Finito! Cyber Monday Gift Guide '09

Today marks Cyber Monday... the traditional end of the online holiday buying season if you want your parcels to come in time for Christmas giving without additional heroics (next day air shipping or store pick up). Here are my personal favorites from shopping destinations that actually come through:

Beauty Ticket: A secret cove brimming with YSL and Smashbox cosmetics in causes luxe enough to give unwrapped at 50% off along with lots of other obscure but pricey treats at deep discounts. Cyber Monday save an additional 25% off everything in the store when you use the code: "CYBER25".

Tarte: Home of the blush stain with a cult following this Cyber Monday get 40% off your entire order by using code: "CYBERMON9" and when you spend $25. or more shipping is free.

Philosophy: Up to 40% off select items online, no code needed, and free shipping on any order using the code: "holidays".

White House | Black Market: They may have a small selection and keep to the somber black and off white but I've been pleasantly surprised at how well made their pieces are. This Monday get free shipping on any order, 20% off your entire order by using code: "8002" and get a little key chain when you spend $100. or more.

Online Sample Sale Perks

Row | Nine: Cyber Monday through Friday Dec. 4th '09 get free S&H on all orders. Shop RowNine Fri. Dec. 4th and get a $50. credit added to your account after you make your purchase for use on a future order. This Monday shop their designer eyewear sale all at 80% off. Offerings include Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Dior along with Mulholland bags and gifts starting at $25.

One Kings Lane: Is giving each new member who signs up through our link $10 to spend now until 12am PST/3am EST Dec. 1st '09 so hurry and join. This Cyber Monday you will find Lux candles, Zambaiti, Eduardo Garza, Dempsey & Carroll and Anne-Claire Petit toys.

RueLaLa: Is giving each new member who joins through our link $10 to spend now until the end of Dec. '09. This Monday find Cole Haan for men & women, La Fiorentina, TOYWATCH and A. Link.

Billion Dollar Babes: Check out their gift guide with most item under $50. and up to 70% off including MOR candles and lip balms, CC Skye jewelry and White + Warren hats and scarves along with Michael Kors and LA made women & children. Get free shipping on order $75. or more (down from the usual $150. or more).

For our full calender of online sample sale events visit THE LIST.

The Give Twice Holiday Gift Guide: Fab Gifts That Give Back To Charity '09

Giving Twice with Some of My Favorite Gifts!You can never go wrong with totes! Use them as the gift bag and watch them used over and over by your gift recipient. I've given so many of the LOOP Whatever It Takes bags, $32., and everyone who has received them, loves them... I love the quality and the designs. FEED bags, $35., are so classic now and I love all the sizes they now come in. Another favorite is the line of super soft tee's by OmniPeace. I have the classic design and wear it to death . Now you can give your Ed Hardy and be charitable at the same time with the Ed Hardy for OmniPeace tee, $69.

Click here to keep reading for our complete Give Twice Gift Picks!>>

Blacking Out Online: Black Friday Gift Guide '09

Bait and switch, door busters that are immediately grabbed up by the first five people in line, driving for hours only to come home empty handed... discounts which are the exact same sale prices from last week. Oh and less we forget pushing, shoving, yelling, cart wheels rolling over your toes. Score without the stress... here is our guide to some online Black Friday hot spots:

The Jelly Belly Shop: Their gourmet jelly bean sampler boxes are a classic alternative to chocolates and less fattening too. Save up to 20% off on select holiday gifts such as the 40 flavor Christmas sampler box, plus use the code: "MERRY" to get a free 10 flavor gift box with your $35. order. Orders over $50. automatically get free S&H.

W Hotels The Store: This is a favorite off the beaten path spot for finding great gifts at up to 80% off. Check out the Calypso candles, perfume and Jonathan Adler bud vase. Use their one day Black Friday code: "H2T9R" at checkout for an extra 30% off everything in the store online.

Red Envelope: Is holding a Black Red Sale for 3 days with great gifts, many of which can be personalized, at up to 85% off (the average is around 40% off). Check out the 20 Questions Game now $4.99, Diamond Initial Necklace now $24.99 and Fire Starter Kit now $34.99. Use Black Friday coupon code: "SRCHSave5" for an extra 5% off.

Hayden-Harnett: The NYC leather bag designers are offering up to 40% on select current fall bags... and I can vouch that their leather is gorgeous and will only get better with age! Special deals include an additional 10% off your order if you spend $300, 20% off for $500 or 30% off if you spend $700 or more plus get free S&H with orders of $250 or more. Along with bags find scarves, totes, luggage tags, and shoes.

