Merry (Almost) Christmas, And Good Luck Last Minute Shopping

'Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the city, not a creature was resting, not even the weariest woman so sick to death of shopping she thinks she might murder the next person who tries to cut the line.

Know the feeling? So do we. Instead of braving department store chaos, do your last minute shopping online. Shipping dates have passed, but there are still plenty of printable options that let you click, print, and pass an envelope that promises the best gift your recipient will get this year. For more ideas, be sure to check out our guide to last minute shopping.

1) Music lovers will adore a gift certificate for hours of free downloads on iTunes.

2) Nothing beats the holiday stress like a day at the spa. Give your best friend (or yourself) the treat she truely deserves with an easily printable voucher for relaxing spa treatments at a variety of upscale establishments via Giftybox. Another great option for the beauty lover is an eGift Certificate from Lancome. 

3) After cooking for tons of family, a night on the town could be just what the doctor ordered. Surprise someone special with a gift certificate from Restaurant.com. They have partnerships with thousands of restaurants across the country, so whether you live in New York, California, or somewhere in between, there's sure to be a favorite eatery available.

4) My family has always been crazed around the holiday, so we often end up leaving envelopes with pictures or cards under the tree instead of including the actual item. If someone you know is dying for a cozy pair of UGGs, just print out the picture, tape it to the inside of a card, then write the date the the order is scheduled to arrive at her house. Not only does this solve the problem of schlepping presents home but it also extends the fun of the giving (and receiving) season. 

Week in Review: The Return of the UGG®, Serpentine Jewelry, and More

Required Reading:

    •  The UGG® returns to keep celebrity feet warm this winter.

    •  Serpentine jewelry slithers on to fashionable women.

    •  Mauro Zagliani's bag sold out, but we found great alternatives you can buy right now.

    •  In honor of our guide to the best party shoes for any budget, we drooled over the most expensive slingbacks, boots, pumps, and ballerinas we could find.

Steals and Deals:

    •  Up to 30% off leather gloves at Saks.

    •  Up to 50% off Simply Vera at Kohl's.

    •  Up to 50% off Bing Bang bags at Shopbop.

Just For Fun:

    •  If brand name cashmere is really worth the cash, why can't we tell which of these two sweaters it the splurge and which is the steal?

    •  Guess which sparkling topaz pendant costs $200 and which costs almost 20 times that.

Winter Weather Brings the UGG® Out of Hiding

Is it really true? If the paparazzi photos are right, UGG® boots have returned on the feet of celebrities and fashionistas nationwide.

I thought the craze had finally died down and that we were done being subjected to velour sweatpants jammed into these shapeless potato sacks. But never say never. As the weather gets colder, even celebs with chauffeurs want a way to keep their toes toasty as they sashay along the city's sidewalks. And despite some of the obvious ugliness of the boot, comfort and warmth will always reign supreme when the mercury starts to dip below forty degrees.

So it's not so much why UGG®s have returned that surprises me, but rather who has brought them out of hiding. I might expect it from Jessica Simpson, but Gwyneth? And it doesn’t stop there. Chic women have been spotted around town pairing otherwise fabulous ensembles with an old pair of UGG®s. (And don't even get me started on those new Snowjoggers, but at least they do come in some pretty fly colors). 

So why do the UGG®s keep popping up again and again? What is it about them that’s so enticing to people that can obviously afford any boots their little feeties desire? Look, I understand the appeal, but with so many other more fashionable UGG® styles available, I'm not sure why the classic Shorty still gets so much love.

Here are a few others Ms. Paltrow and company might want to consider instead: 

The UGG® Rina ($225) boasts the same comfy sheepskin lining with a much more feminine exterior. 

The UGG® Torrey ($185) features a cool lace-up system that looks great and keeps feet firmly planted in their cozy, casual home. 

Oprah loves the Classic Crochet boot ($120), and so do we. 

For more of the hipper styles (and info on where to get another pair of those ugly yet necessary shorties), visit our ultimate UGG®s guide. 

Celebs Design UGG®s For Charity

Our favorite celebrities have many special gifts: looking good on camera, giving roundabout answers in interviews, attracting herds of paparazzi, selling their eponymous lines on QVC, and occasionally acting and singing, but we had no idea of the extent of their talents until now.

In support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a few big names like Matthew McConaughey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Eva Longoria have taken time out of their star-tastic lives to paint their message of hope on the blank suede canvas of a few Classic Mini Boots for UGG® Australia’s annual Art & Sole benefit auction.

Okay so you won’t find anything resembling a Monet or a Van Gogh, (perhaps a few that look like some of your old second grade abstracts), but needless to say, it is for a good cause. And unlike some of the more bizarre memorabilia that is sold at auction on eBay, (an ‘abandoned’ hairbrush of Angelina Jolie, a discarded used tissue from Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton’s knickers – glad to know she wears them), these one-of-a-kind Uggs are functional and actually worth the money.

Our favorite is this henna-inspired design from Liv Tyler that is actually quite well done. From most of the other gals you get the obvious flowers, hearts, and butterflies, but of those we enjoyed the ones by Cindy Crawford, Jessica Simpson, and Kelly Ripa the best.

