Saks Holiday Gift Guide-

We all try to do our best to plan holiday shopping way in advance but extra assistance is always appreciated. Luckily, there’s Saks Fifth Avenue's Holiday Gift Guide!

With a list that includes 100 exclusive designer gifts, there’s something for everyone. We can’t get enough of those Alexander Wang leg warmers or ANY of the Marc Jacobs bags! There’s so many delicious fashion treats, why not indulge in a little something for yourself, after all, tis the season-

~Alexander Wang for Saks~

Shop Saks Fifth Avenue's Holiday Gift Guide now-

Fashion Alert: Rachel Pally

Rachel Pally is a certified “jersey” girl, but we can forgive her since the debut of her ‘Wear Anywhere’ Dress. This dress comes in a signature plum jersey fabric exclusively for Target, so you know it’s a hot bargain! It features a neck tie that can be worn 5 different ways including halter, strapless, knotted, or even as a high-waisted skirt. Now that’s wearable value!

 

 Dress available at Target

Pink Elephants on Parade

Ingredients:

    * 1 part white cranberry juice

    * 1 part berry vodka

    * 1/2 part raspberry liqueur (Chambord)

    * 1/2 part Limoncello

Mix all ingredients in a shaker full of ice. Shake well and pour into chilled martini glasses.

Don’t own a shaker? Pick up the Accoutrements Pink Elephant Cocktail Shaker from Amazon.com and get your party started!

The Best Spiked Eggnog

    * 4 parts eggnog (we like Hood Lite)

    * 1 part spiced rum (we like Captain Morgan’s)

Mix eggnog and rum in a glass, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

For those extra cold days, heat the eggnog before adding the rum-

Not that’s a holiday spirit!

Fashionable Reading, Blow by Blow

The loss of fashion legend Alexander McQueen was an enormous tragedy, but one of the biggest tragedies of his life was the suicide of his muse Isabella Blow in 2007. Now her biography, Isabella Blow: A Life in Fashion by Lauren Goldstein Crowe gives a look back on her life, her passion, and the spark she created that made her a fashion icon.

 

For those who don’t know, Isabella was the key muse for milliner Philip Treacy and designer Alexander McQueen. Great minds could not help but be attracted to her electricity and verve and she prompted them to create their best work. She was eager to wear shocking things long before Lady Gaga, and maintained a wicked sense of humor right up until her passing.

Valentino says of the book, “To tell the story—the times, the impact, the inspiration, the misery, the dreams, the fantasy, the allure of Isabella—you would think you’d need 100 writers; but Lauren Goldstein Crowe has been able to tell us all this in one very good book.”

Isabella Blow: A Life in Fashion is available at Amazon.com

Va-Va-Vinyl

Who doesn’t love a little nod to the past? Vintage posters in our kitchens, vintage dresses in our closets but nothing can take you back quite like a little bit of vinyl. That’s right, vinyl records. The needle drops and sound crackles out of your speakers and it just takes you away. Now I wasn’t from the time when vinyl was king but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a little throwback now and then. When I left home, I took my dad’s collection of original records and his stereo. Now, nothing can get me to groove like Tower of Power or dance like Michael Jackson. Yes, the original Thriller album was part of his collection!

What’s even better is that so many places still sell old records, and for amazing prices too! Goodwill is always the best place to find some forgotten treasures but you can also check out places like Gimme Gimme Records in New York City or Repo Records in Philadelphia. Stores like Best Buy actually sell new record players but you can find some great pieces up on Ebay too.

Throw a record on while you’re cooking dinner or dance off some stress before crashing in front of the TV. Maybe your man will even dance it out with you! No matter what sound is flowing, that vintage vibe will get you every time!

HOT APPLE RUM CIDER

2 qts. unsweetened apple cider

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. caramel

2 sticks cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. whole cloves

1 1/4 c. dark rum or brandy

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks and cloves, using a slotted spoon. Stir in rum. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Pour into mugs.

 

Top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon, nutmeg or drizzle with caramel.

*Don’t forget the cider doughnuts*