Top 5 Super Last Minute Insta-Gifts

It’s nearly Christmas Eve. Inevitably some friend or relations will show up at your door, gift in hand, and you’ll have nothing to gift back. What’s a girl to do? Have your computer at the ready in the other room and pick one of these super quick, buy-and-print gifts for immediate gifting.

Perfect for men and women of any age, an Amazon gift card is always appropriate (a trade-off for not being super original). You can print instantly, deliver via Facebook, or email to your recipient with a click of your mouse. They even have super cool options like sending a customized Jib Jab video gift card with you and your friends or family in it!




→ Buy an Amazon.com gift card, any denomination, at amazon.com.


For the spa-lover, a Spa Finder gift card is a great instant gift option. Spa Finder lets you give the gift of spa services, yoga, fitness, or destination spa travel at 20,000 spas, yoga, pilates, and fitness studios worldwide with one gift card. You can either instantly print or email your gift card; your recipient gets to pick how and where to use it.




→ Buy a Spa Finder gift card, $25.00 - $1000.00, at spafinder.com.

Sale: Nordstrom Cashmere Sweaters $58

I find sale-priced cashmere very hard to resist. Just in time for holiday gifting -- for others or yourself -- Nordstrom has put two classic cashmere sweater silhouettes from their Halogen house label on sale. This is about as good as it gets in cashmere sweater land.

The Relaxed V-Neck Cashmere Sweater has a kick-back look that is weekend-ready and perfect for layering. It comes in twelve colors, including two neutral striped options that look straight out of a how-to-dress-French guidebook.

For a more refined look, the Crewneck Cashmere Sweater is an appealing option. It has a side slit that makes it a bit more interesting than a plain crewneck, but it’s still 100% work appropriate. It comes in fourteen color options, including two colorful striped patterns and a very pretty navy blue Donegal-look knit.

Both sweaters are available in sizes XS to XXL regular and XXS to XL petite, although some of the more popular size and color combinations currently have very limited inventory. Shockingly, very few combinations are sold out. Shipping and returns are both free.

→ Buy the Halogen Relaxed V-Neck Cashmere Sweater, $58.90 (was $89.00), at nordstrom.com.

→ Buy the Halogen Crewneck Cashmere Sweater, $58.90 (was $89.00), at nordstrom.com.

3 Fashion Girl Gifts That Give Back

There’s no need for the good deeds to stop after #GivingTuesday has passed. There are a ton of options for gifting your good taste while also giving back to a worthy nonprofit. Here are three of my favorite finds for the holiday season, each of which results in a donation to a wonderful organization.

This peachy-pink sweatshirt has the trendy vintage athletic wear look down cold. 100% of the sales from this sweatshirt goes to support Girls, Inc. This nonprofit, founded in 1864, works to empower girls age 6-18 through mentorship, programming, and skill-building.




→ Buy the J.Crew x Girls, Inc. Girls Sweatshirt, $69.50, at jcrew.com.

Loving This Week: Shaggy Faux Fur + A Wine Advent Calendar

Check out a few of my favorite online shopping finds for the week…

1. Topshop Camille Hooded Faux Fur Coat, $150.00
A perennial favorite. This shaggy faux fur coat is available in four colors, but it’s this pale brown that gives off a vintage vibe straight out of The Royal Tenenbaums.

11 Fabulous Galentine’s Day Gift Ideas Your BFFs Will Love

Of the completely made up pop culture holidays – Friendsgiving and Festivus, I’m looking at you – Galentine’s Day is my favorite. What could be more fun than a day devoted to celebrating amazing female friendships? And waffles.

Still confused about Galentine’s Day? No worries. Like the other aforementioned pop culture holidays, Galentine’s Day started as the focus of a sitcom episode. Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s character on Parks and Recreation, explained the holiday on the show:

"Oh, it's only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas."

There’s a whole explainer over on Bustle, if you want more back-story. Otherwise, let’s move on to the fun part. Now that we’re clear that this is all about celebrating your lady friends, it’s time to talk gift ideas. Here are ten super fun presents that are perfect for gifting your besties on Galentine’s Day:

The Only 5 Black Friday Sales You Need, All Shoppable Now!

