A few last minute gifts for.....HER!

Just a few of our favorite things for the girl that has it all........

Which one are you adding to your list? 

Danielle's Christmas Wish List

I love Christmas! It is my favorite time of the year. This year is extra special for Coach and I! 

We just rented out our home we own in Florida, and packed everything away for our move to Toronto, Canada right after Christmas. This year more than ever, it is about family, and spending every last minute we have with our family that we live in the same city with. Our move to Toronto will be without family, so it makes this season extra warm with knowing your family is right here with us for the Holidays. These items below are actual items on my Wish List this year. I can't wait to be in freezing cold weather, and to work from home with a hot cup of tea to sip on! 

I can't wait to hear what your favorite picks are for your list! 

Check out what is on my list!

Hunter Wellington Boots

Personalized Monogrammed Cashmere Feel Scarf

A Parsons Desk with Drawers   

 

Tassimo Hot Beverage System 

Tory Burch Fur Boot with Buckles 

DKNY Quilted Nylon Hooded Jacket with Faux Fur Trim

 

Michele Ladies Watch

Happy Holidays to you all!
I wish each and everyone you a very Merry Christmas!
Remember, the most important thing this Holiday season is His birth!

Love,
Danielle

Etsy Featured Designer: Elegance for You! Plus a giveaway!

A few weeks ago we came across a super unique jewelry shop on Etsy that we immediately fell in love with - Elegance for You. The pieces are ones you won't see at your local retail store - that is the best part! They are handcrafted with style by Anna and we just adore all of her pieces - it is hard to just pick one! Read on to get to know the designer a little bit more and to WIN her favorite pair of earrings. 

We love the pink! The Fuchsia Jade & Pink Crystal Necklace ($25)  is perfect for any season! 

1.) How did you begin Elegance for You?

A little over four years ago I took a jewelry class with a friend as a hobby. I enjoyed making jewelry so much that I  made a few pieces that night and decided to bring them to work to show my coworkers. They loved them so much that they purchased them from me! I was so excited!

After that I decided to do some craft shows, at local churches and High School's, I was getting lot's of compliments and sales.  Six months later I had my jewelry at  a couple of shops, and still do.

Then in February of 2009 I heard on the radio about Etsy and decided to check it out. Few weeks later in March I opened my Etsy shop.  

Anna in her work space! 

2.) Do you have a favorite item in your shop? At the moment I'm loving the Isabella earrings.

3.) What inspires your creations? Mostly nature, colors and different textures.

4.) Besides your shop - do you have any other favorite Etsy shops? 

I have a few. I love Emilygrayjewels , Kotibeth & Lunaessence.

5.) What is up next for Elegance for You? 

I'm working on a few shows and getting ready for Christmas, making lot's of new items.

Give your ears a little shimmer with the Shimmer & Metallic Earrings ($10) 

This perfect little shop full of inexpensive but great quality items is the place to go for yourself or for those last minute holiday gifts! The prices are to great to pass up. We just adore Elegance for You! 

All About Elegance for You

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Read on to WIN Anna's favorite earrings! The Isabella Earring -- one of our faves too! 

Tell us why you want to win the Isabella Earring that comes in Antique Black, Copper or Silver - your choice!  They are perfect for a night out. This comment is mandatory.  You also must be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles. 

For each extra entry just let us know (each in a seperate comment) telling us you have done so! The more you comment the better chance you have to win! 

1.) Follow cucpakeMAG on Twitter

2.) Follow Elegance for You on Twitter

3.) "Like" us on Facebook!

4.) "Like" Elegance for You on Facebook! 

5.) Subscribe to our updates --- just sign up with your email in the top right corner above. 

6.) Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow. Also, make sure you tell us YOUR twitter name. 

7.) Tweet about this giveaway and include @eleganceforyou -- you must tweet, not just follow. 

The winner will be selected by random.org on Friday., December 10th after 11pm. Please make sure you live us your email in one of the comments as well!

Details: Giveaway winner to be chosen on the date above. You will have 24 hours to respond if you are the chosen winner. Another winner will be chosen if you do not respond within this time period. Open to US. The opinions expressed in this review/feature are strictly cupcakeMAG opinions & we were not paid to show our love. However, we were given The a few pieces for review purposes. 

