Image: Piperlime

The Marc Jacobs Metal Bow Stud Earrings ($38) are quite adorable! These would be very cute to wear for the holidays, birthday or any occasion when one wants to get dressed up but not look too over the top. The design is simple yet has that distinctive Marc Jacobs quirky-ness.

Image: Piperlime

The matching Hammered Bow Necklace ($78) is a perfect compliment to the earrings. Wear them together or mixed and matched with other jewelry pieces, the look is playful and sweet.  This necklace would be an easy way to dress up a casual look or add a little fun to a little black dress.

You can purchase both of these pretty Marc Jacobs accessories at Piperlime.

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All Wrapped Up in a Pretty Bow

For the cosmetics junkie, give her these two versatile beauty gifts!

Images: Nordstrom

Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Wealth of Beauty Collection ($89) – This ridiculously huge set will have everything she’ll need to create smokey eyes, day time and party looks. There are a multitude of eye shadow colours to mix and match as well as two lip glosses to go with every look she creates.

NARS Everlasting Love 15th Anniversary Bold Makeup Palette ($75) – An easy and money-saving way to celebrate Nars’ anniversary. If someone you love is a make up addict, this limited edition palette is perfect for them! It includes all the best selling colours in the Nars line;  Edie, Underworld , Night Breed eye shadows, then in the middle of the palette there is the famous Orgasm blush and South Beach multiple. Lastly for lips their best selling shades in Belle du Jour, Chelsea Girls, Promiscuous and my favourite, Dolce Vita lipsticks.

These two skin care sets are great gift ideas to beat dry skin during the winter season!

Images: Nordstrom

Kiehls World of Kiehls Set ($45.50) -  This is a brilliant introductory set to the world of Kiehls. It includes all their best selling products such as the Ultra Facial Moisturizer, Lip Balm #1 , Creme de Corps, Amino Acid shampoo and conditioner, Ultra Facial Cleanser Deluxe, Ultimate Strength Hand Salve and Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream Deluxe.

L’Occitane Shea Softness Gently Nourish Set ($36) – Another wonderful gift set to indulge and pamper and nourish her skin from head to toe! This one includes a shea body lotion, hand cream, foot cream and two milk soaps.

And lastly, two gift ideas for the fragrance lover…

Images: Nordstrom

Philosophy Amazing Grace Deluxe Set ($95) – This fantastic set has everything she’ll need to smell fresh, feminine, clean and simply amazing.  The set includes Amazing Grace 3 in one, a perfumed firming body emulsion, body butter, hand cream and finally, the fragrance itself.

Dior J’Adore Pouch Set ($76) – A luxe gift idea for the glamour gal in your family. This set includes the J’Adore eau de parfum spray, body milk and shower gel. All of these treats are inside this pretty champagne coloured quilted pouch, perfect to use as a cosmetic bag for travel.

You can find all of these fantastic beauty and skincare sets and more at Nordstrom.

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Glam Beauty Gift Ideas Under $100

Image: Neiman Marcus

Roberto Coin Diamond Initial Necklace ($900)

Image: Neiman Marcus

Roberto Coin Diamond Love Letter Necklace ($380)

Both of these dazzling necklaces are made of 18k white gold and feature pave set diamonds. As you can see, you can choose between a fancy and flow-y script or simple block lettering.   Personally, I would choose the latter as it can be worn day or night. The former is something I picture someone wearing for a special evening or event.  All letters of the alphabet are available – yes, even Q and X!

Give one as an anniversary, birthday or holiday gift to the people you love. You can purchase these Roberto Coin necklaces at Neiman Marcus.

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Roberto Coin Diamond Initial Necklaces

Image: Neiman Marcus

Zac Posen Sequin Cardigan ($1090) – This cozy cardigan is a fantastic piece to wear whether you’re dressed up or down. This can easily be paired with a simple party dress for night or jeans an a tee for day.  The multi coloured sequins come in round and flower shapes, so cute!

Image: Nordstrom

LaROK Vegas Vacation Sequin Jacket ($378) – The cool and classic black blazer is updated with sequins! This is definitely a fun piece to wear whether you’re hitting the clubs, bars or grabbing dinner and drinks with friends.

