Stylish with Substance

I was on the hunt for a camera case for ... oh probably years. Especially with my camera turning on and wasting battery if I take it anywhere with the batt left in. Ugh. Just recently, I also decided I needed a new digital camera, a small one with a "macro" setting. Now not only does my new camera do away with my cam problems, is on beat with modern technology & fun other settings in addition to macro, and it comes in pink(!) but it doesn't even turn on randomly due to its optical lens features.

Still, when I found the cam, things just *clicked* into place and I found the perfect little case! It's pink as well, is small enough to secure the camera, but with extra room to fit small accessories, in genuine leather and its darn cute to bag! Clearly meant for a camera, with padded sides to protect your gadget and a multi-colored dangling fob including a camera charm, it could even be a small clutch with its fashionable look and wristlet strap. The buckle + charms combo remind me of COACH meets Luella. Love it!

The price is darn right a dream, too: $24.99 and your order might come with free standard shipping. Oh yeah, here are the cameras, as well. Aren't we just the picture of stylish perfection?

This is post #3 of our Holiday Gifts series, part 2 was on a Banana Republic Jewelry Roll.

Adorable, fun, and to me - so appropriate is the Louis Vuitton Multicolore iPod Suffle Cover with all the basic features a young LV/music fan needs - at only $140. Of course, this holds last year's generation of Shuffle, not the new ultra, ultra mini one.

But if she's got that shuffle, you may find other cases to be not much cheaper - so why not?! I'd love it ... if only I liked the limited capabilities of this precise mp3 model. Humph.

A great company that caters to holiday wishes---if not givers checkbooks---is COACH. This is the second edition of my By Designer Stocking Stuffers.

First of all, Coach has great key fobs that could adorn another present, be tucked in a stocking, or be presented tied on a gift wrap's ribbon or string! What better than the Present Keyfob (only $48), itself? They also have the seasonal-appropriate, Snowflake Keyfob ($52), each flake is unique! For the handbag lover, there is something inexpensive, yet still designer, the Gallery Tote Keyfob ($48), in purple and red (unavailable in red online).

Also: Charms! ($28)

The perfect general gift for big COACH Signature fans is the combination of the Merino Signature Skinny Scarf ($98) and Merino Signature Hat ($68), both come in soft merino wool of various color choices.

We all want some designer for Christmas, but families may not want to dish out the dough for a whole handbag. So I'm going to scour the Internet for deals--and maybe not so-much deals--on little designer stocking stuffers. Go ahead, add them to your list!

First up had to be Gucci, in favor of their partnering with Unicef (to benefit children affected by HIV/AIDS) and creating a handbag... tree... ornament! Divine! They even have other ornaments, like this Bear embossed with the GG pattern (both $115).

I can't believe how much they have! Let's just list, due to the over of whelms!

1. iPod and iPod mini cases! (from $195) -- iPod Shuffle Cases ($145)


2. Cell phone case! ($275)


3. Blackberry Case ($140)


4. Horsebit Valet Key Ring ($120) (look familiar?)


5. Small Pink Signature Leather Agenda ($340)

Gucci even has something to put these items in, a Signature Web Stocking ($230)! Couldn't you fall over?!
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Next on the list, Best Stocking Stuffers (and winter gifts!) at COACH.

I got a new cell phone (more details below), so I was searching for a cover. You'd be surprised by what is available. It's not all tacky or hot pink, well, it's mostly tacky.

But I really like the look, maybe not the infringement, of designer print faceplates. The manufacturers have Louis Vuitton down pat. (There are also really bad Coach imitations, and I saw one "Gucci" cell phone case.) They come in rainbow or pretty brown/pink, but the styles vary for each phone.

They cost about $12 online, but if you pay $20 at a mall, the person working can quickly "slap" the cover on for you, which might be worth it, but there are also, of course, less colors available. I had to settle for dark purple, instead of maybe a light, shiny one. I wanted my cover quickly, since I'm traveling this week.

If you want to browse cell phone covers, search Froogle; replace my phone type with your own brand and number, or just try designer cell phone cover or case. Better yet, try eBay.

Here's my cell phone. It's a Motorola V551 with a purple faceplate and battery cover. The wallpaper I downloaded, "Shoe Therapy," is next to its picture. (My ring tone is "Linus and Lucy.")

It's a flip/camera phone with many other neat features, but I won't brag any further. I am obsessed with my shiny new gadget, it's sad.