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11 30 04

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Gifts of Fashion

By Kandace Power Graves Photos by David Richmond

Cute to boot -- Make a holiday fashion statement with a handmade Christmas stocking in the shape of a snazzy high-heel boot of red faux leather fabric, fur accents and a boa around the top by local artist Cathy Mouney, $65, from La Doux Boutique (207 W. Harrison Ave., 482-1535).

Colorful carry-alls -- Women have a special relationship with handbags -- the season's hot fashion accessory -- so make sure yours has a beautiful one by wrapping up a green suede purse with a weighted-circle flap and zipper closure (with an optional shoulder strap) by Francisco Biasia, $296; or choose the beautiful turquoise leather of a shopper handbag with stitching and silver embellishments by BCBG, $362; from Il Negozio (3607 Magazine St., 269-0130).

Taming of the 'Do -- Achieving the perfect hair style will be easier with quality products such as "Being Flexible" hair spray by Rusk, $13; "Root Pump Plus" volumizing spray mousse by Michael O'Rourke's Big Sexy Hair, $15; Curly Sexy Hair shampoo by Michael O'Rourke, $7.50; "Dense" thickening spray by Big Sexy Hair, $12.50; "Super Skinny Serum" for smoothing and conditioning by Paul Mitchell, $16; and Short Sexy Hair "Quick Change" shaping balm by Michael O'Rourke, $12; all from Steven Sobel Salon (7818 Maple St., 866-1593; 866-1564).

Vintage cool -- Bring out her animal instincts with a vintage 1950s faux animal print coat with a black collar, cuffs and hemline border, $120; topped with a vintage 1950s black helmet hat with grosgrain ribbon trim, $55; from Cream of the Frock (2137 S. Carrollton Ave., 865-1665).

Sparkle and shine -- She'll always feel like a star carrying a lovely green silk-satin handbag with a Swarovski crystal ornament on the front and crystal beaded fringe around the top by Lady M, $78; and wearing a necklace and earrings reproduced from jewels that movie stars have worn on the red carpet of the Oscars: a cubic zirconia crystal necklace with a large teardrop on the front and matching earrings by Red Carpet Designs, $295 for the set; from The Red Carpet (3425 Magazine St., 281-4610).

Close to the vest -- A trio of textures awaits the wearer of this chartreuse leather vest with a ribbed sweater back and rabbit fur front with a zip front and pockets and snap collar by One Girl Who, $275, from La Doux Boutique (207 W. Harrison Ave., 482-1535).

Cuddle up -- Spice up any outfit with a camel poncho with stripes of rabbit fur on a knit background (also comes in black and pink), $88; dressed up with a flower brooch with gold, amber, brown, green and iridescent blue crystals, $18; from Gae-tana's Maple Street Clothing (7732 Maple St., 865-9625).

Fruits of beauty -- You'll have to find a special place to take her after she unwraps this lovely raspberry satin strapless tea-length dress with a flower accent at the neckline and an exposed illusion panel at the hemline by Alvina Valenta, $280, from With This Ring Bridal (3230 Severn Ave., Metairie, 780-7090).

Sparkling comfort -- Who says stylish can't be comfortable? She'll have both when you give her a Swarovski crystal fleur de lis-embellished hat, $50, and shirt, $65, both by JQ Rock and available in black or white; boot-cut tie-belt pants, $60, and jacket (also available in white) with calligraphy-print shoulder stripe, $75, both by Pezzi; and leopard-print thongs by Floppies, $34; all from Priorities (8128 Hampson St., 861-8780).

Warm and fashionable -- Give your guy a fashion edge with an oversized, navy lambs-wool scarf with fringe by Lacoste, $80; and some manly jewelry: a handmade bracelet with engraved decorations in sterling silver from Bali and a magnetic snap closure by Hope Myers for Elements for Men, $84; a braided suede bracelet with a sterling silver closure, $44; and a sterling silver ring, $55; all from Press Menswear Inc. (7621 Maple St., 862-9908).

Dressed to thrill -- Perfect for a party, cocktails or a date is a sheer brown strapless dress with shirring on the body, a decorative gold flower, and a layered kerchief skirt by Kitty, $40, from Frock Candy (3336 Magazine St., 891-9230; 1281 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-727-9779).

Treasures of earth and sea -- Dress her like royalty in a handcrafted double-strand pearl necklace with a garnet-and-pearl pendant in sterling silver on the bottom strand, $125, matching earrings $85. Groups of six teardrop garnets are interspersed with button pearls in a sterling silver bracelet, $280; all from Sabai (3115 Magazine St., 899-9555; 924 Royal St., 525-6211).

Looks delicious -- Liven up a favorite girl's senses with gift sets from the new Jessica Simpson Dessert cosmetics line. Start with an Are You Whipped? body creams package, featuring cans of "Dreamy" chocolate-coconut, "Juicy" strawberry-raspberry, and "Creamy" vanilla and caramel body creams, $45; then wrap up a package of a half-dozen Pillow Talk lip glosses in a variety of colors with names such as "Juicy," "Dreamy," "Luscious" "Sip," "Slide" and "How To," $42; from FeBe (115 Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-9798).

Gifts of Beauty
Holiday smiles -- The holidays are a great time to devote attention to health and well being, especially when it makes you look better, too. Dentist W. Ken Morgan (3100 Kingman St., Suite 100, Metairie, 780-7006) is offering free teeth bleaching for new patients who come in for a check up and get a cleaning, exam and X-rays.
Best face forward -- Improve on a loved one's perfection with a gift certificate for permanent hair removal and microdermabrasion from an expert in the field. Erica Corte is licensed and certified to perform electrolysis and microdermabrasion using state-of-the-art technology. Call 338-6447 for an appointment or gift certificate.
Feel and look better -- Good health and fitness always make a person feel better -- and look better -- so why not give your family and yourself a gift of health with a membership to the full-service Goldring Fitness Center at the Jewish Community Center (5342 St. Charles Ave., 897-0143; 3747 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 887-5158; www.nojcc.com), which offers Pilates, yoga and other classes, a swimming pool and spa services. Buy a membership for 2005 now and enjoy the facilities for the rest of this year for free.