Want to give the MOST unique gift?

The one made JUST FOR THEM?

Here are two/three ways to do that. One is online and the other is in NYC only...unless you know someone here who can go and do it for you....

UPDATE: Another personalizable gift, this one from BLISS! Whippee! (that's Whoopie and Yipee combined since it's THAT exciting).

You can design your own gift set from a group of their top-selling items. There's 30 things to choose from, or don't make any choices at all and just get them all (or is that 30 choices?). Regardless, you can get a great gift for anyone on your list, including you. Good to stock up now for events next year...hand cream and the moisturizing gloves for the friend who just got engaged? foot cream and the moisturizing socks for the friend who's preggo? "comments" me if you need any more gift ideas. I LOVE this stuff.

Click here for all your options



1. Make a personalized cookbook, a Tastebook. Hardcover, easy-open binder (which allows them to add to it, making it even more personalized), professionally bound, get 100 recipes for $34.95. Because it's a cookbook you can start from scratch or with a pre-made mix! Put their name and occasion on the cover. Make a title. Make yourself one! You can design the cover and use epicurious.com for recipes which has recipes form Bon Appetite and Gourmet magazines. There are labels tabs so you can make an all dessert Tastebook and let them add whatever else they want. Here's where to get started: Tastebook

and

2. This was in BFF Bridal and Daily Candy NYC, but I'm sure wandering around SoHo you'd see people wandering around w/Swarovski encrusted (or maybe just personalized) Moet and Chandon champagne bottles. It's BYOB so buy a case and get them all personalized for different people, or just put days of the week on them. Buy mini bottles and put your wedding date or your new monogram and call them party favors. Celebrate a big birthday that hasn't happened yet, or a big anniversary that you know you'll want to celebrate. My mind is reeling with possibilities. It's $30 for up to 7 characters on any size bottle.
Plus, you get to go to SoHo
Locale: 455 W. Broadway between Houston and Price Sts
When: Friday-Sunday in December 2007 (hello New Years Eve!?)
Here's the info: Cheers!

Love to Nest?

UPDATE: Another little Babushka thingy. This one's from Anthro (sigh): Umm, OK the picture isn't posting. Here's the link to the salt and pepper shakers. They have a quite nice design on them

These are such a great version of the traditional Russian Nesting Dolls.

Plus, I LOVE the website http://www.spoonsisters.com/. They have great, sometimes funny, gifts and interesting products you don't see everywhere.

Elle's Dec issue had a little round up of the trend as well. Make your own
and be way ahead!

If I remember I'll double check the page and add to the post. Otherwise, go flip through a copy on the street or at a Barnes. You might learn something else while you're reading.

FOUND IT: Page 305. Top part of the page.

NY Botanical Garden EVENTS...

...including the famed Train Show!

Click here for all the info.

SHOP NYC

The GEN Art

Invites you to SHOP NYC
Join us for an amazing evening of shopping, cocktails, music and pampering...
Wednesday, December 5
VIP Ticket Presale
Shop the best items first, includes gift bag, open champagne bar and a 1 year (6 issue) subscription to Blueprint Magazine(a $7.95 value!)
4:00 - 6:00pm

General Admission Sale 6:00 - 10:00pm
The Puck Building
293 Lafayette Street(b/w Houston & Prince Streets)
New York, NY

Gen Art is proud to invite you to SHOP NYC, showcasing the wares of 50+ emerging high-end designers who will sell their spring / summer collections at discounted prices in womenswear, menswear and accessories. Don't miss a great event for buying holiday gifts for yourself and others!

For a list of participating designers click HERE.

Where do you wish you were?

While looking for some cute holiday party tops I came across what I'm calling vacation sweaters. I'd take them all and change them depending on my mood. I might even put a brooch on exactly where I'd like to go, or where I've been.

Enjoy! If you'd like to buy one, click here.

Meatpacking District - Details Magazine ShoppingEvent

This is direct from NYC.com with the important parts highlighted: (hmm, I've got plans at 2pm for hot choc w/a friend after the bathroom video shoot (I'm so nervous!) but maybe after that I can head downtown?).

EDITORIAL REVIEW
Details magazine is helping to celebrate New York’s famed Meatpacking District with a day of shopping, style, music, entertainment and special guests on Saturday, December 1, 2007, noon-5pm, throughout the Meatpacking District.

The day will feature discounts up to 20% off at some of the area’s hottest stores, including Theory, Tracy Reese, Banana Republic, Puma, An Earnest Cut & Sew, Calypso, Scoop Men, Rebecca & Drew and more.

Participating restaurants will feature free Bollinger champagne tastings, food tastings and discounts.

