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!

Friday 10 am EST.

Dior - up to 80% off  prices start at $75

Skin up to 79% off  prcies start at $18

Clara Kasavina up to 62% off  prices start at $78

Saturday 11 am EST.

Raj - up to 65% off  prices start at $32

Sunday 11 am EST.

Misela up to 55% off prices start at $325

Monday 11 am EST.

Christian Lacroix - up to 72% off  prices start $120

Linea Pelle - up to 64% off  prices start at $89

Ginette_Ny - up to 65% off  prices start $69

Lambertson Truex - up to 72% off  prices tart at $98

Join Today and make sure to use invite code: coutureinthecity - Happy Holiday Shopping from all of us at Couture in the City!

LeSportsac, the iconic lifestyle company, is pleased to announce plans for a brand new New York City flagship store to be located at 118 Greene Street in the city’s fashionable SoHo district.  While the company is rapidly increasing its retail locations including new stores in Chicago and Los Angeles, this New York store will showcase the cutting edge styles available nationwide.  The vast new boutique will house LeSportsac Classics, Men’s and Guys, Stella McCartney for LeSportsac and the special collection Artists in Residence. It will neighbor the Louis Vuitton, Apple and Wolford shops.

Easily find affordable, chic options this holiday season and now with all the different collections, there is truly something for everyone.

Yet another reason to love Target…once again, the Go! International line will bring the masses high fashion at affordable prices with a line from Thakoon due out this December. I’m still kicking myself for missing some of the pieces designed by Erin Fetherston, but I’m not going to miss this one.

Thailand native turned American designer Thakoon Panichgul has created a striking line for Target consisting of airy and feminine dresses and tops in batik and floral prints. Though I have to question the timing (sundresses in December?) I’m still super excited about this release. The one dress in particular that I am just ogling over is around $40, and even though I probably won’t wear it until well after March, I’ll keep it forever.

Thakoon’s Spring 2008 Line

I think that Thakoon’s Target line pretty closely resembles what he has presented on the runway, which is even more exciting. Though he’s relatively still a newcomer in the fashion world, stars like Rachel Bilson and Sarah Jessica Parker snap up his stuff, making him an instant success.

What do you think of Thakoon’s Target line? Let us know!

Shop A-List sale runs from November 24th – 29th.

Shop A-List carries brands such as Alice + Trixie, Betsey Johnson, Puella, and William Rast, amongst many more.

Yes it tis’ the season to look your most beautiful self! And to be cheery about it! Yes the holidays are just right around the corner! And now is the time to start preparing those holiday gift ideas. Or adding the latest cosmetic line of colors to your own beauty routine! With so many parties to go to. As well as entertaining in your own home with guests and family. The holidays bring out lots of sparkle and shine. So now is the time to add this to your eye shadows, blushes and lip glosses! I have selected Smashbox - one of my own favorite cosmetic brands! And bringing to you the latest fall colors of 2008! Remember when looking for the right fall colors, pick your favorite brand and go to your local cosmetic representative at either Nordstrom or Saks and get a free make-over! Yes, they will do this for you! As these skillfully trained beauty consultants will get the right colors for your skin tone. And will have you walking away with the right foundation, eye shadows and lip color. Unique to you. So have fun this holiday season! ~

RAPTURE BEST OF SMASHBOX KIT Value $42 for only $19.00!

My pick for best value out the Smashbox collection is the Rapture best of Smashbox kit. Which includes Smashbox best-sellers for eyes, cheeks and lips in convenient travel sizes - perfect for your holiday clutch or carry-on. The set includes Bionic Mascara in Jet Black, mini fusion soft lights in Dusk, and mini lip enhancing gloss in Aura. All for $19.00! The fusion soft lights can also be used on eyes as a soft, shimmering shadow. Blend the colors together for a radiant halo of color, or use different shades to contour and highlight.

INSIDER SECRET #9: Add extra sparkle to the holidays. To brighten & open up eyes, apply gold or white shimmering shadow to the inner corners for dazzling results.

RAPTURE LIP GLOSS SET Limited Edition! Value $90 - Retails at $29.00

Get glam with this party-perfect set of award-winning, ultra moisturizing lip gloss. The set includes three best-selling shades and three holiday exclusives. Wear alone or layer together for instant color and stunning shine!

Source: Smashbox Cosmetics

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer 2008

Retail Price $176 to $88 - 90% Cotton/10% Cashmere

80% Bamboo/20% Cashmere - Retail Price $220 to $110

100% Cashmere - Retail: $325 to $120!

Qi is having their annual sample sale!

Qi  is a contemporary knitwear company that is sexy, chic and always modern. Based on the concept of creating innovative fashion knitwear products .

