The holidays are coming at break-neck speeds! How is that we never seem to have our holiday shopping done in time? Even though December is without a doubt the most hectic time to shop, most of us don't have a choice (if you save things till the last minute). Even though it's crazy though you can get some great deal. If you need stuff for yourself though, the best time to buy is January. Sales apply almost everywhere because companies want to get rid of holiday items pronto. 

For me, I know I hate waiting, I want that pair of boots and I want them now. But if you can wait, then I suggest doing so. 

If you do need presents though for a party then go online, often times there are great deals and coupon codes. If you haven't yet, check out Retailmenot.com for coupon codes for your favorite sites. That site is amazing I have saved so much money. 

What are your great holiday shopping tips? 

Rachel Zoe knows just what she'll be wearing to all the holiday festivities: Staples like black jumpsuits, white tuxedos and classic cocktail dresses. I love getting into the holiday season and wearing lots of reds and sparkles! Call me a traditionalist! Check out Rachel's advice for how to look appropriate yet stylish at holiday parties.

What will you be wearing this season?

Tell us in the comments: Do you have outfits picked out for the holidays?

This is such a Christmas spirit story I don't even know what to say. A man gets mugged, offers the mugger his coat and then asks him to dinner. Read on!

Thursday Friday Bags ($86)

With chic handles long enough to throw comfortably over your shoulder, these roomy, lightweight canvas totes, designed to echo the quilted pattern of Chanel’s iconic handbags, are the latest must-haves.

POP Phones ($34)

Combine classic style with contemporary edge with the hottest accessory of the season. Connect with your loved ones with this vintage phone that can plug into all your tech toys.

Amika Hair Irons

Get sleek holiday hair with this fabulous hair iron that will quickly give you the look  you're aiming for!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…(Home Alone 2 Anyone?) Anyway, tonight I was treated to an early Christmas party by my absolute fave brand, Burt's Bees. I know I talk your ears off about how much I love and trust them. You know you love it almost as much as I love them. But back to my Christmas party. I walked into the most gorgeous loft (think the home from Something's Gotta Give and the kitchen from It's Complicated. Heavenly) and was serenaded with Christmas music and handed a spiked cider with a cinnamon stick! Now, for those of you who don't know me well and haven't been to this blog before, I am obsessed with Christmas. Yep, I'm THAT girl who can never wait for Christmas to come. ( I blame it on my heavy Disney upbringing. Disney after all is kind of like a year-round Christmas). The only thing that gets me through my depression after Halloween is over is the promise that Christmas carols will fill every inch of this island and that festive decorations will cover every storefront. So tonight was like, pretty much the best night of my life. And I swear it only got better as I was handed truffled grilled cheese, warm chocolate chip cookies, and mini-greek-salad-in-a-tomato canapés. 

I couldn't resist. I hope you play this video as you continue to read so you can get in the mood for the holiday season. Check out all of these beautiful products this season. It's incredible how Burt's Bees has really expanded into so many arenas. Their lotions and lip balms make the perfect stocking stuffers and their cremes and face washes are the perfect little splurge for yourself!

These were the fresh-baked oatmeal raisin cookies just to give you an idea of how amazing this party was. 

Oh Look, who is that in the mirror? It's moi! In the apartment's bathroom where the products were beautifully arranged just like I lived in this gorge 10 million dollar apartment! 

Here were all the classic Burt's Bees products! 

Look at this gorgeous holiday table! Don't you just wish your living room looked like this!

So here is where things got really good! We were given the most adorns tote bags. They said "Bee Merry and Bright!" I mean what could be cuter!? Then on top of a couple great holiday sets we were told that we could go shopping and fill our bags with whatever we wanted! Christmas party indeed! I swear I felt like a kid in a candy store! I nearly had to restrain myself from wiping my arm across each shelf and making a run for it! But my manners got the best of me and I tried to rein it in. I am most excited for the Acne treatment set that I snagged! Lord knows this adult acne has got to be put to rest before my sister's wedding next week! 

Holler! Check out this token menorah!

OMG! Baby Bee! Could anything be cuter. At first I was disappointed this wasn't in our blogger storefront…then I realized wait, Katie. You don't have a baby. You do not need this. What great timing though to learn about Burt's Baby care after reports came out that Johnson and Johnson's Baby Shampoo contains quarternium-15, which kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde. So aggravating especially when you know that J&J can make safer alternatives (since in 8 other countries it uses a safer formula since their laws prohibit ingredients like these).

