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Great Gift Ideas: Still Stumped? We’ve Got Your Solutions!

Everything about the NARS Andy Warhol Collection is pretty amazing, so why not make a gorgeous presentation and gift some of the items to your bestie? Kiss Mini Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Coffret (on sale for $45) is enclosed in this great pop-art inspired soup can shape, or choose from a single producty, such as the Flowers Eyeshadow Palette. (P.S. – check out the NARS Andy Warhol Collection film collaboration with Fabien Baron of Baron & Baron, answering the question, “What would Andy do today?”)

2(X)ist Times Square Pop-Up Store is happening now through Christmas Day (located at 40th Street and Broadway), with 25% off all merchandise, along with all the sales going to Hurricane Sandy relief. Pretty swell, don’t you think? You can always shop the brand online or at your favorite retailer as well, but we thought this was certainly worth a mention, particularly since FPD stopped by and had a grand ‘ol time!

Alex Blake has a dizzying array of fashion tights are a GREAT stocking stuffer and will be the fashionable gift that just keeps on giving (well…until you rip them, that is!). I recently tested some of Charnos brand tights, and was smitten with the thickness, durability, stylishness, and affordability of them.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura Eau de Toilette Spray is a modern re-interpretation of the iconic scent that made fragrant waves years ago, and now is revitalized with luscious notes of raspberry and Italian Bergamot ($65 for the 3.3 oz bottle)

Dove Body Washes make great stocking stuffers; I can’t lay claim to coming up with this idea though, as it was my Mom who put some in my stocking last year, and it ended up being the most practical gift I received! I recently tested and loved the Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash in Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla, but you can choose from 13 other varieties to suit your, or the gift recipient’s skin needs.

VMV Hypoallergenics has something for everyone, for her, him, and baby, as well as more specifically haircare, toothpaste, body wash, sunscreen and more. Round up some of those items with the brand’s affordable holiday gift sets for all of those special people on your list. I will certainly be picking up a few of those, with some of my favorites pictured above (For All Ye Merry Gentlemen, $25, Sniffle-Upagus, $40, and My VMV Favorite Things, $35).

Freeman’s Foot Creams, lotions, and scrubs, such as the Peppermint & Plum Heel & Callus Balm and theFreeman’s Barefoot Lavender & Mint Foot Cream($3.79 each), coupled with a super cute pair of Ped-Sox (my favorite are the Pedi-Sox Mary Janes make a great spa DIY treatment gift! Who doesn’t want baby soft feet , kept warm by a pair of socks with the toe part missing, while they paint their toes?!? Count me in.

-Julia DiNardo

AlexBlake.com Will Satisfy Your Every Hosiery Need

Hosiery can be practical, whimsical, multi-tasking, or warm; depending on your style or needs and the time of year, your demand for the item will certainly vary. AlexBlake.com, the U.S. sister sister of the European MyTights.com has an extensive array of selections (for example, the company supplied the info to us that there are currently 568 hosiery products on sale!!) to satisfy your every want and need when it comes to leg coverage, including categories such as extra tall, plus size, maternity, support, and bridal hosiery.

The site mixes in hard to find European favorites like Pretty Polly (my new favorite!), Jonathan Aston, Emilio Cavallini (another one of my faves!), Trasparenze with tried and true favorites such as Hue, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Hanes. Courtesy of the site, I tried the Pretty Polly tights and House of Holland tights, which I had only read about and had searched for in the past, without any luck of actually making a purchase. The tights were all that I had built them up to be in my mind, provoking gushing and comments from everyone who noticed them thanks to their eyecatching inlaid designs as well as 3-D detailing like affixed sequins and bows!

Not sure what to get? Check out AlexBlake’s advice pages or take advantage of the personal advice option by phone or email. While the weather is still cold and blustery, you might as well stock up on some tights!

–Julia DiNardo