For every amazing holiday gift I've received over the years, I can name at least two that were decidedly well intentioned, yet decidedly off base. After all, it can be hard to buy gifts for anyone, but when that certain someone has very clearly defined tastes, things get even harder.
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but one universal truth - ensure that you know the recipient's taste inside and out before gifting any of the following gifts this season:
Perfume - Fruity, floral, aquatic or musk? A loyalist or a dabbler? Mass or niche? If you feel confident in the answers to these questions, by all means, buy away. But just know that fragrance is highly personal and incredibly subjective. A safer bet? A Sephora sampler, (here, here or here) which allow your lucky giftee to sample away to their heart's content and then redeem the enclosed scent certificate for a full sized bottle of their choosing. ($24-$65)
Art - Let me contradict myself for a moment and concede that two of my very favorite gifts of all time fall under the classification of "art" - one a Marilyn Minter print and the other, a painting done just for me. That said, art is again, and obviously, highly subjective and even (as any who've attended a show at the Whitney can attest) dangerously divisive. Consider instead: a gift certificate, perhaps packaged with a frame, to a site like Society6.
Jewelry - Well-intentioned, yet sterile is the best description I can muster for the many uninspired jewelry gifts I've received from (ex) boyfriends throughout the years. Think tiny (read: conservative) diamond hoops or a highly traditional gold heart necklace when my tastes run more to near-weaponry from designers like Eddie Borgo and Dominic Jones. In short, while I appreciated the thought (I did! I swear!), I would have appreciated a piece of jewelry that suited my (very openly expressed) personal style a heck of a lot more. A better idea? If you're not sure on what she (or he!) will love, ask one of her closest friends, or better yet, scour her Pinterest boards (if you're gifting me, behold a little inspiration here!)
The Useful Gift - I hate to continue to throw men under the bus here, but this is again, something men are often guilty of. Unless SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED, no woman wants what could be even remotely construed of as useful- I honestly cannot believe the horror stories I've heard from friends who unwrapped "gifts" ranging from wireless routers to blenders, or worst ever, an AB ROLLER. Please do not make this mistake. If you need a refresher on some universal rules of gift giving, here's a link to my thoughts on the matter.
Tread Carefully: Four "Danger" Gifts to Avoid this Holiday
In My Cart: Neiman Marcus + Target Edition
As often discussed, I'm not one for designer collaboration. I tend to be keener - as evidenced by my little spree at Neiman Marcus proper yesterday - on the splurge. That said, the Neiman Marcus + Target Collection, created in collaboration with the CFDA, has launched online and with a Target gift card in hand, I couldn't resist picking up items from a couple of my favorites, above.
Included in the mix:
- Jewelry Designer Phillip Crangi's Trinket Box (Phillip's Giles & Brother collections is one of my favorites - in particular, the quirky stud earrings)
- CFDA darling Eddie Borgo's Accent Box, though I'm not quite sure what I'll do with it once it arrives
- Impulsively, Rodarte's Holiday Ornament, simply because the galaxy print looks gorgeous.
Did you shop any of the Neiman Marcus + Target collaboration?
In My Cart: Matches Edition
Girls of a Certain Age, the new-ish blog from former Lucky EIC Kim France, is admittedly one of my favorite sites on the World Wide Web at the moment. One of the funniest, yet most inspiring, recurring features is the "I Can Shop Anywhere Challenge," in which Kim finds items she'd actually wear in the most unexpected of places, i.e. the fashion wasteland that is the FINGERHUT catalog. Admittedly, I'm not so into self-sacrifice (better Kim than I), so for the first in a new "In My Cart,' series, I instead devoted my energies to the carefully edited designer assortment at Matches Fashion, home to men's and women's apparel, along with a bounty of gorge accessories.
If given an unlimited budget, here's my top five:
- Rag & Bone Hubert Tuxedo Jacket: "Dina Fierro died still on the hunt for the perfect tuxedo jacket." may well be included in my obituary. ($574)
- Current Elliott Stiletto Low Rise Skinny: If whimsy and rock and roll mated and had a baby, they would be these star-printed jeans. ($259)
- Alexander McQueen Swarovski crystal Union Jack Clutch:I can't go another season without a McQueen clutch; it would be simply uncivilized. ($1,673)
- Isabel Marant Dicker Suede Boots: I've got a knock off of these from Aldo, and they are, in short, tragic. I'm better than that. You're better than that. We're all better than that. ($420)
- Eddie Borgo Pave Cone Bracelet: Glitter, glam and edge from a CFDA darling. ($1002)
While all wishes, dreams and desires expressed are my own, this post was produced in association with Matches Fashion.
OOTD: Ready for Judgement
Yesterday, I left the house with little to no time for sartorial preparation for my day. As I am wont to do, to be clear. That was UNFORTUNATE, to say the least, as my evening entailed an encounter (at Lucky Magazine's chic Summer Jam soiree)... an encounter with The Bumbys.
In case you're not familiar - I wasn't mentally prepared myself - The Bumbys are Jill and Gill, a cleverly disguised, mixed-gender duo that provide an "honest appraisal of your appearance" on a charmingly typed (yes, TYPED on a TYPEWRITER TYPED) notecard. Find out more about their unique brand of performance art on THE FACEBOOK or THE TWITTERZ and check out Gill's hilare (and not entirely inaccurate) assessment of my style from last night:
While I clearly didn't put the appropriate amount of effort in my jig yesterday, here's what I wore and what The Bumby's therefore judged:
- Tom Ford Anouk Sunglasses (no longer available)
- Sky Top (no longer available, other styles available here)
- Seven for All Mankind The Skinny Second Skin Jegging
- Eddie Borgo Smile rose gold-plated cutout pyramid cuff
- Balenciaga Giant City in Outremer (past season color, alternate color here)
- Loeffler Randall Vivan Wedge
If you were getting ready to be sartorially JUDGED, what would you wear?
Image snapped by Sarah Conley of Style It Online, my OG OOTD photog.
Object of My Obsession: Dominic Jones Knuckleduster
When I fall in LOVE with a jewelry designer, I fall HARD and designer Dominic Jones is the latest in a long line (see previous slash current obsessions: Subversive Jewelry, Pamela Love, Alexis Bittar, Made Her Think, Eddie Borgo, etc., etc.)
The edgy, London-based Brit crafts sculpturally sound jewelry with a MAJOR dose of punk rock attitude.
Take, for example, the 22 karat white gold plated Knuckleduster seen above. Look quickly and you might think it was a clever take on the Batman logo, but, oh HEY, look again and it's ACTUALLY the marriage of two sharp, animalistic claws. Obsessed.com accurately describes how I feel about this ring.
If you feel as I feel about Dominic Jones (marry me, Dominic), you're in luck. There's a SWEET assortment of his designs available at The Outnet now, for a staggering 65% off. Sizes are selling out fast though, so buy a ticket and board the train here.