The Hotel Gansevoort [also the spot for the annual Stillman Father/Daughter weekend!See you at Jeffrey!] will host seven pop-up stores including Le Blanc, Remington, Asics, Dunhill, Hanes, Epson, and Kenneth Cole. Kenneth Cole will feature its famed “Production Truck” and will sell limited edition t-shirts to benefit World AIDS Day.

Guests can also bid on silent auction items ranging from exclusive dinners to one-of-a-kind fashion items and experiences.

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007
TIME: Noon – 5:00 PM

Design-Her Gals

Want to make a gift literally personalized? make notecards, t-shirts, mugs, aprons, and wine tags(cool!) almost anything with a cartoon imagine for your, your family, friends, pets, whatever and you can look like you!

I've made bridal things, pregnancy things, BDAY party invites ( a few versions) and I've received TY notes for the same party. I LOVE this site!

NOW: Get 25% off all purchases for the next FOUR(4) days!!!

Again, buy things now for events you have coming up...like a housewarming, baby shower, wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, birthdays, no reason at all....

Here's the site: www.designhergals.com

You'll be overwhelmed by adorable! Make yourself whomever you want to be....never made the cheerleading squad? Give yourself some pompoms! Always wanted a dog? pick 1, pick 5. Wish your guy had blonde hair and blue eyes? You really can change them!

ENJOY.

Oh, the secret 25% off code is: KICKOFF2
(expires midnight Monday, December 3rd)

Miracle On Madison THIS SUNDAY!

There's been some confusion lately over this Sunday v. next Sunday. THIS Sunday is the 2nd of Dec. NEXT Sunday is the 9th of Dec.



THIS Sunday is the Miracle on Madison (so if you've been a dedicated reader you would already have Meatpacking in your palm/date book for Saturday and now you have Sunday plans as well....NO excuses for not finishing your wishlists and giftlists by the end of this weekend! Right in time for Hannukah and early for XMas...you're welcome).

Here's the intro info from the site linked to above (as usual w/the important parts hilighted in bold):
On Sunday, December 2nd you can enjoy holiday shopping and help children in need! Shop at any of the Miracle on Madison Avenue participating retailers and 20% of every purchase you make will benefit children in need. Click here to view participant list. [the list is LONG]
Show your Miracle Shoppers’ Card at participating stores and your purchase will support the health services of The Children’s Aid Society. Click here to download the shoppers' card Meet Andy Phillips of the New York Yankees, Tamara Tunie of Law and Order SVU and other special guests at the Miracle Opening Ceremony at noon. From shopping to spa treatments, from gourmet tastings to kids’ entertainment, live music and a luxury raffle, there is truly something for everyone!

I love my 'hood: Attend the Miracle Ribbon Cutting at the Opening Ceremony Noon on Madison Avenue and 69th Street!

OHMIGOD, I just read more closely...There's going to be a REAL SIMPLE GIFT WRAPPING TENT! I may go just to see it. Here's that info: 70-71st: Real Simple Gift Wrap Tent Let the experts wrap your holiday gifts

I may just stop by....of course I'll be on Madison for hot choc on Saturday....nothing like two days in a row (three really but that's just because I was networking at a private event at Saks this morning! It was outofcontrol cool! I was one of THREE people on the entire NEW SHOE FLOOR! and everything was 15% off. Literally like a kid in a candy store....In fact I wanted to BE a candy store when I was little so it was the perfect morning...except 8-10am wasn't enough time w/the mobs who descended.) Sorry, I lost my train of thought. I got the COOLEST new fold-over large clutch w/shoulder strap for Hannukah (thanks mystery elf!) ..anyways, go to Madison Ave on Sunday and look for me stalking the gift wrapping table. I'm actually going to be at Borders in Time Warner wrapping gifts in a few weekends for Haddasah..I'm an expert Jewish gift wrapper, having taken a class at the 92nd St Y. I think I could wrap an ornament or tinsel though too. I'm an equal opportunity wrapper! PS. In Japan they make folds on their gifts for good luck..in odd numbers. Just a little FYI Trivia for you on a Friday evening. Toss it around at your dinner parties tonight.

I can't resist: here's my new bag but I got it on sale and + 15% off! OY! have to write a TY to my work friend who got sick and couldn't' go so I took her place. Hmm, should I have bought her something? Too late...sorry J.L.P.

SALE ALERT- Lauren Merkin

Every NYC gal needs a Lauren Merkin bag.

I love my Tahiti bag...so named by whomever names the bags and by myself bc I took it on my Tahitian (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea) honeymoon.

Anyways, there's a sample sale where the deals are always great. I once braved a rain storm to go...

Locale: 231 WEST 29TH ST, SUITE 201, BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH AVE
When: DEC 4 TUES - 6 THURS from 11 am - 7 pm
$$$: CASH. AMEX, VISA, M/C, DISCOVER no checks please.

Check out www.laurenmerkin.com for some hint of what'll be there, no online sale however.

Ever heard of a blog-tour?

