Great Girl Gifts
It's that time of year again, and the malls are crowded with desperate shoppers, scrambling to find the perfect gifts.
And when it comes to buying something for a woman, girl, gal pal, daughter or any female in your life, it's tough to get beyond perfume and jewelry, and get creative.
But with all the online resources and catalogues out there, it's easier than ever to browse and zero in on something unique and female-friendly.
Christy Ferer offers a round up of great ideas for under or around $100.
"Born to Shop" notebooks (wee $35; journal $130)
Pale blue pigskin with slide closure, silver-edged, feint-ruled pale blue paper
Retailer: Vivre
Fur & Denim Flower Pins ($140 rabbit fur; $45 denim & suede)
Denim, suede or fur flower pins
Retailer: Vivre
Gimmick Porette and Gimmick Burst Rings ($24-$28)
Burst - colorful Swarovski crystal set in cast pewter w/ silver finish
Porette- clear Swarovski crystal set in cast pewter
Retailer: hazelchicago.com
Handbag Cookies ($52) Fashion Cookies ($55-65)
Retailers: Kate Spade & Eleni's Cookies
Cozy Girl Gifts
Melody Signature Lurex Slippers ($76)
Lurex signature Jacquard Fabrice, rabbit fur accent, satin insole and suede sole in khaki
Retailer: COACH
Fleece T-Shirt ($34)
Satin-trimmed neckline, feather light fleece tee in slim feminine fit in pink, black, green, etc.
Retailer: Lands End
Ultimate Gardeners Tool Set ($99)
Includes cultivating, digging, planting, weeding tools, in rust free stainless steel with solid ash handles, plus galvanized plant markers, gloves, and a foam-padded kneeler or seat.
Retailer: Smith & Hawken
Foot Massager ($74)
4 custom settings: vibration, heat, bubbles, water-jet. Spinning removable rollers. 5 interchangeable attachments: massager, buffing stone, scrub brush, etc.
Retailer: ConAir.com
For The Working Woman
Fold Out Tote ($28)
It looks like a leather wallet, but it unzips and out pops a silk tote bag!
Retailer: Flight 001
A Recording Pen
Stylish pen that you can dictate messages to!
Retailer: Red Envelope
Mouse Pad
Stylish silver mousepad with a space for a photo
Retailer: Red Envelope
Contact Lense Case ($48)
Textured leather w/ calfskin interior and photo window, in red or blue
Retailer: COACH
Pink Watch
Retailer: Swatch
For Teens
Fruit Stripe Gum Bobby Pin ($10) Ring ($16) Necklace ($26)
Fashion accessories made out of candy for the younger set
Retailer: hazelchicago.com
ID bracelet ($45)
ID-type silver, chain link bracelet with a powder blue or clear crystal in the center -- all their jewelry comes with a lifetime free crystal replacement certificate if anything happens to the crystal.
Retailer: Swarovski
Personalized Astrology Charts ($19.95)
Type in your teenage daughter's birth information on this Web site and it can create a personal horoscope book in a variety of themes from relationships to emotions to handling authority figures.
Retailer: Astrotogo.com
Luxury Gifts
Chandelier Crystal Earrings ($195)
Art deco, Egyptian revival style, made with Australian crystal and oxidized sterling silver
Retailer: Polo.com
Chandelier Earrings with Pearls ($3,900)
Retailer: Sharp Jewels
Suede Fringe Gloves ($125)
Fringed, suede gloves in camel, made in France
Retailer: Vivre
The Assouline Fine Vintage Crates ($395)
The French publishing company Assouline has filled a wine crate with a library of fashion books, the set of 13 includes: Dressing in the Dark; Philip Treacy; Fashion & Surrealism; Topolino; Cacharel; Roberto Cavalli; The Allure of Women; Ethnic Style; The Allure of Men; The T-Shirt Book; The Little Black Dress; Cufflinks; Oscar De La Renta.
These libraries come in other themes, design, lifestyle and art.
Retailer: Bergdorf Goodman