GRAB BAG | The Valeria bag from Judith Leiber is classic, luxurious and chic—and unlike so many others, there’s room for more than a lipstick. Get it now and it will be your go-to party bag for years to come. $925, Mitchells-Richards, Greenwich, (203) 622-0551, and Westport, (203) 227-5165, and Judith Lieber, NYC, (212) 223-2999, judithleiber.com.
PURPLE REIGN | You’ll look positively regal in this amethyst and pink sapphire necklace from Sorab & Roshi. Price upon request, Cross River, NY, (914) 763-2140, sorabandroshi.com.
NATURAL BEAUTY | This breathtaking ring from Kimberly McDonald, made with geode, baroque pearl, fire opal and diamonds, would be a knock-out gift for your favorite fashionista. $23,320, available at Mitchells-Richards, Greenwich, (203) 622-0551, and Westport, (203) 227-5165, mitchellsrichards.com.
RED ALERT | Michael Kors’ Chronograph watch comes in a range of brights, but our favorite is this red. Who doesn’t love a little crimson for the holidays? $195, Greenwich, (203) 618-1200, and NYC, (212) 452-4685, michaelkors.com.
STEPPING OUT | Make a statement in the “Davis” shoe from Diane von Furstenberg. The fuschia color will look great with all of your little black dresses, and the zipper up the back adds a bit of elegant edge. $330, NYC, (646) 486-4800, dvf.com.
PRETTY HANDY | The Jawbone PRIME allows you to connect with multiple phones at once, and has military-grade noise-cancellation technology. It comes in a range of great colors, like this rich violet. $89, at Best Buy, Norwalk, (203) 857-4543, and Hartsdale, NY, (914) 946-0707, and jawbone.com.
STYLISH STORAGE | Hand made by artisans in Africa, these baskets from Serena & Lily are created from strips of recycled plastic, wrapped around coils of natural fiber. They are a great way to add some style to stowing your odds and ends. $68-$148, at The Linen Shop, New Canaan, (203) 972-0433, and Gracious Home, NYC, (212) 231-7800, and serenaandlily.com.
LUXE LAYER | These throws are made of 100% Scottish cashmere, and come in 36 different colors. They’re the perfect accessory for cozy winter weekends. $1,400, available at Lucca & Co., NYC, (212) 593-0117, luccany.com.
YOU’RE SO VAIN | The OhSo Vanity can be described by oh-so-many words, among them bold, glamorous and absolutely gorgeous. $2,614 as shown, can be made in custom sizes and any color, available at carolinageorge.com.
STORY TIME | The latest incarnation of the Kindle has better contrast, a smaller body and holds up to 3,500 of your favorite books. Plus, the battery life lasts for a whole month. $189, amazon.com.
boxing day | These hammered-silver boxes make thoughtful gifts on their own, but you can add a personal touch by filling them with something special. Round, $150, and rectangular, $395, Ralph Lauren, NYC, (212) 434-8000 and Greenwich, (203) 869-2054, ralphlaurenhome.com.
treasure box | Dita Von Teese designed this gem of a box, which holds a bottle of Cointreau, two long-stemmed cocktail glasses and a pink cobbler shaker. You can also use it to hold jewelry or keepsakes. Cointreau Coffret, $299, available at Astor Wines & Spirits, NYC, (212) 674-7500 and cointreau.com.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE | Cisco’s new umi let’s you video chat with friends and family on your TV screen, so now all of your conversations can be in hi-def, no matter how long-distance. $599, (plus monthly service fee), available at Best Buy, Norwalk, (203) 857-4543, and Hartsdale, NY, (914) 946-0707, and cisco.com.
ART GLASS | Lle-Dom’s Red Swirl Cone is hand blown and signed by artist Abby Modell, who creates each one-of-a-kind piece. $2,500, available at HB Home, Westport, (203) 226-8777 and Greenwich, (203) 629-4999, and lle-dom.com.
SHINE ON | This on-trend metallic garden seat from the Van Cleve Collection is made for the outdoors, but who says you can’t use it to add a little shine to your indoors, too? $425, at Dovecote, Westport, (203) 222-7500, dovecote-westport.com.
WHITE LIGHT | This 32-inch white-washed wooden lantern adds an elegant and dramatic note to any room in your home. $125 (candle sold separately), available at SM Home, 70 Arch Street, Greenwich, (203) 629-8121, sandramorganinteriors.com.
POLISHED PAPERS | That stylish soirée deserves a special note of thanks. Use these cards, and you’re sure to leave an impression. $15.50, Cursive New York at abc carpet & home, (646) 602-3806, and Grand Central, (212) 867-5550, and suitorlife.com.
SWEET READING | In Chocolate Passion, Lindt master chocolatiers share their personal recipes and techniques. Pair it with a box of truffles to make a sweet gift for the holidays. Book, $35, holiday gift box, $15, available at The Lindt Chocolate Bar, Scarsdale, NY (914) 722-1063, and the Lindt shop at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, Clinton, (860) 664-4675, lindtusa.com.
