Week In Review: We Make Finding The Best Gifts Easy, Franco Sarto Boots Keep Our Feet Fun, And More

curations faux fur vestLola Marc Jacobs Perfume RingUGG Highkoo Boot

Must-Reads:

We published our guide to the twenty-one gifts we’re sure will sell out this year.  From faux fur to the best beauty and gadgets, take a look at what to snag for everyone on your list, and most importantly, where to get it.

Tracking down various fun Franco Sarto boots, on sale, is allowing our feet to hit a nice wintertime stride.

We were mildly horrified when we discovered lingerie that comes with its own GPS tracking device.

Sales & Deals:

Take 50% off leather gloves at Lord & Taylor

Save up to 65% off stylish clutches at eBags.com

Take up to 65% off designer tops at Bluefly

Taste Tests:

Which buckled boots won’t make you want to buckle up your wallet?

Which teardrop earring’s price won’t make you cry?

Guides To Check Out:

Whether you’re gifting or shopping for yourself, peruse the best of Hanky Panky for all your skivvies needs.  Wear them under the perfect dress pants to never deal with underwear lines again, and when you get home, slip on the best pair of cozy slippers for maximum comfort.

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Round-Up: Heard On The Web This Week

patterned stockings and tightspatterned women's hosiery

Don’t pack up your skirts and dressesSheFinds found all the best patterned stockings and tights to keep your legs stylishly warm this winter.

55 Secret Street checks out legendary supermodel Iman’s Global Chic.

StilettoJungle shows how to wash cashmere like an expert.

Allie is Wired covers Oprah’s decision to end The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011.

BagBliss Exclusive Event: Linea Pelle Handbag and Belt Sample Sale. Get the invite.

BagSnob’s November Giveaway is an Oscar De La Renta Taylor Python – click here to enter to win.

BeautySnob has Illamasqua, a UK line that just launched in the US, that features a HUGE range of products including some of the most vibrant shades we’ve ever seen.

Coquette loves the many ways you can wear Donna Karan’s Infinity Dress

FashionPulseDaily was there opening day and wonders was Jimmy Choo for H&M worth the wait?

Real vs. Steal: I’m Not Obsessed covers Lauren Conrad’s All Black look.

The Jet Set Girls see Dita Von Teese bare it all at the Crazy Horse in Paris.

Kristopher Dukes is wanting, wearing, and hating cashmere jumpsuits.

SecondCityStyle met the legendary Albert Maysles where his Signature Style Gets Framed at Barneys.

Shopping and Info loves the black wedge suede boots by Dolce & Gabanna.

StyleBakery is completely obsessed with sequins for day and night.

Stylehive has spotted a pair of party-perfect sequined pumps, just like Badgley Mischka’s but at a fraction of the cost…

The Beauty Stop addresses the hype surrounding MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator.

The Shoe Goddess still loves funky platforms, but lately she has had her eye on more classic shoes like this Yves Saint Laurent Pump.

Things are getting ‘curiouser and curiouser’ this season. eye4style’s looking forward to the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows.

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515 Ways Your Makeup Is Out To Get You

According to today’s Daily Mail, the price for beauty is much higher than some of us may have thought.revealed 515 chemicals

Research shows that during the average woman’s daily grooming process she puts about 515 harmful, synthetic chemicals onto her body. Yuck is right. This isn’t quite a revelation, but to have it put so bluntly is making our foundation and blush covered skin crawl.  Apparently, perfume is the biggest culprit – it contains a whopping 250 baddies and could be linked to kidney damage. Eeek.

josie maran cream blushkorres cherry full color lip gloss

While we definitely don’t advocate for spending your life worrying about every little product, an easy way to decrease risk without sacrificing quality is by using paraben-free makeup. Josie Maran’s cream blush and Korres’ luscious lip gloss have no parabens, sulfates or petro-chemicals and will provide you with a fresh-faced, natural look.

For more safe choices, check out our guides to the best in paraben-free beauty and eco-friendly shopping.

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Take A Sneak Peek At The Victoria’s Secret Show

Heidi Klum at Victoria's Secret

Vogue UK reports on the Victoria’s Secret show, which was taped yesterday and airs December 1st (spoiler alert: Heidi had a baby month ago and she still looks incredible). The Cut also went behind the scenes during prep time.  Highlights from that include a designer noting the show doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to be fabulous. Based on the outfit above, we guess we’ll take it.

benefit benetint lip balmanastasia lash lifting mascara

Though massive amounts of white tulle with stems sticking up from it might fall outside our fashion purview, we still gleaned some perfectly sensible tips.  Pink lips and black mascara ruled the beauty – all glam and just what you’d expect to be adorning the VS “angels.”  To get the look, try Benefit Benetint Lip Balm, which stains your lips with a rosy hue while keeping them moisturized, so you’ll look luscious from the inside out.  Anastasia’s Lash-Lifting Mascara, meanwhile, does an incredible job of playing up your lashes while keeping them looking quite soft.