Jenny's Frugal Christmas List

By Jenny Ford, Contributing Writer

Editors Note: You are going to laugh really hard. Be prepared. 

I’m throwing my pennies in every wishing well I see and making massive wishes ::closes eyes real hard and crosses fingers::  I hope Santa Baby noticed I was over-the-top well-behaved this year and will be showering me with a bunch of lavish gifts.  I know my list might be a little extreme, but why can’t a girl wish big? 

I’d love to replace the bread maker I’ve been mourning the loss of for a year now.  I used to throw the ingredients in and be on my merry way (yes, they are THAT easy) – and in a few hours – voila – yummy carbiness.  I am sure my bum is not missing it, but my tastebuds are relentless in yearning for another one (and homemade pizza dough).  And this is why my first pick is a breadmaker, by “BAM!” Emeril. (True story: I’m pretty sure the hubs has tried to buy me one several times, and I’ve told him that he cannot buy me appliances as gifts, so I asked my mom.  HA!)

I ALWAYS love getting makeup.  Maybe it’s because all the amazing gift sets are out and I do not splurge very often.  It’s like a princess’s dream to have millions of shades of blue, green and pink eye shadow (that you’ll probably never use, but you’ve got it just in case!).  My favorite selections for gift sets are:  Stila’s Holiday Lip Glaze Collection. I am a huge lover of their lip glazes.  Why you ask? Because in Colorado my staple is Chapstick – not glamorous at all.  Stila does NOT dry my lips out like everything else I’ve tried.  I adore it and hold it close to my heart…um, I mean lips. I can’t get enough of the vibrant colors for nail polishes…my inner goth can totally make its appearance with this line of Sephora by OPI mini collections -  I can use the colors and by the time they’re sooooo last season, they will be gone!  I’m excited to try “Teal we meet again” on my toes.  And lastly, who wouldn’t love to be “Box Office Sensational” while donning your new lids, cheeks & lips with Lorac’s huge travel case full of fun .I could spend an entire afternoon creating looks for myself with this baby.

I’m a very giving person during the holidays.  That’s why I like to treat my hubs to a gift (I’m pretty selfless….and humble too).  Because we have to keep “Santa” happy -  I’d choose a sassy little number like this one…and of course I would look like this in it too, because I’m going to stop eating….NOW!

I’ve been eyeing this little guy since I received Juicy Couture’s catalog about a week ago.  This gift would really knock my socks off. Not only is it a gorgeous diamond encrusted “J” that can be added to my Juicy tracksuits, but it is also my initial and I can add it to a necklace too.  I think it’s a totally realistic add to my list, right?  It’s practical, if I happen to get lost at a mall with amnesia and forget my first initial.  (I will justify anything)

As I got dressed this morning I decided of a practical gift for myself.  Something my wardrobe is missing and could desperately use – a pair of Leopard print heels.  Like these by Vince Camuto -- I’m kinda particular about the print from the leopard – it’s my pickiness coming out.  But I really like this one and I think it will bring out my inner-cougar.  RAAAWR!

 

I’m don’t consider myself a sappy person, but I do love to love, love…Make sense?  So why not wear it on my chest with this sweet little number by Etsy.com designer Aziza Jewelry.  It’s a precious little Sterling Silver necklace that I think will continue to bring love to me.  Oh my gosh, I AM a sap!

I’ve gotta list something for my sweet tooth.  My sweet tooth is massive…about the size of my mouth and it LOVES some good chocolates, cakes, candies, well, pretty much anything with sugar in it.  I’ve been wanting to try these Marshmallow and Caramel treats by Hammonds Candies here in Denver. The display at our local Whole Foods is enormous and it’s my fantasy to get locked in the store and sit and lick it all. I’ve been to the candy factory tour, (mouth watering the whole time), but didn’t get myself any caramels.  What was I thinking? 

I believe that if I wish REAL hard Santa will leave me one of these under my tree.  Or just outside the house would work too…    No biggie, just a Range Rover.  HA!  Since going to meet up with the CupcakeMag ladies, I fell in love with Angela’s Rover (ya, me and the Rove are on nickname basis now).  I had no idea it would be so posh and so roomy too (see it IS practical!)… And that’s why I think my good behavior this year warrants a nice big Range Rover.  What do you think?  (I know, far-fetched…but again, a girl can dream big!)