Zoya Nail Polish: Love the more natural version of nail polish by Zoya and the fact it feels OK to give these to younger girls and those who are pregnant. These are vegan too. They can be a little hit or miss but their creamy colors seem to wear best. Zoya's Green Friday event will give you 6 free nail polishes (all in shades of green) when you spend $20 and use the code: "GREENFRIDAY". Also get free S&H on orders over $55. and free gifts when you spend over $30.

Sort Floor Books: A fab secret nook for finding deeply discounted books... especially coffee table gift faves and cookbooks which can normally be pricey. You never know what you'll find there so do searches often. Some can have remainder marks so plan on keeping those for yourself or donate them! Look for children's books, stationery sets and my personal favorite, Mega Mini Kits and Running Press Mini Kits. Use code: "Nov09" for an extra 10% off and get free S&H when you spend $14.99 or more.

Online Sample Sale Perks

One Kings Lane: Is giving each new members who signs up through our link $10 to spend now until Dec. 1st '09 so hurry and join. This Black Friday you will find tons of candles by CIR, Maxim's de Paris and Archipelago plus luggage by Tepper Jackson and Saltbox, toys, Fatboy beanbag chairs and more.

RueLaLa: Is giving each new member who joins through our link $10 to spend now until the end of Dec. '09. Michael Kors bags, Portolano hats and scarves, Vineyard 29 wines and Di Modolo Milano fine jewelry.

Gomatta Girls: This Black Friday they are offering a pretty sizable collection of silk and wool Raj scarves including some that were originally $300, $150, for $29. and $25.50. Many are $19. bucks. Also find lots of Tulle, Plastic Island, Jae Basilio and more. Now through Sun. Nov. 29th '09 get free S&H on any size order.

The Top Secret: Use codes: "LITTLELOVE" for $5. off $50, "BIGLOVE" for $10 off $100 spent or "HUGELOVE" for $15 off $150 on their Heys luggage sale which features the artist collection of rolling bags by Romero Britto. The 4 piece set is $499.00, down from $2,120.00.

For our full calender of online sample sale events visit THE LIST.

Image: Heys

Mulling Things Over - Recipe

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

A favorite all throughout the holidays is the scent of mulling apple cider filling the home and mingling with baked bread, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Simple to make it sets such a warm, welcoming tone for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the entire winter really. This is the recipe I enjoy using:

Buttered Mulled Apple Cider

Combine in a heavy pot:
5 Cups of Apple Cider
1 Cheese cloth pouch, DIY tea bag or tea ball of mulling spices (a favorite bland includes a cinnamon stick broken into pieces, whole allspice, whole cloves, 3 whole peppercorns, pieces of dried or candies orange peel)
2 Tablespoons of Buttershots (butterscotch liquor)
A couple slices of orange
A couple slices of apple

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to lowest setting a let simmer (under careful watch) for a few hours. Add water if it becomes too concentrated. Serve warm with a cinnamon swizzle stick.

Also Read:
- DIY Tea Bags Tutorial

Image: MAM for GaveThat.com

Kate Spade Redeems Herself - Holiday Collection '09

On the Radar Gift Guide '09 Snap Shot: Not since her Par Avion bag collection has anything from Kate Spade caught my eye but now she has redeemed her line with these swank pieces that channel Maison Martin Margiela and Yazbukey for sure. The necklace is a bit much but love the flats for their good humor and pop of color. Pictured: Bourgeois Bow bib necklace, $125, Red Letter Day bracelet, $65, Fiona flats, $95, Bourgeois Bow ring, $65.

Image: Kate Spade.com | GaveThat digital studio

Liz Lange : The "Birkin" of Diaper Bags?

On the Radar Gift Guide '09 Snap Shot: When I first saw these Liz Lange bags I thought wow, what a bumpy take on the classic Birkin... it was a few minutes later that I realized that these were actually brilliantly constructed diaper bags. Since when have diaper bags become so chic? I actually pondered removing the contents (each bag comes with a matching bottle warmer, changing pad, little bags to hold goodies, etc.), tossing the shoulder strap and trying to pass off the supple leather carryall as a bag of tricks (sketch boots, portfolios...). No, this is a serious bag for a mum who wants a little anonymity so I'll leave it be. You mums have all the fun.

Right now Amazon has the bags at serious discounts, up to 75% off. Check out the luscious black Marlena and the bold pop of purple patent leather in the Rita.

