Might I suggest this Tahari Military Trench Coat?

What I like about this particular jacket is:

1. the color - even if it is cold, wearing the same old black wool jacket day in and day out is exhausting to the soul. The grey really lightens things up and aids in the winter to spring transition.
2. the cut - swing a ding ding.  I love that A-line cut.  Not only is the shape flattering on lots of bodies, but it also adds whimsy, and who doesn’t need a little whimsy when it’s cold out?
3. the collar - cute and 1970s-inspired. The deep-v neckline is great for showing off a nice contrasting color, and the wideness of the collar is unexpected.

I rest my case.

Tahari Military Trench Coat, $198 (was $298)

Nine West Revengez, $82.95

Sam Edleman Holly Embossed Snake Ballet Shoe, $70

Franco Sarto Canton patent leather pump, $89.95

MICHAEL Michael Kors Oliva Peep Toe, $132.95

BCBGirls Norris slingback pump, $97.95

We’re hitting the homestretch of the holiday shopping season, and lots of us are looking for ideas. Quick! A great and inexpensive gift idea is the Fred Flare Talking Japanese Watch collection from Marchand de Legumes. They come in fun and flashy colors, and they’re only $20. Pink, blue, green and white are still available.

Who wouldn’t want one?

Online shopping has really improved my outlook on the holidays. Remember when you used to have to go to the mall and fight your way through the crowds to find something for everyone on your list? Well, who needs that? Now, my shopping takes a few hours instead of days…and nobody gets hurt.

This year, one of my fave sites to make everybody I know squeal with delight is 80sTees.com. They have lots and lots of funny and cute shirts–it’s one of those something-to-please-everyone places. I mean, where else can you nab an “I Heart Jake Ryan” or a Monchhichi shirt? They also have fun 80s and non-80s movie, cartoon, tv shows, superheroes, and brand icon tees. I think I might need the “Flux Capacitor” shirt to wear with my orange puffer vest. Ah, the irony.

They also carry sizes from small to 3XL, which is good because my family and friends come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of my top picks (they all range between $20-25):

And for me, you ask? Well, I’ll be grabbing this “FRA-GEE-LAY” ornament for myself:

At $8.00 bucks, it’s a scandalous steal.

Here are some picks:

Lane Bryant Buffalo Check Wrap, $ 14.99

Guci Round Yellow Sunglasses, $99

Urban Outfitters Fingerless Gloves, $16

Lovcat Buckle-up Clutch, $16

The biggest shopping day of the year is just days away. Personally, I wouldn’t dream of venturing into a store the day after Thanksgiving since I can’t handle the crowds and the pushiness, but cheers to those who can. It’s a great time to find good deals on sweaters, scarves and other holiday gift staples.

For instance, you can get cashmere sweaters for $29.99 at Old Navy and boatneck tees for $10.

There will be more to come as we get closer to Black Friday. Here are some sites that will help you out (some even send you alerts!):

Black Friday Ads
BlackFriday.Info
GottaDeal.com

Shop on!

Now, one reader, Christina, wants to know what to wear the flats with, saying “I want to have an awesome outfit to match these party shoes.” Okay, that’s easy since these shoes are so versatile. Here are my ideas:

Milly Dot Silk Jacquard Ruffle Dress, $340 (well, you are saving on the shoes!)

Velvet Jacinda Dress, $108

Emma Satin Dress, $24.80

Necessary Objects Cap Sleeve Jacquard Dress, $78

And if you’ve got the big bucks:

Jovavich-Hawk Viola Cashmere Sweater Dress, $685 (Gorgeous!)

Here are my top 5 chic little black dress picks from the sale:

If your fancy yourself a sophisticated party-goer, might I suggest the Diane von Furstenberg ‘Manca’ dress, $ 254.90 (old price= $425). The bell sleeves and that high neckline are delish when offset by a short hem. I’d pair it with some metallic shoes, opaque tights, and a flashy cocktail ring.

If you’re daring, this one-shoulder “Trudie” dress $238 (old price=$598) might be your thing. I love the delicately pleated skirt and all that texture on the bodice. I would play this look straight–it’s got enough embellishment, so there’s no need to add a bunch wow-worthy accessories.

If you’re too creative for all black, then shake things up with this Chetta B by Sherry Bloom and Peter Noviello sweater dress $115 (old price= $290). Maybe I’m a little too obsessed with brightly colored legwear, but wouldn’t this look so cute with a pair of purple tights? Do it!

If super-feminine frocks are your taste, this Maggy London Halter à la Marilyn Monroe $87 (old price=$148) might be to your liking. I like the gold hoops the folks at Nordstrom paired it with, but i believe a bracelet is in order too.

If you want to keep it simple and sexy, this Nicole Miller Bateau Neck Dress $212 (old price=$355) might be just the thing. I love the dreamy silhouette–a slim skirt offset by a blouson top. This is great for adding curves athletic body types. And it has pockets!

I’m the queen of waiting for sales because there’s nothing I hate more than buying something only to find out that its price got a lot nicer after I dished out real dough. So, I often wait for price reductions, but it’s a tough task to keep up with all the sales, and sometimes real gems slip down the drain into fashion oblivion. That’s why I was excited to hear about SavvyCircle, a site that alerts users when a favorite item hits the sales rack.

I tried it out, and it was pretty easy–you just join and download a plugin. Then, whenever you’re shopping on one of the sites Savvy Circle works with (including Shopbop, Target, Ron Herman, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, JCrew, Zappos and lots more), and you see something you like, you just press a little icon and it’s added to a watch list. As soon as that favorited dress, sweater or pair of shoes goes on sale, you’re the first to know about it. I put this sweet little honey of a jacket from J.Crew on my Savvy Circle list (fingers crossed).

Tactical shopping made easier. I love it.

Click here to check out Savvy Circle.

I think Kathryn Finney (pictured below), author of the great new book How to Be a Budget Fashionista and creator of TheBudgetFashionista.com, would agree with me. After all, she is the woman who once escorted a friend on a shopping spree and helped her score an entire wardrobe for only $600. And I mean a whole wardrobe:

• 2 bras and 6 pairs of underwear
• 4 layering tops
• 1 pair of earrings
• 2 dress shirts
• 1 sweater
• 3 pairs of high-quality slacks
• 1 pair of pumps
• 1 pair of boots
• 1 suede jacket

No, Finney isn’t a magician, but she’s is one of the savviest shoppers I’ve ever heard of. And she’s not buying crap either–this fine lady tells inspiring stories of 99 cent Jean Paul Gaultier shirts and Via Spiga mary janes for $29.99. Of course, none of these treasures came without investments of both time and a little work, but isn’t a stunning wardrobe without crushing debt worth it? I think so.

How to Be a Budget Fashionista is a great tool for women who love shopping and even women who hate it since it includes tips on how to enhance your shape, find your personal style and signature piece, create a realistic shopping budget and shop without regret. Finney’s voice is completely charming, witty and sympathetic to the material desires of the average woman: “I’m not rich. I’m not a size 2. I’m not even from New York. I’m just a brilliantly normal person who was lured into the evils of credit card debt by an obsession with handbags and designer shoes.”

I definitely learned a lot from this book. I now have a better perspective on when to “invest” a tidy sum–Finney encourages spending more on quality, classic pieces that will go the long haul– and when to slum it at the discount shops. For instance, taking Finney’s words to heart I recently spent a work bonus on a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. I made this purchase guilt free, though, thanks to The Budget Fashionista because she taught me that quality pieces last long enough to earn their keep and have a knack for taking Forever 21 and H&M pieces to a whole new level.

Click here to buy the book.

Visit The Budget Fashionista website.