I hope you all have a fabulous holiday season!  I know my marshmallows (errr…I mean family) and I will be cuddling by the fire and enjoying time with each other – I hope you do the same!

Candace's Christmas List!

By Candace Cabrera Moore


This is the first Christmas that I've ever made a wish list. Per my husband's request, I put together a little list of special things I hope to open on Christmas day. I threw in some super practical things (plastic cleaning gloves, I'm lookin' at you!) and some not-so-practical things (does the name Balenciaga mean anything to you?) in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, he'll win the lottery and all the not-so-practical things would be mine! Ha. Wishful thinking, right? Well, in all honesty, I really do have everything I need, and I'd be happy with just celebrating the holiday with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket of snow for our husky to play in. But juuust in case we hit the jackpot, here's a sampling of my wish list:

A good pair of warm, comfortable slippers. Seems like a simple request, right? Nope. I couldn't seem to find a good quality, warm, cushiony pair until I stumbled across these bad boys. I love that they have a thick sole so you can wear them outside if you need to run out with the trash last minute before the garbage man comes! (Not that I do that every Monday morning or anything...) 

YSL Singulier. I can't sing praises loud enough for this fabulous mascara. I have pretty long lashes as it is, but this mascara takes them to another level.  

Hanae Mori Butterfly perfume. If you like woodsy scents, this is the most beautiful, earthy aroma. I wore it on my wedding day, so it will always have a special place in my heart. And my bottle is gettin' low, so I hope Santa brings me a new one! 

Arm warmers. These are perfect for the girl who can never get warm (moi!). I'd wear them with my 3/4 length sleeve coats! 

Balenciaga city bag. This is a more "in my dreams" item, as I knowww Santa won't be stuffing this down the chimney at my place. A girl can dream, right? Anyway, I love the look of this bag- the wrinkled lambskin gives an edgy take on what would have been a standard east west bag, were it not for the fringe zipper, little dangling mirror, and aged brass hardware. Swoooon. 

Check out just why we are sharing our Holiday Wish Lists with you in our note from the editor! 

Holiday Gift Guide

By: Candace Cabrera Moore Contributing Writer/Fashion Week Correspondent

For the trendy mother, sister or friend who loves to be cozy, we bring you a super chunky, cable draped cardigan. It comes in versatile neutrals with a huge warmth factor. Wear with layered over jeans and a tissue tee as pictured. You can't go wrong with this gift!

Etsy Featured Designer: Home Edition

With the holidays around the corner we wanted to share one of your not-so-average Etsy shops we love. Dress up your home with AZ Creative Studio! Have a friend who loves to decotate? This would be the perfect place to grab a gift too. Check out the shop here and read all about the fabulous designer below! 

How did you get started on Etsy?

I have always had a passion for art and loved to paint and draw. After we bought our new house, I wanted to decorate my art studio and I was not able to find an inspiration board which was affordable and chic at the same time. With my husband’s help I created my own inspiration board and all my friends were impressed with it. One of them told me about Etsy and recommended me opening my own shop. Starting my own shop on Etsy was one of the best decisions I've ever made. What is your favorite "thing" to design?

I like to design items which not only look pretty but have a purpose. That is why I like to hand paint wood jewelry boxes, boards and incorporate my art in the stationery line. What are some of your other hobbies?

I enjoy reading and when I have some free time I usually sit outside in my garden with a good book and a cup of tea. Also, I love collecting art. I recently added three Marcel Dyf prints to my collection and I hope that one day I will be able to purchase a piece by Thomas Pradzynski. He had a unique way of painting the Parisian streets and captured the sense of nostalgia in all his paintings.Do you have a best seller in the shop?

The chalk and cork boards are the best sellers.


What is up next for the shop?

I will be adding more vintage items and expanding my stationery line.

We absolute adore the simple yet chic chalkboards. 

They aren't your average gift you received yet the perfect little thought! 

We LOVE this one ($10.50) & throw on the perfect little gift tag too. 

A set of 8 gift tags are only $5! 

Can we say serious bargins in this shop?! 

Support HANDmade designers & gift a not-so-ordinary gift! 

Shasta's Beauty Product of The Week, Holiday Gift Edition: Featuring Burt's Bees!