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Just me, or has Black Friday season spun out of control? I call it a "season" because Black Friday has transcended Friday, taking over the entire space from the day before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. Ridiculous. I know it's overwhelming, so I hope this little bit of shopping sanity helps.

I've scoured the online sales and have picked five outstanding options that will allow you to partake of the best of the Black Friday deals, run into the fewest restrictions, and cover the largest swath of your to-gift list. These options not only cover a range of gifting possibilities, they are all shoppable starting on Thanksgiving and going through at least the end of the weekend, and they are all 100% shoppable online. Meet the only five Black Friday sales you'll need this year...

13 Gifts Under $25 That All Ship For Free

Let’s take a minute to cover the holy grail of holiday gifts: the inexpensive, but totally fabulous gift that happens to ship for free (no strings attached). Think it can’t be done? I’ve found thirteen gifts that prove it can…

1. American Atelier Forget Me Not Ceramic Trinket Tray, $7.20 (was $12.00)
A perfectly sweet bedside or sink-side resting place for rings or other jewelry.

2. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife, $20.00
This iconic tool includes a blade, nail file, screwdriver, scissors, key ring, tweezers, and a toothpick.

12 Gifts for the Luxe Label Lover Under $125

Do you have a lady on your to-gift list who dreams of the finer things in life? Here are a dozen ways to bring a luxury label into her life for less than $125...

1. Majorica White, Gray, & Pink 8mm Pearl Stud Earrings, $60.00 (was $135.00)
Established in 1890 in Spain, Majorica is known for fine jewelry and accessories that put the focus on pearls. This earring set, which features sterling silver hardware, is a classic addition to any jewelry wardrobe.

2. Missoni Adele Long Zigzag Umbrella, $78.00 (was $185.00)
Few labels are as instantly recognizable, without the use of a logo, as Italy’s Missoni. It’s all in the iconic zigzag knit pattern. This punchy umbrella is sure to make rainy days more fun.

Gift This: For the Guys

Stumped for what to get the guys in your life? Try these ideas on for size. I’ve rounded up eleven of my favorite gift ideas for men, and there’s a little bit of something for everyone…

1. Uniqlo Heattech Knitted Gloves, $9.90 (was $14.95)
I personally have a few pair of these unisex gloves, which make a smart small gift or stocking suffer. Uniqlo’s Heattech fibers add extra warmth without bulk, while conductive threads at the thumb and forefinger allow the wearer to operate a touchscreen without removing the gloves. They’re available in 12 colors.

2. A Grand Treasury of Shakespearean Insults Poster, $25.00
For the literature nerd… this infographic, suitable for framing, maps Shakespeare’s truly entertaining insults. A personal favorite: "he has not so much brain as ear-wax."

Gift This: For the Frequent Traveler

Do you have a frequent traveler on your to-gift list this season? If so, look no further.

After pulling ideas from years of my own adventures, and quizzing my travel-obsessed squad about their own go-to items, I’ve assembled eleven fabulous and fashionable gifts that are sure to wow any frequent traveler. Happy gifting!

1. The Laundress Travel Pack, $52.00
This convenient kit from upscale clothing care company The Laundress has everything a woman on the go needs to take care of her wardrobe while traveling. The set includes Crease Release and Fabric Fresh sprays, Delicate Wash, Stain Solution, and a reusable laundry bag for stashing dirty clothes.

2. Flight 001 4-in-1 Universal Travel Adapter, $25.00
This is, by far, the most user friendly travel adapter I’ve found. The easy to understand color coding allows you to seamlessly adapt your compatible electronics to the appropriate plug in over 150 countries, and the interlocking square shape packs like a dream.

Gift This: 5 Can’t Miss Fragrance Gifts for Her

Absent a letter to Santa, can a fragrance gift ever really be foolproof? Scent is a very personal choice, after all.

I think it can, and the proliferation of multi-scent gift sets is the reason why. This new trend towards offering a collection of perfumes in travel-friendly sizes, all bundled together as a set, is fabulous for gifting. Your gift recipient is sure to fall in love with at least one or two of the options, and she may even find her new signature scent.

