“I like my money right where I can see it… hanging in my closet.” Carrie Bradshaw Sex in the City.
So as Christmas is drawing near and 2009 is ending, one has to wonder where does all the time go and where has all my hard earned money gone? That being said, the hottest 2009 ‘must-haves’ that I ‘must have’ and went out and got are going on this list because they are tried, tested and I can’t live without them. So as a suggestion, perhaps these items would make your Christmas wish list for 2009.
No. 1: The Mackage Jacket
Whether it is the elegantly tailored wool coats, puffys or the ‘must need and must have now’ item…the quintessential leather jacket, Mackage makes the jacket that is a definite Carrie Bradshaw worthy investment item in your wardrobe. Mackage known for their detailing and impeccable tailoring creates the most stylish looks that lasts in your wardrobe for at least a few years. This year Mackage teamed up again with Aritzia and created another line of beautiful leather jackets. With beautiful floral silk lining complementing the clean lines in their NEV jacket it would make any fashion forward girl get the ‘gimmies’…even at $600 a pop. However, keep an eye out for their online Boxing Day sale as their recent black Friday sale had discounts up to 40% (which incidentally is where I got my gunmetal NEV jacket). Sure Danier will sell knockoffs and similar cut jackets for half the price, however, the quality of the leather and stitching is unbeatable. Trust me, I went and bought a Danier rocker-glam jacket that was similar to a 2008 Mackage design, only to be not entirely impressed, caved and bought the real deal instead. To see what I’m talking about go to www.mackage.com as some styles are already on sale right now! And if $600 and change is a little too steep for a jacket, there are wool coats for half the price and even some packable yet completely stylish raincoats for under $300.
No. 2: The GHD Styler
So this is the item that I could not travel without and this is what my hair stylist used to do my hair and my bridesmaids’ hair for my wedding this summer. I bought the hot pink limited edition GHD styler, and it is absolutely amazing. This styling tool heats up literally in seconds (27 to be exact) and its bevelling ceramic plates adjust to your hair to give you just the right amount of heat. It also has a sleeper mode and automatically turns off if it is not used in 30 minutes so you don’t have to worry about setting your bathroom on fire if you left the house with it on. This styler also does not have the edges on that plates like some other ceramic stylers which give you that weird little crimp if you don’t hold the straightner just right. Not only does this styler straighten, it curls, waves, and gives body as well (a useful DVD is provided). And really it is a hell of a lot less clunky than that ‘InStyler’ that is always on the shopping channel (you know the one that turns and has a huge brush stuck to a straightner). The GHD styler also comes with a heating mat, carrying case, and is also way sleek. Also, GHD makes a really great line of hair products that protect your hair from heat and hold the style that you want to give it. Totally worth the $275. Check it out at www.sephora.com or walk into your nearest Sephora. Right now, there is another limited edition GHD styler and it comes in a leopard print styler pouch, and another new 2009 baby pink BCA styler complete with styler pouch with a cute bow, brush, tote bag and matching clips all to support breast cancer research. If only I didn’t already have the hot pink set….
No. 3: The T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer
Okay this is another ‘don’t leave the house without tool’ and it does come in a travel size, but I bring the full size one out with me when I travel because seriously it cuts my hair drying time down by at least half. And with long hair, this baby totally makes the difference in drying time. Using ionic technology this hair dryer uses infrared heat to seal in the moisture in your cuticles to dry your hair, eliminate frizz and creates sleeker hair. This 1800 watt hair dryer (yet weighs only 13 ounces) is one serious tool. True, this baby packs a punch to your beauty arsenal, and literally I took out a whole entire hotel in Rome last year when I plugged this in (with adapters) to dry my hair (the power went out for 2 hours at Hotel Alexandria) but it’s so worth it because in the humidity my hair was great! (FYI $250, Sephora).
No. 4: The Quintessential LULU Hoodie
So, yeah I’m one of those girls that likes to wear yoga wear even when I’m not doing Yoga okay? Bite me. Lululemon, a Vancouver company, makes the best hoodies around and it’s another ‘must have’. For comfort, $100 bucks a pop for a hoodie (that comes in all the colors of the rainbow or to just suit your mood) is not that bad. And now that they are making limited edition print hoodies, I can’t resist them even more. Honestly, I’ve been wearing Lulu even before they expanded, had their own outlet in the states and traded in stocks. Why is this on my ‘must have’ list? I absolutely ‘heart’ their hoodies and wraps, their product is reliable, it lasts and most important of all, it’s comfortable.
No. 5: The Over the Knee Boots
So if you haven’t already bought your Over the Knee Boots, although they were every where from catwalks this fall 2009 season to our malls and outlets, this fashion accessory has definitely made my ‘must have list’. I’m not going to particularly go for a designer or a brand for Over the Knee Boots because whether you like rocking out in sketchers or strutting your stuff in Prada (even though they are not always the most comfortable) an Over the Knee Boot is an Over the Knee Boot. Some people may find a particular brand or designer more comfortable than another. Frankly, I prefer my Nine West Over the Knee Boots ($175) over my Prada ones in comfort (which I will not disclose how much I paid for them – but a simple google will give you an idea of how much I spent before I figured this out). FYI, Victoria’s Secret (www.victoriassecret.com ) also has a great selection of Over the Knee Boots at great prices if you don’t want to wear the same boots all your friends bought at the nearest ALDO. And yes the place where they sell lingerie for those that didn’t know that VS sells other things than underwear (actually their summer stuff is really cute).