Holiday Swagfest 2009: The Epic Coach Bag Giveaway

Oh yes, it's that time of year and I'm feeling really generous. As a matter of fact, I think you deserve a shot at a really nice gift. I've given away cosmetics, designer denim and now you lovely subscribers are about to hit the mother lode: I'm giving away a Coach bag.

Sitting in my possession as we speak is a fabulous Coach Madison Metallic Audrey Bag, which retails for $598. The bag is in amethyst metallic and I must say, I love it and wouldn't part with it for anyone but one of you lucky people who will win this fabulous little handbag just in time for the holidays.

Here are the rules:
1) This contest is open to subscribers of Fashion.Style.Beauty ONLY. If you aren't a subscriber, you must become one to be considered for this drawing. And really, it's a fun little blog...why AREN'T you a subscriber?!? ;)

2) You must comment on this post and tell me why you really, REALLY need a brand new Coach bag for Christmas (and trust me, if you put "Because I really want a new handbag", that totally counts as an entry.) 

3) I will choose one winner at random this coming Friday, December 17th and I will mail the bag out to you on December 18th. No PO Boxes and you must live in the continental Unites States, please.

The contest opens right now and I will announce the winner of this giveaway next Friday night. Good luck!

Coach Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome to the holiday season, with all of its sparkle and shopping opportunities. I must say that I loooooove shopping for gifts. No, seriously, don't look at me like that. It provides an opportunity to lose one's mind in a store without feeling like people are judging you too harshly. I love it.

I'm starting the gift guides off with a bang in our inaugural year with America's legendary luxury goods brand, Coach.  Have you been in a store lately? Coach is THE place to get accessories for yourself and others this holiday season. As you're making your list and checking it twice, here are some must-have items from one of my favorite brands:

The Social Gadfly: We all know the girl who always seems to have the most jam-packed social life. Get your favorite girl-about-town something as sparking as her personality, like this fabulous Poppy Metallic Wristlet ($58.)

 
The Classically Tailored Friend/Mom/Mother-In-Law: For the woman who looks so put together she most likely irons her jeans, there's only one fabulous tote worthy of such impeccable attention to detail: the Kristin Zip Top Tote ($698).

The Gossip Girl: Whether she's running for coffee to discuss Brangelina's latest rumors or she's trying to decide which headband she might wear while ruling the world, this is someone who needs something stylish but timeless. The Madison Sabrina Bag ($358) will do nicely for her.

The Fashionista: She's got every major boutique on speed dial and a million women would kill for her wardrobe. She needs a bag that can help her manage her front row lifestyle in a glamorous manner, which is why she needs this dazzling Leopard Sequins Large Claire ($1,200)

So head to your local Coach retailer or their website to get your holiday shop on. Oh, did I mention that I'm going to be giving one of these fabulous bags away? Mmmhmm. Details coming soon.

With all of these amazing bags and accessories for holiday and the clothing collection scheduled to show this February at Fashion Week, I am swooning over Coach and I'm sure you know a little someone this holiday season who would feel the same way about these fabulous bags. Onward to shopping, you gift giver, you!

Holiday Gift Idea: Crumbs Cupcakes

When I was a kid, one of the best presents I remember getting every year had to do with food. Other than a fruitcake that can double as a doorstop, I'm into any gift that allows people to get together and eat. Popcorn tins are so last...decade. How about sending a little lovin' from the oven that will REALLY have them raving for years? Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to collect your award for The Best Gift This Season, send cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop.

An institution in NYC and Los Angeles that sends many of us squealing into any gathering like tweens at a Jonas Brothers concert when they arrive, Crumbs cupcakes are some of the most amazing confections that have ever been allowed to be created on Planet Earth. I mean, you could send basic vanilla and chocolate and still have them screaming with delight, but let me just throw some of the flavors from these oversized drops of joy: Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Caramel Apple (my personal favorite), Cookie Dough, Chocolate Pecan Pie, Fluffernutter, Oreo (as in the real cookies), Peanut Butter Cup (again, with real peanut butter cups on top) and so many more I don't have room in this post. I get giddy walking past the store every day and to know that I can share this love with you across the country, my friends? I weep with happiness.

