She She Me Sponsors: Zappos and Shopbop

Hot Holiday Stocking Stuffers on a Budget

When it comes to the holidays it seems that most people fall into one of two categories: those who adore everything about the holiday season (including shopping for the perfect gift!) and those who can't wait for the whole affair to be over. Being the ever cheerful, optimistic glass-is-half-full girl that I am, you can probably figure out to which category I belong, no? I mean, my personal tag line is "Happy girls are the prettiest girls"; ergo I do everything in my power to be happy! Which I why I embrace all things holiday related: Christmas music playing on the radio. Brightly lit shop windows filled with holiday decorations. Really amazing holiday sales on the hottest designer items! Picking out a Christmas tree (then dragging it ten blocks and up three flights of stairs!). Decorating what is left of said Christmas tree with adorable little ornaments that I have been collecting since I was seven. Holiday parties (and party dresses!) — even the dreaded holiday office party. Sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. Curling up on the sofa with a mug of hot cocoa on a blustery day…in a comfy cashmere sweater and chic designer jeans…and an adorable pair of casual/chic flats. But I digress…

Anyhoo, back to the holidays and the wonder of it all. Or, more specifically, wondering exactly how to pull off a fabulous holiday in these less-than-fabulous economic times. Everyone is feeling the pinch this season, and most people I've talked to are scaling back on holiday spending this year. While this may sound like bad news to some, it's actually good news. Not only are people taking a step back to evaluate their personal financial positions, but they are also taking the opportunity to look at what's really important — friends, family and the true spirit of the holidays. And the really good news is that retailers are responding by offering amazing deals, deep discounts on to-die-for designer goods and other incentives like free gift cards and free shipping. Which translates into even more savings for you!

So exactly how does one have a chic and stylish holiday on a somewhat restricted budget? Well, this year I am going for quality over quantity. I'm going to buy the best quality item I can for the budget that I set. And I am going to stick to that budget! I may not be able to afford a cashmere overcoat for my dad this year, but I can certainly get him a pair of great cashmere-lined leather gloves! And with that in mind, here are a few of the great budget-friendly items to be on the prowl for this holiday season:

For Her: Great gifts for mom, sisters, girlfriends, sisters-in-law, etc.

• A gorgeous sterling silver bracelet. It may be simple, but it is solid sterling.
• Designer slippers. An elegant pampering item that she would probably never buy for herself, but will absolutely adore as a gift.
• Scrumptious scarf. Again, look for something elegant in silk or cashmere. Great sales out there make it possible to afford this little luxury.
• Designer wallet. Just one glimpse of that designer logo will bring tears to her eyes!
• Exquisite perfume. Remember, quality over quantity. A tiny bottle of the best perfume is far superior to an economy sized bottle of run-of-the-mill cologne. One of the wonderful little bonuses of the holiday season is that you can usually get a great deal on a fragrance gift set, many of which also come with a little free gift for you!
• Cashmere gloves. Another of life's little luxuries that one never seems to buy for oneself!
• Unique photo frame. My personal choice is this gorgeous kate spade crystal frame — so unique and elegant!
• Home fragrance oil burner and yummy scented oils. I actually received this as a Secret Santa gift from someone at my book club group and I adore it! In fact, I have snapped up several to give as gifts to co-workers.

For Him: For dads, brothers, best friends or boyfriends!

• Guys are gadget freaks. You'll never go wrong with the latest piece of handheld technology.
• A sleek silver photo frame (with a photo of you in it, natch!) Or perhaps a digital photo frame to satisfy his techno-fetish?
• Desktop valet and charging station. Is he always losing his keys? Can't find his cell phone? Misplaced his iPod charger? Now he has no excuse! This sleek wood charging station keeps all of his electronic gadgets and their various charging accessories in one place, as well as keeps his personal items in order.
• Sterling silver money clip. Keeps those bills nice and handy and safely organized. Added bonus: no more wallet bulging from his rear pocket like a hideous growth.
• Portable GPS. Now he can legitimately refuse to pull over and ask directions.
• His favorite movie on Blu-ray (you know he already bought the Blu-ray player for himself right?)

