This event is invitation only so please RSVP to Krysten@i-ella.com

See you there!

If you’re involved in a Secret Santa this year – with your co-workers, family members, or best girlfriends – you need to make the best of it. Sure, some Secret Santa circles can be lame, and how many bath gift sets does one really need? This year, be the best SS player on the block, by registering at Elfster.com and Secretsanta.com, which both allow you to tell your mystery gift-giver exactly what you want. Or follow our 5 simple Secret Santa rules:

1. Simple Gadgets Rule

You’ll hear some ooh’s and ahh’s when this iPod Shuffle ($44.99, down from $49) gets unwrapped. The shuffle isn’t too over-the-top (like an iPad) so people get jealous, but just sweet enough to make any giftee psyched.

2. A Gift That Keeps On Giving

With a year-long magazine subscription, your present will keep on giving, and giving, and giving. Does she live for rock ‘n’ roll? Try a 1-year subscription to Rolling Stone ($19.97, down from $117). Or if she’s more of a straight rocks kind of girl (nerd alert!), there’s always National Geographic for a year ($15, down from $71.88).

3. Do Your Homework

There’s nothing wrong with a little snooping/stalking when it comes to finding the perfect present. Check out his/her Facebook and Twitter to see what your giftee is in to. If she’s always well-manicured in photos, she’ll love this NARS Nail Polish Set ($30).

4. When In Doubt, Gift Card-It

If you don’t know that quiet receptionist across the hall from a hole in the wall, it would be too obvious to start talking to her now. Whether she’s into designer jeans or vintage antiques, an eBay gift card at any value will do the trick.

5. Ice-Breakers Over Budget-Breakers

Everybody appreciates a good laugh, so conversation-starters trump bank-busters everytime – especially if you’re playing Dirty Santa. Who won’t get a kick out of Hot Guys & Baby Animals Calendar ($15.99)? Let’s hope your stodgy boss ends up with it.

Check out more gifts including gifts for your man and gifts for your OCD friend. Subscribe to SHEFindsMail for exclusive fashion updates.

Going to another holiday party with the hostess that has it all? Fear not, we tossed aside the Internet bedsheets to find the best, most coveted, gifts for home that will have any entertainer or domestic goddess impressed:

Treat her to some Starbucks-grade morning coffees with this Capresso Milk Frother ($59.99, down from $89.99) has three temperature settings and is dishwasher safe, so your hostess can spend more time caffeinating, less time cleaning up after you!

Store all your treasures in this Anthropologie Outer Beauty Jewelry Box ($38). The hand-placed gleaming grommets shine prettily atop the cushioned felt and offers dedicated space for all your baubles.

She will definitely get a kick out of Awkward Family Photos ($14.99), which beautifully captures the awkwardness of family portraits.

Butter dishes are usually blah, but make them smile with this Jonathan Adler Whale Butter Dish ($68) in lustrous white porcelain.

We love this Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag ($20) for the candy-monster on our list! This undisposable homage to the Ziplock bag is a quirky and functional candy dish but really isn’t complete without an accompanying big bag of peanut M&M’s — delish!

Le Creuset’s Oval Oven ($204.99, down from $295) is perfect for roasting and braising — this classic French brand is beloved by every domestic goddess I’ve known!

Dress up her stovetop with this Chantal Classic Tea Kettle ($99.99) which features a genuine Hohner® harmonica whistle that plays two notes and sounds like a freight train. The uniquely curved handle comfortably follows the curve of your hand so now the only question is, where are the tea biscuits?

For more holiday home gift ideas, check our guides to the best gifts for home makeover show obsessed moms, stocking stuffers under $100 and best bets for your homebody friends. Join our e-mail list for exclusive SHEFinds updates.

Every year, you rack your brain for gift ideas for everyone from your crabby coworkers to mean mother-in-law. Screw ‘em! Your closest friends are the ones who deserve all the fuss, with your BFF being on top of the list. She has your back 365 days a year, and has earned herself something real nice. (Shoutout to my BF, Jamie. Love you!):

A nice designer-upgrade to those adorable BF necklaces of middle school, these Rebecca Minkoff Best Friend Pouches ($88.50, down from $98) are a perfect gift for her – and you.