We love that such easy, basic makeup can achieve such a pretty look.  For more options to get the style, we’d recommend perusing the best in lip balms, mascara, and dry hair repair.

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Liven Up Your Skin Care Regimen And Save Your Summer Luster

It’s getting to be that terrible time of year for skin – when, if you’re like me, you start to sport a dry, pasty look that even a lot of foundation and bronzer simply can’t undo. I went for a facial at Completely Bare to try to stave off losing all my fresh summer luster, and realized there’s no better time than now to get started on a new skin regimen.

completely cleanorigins get down deep pore clay cleanser

The first step was finding a rejuvenating cleanser – I liked Completely Bare’s Completely Clean as a daily face wash and Origins’ all-natural, creamy Get Down Deep-Pore Clay Cleanser for intermittent deep cleansing.

completely buff exfoliatorphilosophy on a clear day

As long as I can remember people have told me the importance of exfoliating, and just like eating vegetables when I was a kid, I never wanted to do it. Now that I’ve started, I’m a changed woman. Use Completely Buff Exfoliator followed by Philosophy’s On A Clear Day Oil-Free Moisturizer to get an instant glow and make makeup application much smoother.

If you’re looking to round out your skin care regimen even more, get in on our best skin care tips.  Be sure to take a look at our guides to the best eye cream, acne treatments and heavy moisturizers.

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Project Runway: Bryant Park, Here We Are

With two days left before the Bryant Park finale, the remaining three designers rushed to finish their collections (once at Bryant Park, Tim pretty much had to force everyone down the runway).

pr_final_judges

On the judging panel was the usual trio: Heidi, Michael Kors and Nina, plus an additional guest in Suzy Menkes, the world-renowned fashion critic for the International Herald Tribune.

pr_final_althea1pr_final_althea2

Althea presented her 13-piece collection first, and wowed the judges with her knitwear and sportswear. Suzy, et al raved that her designs were wearable, and they praised Althea as being the designer most in touch with what women are wearing on the street.

pr_final_carolhannah1pr_final_carolhannah2

Carol Hannah stuck to her sensibilities and created  pretty dresses. Judges praised her color palette and meticulous construction, as well as her precise use of structural draping. A particular fave was the first piece (above), a sexy mini with flattering details.

pr_final_irina1pr_final_irina2

By far the most detail-oriented of the shows, Irina’s collection was created  around a theme of shielding the independent, New York woman. While there was an awful lot of black (judges criticized the collection’s lack of color), the hats and bags she made to go with pieces helped create the edgy cohesiveness that landed her the big prize.

preen_funnelcoatdavidlerner_rippedleggings

Irina’s sleek design aesthetic gave her clothes a feminine bent with a hard edge. This Preen Line Laced Funnel Coat is an investment, but its laced sleeves and belted silhouette bring together a good mix of chic femininity and edgy detail. If you’re a fan of the distressed leggings she used throughout her collection, these David Lerner Half-Ripped Leggings have just the right amount of sass without looking too punk.

For more of Irina’s tough chic, we recommend checking out our guides to leggings, over the knee boots, and leather jackets.

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Deal Of The Day: Take Up To 65% Off Designer Tops At Bluefly

Not sure how to rock that sweet bandage skirt you just bought? It’ll look perfect paired with any one of these discounted tops from three of our favorite trendy designers.

nanette lepore top

Nanette Lepore’s printed silk top ($125 from $280) features fun colors and bead and sequin detailing. Wear it with a black skirt and matching cardigan this winter.

alexander wang silk button front top

“It” designer, Alexander Wang’s cropped blouse ($300 from $895) is quite an investment piece.

yaya silk top

From YAYA AFLALO come this flowy silk tank ($106 from $231) that will look excellent tucked into the aforementioned skirt or atop your best skinny jeans. It also comes in a super bright yellow.

Don’t forget to peruse our guides for the best in evening tops for jeans and discount denim.

