Now from Caroline....

I was so excited when Sid asked me to write a post on holiday gifts.
There are so many things on my wish list this season, for myself and others.
Here are a few of my favorites from my holiday little black book.

.

...................................................................Custom Pet doodle.

I love this idea.
I am new pet owner and anything having to do with Westies, I now love.
I'm sure it is the same with most pet owners.
Such a creative and unique gift.
Found here (http://www.etsy.com/shop/lmnoprint)
.
.

.

For little ones in your life, why not this lovely and organic goose!

.

.

He made me smile when I found him here (http://brookfarmgeneralstore.bigcartel.com/product/goose)

.

.

For the vanity in all of us. Indulge in the the Clarisonic Skin Brush

(http://www.clarisonic.com/us/).
I hear it works wonders. I am hoping Ole Saint Nick drops one through my chimney.

.
.

I love paper. And stationary and note cards are great and easy gifts for anyone.
They can be personalized for your mother, girlfriends or mother-in-law.
They can also be an easy gift to give to co-workers or your children's teachers.
I am swooning over Dabney and Lee right now. Swooning.

found here (http://dabneylee.com/)

...

And shoes are a must on any wish list of mine.

I adore these and dig the purple.

Found here (www.toryburch.com)

Bloggers Gift Guide: Caroline from Through Rose Colored Glasses

Today wraps up my favorite bloggers gift guide for the Christmas season! I have one last (but definitely not least) blogger sharing her picks today...Caroline from Through Rose Colored Glasses. If we can get over a few technical difficulties, I promise her post will be up shortly! In the meantime, you must go check out her blog! She has been posting over the past couple of weeks some fabulous and fun gift ideas, so I asked her to compile her favorites in a post for me. I'm always hopping over to Caroline's blog to get fashion advice or to get a good laugh in for the day. Caroline and I used to work together and she always kept me smiling. I miss you Caroline!!

Stay tuned.....

Bloggers Gift Guide: Marianne from Haven and Home

I hope you all have been enjoying all the guest posts this week from my favorite bloggers out in the blogosphere! I've definitely gotten some great ideas for Christmas gifts this season. Today, Marianne from Haven and Home is sharing her favorite picks. Her blog is one of my daily reads and I'm so thankful that I know and am friends with Marianne in and outside of the blog world! She is a fabulous interior decorator who has given me many helpful tips for my home, which I am ever so grateful for!


Thank you Sidney for having me on so.chic! I am thrilled to be here. When Sidney asked me to do a gift post I told her, "I think I am going to pick gifts for my family so I will have something to follow." Wellllllll, somehow this turned into gifts for me, oops! So here are some things I would love to find under the tree this year.
.
I love calendars, I love flipping to the next month and seeing the new image. This one from Night Owl Paper Goods, printed on wood sheets is so cool. It is a must have.

Ever walk out of a store to the panicky feeling you don't know where you left your car or is that just me? This device can be set to a certain place(like your cars location) and help you find your way back whenever needed.
A Garmin is on my list because it is one of the best gifts I have received. While I wasn't thrilled when I got it, it has been my new best friend ever since. I honestly can't remember what I did before I had one. Oh wait, yes I can, I would call my husband at work and ask him to Mapquest places for me because I was on the road. (can you guess who gave me this?)
Okay, I did pick out something for family, these cute bands from Etsy I would give to my adorable nieces.
.
I love mascara and I love choices, I think that sums up why this gift set from Sephora is on my list.
There are several boots on my list but these by Frye particularly call my name.

If you know me, you know I love dresses, they are basically my uniform. In the winter I am always looking for long sleeve dresses which can be hard to find. This one from Ann Taylor has a great fit and ruffles (which is always a plus in my book).
.

.

Thanks again Sidney!

Bloggers Gift Guide: Camille from Style Notes

I'm so so excited that Camille from Style Notes is guest blogging today! I've become addicted to her fabulous blog full of chic ideas for entertaining. Camille's blog is bookmarked in my favorites (of course) so its easy to pop on over to Style Notes when I am in need of some party inspiration! XO, Sid

Camille here from Style Notes, & I'm thrilled to share my gift picks of 2009 with the so.chic readers! Since I'm an event planner by day and style blogger by every other waking minute, it should come as no surprise that I'm fairly obsessed with "entertaining-focused" gifts for the chic hostess. In fact, I'd be pretty thrilled to find any of these goodies in my own stocking! So enjoy, & CHEERS to a very festive holiday season!

