It would be a rare holiday season if I didn't fall truly, madly and deeply in love with Gap's ad campaign - they always evoke real emotion and get me in the spirit. This year's - launching today - is no exception; dubbed “Make Love,” it focuses on a group of artists and activists - think Tony Bennett, Cyndi Lauper and Billy Porter, Harry Belafonte and Q-Tip - who are "giving and spreading love, hope and joy this holiday season".
My favorite in the mix is hot babe/Nashville star Connie Britton, shown with her adorable son Yoby in the snap above. Can you even? (I don't think I can!)
Of course, 'tis also the season to spend, friends, and to help shoppers find the perfect gifts for friends and family, Gap has partnered with VSCO (a popular photo editing app) and some of their most influential photogs to curate 26 days of gift ideas. Discover and shop along at gap.vsco.co.
Gap's Holiday Campaign is as Flawless as Always
Holiday Gift Guide: Tastemaker Robert Verdi Edition
Robert Verdi, for those of you who don't know, is a fully major man about town in New York - he's a celebrity stylist, entrepreneur (see his stylish line of sunglasses - his signature acessory - available exclusively at HSN), interior designer and overall tastemaker. PLUS, he somehow makes time for Flywheel (and much more regularly than I do, if we're being honest).
Robert and I recently spent some quality, holiday-themed time together at his Luxe Lab studio here in New York, and there, he shared his ULTIMATE gift guide for holiday, with a suggestions guaranteed to please even the MOST discerning or difficult-to buy-for recipient on your list. In addition to his amazing suggestions (seen above), he also offered a few simple, but genius tips on gifting. My fave? Give practical gifts, but present them in extraordinary ways. I personally LOVE this - perhaps because I'm a huge fan of both giving and getting gifts that serve a purpose. In application, package up:
- Thomas Paul Printed Hand Towels ($52), Droplet Soap Pump from Umbra ($15) and Dawn Dish Soap: ($4.99 USD) for the Hip Holiday Hostess - a super chic, yet useful gift.
- The Glam Gal Pal on your list will die for the glittering Eve clutch from Lauren Merkin ($180) - and it's even more thoughtful to include a few essentials for your next GNO. I particularly love the idea of tucking a Tide Pen -this little miracle worker recently rescued my new DVF silk dress from a pesky stain - ($2.99-8.99), Oral B Glide 3D White Floss Picks ($3.49) and CoverGirl Blast flipstick Lip Duo ($8.49 - and well worth it. This is one of my favorite drugstore lippies) inside!
- It's tricky to gift UP in some offices, but if you have a boss as supportive as mine, you'll want to show your appreciation. Robert's suggestion? Pack up some stylish organizational essentials - this is a gift that says chic, but remains professional (a fine line!): Parker Pearl Urban Premium Pen with Parker 5th Technology ($350.00), Moleskin Daily Diary/Planner ($21.95), and a Large Lacquered Rectangular Box from The Container Store ($17.99).
For more style intelligence, and gift giving suggestions from Robert Verdi, follow him on Twitter @RobertVerdi.
Guest #Leo Correspondent: Tamar Anitai of Fashion Binge
My astrologically-themed Holiday Gift Guide will roll on, but not without one last suggestion for and FROM a fellow Leo lady, my dear friend Tamar of Fashion Binge. I'll let her speak for herself:
I'm also a Leo-ness like my star sign sister Dina. We enjoy, deserve and DEMAND not only the finer things in life but the fine-EST things in life. Like $39,000 backpacks (Ed. note: OH THE ROW). Too dear? Too bad, because Leos NEVER hear the word "no," (that's why Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are still in business). But we do like options. Thankfully Leo ladies are resourceful, and while we'll never settle, we do have generous hearts with room enough for all God's handbags, like this $199 leather backpack from a-thread. And, since we're quick to benevolently remind you that we like to give as much as receive, we're pleased to inform you that a-thread does both -- the new online boutique gives 5% of every sale to charity. Because we were put on this planet to share our creativity, beauty, and brilliance we Leos tend to suck at math (if you ever go out to dinner with a bunch of Leos, plan on being tasked with figuring out the check and tip), but according to our Leo calculator, that's a savings of $33,801, which you can use to buy us... more handbags.
More from Tamar, including Unicorn Glitter Platform Stilettos, here.
