J.Crew Winter 2011 Picks | The Natural Socialite

I’m totally digging J. Crew this season & their genius incorporation of colors & textures. I’m hoping to step my “color” game up this winter and add a rainbow of colors to my personal wardrobe.  With picks like these spotted on JCrew.com, that won’t be hard to do at all. Check out my fabulous finds!

Schoolboy Blazer in velvet, $168 (shown in heather Chartreuse)

Wynther sweater in sequine stripe, $118

 Fanfare jacket in winter’s tweed, $250

Cafe’ capri in wool plaid, $138

Hacking jacket in tipped double serge’ wool, $298

Crystal dot bracelet, $68

Classic Jenna Bracelet, $88

Lulu frost for J. Crew figure eight bangle, $58

What trends are you looking forward to this season?  Will you sport colorful fabrics or opt for a more neutral color pallet?

Holiday Office Party Fashion Faux Pas

Faux Paus #1: Christmas Sweaters

We get it. You’re in the Holiday spirit & you want everyone to know it. You can spread your Holiday cheer without looking like a walking Christmas card. Spare us, please.

Faux Pas #2 : Too Tight & Too Short

Unless your office is the local strip joint & your company encourages customers to participate in a 2 drink minimum, then please don’t over display the ass-ets. Sure, its after hours & you aren’t technically “on the clock”, you should try to keep it classy at least for the night.

Faux Pas #3: Sheer Clothing

If sheer clothing isnt appropriate for your office dress code, then it’s unfortunately not appropriate for the holiday party either. Save the see-through for a night out with friends…. or the bedroom.

Fashion Faux Pas #4: Lucite Heels

No. Just don’t do it. Please. Enough said.

Fashion Faux Pas #5: Serious Boobage

Cover the “girls” up a bit and resist showing off all of the goods. A nip slip while chatting it up with your boss & their spouse may not be a good look for your career aspirations. Choose a more conservative neckline & woo the room with your charming smile.

What are your fashion dont’s for this holiday season?? Have any of your co-workers come to the office party with a major no-no?

Brookstone 2011 Holiday Gift Trends | The Natural Socialite

Hot Gifts for iPad Lovers

More iPad users in the world means more people trying to personalize and accessorize. Brookstone is the gift destination for the tablet lover on everyone’s list.

Bluetooth® Keyboard Portfolio

Foldover portfolio has a built-in Bluetooth® wireless keyboard that lets iPad users type with wild abandon. In cool new colors. $99.99

Brookstone® Boombox

Lose the cassettes not the swagger. This portable stereo lets people “share” music with everyone on the block… just by docking their iPad tablet. $129.99

Hot for the Host

Brookstone is happy to announce that the party is back with a vengeance. Here’s what’s coming to parties this year.

Automatic Wine Opener with Built-in Foil Cutter

Corks (and foils) have met their match. Thirsty guests will be impressed by how quickly this opener lets them get to their wine. It’s placed over the bottle, a twist removes the wine foil, and then a push of the button removes the cork. Cordless and rechargeable. $49.99

Vinturi® Wine Aerator

Guests may think the wine is more expensive than it really is. This handheld device instantly “breathes” wine as each glass is poured, enhancing flavor and bouquet. Available for red or white wines and for liquors. From $39.99

Obol®, the Never-Soggy Cereal Bowl

If adult beverages aren’t the main attraction at the party, Obol® makes a great conversation-starting gift for your hosts (or their kids). This very modern-looking bowl has two sections—an upper area for cereal (or holiday cookies), and a lower reservoir for milk. One swoops a scoop of cereal onto a spoon, then swoops into the milk for the perfect crispy bite every time. Also great for soup and crackers or chips and salsa. $19.99

Feel-Good Gifts

Feel-good gifts like massagers, slippers and memory foam pillows are always popular during the holiday season.

Brookstone® Body Bean

It’s a high-tech update on the beloved hot water bottle that’s cordless and rechargeable. It’s great for soothing aches and pains, tired muscles, and for just keeping warm on a chilly day. $34.99

3-in-1 Heated Wrap—with Body Bean

Pairs a cordless Body Bean with versatile body wrap that holds the Bean against the lower back, neck and shoulders, or anywhere else soothing warmth is needed. $49.99

Active Sport Handheld Massager

Brookstone is finding that athletes and other active people are using handheld massagers to soothe and loosen up muscles before and after workouts. The Active Sport Massager packs plenty of massaging horsepower and has 3 interchangeable massage heads that let users target specific areas or enjoy all-over relief. $69.99

Tempur-Pedic® Comfort-Step Slippers

Revolutionary Tempur-Pedic® slippers deliver maximum comfort with a pressure-relieving breathable material, while the durable hard sole is ideal for around the house and quick trips out to the mailbox. “The best slippers I’ve ever owned … I would never think about wearing another type of slipper now.” – Susie, Brookstone Customer Review $49.99

Brookstone, Inc., is an innovative product development company and specialty retailer of unique gifts. Brookstone operates 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce website at Brookstone.com. Fans of the Company are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Product prices and availability subject to change without notice.