Holiday Sales: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.

The troubled economy needs shoring up! To best fulfill your patriotic duty to shop 'till you drop, here are our picks of the coolest online holiday sales, discounts, and deals:

BOUTIQUES:

Net-a-Porter.com: Up to 50% off all the season's must-haves

National Jean Company: Free Shipping & 20% off everything except sale items all weekend with code THANKS

BuxomInc.com: Black Friday Weekend markdowns through 11/30 and free shipping until 12/24 on their sleep & loungewear for busty babes

Eye Candy Buy Candy: 40% off everything with code OMG40

YOOX.com: an extra 40% off Fall/Winter menswear & womenswear

ILoveShop.com: all clothing 40-75% off in the Holiday Weekend Sale

figleaves.com: up to 70% off

Bluefly: a different deal every day for 5 days

Dace: 50-75% off everything through 12/4

Blood is the New Black: tees marked down as low as $7 (50% of the profit on any tee sold on the site goes to the artist who created it)

REVOLVEClothing.com: over 9,000 styles discounted 30-85%

BOX STORES:

Wrap Up in an Eyecatching Winter Scarf

Even in the dreary depths of winter, there's no reason not to show off your fabulous flair in a colorful scarf like this one from Numph. Purchasing info at Numph.dk.

- Lesley Scott

Top 5 Ways to Thanksgiving in Style

Turkey Day needn't all be about stuffing both the turkey and yourself, and then vegging out to American Football in a food stupor.  Instead, dress to impress, feast with some modicum of dignity, give thanks you're not one of these celeb turkeys (#5), and generally survive the holiday in style:

1. Dress to impress the fam & other holiday guests.
2. Keep your waistline intact.
3. Fantasy shop our fabulous Luxury Gift Guide.
4. Actual shop Net-a-Porter's monster sale.
5. Scoff at Hollywood.com's fun (non-fattening) 2008 Turkeys.

- Lesley Scott

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Vote for the Model Face of Carol Alt's New Book

Former supa'model turned author Carol Alt is looking for a fresh new face to grace the cover of her 2009 novel, Model, Inc. Avon A, an imprint of HarperCollins, recently launched an interactive online contest to determine who will embody Mac, Alt's alter-ego & protagonist. The field has been narrowed to four finalists, and you have until December 10, 2008 to cast your vote at HarperCollins.com/Imprints/Avon. The winner will be announced December 11 at HarperCollins.com/NextYearsModel.

- Lesley Scott

Empowered Social & Holiday Shopping

Just in time for the holidays, new mobile & social shopping community Select2Gether.com is helping fashionistas take their shopping to the next level by enabling shoppers everywhere - online, at the mall, across the globe - to get real-time advice on potential purchases from other trusted, stylish pals via mobile phone.  First create your own virtual Showroom and then snap & upload pix of whatever you're thinking of buying. Is that fabulously outrageous jacket a bit too over-the-top?  Which of 10 different necklaces would mom love? Do the leopard heels go with anything in your closet?  To find out, simply drag the pix into your Showroom, and shoot off a message to your social network that is primed to respond in real time.  "Yes, you can pull off the jacket." (you buy it) "The black one, definitely." (mom is sure to love it) "Honey, leopard is the new black." (a big yes)

Check out this innovative blend of Polyvore meets Facebook meets your mobile phone at Select2Gether.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Decadent Party Pix by The Cobrasnake

When nightlife photo blogger Mark Hunter, aka The Cobrasnake, teamed up with Ksubi earlier in the year on a limited edition t-shirt featuring Corey Kennedy and the phrase Vague 1991, it pretty much instantly sold out and ended up on eBay as a collector's item. Ksubi is now hosting Too Young - 200 of The Cobrasnake's pix of hot young thangs shot in London, Paris, LA, New York, Tokyo & Sydney.  To check it out, visit Ksubi's Bondi Beach Store (82 Gould St., Bondi 2026) at 6 pm on November 26th, or the Ksubi store in Armadale, Melbourne (1021 High St., Armadale) at 8 pm on Friday, November 28th.

- Lesley Scott

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Dress to Impress the Fam This Holiday - Carly's Chic Steals of the Week

by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer & ChicSteals blog

As a designer I've developed an eye for style over the years, and an appreciation for the fact that sometimes, designer pricetags can be downright scary. While life necessitates a splurge once in a while on that can't-live-without-it fabulous item, much of the fun of fashion is mixing high with low to create outfits that are creative, and also budget-friendly. Each week, I showcase five hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)...along with one must-splurge item.

Upcoming festive gatherings with relatives, family, significant others, in-laws...what a fashion nightmare!  Your perfect go-to ensembles for romantic dinners a deux don't cut it when you're dining with Aunt Leda, her gaggle of cousins, and the odd parent - so what's a girl to wear?  Fear not! With these easy pieces, it's easy to dress, impress, and look both classy and chic - all without spending a bundle:

Gift Guide: Collector's Trunk for Watches

For the watch connoiseur with everything, a luxurious collector's trunk is an uber-stylish way to pamper and showcase any collection of timepieces. Pop open the sleek black leather trunk to reveal a vibrant purple lining (although other colors are on option) with room for 50 watches: 15 in individually-lit display cases and 35 in drawers - as well as a mirror, winding rotor for self-winding watches, a travel case, two pairs of gloves and a cleaning cloth.

Handcrafted for Piaget by French trunk designer Pinel & Pinel, each trunk takes a painstaking 500 hours to make and is entirely finished by hand...which means that the price is, of course, Upon Request. Purchasing info at Piaget.com (listed under Accessories).

- Lesley Scott

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Kick Up Your Crystal Studded Heels

Covered in rhinestones, crystals, and satin bows, these fabulous D'Orsay stiletto sandals by Mario Bologna add a glamorous touch of rocker Hollywood meets pure Italian luxe to any festive ensemble. Available at Forzieri.Com.

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Tom Ford Fragrance for a Lasting Impression

Tom Ford knows sexy, and these 12 extravagant scents from his Private Blend Collection are each made from the richest, sexxxiest ingredients available.  Available from Nordstrom.com, where you can also peruse their Gifts of Beauty suggestions, and find something fabulous for everyone on your list.

- Lesley Scott

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