You can create your own custom Six Pack of these delicious cupcakes and they will ship your little box of heaven on dry ice anywhere in the country, where the darling confections will thaw in 3-4 hrs after being removed from their travel vessel. Afterwards, I suggest you try not to break your arm patting yourself on the back after all the amazing "Thank You" cards, phone calls and offers to bear your children start pouring in.

Send them wherever you want this holiday season or, Hell, send a box to yourself. It's been a rough year and we all deserve a little treat this season. No matter what the occasion, there's always one amazing gift solution that can be delivered with the click of a mouse: Crumbs cupcakes.

Beauty Must-Have: Dermalogica Skin Care Face Mapping and Microzone Treatments

It's my personal belief that one of the most important things any woman can ever do for herself is take care of her skin. Clear, healthy skin is the best accessory you will ever have and an investment that will truly last you a lifetime. Let me give you a slight tip about skincare that I touched on in the Ten Commandments of Beauty: if you look at your skin thinking about "fighting" acne or "waging a war on wrinkles", you are going about it entirely the wrong way. Your skin is an organ and as such needs to be nourished and cared for in the best way possible. If you look at your skin as something to be cared for and fed well, it will return the favor by looking its best.

In order to take the best care of your skin possible, you need to know what it needs to look its best. This is why I highly recommend heading to legendary skincare brand Dermalogica and getting your face mapped. Here's how it works: a trained aesthetician sits down with you and maps out the 14 different zones of the face (did you know there were that many? me either) and looks at each zone separately and then your face as a whole. After a thorough analysis of your skin and some questions about your current regimen and concerns, they will make a diagnosis and give you a "prescription" that tells you which products to use and --hold onto your hats, folks-- HOW TO USE THEM. Yes, I know! So many times stores send you home with a bag of products and when you get home, you draw a blank. I have my face map next to my bathroom mirror and I know how to use these products. It's genius, I tell you.Can't get to a Dermalogica skin therapist? Start the process here online.

The best part of the whole experience that I would like to recommend for you to try (and as an amazing Christmas gift) is the 20 minute Microzone treatment, where immediately following your face mapping, they give you an in-house facial treatment that will help address the concerns you just discussed and help jump start your skin on the way to glowing gorgeousness. Because everyone has 20 minutes and if that's what it takes for you to walk out with a stunning complexion, I'm co-signing on the idea that it's time well spent.

Dermalogica stores also have an amazing pod in the back where you can lie in comfort and receive a full-length treatment. The menu of services might cause you to drool with excitement so grab a towel and start plotting your escape from skincare madness. Head to Dermalogica and make the best investment you can possibly make: an investment in your skin and in yourself.

Parties with Style: The Lips Karaoke Video Game

I get invited to do a lot of really fun things writing for FSB and when someone says "karaoke" and "snacks," my frustrated inner rock star starts planning her arrival. I recently attended an event where I was offered a chance to check out the video game Lips (available for Xbox 360 and Wii) and let me just go ahead and say it: you need it. I don't care if you can sing, if you can't sing or if you're secretly planning your stadium tour in your head: this video game is a party in a box. Invite a couple of friends over and show off your insanely fabulous shower singing skills while serving beverages and snacks and you'll see exactly what I mean.

This ain't your mama's karaoke experience with song and a bouncing ball on plain lyric screens. Oh no, we've got the ability to sing over the real MTV quality video, create an avatar and get scored based on how well you sing the song. The song list includes Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Kayne West, Tokio Hotel and some good classic favorites from Marvin Gaye, LL Cool J, The Cardigans and Tears for Fears. You can sing Rihanna and your grandmother can sing a Beach Boys song. This is fun for the whole group and there's something in it for everyone.

Lips comes with two microphones and the video included. I'm telling you right now that if you get this for your holiday party (or even as a gift for someone), it is guaranteed to please. Head to your local GameStop or hit Amazon.com now and buy yours today.

A warning if you invite me, though: I'm a little too competitive when it comes to things like this and I might wreck your hotel room in true rock star style. I'm just kidding...kind of.

