Gift Guides

There’s always someone in your life who’s hopping from one fabulous locale to the next! For this hip globetrotter, make sure that she’s traveling in style by gifting her with one of these fabulous items. She’ll be able to add it to her must-pack list for every trip!

ONE. P.J. Salvage Sushi Print Flannel Pajama Set — No matter how luxurious the hotel room, there’s one universal truth: that it’s never the same as home. Even the most seasoned globetrotter sometimes gets a little homesick; there is nothing better at the end of a long day of sightseeing or working, then slipping into these comfy PJ Salvage Sushi pajamas. These 100% cotton comfy pajamas are printed with a quirky sushi print, and looking at them will always put a smile on anyone’s face. For that travel expert on your list, this gift is a picker-upper that will conjure up happy memories such as hot chocolate with marshmallows in the winter, snuggling under the covers on a rainy day, and make her feel as good as if she were at home surrounded by her loved ones. - joie  (more…)

As any accessories addict will tell you, it’s the little something extra that makes an outfit – whether it’s the perfect handbag or a little sparkle from a pair of earrings. This season, we’ve picked six gifts that will inspire the accessories adorer in your life to dress around!

ONE. Rebecca Minkoff Nao Wallet — Every accessories addict needs the perfect wallet to stylishly and safely store her cash, credit, and personal info. Rebecca Minkoff made her first foray into small leather goods this year, and her Nao Wallet would make for a lovely gift. Made with sleek black leather and patent trim, it has a bit of an edge, and the quilted patent and gold hardware give it more of a classic balance. It’s a gorgeous wallet that you can easily carry alone and have trouble wanting to leave in your bag! - ninabee (more…)

When you chat with your favorite fashionista, you probably think her brain is actually a product catalog because she can identify designers in seconds – and her closet is probably even more impressive. As intimidating as that might be, we’re sure that we’ve found a range of gifts that she’ll not only love, but will allow her to switch up her look throughout the year!

ONE. Free People Parker Plaid Overcoat – Perfect as a gift for your most fashionable friend, Free People’s Parker Plaid Overcoat is a must-have item for winter. It’s a funky twist on the double breasted coat that’s available in two colors, a bright Pomegranate for those who like to stand out, and Charcoal, for those who like a more subdued color. The cable knit collar, front slash pockets and metal buttons add detail to its classic shape, and the pleat at the back gives it a jaunty swing. Normally $198, you can buy it for a fantastic $98 at freepeople.com for a limited time, making it perfect fit for your best friend – and your gift budget. She’ll thank you when she’s warm and toasty walking down the street, looking like a million bucks. - productwhore (more…)

A beauty queen is obsessed with trying the latest and greatest in beauty – and we certainly know plenty of these girls. For this guide, we dug deep to find items that we think she would be pleased with receiving and more importantly, fall in love with!

ONE. LORAC Croc Case — Even the beauty fanatic with a drawer full of products will “ooh” and “aah” when they open up LORAC’s Croc Case. For only $56, you’ll be giving them a limited edition collection that has an entire makeup wardrobe packed into an elegant looking case, with 16 eyeshadows, a highlighter, a bronzer, two blushes, and three lip glosses. (It’s a $250 value!) The colors are gorgeous and meant to flatter any skin tone, so no matter what your beauty-loving friend looks like, she’ll be able to create dozens of different looks for herself, from work day neutrals to night time glamour. When she gazes into the mirror and sees a supermodel staring back at her, you’ll know that for once, you found the perfect gift! - productwhore (more…)

A hostess with the mostest entertains with style and grace, while making it look absolutely effortless. For your friend who loves to be the host, send her one of these fabulous gifts that will help her to celebrate with her favorite people, whether it’s a casual get-together or a spectacular soiree.

ONE. Iomoi Coasters — For the hostess who seems to have everything, wow her with a set of these coasters from Iomoi. Available in a multitude of different designs ranging from Party Monkeys to a Pink Floral pattern, you’re sure to find a design that will suit even the pickiest hostess on your list. To make the gift even more personalized, you can add a 3 letter monogram or name (up to 32 characters long), so the possibilities are endless. The glass coasters come packaged in a chic chocolate gift box and are available in quantities ranging from one coaster ($26) to a set of twelve ($215). With these on her table, her next party is sure to go smoothly! - productwhore (more…)

Editors’ Note: Today, we’re launching the first of our annual holiday gift guides. We spent many hours sifting through hundreds of products to present you with our favorites in hopes that they will inspire and help you find that perfect gift this season. Make sure to look out for these guides over the next few weeks and hope you enjoy!

This year more than ever, everyone is counting those pennies they’re spending this holiday season. We think that the best trick is to find a gorgeous gift that doesn’t make you cringe when you check the price and pull out the credit card. Having trouble?  Don’t worry…we’ve already scouted six fabulous choices under $25 that will be sure to please the recipient!