I'm sure you've all heard that Nina Garcia wrote a book. Who? the Elle Fashion Director and Project Runway judge, duh! It's called The Little Black Book of Style.

Anyways, she's going on a blog tour thru the blogosphere to all the best fashion blogs, including, well I read all of them so including these ones on these days:

12/3 - Fashionista
12/4 - Coquette
12/5 - BussBuss
12/6 - FabSugar
12/7 - Fashiontribes

Buss Buss has invited their readers to send in questions for Nina to answer. Since you're my reader and I'm their reader it makes you their reader by default. I don't send all their info, it's not all super duper, but I like a lot of what they post. The market is so saturated (so why not join then, JES?)...

What would you ask Nina? Email your question(s) to editor@bussbuss.com by midnight tonight!

Puddin' on the...

...pounds:

OHMIGOD and WOW!!!


From Zagats Buzz: All I can see is this:

The wait for the puddin' is over. ChikaLicious Puddin', the to-go sibling to popular dessert specialist ChikaLicious, has opened.
Calling itself "America's First Made-To-Order Take Away Desserts" spot, Puddin' will initially feature only three menu items: Brioche Bread Puddin', Steamed Apple Puddin' and Adult Chocolate Puddin' and that is it. No rice, no seats and hopefully a much shorter line than its older sibling.

...ritz:

I LOVE bread pudding. There's a spot downtown that makes white chocolate brioche bread pudding. You cld die on the spot from delight. Club Med always had FAB chocolate bread. Unlimited FAB chocolate bread... and that's when i was young enough to not care what I looked like in a bathing suit...I also ate fro yo like it was free. Well, it was all inclusive, but you know what I mean. I do recall a particularly tragic outfit...Lamere, are you reading this? I'll NEVER EVER FORGIVE YOU! I wore, WHY DID I OWN THIS?, A hot pink full body (i can hardly continue) shiny jumpsuit. Honestly, to my ankles and wrists. I then put on a stretchy plastic belt thingy that clipped onto itself. It was like a water-proof key chain...but I was so hip/crazy that I wore it as a belt. Then I mortified myself and did a tragi-comic "dance" routine for the kids show. I apologize to all that were there for I'm sure I had horrific VPL and I can't believe I remember any of this. It should be locked away in a dungeon to be forgotten. Oh, to be young, stupid, thin enough to wear a KEY CHAIN as a belt (i MUST be remembering that wrong), and clearly 100% unselfconscious. Sigh.

Seasonal Events

This info is from UrbanBaby Daily NYC:

Family Hanukkah Festival
The 92nd St. Y hosts holiday performances, storytelling, music, arts and crafts, latke-cooking and dancing. Families are encouraged to bring a small unwrapped gift (valued up to $10) to donate to children in need.
When: Sun. 12/2, 10:30am-2:30pm;
Ages 3-8; $20/Adult, $15/Child (children under 2 free).
Where: Lexington Ave. at 92nd St., 92y.org

and

JCP's Tribeca Trunk Show
Shop for Hanukkah and other holiday gifts among local vendors selling clothing, jewelry, books, stationery, toys and other items. Ten percent of profits benefits the Jewish Community Project Downtown.
When: Thurs. 11/29, 6-9pm.
Where: 146 Duane St., jcpdowntown.org.

also

Christmas Festival
Shop among 40 vendors selling holiday gifts from hand-painted scarves to vintage cufflinks.
When: Fri. & Sat. 11/30 & 12/1, Fri. 11am-8:30pm, Sat. 10am-5pm.
Where: Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 2 East 90th St. at Fifth Ave., christmasfestivalnyc.org.

Hello again.

UPDATE BELOW

So I'm not a bragger, or braggart, or whatever, (as I type I realize how tragic my manicure (from last night) is...really, not well done and I already put clear polish on top and then it chipped more...awesome!)...anyways, but i TOTALLY AM BETTER THAN THEM!

Who is them? Martha Stewart! Yup! Put up or shut up, you say?

In Blueprint Magazine, Martha's "Fresh Fun Guide to Personal Style" which i LOVE like I love Domino and Real Simple, but a tiny bit more bc I heart Martha (and not in an I'm-better-than-you-pitty way either) (pps. a friend, for her BDAY is going to the taping of Martha's show! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!) , so in the magazine they have a list of 100 things (I read it with pen in hand). This month the list is: 100 Reasons to be Thankful During the Holidays. (Which really, could be called 100 Reasons why people can just read EventsbyJES and skip this Martha nonsense for 98 Reasons) Predictable, but OK. So Numbers 31 and 55 I've already blogged about! People, seriously! Martha's got nothing on me! What are those numbers. Let's compare:



Martha's #31:
Entrust Your Party's DJ Duties to the Electronic Minds Behind
31. pandora.com

MY Post (YESTERDAY): Click here.