To that end, I’ve picked five of my favorite multi-fragrance gift sets, each one of which is guaranteed to delight the recipient.

I am a big fan of Tocca, and wear Stella nearly every day. I purchased last year’s Meet the Girls assortment and take it with me when I travel. It’s a wonderful collection of Tocca’s most-loved ultra-feminine scents: Cleopatra, Stella, Florence, Giuletta, Colette, Bianca, Violette, Liliana, Margaux, and Simone.




→ Buy the Tocca Meet the Girls Set, $62.00, at sephora.

35+ Amazing Thanksgiving Sales You Won't Want to Miss

Whether you are a Thanksgiving purist, or open to sale shopping 365 days a year, you can't deny that these Thanksgiving sales are really amazing. I mean, c'mon, some stores are offering 50% off their entire stock!

Ready to get shopping? Check out our specially selected list of turkey day deals...

Our Top Picks (Click the Photo to Visit):

Puma Up to 30% off PLUS take an additional 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY + free shipping through 11/30	Juicy Couture 50% Off Site Wide with code JCBLACK at checkout + Free Shipping on any order! Excludes fragrances & watches. Through 11/30.
True Religion 30% Off Entire Store with code THANKFUL at checkout. Plus, Free Shipping with any purchase. Through 11/30.	Avenue Plus Sizes Thanksgiving Sale 50% Off Site-Wide + Free Shipping.
The Body Shop Black Friday Tote $30 with $30 Purchase ($125 Value) and 3 Products for $33. Through 11/30.	Kate Somerville Enjoy 25% off your entire order. Plus, get free shipping.
The Limited 40% Off The Scandal Collection with code THANKS. Through 11/28.	French Connection 30% off the ENTIRE website stock with code: 30FCBF.
Uniqlo $5 Heattech gloves, $20 off cashmere sweaters, and $7 for 7 pairs of socks, plus free shipping.	C.Wonder 40% Off Every Little Thing.
Piperlime Take 25% off with code THANKFUL25. Through 11/29. Restrictions apply.	Gap 50% off everything!! Online & in stores, at Gap. Use code BLKFRIDAY. Ends 11/28. Restrictions apply.

More Amazing Deals:

Gift This: 5 Glam Girl Gifts Under $20

I consider the perfect under $20 gift the ultimate find. It’s hard to track down a really exceptional, thoughtful gift in that price range. But, I have a secret to scoring an amazing bargain gift every time: Nordstrom.

I know, it’s kind of hard to believe. But, trust me – Nordstrom is the best place to find amazing bargain gifts. The thing is, a department store as glamorous as Nordstrom isn’t going to stock a ho-hum gift option in any price range. So, even the super affordable end of their gift selection is full of gorgeous options. Plus, it’s hard to beat Nordie’s pretty silver gift wrap and free shipping.

Got a glam girl on your to-gift list? Check out my favorite $20 and under finds…

This silver “Let’s Do Lunch” engraved business card holder is old-school chic with a touch of cheeky. I expect nothing less from Kate Spade.




→ Buy the Kate Spade Let’s Do Lunch Business Card Holder, $20.00, at nordstrom.com.

Gift This: Ultra Luxe Beauty Indulgences

The holiday gifting season is here, friends. It’s time to start making our lists and checking them twice. Are you ready to go?

Since it’s early in the gifting season, let’s start out with some real fantasy finds. If you want to blow away a friend or loved one who is big on beauty, and you budget allows, pick one of these luxurious indulgences.

Good friend, and sometimes Stiletto Jungle contributor, Pearl raves about Make Up For Ever. And for good reason. MUFE, as it is affectionately known to beauty insiders, creates some of the most amazing makeup products. We’re talking stuff that works miracles, like the imperfection-erasing HD Powder and better-than-fakes Smoky Extravagant Mascara. This jam-packed pro artist’s case has everything you need to create all sorts of gorgeous looks, from primer and brushes to lipstick and eye shadow.




→ Buy the Make Up For Ever Makeup Station, $300.00 ($662.00 value), at sephora.com.