Twilight Style: Jewelry for Team Edward and Team Jacob from Demitasse

So by now most of us have seen the second installment of the uber-successful Twilight series. I imagine this is the case because of the Team Edward-Team Jacob fights that have almost erupted in a "let's-take-it-outside" style in my workplace but how do you show your allegiance without getting arrested? How about infuse a little Twilight: New Moon style into your wardrobe with jewelry inspired by your favorite characters from the fabulous Demitasse Jewelry?

These gorgeous pieces are inspired by scenes from the blockbuster book and film series and are absolutely gorgeous.  The DemiFang necklace on a 30" chain retails for just $38 and this tres cool (or ghoul?) DemiBullet necklace retails for $68. If you're feeling extra vampire/werewolf chic, this stunning Rosary necklace goes for $110.

Demitasse sells via their website, so go check out the Vampire collection and more of their amazing styles. Hello? Holiday gifts for your favorite Twilight fanatic? Problem solved!

It does matter if you're Team Jacob or Team Edward. Just look stunning while you're pleading your case and there'll be no question which side of the argument is the best dressed.

Style Lab: Five Last-Minute Hostess Gifts that Cost Almost Nothing

Sorry I've been away for a bit. Just started a brand new day job and all sorts of things but I'm back and we're going to kick it into high gear immediately. Let's get started, shall we?

So, it's that time of year and we're all running from party to party, trying to figure out what to wear, how to get there and how to avoid getting too drunk on sneaky cocktails or avoid eating too much at the holiday party. Wait a minute...did I forget to get a hostess gift? Ah yes, see, most of us forget to take a customary hostess gift when we arrive, which usually sends most of us on a frenzied run to the nearest mall or sheepishly walking in with a random bottle of wine that still has the price tag on it.  Get creative, people! Here are five fool-proof and very fun last-minute hostess gifts that will have them in awe of your gift-giving skills:

Candy, candy, candy! This also works if you've been invited to a potluck dinner and you cook so infrequently you have sweaters in your stove, a la Carrie Bradshaw. Head to your local Target (or if in NYC, head to our beloved Dylan's Candy Bar) and grab multiple bags of candy, an elegant glass vase and an adhesive bow. Make your purchase and on your way out, dump all the candy into the vase, then stick the bow on it. Your host or hostess can use the vase for flowers all year and you've just given her a fabulous set of treats for the holidays.

 

Vintage Cookbooks - Bounce over to your local Salvation Army or a vintage book store and give your budding Martha Stewart a vintage cookbook. It's unexpected, the recipes stand the test of time and it's going to cost you less than $10.

Classic Cocktail Kit - Again, this is where Target is your best friend. Head over to the music area and grab a CD that has sort of a swingy cocktail vibe (Michael Buble, Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall or anything truly classic and amazing like Frank Sinatra always works), then head over to the housewares department and grab a martini shaker and two glasses. Walk over to gift wrap and nab a gift bag, one package of paper and a bow. Pay, put them together and arrive on time with gift in hand.

Take a Moment Packages - Look, this might sound trite but who in the world is going to pass up free money and free music? If you want to watch someone scream like a kid at Christmas, throw an iTunes gift card into a small gift bag with a copy of Us Weekly and a bath bomb from Lush and watch them squeal with delight.

A Drive-By Gift Bag - This is the ultimate in "Oh-shit-we-forgot-to-get-a-gift" giving and it makes for an absolutely hilarious host or hostess present. Grab a plain shopping bag from your own house, then drive (or walk) to your nearest gas station and attack. Fill the bag full of junky snacks that you think they might like (or that you like, whatever works), candy, a couple of magazines that are just ridiculous (again, tabloids are a favorite - people will act like they hate them but when given the chance, they'll watch the car crash just like the rest of us) and throw in a couple of lottery tickets. It's hilarious and the next day they'll thank you silently when they realize they don't have to leave the house to indulge in their junk food-head candy binge they've been silently plotting for weeks.

So go ahead and use these. If you show up to a party where I'm going, I promise right here and now...I won't even take credit for these ideas. It'll be just our little secret.