holiday shopping

Perfect Holiday Shoes: Gina's Flamingo Satin Courts

Filed under: Shoes

The holiday season is so full of lights and sparkles that even people who don't usually go for glitzy fashion statements can find themselves feeling inspired to wear something a little more eye-catching. I'm one of those that generally avoids sparkles and sequins in my wardrobe but am totally in love with these Flamingo Satin Courts by Gina. In my opinion they're the perfect holiday shoe because they're not only festive and beautiful but will go with everything from an LBD to leggings and a cashmere sweater to an all-out New Year's Eve glam-fest ensemble. Featuring black satin, Swarovski crystal embellishments, and a black bow detail with a logo-embossed plaque, these shoes are a fun, flirty and elegant way to flaunt your holiday spirit. £635

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Tags: gina, heels, holiday shopping, shoes, swarovski

ŻU Artisan Crafted, Bison Grass Flavored Vodka

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Holiday Guides

"It comes in a papoose!" That was my delighted cry when I opened my festive box of ZU Vodka, an artisanal bison grass flavored vodka. ZU Vodka is produced by the one and only authorized manufacturer of the legendary Polish Żubrówka, which has been around since the 14th century.

Bison grass? Yes. In fact, there's a stalk of bison grass included in every bottle of ZU. The vodka is wonderfully complex and could be a drink all on its own, with an unmistakably herbaceous flavor of fresh grass and hints of chamomile, almond and vanilla. The vodka itself has a greenish tint, which definitely stands out in a crowd.

A PR representative for ZU told me about Żubrówka's popularity in Poland, so I wrote to a Polish friend of mine, Ola Bienkowska, to get the real scoop on what the Polish opinion was. Here was her reply:

"Yes, Żubrówka is very, very popular. In fact it's a classic, right among Wyborowa and Belvedere. 'Żubr' is 'bison' in Polish, so 'Żubrówka' is 'Bison vodka.' It's very popular, and actually perceived as classier than the others. This is because it's rarely drunk straight up or in shots, rather, it's used in cocktails. It's extremely popular with apple juice -- that's the classic Polish vodka drink and no other vodkas are used to make it. So, it's more of a 'genteel' drink, for ladies and gentlemen, not your regular drunks! It also looks different. It's slightly yellow-brown-green tinted and there's a piece of grass in the bottle, hence the name. Girls will go for it. So will most men."

Ola's word is good enough for me! Also, so is the ZU Vodka, which I tasted and enjoyed thoroughly with apple juice, on its own, and with soda. The herbal flavor might make you think "spring" or "summer," but when it comes in a fur-lined papoose, it's definitely suitable for the holidays -- and would make a great gift for your Polish or vodka connoisseur friends.

Gallery: ZU Vodka - Holiday Papoose

ŻU Vodka is currently available in New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Colorado and Nevada where fine spirits are sold. The suggested retail price is $25 for a 750ml bottle. For more information, visit: www.ZUVodka.com.

Tags: holiday shopping, poland, polish, vodka, zu vodka, zubrowska

Holiday Shopping Guide: 10 Gifts for Wine Lovers

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Wine drinkers come in all shapes and sizes with preferences ranging from classic to trendy and casual to serious and here at Luxist we love them all. Wine and the holidays go together like bread and butter so whether you're looking for a hostess gift or something for a wine-loving boss or family member you can't go wrong. Need inspiration? Here are some of our favorite holiday gift ideas for the grape nut on your shopping list.

Parrot Corkscrew Waiter's Friend, $60
Wine openers are a no fail gift option for any wine lover as they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and price ranges and are something every wine drinker uses. Steer away from plain and boring and opt instead for an opener that has plenty personality, like this Parrot Corkscrew designed by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi.

Tags: gift guide, gift guide 2010, gift guides, gifts for wine lovers, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, holiday shopping guide, wine

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The Luxist Gift Guide for Spoiled Pets

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

While every fashionable poodle worth her pastel hair bows knows that nothing beats the gift of a forever home and a reliable bowl of kibble, human companions have long sought ways to help Fido and Fluffy experience a little holiday cheer -- and that certainly doesn't include a taste of the bubbly. As such, we here at Luxist have some recommendations for pet products that set our whiskers twitching.

1) Smart Interactive Toy for Dogs -- a Nina Ottosson puzzle toy, recommended by Victoria Stilwell on Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" show. $54.95. Dogs need to be intellectually challenged, just like our human children. Teaching them to problem solve will go a long way toward building self-confidence. And should you not be blessed with a canine Einstein, we guarantee you'll be amused for hours watching your goofy Golden figure out how to find the treat you stashed under one of the little wooden pegs. Just be careful that Dumbo doesn't start chewing the wood. Available from various retailers, including Poochie Heaven.