By Shasta Moczulski, Fashion & Beauty Director

 

Looking for an indulgent, yet budget conscious gift to give this holiday season? The “Pomegranate Spa Set” from Burt’s Bees featuring the NEW Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub and the NEW Naturally Ageless Hand Cream is a fantastic choice for the special someone on your list!  You can give the set to one person, or split the pieces up and give to two people!  Priced at $20.00, this will make a lovely gift for friends, relatives, teens, teachers, the possibilities are endless! 

The set contains:

• 1 Naturally Ageless Skin Smoothing Hand Cream (2.5 oz)
• 1 Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub (8 oz)

WISH LIST -- Last Minute Gift Giving

For last minute gift giving we thought we would

share a few suggestions

that we have on our WISH LIST.

Arm Candy with Jamin Puech

Embrace the drama and feast eyes on the most coveted arm candy of the season with Parisian Accessories Brand, Jamin Puech. We love the Metallic leather day bag and Metallic evening bag with plastic feathers and transparent sequins.

Luck Be a Lady

For high stakes fashion or if you want to give a winning holiday gift, you'll get lucky with Jamin Puech's Vegas inspired collection and Sydney Evan Lucky Charms. Our pick from Jamin Puech's Casino collection: "Black Jack" Ornamented Velvet Clutch. And we just adore anything Sydney Evans.

Oh So Chic Holiday Gift Guide from Decorative Things

Just a few months ago we were introduced to Decorative Things - a cute little online shop that "turns ordinary things into decorative things." Founded 21 years ago they started ordinary phone books decorative with fabric slipcovers and now they have tons of unique items for everyone on your holiday list. Here are a few things we just can't live without - whether you’re shopping for someone else or yourself - treat yourself to Decorative Things.

Keep Calm and Carry On Poster

There has been quite some buzz surrounding the simple and chic poster which looks great framed in an office or your own home. Even celebs like Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott can't be without it. It comes in five different colors and is only $25 - a perfect unique gift.

Cutting Boards with Personality

If you missed their debut on NBC's "Ask Melissa" - you’re missing out on one the "Hottest Gifts for the Holidays." The ultimate odor and stain resistant hygienic work surface for cutting preparing and serving food. This cutting board ($30) is different though - instead of shoving it away in a drawer you are going to want to show it off on your counter. We LOVE the toughened non-skid glass made of new technology with non-slip rubber feet and it comes with a lifetime guarantee against breakage!

Stylish Resin Watch to Channel Your Coco

Coco Chanel was one of the first to show off vintage Bakelite jewelry – and this is just like a vintage Bakelite bracelet except it is a chic watch ($65). It is perfect for every woman on the go – like Coco once said “Luxury must be comfortable. Otherwise, it is not luxury.” Just like Chanel these resin watches are chic and modern – a perfect match.

Good Luck Horn Necklace from Kenneth Jay Lane

The horn necklace ($60) is just one of the chic designer accessory’s we adore. It is a must in every fashionistas wardrobe and is a signature fashion statement. Join the Kenneth Jay Lane Jewelry club which includes all of our loved fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and Britney Spears. Sarah Jessica Parker, and her besties also wear them often on “Sex in the City” and out on the town.

Eyeglass Trays in Decorative Patterns

This is a perfect gift for anyone who treasures their glasses. While you may have seen them on House Beautiful “THE BEST” list as well as Oprah’s O List you need to make sure they are on your list this holiday season. For only $20, the beautiful laminated trays are a perfect touch to any desk or night stand and make eyeglasses easy to spot.

But, just remember, whatever you decide to put on your list, for yourself, or someone else, make sure you click on over to Decorative Things – there is plenty more waiting for you.

The Beauty of Giving

With the Holiday season just around the corner and only a few shopping weeks left we have a few suggestions to give and receive which will be sure to please everyone on your list.

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK:

· L’ORÉAL PARIS COLOR OF HOPE COSMETICS BAG

When you give the Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag ($29.95) this holiday season, L’Oréal Paris will donate $5 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, L’Oréal Paris’ 12-year charitable partner in the fight against ovarian cancer. The silver cosmetics pouch includes an assortment of universally flattering shades of mauve, vibrant teal – the color symbolizing ovarian cancer awareness – and the on-trend accent shade of rich plum. Products include: Infallible Lip Gloss in Color of Hope, Colour Rich Lip Colour in Color of Hope and two Wear Infinité Eye Shadow Quads in Bouquet of Strength and Petals of Promise.