Bond Street Chocolates (top)

This is one of New York City's most innovative chocolatiers, and one taste of these alcohol-infused bonbons will show you why. Hand molded in-house, each chocolate shell is filled with an intoxicating blend of heavy cream, chocolate and Bourbon, Tequila, Elderflower Liqueur, Vodka, or Armagnac. Yes please!

"Coffee Time" Espresso Set

These Lexon cups are pure genius: see how the saucers double as lids? I love the clean simplicity of polished chrome... very Euro-chic.

Gold Label Monogram Notecards

Every hostess needs a stylish set of monogrammed notecards for jotting down invitations & thank-you notes. These lovelies from sugar paper are the perfect blend of casual+luxe, with letterpress printing in raspberry ink & shimmering gold foil.

Bloggers Gift Guide: Brooke from Blueprint Bliss

There are only 10 shopping days left until Christmas...have you finished or are you just starting? If you are just starting then I hope you will enjoy my bloggers gift guide series this week. I asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share holiday gifts that they love. Today starts off with Brooke from Blueprint Bliss. Not only is Brooke a dear friend, but she is one of my favorite bloggers on interior design! I hope you enjoy her gift ideas for that special someone in your life...

A special thanks to Sidney for asking me to guest blog about some of my favorite gift ideas for this Christmas season. I've put together a little list of some items that could work for almost anyone on your list!

.

For the little one:

.

How about a cute appliqued t-shirt from Alphabet Designs? If you supply your item (t-shirt, burp cloth, etc)- Carrie only charges $9 per applique design.

.

.

For Him:

.

A favorite of my husband's- luggage by Filson. It's a bit of splurge but worth the money. Here is their travel kit that is $82.50.

.

How about a pair of Mountain Khakis? Another one of my husband's favorites.

.

.

.

For her:

.

Possibly a notebook or planner by Sarah Pinto? I saw these recently on Deliciously Organized and just love them. The notebook is only $12 and the planner is $25. Or you can order both for just $30!

..

.

For the book lover... a classic or two with covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. You can now order these from Amazon for less than $14 a piece.

..

.

For your neighbor or teacher or that hard to buy gift:

..

Who doesn't love fresh fruit? Order a quarter bushel of grapefruits or oranges for just $19.80. Pittman & Davis also provides free shipping.

.. .

Or perhaps a cookbook? Try the new cookbook put out by Hot and Hot Fish Club of Birmingham.

.

..

I hope this list helps at least one of you find that perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list.

..

Merry Christmas!

Brooke at Blueprint Bliss

Get Yer Holiday On!

I'm so excited to have Claudia guest blogging today on holiday fashion! I just know you will LOVE the festive pieces she suggests for those holiday parties you have coming up. Thanks Claudia!!
.
.
The Thanksgiving leftovers are being thrown out as I write this. You’re back at work. Family has left the house and are back where they belong…but it’s not the end. No it’s only the beginning! Radio stations change to playing Christmas hits exclusively. Those neighbors of yours put out their crazy, over the top decorations (Santa sleigh complete with reindeer set that borders your yard ). And your party invitations start popping up in your mailbox and email inbox! It’s party time.
.
Time to put away the plain jane clothes my friends, this post is about “Holiday” wear. No, not like “festive” – Nutcracker themed sweaters. That’s another post on “don’ts” (or do’s depending on the theme of the partay). But this is the time of year that the Fashion industry refers to as “Holiday” and to them that means the bigger, more sparkly, bow laden dresses the better (think Aretha Franklin’s ginormazon bedazzled Inauguration Day hat). It can be a little daunting as you weed through the sparkles, but fear not, I am here to help. You may have a few parties that differ in formality (dinner party at a friend’s house, work party and a big holiday bash at a cool new venue downtown). Let me offer some of my favorites to take you through these three possible scenarios.
.
Party at a Friend’s
It’s casual but you want to-look-cute-but- like-I-didn’t-try-at-all kind of outfit. Don’t stress this one’s easy. Jeans. Those great fitting, dark wash. Pair them with this great sequined Velvet top and a pair of sick black heels and your set. I love the way this top looks almost liquid! Another sparkly top option is this creamy confection by French Connection. I love the texture on this top. This would be great with some skinny jeans and tan boots….
.
.


