Stylish with Substance

All the ladies on your list deserve to be lavished in only the finest of luxuries---but you don't have to pay for expensive spa visits---for you or your friends. Treat yourselves to Bath & Body Works products for the at-home salon treatment.

Bath & Body Works wants you to "be good to your hands" with their products, and we wholeheartedly agree. Your hands do the dirty work, all day long, of lugging shopping bags, pulling out your credit card and fumbling through your fabulous purse---shouldn't your skin be soft and manicure look on par with your designer leather handbag? Even staying at home, your fingers type on the keyboard and dial buttons on your phone! The polish needs to be maintained; the rough patches need to be kept at bay!

And don't forget the footsies! All that trudging through malls will wreak havoc on your soles! You need a Fizzy Foot Soak! And you'll need attractive toesies peeping out from the golden (the color!) sandals or slides you should treat yourself to for those holiday and New Year's parties! You'll need a pumice brush, a buffer, a lotion and a fabu polish color!

Keep in mind, all your girlfriends are dropping just as hard as you, this season, remember them when it comes to spoiling and lavishing! You could make it a party!

It's been a while since Bath & Body Works has stepped up their gift sets to be wrapped up in fashionable handbags ... yes, handbags ... yes, fashionable. Not only do scentfully delicious goodies come in these packages, but the bags themselves are usable every day! For this holiday season, they sell many varieties, which include nice weekender travel bags. How appropriate. I like the medium shoulder straps of this $150 set's mock-croc brown Ultimate Weekender, but there are more reasonably priced versions---even in red! The Must-Have Carryall bags are online exclusives, so be sure to check the link out! They also have a sweet "Sueded" Metallic Flap Bag and a store-only sueded tote that is fabulous, especially for its maker and faux leather status. If you're in the spirit for something gift-time only, they do have holiday themed bags. With this store, good things come in pretty packages ... and the packages are good, themselves! Who can beat that for easy holiday gifting?

It's been a while since Bath & Body Works has stepped up their gift sets to be wrapped up in fashionable handbags ... yes, handbags ... yes, fashionable. Not only do scentfully delicious goodies come in these packages, but the bags themselves are usable every day! For this holiday season, they sell many varieties, which include nice weekender travel bags. How appropriate.

I like the medium shoulder straps of this $150 set's mock-croc brown Ultimate Weekender, but there are more reasonably priced versions---even in red! The Must-Have Carryall bags are online exclusives, so be sure to check the link out!

They also have a sweet "Sueded" Metallic Flap Bag and a store-only sueded tote that is fabulous, especially for its maker and faux leather status.

If you're in the spirit for something gift-time only, they do have holiday themed bags.

With this store, good things come in pretty packages ... and the packages are good, themselves! Who can beat that for easy holiday gifting?

Post-Thanksgiving shopping, especially on Black Friday (with its doorbusters) is crazy! I say, shop online at the best stores--and still get some deals!

Amazon.com --- Find everything from books and CDs to doggie duds and even food. I mean they have practically everything!

Banana Republic.com --- This is the place to go for special luxury items she may not normally buy. Check out their cashmere section.

Bath and Body Works.com --- Most women appreciate one gift from Bath and Body Works each year. The Gift Sets are always charming, and fill your needs in a pinch. B&BW are perfect for little items in her stocking, Santa!

Crate and Barrel.com --- The delightful shop has all your home needs, plus tasty cooking and holiday decoration treats. I think they have the best Ball Ornaments, anywhere.

Gap.com --- A great stop for fulfilling basic apparel needs. November 25 -- 27, buy one item, buy 2nd for 50% off.

Circuit City.com (and Circuit City!) --- Technical gadgets & media. This store is actually a cheat for the list. I include it because you can place an order online, then head right out (or lazily later head out) to your nearest Circuit City to pick it up. Your order will be ready in 24 minutes and you'll avoid too much craziness.

Pier 1 Imports.com --- Pier 1 is a lovely shop filled with unique, precious gifts for the home. What's really great about them during the holidays, though, is especially their fab, fab gift wrap!

Do you return a lot of your gifts? Are you the dastardly re-gifter? I never hold on to one of my favorite presents : cold hard cash. If I can pick out some clothing and accessories, I'm content. Receive enough money for something Coach? Blissful.

My family likes to get holiday shopping done before even Black Friday. I, generally, like to accomplish most of it in the solitude and calm of my bedroom computer chair! I have been, however, shopping for fun and picking up a few things (including sweaters for moi, oh yes).

On the first official season trip I embarked on with a couple members of my family, there was a smidgen of crazy going on. (Yes, my family's one of the daft ones.) Yes, I bring it up to complain again, but this time it is just a funny story...

I was about to pay for a few items for my Mum, when my Aunt placed an item on the "rack." It was a little stocking giftee I'd mentioned would be nice for a certain ... name with an "L." In some confusion, I had become expected to pay for my own present!

The loons!

Well, I refused, natch. Yet, I know it shall be mine. ;-)

The holiday season brings up family parties and evening events. A small, flashy bag is called for, and metallics are perfectly festive. Also perfect? The prices of - even designer - wristlets. You may be a queen of the night, but if not, you will need your occasion bags to not outcost their wearability.

COACH carries wristlets for all upcoming festivities: Family gatherings, New Years Eve Galas, evening the Thanksgiving Weekend Reunion!

Check out these styles:

Clockwise: Metallic Pleated Wristlet ($118), Optic Signature Lurex Pleated Wristlet ($98), Signature Beaded Wristlet ($88), Hamptons Signature Python Stripe Wristlet ($148).

These are so lovely, you'll be torn between carrying yours and hanging it on your holiday tree!

Depicted: [Ugg boot] Not Cool.

Hate Uggly Uggs? This "says it all" tee is sure to be a hit, and is cooler than the "real thing."

Designed by Paul Frank, sold at Delia's for $22 (buy two graphic tees, save $10).

A secret (known to mailing list customers) giveaway is happening at Express stores this Black Friday, Nov. 25th. Their doorbuster incentive is to get people to come in sharply at 7 a.m. ('til 11 a.m., unless merchendise runs out) to recieve a free evening clutch! The styles, are quite nice, especially the velvet in assorted colors with embellishment (pictured). ($29.50 regularly) Also available are beaded and silver metallic. (NO purchase requird.)

Along with this gem, Express has a lot of great new bags in for the season. I especially like the Velvet Hobo (black). Roomy, with an interior zippered pocket, it's classic hobo -- but it's velvet! It's a great deal at $39.50, but I know mine would get "lint" all over the black fabric. Shame. If yours is a pet-free home, perhaps you should consider getting this perfectly trendy, yet classically beautiful bag.

It's time for Pursed Lips to actually take part in Kiss Me, Stace's Style Steal. This Limited bag is full of high-end design; it's practically a re-take of pricey brands, all for about $50! I love me some side buckles, and the center strap is very much reminiscent of the Coach Daphne Satchel I recently featured. I'm unsure whether it's made of genuine leather, but its pricetag suggests not. Still, this would make a fantastic bag for the average woman.