Qi strives to push the envelope in contemporary knitwear each season, with the use of imported yarns, cotton, cashmere, and cashmere blends.

Qi has been seen in InStyle, WWD, People Stylewatch, Lucky Magazine , Gossip Girl, Brothers and Sisters, and Desperate Housewives!

Where: 260 West 39th street suite 200

When: November 12th, 13th, 14, 19, 20, 21st

Why: Weather is getting cooler bundle up in chic knitwear,  Everything’s up to 75% off (some examples after the jump!)

www.qicashmere.com

Meet the Shopmamie.com girls Megan and Amy!

What do you get when you turn your love for elegant and affordable clothes into your very own biz? Just ask Megan and Amy, co-owners of the online boutique Shopmamie.com. Every day they work to bring their customers the newest and hottest looks at truly affordable prices, and all with their own brand of style and finesse.

Megan and Amy have a great eye for what is trendy but timeless, bringing you elegant and easy to wear dresses, tops, coats and more that easily fit with your existing wardrobe pieces. Take, for instance this turtleneck dress:

Turtleneck Dress, $59.00

Pair this simple dress with tights and boots or heels for a very of-the-moment ensemble.

I also love this wool jacket:

Short Wool Jacket, $85.00

The cut gives this jacket a vintage-chic appeal, while the oversized collar gives interest to any look.

They even carry unique and affordable party and evening dresses like this beaded halter dress:

Embellished Halter Dress, $58.00

And that’s not all…they have a number of great dresses and tops (some as low as $39.00) with details that you won’t find just anywhere. And the deal gets even sweeter…

Couture in the City readers will be able to take advantage of a 10% discount for a limited time. Just use the code: COUTURE at checkout to get your exclusive deal.

So what are you waiting for? You don’t have to sacrifice fashion during an economic slump, just get smart and shopmamie !

Sama Eyewear - Donna - $345
Japanese plastic with printed polkadots. Available colors: Black, Brown and Cream (Some frames have different interior colors such as pink and teal).

These sunglasses are part of the Sama Eyewear Fall/Winter 2008 Collection.

You can purchase this style at the listed retailers below.

Retail locations in California:
Destination Sama
9530 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills California 90210
tel. 310.271.1734
fax 310.271.1784

Destination Sama
8460 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood CA 90069
tel. 323.654.6093
fax 323.822.3963

Retail location in St.Louis:
Destination Sama
1121 Saint Louis Galleria
St. Louis, Missouri  63117
Tel: 314.725.0214
Fax: 314.725.0510

Here are some of my top picks from the Rich & Skinny Jeans collection!

Rich & Skinny High Jeans - Smartbargains.com price $89.00 (Regularly retails at $192.00)

Take a chance with these unique dark jeans that have a high waist and dark denim, with a wash that fades to black. These pants pair nicely with boots or heels, with an urban-home-on-the-range style. Think rural and radical!

Rich & Skinny Flashy Wide Leg Butterfinger Jeans - Smartbargains.com price $89.00 (Regularly $168.00)

Hey, if you’ve got it, might as well flaunt it. These wide leg jeans have a cut to covet, not to mention a dark wash you can dress up with a blazer or silky shirt. Add some heels and you’ll see some envious eyes.

My top picks from AG Jeans for women!

AG Jeans Angel Dark Wash Boot cut Jeans - $79.00 ($145.00)

Your denim collection is a carefully-honed masterpiece, featuring only jeans that look and feel like they were made just for you. With a super soft feel and deep blue hue, these Angel jeans from AG will feel right at home.

Adriano Goldschmied Legend Flared Jean - $79.00 ($139.00)

Your personality has flair, why not have some in your jeans? With slightly distressed detail, the Legend jean from Adriano Goldschmied has flared legs and a light to medium wash so you can wear them to the office on casual days.

Now you can’t get any cooler than True Religion Jeans - My top picks are;

True Religion Joey Baby Pink Painted Pocket Jeans - $119.99 ($196.00)

Lucky pink horseshoes that look as if they’ve been painted on decorate the pockets of these chic jeans from True Religion. The rise is low in front and higher in the back and the leg is slightly flared for a super flattering fit.

True Religion Dark Wash Denim Skirt - $99.99 ($170.00)

The beauty of dark denim is you can wear it to work without a second thought. True Religion’s denim skirt also has tailored pockets in the back, making it a working girl’s dream-come-to-true.

* Couture in the City readers receive 20% off for shopping at SmartBargains.com. This exclusive and special offer will run until December 31st 2008. And includes all items featured on the site. The discount code is COUTURE20.

Source: Smartbargains.com

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer 2008