ONE. Jill Bliss Flower Mini Journal Set — Know a friend who makes a New Year’s resolution every year to start writing in a journal? Make it easier for her this year to achieve this goal by gifting her this set of blank notebook by Jill Bliss ($15.95). The handcrafted design of these notebooks is so beautiful – very 60’s and reminiscent of Sofia Coppola’s Virgin Suicides – that she’ll feel compelled to carry these around all the time to jot down her best ideas. Its perfect pocket size also won’t take up any extra room in her bag, and the blank pages are the ideal blank canvas for any recessionista with an artsy or writer type friend. - joie (more…)

A few years ago, I experienced the Summer of Endless Weddings. Every weekend was spent at a reception, every Friday afternoon I’d trudge diligently to Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma or Macy’s to retrieve a registry and pick up that perfect (or at least, specifically requested) gift.

So it shouldn’t have surprised me nearly as much as it did when this summer turned into the Summer of Endless Baby Showers. Even though baby registries are pretty common these days, I find myself more tempted to stray from the registry when it’s for a baby than when it’s for a wedding. There are just so many fun and fabulous gifts out there for the little ones — it’s hard to stick to practical choices when I can get something really decadent and irresponsible instead.

Hands-down, my favorite gift for these events is a classic book from my childhood. I love to gift Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon, or, more recently, Little Pea or Little Hoot, both illustrated by Jen Corace – whom I absolutely adore. I pair that with one of my favorite stuffed monsters from Ugly Dolls, and it’s a perfect low-cost gift that’s still so thoughtful and unique. (more…)

Yummy mummies…they are those fabulously chic moms (or moms-to-be) who not only care about giving the best to their babies, but also take pride in looking sophisticated themselves. (Think Becky Bloomwood.) We bet you have at least one in your life – so gift them with something that will keep her and baby in style:

ONE. We all know that moms have a million things to carry around – from bottles to toys – but also want to look fashion-conscious. The Olivia Nylon Bag by Gryson ($765) is an edgy, gorgeous bag that will hold everything she needs for everyday. Piped in contrasting Italian leather, the inside of the Olivia Nylon Bag features adjustable shoulder straps, double top handles, silver hardware, suede interior and plenty of pockets She will look impeccable chic, yet practical…just like a yummy mummy should. Bonus: Use code “cardio” to get 20% off through Active Endeavors.

TWO. Hot mamas must have the most fashionable storybooks – and naturally, one written by the Kym Canter, the creative director of J. Mendel, would qualify. Masquerading as children’s fiction, Star Von Bunny: A Model Tale is the sassy, smart and stylish tale of a white stuffed bunny who aims to more than a bed ornament – and instead, is determined to be a “model/actress/whatever.” Now that she’s made it to the top, she’s sharing her secrets with you. Look for cameos from famous celebs including Carine Roitfield, Gemma Ward and Jonathan Antin – just to name a few. We’re kind of obsessed with the adorable SVB and her vogue adventures. To purchase for $19.95, visit amazon.com. (more…)

For the ultimate fashionista, the key to finding the perfect present is to find an item that is unique, luxurious and trendsetting. We found a handful of gifts that will be worthy of the stylish lady in your life:

ONE. Treat a lucky friend (or yourself!) to a piece of handbag candy, specifically the Rachael bag ($650) by LA-based designer, Onna Ehrlich. This roomy bag is her twist on the hobo. Featuring two hand-stitched straps (one is removable), “the main compartment folds over to reveal a zipper closure with an elegant zipper tassel.” The leather is so buttery soft that you will crave to touch it all day long. On her shoulder, this divine bag will instantly transform a simple outfit, like a cashmere tee and jeans, into a fabulous outfit! Bonus: You’ll be staying ahead of the trend, since Cameron Diaz will be carrying this in her upcoming film called What Happens in Vegas; get it before it’s sold out this spring. (One of our editors already owns it and is obsessed.)

TWO. For the fashion diva who really does have everything (or if not a single one of our fabulous ideas is right for your fashion-forward friend), we love the idea of booking her some time with a personal shopping consultant. If she’s in the San Francisco area, you can book her some in-person time with our very own ShoppingsMyCardio for as little as $100. She’ll let your friend in on some of the amazing hidden shopping gems in the city by the bay — all custom tailored to her tastes (trust us, it’s a tour well worth taking!). Outside the Bay Area, ShoppingsMyCardio can still help with wardrobe revamps, specific style conundrums or just take advantage of her knack for shopping off the beaten path by having her find that perfect gift for your most impossible-to-buy-for friend. To enlist her skills or to pick up a gift certificate, drop a line to shoppingsmycardio@gmail.com. (more…)

We find ourselves saying this to the men in our life every season: “You are so difficult to shop for!” While putting together this guide, we researched for many hours and ultimately, nixed too many products to name. But it was totally worth it because we finally came up with 6 gifts that your guy will totally love:

ONE. Most boys we know love their toys – and that definitely includes video games. This season, Rock Band, which was just released last month, is the latest craze. Taking Guitar Hero up a notch, this game lets you play lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals to form the ultimate rock band. He and his buddies will have hours of endless fun. For the holidays, we suggesting getting your guy the special edition ($169). It’s sold out on the official website (and quite a few others) already, but don’t worry…we tracked it down for you at Gamestop.

TWO. For the golf aficionado, the following gift will fulfill one of his ultimate fantasies. Send him to the Titleist Performance Institute (various packages available, prices begin at $5,000), which is an experience worthy of Tiger Woods. Titleist will provide him with a complete assessment of his game, which includes everything from expert analysis of their swing technique to a custom club fitting. His dream of joining the PGA tour will be one huge step closer. (more…)