I love the holidays. And it is my job to get you all excited about it too! Talk about a luxurious way of living. The NEW Spa Shea Cashmere Collection is just to die for! With delicious body lotions, and comforting slippers. Not to mention their collection of cuddly bears! (Which are superb to cozy with on the couch with a cup of hot coco)!
Have I painted the perfect holiday picture for you yet? As part of my series of Best Of Holiday Gift Guide 2008.
Bath & Body Works has created a luscious line of perfectly formulated lotions. That will delight the senses this holiday season. Not only does this collection make a wonderful gift set for your family and friends. But, it is also the best collection to give to yourself! As the perfect holiday treat!

True Blue® Spa - Shea Cashmere™ Body Cream $17.50

Ah! This lotion is just pure bliss. The intoxicating vanilla scent makes you want to grab a spoon and eat it! (Please do not try that at home!). Envelop yourself in this creamy cashmere infused lotion. Enriched with shea butter, this ultra-moisturizing body cream. Will leave your skin supremely soft, and lightly fragranced with a creamy vanilla scent. Which is both fresh and comforting!

Bath & Body Works® Accessories - The Perfect Cashmere - Perfect Blend Knit Ballerina Slippers $29.00

Cozy up on the couch with your hot coco and a pair of these oh-so-soft and comfy Knit Ballerina Slippers. This is what dreams are are made of…

Bath & Body Works® Accessories - The Perfect Cashmere Knit Bear! $15.00

The perfect cuddly companion to snuggle and love! Also the perfect holiday gift! So get snuggie!

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer & Editor, West Coast 2008

You can still give fabulous gifts on a budget that any of your fashion-forward friends are sure to love. Take a look at my “Top 10 under $10″ for inspiration to help you stock a stuffing on a dime:

For the Bling-ey BFF:

Jewelry is always a fun gift, and costume jewelry is usually easy to find at an affordable price. I love whimsical jewelry with animals, trinkets and unusual objects on them, like this bird necklace from Fred Flare:

Little Bird Charm Necklace, Fred Flare, $10

Color Block Bracelet, Old Navy, $5

Xhilaration Cluster Drop Earrings, Target, $8.99

Also be sure to check out Old Navy and Target for great deals on of-the-moment costume jewelry.

For the Girl-About-Town:

If your sister is always downtown on the weekends, jetting off to Miami or NYC, or always knows where to find the scene, then these are the gifts for her. Try finding a fun and flashy clutch (for the clubs) or some swanky aviators (for the morning after).

Mirrored Aviator Glasses, Urban Outfitters, $9.99

Satin Clutch, Old Navy, $10

For the Home-Girl:

If you are like me, then home is where you wanna be. Give her a comfy PJ set and a great DVD for a relaxing night at home. Best Buy has a ton of DVD’s for $10 or less, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a classic, sure to please any fashionista.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s DVD, Best Buy, $9.99

Gillian & O’Malley Pajama Set, Target, $9.99

For the Makeup Maven:

If her nails are always painted, her pout purfectly glossed, then get thee to Sephora for some great under $10 deals. The Sephora line is great and offers a ton of goodies at reasonable prices. Lip gloss and nail polish are usually a no-brainer, and make great stocking stuffers.

Sephora Brand Fresh Gloss, $7

Sephora Easy French Manicure Duos, $8

For Anyone:

Who can’t use a cute change purse? I can’t think of a single person. This one from Urban Outfitters is a super cute gift for that friend/relative/roomate that you just can’t figure out. Go ahead, get one for yourself too. I won’t tell.

Floral Kiss Lock Wallet, Urban Outfitters, $9.99

What’s your favorite budget-friendly fashion gift to give this year? Clue us in, and Happy Holidays!

Victoria’s Secret’s sexy supermodel and angel, Adriana Lima launched the newest addition to the iconic dream angels fragrance collection, Dream Angels Wish at the Herald Square flagship store in NYC.