As with all trends, it’s best to wear them in small doses. No should compete with the mirror ball on the dance floor!

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Gifts That Sparkle and Shine

Image: Zuma Press

I recognized the dress Katherine wore to be from Alice + Olivia.  I think it’s a perfect little black (and white!) dress to wear to the show. It’s playful yet still dressed up and perfect for a party because of the sequined bodice.

Image: Neiman Marcus

The Alice + Olivia Sequin Strapless Dress is nicely priced at $595. Although still a bit high price-wise, it’s a fantastic dress that will be appropriate for many events and parties. It can be worn simply as Katherine did with a pair of black heels or black ankle booties and tights. Throw a little red into the mix and you’re golden.

If you want to get this lovely frock for yourself or someone on your holiday shopping list, you can pick it up at Neiman Marcus.

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Alice + Oliva Sequin Dress Shines at 2009 AMAs

One of my favourite places to pick up new candles for my home and as gifts for others is Anthropologie. They have a fantastic selection and each one is like a piece of art!

Image: Anthropologie

Grand Tour Candle Tin ($40) – This beautifully designed candle tin is available in Cranberry Spice (cranberries, dried tea leaves, eucalyptus, cedar and vanilla), Tobacco Leaf (tobacco, violet, chai, vanilla and cinnamon) and Oriental Orchid (orchid, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli and musk).  Each tin is decorated to complement the scent and them it’s named for.  This is a large candle at 4″ Dia x 4.5″ H so it will last quite a long time.

Image: Anthropologie

Plenty by Tracy Reese Candle ($40) – A pretty ‘designer’ boxed candle available in three scents; Big Blooms (casablanca lilies, jasmine and ginger flowers), Suthur Bazaar (turkish dates, fig leaves and basmati rice) and Blithe Spirit (tomato leaves, red grapefruit and lemongrass). This is also a large candle at 4″ diameter with a 40 hour burn time! These candles are so chic and the box can be a keepsake for all your little trinkets!

Image: Anthropologie

English Eccentrics Candle ($36) – If you’re looking for a set of candles with a little bit of a clever twist, these are the ones to get!  The designs are quirky and playful. These are available in four varieties; Tea with the Queen (violets and darjeeling tea), Wintergarden (fig, pomegranate and lilies), Eccentricity (green grass, bergamot, herbs and leather) and Enchanted Forest (smoky cedar, birch and amber).  Each one is 3″ Dia x 3.75″H with a 60 hour burn time.

What I love most about these candles is each one looks as if you’ve had them for years, they’re wonderful show pieces and pretty knick knacks to display around your home. And of course, they all smell quite wonderful!

Whether you want to invoke the scents of the holiday season or indulge in the scents of summer, these candles would make wonderful gifts for everyone on your list! You can purchase these through the Anthropologie website just in time for the holidays!

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Unique and Sweetly Scented Candles

Image: Jack Cards

Once you set up Jack Cards, by adding important dates and contacts (you can even sync it to your Facebook account!), you’ll never have to worry about missing a special date or holiday because it keeps track of all that for you. Jack Cards will deliver a pre-scheduled, pre-stamped and pre-addressed greeting card to you to write your personal thoughts and message. All you have to do after you’ve written your message is drop it off the nearest mailbox (or do what some people do – flag down the mailperson! )!

What’s great a about this service is you can pick out the card designs beforehand (like now) and just fill it out when the time comes.  Simple right?  There’s no more of that standing in front of a wall of greeting cards, opening and reading each one only to put it back and look for another. On the Jack Cards website, you can select different themes, categories, holidays and celebrations and it’s user friendly.

Now, I’m sure you’re thinking, “What the catch?” Well there isn’t one. Really!  Membership is free. Their greeting cards start at $2.45 and shipping rate is $.49 per card (same price as a stamp!). And if you spend $50 or more on their greeting cards and standard shipping is free within the US!  If you want to send out a card international, as I’m sure a lot of people will want to do during the holidays, their shipping rate is only $1.90 per card. That’s a total bargain!

