Gift Guide: 25 Last Minute Gifts You Can Get At the Mall

It’s two days before Christmas. Are you panicking over last minute holiday gifts? We celebrate Chanukah in our home, so not only am I finished buying, we’re just about through with our eight nights of giving. If you do the whole Christmas celebration thing, you’re probably required to come up with a whole slew of presents for friends and family. It’s now officially too late to order online unless you’re willing to pay exorbitant overnight shipping costs, and even then, it’s risky. So, off to the mall it is. Here are 25 last minute holiday gifts you can pick up at the mall and/or the free-standing chain stores in town.

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S H O P P I N G
1 Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker, $129.99 at Target.
2 Brass Love Object Paperweight, $29 at West Elm.
3 Back-Zip Pullover Sweater, $69.50 at Madewell.
4 Pagoda Salt & Pepper Shakers, $34.99 at Jonathan Adler.
5 Downing Embossed Leather Clutch, $88 at J.Crew.
6 Nate Berkus Faux Fur Stripe Pillow, $29.99 at Target.
7 Magical Thinking T-Bar Jewelry Stand, $34 at Urban Outfitters.
8 Gilded-Edge Agate Coasters,$98/set at Anthropologie.
9 Buttery Leather Satchel Crossbody Bag, $100. at Gap.
10 Oh Joy! Acacia Serving Board, $19.99 at Target.
11 Pascale Monvoisin Georgia Ring, $125 at Club Monaco.
12 Pop Art Dry Erase Calendar, $19.99 each at The Container Store.
13 Tom Dixon Eclectic Mini Candle Gift Set, $120 at Anthropologie.
14 Ribbed Cashmere Hat, $78 at J.Crew.
15 Fuse Sweatshirt, $71.99 at Athleta.
16 Space Age Floral Crystal Studs, $58 at Kate Spade. 
17 Printed Tablet Case, $33.99 at Gap.
18 Glass Bud Vases, $14 each at West Elm.
19 Marc Jacobs Beauty Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl , $28 at Sephora.
20 Fujifilm INSTAX Instant Smartphone Printer, $199 at Urban Outfitters.
21 Ray-Ban Sunglasses, $104.95 at Sunglass Hut.
22 Selvedge Japanese Chambray Utility Shirt, $98 at J.Crew.
23 Chemex Classic Drip Coffee Maker, $34.95 at Sur La Table.
24 Dipped Leather Bill Holder, $128 at Jack Spade.
25 Mauviel Copper Butter Warmer, $90 at Williams-Sonoma

Get the Look: 20 Handbags with Fringe

People have pretty particular feelings about fringe. I get it. Fringe can be all too hippie chick, or hokey cowgirl (now that’s fringe gone woefully astray). My husband is not a fan of fringe. He doesn’t even like the the lone leather strip of fringe that hangs from each zipper of my beloved Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Crossbody Bag. (I have teal, for special color occasions, but I just got a grey one that I use multiple times a week.)  My editor at the Boston Globe Magazine has rejected a fringe fashion style page. (No matter, I’m turning one into my editor at the newspaper instead.)

Following up on yesterday’s post Street Style: 28 Fashions with Fringe, I sourced 20 fringe handbags for you. In addition to the black & white Tribale Fringed Bag by Lanvin (LOVE but not willing to sell my soul), I’m kinda grooving on the simple and affordable #3 fringe handbag. Tell me if you have any fringe-y plans for yourself this fall.

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S H O P P I N G

Shop fringe handbags from my favorite StyleCarrot partner sites.

1 Jude Clutch by House of Harlow 1960, $275 at Pink Mascara.

2 Fringed Leather Clutch by En Shalla, $225 at Net-a-Porter.

3 Quinn the Lana Fringe Hobo Bag by BCBGeneration, $128 at Nordstrom

4 Everly Fringe Bucket Bag by Cleobella, $328 at Shopbop

5 Fringe Tote Bag by Ecote , $69 at Urban Outfitters

6 Fringe Handbag by George J. Love, $152 at Yoox

7 Joni Python Fringe Clutch by Michael Kors, $2,695 at Neiman Marcus

8 Finn Convertible Clutch by Rebecca Minkoff, $195 at Nordstrom

9 Moschino Heart Tote, $499 at Yoox

10 Isabella Fringe Crossbody Bag by Milly, $395 at Nordstrom

11 Nirvana Fringe Crossbody Tote by Lucky Brand, $218 at Zappos. 

12 Fringed Hobo Bag by Miu Miu, $1,950 at Saks Fifth Avenue.  

13 Fringe Hobo by Christopher Kon, $445 at Shopbop

14 Mini Fringe Clutch with Zodiac by Valentino, $797 at Stylebop.

15 Fringe Bag with Chain by Mossimo Supply Co., $29.99 at Target.

16 Fringe Tote by Tory Burch, $595 at Tory Burch.  

17 Girl’s Best Fringe Bag by Steve Madden, $67.99 at ModCloth

18 Fringe Leather Junior Lock Clutch by Loeffler Randall, $295 at Saks.  

19 Avoca Fringe Shoulder Bag by Urban Originals, $100 at Nordstrom.

20 Large Crossbody Fringe Bag by Sam Edelman, $148 at Zappos

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Find more on-trend handbags at Shopbop >

