High-Low Holiday.

Ladies (and gentlemen), mark your calendars now. On December 1st, the products of the Neiman Marcus/ Target/ CFDA collaboration will finally go on sale. 24 Designers have contributed to the limited edition collection and there is a little something for everyone. Gift giving just got a little easier this year. Here are some of the highlights:

These Jason Wu holiday ornaments are so pretty I want them on my own tree!

{$49.99 for set of three)

These Tracy Reese patterned dessert plates are the perfect gift for your next dinner party host. Showing up with a batch of homemade holiday cookies is optional.

{$39.99 for set of four}

For the man (or little man) in your life, I love these cozy textured sweaters by Rag & Bone. Let's face it, they can always use a little help in the wardrobe department.

{$69.99 for Men's, $49.99 for Boy's}

These Marc Jacobs metallic pouches will work for any of the women in your life. Use as a coin purse, to hold handbag extras (breath mints, anti-bacterial wipes, tampons, you name it), to keep receipts nice and tidy, or just to keep an ID and lipstick handy out at the bar. I love the rose gold color.

{$69.99 each}

Grab this Oscar de la Renta pink leather pet collar and leash for your neighbor, the animal lover. The die-cut floral lace detail will make a stylish statement on any furry friend.

{$39.99 for both}

The cute factor of these Jason Wu dresses is hard to top. Love the sweet simple silhouette and the unconventional holiday color of the blush polka dot version. Perfect for a holiday family portrait.

{$59.99 each} 

{All images via neimanmarcus.com}

Which is your favorite?

All of these items and more will be available at Neiman Marcus and Target stores as well as online December 1st. (To see more, look here.) This collection is sure to sell out fast so don't delay. Good luck!

Treat every day like you are on the runway.

Ladies Who Lunch.

In a perfect world I would spend every lunch hour sitting at the patio table of a chic restaurant somewhere on Newbury Street soaking up the sun on a beautiful day and enjoying the people watching of some of the best dressed men and women in my state...

In reality, I am often eating lunch on the go when I can find a free minute between stores or production meetings. The food options at the mall and strip malls are not always satisfactory and since I prefer to eat small portions all day, bringing a lunch with me has made more sense. (It's good for my wallet too.) However, a She-ra lunch box or a brown paper bag was not going to cut it so my next challenge was to find the right lunch bag. Easier said than done.

Before shopping, I put together my list of Must Haves:

1) It has to be insulated.
Because refrigeration in my car is not an option.

2) Budget-friendly.
It's still a lunch box.

3) A shoulder strap. 

My hands are already full with my handbag and work tote!

4) Something I am not embarrassed to be seen carrying.
It should blend with my outfit on any given day. Patterns and bright colors are out. I DON'T DO CUTE.

I was surprised by how hard it was to find something that checked off all of these points. I can't be the only fashion conscious woman to carry a lunch to work on occasion yet I was appalled by the countless options covered in flowers and polka dots. Most of the black ones I found did not have a shoulder strap or were too expensive and the rest were oversized and too masculine for my taste.

The Runner-Up:

{Built NY, Inc. Spicy Relish Lunch Tote, $29.99}

Insulated, budget-friendly, and it has a shoulder strap. Not a bad option but I found the slouchy shape too casual. However, the fact that it is machine washable was certainly a selling point...

The Winner:

{LeSportsac Lunch Box, $38.}

Why it Works:
This bag meets all of my must-haves. The double zipper and wide opening will allow me to wipe out the interior. The go-with-anything black does not scream "look at me." There is a pocket on the outiside for utensils and a napkin and the slim silhouette fits easily into my work tote when I'm done with it.

Style Note:
I always bring a decorative napkin (my mother-in-law has me obsessed with them at home) for a personal and pretty touch.

How do you carry your lunch to work?

Treat every day like you are on the runway.

Feeling Wild 2.

I can't get enough leopard print lately! (I'm still dreaming about the gorgeous Loeffler Randall pumps from this post.) Choose one item for a bold statement. When in doubt, add a leopard print accessory to your all-black look for instant glamour. Adding a pair of large dark shades will get you additional style bonus points.

{Mary Kate at Barney's New York celebrating Christian Louboutin's 20th Anniversary and the launch of his new book: Christian Louboutin. Photo by Patrick McMullen.}

Below are some fab products to help you achieve the same look. The Elizabeth and James pencil skirt, the House of Harlow clutch, and the Banana Republic gloves are my favorites. And you already know that I love the Kate Spade phone case (see post here)! 

Will you wear leopard?

Feeling Wild 2. by runwaybytara 

Equipment blouse
£285 - net-a-porter.com

Elizabeth and James knee length pencil skirt
$395 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew knee length pencil skirt
$118 - jcrew.com

Sam Edelman leopard print high heels
$274 - coggles.com

Christian Louboutin leopard print high heels
£735 - net-a-porter.com

Michael Antonio platform pumps
$60 - heels.com

House of Harlow 1960 clutch handbag
$255 - stefanibags.com

Kate Spade satchel handbag
$295 - nordstrom.com

Leopard handbag
$1,450 - alexandermcqueen.com

Leopard print handbag
$118 - bodenusa.com

Tory Burch leopard handbag
$450 - footcandyshoes.com

J Crew leopard print tote bag
$178 - jcrew.com

Leopard print hat
$195 - barneys.com

Banana Republic leopard print glove
$80 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Michael Kors leopard scarve
$50 - piperlime.gap.com

ASOS hair bow accessory
$11 - asos.com

Skull scarve
$475 - alexandermcqueen.com

Leopard Iphone 4 Case
$40 - katespade.com

Leopard Padlock Notebook Black & Birds Nest Printed Scotchgrain
$190 - mulberry.com

Must Have Mustard.

After the camel tones of last fall, it was only a matter of time until this became a must have color in fashion:

That's right, mustard yellow.

The color is rich, bold, and the perfect compliment to autumnal hues. You can choose one mustard piece or opt for the head to toe look, as seen at the Acne Fall 2011 show.

Following the A.L.C. Resort 2012 collection...

And the Matthew Williamson Spring 2012 show...

{All photos via Style.com}

It is clear that mustard is here to stay for a while. Here are some ways to incorporate this "it" color into your wardrobe. Wear it with any neutral (especially camel, black and grey) or try the head to toe look and throw in a punch of teal blue or burgundy.

{J Brand, Mid Rise Skinny Pants, $169.}

{J Crew, Lulu Frost Thin Deco Bracelet, $45.}

{Topshop, Cable Pom Beanie, $28.}

{Carole Faceted Earrings, $6.}

{Topshop, Beaten Square Necklace, $28.}

{Queen of Hearts, One Shoulder Ruffle Dress, $129.99}

{Topshop, Beaten Square and Yellow Studs, $20.}

{Z Spoke by Zac Posen, Cotton and Silk-Blend Dress, $315. $94.50}  

{Tory Burch, Karen Pump, $350.}

{Chamak by Priya Kakkar, Embellished Bangles, $95.}

{Asos, Stud Earring with Enamel, $14.64 $10.98} 

{J Crew, Eden Cardigan, $89.50}

{Asos, High Waist Peg Pants, $64.03 $51.23}

{Kendra Scott, Drop Feather Earrings, $85.}

{Tissue Weight Cashmere Wrap, $98.}

An Equipment blouse is a wardrobe staple (see post here). This would be a great one to pick up.

{Equipment, Signature Blouse, $208.}

Not sold on mustard yet? Here are some more great looks.

So what is the verdict? Will you wear mustard?

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.