This Demin And Leather-Ish Shirt Is Giving Me Body Issues

$50.99, Romwe.com

I usually don't entertain such cruel, self-destructive thoughts, but considering this denim/leather-esque (it's PVC, but it's convincing enough... and it's vegan!) button-down shirt/ tunic situation is the greatest thing to happen since they shrunk Siri Cruise and put her in the iPhone 4S -- and considering it only comes in a size small --  I'd consider having my body surgically altered to fit into it. So sue me.

Solange Knowles: Style SLAYER

Credit: My Damn Blog

GOOD GOD, Solange Knowles is my style savior. Why WOULDN'T an orange blazer go with a tutti-frutti turban and, what's that, a Tucker jumper? I worship at her alt altar. Truths. Also, the several times I've interviewed her for work, she's been an absolute doll -- smart, sweet and a straight shooter. So, that's always nice.

Bead For Life Sustainable, Fair Trade Jewelry: All I Want For The Eighth Night Of Chanukkah!

For all of the coveting, overconsuming, and product worshiping I indulge in here on FashionBinge, it's nice to flex my Mastercard muscle and do some honest-to-goodness good once in a while. Which is why, for the last day of my Chanukkah gift guide, I'm taking a break from being totally self-indulgent and ostentatious (and from effusing joy over products WAY out of my 99% lifestyle) to share my passion for BeadforLife, which is a nonprofit organization based in Boulder and Uganda. BeadforLife educates, employs and builds a sustainable income for impoverished Ugandan women (many of them are war refugees) who create beads and beaded jewelry out of recycled paper. BeadforLife provides Ugandans aged 16 - 26 with vocational training as well as malaria and HIV treatment.

Amore Pacific Rejuvenating Moisture Bound Creme: All I Want For The Seventh Night Of Chanukkah

$150, Amore Pacific, Sephora

'Tis the season for giving, conscious consumption and excellent skin. All of which can be achieved by giving YOURSELF and your face the gift of Korean luxury skincare brand Amore Pacific's Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Creme. Yes, it's $150, which is kind of the opposite of conscious consumption, but at least you're being conscious of what you put on your face, right? Also, I'm conscious that it's WORTH all 15,000 pennies.

I've written about Sulwhasoo's intensely effective Concentrated Ginseng Creme for Naag, and while Sulwhasoo is made by Amore Pacific, Amore Pacific's moisturizer is $70 less and just as good. It's infused with ginseng and bamboo sap, which hydrates skin (which is perfect because if left to its own devices, my skin is the consistency of a Brillo pad) without any annoying oiliness, and I don't know if it's the amino acids, antioxidants or the one and a half Benjamins, but my skin absolutely glows.

$150, Amore Pacific, Sephora

And if you're still feeling give-y, check out Amore Pacific's Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Essentials gift set, which comes with a FULL-SIZED Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Creme, Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel, Natural Protector SPF 30 and Vitalizing Masque Rejuvenating Serum. 

+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 1: Charles Jourdan taupe heels from Ideeli! 
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 2: Dr Martens black leather satchel!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 3: Banana Republic velvet sheath dress!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 4: Aritiza Black Silk Tunic!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 5: Marais Studded Suede Chukkah Boots!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 6: Funktional Nikki Rabbit Fur Coat (with guilt)!

Funktional Nikki Fur Jacket: All I Want For The Sixth Night Of Chanukkah

$568, Funktional, Barneys

I already have SO much innate Jewish guilt that I have some Chanukkah guilt gelt to spare on this stunning rabbit fur coat by ethereal-meets-wearable LA brand Funktional. It's absolutely stunning in is two-tone elegance. Um, I think the rabbits died peacefully in their sleep of old age. Okay, they didn't. Fur is terrible. I'm a bold-faced hypocrite. But at least it's warm?

+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 1: Charles Jourdan taupe heels from Ideeli! 
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 2: Dr Martens black leather satchel!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 3: Banana Republic velvet sheath dress!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 4: Aritiza Black Silk Tunic!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 5: Marais Studded Suede Chukkah Boots!

Marais Studded Suede Chukkah Ankle Boots: All I Want For The Fifth Night Of Chanukkah

Well, we're just rolling through a week of everything I want for Chanukkah, with me posting my favorite stylish gift and you lovingly purchasing them for me! Because that's how it works!

So, for the fifth night of Chanukkah, I would most certainly like to unwrap Marais' winter-perfect black suede Chukkah heel boots... AVEC tiny little studs on the toe cap:

$160, Marais

These Rachel Comey lookalikes (haaaaaaaaay) would not only look but FEEL so right with my J. Crew khakis rolled up just so and a kinda-sorta tucked-in dress shirt or grey sweater. So MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN, CHANUKKAH! I'm a size 8.