Bid now through December 14th, and also be sure to check out our Ultimate UGG®s guide for a look at all the other styles they offer. 

Which Fashion Fad Tops Your Gift List?

Okay, we'll admit it: we're nosy. All week we're running polls so we can find out what you guys are dying to buy this year. Do your tastes match ours? Are you more iPod versus iPhone people, or would you prefer a Linea Pelle bag instead? Today we want to know which of these fashionable items top your gift list: Tory Burch ballet flats, Hudson wide-leg jeans, whimsical Dior jewelry, or the cozy UGGs even Oprah adores. We know our friends, aunts, sisters, and mothers are all hankering for at least one of these goodies. Which one will you get?

Tory Burch Ballet Flats  

Hudson Wide-Leg Jeans  

Dior Oui Ring  

UGGs Classic Crochet Boot

Whatever it is you want, be sure to check out our guide to finding the season's most coveted gifts. And if the UGGs are really your thing, we've even got an entire page devoted to all the styles you'll need to keep your feet warm this winter. 

SheFinds Examines the Evolution of the UGG® Boot

Whether you’d like to admit to it or not, it is most likely that many of you out there still have a pair of UGG® boots sitting in your closets. I know I still have mine, a pair of UGG® Classic Shorts with the sheepskin insoles in dire need of replacement and a few unfortunate stains and discolorations on the once supple suede outer shells. I guess I wore them one too many times in the snow and rain.

Now my sad little boots have been demoted to my bedroom slippers as the fashion world has officially declared them “so over.” But I won’t be getting rid of them anytime soon. They are one of those fads that kind of have a sentimental attachment, like bell-bottoms or leg warmers. I went everywhere in those things.

But while we have been searching for decent replacements, UGG® Australia has revamped its whole operation to adapt to the fashion forward market. Of their many new footwear creations, I have three favorites: The Locarno-Croc Embossed Boot with a shearling cuff (inspired by bomber jackets, which is a pretty hot idea), the Stacked Heel Tess with cowboy style stirrups, and the Classic Crochet Tall, a perfectly warm and snuggly pair for the upcoming winter months. All three have touches of suede and signature sheepskin linings and feel the most like UGG. Take my word for it though, and waterproof them before wearing.

Looking for more info on which UGG® designs are best for your style? Check out our complete guide to everything UGG®.

SheFinds Shoe Solutions: Paring Down Your Pairs

What was it that Carrie Bradshaw used to say? “Sometimes it's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.”

Britain’s The Daily Telegraph reports that there is actually a woman in London who has made her walk more fun for the past 35 years, never stepping a foot outside her home in anything other than Manolo Blahniks. Although this might seem like a rare case of designer shoe fetishism, it is more than likely a vice that many other women share. Inspired by our growing intrigue with shoe-aholics, we polled you readers to find out just how many pairs of shoes you all keep in your closets. Over fifty percent of the people who answered the poll had more than 30 pairs. With shows like Sex and the City out there educating us all on how to be chic and fabulous, it is also very likely that many of these addicts have paid over $400 a pop for many of the pieces in their Carrie-worthy collections. 

Let’s get one thing straight: We are not here to judge. But you know, considering that you probably only wear about two or three pairs of those shoes on rotation, we thought maybe we’d help you streamline a little bit. So, what is the magic number, just how many shoes should we have in our closets? Well, after taking into consideration every possible circumstance, I believe that I have come up with a reasonable answer: Twelve.

There is no shame in spending a large amount of money on your shoes if you are investing in the right ones. So let’s talk shop:

1. We’ll begin with the perfect Patent Leather Mary Janes ($555). If you could only buy one pair of Manolos, that should be the pair. They are perfect for that big interview, important business presentation, or the celebratory night out when you’ve landed the job.
2. For the typical workday, it is probably good to have a nice round-toe set of kitten heel pumps that will be comfortable and stylish.
3. Everyone should have a great pair of knee-high boots. They look good with skirts or jeans, and are just perfect for a leisurely Sunday stroll.
4. Booties are more than just a trend--they have definite wardrobe staple potential.
5. A sexy evening stiletto. Having one in a metallic is an added bonus because they will go with everything and even transcend seasons. Wear them on New Year's Eve or to a Hampton’s 4th of July pool party.
6. Summer style is so effortless and fun. Throw on a great pair of basket weave wedges with a sundress or cocktail shorts.
7. You can take the girl out of the warm weather, but you can’t seem to get her out of her Havianas ($20).
8. Ballet flats. Classic. Comfortable. Necessary.
9. There will be rain, so don’t risk ruining your designer favorites. Get some designer water resistance instead. Burberry checked rainboots always look fab ($170).
10. Keep a little cozy on standby for the wintry weather. Crocheted UGG®s should do the trick ($120).
11. You should always try to fit a good workout into your busy day, so no girl should be without a good pair of athletic sneaks (especially ones that are iPod compatible).

12. Some casual kicks should round out your collection nicely. Throw on a pair while running errands or when traveling.

The Ultimate UGG Guide

Click to Continue to our complete buying guide for Ugg Boots, Slippers and Outerwear.

• UGG Classic Boots

• UGG Classic Short Boot

• UGG Ultra Short Boot

• UGG Classic Tall Boot