Holiday Gift Guide: For All The Fashionable Girls in Your Life

Holiday season is upon us, and while I have already received my Christmas present (a Marc Jacobs winter coat that I can't stop talking about), there are a couple of things I'm still wishing for.  Though I won't be getting anything more this year, perhaps my wishes can serve as holiday gift ideas for all the fashion addicted women in your life, in a decent range of pricepoints...

1. As if Alexander Wang's black motorcycle style bags weren't sick enough, for Pre-Spring he's releasing his hobo sac in dirty white.  Wang is quoted as saying, "Whenever my friends buy white bags, like, pristine white, they’re trashed within a week. I always liked that look. And with the dirty white leather, it’s like we did the breaking in for you."  I love that look too---it reminds me of a pair of white Marc by Marc Jacobs boots I used to have which quickly became wonderfully scuffed and worn in, and which I wore to death.  Approximately $795, exclusively available at Barneys New York.

2. There's nothing I would like more than a Fifi Lapin drawing to hang on my wall.  I love all of the pretty illustrations of Fifi Lapin wearing different designer outfits from the latest collections, and this picture of Fifi wearing Maison Martin Margeila made me swoon. $45 at Fifi Lapin.

3. The Dolphin Studio Calendar is a hand silk-screened calendar made by a family of artisans living in Massachusetts.  I love the beautiful bold prints and graphics, and that every member of the family, including the kids, contributes designs for calendar months.  I gave my brother a little hint, and he's getting it for me for Christmas.  $50 at The Dolphin Studio.

4. I've always loved Works on Whatever, a series of everyday objects designed by artists, and this year's selection of beach towels is particularly stellar.  I'm lusting after the giant Ed Ruscha towel in particular, featuring words against a sunset colored sky.  The best part is that revenue from the sales benefit the non-profit organizations mission of introducing contemporary art to a larger audience.  $50 at Works on Whatever.

5. Yokoo's giant knit Pembroke Cowl is like the alpha version of my H&M circle scarf that I wear just about every day.  It looks super warm and perfect for the winter months, and reminds me of the Sandra Backlund's amazing knit pieces, but at relatively affordable pricepoints.  Plus, they're handknit by Yokoo herself, and are available in a range of colors.  $115 at Yokoo's Etsy Shop.

6. I usually borrow my books from the library, but I am starting to buy books that I know I will come back to for inspiration for the rest of my life.  This Lanvin book is the perfect addition to any fashion addict's collection.   $53 at Amazon.

7. I've been wanting a Comme Des Garcons wallet for a long time now, mainly to replace the crappy, beat up Lulu Guinness wallet I've had for years---it's just so hard to chose the perfect color.  Nonetheless, they come in every shape, and size possible, to satisfy any girl or boy's specific needs.  Available at Opening Ceremony.

8.  You can never have too many D.L. & Co. Candles.  They smell absolutely divine, and come in the prettiest packaging, which you'll want to keep long after your candle has burnt out.  A true luxury.  $85 available at Barneys New York.

-Tiffany

Recessionista: A Coming Out Party For The Cheapskate

This outfit was free: Marc by Marc Jacobs velvet jacket with sequined details I got from working at Lucky Shops, silk floral dress I got from working at Anna Sui, Christian Dior riding boots I got as a hand-me-down from Mrs. Shiah, vintage fur hat I got as a hand-me-down from my cousin Elaine, and necklace and ring I got from working at Gerard Yosca.

I'm sure all of you are getting sick of hearing the word "Recessionista" bandied about in the news media, alongside reports of consumer guilt and plummeting luxury sales.  Still, while it's time for some to hide their outrageous spending habits, for me, a chronic thrift-minded, borderline cheapskate, it's finally socially acceptable, and even celebrated, to be frugal.

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a copy of New York Magazine, where the cover story, "Live Cheap Without Giving Up Too Much," promised dozens of tips on how too save money and cut down on unnecessary expenses in this time of fiscal crisis.  Always excited by the prospect of pinching a few pennies, I skimmed the article, only to find that I already did 90% of the things that they suggested, and often with even more cost-cutting tactics in place.  For example, their suggestion to "Drink only at Dives."  Well, I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago to never pay for a drink again in this city (not just to save money, but to prevent me from becoming a full blown alcoholic), and given my nightlife job as a hostess/promoter, I get to drink for free at least 2-3 times a week anyway.  Plus, I also get to give all my friends free drinks (you can still share while remaining thrifty), and at the end of the night I get paid for it.  In addition to spending less on drinks, the article also suggested "Be Your Own Restaurant" to cut on the cost of eating out.  Luckily, I have my amazing live-in chef/husband, who manages to wrangle a weeks worth of groceries for $40 (that's just $20 a person!), and magically turn it into many, many restaurant quality meals.  Now all I have to do is kick my Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with a shot of espresso habit.

When it comes to Fashion, the article suggests several ways to save money: "Embrace Low Fashion," "Rent A Dress," and "Swap Clothes."  Well, I already shop at H&M and Target, I would never pay money to rent an outfit, but we do occasionally borrow clothes from Screaming Mimi's for our parties gratis, thanks to Laura, and I already engage in trading clothing with friends.  In fact, I have to say that around 50% of my wardrobe is free, whether it's been obtained from working at various fashion companies, it's a hand-me-down, it's been swapped for my unwanted duds with friends, or it's a 66S D.I.Y. project made for a minimal amount of money (sometimes reimbursed).  The other 50% was purchased at Sample Sales or at equally high discounts, with a few vintage and thrift finds thrown in for good measure.

Anyway, this is an outfit I composed from some of the gratis clothing in my wardrobe, and now I'm off to see some museums with Jimmy, which I can still get into for free with my old I.D. from when I worked in The Whitney Museum Film Curatorial Department.  That's the true lesson learned for saving yourself some money: always work somewhere where you can get good perks.

-Tiffany

Sneak Peek: Screaming Mimi's Holiday Windows

Nicollette dressing a mannequin with a vintage corset, 3 crinolines, and layer upon layer of fake pearls.

This afternoon, I stopped by Screaming Mimi's to visit Nicollette, who has essentially taken residence in the store for the past week.  She was in the middle of styling the mannequins for the Holiday Windows that they are putting up today, with the help of the best window dresser downtown has to offer, and former Paper Magazine Beautiful Person, Eric Vidmar.  Here's a picture of her giving the mannequin a Chanel-meets-The-Nutcracker look.  More pictures to come from Nicollette with the finished results!

We're currently planning for the Screaming Mimi's 30th Year Anniversary Party, which will be at our new favorite downtown spot, Broadway East, next Tuesday.  It will start with a private dinner for SM's best friends, and then we will open up the entire restaurant for everyone fabulous to stop by.  Save the date!

-Tiffany