So with only 11 days left until Christmas we are running out of time when it comes to finishing up our shopping. Well for those of you who have hung your stockings over the fireplace I am here to help you fill those stockings with something that won’t be thrown away. Usually people stuff stockings with things regifted items or something that we will never, ever use. To ensure that your gift is appreciated and your money won’t go to waste, follow this guide…oh and everything is under $20

For Her

More Sephora…

For Him

More Stacy Adams…

Yes a hot toddy is actually a drink, but thanks to Usher and Jay-Z some people thought otherwise.

Now that we are in full holiday swing, I will feature looks that are suitable for various holiday parties. This look is for a woman who definitely wants to steal the show. All black is classic and with a statement necklace and a red lip you will definitely turn heads!

Cocktail Party by Her Goody Bag featuring ankle booties

Lanvin One Sleeve Cocktail Dress, $2
ALEE – Ankle Boots – Bakers Footwear, $70
Black Embellished Clutch, 30 GBP
BKE Twisted Glitz Necklace, $20
Lora’s Jet Black Crystal Ball Stud Earrings, $27
Gucci ‘Flora by Gucci’ Eau de Toilette Spray, $90
NARS Sheer Lipstick – Flair, $24

Passport to Beauty
Last week in Manhattan at the LVMH Tower (57th st and 5th ave) I went to an event entitled “Passport to Beauty.” A passport- the one document needed to travel across the world, and a few people who selected to take this trip came across great beauty products from all across Europe.

This event was to showcase the fall product lines for Acqua di Parma, Givenchy, Guerlain, Kenzo, and Pucci. There was a great selection of cosmetics and fragrances, not to mention, an incredible gift bag. Here is a recap of the fragrances that will be available this fall.

Acqua di Parma
The Colonia Powder Soap
Colonia, the signature fragrance is the definition of the Italian art of living well. The fragrance is fresh and citrusy and incorporates the values of timelessness and refinement. New this fall will be the Colonia Powder Soap. It contains a unique formula of pulverized soap combined with a delightful softening talc powder as well as rice starch, to keep hands feeling clean, fresh and silky smooth, while maintaining the original scent.
The Colonia Powder Soap 120gr/4oz will retail for $36 and will be available starting in October at select locations within Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys stores.

  Colonia ESSENZA
This will be the highest quality cologne from Acqua di Parma. Like the signature fragrance, it incorporates the essential values of timelessness and refinement. This new fragrance highlights the essence of the original Colonia fragrance. The more recognizable notes and accords that represent the “soul” of Colonia are boosted and enriched using the highest quality ingredients. This cent is a citrus woody creation. It infuses citrus, aromatic and floral freshness, and sensual wood.
Colonia ESSENZA will launch world wide August 13, and will be available in the USA at select specialty stores including: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, and Sephora.com

Pucci
The newest indulgence from Emilio Pucci fragrances introduces the evolution of the Pucci woman. The newest fragrance from Pucci is miss Pucci. This fragrance embodies the style of the “Pucci girl.” She is colorful, youthful, fresh, and seductive. She ahs an air of freedom while still maintaining sophistication and beauty. Always naturally chic, she exudes femininity and energy. This fragrance is a sparkling floral and musky fragrance, composed by Francois Demachy, Christine Nagel, and Benoit Lopouza.

The bottle, designed by Ora Ito, is based on the small oval motif that often recurs in Pucci prints. The designer imagined “an evolutive, ergonomic and flowing packaged box, whose central point is an open window to the world…a kaleidoscopic, stained-glass window constantly playing with light.” Ribbons of coral, rose and orange make the miss Pucci bottle come to life, evoking the playful feel of the fragrance.

This fragrance will be available August 2010 for $89 (75ml), $74 (50ml), and $53 (30ml) at Sephora, Sephora.com, and Pucci boutiques nationwide.

Kenzo
Flower by Kenzo
This is a classic floral powdery fragrance and the power of a fragile, singular flower. It comes in an eco-friendly refillable bottle, which allows the consumer to reduce waste by simply unscrewing the pump and using the eco-friendly pouch to refill when the scent runs out. The refill itself is an easy to use 100ml plastic pouch that retails for $78. The cost is 15% less than buying a totally new bottle. $56 (30ml), $72 (50ml), and $92 (100ml)

KenzoHomme Woody Eau De Toilette
This fragrance is a lively and deep aromatic woody fragrance with an intense vibrant trail. The energy of fresh, fusing leaves, mint and basil, mingles with the power of woody notes of vetiver and Atlas cedar. The fragrance of a free spirit who draws his strength from nature, between sky and earth. Kenzo Homme is packaged in a bamboo bottles and comes in the matte brown of tree barks. It is engraved with vibrant leaves and will launch August 2010. $54 (50ml) $72 (100ml)

Once Upon A Time, Kenzo
This year, Kenzo celebrates is anniversary with 2 new limited editions. A patchwork of flower print, faithful to Kenzo inspirations. Kenzo, EDT for Woman, Kenzo, EDT for Man. For him, a woody eau de toilette fresh and intense, the character of a classic; nutmeg and vetiver, with a spicy trail of ginger and coriander $72 (100ml). For her, a floral eau de toilette, woody and colorful. A flower explosion; peony and freesia, printed on a voluptuous bottom notes of sandalwood and musk $72 (100ml). These fragrances are Kenzo USA exclusive, available October 2010.