Found: Hostess Gifts with Style!

This is a challenge to all of the fun, fashionable females out there: it's time we come up with equally fun and fashionable hostess gifts. We are too good to be stuck in this rut! I'm just as guilty as you are. It's the last minute and I'm running to a dinner or cocktail party and, never fails, I end up with the requisite flowers or wine under my arm. Certainly a tired, overused gift is better than no gift at all, but I believe that deep down we are all capable of better.

Here's what I'm thinking. Instead of flowers, why not give a luxurious designer candle or elegant soap? If you've never experienced a truly high-end candle you are in for a treat. These are not you average discount store candles. While a regular candle may fill the air with a fragrance that mimics your favorite air freshener scent, a handcrafted candle makes your home into a work of perfumed art.

One of my favorite designer candle lines is Tocca. These adorable mini versions of Tocca's signature candle scents come with a coordinated matchbook and are available in nearly all of the same scents as Tocca's full-size candles. Stella fills your home with the sweet, fresh scent of Italian blood orange while Feu de Touch is a rich, floral gardenia.




→ Buy Tocca Candles - Candelina Mini Candles, $20.00, at tocca.com.

Gift This! Everyday Beauty Gifts Every Woman Will Love

Let’s kick off the holiday shopping season with some of my favorite giftables: beauty items for the everywoman!

I have yet to meet a woman who completely hates all beauty items; it’s just a matter of finding those items that really do appeal to everyone. That’s what inspired this gift guide. From beauty mavens who have their finger on the pulse of the industry, to tomboys whose makeup routines consist of sunscreen and chap stick, every woman will enjoy these beauty finds.

Is there someone on your “to gift” list who still doesn’t have a Clarisonic? If so, this is the year to buy! Clarisonic just introduced the Mia First, an entry-level version of their sonic facial cleaning device that comes at an entry-level price.

Not every woman thinks she needs a sonic facial cleaning brush, but every woman I’ve met who has tried it has instantly fallen in love with the deep clean feel and amazing results.




→ Buy the Clarisonic Mia First Facial Brush, $99.00, at sephora.com.

The Best Cyber Monday Sales of 2013

It's here! It's the biggest online shopping day of the year... #CyberMonday! Many online retailers have saved their biggest and best sales, deals, and coupon codes for today, so it's the perfect time to get a lot of those holiday presents taken care of (and, of course, snag a little something for yourself).

Check out our picks for the best Cyber Monday deals here. We'll be adding additional sales and coupon codes throughout the day, as we hear about them. Each sale or deal links directly to the site, and will open in a new window for your shopping convenience! Enjoy!

Jewelry

Get 20% off your entire twig&thorn order today only! Use code TURTLEDOVES20 through 11:59 p.m. EST.

BaubleBar Cyber Monday: Grab 20% Off Sitewide With Code: CYBER20.

Clothing

Get 30% Off EVERYTHING At Kate Spade Saturday (Saturday.com)! Use Code GOFORIT.

Tory Burch Holiday Sale: get 20% off $300+; 25% off $500+; 30% off $750+ with code HOLIDAY through 12/2.

20% off select men's and women's items at Rag & Bone with code winter2013 through 12/2 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Cyber Monday Sale! Enjoy 40% Off Site Wide + Free Ground Shipping on orders of $75 or more at C. Wonder! Use promo code GIFTS40. (Valid December 2 at 12:01am EST thru 11:59pm EST)

Enter CHARLIEBROWN for an extra 25% off must have sale collections at Les Nouvelles. Ends Monday, 12/2.

The Best Online Black Friday Sales of 2013

The feast has been eaten and the dishes done... now it's time to get your #BlackFriday shopping on!

I'm not one for standing in line at the stores, or for fighting the Black Friday crowds in general, so I like to scout out the stores that are offering online Black Friday sales, deals, and coupon codes. I've found that the deals are just as good, but without the pain of actually going out to the stores. Since you're reading this little online shopping blog, I have a feeling you agree.