Tags: animals, dogs, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, pets

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Luxist Giveaway: Green Valley Christmas Trees Noble Fir

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

We can't get enough of the big holiday giveaways. Today we are giving away a Green Valley Christmas Tree. You buy gifts online, why not the tree? GreenValleyChristmasTrees.com enables holiday shoppers to purchase their live Christmas trees quickly, easily and from the comfort of their home or office online. It can be a big timesaver. Imagine-- no traffic, no long lines, no heavy lifting and no scratches on the car. The tree arrives via FedEx, packed in a moisture-resistant carton. The trees are chosen for their perfect shape and have no bald spots. They are harvested the same day that they ship for maximum freshness (as opposed to lot trees which could have been cut weeks ago). Choose from Noble Firs, Fraser Firs and White Pines. Trees start at $89.99 and real Christmas wreaths start at $34.99 so you can decorate your whole house with just a few quick steps.

We are giving away one 6.5-7' Layered Noble Fir (retail value $154.99) to one lucky reader who enters in the comments below.

GreenValleyChristmasTrees.com is also offering a special discount for Luxist readers-- 10% off sitewide. The code is LUXIST and it expires at 11:59pm PT 12/1/10

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below sharing your favorite holiday memory.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before November 29, 2010 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive the Green Valley Christmas Tree, 6.5-7' Layered Noble Fir with a retail value of $154.99.
* Open to legal residents of the continental United States (no Alaska or Hawaii) and the District of Columbia.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: christmas tree, green valley christmas tree, holiday giveaways, holiday shopping, luxist giveaway

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Kelly Van Halen Launches Cashmere Travel Blanket with Fred Segal

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Given that we live in a time when we are all busy reinventing ourselves, perhaps it's not such a stretch that interior designer Kelly Van Halen is launching a line of cashmere travel blankets. Van Halen, who went from being hard rock drummer Alex Van Halen's second ex-wife to being a real estate developer, house flipper, interior designer, and now blanket designer, will be selling her soft-as-can-be cashmere travel blankets exclusively at Fred Segal.

The blankets are the first product in the new line designed by KellyBaron -- the company named after Van Halen and her partner Baron Rogers -- that will be carried by the up-end Fred Segal stores.. The 4"x6" blankets come in matching 8"x10" silk-lined cases that look like pillows. The cashmere used is of superior quality and is 287 grams, or two-ply cashmere. The label is crafted in cashmere as well. Retail price is $425.

Tags: alex van halen, cashmere, fred segal, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, kelly van halen, kellybaron, travel blanket, van halen

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$10,000 Skull Cufflinks & More from Ralph Lauren for the Holidays

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

Ralph Lauren is offering a number of exclusive, ultra-luxurious gifts this holiday season, starring an eye-popping pair of skull cufflinks for $10,995. The luxe links, with a skull in a top hat motif, are finished in white gold with diamond eyes. The designer's new Holiday Collection encompasses chic decorative accents, entertaining accoutrements and luxurious travel accessories. Iconic tartans, a signature palette of cashmere cable-knits and rich velvets have a classic appeal, while items like the cufflinks and crystal barware appeal to a more modern sense of sophistication.

The skull motif also appears on a velvet throw pillow for $195 and even a cashmere dog sweater at $115. Other items of note include tartan leather bags and accessories for both men and women, including a men's Cooper Bag at $3,995; a women's Tiffin Bag in black alligator for $16,995; retro style sunglasses finished in red tartan for $375; and exclusive timepieces priced from $17,500 – $32,000. In addition, RalphLauren.com will be offering multiple programs under the RL Custom Boutique for the ultimate in personalization, while the designer's Gift Vault site features a collection of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from $650 - $55,000.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Holiday 2010

Tags: cashmere, cufflinks, diamond, gifts, gold, Holiday 2010, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, holidays, mens style, Ralph Lauren, sunglasses, timepieces

HSN 2010 Designer Ornament Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity

To celebrate the holidays, HSN, has rounded up some of the celebrities and designers in their stable to create the heART HSN 2010 Designer Ornament Collection. As part of the company's overall "HSN Cares" philanthropic campaign, the heART collection is available exclusively on HSN and hsn.com featuring ornaments designed by more than 70 HSN partners. The profits (no less than 30 percent of the purchase price of each ornament) will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute and works on finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

The collection features ornaments designed by Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, Tori Spelling, Molly Sims, Martha Stewart, Susan Lucci, Jonathan Adler, Nate Berkus, Padma Lakshmi and many others. The collection ranges in price from $19.90 to $49.90, with the exception of the ornament by fashion designer Naeem Khan. That ornament, shown at right, is covered in brilliant, hand-cut Swarovski crystals and sells for $299.

Gallery: heART HSN 2010 Designer Ornament Collection

Tags: christmas ornaments, christmas tree ornaments, holiday decor, holiday decorating, holiday decoration, holiday decorations, holiday ornaments, holiday shopping, home shopping network, hsn, ornaments

Holiday Shoes at Delman - and a Luxist Preview of Spring!

