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If you haven’t submitted your biggest online shopping mistakes yet on this post- do so here to be entered to win $250 of merchandise or giftcards through AMEX’s  Membership Rewards partners. We will be picking the winner on November 30 so you still have a couple days to enter.

In part 2 of the American Express Savvy Shopper Program, we’ll be providing our picks for our top 5 must haves for the season.  I think these are particularly relevant right now in the midst of the holiday shopping season- some things to give and some things for yourself!

1. Tumi ‘Zuse Continental’ Carry On: Do your holiday travel in style this season with this versatile bag from Tumi.  I only pack carry-on when I can to save time at the airport and this bag fits into all domestic and international flight restrictions.  The best part of this bag is that there’s an expander so you can pack up to 1.5 in more of extra stuff.  Also, it’s 30% off on sale right now which is one of my favorite ways to shop online!

2. Bobbi Brown ‘Party to Go’ Palette: We love Bobbi Brown here at TDO and we love it even more when you can get a whole face palette for $25- or the price of a lipstick! This eye and lip palette provides beautiful day-to evening looks and is small enough to pop into the tiniest clutch.

3. Ugg Josie Convertible Boots:  A pair of cold weather boots are a must-have every winter, and this pair from Uggs does double duty.  Not only is it super comfortable and warm, it can also be worn two ways: with a tall shaft or folded over for a shorter boot.  For $250, it’ll probably be one the best purchase you make this season especially if you factor in how many times you’ll wear it..with everything!

4. Kate Spade ‘Pearl Street Drop Earrings’:  Every holiday season I always find myself drawn to something pretty and sparkly from Kate Spade.  This year, I’m obsessed with these oversized pearl drop earrings from Kate Spade which feature 14k gold posts, and smokey glass crystal details.  These would make a pretty gift for anyone but it’ll be hard not to get a pair for yourself too!

5. Ray-Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses:  Ray-Bans (which never go out of style) and cat-eye sunglasses (flattering on a lot of people) aren’t just for the winter- they’re for every season.  Finishing off our top 5 must-haves of the season is our pick for a pair of perfect sunglasses that last you month to month and year to year.

Now that holiday shopping is kicking into full gear, we’ve been tasked by American Express to blog about our take on making smart online shopping choices. Throughout this week, we’ll be providing some of our trusty tips on making smart shopping decisions for the season. American Express is also extending an opportunity for TDO readers to win $250 of merchandise or giftcards through AMEX’s  Membership Rewards partners.  You don’t have to be an AMEX cardholder to win… but you will need to share with us your online shopping mistakes and favorite shopping tips!

Ready?

In the comments below, share with us your biggest online shopping mistake.  We will publish a list of “top ten” mistakes submitted by our readers in the next week and select a winner of the contest who can choose $250 worth of merchandise or gift cards.

To kick things off, I’ll share a shopping mistake of my own…

Buying “final sale” clothing items when said item costs more than $20.  For $20 or under, I could probably take the risk of committing to a deep markdown without ever having tried it on.  But truthfully, I’ve bought too many things that were “marked down 85% but still $200 because it’s designer” which ended up not fitting… with no recourse. They now sit in a pile in the back of my closet- and just to think, that aggregated together, my mistake purchases could’ve totaled into something investment-worthy and fantastic. Sigh. You live, shop, and learn.

Now be sure to share with us your mistakes to enter to win (and so I don’t make them this season) and stay tuned for more tips this week!

By Jessica Dang

Vodka has long been the drink of choice for a night out on the town, but at the dinner table? At a Russian Standard Vodka tasting this month, we learned from Igor Galburt, the company’s global brand ambassador, that, not only is straight vodka becoming more commonly paired with food, it’s also considered a celebratory spirit. If your goal is to have a festive holiday cocktail party with family and friends this season, vodka should be right up there on the list along with champagne! (more…)

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Longtime readers of TDO will know that I’m certainly no stranger to cleanses. I really enjoy drinking fresh juices (much to the dismay of my boyfriend every time I whip out a green juice for him to ‘try’) but I haven’t done one in a long time. Years ago when cleanses first became popular, I’d try them one after another in hopes of dropping weight. We all know that’s not what cleanses are meant for- but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that’s not what I was hoping for. During the past year, however, I’ve developed a much healthier relationship with food and fitness and can happily say that I no longer feel like I even want to lose weight. But I still jumped at the chance to try the Cooler Cleanse because with the right intentions, I find that a cleanse can actually be very beneficial. I feel lighter and more energetic after a cleanse and I enjoy drinking fresh rather than processed juices. And after the cleanse is over, I always feel very motivated to continue eating fresh, whole foods. (more…)

This season we’ve seen a host of double duty foundations pop up across a number of prestige lines- leading us to believe that finally, cosmetics companies are paying attention to the needs of the busy urban professional.  I mean really- my morning priorities go like this: snooze, shower, moisturizer, coffee, wallet, keys, Metrocard. If I have some time left over- mascara and lipgloss.  For being a beauty blogger, I certainly don’t have too much time to spend on beauty in the mornings! So imagine my delight when I got my hands on the latest slew of skincare + color products- and they’re actually good!  Below, I share some of my favorite time saving foundations…

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation SPF 25:  OBSESSED with this! It’s a moisturizer, foundation and SPF in one and it lasts all. day. long. It’s super moisturizing so I don’t even have to put on a separate product and the thicker consistency is perfect for my skin during transition months. Plus this product just makes me glow and is so easy to apply that I don’t even need to use a mirror.  It’s foolproof! – $55

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True story. In 2001, I splurged (for a high schooler) on a pair of camel colored wool trousers from GAP and they’ve been in my wardrobe rotation ever since. The long lean lines and classic tailored cut have never gone of the style- even a decade later. With a return on investment like that, it’s no wonder that I’ve always considered GAP to be a go-to source for a number of staple pieces in my closet.

Now Gap is running The Fall Preview Pant Sale event, which is live on both Gap.com as well as in stores. The current season of Fall pants are on sale for a limited time (throughout September 9) with select styles start from $35. The event will feature a number of new fits and new fabrics debuting for the season. High on my list are these wide legged pants which would look so good with a cropped cardigan or tucked in button down. So go in-store now to begin building your fall pants wardrobe!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by GAP

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I’ve totally been bitten by the travel bug again lately- but sadly have been grounded in NYC.  So I invited my jet setting friend Andria Mitsakos, otherwise known as the Wanderlista, to share her recent travels to Milan with us.  Read carefully and take notes for her chic tips on where to go and what to do in this fashionable Italian city.  We’re dying to go already!

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Most people don’t fall for Milan. I’m one of the exceptions, drawn to its nexus of style.

On a recent weeklong trip to work on the Spring/Summer 2012 collection for Dea Rosa, I visited two hotels, The Gray and Hotel Straf. Both are precisely central, with the Duomo at the end of the street, La Scala and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele round the corner. My favorite gelateria, Grom, is a stone’s throw away, and, the central location of both properties affords you the opportunity to fall through the front door of the city’s top department store, Rinascente. I had met my perfect accommodations.

The Gray hotel looks glossy, with a solid, mirrored rectangle as an awning. On the left as you enter is a small cocktail lounge, boudoirish, with velvet banquettes; the reception area is replete with a giant fuchsia-upholstered swing. My suite was a triplex and twice the size of my TriBeCa apartment. The foyer featured a sauna, the mid-level was the bedroom, sitting area and desk, and the loft was home to the walk-in closet and bathroom. This place could easily doubly as my Milanese pied-à-terre. Beds were super comfortable, lighting perfect and the staff lovely and gracious.   (more…)