· THE BODY SHOP

The Body Shop, one of the pioneers of ecologically-sound practices and the use of Community Trade which benefits more than 25,000 people in 20 countries, presents a new range of holiday products which allow one to rejoice with family and friends while at the same time giving back to others. Here are a few things we just LOVE!

BATH & BODY: Each of the three bath and body holiday collections from The Body Shop, the NEW Nutmeg & Vanilla Collection, with its hint of home baked treats and deliciously accented with nutmeg, vanilla and sugar, the sweeter, fruitier scented NEW Black Velvet Apricot Collection and the Merry Cranberry Collection, contain products ranging from shimmering lotions to shower gels to lip balms that are sure to be all-around crowd pleasers.

NEW WINTER TREND MAKE-UP: These party-ready products for eyes, lips and cheeks features highly effective moisturizing and skin conditioning Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia’s Eudafang Women’s Co-Operative.

SOFT HANDS KIND HEART HAND CREAM: This cream features soothing angelica extract to soften the skin and protect hands available for $10 and $6 from every purchase will be donated to ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) to combat child exploitation.

LOVE ETC… FRAGRANCE & BODY LOTIONS: Complements the Holiday Collection with its unique blend of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood, and is the world’s first perfume to feature alcohol that is fairly traded and organically sourced from sugar cane farmers in Ecuador.

HOME FRAGRANCES: The Body Shop has an array of scintillating fragrances for the home, certain to convey a holiday feeling. The Home Fragrance collection features new scents of Mulled Berries, Mandarin Ginger, Vanilla Spice, Merry Cranberry, Black Velvet Apricot, and Nutmeg & Vanilla, as well as a range of diffuser options. BAG FOR LIFE: Funds raised from the sale of the Bag for Life and Create Your Own Gift Bags go to Somaly Mam Foundation to aid rehabilitation and support services in Cambodia. To top it all off, The Body Shop products are packaged in 80% post-consumer recycled and wrapped in Eco-Chic Gift Bags, packages that are certain to become reusable keepsakes throughout the year.

ULTIMATE STOCKING STUFFERS:

· DEMETER FRAGRANCES

The Demeter Fragrance Library consists of over 250 fragrances inspired by everyday objects and experiences – the scents you know and love from Baby Powder to Lavender to Cherry Blossom to Laundromat to Martini to Play Doh! Demeter is the olfactory version of “stopping to smell the roses.” Demeter fragrance is a personal choice that is all about the wearer, not an expression of the designer (so there is a scent that is perfect for everyone!) Better yet, the scents can now be purchased at your local drugstore (i.e. Rite Aid stores Nationwide) which makes buying gifts this season that much easier! 95% NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Alcohol naturally fermented, no artificial colors, no phthalates, no extra packaging. Scents ideal for the holiday season: all-NEW “Cinnamon Bark” fragrance matches the undeniably wonderful scent of cinnamon, in its purest and most natural state without any added sweeteners. Other scents that are reminiscent for this time of year include “Apple Pie”, “Egg Nog,” “Snow.” “Gingerbread,” “Mulled Cider” and the idyllic scent of “Christmas Tree.”

The ½ oz. Purse Spray and the ½ oz. Humungous Miniature Splashes make for terrific stocking stuffers and the gifts sets offer a larger selection of your favorite scents if having trouble picking just one. If you are searching for a housewarming gift, look no further than the Demeter Atmosphere Sprays which allow you to create an individually scented environment, perfectly and precisely suited to one's own tastes.

GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLFRIENDS:

· JUICY COUTURE FRAGRANCES

Fragrance is a year-round must-have gift for women. During the holidays, it is especially desirable because you can usually get very nice gifts sets for the cost of a single bottle of fragrance, and the sets from Juicy Couture are no exception -- with prices ranging from $35 to $100 and including combinations of the Eau De Parfum Spray to Body Crème to Shower Gel you are able to choose from a wide assortment of sets that allow you to do your holiday shopping in one swoop! Couture Couture Spray is our fave! It was also seen in Harper’s Bazaar magazine just this November!