Nothing says I love you like Marc Jacobs. She will love this Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Zip Clutch ($198), and think of you every time she reaches for her credit card (to pay for your drinks, of course).

Since you two swap jewelry and clothes anyways, getting her these gorgeous Alexis Bittar ‘Miss Havisham’ Encrusted Skinny Bangle ($195 each) bangles is gift that keeps on giving.

These Gorjana Friendship Heart Stud Earrings ($55) are another matching gift you two can share; these heart shaped studs are adorable and a great everyday piece of jewelry.

Who doesn’t love DVF? This colorful Diane von Furstenberg Braden scarf ($165) is a no fail gift for anyone you love (mother, sister, you name it).

Dior? Yes, please. These Dior Shining Three-Bracelet Set ($285) will really make her feel loved.

See what else we’re wearing this season with all of our winter trends. Shop our guides to the best coat trends, the best jackets, and the best military jackets. Subscribe to our online mailing list for SHEFinds in your inbox.

Follow the author of this post on Twitter @bridefinds.

Don’t Wait For Black Friday

All the XBox Kinects will be gone by then.

If You’re Kid Can’t Live Without Crocs

Try these boots. They’ll never notice the difference.

Top 5 Pre-Thanksgiving Sales

Shop now, eat turkey later.

More sales and deals:

$89 For 3 Laser Hair Removal Sessions ($900 value)

Extra 25% Off J.Crew

55% off Pucci scarves

40% off Steve Madden oxfords

Looking for no-fail holiday gifts? Check out our holiday Sold Out list 2010, and Part 1 of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2010. Then see all of our sales and deals, best find of the day posts, and online sample sales, too.

Follow the author of this post on Twitter @bridefinds.

Meeting the in-laws:

A feminine, flowy top like this Joie ‘Martine’ Blouse ($198) is the key to snappy casual Thanksgiving: you look pretty enough to sit at the adults table, but the flowy top is forgiving enough so you can politely eat that second piece of his mom’s homemade pie. If you must wear real pants (instead of sweatpants) Oprah’s favorite CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans are the most forgiving ones out there. These Joy denim leggings in Deep Sea ($141) are

Stuffy meal at Great Aunt Edna’s:

If you need to dress up for Thanksgiving (poor you!) this Winter Kate Lucy Dress ($285) is so festive and can totally be worn again for cocktail parties, Christmas parties and New Years (with a big sparkly necklace). Since it is Thanksgiving, you’re going to need some extra mid-section support; do NOT forget your SPANX Tight End Tights ($26).

At home with fam:

If you’re at home with loved ones, why not be totally comfortable? Curl up with thisSplendid Vintage Fleece Cardigan ($121) – the drapey front “hides all sins.” I’m pro-stretch black pants when it comes to eating Thanksgiving at home with the fam. These So Low Solid Foxy Flare Pants ($60) are about as flattering and slimming as black stretch pants can come.

For more festive attire solutions, check out our guides to the best party dresses, cocktail rings and party shoes.

Follow the author of this post on Twitter @bridefinds.

Seeing someone’s face light up after you give them a thoughtful, heartfelt gift is one of the best parts of the holidays. Pier 1 makes it easy to give beautiful, practical gifts that you know will be appreciated.

Here are my favorite fun and functional gift picks.

For the hostess: Set of Twisted Red Goblets ($24.95)

If you do any holiday entertaining, you know that extra glasses always come in handy. These are a festive addition to any hostess’s drinkware collection, and would definitely be one of my holiday must-haves.

For the style maven: Gold Lurex Scarf ($15)

You might not think of Pier 1 for fashion and accessories, but who knew, they actually carry inexpensive but pretty scarves? In gold, these are the perfect hue for the holidays.

For yourself: Lavender Home Fragrances ($5-$16)

Finally, a small stocking stuffer for yourself (or someone else you know who could use some relax-time) – pick up some calming, lavender-scented diffusers and beads. Set these up in your bathroom and take a long bath to wind down after the holidays.

Bonus: Pier 1 is giving away a $100 gift card to one SHEfinds reader. Please comment below about what your favorite item is at  Pier 1, and subscribe to our newsletter. Make sure to comment by 12/12!