To make your online shopping easier, we've rounded up the best of the online Black Friday sales. We'll be adding more as we learn about them throughout the day on Friday. To make things super efficient, we've linked up each deal and it opens in a new window: just click to shop your way through the list! We'll also be posting Cyber Monday deals late Sunday night, so remember to check back then for more details. Now on to the shopping...

Jewelry

Get 15% your entire twig&thorn nature-inspired jewelry order today only with code BLACKSWAN15 through 11:59pm EST!

BaubleBar Black Friday: Take 15% off 2 items with code: FRIDAY15; Take 25% off 3 items with code: FRIDAY25; Take 35% off 4+ items with code: FRIDAY35.

Clothing

30% off at J.Crew with code HOLIDAY through 12/1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

25% off sitewide, no restrictions, at DJ Premium with code BLKCY today only.

Extra 30% off sale items with code THANKS30 at Club Monaco today only!

Tory Burch Holiday Sale: get 20% off $300+; 25% off $500+; 30% off $750+ with code HOLIDAY through 12/2.

20% off select men's and women's items at Rag & Bone with code winter2013 through 12/2 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

30% off your entire order at Loehmann's with code BLK30 through 11/30.

Free shipping on orders of $40+ with code FREE40 and 20% off orders of $125+ with code 20SAVE online only, Black Friday only, at Victoria's Secret.

20% off your entire order at Anthropologie today only.

Black Friday Sale! Enjoy 30% Off Site Wide + Free Ground Shipping on orders of $75 or more at C. Wonder! Use promo code GIFTS30. (Valid November 27 at 12:01am EST thru December 1 at 11:59pm EST)

Enter CHARLIEBROWN for an extra 25% off must have sale collections at Les Nouvelles. Ends Monday, 12/2.

Black Friday - 100's of items 50% off at ModCloth.

$30 Hanky Panky Purple Velvet Bralette and Thong Set. 11/29 Only.

The Best Thanksgiving Sales of 2013

Happy Thanksgiving, fabulous Stiletto Jungle readers! I hope you are all having a wonderful day with your family and friends.

While I'm all for #TurkeyBeforeTrees and the sanctity of Thanksgiving feasting, I know that you'll be sneaking away to your laptop from time to time to check in on the Thanksgiving sales. So, to streamline the process, I've rounded up some of the best sales and coupon codes right here. All you have to do is scroll and click.

Enjoy! And be sure to check back tomorrow to see our picks for the best of the online Black Friday deals. We got a nice little preview from some of our favorite websites, and, trust us, you won't be disappointed. Now, on to the shopping...

Jewelry

• Get $5 off your order at twig&thorn jewelry with code 5GOLDRINGS.

Clothing

• 30% off 3 items or more, full price or sale + free ground shipping on orders of $75 or more at C. Wonder. Use promo code GIFTS30 through December 1 at 11:59pm EST.
  
• Enter CHARLIEBROWN for an extra 25% off must have sale collections at Les Nouvelles. Ends Monday, 12/2.
  
• Enjoy 20% off online at Reiss.com from November 28 - December 2.
  
• 25% off + free shipping on all orders at Scoop NYC. No coupon code required.

Top Holiday-Exclusive Beauty Gifts From Sephora

--By Kim Moshtaghi

I can’t believe the holidays have arrived. For those of you who celebrate Christmas or Chanukah (which starts this week) and haven’t started shopping, it’s time to start NOW and finish before the madness really begins.

You can shop easily online so why bother stressing? I have found some fabulous gifts that are well priced and hard to find in the off-holiday seasons. Since a lot companies use the holidays to promote their products, it’s a great way to try something new or get an insanely good deal on a product you already love.

It is no secret that my eyelashes don’t leave the house without a couple coats of Dior Mascara, so naturally I had to purchase some for myself and as gifts for others. This is a miraculous line and I want other people to love it as much as I love it.

This travel kit comes with dramatic eye must-haves: Diorshow Maximizer, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in black, Diorshow Mascara in black, and Diorshow Brow Styler in universal brown. The carrying case makes it easy to throw these items in a bag and the case makes it a nice, tidy presentation for a gift.




→ Buy the Dior Diorshow Backstage Hero Kit, $59.00, at sephora.com.