Holiday Gift Guide Day 2: Bendel's East Meets West Necklace + Lush's Snow Fairy Shower Gel

How's that old saying go? Oh yeah: WEAR ALL OF THE SPARKLIEST THINGS EVER AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, EVEN WHEN THE SITUATION DOESN'T CALL FOR IT. And the situation DEFINITELY calls for it all day erry day beginning December 1. Seriously, it's cold out, zero people look hot in sweaters (except for brutally hot dudes like Jon Hamm, and that's about it), so go HAM on the sparkly jewelry and shoes for the holidays. Especially where dinner parties and holiday soirees are involved. As far as I'm concerned (and I AM concerned), when you're invited to a holiday party, you should be wearing something that sparkles so hard you need to hand out those creepy little tanning bed glasses to all surrounding guests. And maybe issue one of those warnings to anyone with epilepsy. Henri Bendel's East Meets West Mykonos necklace, shot through with with Deco metallics and mother of pearl detail, shines like the light of a thousand menorahs. You could probably see it shine from space. It's so festive that it truly deserves its very own holiday.

$489, Henri Bendel, HenriBendel.com

Henri Bendel's Mesh Handbags Really Make Me Wish I Had A Genie So I Could Magically Make It Spring, You Know?

Henri Bendel's spring 2013 handbags are 2 rill 2b ignored, y'all. That excellently '80s mesh and leather asymmetrical situation and two -- TWO! -- neon cork bags make me wish I had a genie so I could ask for these three wishes: 1.) No winter. 2.) These three bags, pronto (get it in the morning like Alonzo), oh, and 3.) An end to diseases and war. I should probably bump that last wish up and make it a bigger priority, right?

 Debutante messenger, $450, available at Henri Bendel in April

The Blair, $298; The Deb wristlet, $128, available at Henri Bendel in March

Rebecca Minkoff Spring Handbag Event At Henri Bendel!

The Binge has long been a fan of Rebecca Minkoff you know? You do know!

And remember how I got all pouty because the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale was held in L.A. and not here? Well YAY for the East Coast because there's an event coming up soon HERE!

If you're up in the vicins of Henri Bendel, get a sneeky peeky of her Spring collection between Tuesday, February 17 and Monday, March 2. And, you can meet Rebecca Minkoff (and thank her for making bags I covet so intensely, like the Market Bag, and the selects below) February 19 & 20 from 4-8pm and February 21 from 1-6pm.

($330, Rebecca Minkoff, Shopbop.com)


($195, Rebecca Minkoff)


($635, Rebecca Minkoff)

The Neon Morning After Bag in Dove Grey/ Neon Yellow is possibly my fave.

I Luurve Chan Luu Earrings!

I saw the most extraordinarily gorgeous pair of Chan Luu earrings at Bendel's (Like how I dropped that on your lap? I was there for a beauty event -- you know, because otherwise I just blow the fuck into Bendel's on the regular... on my way to Payless and Daffy's!), but I can't find them online. Boo. Anyway, check out these picks -- they combine rough-hewn stones and gems that create a just-femmey-enough, exotic beach-girl vibe.

($140, Chan Luu, Bluefly.com)

($155, Chan Luu, TheHipChick.com)


($51, Chan Luu, Shopfrosting.com)


($90, Chan Luu, TheHipChick.com)

Overpriced Alert: Smathers & Branson Belt

($185, Smathers & Branson, C.Orrico)

How the fuck is this belt $185? Does that include yacht club membership? And what kind of a name is Smathers and Branson? It even sounds like an uptight law firm. And how is C. Orrico "Where Palm Beach Comes to Play" (ew!) so blatantly ripping off Henri Bendel's signature brown and white likeness?



Gag me with this $595 men's Lilly Pulitzer blazer:
Actually, the type of man who'd wear that blazer AND fluorescent green pants probably WOULD spend $185 on an embroidered sailboat belt and probably WOULD wear it with the aforementioned parade of gaud. Money can't buy taste, people.

And by the way, I'm not totally opposed to the idea of the prepster belt by any means. But $185? Huh? Observe:

($20, Chesapeake Ribbons)


($49.50, Vineyardvines.com)


($39.50, Vineyard Vines, Fireflyoutfitters.com)

Way less money, you still get preppy little symbols wrapped around your waist, everyone goes home happy.

($28, Urban Outfitters)

Double your nautical cuteness.

Also, I'm so sad this DSquared2 whale belt is sold out... and speaking of Bendel's, check out these amazing illustrations at A Design Affair.