+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 1: Charles Jourdan taupe heels from Ideeli! 
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 2: Dr Martens black leather satchel!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 3: Banana Republic velvet sheath dress!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 4: Aritiza Black Silk Tunic!

Aritzia's Baye Black Tunic Dress: All I Want For The Fourth Night Of Chanukkah

$165, Aritzia

Before I get into my fourth-night-of-Chanukkah gift (for me!) pick, I need to say a word about Aritizia. Aritizia is a Canadian chain of moderately-priced boutiques, and the New York location opened this past June, and it's one of my favorite new "high street" shops. Half of the store feels like Madewell -- neat, conservative English major-inspired pleated skirts, flowy shirtwaist dresses, and demure blouses and in natural neutral hues -- and the other half is sportier basic tops, workout wear and hoodies. Like American Apparel minus the see-through. Oh, when I discovered Aritzia's TNA house brand longsleeve t-shirts (they're more like lightweight sweaters, and they feel like James Perse), it was like the culmination of a personal style vision quest: they're banded so they emphasize the waist, they're the perfect V-neck cut, and they're only $35. I bought five.

WHO Is This Model On Sassy's September 1994 Cover?

One of the nice things about blogging and social media and crowd sourcing is being able to easily look up exes to see who totally let themselves go having a platform to dump the most trivial contents of your brain's unemptied recycling bin out into the universe. So, help. Internet friends/ followers/ fiends, WHO is this '90s model who was on the cover of Sassy? She was a big print model, and I think her name was Sarah, and her face pops up every once in a while in Macy's ads or whatever. And even though I think I'm a POWER Googler, searches for "'90s print model Sarah" have somehow only landed me on jpegs of someone's mom's Thanksgiving casserole. 

Also, just to be the 15 TRILLIONTH woman in the world to say this: FUCK, I miss Sassy. It's marginally to moderately sad how EVERY page of that magazine automatically triggers an entire arc of teenage memories soundtracked by The Cranberries and The Sundays: cutting things out of magazines to make collages; my bedroom walls covered in magazine images, ads and images (including one for the 1994 VMAs, which ended up being self-prophesying since 12 years later I'd start my job there); dying my hair Tori Amos-red; wearing RIDICULOUSLY oversized jeans and thrifting for flannels and grandpa pants. Sassy was truly my first love as a teenager. I have college roommates whose last names I barely recall, but I seriously remember EVERY page of EVERY Sassy I ever read. RIP/ neverforget.

Anyway, WTF is that model's name? Kthxbai!

Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - Music - More Music Videos

Banana Republic's Black Velvet Dress: All I Want For The Third Night Of Chanukkah

$98, Banana Republic
(Gifted by Banana Republic)

Something's happening. Something's different. I feel like Tony in "West Side Story" when he first meets Maria, only hopefully with a far less tragic ending. Basically, I've fallen in love with VELVET. My most hated, feared and loathed fabric, the one my parents warned me against. Banana Republic's black velvet sheath dress, from their excellent holiday collection, is the ONLY velvet dress I've ever loved. It may look kinda "meh"-ish on the hanger, but this thing comes ALIVE on the female form. It fits ABSOLUTELY perfectly -- forgiving in the places that need forgiveness, and snug enough in the places that call for snuggling. It's so versatile that I've worn it at least three times already this month, to a holiday party with black tights and my Charlotte Russe Miu Miu-"inspired" glitter heels, an evening event with burnt sienna tights and turquoise booties (MUCH cuter than it sounds) and a TV taping with Wolford Hero bondage tights, which were a generous gift from Tightsplease and belong on a wall because they're a work of fucking art.) You can also do that kinda '90s grunge-girl thing, but in a cleaner way. (Like, no slouchy knit hat, por favor!)

Dr. Martens Black Leather Satchel: All I Want For The Second Night Of Chanukkah

$190, Dr Martens

Just look at this gorgeous Doc Martens black leather satchel (it's extremely similar -- too similar, some might say -- to the Cambridge Satchel, speaking of, I haven't taken mine out of the plastic since it came because it's so lovely to look at) and TELL me it wouldn't look like the unstaged photo-documentary-style picture of perfection with a trench coat... and that it wouldn't look perfect wrapped up next to my menorah.

Check out my first night of Chanukkah pick, a sky-high pair of taupe Charles Jourdan stilettos that would look JUST SO much better with your red holiday dress than boring black pumps. Just sayin'.

American Apparel New York Sample Sale

American Apparel's New York City sample sale is ON. So stock up on basic tees, lace croptops, copper lamé underwear or hoodies for your baby or dog. I gotta say, I'm way into the fact that this sample sale is several days long, as opposed to the usual sample sale, which is usually approximately the duration of one lunch break.

