Last Minute Gift Ideas

last minute gifts

Today’s the last day to order in time for xmas for most online retailers. In case you’ve procrastinated like I do every year, or just want some ideas to indulge yourself this season, here are some of my top picks:

1. Love tea? Make that afternoon tea your special time of day with a fancy Bleus d’Ailleurs teacup set from Hermes.

2. Feel chic sipping coffee in the morning from this limited edition golden monogram mug from Anthropologie. Now only $8!

3. Ensure your jewelry box is just as pretty as the jewelry inside with this Monogram Jewelry Box from C.Wonder.

4. Enjoy Hermes-esque edgy style with this Whitney Turnlock Leather Bracelet in classic black leather from Henri Bendel.

5. Be ready to hit the slopes or cozy up in front of the fire with this adorable Fair Isle Stripe Scarf from J.Crew.

6. Indulge in the It bag of the season with this small Drew bag in Tan from Chloe.

Tiffany’s Heart Key Charm Pendant Necklace

I’ve never really been a huge Tiffany’s fan; most of their jewelry is so expensive, yet I’m usually unable to tell that it came from Tiffany’s and cost an exorbitant amount vs something from a local jewelry store. I’m also not a fan of those “return to Tiffany” bracelets or pendants as they’re just trying so hard to be all “I’m from Tiffany’s!” Then I stumbled upon this little Heart Key Charm Pendant — something dainty and pretty with just a touch of Tiffany’s blue without being obnoxious about it. Quintessential Tiffany’s but still understated.

Tiffany's Heart Key Charm Pendant Necklace

I can imagine this being paired with just about everything. It’s dainty enough to go with a girly sun dress, casual enough for a tee and jeans, perfect for everyday wear.

Tiffany's Heart Key Charm Pendant Necklace

I loved and *needed* it from the moment I set eyes on it, before I even knew the price. I thought I’d be in big trouble; falling in love with a Tiffany’s piece, how cliche and vastly unaffordable. Then I saw the price and did a double take — $135! Seriously, one of the best bang-for-the-buck pieces in the Tiffany’s collection, if not the best one.

Tiffany's Heart Key Charm Pendant Necklace

Of course, the pendant does not come with its own necklace, so I paired it with a 20″ thin silver chain, which I think is the perfect length. You can get the silver chain from Tiffany’s as well, the price is pretty reasonable.

Tiffany's Heart Key Charm Pendant Necklace

All in all, one of my favorite purchases ever, and I’d highly recommend it, especially at this price. Get it here from Tiffany’s for $135. Sterling silver chain here.

Top 10 Bag Picks of the 2014 Sale Season

Is it just me or is this year’s end-of-year sale season particularly awesome? There are so many bags that I never thought would be on sale and at pretty steep discounts too! There are still many designers who have yet to post up their year-end sales, so maybe the best is still to come? That’s an exciting thought, hehe. For now, here’s what really caught my eye this year:

Fendi Crocodile-Embossed 2Jours Bag – $1,179 (down from $2,358)

Fendi Crocodile-Embossed 2Jours Bag, Bordeaux

Love this luxe twist on the new Fendi classic, the 2Jours bag. At first sight I thought it was patent leather, only to discover it’s actually quilted lambskin! Surprising, no? The leather looks yummy, love the detachable shoulder strap, and love love the bordeaux color. Shocked to see it at 50% off, but am definitely not complaining. Get it here from Farfetch for $1,179.

Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Tote – $2,632 (down from $3,290)

Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Large

Here’s another bag I didn’t think would go on sale this year, the wildly popular Saint Laurent Sac de Jour. And to be fair, it’s not on sale in a lot of places in a lot of colors, so I was surprised to find this gem — great size, beautiful dark red color, and 20% off.  Get it here from Farfetch for $2,632.

Givenchy Antigona, Small – $1,596 (down from $2,280)

Givenchy Antigona, Small

Given how hugely popular the Antigona has been this year, I did not expect to see it go on sale anywhere this sale season. But lo and behold, SSense (from Canada) seems to have a lot of bags on sale this year that are not on sale anywhere else, including this gorgeous magenta Antigona, and even the Antigona in Black and Silver. Get it here at 30% off for $1,596.

Chloe Camel/Cognac Marcie – $1,365 (down from $1,950)

Chloe Cognac Camel Marcie Bag

I was surprised to see this beauty on sale for the opposite reasons — unlike the Sac de Jour or Antigona that seemed to have skyrocketed into popularity this year, this Chloe Marcie, particularly in this camel/cognac color, is a huge perennial classic, and those typically never go on sale as they’re always popular year after year. I haven’t seen this color Marcie on sale anywhere else, so grab it while you can at 30% off here from Ssense.

Saint Laurent Y Ligne Cabas Tote – $1,992 (down from $2,490)

Saint Laurent Y Ligne Cabas

Yet another bag I haven’t seen on sale anywhere else. It’s simple yet chic, definitely an understated classic worth having, especially at 20% off. Get it here from Ssense for $1,992. Available also in Red.

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily Bag – $1,498 (down from $2,995)

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily

The Miss Sicily bag hasn’t really taken off in terms of popularity, but I myself am quite a fan. I like the distinct shape, the fine details from the touches of hardware at the top to the contrast stitching, and of course I’m particularly a fan of this cognac/camel color, especially in this yummy pebbled leather. Really surprised to see it at 50% off, but also not surprised given this style really hasn’t been that popular. Take advantage here at Ssense.

Gucci Swing Tote – $769 (down from $1100)

Gucci Swing Tote

This Gucci Swing Tote was quite the buzz of the town when it first launched this year. It’s a great classic shape that even incorporates the “winged” sides trend that’s been so popular of late, yet it doesn’t cost the exorbitant amount that a top designer full leather large tote typically commands. It’s a great work bag or even a diaper bag, and comes in very happy colors. Now, at 30% off, it’s an even better value. Get it here from Gucci.com for $769.

3.1 Phillip Lim Fuchsia Textured Pashli Mini (SSense Exclusive) – $600 (down from $750)

3.1 Phillip Lim Textured Mini Pashli

I am loving the 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashlis; something about them is just so cool yet adorable. They have the perfect capacity to carry all your daily essentials so they’re also practical. They’re all the rage in Asia these days, along with the normal sized Pashlis. If you don’t want a black one like almost everyone else, I’m loving this Ssense exclusive Fuchsia textured color; it’s so edgy but pretty. Get it here from Ssense at 20% off for $600.

Reed Krakoff Micro Boxer Bag – $539 (down from $1,079)

Reed Krakoff Micro Boxer Bag

I’ve always been a fan of Reed Krakoff’s Boxer bag. It’s the epitome of classy and luxe without any touch of trendiness or age on it, not to mention the fact that it’s been a classic for years without it ever oversaturating the market/streets makes it that much more attractive as well. Now, in “micro” form, it’s simply adorable; all of the beautiful details in a more portable and easy-to-carry form. The price is also great, especially at 50% off. Get it here from Farfetch for $539.

Gucci Soft Stirrup Shoulder Bag – $1,539 (down from $2200)

Gucci Soft Stirrup Shoulder Bag

I literally obsessed over this bag for months when it first came out a couple years ago. No logos, not low-maintenance leather, and no fancy patterns or designs, but for some reason, despite all that, it just screamed luxe to me. It represented the epitome of someone who carried a gorgeous bag that turned everyone’s heads and made you envy her even though you have no idea where the bag was from or who designed it, nor did it matter. Now, after many seasons of refusing to be on sale, this bag is finally 30% off. Get it here from Gucci.com for $1,539.