Photos by David Richmond
Sitting Pretty
-- It's difficult to give a gift of calm and serenity, unless you opt for
a "meditation chair" signed by artist Lou Sparks Smith, highly decorated on
the front with the words "a positive focus" setting the tone. On the back are
the sentiments: "spiritual connection" and "gratitude is a heart that is open,"
$84.95, from Monet's (1862 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 674-2442).
Festive Toast
-- Make their holiday toasts as merry as the season (and many more throughout
the year) with unique glassware stems plated with 24-karat gold, guilloche enamel
and Austrian crystals by artist Edgar Berebi, $200 to $225 each, that screw
onto a variety of glass tops, including wine, champagne, martini and others,
$22 each, from Arabella (3902 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, (985) 727-9787).
Silver Lining
-- An architectural design on a wide silver bracelet is embellished with
turquoise and amber stones, $38; plus matching earrings with a square silver
bead from Bali and a turquoise bead on the end or a round silver bead from Turkey
accented with Chinese turquoise by Priscilla Duffy, $25 each; all from Clothes
Minded (115 A Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-9798).
Winning Purse -- Scenes of the past are captured and made more exciting
with beaded embellishments on a tall purse with a turn-of-the-century fashion
plate on the front and chocolate crushed velvet on the back, $198; or a clasp-top
retro handbag with Miss America contestants putting up their bead-spangled shoes,
$179. Add a little whimsy with an irresistible ceramic cat sculpture, $40, all
from Simply Red (602 Metairie Road, Metairie, 833-2500).
Bagging
Style -- No matter what your outfit, one of these accessories will
make it complete: A hard frame shimmering gold purse with a crystal stud on
the top-clasp (optional shoulder strap included), $55; shiny satin with square
silver sequins and beads as well as a chain shoulder strap by Elan, $45; a drum-shaped
black velvet satin handbag with flowers around the top and a drawstring by La
Regale, $18; or oversized round sequins on a bead-handled evening purse in platinum
by La Regale, $18. To tie up the gratitude, wrap up a lariat made of multiple
strands of seed beads bound together in the center for an accessory that can
be worn as a necklace or a belt, $36. All from Bagatelle (200 Broadway
St., Uptown Square, 861-3341).
Illuminating
Presents -- Dress up any area with weathered metal filigree candleholders,
$60 each; with a ribbon and cross ornament (that can go anywhere), $38 each;
and white pillar candles, $11; all from Julie Neill Designs (3621 Magazine
St., 899-4201).
Girl Stuff
-- A fun outfit warms the heart of every young-at-heart girl, especially
when it includes a pullover with a bold image of a girl on the front, black
velour sleeves and spunky red chenille around the neckline, $58; sunglasses
with nickel silver frames and dazzling blue crystals around the lenses, $28;
and a deco-inspired watch with a large face and a metal stretch band, $38; all
from Judith B's (2700 C Metairie Road, Metairie, 838-7166).
Relax and Enjoy -- For someone truly special, wrap up a bit of relaxation
with buckwheat hull pillows that soothe the neck, head and back by Martin &
Barnett, $67.76 large or $31.50 small; plus a limited-edition lavender-scented
eye pillow by H2B Co., $18. Add a human tree stocking holder by Christmas Kringles,
$25.50. All from Belladonna (2900 Magazine St., 891-4393).
Pack and Tote
-- Send your traveler off in style with faux-fur suitcases with hard sides
in white with red cherries or black with pin-up girls printed on it, $49 each.
Add black patent-leather Mary Jane-style high heels by Alec, $78. All from Winky's
(2038 Magazine St., 568-1020).
Royal Ideas
-- Decorative crown bowls make a royal impression, especially when they're
signed by artist Elizabeth Carlton and come in a choice of designs, such as
a blue ceramic base with yellow balls on the crown points and bottom, $64; or
a cream-colored bowl with decorated balls adorning the outside of the vessel,
$116; from Judy at the Rink (2727 Prytania St., 891-7012).
Love Story
-- Your favored woman will delight to the sight of this unusual purse made from
a Love Story magazine cover with faux-leopard skin lining, $140. Make
her fashion statement scream with black suede spike heel mules with leather
ribbons laced through grommets on the front by Bebe, $129.95. For the perfect
finish, add a bottle of Naughty Nights bubble bath in champagne and raspberry
by Nanette Lepore, $25. All from Hemline (605 Chartres St., 568-0111;
3025 Magazine St., 269-4005; 838 Royal St., 522-8577; 7916 Maple St., 862-0420).
Perfect Accessories
-- She'll always have something perfect to finish an outfit with a chocolate
brown leather purse with exaggerated top stitching and a shoulder strap by Edrige,
$315; camelian beads interspersed with carved ivory beads and an ornate carved
medallion, $185; garnet and amber beads in a rosary configuration with an engraved
silver cross, $225; and a sheer gold wrap with tiny round sequins on it, $148.
All from Total Woman (3964 Magazine St., 891-3964; 736 E. Boston St.,
Covington, (985) 892-9460). 
Sterling in Silver
-- Jewelry designer Donna Marie Aucoin of Aucoin Hart has expanded her
artistic renderings to include home decorating items of many types, most using
24-karat gold and platinum leafing. Here she's applied her love of precious
metals to a canvas rich in platinum, silver, gold and white gold colors, $450,
from Donna Marie Creations at Janet Molero (200 Metairie Road, Metairie,
838-8303).
Winning Combination
-- Net a great big hug from your favorite sports fan this holiday with a "hoop
dream" package from the New Orleans Hornets that includes two tickets to three
home games (Detroit Pistons, Jan. 10; Washington Wizards, Feb. 19; San Antonio
Spurs, March 30), plus a team logo hat, all starting at $88. All from the Hornets
(525-HOOP or www.hornets.com).