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES | Celebrate the season with Rémy Martin VSOP Hot Holiday. Make it your go-to hostess gift, or pop a few corks at your own party. $50, available at PJ Wine, Inc., NYC, (212) 567-5500,pjwine.com, and remy.com.
bowled over | Add sparkle to your coffee table with this delicate papier-mâché bowl. $78, at Privet House., Greenwich, (203) 340-9544, and Cornwall, (860) 868-1800, privethouse.com.
DESPERATELY CHIC | Vagabond House, a favorite of “The Desperate Housewives,” offers some seriously stylish barware this holiday season. $37-$400, available at Woodbury Pewter, Woodbury, (800) 648-2014 and Aero, NYC, (212)966-1500,vagabondhouse.com
on the map | This scrimshaw cane has the globe engraved on its whalebone knob handle. The workmanship is so detailed that the seven seas even have whales floating in them. Scrimshaw Globe Cane, $2,450, (877) 315-8653, rauantiques.com.
ALL BOTTLED UP | Creed’s Aventus is the latest scent from the brand, and the citrus-y Royal Water was created with the new generation of royals in mind. As shown: Royal Water, $225, and Aventus, $140, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, (203) 862-5300 and Neiman-Marcus, White Plains NY, (914) 428-2000, creedboutique.com.
CHALK IT UP | Each CHALK Ping Pong Table from Aruliden is made to order, and features a chalkboard surface that encourages players to get creative with their game. $4,750, sold exclusively at The Conran Shop, NYC, (866) 755-9079, conranusa.com
LOOKING SHARP | Neil Pabian makes these one-of-a-kind razors and perfume pens. which hold enough cologne for a week. Pens, $25-$200; razors $75-$200. Visit woodenages.com or call (203) 895-7521 to order.
GREAT RIDES | Looking for something for your favorite car nut? Find gems like this 1951 Cadillac 62 series and so many others at The Classic Car Gallery. Price upon request, Southport, (203) 256-9800, classiccargallery.com.
POCKET PICK | Get caught carrying Smythson’s wallet and card case in Electric Blue Mara, and you’ll be regarded as the most fashionable man in town. Men’s Wallet, $235, and Card Case, $165, NYC, (866) 769-8476, smythson.com.
FINE VINES | Straight out of a fairytale, this sitting arbor from Laura Spector Design is a stunning piece of natural art. It would be a magical addition to your garden. Price upon request, Fairfield, (203) 254-3952, lauraspectorrusticdesign.com.
GREEN READING | Gardens of the Hudson Valley (The Monacelli Press, 2010) shows readers how gardens have influenced, and been impacted by, the historic landscape of the area. $50, Elm Street Books, New Canaan, (203) 966-4545, elmstreetbooks.com and Diane’s Books, Greenwich, (203) 869-1515, dianesbooks.com.
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS | These heirloom seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company will deliver fresh vegetables for years to come. highmowingseeds.com, and rareseeds.com.
PARIS, J’taiME | This Zinc Agave plant was found on a buying trip to Paris. Wouldn’t a pair of them look great flanking your French doors? $325, J. Seitz & Co., New Preston, (860) 868-0119, jseitz.com.
SHAPE up | Use these concrete planters in cool shapes to add some visual interest to your garden. Jardins Belgian Planter Group, $595-$2,450, available at Treillage, NYC, (212) 535-2288, and innergardens.com.
HAUTE HOEDOWN | Even if you’re not blessed with a green thumb, you’ll still look great in the garden using these tools from Sneeboer and Felco. As shown, $35-65, Foxgloves, Beacon, NY, (888) 322-4450, and sneeboerusa.com.
OUT AT SEA | The individual tide pools in this “Puddle Farm” fill up with water when the tide comes in, and stay filled when it goes out. It can be made in steel, bronze, and stone, and as wide as 30 feet. As shown, about $200,000 with installation, from Colombo Construction Corp., Brookyln, NY, (718) 399-2233, firefeatures.com.
travel pro | Buy 25 hours on one of Flexjet’s 5 airplanes with the Flexjet25 card, and get a bonus trip to Napa Valley, which includes luxury resort accommodations, dinner for two by world-renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and more. $124,900-$299,000, (866) 473-0025, flexjet25.com.
home away from home | The newly re-opened GoldenEye Hotel & Resort on Jamaica’s northern coast was home to Ian Fleming while writing all 14 James Bond novels. With gorgeous accommodations, two new restaurants and a fantastic spa, we think you’ll feel right at home too. Special introductory rates start at $536 per night for Lagoon Suites. Call (876) 975-3354, goldeneye.com.
snowy sanctuary | At the luxe new Montage Deer Valley, you’ll have ski-in/ski-out access to the mountain’s fabled terrain, from its groomed cruisers to its powdery steeps. Après-ski, indulge in the 35,000-square-foot spa and take advantage of great shopping and dining in nearby Park City. 3 night/4 day package in a one-bedroom suite, from $3,700. Call Valerie Wilson Travel, NYC, (212) 532-3400, vwti.com.
walk the world | Experience the Indian Himalayas on a private, guided walking tour with Shakti’s village-to-village walks. You’ll spend your days surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery, and your nights surrounded by Egyptian cotton sheets, with meals prepared by a personal chef. Kumaon Village Experience, from $1,245 per person for a 3 night/4 day package, (866) 401-3705, shaktihimalaya.com.