Holiday Gift Guide '09: For Him

To be frank this is a guide based on givability. There are so many things, from a woman's point of view, that sound like it should be perfect but turns out to be a huge flop once given. I've flopped so you don't have to. {said flops have been left off this list}

1) Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B Active Noise-Canceling Headphones are perfect for the commuters or audiophiles in your life.

2) John Varvatos Artisan is one of my favorite releases of the year. The bust of orange is jolting in the morning and the bottle encased in rattan doubles as art on his sink.

3) Every guy should have a pair of TOMS shoes to wear around the house, to the beach or when kicking back. Best of all for every pair you buy, TOMS donates a pair to children in need around the world.

Click here to keep reading my favorite gift picks for guys>>

See my latest holiday gift guide here.

Thoughts on Giving Well This Holiday '09 - Budgets, Lists, The Whole Shebang

Thoughts on Giving Well This Holiday '09

Around this time of year it isn't surprising that one of the most requested bits of information is how to budget for the impending gift giving season? For more tips on how to specifically save and perhaps give more for less, please see my 20 Holiday Saving Tips. There are tons of tried and tested suggestions in those pages that I hope will reveal the answers you are looking for.

As for a philosophy on giving well this holiday I have come up with 3 personal steps that focus less on budgets, rules and spending money and more on celebrating the season, using the downtime to our best advantage, reconnecting with the people we love (and love us) and strengthening bonds. Here they are:

1. Turn the holiday gift giving tradition into reflection, not projection.
First: Take a piece of paper and write down the names of people who are closest to you... those who have supported you throughout the year, done incredibly nice things out of shear love... those who you know have your back (or did in a recent time of need). Think about how your gift can be one of thanks (either something they have long wanted, an invitation out to dinner, some time spent together, a heartfelt card or letter).

Second: Close relationships are the ones to focus and zero in on along with anyone you wish to show your sincere gratitude, and then, depending on your means and present situation, feather out to more casual friends, then charities and/or acquaintances. [To put this into perspective and for more on the 4 types of friendship you need to know about read one of my favorite Self articles, You Gotta Have Friends, here.]

Third: Resist the urge to give out of fear (e.g. if they do not get a gift from me they'll never speak to me again or what will they think!?) as relationships worth keeping and maintaining are not hinged on such things and entitlement is so 5 years ago. The same with gambling with futures (e.g. using gifts to sway someones affections and attention in your direction) as they rarely pan out. Instead giving out of gratitude celebrates those who have gone out of their way to be there for us. There is no need to keep tabs on who returns or gives "what" because the act of giving in this case reflects on what has already been. The gifts from them have previously come our way through their love and kindness... anything else is pure icing.

2. Stock up on little gifts and thank you cards for parties, unexpected gifts and invitations. These can be as simple (and inexpensive) as a little plant or showing up with homemade cookies. Always bring a hostess gifts or send a little gift along with your words of thanks. Private parties are going to grow in both popularity and importance for keeping us connected (and sane) in the coming years as people find their budgets for commercial entertainment slashed. Keep all the fantastic hosts out their motivated by showing your gratitude... and return the favor with your own bash when you can.

In the case of surprise gifts from people you never imagined would give you anything, have those thank you cards handy (even if you verbally already said thanks). Western etiquette says you're not obligated to automatically give a gift in return but you should make it a point to express gratitude with a physical card, note or if possible an invitation to a holiday party.

3. Be thankful and have fun. Be in the moment.

Wishing everyone the best social season possible!

- MARIE ANAKEE MICZAK

P.S. This, like everything, is an experiment. Thoughts, tips? Tweet: @GaveThat.

Image: MAM for GaveThat.com

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vlog: Wishlist Pick Headphones

For the longest I've been wanting to share something that is topping many wish lists... old school style headphones that have the added benefit of being noise canceling. These are so helpful, especially for those who frequently travel or take mass transit, and are now seen hanging off many a handbags handles. After trying a bunch out I settled on a pair that I later found out might have quality issues, so far so good but when you plunk down $100. or more bucks for a pair you expect them to last and perform. The Audio Technica headphones above totally trounced mine in sound quality and were also amazingly more comfortable. Dr. M of Eclectic Sound made a great video about the latest Audio Technica models including the same one recommended by tech blogger Xeni Jardin (Boing Boing Video). I give them major thumbs up as well after putting them through the rigors.


Pictured: Rojas coat + Audio-Technica "ATH-ANC7b" headphones + Gryson bag + Vintage gloves

Vlog: Dr. M Image: Magda for GaveThat.com.