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

It's time to start curating your holiday wardrobe. There are a lot of beautiful trends to follow for this season's holiday parties, including the classic "sparkle" for which some of us wait all year. Before you let time get away from you and start hearing "we're out of your size," check out the above downright fabulous Elan High Heel Sandals from Delman. They're fresh, demure, feminine and wearable well into spring -- after all, they're open-toe!

The Elan High Heel Sandals come in Silver Hologram, Gold Metallic Fabric with Hologram Effect and Black Moire, and feature Italian fabric, padded insoles and a 4" heel. We'd love to see the silver with a grey dress, creating a perfect monotone look, or the gold with a textured dress of some kind, as it has the structure and sparkle to steal the show if not paired with something bold (not that that would be a tragedy).

The Elan High Heel Sandals, as well as some other great holiday finds, are available from Delman for $250.00. And, for those of you who want to think ahead, check out this preview of our favorites from the Resort and Spring collections!

Gallery: Highlights from Delman Resort & Spring 2011

Tags: Delmans, heels, holiday shopping, luxist previews, sandals, shoes, sparkly

2010 Wired Holiday Store

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Shopping

Wired, the popular design and technology magazine, has curated more than 200 products for its annual holiday Wired Store gallery. The shopping space in the Tower Records building at at 692 Broadway, New York City showcases consumer electronics, gaming, active gear, home goods, eco-lifestyle items, apparel and children's toys.

The products include design collaborations with Jack Spade, Bowery Lane Bicycles, Incase and Urbanears. The special edition Jack Spade for Wired bag will feature custom buttons from artists including Eric Elms, Jason Polan and Lenard Smith. The shop will also have a gaming lounge with the latest systems, interactive games, foosball and Ping-Pong furniture curated by Karim Rashid. The shop features departments with themes including: Adventure Capitalist, the outdoor extremist; Culturazzi, WIRED's resident culture vulture; Digital Gentleman, the well-appointed chap; Gadget Girl, personal electronics savant; Gastronaut, foodie meets-mad-scientist; Maker, DIY-ing before there was an acronym; and Smarter Upstarter, the next Silicon Alley CEO.

"The Ultimate Gift Bag" is packed with WIRED editor picks for the holiday season as featured in the December issue. Readers and shoppers can enter to win this must-have gadget bag valued at approximately $2,700 at www.wired.com/magazine/bagsweepstakes Shown at right is the Black Yellow Flannel Ramos shoe. It sells for $75 and a portion of the proceeds from sales of this product will benefit the Soccorro Island Conservation fund, a nonprofit protecting the diverse biosphere off the coast of Baja, California.

Tags: gadgets, gifts, holiday shopping, wired

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Juicy Couture's Diamond Zipper Pull For Holiday 2010

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

For Holiday 2010, Juicy Couture has dreamed up a new treat for fans of the brand's tracksuit which is distinguished by the signature "J" zipper pull. Beverly Hills jeweler Martin Katz created a limited edition diamond encrusted "J" pull for the iconic tracksuit. The pull is made of 18-karat white gold and pave set with one carat total weight of diamonds. The J-pull comes in a specially designed box and will be sold as a gift with purchase. The diamond J-pull can replace the traditional shiny nickel "J" pull, or be worn on a necklace or charm bracelet.

"We are thrilled and flattered, to collaborate with such a vibrant and iconic brand as Juicy Couture," said Martin Katz. "Our diamond "J" pull is made with the same quality and attention to detail as our one-of-a kind jewels, and we hope that will be just as envied and desired."

Juicy Couture flagships and JuicyCouture.com will carry just 100 of the limited-edition pieces. The diamond "J" pull will retail for $1000 and is now available.

Tags: diamonds, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, juicy couture, juicy couture tracksuit, martin katz

Do Your Holiday Shopping At Grand Central Terminal at the Shop at Cooper-Hewitt

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

If your journeys take you through Grand Central in New York City this holiday season, you can do your shopping at a new off-site retail location of The Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum at the Graybar Passage of Grand Central Terminal. The new kiosk joins other retailers with Graybar Passage Kiosks which offer quick shopping for those in transit.

The new kiosk is open from November 4 through Janurary 31, 2011, and will offer a selection of 25 design works from the museum's shop. The shop's cheerful bright color comes from the use of USM Modular Furniture's Haller system in orange, a color available for the first time in three decades. Cooper-Hewitt chose the USM Haller system-a 1963 design classic, to outfit its museum shop and now the kiosk. The system itself, available in several different configurations and colors, is also available for purchase.

The gifts themselves are well curated, the sort of cool, quirky, well-designed objects that make unusual gifts for those who are hard to shop for. Items at the kiosk are also for sale at the main Shop at Cooper-Hewitt and online at www.cooperhewittshop.org.

