'La Femme Fete'

Vintage clothing and jewelry, a fashion show, complimentary cocktails and gourmet cupcakes – my friends know how to kick off holiday shopping in style.

This past Saturday I was invited by friend and fashion-colleague-of-sorts Sammy Davis (Life and Style Weekly alum that we are) to Femme Fête – a night of fashion revelry and a formal introduction to the women of Sammy Davis Vintage, Happy Hill Vintage and Kim Last Designs.

Armed with my Prada shoes, and my best friend Sara with her Chloe bag, we clicked our way down the two blocks to the Femme Fête, not quite knowing what to expect.

What we found on the fifth floor of the 36th Street building were rows of like-minded attendees, racks of clothes and booths with must-have earrings, necklaces, rings, handkerchiefs and coin purses.

Sammy Davis Vintage hats and accessories

I indulged in some of the bite-sized cupcakes first, which were absolute pumpkin-flavored-heaven, and sipped my “eau de VeeV” before thumbing through the racks of Sammy Davis Vintage clothes. Within minutes, Sara and I were swooning over a gray faux fur mink coat and olive pill box hat with veil.

Having partnered with Sammy on a past photo shoot, I was more than aware of her affordable price range.

“100 dollars,” Sara said out loud as she inspected the wool coat, “Oh, my gosh. That’s nothing!”

I waved her over to the stand with the 1980s gold chain necklaces and cuff earrings: “$35, $40, $25…” Each piece was priced well under $50.

Vintage Jewelry selection from Happy Hill Vintage

We then stood by a suitcase in a corner that was spilling with straw brim hats, some more pill box hats and raffia bags. Our trying on was cut short by Sammy’s voice, rising above the DJ’s music spinning.

One by one, a handful of models walked out in pieces from the collections of the Femme Fête women: a gold sequin dress with an asymmetrical fringe hem and cap sleeves; an ivory boyfriend blazer and pink wrap-around dress; my best friend’s favorite fur coat in a brown variation, thrown over a teal dress.

Gold sequin dress with fringe hemline and cap sleeves

Multicolored sequin shift dress

Faux fur coat with teal dress

Pink boyfriend blazer worn as dress with turquoise Kim Last necklace

White boyfriend blazer over hot pink wrap dress

Sequin top worn over black pants

Sara and I left the party, the two of us already talking about ordering some of those gourmet cupcakes for her apartment warming party and me, making a mental wish list of what Sammy Davis Vintage I want for Christmas.

-S. Gonzalez

'Sealed With a Bow'

It was perhaps the single most embarrassing experience that could happen to someone who so confidently shared her recipe for tying the perfect bow not even three weeks ago.

There I was this past Sunday at a nearby nursing home – where I normally spend all my Sundays, helping the residents to tie a bow around their unfinished floral arrangements and coming… undone.

The residents had just finished a Bible study session that typically culminated with a religious arts and craft activity. They would be taking unused pots and using the green foam squares to concoct a floral arrangement out of Spanish moss and rich, autumn-colored silk flowers.

An inspirational verse from the Bible, tacked onto the end of a stick, and a decorative bow tied around the pot were to be the final touches.

With arthritis getting in the way of some essential bow-tying, the residents came to me for help. After all, I not only work as a merchandiser/stylist – I spent six years in high school and college working at a craft store that also specialized in custom floral arrangements.

Surely, I was a good person to ask for help.

Wrong.

I was too fixated on tying the bow I had so proudly talked about; not realizing that it cannot be made without the help of some kind of wire to anchor its center.

In case you should run into the same dilemma, I've included another "how to" of how to tie a simple, but symmetrical "bow knot." (There are many other variations of bows you can try, but is the most widely used.) Because everyone can tie a bow, but not everyone can achieve that perfect, "figure 8" swoop:

*You will need two pieces of ribbon:

1. Tie a bow out of the ribbon already wrapped around the pot/gift/box, etc. Make the bow whatever size you want.

2. Fold over the first side of the bow and then the other.

3. Take the second piece of ribbon – this piece will serve as the “faux bow tails.” Tie the ribbon around the ribbon knot.

4. Adjust the bow and tail length accordingly so that you have a nice, symmetrical bow.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of www.daniellesrockawayflorist.com and www.mysilkweddingflowers.com

'More Deals and Steals cont.'

Some more deals and steals to make it your way:

These two pieces can be found at Décor Innovation.

Save $9.00

Eat, drink and be merry. Isn’t that what the holidays are about? But you can’t go to a holiday party empty-handed. Yes, do bring some wine and chocolates and other essential goodies. And do bring a set of these holiday-themed, wine stoppers.

Coming in sets of two ($15.99) and in colorful shapes like Santa Claus and a dancing snowman, each is hand-made in the unique glass blowing tradition. To be used for future wine-popping, your hosts will not only be impressed by your attention to detail, but be delighted by the small trinkets. And hey, few gifts show that wasting alcohol is not one of your weaknesses.

Save $5.00

There are those who like me, are visual. Others are drawn to sounds, taste and touch. Then there are those that rely on their noses.

Incense, scented creams and sprays, and candles (scented or not) are all known for their healing and meditative powers. In fact, more and more people each year choose products known for their therapeutic effects in an effort to achieve a healthier and happier well-being.

Did you know that white candles symbolize purity, power and hope? While it burns and rids the area of all negativity, so they say, the space in which it burns is cleansed and healing can begin.

What I love about this five-piece, white candle ($29.99) set is that it also comes with its own wooden holder and polished stones. The five candles consist of four pillar-shaped candles in varying heights and a sphere-shaped candle. For all you candle-lovers out there, a lot of times these pieces are sold separately.

FYI: The more you spend at Décor Innovation, the more you save. For every $100 purchase you get $5 off; for $150 or more you get $10 off, and so forth.

What are you waiting for?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Decor Innovation

'The Deal Breaker'

My nine-old-cousin not-so-subtlety hinted over e-mail yesterday afternoon: "Do you know what next week is?"

Like any good family member, I knew that it was my cousin’s10th birthday and that shopping for her birthday gift would have to be high on my priority list.

But I also knew that the occasion signaled the start of holiday shopping season.

And anybody who thought that the United States was battling a deep recession – try going to my nearest shopping mall on a Saturday and finding a parking spot. You’ll think twice.

More so the reason for doing most of my shopping online. Me, online shopping - are you surprised?

Whether it's a 20% off Friends & Family sale at Bloomingdales (look for promocode above) or a 25-40% designer sale at Saks Fifth Avenue, there are bargains to be made now:

Save $28.62

With two infants in the family, both almost three months old, baby clothes seems like a reasonable gift idea to the frazzled mothers. My one cousin raved about the organic clothes I gave her as a baby shower gift this past summer. Her only complaint was that her baby girl was too young to wear them yet!

A set of organic cotton bodysuits (see below) not only protects a baby with sensitive skin, but are both acceptable buys for any baby boy or girl.

Save $15.00

I CANNOT get enough of these sumptuous faux fur throws. Come to think about it, I might already have two versions in the leopard print somewhere in my house.

Why? The plush backing makes me feel as if I’ve fallen into a pool of micro-fleece blankets. And I admire the quality craftsmanship: The throws are finished with a miter corner – which takes a lot longer to finish than a regular hem (for all you non-sewers out there).

Whereas most faux fur tries to emulate minx or rabbit, this is the first time I’ve stumbled across a giraffe print. But the print is funky, upbeat and an easy go-to piece to add some excitement to a room.

For more gift ideas, I’ll be featuring at least two new products each week from now until the end of the holidays!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of decorinnovation.com and newsletter from bloomingdales.com