foundation, blush and a single eye shadow in a neutral color. I didn’t want to take her out of her comfort zone so I used Three Custom Color’s Party All the Time Eye color. We went from lash line to crease with this chocolatey brown shade packed with lots of shimmer. It can be used wet or dry so we wet it to make the color a bit more intense and apply it to the crease. Add a pop of shimmery pink blush and a sheer and sparkly pink lipstick and she’s party perfection.
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Metallic
Erin is great at using purples and plum shades on her lids, but she hadn’t really ventured into metallics. To go with her vibrant tunic and leggings I layered Bare Escentuals High Shine Eye Color in Glisten (an antique gold) and Electric (a gorgeous teal) over the entire lid and then added lots of mascara. Since the eyes were the focus, a bronze gloss and peachy blush were added to polish off the look. The High Shine Eye Color packs a lot of punch in a little tube and it lasts all day and all night.
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Smokey Eye
The Bare Escentuals Perfect Gift Collection had everything we needed to achieve the perfect smokey eye and pink lip combo for Juana. The base shadow is a light mocha and the smokey shadow has shades of brown and plum in it, so you won’t end up looking like a raccoon with too much heavy black eye makeup on. Paired with the shimmer, a gorgeous pink blush and a brick pink lip color - you have the perfect holiday beauty look.
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Happy Holidays! The Art of Accessories www.theartofaccessories.com
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