Gallery: The Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, Grand Central Terminal

Brass candlesticks by designer Eva Zeisel

Tags: cooper-hewitt, cooper-hewitt-museum, grand central, grand central station, grand central terminal, holiday shopping, kiosk

FAO Schwartz Offers Once-in-A-Lifetime Experiences at Auction

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Luxury Shopping

FAO Schwarz, the renowned luxury toy store which is known for providing one-of-kind shopping experiences, is building upon that legacy by launching the "Experiences of a Lifetime" online auction.

Four "Experiences of a Lifetime," auction items will be offered on FAO.com with 100% of the proceeds donated to Toys for Tots. The auction items are sure to delight die-hard enthusiasts of Disney, Nickelodeon, Smurf and FAO Schwarz alike as they are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that bring the brands they love to life. Bids can be placed now through December 1. Each of the packages would make a unique holiday gift.

The one-of-a-kind prize packages include:

Disney On Ice Party Package Extravaganza!
Offering the ultimate party for Disney fans, the winner of this auction package will have the opportunity to invite up to 25 children and 25 adults to a Disney On Ice show in any city where the tour is scheduled to stop! The winning child and family will be publicly acknowledged at the beginning of the show as special guests, and each child who attends will receive a Disney costume to wear during the show that they can take home as a keepsake along with a special Disney On Ice gift bag. The one and a half hour party package extravaganza includes catering and photo opportunities with a star from Disney On Ice.

Gallery: FAO Schwarz's "Experiences of a Lifetime" auction

Paint the town Blue at The Smurf's Premier

Tags: auctions, Disney, FAO Schwarz, holiday shopping, Nickelodeon, Toys for Tots

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Neiman Marcus Creates Holiday Social Shopping Contest

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Shopping

Neiman Marcus is hoping you'll use social shopping this season to make your wish lists known. The luxury department store has created the Presents Perfect Challenge that has participants create wish lists for a chance to win a $2,500 Neiman Marcus gift card. The contest was developed in partnership with social media marketing firm Brickfish. Lists can also be shared via Facebook and Twitter.

The "Presents Perfect Challenge - Round 1" asks consumers to create online gift guides from a selected collection of Neiman Marcus fashions and accessories. Entrants must select at least ten items from the following: handbags, woman's shoes, jewelry, beauty, home, woman's apparel, men's apparel, gadgets, gifts, men's shoes, men's furnishings, intimate, children's and accessories. From all of the entries submitted and the items selected, each week the program will populate the most popular gift items and display the Top Ten. A total of 40 finalists will be selected from Round 1 to move onto Round 2 for the chance to win a $2,500 gift card. Round 2 will begin on or around December 6th, 2010 and ends on or around December 27th, 2010. Five finalists will be selected from each of the eight gift recipient categories. The second round will shorten the list to three prize winners. One winner receives a $2,500 Neiman Marcus gift card, a first runner-up earns a $1,000 dollar card and the second runner-up gets a $500 card.

[via Luxury Daily]

Tags: brickfish, holiday shopping, neiman marcus, social shopping

This Year's Holiday Shopping Lesson: Lux Goes Online

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The web isn't just for bargains. Some of the top luxury lifestyle brands in the world are turning to the internet to beef up their sales -- a must in a market where brick-and-mortar is lagging in the all-important holiday season. Giorgio Armani and Valentino Fashion Group, which have generally steered clear of the prolies shopping online, are changing their attitudes, as they have had to cope with the most severe recession in seventy years. Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo have joined the fray, too, both opening online stores in the past month.

In addition to younger buyers who are more comfortable skipping the store, a sense of "luxury shame" is causing many to turn to the web. The anonymity, once reserved for porn purchases, allows customers to indulge in big-ticket buys without having to endure looks of envy (or worse). If you need proof that luxury spending is going digital, take a look at Italy. This year, online sales of Italian luxury products are expected to surge 42 percent to $500 million, according to a study by Politecnico. Last year, it fell six percent for the luxury goods industry as a whole. In Italy, around 14 percent of holiday shopping will occur ont eh web, according to Deloitte's 2009 Christmas Survey.

The luxury industry's online endeavors are not limited to traditional stores, though Stefano Sassi, Valentino's CEO, notes that the startup costs are lower and that "There's a very interesting margin on e-commerce" as a result. Armani has launched applications for smartphones, including the iPhone and Blackberry and has launched a Christmas website.

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Tags: armani, BlackBerry, Christmas, christmas shopping, ChristmasShopping, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, holiday, Holiday season, holiday shopping, holidays, HolidaySeason, HolidayShopping, iphone, luxury, online retail, online retailers, online retailing, OnlineRetail, OnlineRetailers, OnlineRetailing, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli, salvatore ferragamo, SalvatoreFerragamo, Valentino