.
Work Party!!
This event (alcohol mixed with coworkers) and the challenge of finding the right balance of an outfit that read somewhere between sophisticated worker and fun party girl can be daunting, but doesn’t have to be. Not when you have Trina. Trina Turk that is. She does some great holiday wear, which is mild enough with just enough detail to make it fun. This first dress of hers is a happy color. Not too expected (that red or green-let’s not wear it-its to cliché). It also has just the right amount of “sparkle” right there in its own little contained way. The other Trina Turk dress that is a little more sophisticated is the black lace “Misbehavin” dress. So classic and beautiful. You will be the most elegant person at your party!
.

.

.
Black Tie Blowout!
This is the time to pull out the “party dress”. There are going to be tons of people at this event, perhaps it’s a wedding right before Christmas, or a party at the club with several friends, or perhaps frienemies, regardless-it’s time to pull out the big guns.
.
Philip Lim’s gold sequined dress evokes a 1920s flapper feel. I could see this on my more “willow-ey” friends. It screams party girl. Another totally different frock that I have been lusting after is this Camilla and Marc pink frothy number. The construction is gorgeous and I love the color for this time of year, it’s like the new winter white. And to contrast I would add a modern black blazer. So cool!
.

.

.
You’re welcome for solving all your holiday what to wear questions! I’ll be guest blogging for Sid again soon as “Resort” wear is just around the corner…
Xoxo,
Claudia

Images via Piperlime, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter

These are a few of my favorite things....

...for fall that is. Which happens to be my favorite time of year. The air-conditioning is exchanged for open windows, the annoying kids on my street go back to school (just kidding, we don’t live near any kids), and clothes-wise, things get a tad dressier. Flip flops, white jeans, and tank tops go back under the bed in that plastic tub you’ve had since college, and we break out the boots, sweater coats and scarves….

I just can’t help but want so many things this season, but I’m a “guest” blogger and don’t want to be rude by clogging up Sidney’s beautiful blog with my endless list of things I’m loving (seriously, my wish list knows no bounds ). So I’ve narrowed it down to a few key “must haves” that I think are wearable yet fashion forward without looking like you are trying really hard. If you want to look like you are trying really hard, turn to Vogue’s fall trend section and go with their “faux” fur vest and embellished ballerina skirt option, I promise you won’t look like an old lady who forgot to take her dementia medicine. Of course, I’m going on a few givens here: 1) You don’t want to look like an old lady that forgot to take her dementia medicine 2) that everyone reading this has an incredible, fits you to perfection/borderline jealously pair of jeans and 3) that you also have a gorgeous go-to white blouse or top. Staples people, staples.

Super Long Cardigans aka the new faceglasses
I must have super hero envy, or just a desire to wear something cape-like without actually looking like a Warlock and wearing a cape, but I am craving a super long, almost to the knees, cardigan right now. This Three Dot one can be worn over a chic blouse for nighttime festivities, or in the morning, for your Saturday latte and bagel run. Either way, you can’t lose and I predict it will become as essential as your Hollywood, Nicole Ritchie sized-please-don’t-take-a-picture- of-me (but seriously do or my career will be nothing) sunglasses, which really are so big they should be renamed “face”glasses. Choose weight of sweater according to your current city’s winter climate.

found here

Flat Boots-two friends for the price of one
Hi. These Cynthia Vincent boots are your new best friend. They will go EVERYWHERE with you. They will love you, support you and never make you feel stupid for wearing them, unlike some of your other two-faced you know whats in your closet… You (and your new BFF) will be the envy of town. You will be stopped and congratulated on your intelligent purchase, so prepare yourself and make sure to have a pen handy when asked for your autograph.

found here

Dressy Puffer-a most serendipitous merger

found here

I hate being cold. But I also don’t want to look like the Michelin Man walking around town in my puffed up puffer heading to a nice dinner. I mean, I don’t get out much as it is already, so when I do, I gotta make it count. That is why this Burberry coat is so to die, because it solves my little quagmire. I just know I would be warm & toasty in this pretty blue number, but also quite sleek and fashion-forward, the ultimate fashion accomplishment for an article of clothing.

found here

Pop Quiz! If these items are wasting space in your hard to come by closet real-estate, you are living the 2004ish dream my friend…

1. Boots with a stiletto heel (unless your name is “Vanity” and you work 57th and Main AFTER the sun goes down)
2. Big, pulls the lobe down earrings
3. Baby-doll, maternity-like wear
4. Terry cloth hoodie and matching pant jumpsuit