I call the stocking on the right with the Snowmen!

Christmastime with Burt's Bees is the best!!!

For more information about holiday gift sets that will be perfect for those someone special this season visit Burt's Bees online.

This holiday season Burt's Bees is also partnering with One Warm Coat to provide coats to those in need this winter. Join Burt on Facebok (now through December 31st 2011) for a Tacky Sweater Party. When you send in a pic of yourself in a tacky sweater on FB, Burt's Bees will donate $1 to One Warm Coat (up to $25,000). So be naturally nice this season and visit Burt's Bees Facebook page for other sweet giveaways! 

I could not have been happier when mes amis over at L'Occitane invited me to a preview of what they have in store for the holidays this season at their new home on 180 86th street on New York's Upper East Side! I had the grande pleasure to meet brand owner, Olivier Baussan. He founded the company with the purpose to create a company that celebrates and preserves the traditions of his native Provence. The company aspires to be "the worldwide reference for Mediterranean well-being, with unique body, face, and home products". The company values are authenticity and naturalness, respect and responsibility. It was utterly refreshing to hear a presentation like this and not even feel it necessary to have to ask about the product's purity. After listening to Olivier speak it was clear that money was the last thing on his mind. Tradition and heritage top his list of moral musts and he is…well…KILLING IT. The products are formulated with efficacious essential oils distilled using traditional processes.

Olivier spoke in French but luckily had an interpreter to translate his incredible stories. At the rear of the store hangs a photograph of Olivier the day that he founded the brand. He didn't know that it still existed and was so overcome with emotion as he looked at it, recalling the day L'Occitane was essentially started. A photo of him in his traditional French car in the fields on his way to create his first distilled rosemary essential oil. It's clear that this brand is far more than just a cash vache (cow).

On another note, 22 years of French and the only word I could distinctly understand was voiture (car), way to go public school systems. Another satisfied customer!

Olivier continued to regale us with touching stories about trips to Africa where he learned about the brand's signature Shea butter from African women selling it at the open air markets. Since then not only has he become one of their biggest customers but he started an organization to ensure that they get paid properly. He has spent a lot of resources ensuring that traditions are carried on and that the proper environmental harvest processes are respected. He really cares about preserving the essence of each product he produces. Because he is willing to support the traditional ways of farming they can carry it on, which is truly a gift. For example, he planted immortelle in Corsica and created aid to economy that may be more sustainable.

3 Products to get super excited about!

Immortelle: Immortelle is also known as the everlasting flower, because these flowers retain their form and colour when dried (See above). L'Occitane has extracted a precious essential oil from the plant, which has anti-free radical and anti-wrinkle properties. The Immortelle collection offers a complete anti-aging solution for the face. You will be able to find me slathered in this stuff from head to toe chowing on green smoothies to prevent the inevitable aging process.

Shea Hand Cream Have you tried this product yet? It's world renown and I dare to say it could be “life-changing." Shea Butter Hand Creams are sold around the world every 5 seconds! How crazy is that!? They contain 20% real Shea butter, honey and sweet almond extract blended with the light and alluring aromas of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences. This beauty balm glides on and absorbs to help heal, protect, and moisturize dry or dehydrated skin. Anti-oxidizing vitamin E helps nourish.

Délice des Fruits In the south of France, a classic confiserie, called Confiserie Florian, transforms fruits and flowers into mouth-watering delights. This year the limited edition holiday collection will make you feel like you're in a candy store. Délice des Fruits contain sparkling citrus fruits blended with sugar for a deliciously indulgent collection. Délice des Fleurs contain delicate roses and violets to create mouth-watering sweets! My favorite scent was the Délice des Fruits but there is really a scent for everyone in this heavenly store!

You need to stop in to a L'Occitane near you (or the 86th street store, which is a mecca of all things sweet smelling and delicious! You can even get a relaxing mini-facial or foot soak in the back (or one of several other signature treatments)! They have great holiday gifts for any price points so ch-ch-check 'em out!

Moi et Olivier posing in front of the famous picture aforementioned!

Aurevoir mes amis!

With the holidays right around the corner, its time to think about what to get that specific person in your life i.e. your boss, neighbor or even your best friend. Luckily, Liz Lange and Jane Wagman of Shopafrolic.com have chosen their top 5 favorite – which of course are the most stylish – gifts from their absolute favorite brands for anyone on your list! Here are some of their go-to choices: