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Tuesday December 19, 2007

The A-Z Of Christmas Giving (Part 2)

By Anne Marie Scanlon

J Is for Jo Malone

Yes I know I'm repeating myself and I said exactly the same thing last year. However, as the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Jo Malone products are just perfect for gift giving. They are so beautifully packaged that you don't even need to wrap them. The distinctive cream and black packaging incites a Pavlov Ian response that even the blue and white charms of the Tiffany box would find hard to beat. Whatever Jo Malone product you purchase whether it be cologne, candles or bath oil you can be fairly certain you'll get a positive response from the recipient. With such a great range it's hard to pick favorites but I can heartily recommend the following. White Jasmine & Mint is the latest addition to the Jo Malone stable of quality scent (it hit shelves in October). This delicious fragrance is comprised of top notes that include Mint, Bergamot, Chamomile, Cardamon, and Coriander; Middle notes include Ylang Ylang, Orange Flower and exclusive Jo Malone Heirloom Jasmine Accord while Bottom Notes include Musk, Cedar Wood and Vetiver. White Jasmine & Mint Cologne comes in two sizes 1 fl. oz is $50 and 3.4 fl oz is $95. For an absolutely exquisite gift the Jo Malone Scent an Event Collection ($150) is hard to beat. Scent an Event is twelve mini Jo Malone Candles (six Lime, Basil & Mandarin, six Grapefruit) all in a customized signature Jo Malone box. Jo Malone is available at select department stores including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. It is also available at Jo Malone Shops and online at www.jomalone.com.

K Is for Kissing

There's plenty of excuses for kissing around the holidays. For the kissy-face addict in your life there's the Ultimate Lip Candy Set ($70) which contains 34 flavored lip glosses. Or if that's a bit too much (there's only so much kissing a girl can do - even in a mistletoe grove) individual Lip Gloss are available at $7 each. (See V. for Victoria's Secret below).

L Is for Last Minute

Buy a few extra scented candles. No matter how organized you think you are you will undoubtedly remember someone you forgot at the very last minute. You'll possibly remember this person when you're elbow deep in raw Brussels sprouts and turkey giblets. You might even remember them three minutes after they walk through your door clutching a gift for you. Oh yes, we've all been there. A scented candle is the perfect standby. Aveda and Jo Malone both have fabulous candles to choose from. Of course, once you buy it you won't actually need it - but you already knew that didn't you!

M Is for Men

Every year the same dilemma. What to buy for hubbie, for dad, for brothers, sons, nephews and uncles. Socks, hankies, ties and shirts always seem to be a popular choice. Its doubtful that men hate getting them as much as we hate buying them. Not more socks, we think, its so boring. In defense of socks I have to say that in my experience you can never have enough of them. Mind you, they are a pretty tragic gift at Christmas. Never mind, there's a whole plethora of Personal Care Products for men around so you can buy the chap in question something practical that isn't boring. And these days you're no longer limited to fancy shaving foam and aftershave. Check out the Jack Black (not that Jack Black) range of products for men. For the fella who wants to keep his youthful looks without resorting to a picture in the attic try Line Smoother Face Moisturizer ($26.00) or Jack Black Eye Balm ($23.00) a high potency treatment which reduces puffiness, minimizes the appearance of dark circles and helps alleviate fine lines. (All good news at any time but most especially around this time of year). Jack Black also do a great cleanser for the boys - Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser ($18) which doubles as a toner. Just the kind of thing the lads love. www.getjackblack.com. For the traditionalist (the guy who likes shaving cream and aftershave and that's it, dammit) check out Davi Skincare Reserve Shave Cream ($25) which contains antioxidants such as Grape Leaf Extract, Green Tea, Vitamins C & E and an anti-aging complex. David Coastal Vine After Shave ($35) also contains antioxidants and soothing properties to help reduce and calm shave burn, redness and irritation. Davi Skincare is available at Bergdorf Goodman and www.daviskin.com.

N Is for Naughty

And when you say naughty the first word that springs to mind is knickers. Or is that just me? Well if knickers - naughty and otherwise are on your gift list check out Julianna Rae (www.juliannarae.com) for a great selection of luxury lingerie as well as leisurewear and sleepwear. If you are fixated on naughty knickers (hey, it's not just me you know) then www.sexypantiesandnaughtyknickers.com is the website of your dreams. You can also check out Sexy Panties & Naughty Knickers at Henri Bendel, Barneys and Fraire Frou Frou.

O Is for Outstanding

It's hard to look good and have outstanding make up almost every night of the week but hey, that's December. For an exceptional look this season check out Benefit 24K Sexy Gold Lipgloss, ($20) which works equally well as a present to a friend or one to yourself. Benefit cosmetics are available at select department stores including Bloomingdales, Henri Bendel, Macy's and Century 21. They are also available at Sephora stores nationwide and online at www.benefitcosmetics.com.

P Is for philosophy

During the rest of the year philosophy products are some of the most fabulous on the shelves. You would imagine it would be hard to improve upon perfection but their holiday collections consistently do that. Once again this year they've got some fantastic kits and gifts. Memory Cranberry gift set ($25) contains Cranberry Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath and Cranberry Ultra Rich Body Lotion in a lovely gift box. The Home for the Holidays gift set ($30) contains three different Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Baths - all in seasonally appropriate scents - Double Rich Hot Cocoa, Cinnamon Buns and Spiced Apple Cider. The three cleansing products all come in a special house shaped box with festive fir tree and wreath on the door. My own favorite is the Portable Therapy at the Office (for instant energy while you work) ($30) a fantastic red reusable vinyl bag containing mini-scented hand cream, mini-scented face mist and mini-scented lip shine. The vinyl bag looks like a first aid kit. Not particularly festive I know but very very cute. Did I mention its reusable? For a more traditional gift there's always philosophy's best selling fragrance Amazing Grace ($50). philosophy is available at Sephora, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales nationwide as well as online at www.philosophy.com or by calling 1-800-568-3151.

Q Is for Quirky

For a fun and entertaining gift just about anything from Lolly Lu will do. One of my best friends is mega rich and usually impossible to buy for - seriously what do you buy the girl who has a shelf full of Prada handbags? Recently however she started collecting mugs. Phew! There are a whole load in the Lolly Lu Nice & Naughty range to keep me going for many a Christmas and birthday to come. As with the rest of the Lolly Lu range the mugs each have a cheeky saying on them such as the self-explanatory 'Coffee Slut' or the humorous 'They lied, hard work has killed lots of people.' Each mug comes packaged in its own pretty box which cuts down on wrapping paper and is kind to the environment (not to mention kind to lazy girls who hate wrapping). A snip at $9.95 each. If a mug doesn't do it for you there are all kinds of alternatives - funky compact mirrors, funny key rings, and even fabulous painted plates. Trust me; if you can't find a gift in this lot then you are buying for one truly difficult person. Lolly Lu is available online at www.shoplucys.com or by telephone at 866.85.LOLLY.

R Is for Recharge

Something you'll need to do on a regular basis throughout the month of December. Liz Earle Vital Oils Bath Blends are not only a good gift idea but something you might think about buying for yourself. The Vital Oils Bath Blends are high quality essential oils infused with skin softening apricot kernel oil and are preservative and color free. There are three fragrances Comfort, Harmony and Bliss. Comfort Vital Oil is designed to help distress, ease tension and drive away fatigue using soothing cedarwood, restoring myrtle, calming cypress as well as vetiver and vanilla. Harmony is aimed at balancing your emotions using uplifting citrus notes such as grapefruit, Clementine as well as frankincense and rosemary. Bliss is a sensual mix for the girl who wants to pamper herself and includes jasmine, ylang ylang sandalwood and rosewood. The Vital Oils are available as a trio ($45.75) or individually ($17.25). Liz Earle is available at select stores including Brownes & Co Apocathecary, Miami FL, online at www.lizearle.com, or by calling 1-800-515-5911

S Is for Sin

There's a lot of talk about sin at this time of the year - usually
gluttony and sloth. Present the stylish sinner in your life with some very special sheets from Sin in Linen a fun and frisky range of bedding and household accessories. There are a range of designs including funky mermaids, horseshoes, skull & bones and even switchblades. There are certainly not your grandma's sheets. The range also includes shower curtains, throw pillows and blankets. Even if you're single you can still have a bit of sin in the bedroom. Available online at www.sininlinen.com.

T Is for Travel

Something immigrants know all about at this time of year. I can't abide packing at any time of the year but around Christmas it's a complete nightmare. Not only do you need to find room for your shoes, your party finery and all of those other essentials but you have to fit in a bunch of presents too. Sonya Dakar have the perfect solution. The Ultraluxe Jet Set Travel Kit ($98) is the perfect companion for a trip or indeed an ideal present for someone who does more than their fair share of travel. The three piece set contains Ultraluxe Nourishing Wash, Ultraluxe Active Mask and Ultraluxe Age Control Complex. The kit comes in two varieties Dry/Normal Skin and Combination/Oily Skin. The kit itself is gorgeous, has a waterproof compartment and also room for all those other bits you need to make yourself look good on a daily basis. Jet Set Travel Kit went on sale in November at The Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic, fine spas, hotels and resorts. You can also purchase online at www.SonyaDakar.com or by telephone at 877-72-SONYA.

U Is for Universal

At this time of year more than one religion has a big winter celebration. To celebrate the ecumenical spirit of living in the melting pot of the USA give a Chrismukkah Candle ($42) from Apothia available at www.apothia.com, Barneys New York, Fred Segal and Wynn Las Vegas.

V Is for Victoria's Secret

And its not just for undies anymore. Victoria's Secret Candy Store Holiday 2007 is a collection of fun cosmetics. For sexy shimmery highlights brand new Body Shimmer Kissable Powder ($12) comes in six sizzling scents - Appletini, Strawberry Fizz, Slice of Heaven, Juiced Berry, Passion Fruit Pop and Grapefruit Blast. For hydrating there's Body Glimmer Swirl Cream ($12) available in Appletini, Strawberry Fizz, Slice of Heaven and Juiced Berry. For sexy makeup check out the Heidi Collection collaboration between supermodel Heidi Klum and Victoria's Secret makeup artist Linda Hay. The collection is made up of a fabulous Glitter Eye Liner ($12) Hot Coco Lip Gloss ($12) a four shade Mosaic Eye Shadow ($18) and Nude Perfect Lipstick ($12). If you're after fragrance then you're spoilt for choice; Dream Angels Heavenly Collectible Fragrance and Ornament ($75) is modeled on the angel wings originally worn by supermodel Oluchi in the 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The scent itself is a blend of White Peony, Vanilla and Sandalwood. Supermodel is a brand new fragrance based on Peach Blossom and Sandalwood ($49 2.5 fl oz, $39 1 fl oz), the scent is also available in a Shimmering Body Lotion ($19.50) and Shimmering Fragrance Mist ($22). Candy Store Holiday 2007 collection is available in select Victoria's Secret stores and online at www.victoriassecret.com.

W Is for Writers

Books are great gifts and best of all you can do all of your shopping online.

X Is for X-Rated

See N for Naughty

Y Is for You

Don't forget to treat yourself to something nice too.

Z Is for ZZZ

Try to get some. Buying gifts, drinking, partying and having to get up for work as usual every day can wear a girl out. Hell, even writing that sentence made me feel like lying down. Happy Slumbers and Happy Holidays.

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