Archive: November 23rd, 2007

Courtesy of Bag, Borrow or Steal

In a pinch for a last-minute gift, or simply have no idea what to get? With snazzy packaging and options for just about everything imaginable, gift cards are an always-appreciated solution (and they mail so nicely!).

Here are a few of our favorites:
Get your recipient into the spirit of Project Runway with a Custom Handbag Gift Card Kit from freddyandma.com (no minimum; no expiration). Includes fabric swatches for the giftee to choose from!

For the designer bag-lover, try a gift card from bagborroworsteal.com ($25 minimum; no expiration), a site that allows users to borrow luxe handbags from Chanel, Gucci and more.

Follow Fergie’s lead — the singer often gives friends pampering certificates — and give a card from spafinder.com ($50 minimum) that can be used in more than 3,800 locations.

Encourage charitable donations with a card from charitygiftcertificates.org ($5 minimum for e-cards; $50 for plastic), which allows the recipient to choose from a list of more than 75 charities.

Adorable packaging and designs make gift cards from anthropologie.com ($25 minimum, no expiration), jcrew.com (no minimum; no expiration) and bathandbodyworks.com ($15 minimum; no expiration) special.

Courtesy Charles & Marie

With everyone from Leo to Rihanna getting out there in support of eco-causes, we’ve never been more excited to do our part to protect the environment. One of the easiest ways to help out is by carrying a reusable shopping bag, but we definitely don’t want to sacrifice style in the process. That’s why we were so happy to find these chic shopping totes in disguise at trend-setting shopping site Charles & Marie. Each of the three designs tricks the eye with a print of a “designer” monogram handbag on one side and a clutch on the other — and they’re sturdy enough to lug around just about anything. Best of all, they prove that green can be gorgeous after all.

Courtesy Fred Flare

Can’t handle Black Friday at the mall but don’t know where to start on the web? Take a cue from a celebrity stylist, fashion blogger and boutique owner, who share their favorite sites to shop this gift-giving season.

–Eric Daman, Gossip Girl’s costume designer, has a long list of go-to favorites, such as tedbaker.com, paulstuart.com, openingceremony.com and bergdorfgoodman.com, but he raves fredflare.com for items that are “young and contemporary with an edge you can’t find in stores” — like these talking watches, $20.

–Katherine Power, cofounder of WhoWhatWearDaily.com knows everything there is to know about celebrity fashion and has a good eye for gifts, too. If you’re looking to add a personal touch to blankets, towels or bags, head to monogrammit.com. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, Power recommends zingermans.com. “Hands down the best online food retailer,” she says. “They have obscure imported butters, olive oil galore and the best bread ever.”

–Besides eBay and the gourmet food store deandeluca.com, Darren Gold, co-owner of the L.A. boutique Alpha Man, loves the blog coolhunting.com for ideas. “They’re very on top of new things whether it’s a gadget or a service,” he says. “Every day they add something new.” But Alpha Man’s other owner, Chris Garkinos, offers a tip for those who are still at a loss for ideas: “Buy something that you really like. Chances are someone will like it, too.”

Mark Sullivan/WireImage

We love the gorgeous silk and pearl Lanvin necklace that Sarah Michelle Gellar wore to the premiere of her new movie, Southland Tales. The show-stopping piece pulls together her elegant red carpet look, but we think it would look just as fresh and sexy at a holiday party with a simple black dress. Statement pieces like this might seem tough to work in to your wardrob, but you can pull it off too! Just make sure to pair an attention-grabbing necklace with an open, simple neckline and balance out the oversize piece with subtle studs or bare ears. Tell us: Would you wear a larger-than-life necklace?