Get the Look: 42 Modern Desks For Your Home Office

I’ve been so focused on Florida (though not nearly enough, as I’ve yet to order rugs, shades, or decide on the pink problem in the bathroom), that I’ve neglected organizing and upgrading in Boston. Coming back in the fall from the Cape, I’m always bothered by the amount of stuff we have. Too. Much. Stuff. It’s particularly striking because not only is the place on the Cape a lot bigger, being a house instead of an apartment, it’s white and virtually empty.

Here, in addition to crown moldings and bookshelves lined with coffee table books (one of the best perks of being a blogger), there’s , well, everything. The piles of dishes still not put away from the bar mitzvah in February (because, after all, we’re having another one this coming February), our bicycles in the living room until it gets too cold to ride and we store them, etc.

I’ve been promising my younger son that I would work on his bedroom. Meaning, I would clear out all the outgrown clothing and extra bedding I’ve been keeping in there. Done! He has the upholstered armchair that I used to nurse them on when they were babies. It’s taking up a ton of space that would be better used for a desk. He’s starting to get a fair amount of homework, plus, like me, he’s very organized, so I think he’d love to have drawers where he can store supplies.

Our other son has a little desk from IKEA, which when it’s cleared, he actually likes to use (not for homework, though). When he was away at a boarding school program this summer he lived in student housing, with a room furnished in typical dorm style (by a company like Peelmount) that outfits dorm rooms with sturdy wood beds, desks, and dressers. It’s kind of incredible that those designs haven’t changed, in like, ever. Blocky oak stands the test of time, I suppose. In any case, I’m not looking for anything as practical as all that. A small, affordable, modern desk is all we need.

Here are 42 modern desks, almost all of them well-priced (and one very extravagant example) from StyleCarrot partner sites and other great resources.

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S H O P P I N G 

1 Soft Modern Writing Desk by Sauder, $210 at All Modern.

2 MICKE desk, $49.99 at IKEA

3 at All Modern.