The fragrance just hit stores today and is available at Victoria’s Secret and VictoriaSecret.com!  The fragrance is a fruity floriental and Adriana is the face of this whimsical fragrance.

Collection

Perfume 1 oz ($39), 2.5 oz ($49) and 4.2 oz ($59)
Softening Body Lotion – 8.4 oz ($20)
Softening Body Wash – 8.4 oz ($15)

Enter at Someonespoilme.com for your chance to win!

Breast cancer is something that affects us all…chances are, you or someone close to you has fought this deadly disease. October is the month when we can come together and help spread the word to create awareness for finding the cure and beating breast cancer once and for all.

Everywhere you look, there are a variety of fashionable ways to show your support for the fight against breast cancer, but one of my favorite resources is Someone Spoil Me. Check out some of the great high-fashion breast cancer awareness gifts they have to offer:

Key to the Cure Shirt, $40

This uber-chic topper was designed by Karl Lagerfield and is by far one of the most fashionable ways to show your support. Over $35 of the purchase price is donated to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, sweetening the deal.

Breast Cancer Awareness Keychain, $58

20% of each keychain purchased will support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Check out Someone Spoil Me for a variety of other “pink’ gifts like cakes, flowers, books, candles and even undies. Whether you want to honor a survivor, help spread awareness, or simply want to treat yourself to some philanthropic fashion, then head to someonespoilme.com. Remember…October may be Breast Cancer Awareness month, but with gifts like these, you’ll be able to support the cause year round.

Win this! SuperStars - Super Shield Skin Saver SPF 30 - Valued at $10.00

Angelique - The Editor’s Pick- Win the Sephora Peach Blossom Body Butter - Valued at $16.00!

Jacqueline - Senior Writer’s Pick - Sephora Peach Blossom body scrub - valued at $16.00!

So to win with Sephora subscribe to Couture in the City! If you already do you are already entered into the pool of picks! The giveaway will run until September 9th.

Go to www.sephora.com to see more of what beauty has to offer!

Red Door Shimmer Available This Holiday Season at Elizabeth Arden

Roaring fires, sparkling champagne, cashmere sweaters, pine trees, white snow…these are the luxurious fragrances and feelings of the holidays. Now Elizabeth Arden has created a fragrance with you in mind as the holiday season approaches. Red Door Shimmer offers a take on the classic Red Door fragrance with a sparkling hint of holiday cheer that is festive and alive.

Red Door always reminds me of Christmas morning…for many years, a bottle would end up in my mothers stocking. However, Red Door Shimmer has a little something extra that smells warm and feminine. Its beautiful red and gold packaging make it ideal for gift giving, especially for the woman that has everything.

Top notes in this fragrance include Japanese Pear, Yuzu Leaf, Blackberry and Pink Pepper to create a bouquet that is both youthful and timeless. Stop by your nearest Elizabeth Arden counter to experience your next favorite fragrance.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus, 1.7 ounces, $27.00

Looking for a surprising and fresh scent for this summer? Then look no further…Elizabeth Arden recently introduced their new fragrance, Green Tea Lotus, a light and airy scent that is perfect for warm weather. If you are like me and hate overpowering fragrances, then this is definitely one to try.

The inspiration behind this fragrance comes from flower gardens in India, Japan and China. One whiff of this perfume and visions of silk kimono’s, delicate tea and lush gardens come to mind. Feminine without being girly, this sophisticated fragrance is the perfect perfume to try if you are bored with your current eau de toilette, but aren’t ready to commit to something too heady.

Still not sure? Check out these fresh top, middle and base notes to tantalize your olfactory senses:

• Top Notes Caraway, Fruity Rhubarb, Lemon, Orange Zest and Bergamot
• Middle Notes Cool Minty Peppermint, Green Tea, Sweet Jasmine, Spicy Carnation, Fresh Fennel and Crisp Celery Spice
• Base Notes Oakmoss, Musk and Amber

In my opinion, the green tea and citrus scents take center stage in this fragrance, creating a super fresh aroma that perks me right up.