Definitely consider taking advantage of Jack Cards services this holiday season or for next year’s events. It’ll keep you from buying those “belated” greeting cards and looking sheepish.

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Jack Cards : Greeting Cards Made Easy!

Images: Bloomingdales

Harajuku Lovers Paper Dolls Candy Tote ($78)

Harajuku Lovers Kanji Dessert Hobo ($78)

Images: Bloomingdales

L.A.M.B. Signature Baron Artsy Shoulder Bag ($178)

L.A.M.B. Ultraviolet Etoile Lambskin Hobo ($495)

Images: Bloomingdales

Juicy Couture Dreamin’ of Juicy Velour Daydreamer Tote ($198)

Juicy Couture Dreamin’ of Juicy Whisper Velour Shoulder Bag ($158)

As you can see all of these bags are very colourful and were designed for those who don’t want a ’serious’ looking handbag.  These would be great to use now and through the Spring and Summer seasons, especially the last Juicy Couture bag.

These are brand new arrivals to the Bloomingdales website. Just in time for your holiday shopping. Perfect as birthday, holiday or even an early graduation gift.

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Handbags for the Younger Crowd

Here are a few of what I would pick up for my friends and family members…

Images: Victoria's Secret

Must Have Fragrance Mist Gift Set ($34) – This set includes 4 of the best selling scents from VS, Dream Angels Heavenly®, Very Sexy®, Sexy Little Things® and Sexy Little Things Noir. This is a great way for someone to test out the each fragrance too!

Images: Victoria's Secret

Amber Romance Must Have Gift Bag ($22) – Another popular scent from the VS bath and body line. This set includes a Hydrating Body Lotion, Exhilarating Body Wash and a Refreshing Body Mist. Great for travel as well as it comes with a cute little bag.

Images: Victoria's Secret

Naturally Victoria’s Secret Acai Berry and Magnolia Gift Set ($25) – If they’ve never tried out the naturally VS line, treat them to this lovely scent! This set includes a Hydrating Body Lotion, a Fragrant Moisture Mist and a skin Softening Body Wash.

Images: Victoria's Secret

Secret Garden Collection Body Lotion and Mist Set ($22) – And for those on your list who love the original secret garden scents, this gift set is perfect! The set includes three scents, Love Spell, Amber Romance and Pure Seduction. Each scent comes in a Refreshing Body Mist and Hydrating Body Lotion. Such a great deal!

I love all the pretty packaging and some of these you can mix and match as well. Another idea is to separate different scents and give them away as stocking stuffers! Head over to Victoria’s Secret to check out their other holiday gift ideas, you won’t be disappointed!

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Gift Ideas for the Beauty Junkie

Images: Urban Outfitters

Fuji Instax Instant Camera ($130) – This cool camera prints out credit card sized photos on the go. It comes with a built in lens cover, auto flash and instructions. Just like those poloroid photos we (still) love, this Fuji camera takes crisp, vintage-y photos.

Twin Lens Reflex Holga Camera ($80) – This camera captures images with different exposure effects using the twin lenses. It turns whatever you capture into an instant piece of art. There’s a built in flash, shutter speed of 1/100 seconds and an ISO of 21 or 27.

Images: Urban Outfitters

Lomography Diana Deluxe Package ($250) – For the hardcore photographer, the Diana F+ camera is a must have. This set includes an amazing selection of lenses and accessories for them to play around with.  The set includes the following;  Diana F+ Diana Flash, hotshoe adaptor, cable release collar and cable release, Diana back and 4 masks for 4 kinds of film, viewfinder adapter, universal viewfinder, fisheye viewfinder, splitzer multiple exposure tool, 20mm fisheye lens, 38mm super-wide lens, 55mm wide-angle and close-up lens, 110mm telephoto lens, and finally a “Diana Vignettes” hardcover photo book and instruction manual. Whew!

Rob Ryan Fisheye Camera ($58) – This limited edition version of a classic lomography camera was designed by artist Robery Ryan. It has a 170 degree view lens that creates a distorted circular image. If your friend or loved one love fish eye style photos, this is the perfect camera to give!

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Gift Ideas for the Budding Photographer