Fun Family Pick: Beethoven's Big Break. Although this doesn't fit into the actual stocking stuffer category, since it doesn't come out on DVD til the 26th, this would be the perfect thing for your kiddies to spend those stocking stuffer movie gift cards on! Beethoven's Big Break is a fun film for the whole fam. That adorably slobbery St. Bernard is back in action as a movie star, catapulting to fame after a fluke movie audition. Packed with laughs and a whole slew of special features, your kids will watch this one over and over again (while you curl up on the sofa in your new fleecy comfies!

For the Boss: This is one of those times when it's the gesture that counts. Think sensible, practical and under $50. What are your boss's hobbies or interests? Channel that into the ideal gift. A gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble for the book lover. A magazine subscription for the hobbyist. A bottle of truffle oil for the gourmand. If you are a good cook, a great option is a decorative box filled with homemade goodies like fudge, peanut brittle, cookies. If you're like me and your excuse is that you don't have time (or talent) a gourmet cookie box is ideal.

For Yourself! Of course you deserve a reward for all the hard work and effort you've given to make this holiday bright. And if you're like me, you have indulged in a few too many cups of cocoa and platters of baked goods. So play it safe and limit your rewards to size-independent purchases:

• New skyscrapers to kick off the New Year in style.
• A gorgeous cashmere scarf to brighten your winter coat.
• A fabulous new slouchy handbag to replace the one I slammed in the car door and dragged through the mall parking lot.
• And just for fun, a little something from Tiffany's…!?!

Happy shopping darling girls!

xoxo,

She She Me

P.S. Be sure to check out the Home Page for updates from She She Me. Also, check out our all new Hot Products in the She She Mall. We are also adding New Stores each week so check back often for updates and fantastic savings! Also, don't miss the great girly merchandise in our Chic Shop.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:

 Get a free gift card worth up to $250 with your order at Saks!
 Use code HOLIDAY8. This offer is not available in stores.
 Valid 12.18.08–12.21.08.

She She Me Pick of the Week:
Shea Terra Organics

When a girl finds fabulous skin care products that really deliver on their promises she just has to share them with her friends and family! And when those products are produced by an eco-friendly company with a deep commitment to sharing the benefits of indigenous African herbs, plants and oils, as well as an even deeper commitment to improving the lives of those native individuals through free trade, well, that is truly an added bonus.

This past week I received a gift package filled with the wonders of Shea Terra Organics, and honestly girls, I am in heaven! These products contain 10-40%certified organic shea butter and shea oil (much higher than the standard 5-8%) and you can honestly feel the difference.

• The Bourbon Vanilla Shea Body Butter is positively divine, enriching and protecting your skin from dryness.
• The Pink Guava Pomegranate Dead Sea Salt Scrub gently exfoliates while promoting skin healing and cell renewal. and the combination of African herbs and organic shea butter deeply moisturizes the skin.
• The African Lemongrass Black Soap Elixir evens skin tone, dries out and prevents acne, speeds up healing of open wounds, diminishes razor bumps, and dissolves the "glue" that holds on dead skin cells.
• The Menthe Orange Organic Shea Lip Balm is my constant companion. This super balm, made with beeswax and shea butter, as well as a plethora of fabulous African herbs and oils is ultra rich and smooth, offering hours of lip protection and soothing lip repair. It even helps freshen breath!
• The Miombo Mango Body Lotion is ultra thick and creamy; this silk and shea butter lotion quenches thirsty, dehydrated skin.
• Shea Nilotica, East African Shea Butter. 100% pure certified organic shea butter. It doesn't get any richer than this! This creamy delicacy is high in skin healing vitamins A and E. A little goes a long way. Massage into skin to prevent and diminish stretch marks, prevent moisture loss and help build up healthy skin renewal.
• And the crème de la crème, The Baobab Face & Body Oil. This amazing and rare oil has been a well-kept secret for hundreds of years. It is cold pressed from the seed of the baobab fruit, which is high in vitamins A and C, and is referred to as the "Tree of Life" fruit. This healing oil helps to preserve skin elasticity. It also softens wrinkles, diminishes blemishes and scars, and calms irritated and sun damaged skin. It is also ideal for pregnant women, as it aids in preventing stretch marks!