Martha's #55:
Supplement With YouTube's Finest Programming
55. Choreographed wedding dances (see "Dirty Dancing" and "Thriller")

MY Post: Click here and here.


Here's another wedding dance video I received from a friend. I like big butts and I can't lie...

glumbert - Best wedding first dance ever

Party today in SoHo

its for kids, but maybe you'll find a gift for a niece or nephew...or yourself....

Scholastic Store Reopening Party
Locale: 557 Broadway, near Prince St.
When: 10am-7pm
Fun Stuff: Hot cider and gingerbread cookies

I love all the accessories...

on earth. But mostly in this great feature on shopbop.com

Here's the link. Now you'll know how to wear your LBD anywhere you need to go...


ps. I really don't love every accessory, like ornament earrings, really, no reason for those, and umm, anything with fringe, burn it unless you're a real cowboy/girl. What else, reverse French manicures, I just don't get it, if we can consider manicures an accessory as opposed to necessity.

Read all about it!

Here's the news we've all been waiting for:

The New York Fall 2008 Collections will be shown February 1 - 8, 2008.

Fireworks! Champagne! J.Mendel!

Awesome Movie List! ALERT - GIVE AWAY!!!!

Ladies & Gentlemen,


GIVEWAY IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATS MARY!!!! Since I only received one response MARY WON TWICE!!!! Shh, she doesn't know yet!

Next time you all should participate. Who knows what you'll win!?


**This giveaway is still open. By my count there may be a tie and so far only one reader has responded (Thank You Mary). I am willing to honor both correct answers since it's a tie. I will contact the winner(s) next week to find out which DVD they'd love to own. **

_____________________________________

Got this from Glam.com

Top 25 movies: "Glam’s top 25 fail-safe films that we turn to again and again for their humor, heart, and style."

Here's the link and here's the list (perfect Bach Party or Shower gift):
Clueless
Legally Blonde
Pretty Woman
Bring it On
Mean Girls
The Notebook
NOTE: I have too many comments abt each movie it's hard to refrain.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Waiting to Exhale
The Cutting Edge
The Sweetest Thing
Dirty Dancing
Sixteen Candles
When Harry Met Sally
Notting Hill
Bridget Jones's Diary
Charlies Angels
My Best Friend's Wedding
The Devil Wears Prada
13 Going On 30
NOTE: I don't want this list to end. I need EVERYSINGLE DVD! I'm reliving my entire life here
The Wedding Planner
Shakespeare In Love
Sweet Home Alabama
Serendipity
Cruel Intentions
Wimbledon
APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!

Anyone who can name which starring actress is the most featured on the list gets the DVD of her choice. I'm serious. I'm in a giving mood since I go on vacay tomorrow. Personal emails NOT accepted. I don't care how close we are. Leave a comment with your answer and I'll get you the DVD you want. First person with the right answer wins.

And they're off....

NYMagazine is brilliant once again!

And not only because they managed to work in not one but TWO references to Pretty in Pink (one of my top 3 favorite movies) but they also got to mention Mean Girls one of the other great movies of our time. This is a Gossip Girl helper. I don't watch it, but did learn at Thanksgiving that one of the girl characters goes to my high school. As in, GOES, not went, but is a student there, when she's not being tutored on set. I may also take this time to mention that Daren Star of 90210 fame also went to my high school AND was Bar Mitzvah'd in my shul (at least that's the rumor). So I suppose that means people from Potomac are brilliant, sophisticated and know how to "act" like they are jappy, over indulged, well educated, teenagers. What? you didn't get a corvette like Steve Sanders? Hmmm, ironically, a close friend and co-WCHS alum now works on the hit MTV show, My Super Sweet 16. Coincidence? My super-sweet-16 was at The Melting Pot. It ROCKED! I still have my t-shirt and have been known to throw a kick-a** fondue party in my new "grown-up" apt.

I know I'm dating myself w/the 90' references (for those of you unsure that 90'210, not 90's like the decade) and Pretty in Pink and not watching Gossip Girl, but whatevs. I'm a blogger right? That's modern...

Check this out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blane and Steff. Did anyone know McDonnagh was Blane's last name? He didn't strike me as Irish, or Scottish or whatever-ish. WASP for sure, but...

UPDATE: My work friend, who was upset at the lack of a shout-out, actually hung-out w/the cast over Thanksgiving. Apparently her cousin is friends w/them. Neat-o!

Seriously?!!!???

Nanette Lepore Online Sale

it's through Neimans.

Here's the link to some GREAT deals! Perfect for all the holiday parties all you popular girls are invited to!

There's also an in-store event
Locale: 423 Broome St.
When: Thursday, Nov 29 4-8pm.
Fun Parts: There'll be cocktails and shopping!

same deal at their store in LA, LV, Boston and Chicago.