More Sales and Deals:

Banana Republic: Take 30% off outerwear

J.Crew: Save 20% on all women’s shoes and boots

Bloomingdale’s: Take 20-30% over 1,000 items

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Friday’s Sample Sale Scoop: Pangea Organics, Steven Alan, Betsey Johnson, And More

Pangea Organics

Editor’s Pick: Pangea Organics skin care at Billion Dollar Babes

Cleo & Cat jewelry, mixed designer handbag sale at Editors’ Closet

Jami Rodriguez jewelry and Voom by Joy Han clothing at Billion Dollar Babes

Triple 5 Soul clothing, Apple Bottoms handbags, Christian Audigier swimwear, and Mimi & Coco clothing at Beyond the Rack

Anna Beck jewelry, Kerstin Florian skin care, and Improvd scarves at Hautelook

Olivia Harris handbags, Steven Alan clothing, Mary Louise Designs Jewelry, Zac Posen clothing, White + Warren cashmere, and a mixed designer jewelry sale at Gilt Groupe

Susan Farber handbags, Betsey Johnson intimates, and Susan Hanover jewelry at Gilt Fuse

French Connection clothing, June Jacobs skin care, Taryn Rose shoes, and Temple St. Clair jewelry at Rue La La

Lola outerwear, Koolaburra boots at ideeli

Online sample sales don’t end with the week – be sure to check out good deals all weekend.  Then get your hands on some cozy cashmere and a puffy coat to start gearing up for cold weather.

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News: Lindsay’s Days At Ungaro May Be Numbered, Valentino Doc Gets Oscar Nod, And More

lindsay lohan's time at Ungaro might be limited

1. Lindsay Lohan’s tenure at Ungaro may already be drawing to a close, as two heads of the company are allegedly battling over whether or not to keep her.  Good, that means we won’t have to start adding heart shaped pasties to our party outfits anytime soon. [Elle UK]

2. Valentino: The Last Emperor, the documentary on the eponymous designer, has been nominated for an Oscar.  Now that’s something worth getting dressed up about.    [Vogue UK]

3. Hairstylist Charles Worthington released a new haircare line, Front Row, which aims to help you imitate looks seen on the runway.  Just get the celebrity hairstyles to go with the products, and you’ll be all set. [Independent]

4. Tommy Hilfiger has big plans to expand his brand, adding about 100 more stores around the world, including in Central and South America.  We guess it’s good to be able to buy American sportswear classics wherever you go. [WWD]

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The FitFlop Shakoha: It Shapes, It Tones, And It Was Designed By Anna Sui

fitflop clog

Let’s face it, sometimes you just can’t be bothered with getting to the gym, especially during this busy time of year. Enter the FitFlop, the shoe that actually gives you a workout while you walk, or better yet, while you shop. Th FitFlop works its magic by being biomechanically (I know, we’re not sure how a shoe could be biomechanically anything, but read on) engineered to improve your posture and muscle tone while you wear it. Sounds like an easy enough way to get in shape for the holidays.

fitflop anna sui

For a stylish workout, we like FitFlop’s Anna Sui-designed Shakoha ankle boot with shearling lining and trendy studding. Sui may have redeemed herself for that slightly weird Gossip Girl-inspired Target collection with this cute collaboration.

If you like these, you may also like what you see in our guides to the best in UGG boots and booties.

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Fashion’s Night Out Will Indeed Return, But This Time On A Friday

fashion's night out 2009

So the style masterminds behind Fashion’s Night Out  – some pictured above – have opted to move next year’s celebration to Friday, September 10th in an effort to maximize participation. We are all for this idea. While 2009’s Thursday evening fiesta was everything we’d hoped for, free drinks, small bites, and celebrity sightings are so much more fun when you don’t have to wake up for work in the morning.

In honor of this FNO announcement, how about treating yourself to an Anna Wintour-esque printed sheath? After all, she’s obviously the woman in charge (even Mike Bloomberg can’t wield her Vogue authority). We’ve got some good ideas:

David Meister knit printed sheath dresssue wong floral embroidered dress

David Meister’s show-stopping, knit sheath will look super slick with some black opaque tights and patent pumps, while Sue Wong’s floral-embroidered dress features a sleek fit and sexy v-neckline. For more in the way of fashionable frocks, check out our guides to sheaths and shirt dresses.

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Yuck: Lingerie That Comes With A GPS Device

Lucia Lorio GPS tracking lingerie

Marketed as “Find Me If You Can,” the latest lingerie line from a Brazilian designer, Lucia Lorio, comes equipped with a GPS tracking device. The owner of the device’s password (in theory, that’d be your guy) can track the underwear’s whereabouts (and thus, you) online.  Thanks, but I think I’ll just pay the bill for the microchipping in my cat.

playful promises i love you underwearold navy printed hipster underwear

Want skivvies that send a message?  Do it the old-fashioned way, with a playful pair of undies that reads “I love you” across the back.  Or pick up this hipster three-pack from Old Navy, which includes a pair printed with the words “Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh! Oh! Oh!”  Ostensibly, that should get you into the holiday spirit, or…well, you just interpret the message as you see fit.

Of course, if you’re looking for undies that neither say anything nor connect to the internet, we’ve got you covered with the best eco-friendly underwear and controlling underwear.

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