Rules:

1. Sign up for the SheFinds newsletter, then comment below about your favorite Pier 1 item.
2. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to be eligible.
3. One winner will be selected during a random drawing. The winner will be contacted and must reply via email as instructed in the newsletter to claim the prize.
4. No prize substitutions.
5. You must be 18 years old or older to enter and a resident of the USA. Residents of the state of Florida are not eligible to enter; entries from the state of Florida are void.
6. No purchase necessary.
7. Void where prohibited.
8. Click here for the full rules.

If you have a friend who was Snooki for Halloween, cried when The Hills ended, and calls herself “the fourth Kardashian sister,” that girl is obsessed with reality TV and needs an appropriate gift for Xmas this year. Luckily, reality TV is synonymous with hawking crap, and there is plenty paraphernalia on the market to keep her entertained:

MTV’s Jersey Shore:

If she loves pickles, parties and poofs – she will fall for these Snooki Leopard Print Slippers ($24.99). The “guidette” designed them herself, so respect.

The Rachel Zoe Project:

If “Bananas” is in heavy rotation in her vocabularly, she’s a Rachel Zoe fan and deserves this Rachel Zoe for QVC Faux Fur Vest ($79.80). She’ll die when she opens the box.

The City:

Any fan of The City or The Hills knows that Whitney Port is one seriously stylish lady, and that her collection Whitney Eve features Kelly Cutrone-approved pieces, like this Natalie Dress ($198). Get her one and she’ll be your BFF for F and E.

Bethenny Getting Married?

If your friend finds Bethenny Frankel‘s voice entertaining (rather than grating), she deserves a copy of Bethenny Frankel’s Naturally Thin ($7.49) diet book.

Top Chef:

If your friend yells “Pack Your Knives And Go!” every time her husband flubs in the kitchen, this Top Chef Giftset ($47.95) is friggin’ hilarious. Plus the knives are awesome.

For more quirky gift ideas, check our guides to the best gifts for your party girl friends, gifts for your man, and passive aggressive gifts for your frenemy.

Follow the author of this post on Twitter @bridefinds.

]]> http://www.shefinds.com/2010/top-5-gifts-for-your-reality-tv-obsessed-friend/feed/ 0 http://www.shefinds.com/2010/what-to-wear-on-the-fattest-day-of-the-year-thanksgiving-obv/ http://www.shefinds.com/2010/what-to-wear-on-the-fattest-day-of-the-year-thanksgiving-obv/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:00:30 +0000 Brittany Zwillich http://www.shefinds.com/?p=104302 Read more...]]> Thanksgiving (or the Ultimate Fatty Challenge as we like to call it) is two weeks away. Whether you’re at meeting the in-laws, or entertaining at home, you need to look good — or at least passable. If you just can’t put the fork down, opt for a piece of clothing that will serve as an optical illusion of sorts (no spare tires here):

This DKNY Oversized Sweater ($145) will hide your turkey gut like none other. It’s also perfect for any other day this season when you’re not feeling your sexiest.

Leggings with shapewear in them? Yes, please. These Lisse Control Top Leggings ($58) will suck you in as you suck in that last piece of pumpkin pie.

If you’re Thanksgiving is a more formal affair, try a dolman-sleeved black dress. We’re digging this ultra-flattering style from The Limited ($79.90).

Shapewear is also super helpful when it comes to hiding unwanted curves, so conceal your spare tire with this Flexees Waist Nipper ($32).

When all else fails (and unbuttoning your pants is inappropriate), just re-adjust with the Adjust-A-Button ($18). It temporarily snaps into any waistband, letting you exhale with relief.

For those of us who take pigging out to the extreme, maternity jeans are not out of the question. Try a pair that hides the elastic waist in the pockets (genius) like these Anlo Maternity Skinny Brooke Zip Jeans ($209).

Feeling festive? Check out our guides to the best festive attire, the best black dresses, and the best evening tops for jeans. Subscribe to SHEFindsMail for exclusive fashion updates.

As we continue to reveal items from our holiday 2010 Sold Out list, this Lauren By Ralph Lauren Gloucestershire Large Tote ($298) has been flying off shelves. The Khaki color is already sold out!  This utilitarian meets military bag was one of the hottest totes of the season, and the perfect gift for your friend, sister, or self.

Check out more of our favorite holiday picks. Shop our guides to the best handbags under $250, designer handbags and really big tote bags. Join our e-mail list for exclusive fashion updates.