Gifts for the Leo Woman: An Astrological Holiday Gift Guide
Despite my best efforts to avoid it, the holiday season has arrived. And this year, in part due to my dedication to astrologist Susan Miller's uncanny monthly predictions over at Astrology Zone, I've decided to focus my holiday gift guide into a minimum of 12 carefully edited editions, each focused on an astrological sign. Because I'm a narcissist, I'll kick things off with my own zodiac sign, which (for those of you who don't know me in real life) is LEO - the (for the most part) undisputed queen of the zodiac.
Now, for those of you who know a Leo woman, you know that narcissism comes quite naturally to us - we're rarely far from a mirror, and fancy ourselves QUITE the sex kitten. And while Leo woman is, in most cases, friendly, outgoing and loving, she's also bombastic and demanding - only the best for this girl, my friends. In related news, Leo women love luxury and are known to give in to every single one of their whims, often to their own detriment. In short, if you've got a Leo woman on your holiday shopping list, know that it's a tall order - gifts are a big deal to her, and practicality is eschewed. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Estee Lauder Leo Zodiac Powder Compact, $70 - Leo does, after all, LOVE to look at herself and this gold (also a signature color of the sign) compact is impossibly chic.
- Alex Woo Little Lion Pendant Necklace, $168 - while perhaps not unique to her sign, the Leo woman loves jewelry.
- Agent Provocateur Bathing Bubble Wash, $48 - she lives for pampering, and these sexy bubbles make bathtime decadent and rich.
- Fleur du Mal High Waisted Tie Back Panty, $125 - Leos are widely regarded as the porn stars of the zodiac - indulge the fantasy in this cheeky peekaboo panty.
- Strange Invisible Perfumes Leo Eau de Parfum, $275 - Neroli, bergamot, and mandarin tame Leo’s boundless need for power, while lemon inspires focus. Jasmine Sambac balances Leo’s ringleader tendencies, encouraging trust and dissolving fear of the unknown. Ambrette seed anchors this fiery sign, granting tranquility and gratification.
- Drybar Gift Certificates - Like the lion, Leos are often defined by their mane. Treat her to a single blowout or a membership to this blowout-only salon (in multiple cities.)
Stay tuned for more in this year's Astrological Holiday Gift Guide - up next, Virgo!
Holiday Gift-terrific: J.Crew's Shoe of the Month Club
As is the case with many women, shoes are my kryptonite. Flats, wedges, pumps, peep-toes or boots...I'm equally helpless whether faced with a supple leather or bejeweled detail. If that sounds remotely familiar and you're gifting a woman like me this season, please (!) consider J.Crew's Shoe of the Month Club.
For an $1,800 investment, the lucky giftee will receive one pair of J.Crew's Italian-made footwear monthly, hand-picked by their designers. Choose from flats, heels or a mix. Just two caveats - the recipient cannot exchange for color or style, however picks can be exchanged for an alternate size.
If shoes aren't her primary vice, you can also splurge on the Cashmere of the Month Club ($1,875) or the Jewelry of the Month Club ($850).
Call 1.866.739.5944 to order.
Watch This: Simon Doonan is the Cranky Elf
We've chatted about my love of Barneys New York Creative Director Simon Doonan in the past and this holiday's Cranky Elf video series only serves to reinforce that love.
Check out the latest installment below, which includes Simon's picks for some of the MOST giftable items in store this season,.
Barneys New York Celebrates 35 Years of SNL
Barneys New York's holiday windows are legendary, in large part due to the genius of creative director Simon Doonan. This season's take isn't particularly festive - but it's certainly fun. Celebrate 35 years of Saturday Night Live by visiting the store at 660 Madison Avenue or by taking a short jaunt through the gallery below.
Holiday 2008 - Estee Lauder Vintage Jewels
Holiday '08 collections are in full swing! Today, we received word of Estee Lauder's beautiful color story for the season, dubbed Vintage Jewels. Quiet smoky blacks are spruced up with rich jewel tones of Amethyst, Sapphire and Emerald.
The star product in the collection is the NEW, limited edition Shimmering Jewel Powder ($32), which gives a gorgeous glow to skin, shoulders or decolletage. There are also limited edition faceted Eyeshadow Duos ($25) and Smoked Eye Pencils ($18.50) in the same, festive jewel-toned hues with a pearlized finish.
Vintage Jewels is available for a limited time only at all Estee Lauder counters and via www.esteelauder.com.
