Last Minute Gift Ideas
Otherwise known as the Christmas Crunch.
Let's face it. Christmas is next Thursday; Hannukah starts day-after-tomorrow. If you don't have your gift-giving act together by now you'd better focus. I've been talking shopping for a few weeks now, from the Roman Holiday jewelry collection to other Nashville jewelry artisans and Nashville's best small, independently-owned shops. If you're still not done shopping Here are a few ideas for you, both locally and online.
Opry Mills Outlet Mall
Treats from GiGi's Cupcakes
Milton White and I
Last month I was lucky enough to attend a great live tweet event hosted by 12th & Broad at Nashville's very own outlet mall, Opry Mills. It was a grand evening for all of us local bloggers to live tweet to #shOpryMillstweetup about our favorite finds and play stylist with the latest trends from various stores in the mall. We were also treated by restaurants and food kiosks to some delicious small plates and desserts, like the ones pictured above.
What do you think of my handsome new friend, 12th & Broad's fashion editor Milton White? Isn't his coat just amazing? He's got great taste in fashion - and he's a real sweetheart, too! My favorite pick of the evening was the purple Oscar de la Renta leather skirt from Saks Off 5th I've been visiting this lovely for months now, and it is on sale. If it's still there next time I visit I may just have to bring it home with me.
Every store in the mall is running sales, as are their online sites. If you're local try to sneak in during weekday working hours to avoid the hordes of harried holiday shoppers. Oh, and if you have a Music City fan on your list, 12th & Broad has some Grab n' Go Gift Packs that are sure to be a hit. If you're not in Nashville you'll need to order now if you want to have these under your tree by December 25th.
Sephora
Sephora is on my list for several reasons. First, because they exclusively carry my perfume, Marchesa's parfum D'Extase, as well as hundreds of fragrances and quality beauty products. More importantly, because they helped me save face; literally.
Late Friday night I lost my balance and fell. It happens - rarely, actually - and I'm generally just fine afterwards. However, this time on the way down my chin hit the edge of my dining room table fairly forcefully. Although I iced it immediately there was no getting around a serious dose of swelling and bruising, which resulted in the horrendously point black-and-blue faux-tee pictured above.
Let me be perfectly candid. I completely freaked out. 'Tis the season of gatherings, parties, and going out and about. I thought I'd have to hermit myself away until it healed. But my better half wouldn't have it, so he took me down to Cool Springs Galleria where Tabby and Lorrie (spelling may be incorrect) at Sephora went to work on me. Tabby tried different products in various shades until she had achieved the end result in the second picture. I left the store with a step-by-step instruction sheet and everything I need to cover this awful injury.
They literally saved my Christmas. Them and Benefit, Kat Von D, and Bare Minerals.
You know I had to stop into my favorite shoe store Shi and get some hugs from Matty, one of my favorite men on the planet. He's recently lost a lot of weight and is looking handsome as ever. If you can make the trip to his store I promise you'll find something for all the ladies on your list, including yourself.
This is the last of my gift-giving guide posts for 2014. For the rest of the year I'll be making merry and sharing some of those experiences with you all. Remember always that love and true friendship are always the best gifts we have to share.
Joining in the fun at Visible Monday, Style to Inspire, Monday Mingle, Let it Shine, Manic Monday and Reasons to Dress