Last Minute Gifts: Good and Cheap

If you're still Holiday shopping, it's getting down to the wire. I love to find a gift that's easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet. Here are some great options all under $25. Brilliant!

Books are always a great go to gift for the person who has everything. This one's cute. The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The World's Most Elegant Woman, $19.95.

I have already have a pajama fetish but I'm almost as obsessed with knee socks and cool slippers. These remind me of Uggs (I actually don't wear Uggs on the street but love the style of a boot with thermals or sleep shorts at home). I think these make a nice gift. Nordstrom "Shaggy" Slipper Boot $24.

Perfect for Foodies. I just had these waffles at a Brunch on Saturday (to die for)! Pair the mix up with a colorful mixing bowl or cute dish towel and you have instant great gift. William-Sonoma Golden malted Pancake and Waffle Mix $10

Buy This Book and Read It: Chic Sweats

What's the best way to feed your fashion fix, help the environment and the economy all while being your own chic little Martha Stewart? Get your hands on the Sistahs of Harlem's latest instructional book on how to create fierce fashion from old sweats. It's called Chic Sweats and I can't think of a better way to turn your most comfortable items (re-purposing old sweats saves money and it's oh so Green) into super fashionable clothing that you can create yourself (so "modern" Martha Stewart-you can do it). So run out and buy this book and get sewing (looks like the economy still needs your help)!

Chic Sweats by Carmen Webber & Carmia Marshall $15.80

(I guess I should mention one of the authors is my ultra fabulous stylist/designer/author friend Carmia)

Groupie Love: The Sartorialist Comes To Los Angeles

Happy Friday everyone! As usual, am I ready for the weekend (long live Friday evening through Sunday around 6 or 7PM when I start to groan, "I can't believe it's already Monday"). I just wanted to share what us Fashion Junkies were doing last night in the City of Angels. Worldwide blogger and soon to be iconic people watcher (photographer), Scott Schuman, from The Sartorialist had his book signing last night (so many people came out). The book is a collection of photos from his blog of stylish (from his point of view) people around the world. I love to check out his blog and see what's going on in streets (relating fashion of course-for everything else I check the ybf). The book, also titled The Sartorialist, is now available in a paperback copy (mama couldn't spring for the $175 hardcover copy-beautiful coffee table book though).

photo right: Me and my fashion plate friend, Sonia.






I got my copy. Hey, bloggers are super important. Especially when they talk about fashion and really important stuff like that (wink, wink).

Fashionable Reads

Hey, I read. But I'm not really the one who reads a magazine for the articles if you know what I'm sayin'. I've always been fascinated with clothing and beautiful images (READ: lots of pictures). That's why I love a good coffee table book. They're page after page of big, shiny photos and there may be a paragraph or two thrown in for you to read if you insist. Here are some of the books that caught my eye.

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman $110.25, Amazon.

I already love the site, now I can bring two of my favorite activities to my living room (people watching and fashion). It's a huge book full of candid shots of fashionable people on the street (like stalking unsuspecting people around the world-oh like I'm the only person into that). Thanks for the heads up Son.

Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture by Valerie Viscardi et al $53.55, Amazon.

I can't afford the luggage collection, but I can afford this book. For LV fanatics and novices alike. Hurry up and buy this book before they try to knock it off too.

Domino: The Book of Decorating by Deborah Needleman et al $21.12, Amazon.

They discontinued the magazine (sad face), but they can't keep a good book down. I love this book and think it's the ultimate do-it-yourself style guide for the home. Hey, don't you think your house (apartment, room at your parents house, or possibly back seat of your car in this economy) deserves to be fashionable too?

Daddy's Got Style

...And if he doesn't, I've got the perfect gift in mind for him. Father's Day is soon approaching and instead of procrastinating in my usual style, I thought I'd share a gift idea for the special dads in our lives. Let's face it we may have our style mapped out but for some men you may have to just spell it out for them (or just make sure there's lots of pictures). Nordstrom has a book called Men's Style that may just help lay down some style foundation. Because shouldn't the men in our life be just as hot as we are (Okay our actual dads don't need to be hot, but dressed in clothing from this decade would be nice)?













Men's Style $19.95, Nordstrom.