4 Phillip Desk by Arteriors Home, $2,520 at All Modern.

5 Finch Desk by Gus Modern, $1,044.75 at Burke Decor.

6 Half Pipe Writing Desk by Offi, $899 at All Modern. 

7 Ayers Writing Desk by Reual James, $1,338 at All Modern.

8 Jacques Desk, $3,495 at Jonathan Adler

9 Homework Desk by Niels Bendtsen, $1,595 at DWR.

10 Reef Writing Desk by Tema, $720 at All Modern

11 Paul McCobb Style Birch Desk, $2700 at Chairish. 

12 Pilson Paprika Desk, $199 at Crate & Barrel.

13 Eames Desk Unit (EDU) by Herman Miller, $1,419 at Room & Board.

14 Rustic Storage Oak Desk, $499 at West Elm.

15 Radford Adjustable Desk in White design by Safavieh, $495 at Burke Decor.

16 Offi Wave Writing Desk, $999 at All Modern.

17 Royal Blue Vintage Campaign Desk, $795 at Chairish.

18 Executive Desk with Cabinet by Jesper Office, $2,374 at Bluefly.

19 Shutter Hall Desk, $1,350 at Furniturea.

20 Marco Desk, $799 at Crate & Barrel.

21 Delphine Desk, $1,950 at Jonathan Adler

22 Hanh Left Desk by Euro Style, $552 at Burke Decor.  

23 Eames Desk Unit (EDU) by Herman Miller, $1,419 at DWR.

24 Contrast Drawer Desk by Assembly Home, $369 at Urban Outfitters.

25 Slim Desk in Orange, $449 at Room & Board.

26 Nelson Swag Leg Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, $2,149 at DWR.

27 Mid-Century Desk in Thai Blue, $399 at West Elm.

28 Cant Writing Desk by Blu Dot, $599 at All Modern.

29 Poltrona Frau Fred Desk, $ stat Switch Modern.

30 Format Desk by BDI USA, $1,299 at All Modern.

31 Green Josephine Desk by Cost Plus, $199 at World Market.

32 Reclaimed Pine Cross Base Desk, $499 at West Elm.

33 Manon Desk by Italian Modern, $539.99 at All Modern.

34 Reale Desk by Moe’s Home Collection, $781.76 at Bellacor

35 Junction Desk by Gus Modern, $1,255 at Burke Decor.

36 Emmerson Reclaimed Wood Storage Desk, $1,299 at West Elm.

 37 Scrub Desk by Autobahn for De La Espada, $5,185 at Matter.

38 Fairfax Desk, $495 at Serena & Lily.

39 Companions Writing Desk by StudioIlse, $3,145 at The Future Perfect.

40 Lark Desk, $695 at Serena & Lily.

41 Pontus Desk by Pinch, $11,257 at The Future Perfect.

42 Remix Desk by Gesa Hansen , $3,065 at Matter.

Get the Look: 20 Rustic Reclaimed Wood Beds

Yesterday’s Design Diary, “Hutker Architects Goes Graphic On Martha’s Vineyard,” featured an airy, pale blue master bedroom with a cathedral ceiling that the homeowners furnished with amazing reclaimed furniture that can be found on some of my favorite partner sites. For instance, this simple platform-style reclaimed wood bed and plank-front reclaimed pine nightstand that they ordered from the Sundance Catalog.

The rustic style wood pieces work particularly well in that bedroom because they help bridge the outdoor space of the deck with the interior. The bold graphic rug reiterates the clean, modern design, providing a satisfying juxtaposition of texture and style.

Today I’ve pulled together a collection of 20 reclaimed wood beds with a rustic feel, most created from actual reclaimed wood (though a few are just executed in a reclaimed woods style.) The sources range from well-known favorites that include West Elm and Crate & Barrel, some popular e-retailers, such as Burke Decor, a great site that sells amazing consignment pieces, called Chairish, and a couple of well-priced English sites, like FurniturePlus, for those abroad.

 

Reclaimed Wood Beds Rustic Furniture

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S H O P P I N G

Shop reclaimed wood beds from StyleCarrot partners and others.

1 Copenhagen Reclaimed Wood Bed on Iron Base, $1,799

2 Pendleton Reclaimed Barnwood Bed, $1,925

3 Austen Reclaimed Wood Bed$299.99

4 Oh My Wood! Geo Headboard, $698

5 Sierra Repurposed Teak Platform Bed, $1,599

6 Richardson Reeves Reclaimed Wood Bed, $2,495 

7 Stria Reclaimed Wood Bed, $899

8 Emmerson Reclaimed Wood Day Bed, $1,299

Tioga Pass Platform Bed, $2,495 

10 Woodland Slumber Canopy Bed, $2,698

11 Magical Thinking Bohemian Platform Bed, $629

12 Oh My Wood! Pyramid Headboard, $698

13 Blu Dot Woodrow Panel Bed, $1,399

14 Emmerson Reclaimed Wood Bed, $1,299

15 Mason Wax Pine Headboard, $899

16 Reclaimed Wood Queen Headboard, $425

17 Devonshire Tarka Pine Bed£309  

18 Pacifica Reclaimed Barnwood Platform Bed, $2,495

19 Magnussen River Ridge Island Panel Bed, $1,008.67

20 Plank Stocks Bed, £999 

Just In: Cooking with Raddish

My kids are both products of a Montessori lower school education, which means that technically, they should be expert and chopping, measuring, pouring, and the like. However, as we all know, skills don’t always spill over from school.

If you have kids who are keen to help out in the kitchen, or you simply (smartly) want to teach them to fend for themselves, Raddish is a fun way to get started. Created by the folks behind Kitchen Kid, a mobile culinary school for kids and families in L.A, Raddish brings the concept of edible education right to your kitchen.

Subscribers receive a monthly box 0f recipes and accoutrements to help you and your kids prepare easy and yummy foods for every type of eater. Each package contains three family-friendly recipe guides, skill card, two creative activities, shopping list, table talk card deck, and an iron-on patch for your child’s Raddish apron.

The whole thing is darn cute. Raddish sent me a starter kit, and while my boys are a bit older than the targeted demographic, I certainly enjoyed it, and am passing it along to a friend. It’s definitely a good idea, and while you certainly don’t need the fun accessories, it’s something for your children to look forward to and a nudge for you to motivate you to get cooking with them.

Here are some photos I took of my Raddish goodies.

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Striped tray & ice cream scoop from IKEA; whisk from Raddish.

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Dipped salad servers from IKEA; dipped box by from Urban Outfitters

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Mosaic placemat from Target; similar silicone funnel at Sur La Table.

Additional research by Liza Howard.

Photography & styling by Marni Elyse Katz for StyleCarrot.

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