So, if you are looking for something new to shake up your fragrance routine, stop by your local Elizabeth Arden counter and ask for a spritz…you won’t be disappointed!

There’s nothing worse than a bad makeup job, especially if it’s a bad makeup job on your wedding day. Luckily, Bobbi Brown has come up with this amazing Bridal Kit to avoid any disastrous beauty mishaps.

This all-in-one cosmetic set comes with everything the bride will need to look natural and gorgeous on her big day and beyond. The sleek white case contains makeup suitable for all skin types, with neutral eye shadow, a pink lip gloss and a smudge-free mascara, for those tearful moments. Which means it’s not only perfect for a bridal shower, but it also makes a lovely bridesmaids gift.

Bridal Kit starting at $75.00

Source: Gift Rap Blog

One can always trust Sephora to be to the rescue!

SephoraMen Shower Gel For Body & Hair

What is this product?
A fresh-scented cleanser for the body by SephoraMen.

How does it Review?
SephoraMen Shower Gel for Body & Hair gently cleanses the skin and hair without stressing the scalp or skin.

“I applied this invigorating wash on my hair and skin, worked a foamy lather, and rinsed. I loved the scent, as well as the simple packaging. I will always use this product, and considering the price ($10), it is very affordable to up-keep.”

SL Thorsen - Portland, OR

SephoraMen After-Shave Fluid ($10)

What is this product?
A soothing, after-shave treatment from SephoraMen.

How does it Review?
SephoraMen After-Shave Fluid contains soothing, antiaging ingredients for the immediate result of leaving skin soft and comfortable. It also contains an active ingredient with antiaging properties and is non-oily and alcohol-free.

” Immediately after shaving I used this gel, it went on smooth and has an almost cooling effect. I have always had very sensitive skin after shaving. And this product really soothed my skin, made it tigther and firmer. Loved it! Again very affordable, and works wonders. Thank you Sephora!”

SL Thorsen - Portland, OR

And if this doesn’t help enough, then grab the SephoraMen Anti-Fatigue Face Kit.

For $30 you’ll have Dad looking good in no time! Remember Fathers day is this sunday June 15th. So get to it!

Source: Sephora

Here is Couture’s guide to some of the best Mother Day gifts out there.

Nuture your Mom from head-to-soul. Give your Mom a beautiful new ritual with one of Aveda’s at home spa sets.

Aveda At Home Spa

This luxurious set includes, Calming body cleanser, Replenishing moisturizer and a Shampure soy wax Candle. Your mother will be sent to Caribbean Island bliss….

keep your Mom fresh faced and rosy with Fresh Minerals makeup.

Fresh Minerals Make Up Starter, Gift Set

Tory Burch Clear Yellow tote bag

Let her know it is spring time, with this fun, bright yellow Tory Burch clear tote with coin purse. The bold trim and clear plastic create a fresh, hot look for the season and for Mom!

Treat her like royalty! Which she so amply deserves. Give your ‘queen’ mother Juicy Couture - Mother’s Day Set.

Juicy Couture Mother’s Day Set

This flirtatious floral fragrance is bursting with notes of sparkling mandarin, absolute tuberose, princess lily and precious woods. Now lets set up some tea and cucumber sandwiches with that too! Quite fitting for Mom I’m sure!

And for her to enjoy that tea at breakfast. Make sure she is comfortable. Try this Oscar de la Renta Aegean Breeze wrap robe.

A pattern inspired by mosaic tile work, and printed on airy crepe de chine for heavenly comfort. With a classic kimono styling, she’ll love.

Keep her feet cozy, with these Calista Slippers from Daniel Green. Perfect match!

Now let’s not forget that Mom’s also love jewellry. So shower her with diamond’s.

Diamond Crossover Heart Pendant

Diamond Twine Drop Earrings

These delicate diamond sets are really special. And are sure to bring gasps of amazement and joy from your Mom!

But however you spend your day together, make sure it is filled with chocolates, flowers, and something fashionably delectable!