Guerlain

Shalimar Eau de Parfum- A New Design (Rock Royalty meets the imperial House)

Guerlain took an edgy approach with their new bottle design for their classic fragrance Shalimar. The bottle was designed by Jade Jagger, daughter of rock icon Mick Jagger. She is ‘modern glamour.’ She revisits Shalimar with respect for its history, giving it the shape of a basin and a base reminiscent of its early years.  Her rendition is a bottle sculpture with curves that are soft, full, and extremely sensual. She carves the upper part of the cap into a fan and it is a jewel-like stopper which is an elegant grey blue. She keeps the rock n roll edge with a leather midnight blue ribbon.

The newly designed Shalimar Eau de Parfum will be available September 2010 at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and Bergdorf Goodman. It will also be available at Saks.com and NeimanMarcus.com $72 (30ml) $95 (50ml) and $123 (90ml).

The information on each product was provided by each of the companies

Mary J. Blige is the newest singer/celebrity to launch a fragrance. According to Essence.com will be launching her fragrance through Carol’s Daughter. “My Life,” the fragrance, is a blend of gardenia, white freesia, tuberose and jasmine. The fragrance name was chosen because Blige felt the album was her life’s biggest turning point.

“I was crying out for help, because I was going through so much,” Blige told WWD in an exclusive interview. “Four million women said, ‘Mary, we’re going through it too, but you’re helping us by calling on us.’ So it’s a special tribute to us as women. I wanted this perfume to represent every female’s everyday life.”

The fragrance will be sold through HSN for $46 (great price) July 31.

Gwen Stefani has done it again with her Japanese inspired Harajuku Lovers ‘Sunshine Cuties’ Fragrance Collection. This time Music, Baby, G, Love, and Lil Angel are beach ready! I have the original fragrance in the original packaging and those were adorable, but these are just to cute not to purchase!

They go for about $30 per bottle at Sephora

Here are some great products that are budget friendly and great stocking stuffers for this holiday season. It is not to late to pick something up!

Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum Roll-On $16

Stila Lip Glaze Collection ($80 value for $25)

Juicy Loves Sephora Lip Gloss (Layer Cake or Strawberry Sorbet) $12

Juicy Loves Sephora Pave Lip Gloss Heart Ring ($68 value for $34)

Stila Smudge Pot Collection ($95 value for $32)

Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Love Solid Perfume $18 (This is my favorite of the Harajuku Lovers collection…I have all five)

Dior Holiday Collection  Makeup Palette for the Lips $40

I figure if you get the collections you have multiple gifts to give to multiple people. It is  definitely budget friendly. Happy Holidays!

All products can be purchased at Sephora www.sephora.com

Ok so Christmas is this Friday and if you are like me you are still looking for last minute gifts…smh. For those of you with that “special man” in your life here are a few suggestions for gifts. Most of my male friends are very picky when it comes to clothes so to play it safe you can always go with cologne. Here are a list of a few scents that I think you both will love. Its one thing to get him a cologne that he  likes, but make sure you like it too because you do have to smell him, especially when you cuddle

Burberry Touch

Sean Jean Unforgivable (Diddy out did himself with this one! I absolutely love this on a guy)

Hugo Boss ( I love the bottle that it comes in and you can get a pair of headphones or iPod shuffle as a gift)

Givenchy Neo Pi (I love this one also. It has strong scent but it is not overwhelming and its refreshing)

Sean John I Am King (I think that Diddy has the perfect formula for men’s cologne because he is always on point)

Carolina Herrera 212

Givenchy Pi (I really like this scent. It seems very strong when first applied but after about 10 minutes it becomes very subtle)

Diesel Fuel For Life

Ladies its time to upgrade your man from the Curve…that is so 1999 lol ok I’m kidding. Or keep it real and get an old school classic Issey Miyake lol. Hope this helps.

We have officially entered the holiday season and one of the items on my Christmas list is the new fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) PARISIENNE

The essence of a woman who is incredibly free,.

She is not from Paris, but Paris adopts her.

Because she knows how to love, how to live.

PARISIENNE, the fragrance of ultra femininity, ultra sensuality.

A grand floral with a woody structure, luminous even in its mystery.

I absolutely love this scent! It reminds me of a rosey powder of some sort (not sure if this is a great description) but it is light anddelicate and not over powering.

It is available at www.dillards.com and www.yslbeautyus.com