766 Avenue of the Americas/ 6 Ave between 25th and 26th
Friday, Dec. 16 - Friday Dec. 23, 9am to 9pm
Saturday, Dec. 24, 9am to 6pm
Monday, Dec. 26 & Tuesday, Dec. 27, 9am to 9pm

Feel free to RSVP on Facebook.

Bing Bang Sample Sale: New York, Monday 12/19 - Wednesday 12/21

Guys, file under: TOTALLY UNMISSABLE!
Bing Bang's New York City sample sale starts Monday, Dec. 19 - Wednesday, Dec. 21
12 - 8pm

153 Lafayette 4th floor Between Howard and Grand

Can't make it to the Bing Bang sample sale? Shop Bing Bang with promo code xmas20 for 20% off, through Sunday, Dec. 18.

$68, Bing Bang

$85, Bing Bang

If you should go and see either of these bracelets, you should feel more than emboldened to pick one up for me! Kay? Excellent!

Charles Jourdan Taupe Heels From Ideeli: All I Want For The First Day Of Chanukkah

Y'all, HURRY THE EFF UP. Chanukkah's just five days away, and there are EIGHT DAYS of it. Fortunately, I've compiled a list of the MANY many things I'd like to help you shop for me. Because I am just so thoughtful!

$79.99, Charles Jourdan, Ideeli.com

The first thing I'd like for Chanukkah are these EXCELLENT Charles Jourdan perforated taupe heels. They're from the chill bros at Ideeli, who were nice enough to invite me to their holiday preview, where I was informed that they have EXCELLENT holiday gifts. Um, like these Charles Jourdan heels... FOR ME! Also, hi. This French Connection sequined jacket? It's just $79.99. GET IN AT THE GROUND LEVEL.

PS: Don't belong to Ideeli? Not belonging SUCKS! Sign up (and be my almost-IRL friend)! here.

Community Collection Is Awesome And Will Eat Up All Of Your Money. Proceed With Caution

Oh dear. You need to know about Community Collection. And you're gonna HATE me, but really, you're gonna love me. I just found out about Community Collection, which is an online boutique that sells limited-edition selections of, oh, I don't know, PRETTY MUCH ALL OF MY FAVORITE BRANDS like Alexis Bittar, Tucker, Matthew Williamson, LNA, Adam, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rachel Roy, Steven Alan, Mackage, Current Elliott, Veda, Genetic Denim (LOVE Genetic Denim's skinny jeans), and Elizabeth and James AND 20% of each purchase goes directly to charity.

That (and an almost astonishing inability to control my impulses) is why I purchased these Current Elliott leopard-print Stiletto jeans (and would you just LOOK at them on Dina of Eye4Style), which I've have had on my hit list for a while. Knowing that $39.60 of my purchase went directly to Goods for Good (which helps people in impoverished parts of Africa gain access to educational resources and job skills) as well as the fact that my mental wheel of rationalization was spinning out of control was all I needed to shut it down on these jeans.

$198, Current Elliott, CommunityCollection.com

OH, and hi, I liked Community Collective on Facebook and got 30% off my purchase. See? Your money is gone.

THE RACHEL COMEY SAMPLE SALE COMETH!

The Rachel Comey sample sale is coming! Get ready to kiss your ENTIRE buying-for-others holiday gift budget away, and get ready to wish a VERY merry Christmas to YOURSELF.

Rachel Comey New York sample sale
268 Mulberry Street
St. Patrick's Cathedral Youth Centre Gym
Thursday, Dec. 15, 5 - 9pm
Friday, Dec. 16, 10 am - 6pm
Fall/ winter 2011, up to 60% off

These Zara Snakeskin Boots Are Wishing Me A Very Happy Chanukkah

$189, Zara

BREAKING ZARA-IS-DOING-EVERYTHING-RIGHT-related news: I didn't find these snakeskin and leather Zara boots. They found me. Happy Chanukkah!

Get 25% Off Errrything At Fred Flare

Fred Flare, my all-time most favorite shop that exists on planet Google Earth (my Stan-ship knows no bounds) is having a little sale: get 25% off with promo code "birdie" through December 6.

... Which explains why my sister will be getting a set of coasters that look like a cheeseburger for her upcoming 30th birthday.

$6, FredFlare.com

Alexis Bittar Sample Sale

It's here, kittens! The Alexis Bittar sample sale.
Friday, Dec. 2
Saturday, Dec. 3
9am 0 6:30PM
125 W. 21 Street
Between 6th and 7th

Shit's not even gonna know what hit it. But if you get there before me, save some Lucite for me, okay?