A few Christmases ago I bought a miniature silver tinsel tree, decorated it with multicolored ball ornaments, and used it to add some festive cheer to my office desk. Ever since then I’ve brought it work during the holiday season, and it never fails to brighten my day. UO still carries the exact same ornaments, and the store also carries some tiny tinsel trees if you’d like to re-create the look and/or buy the combo for a coworker or holiday gift exchange. (I bought my tree at Borders bookstore, so check there, too!)

My love for multicolored glitter started with Lisa Frank school supplies and stickers, and has lingered ever since. In honor of my Sagittarius birthday coming up, here’s a roundup of party ready, rainbow-sparkle-adorned gift ideas.

Confetti System party decor, Dean & DeLuca Rainbow Sanding Sugar ($6), Kate Spade Be Dazzled Bobby Pins ($65), Deborah Lippmann Nail Color ($18), Kate Spade Charm Heel ($325), Jonathan Adler Sagittarius Zodiac Pillow ($98), Anya Hindmarch Valorite Glitter Clutch ($395)

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As an overachieving, perfectionist child, I was easily motivated by teacher rewards such as gold stars — well, not much has changed! I’m still all about the glittery fun of gold stars, but now I prefer them on dainty jewelry or sparkly accessories (or Chloé sunglasses!). With my upcoming birthday and Christmas around the corner, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gold-star-inspired gifts for a lucky gal pal this holiday season.

Gold Star Edible Glitter ($6), Nada Bag Charm ($198), Shooting Stars Cuff ($160), Beaded Clutch ($19), Small Star Stud Earring ($35), A Gold Star ($6), Chloé sunglasses ($221), Twirl Karolina ($350), Vita Fede Como Star Wrap Double ($63), Birthday Star Necklace ($68), Only Gold For Me Top Coat ($9), Night Tie Front Dress ($370)

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TOMS Women's Vegan Wrap-Boot $98 - tomsshoes.com

Maybe she’s on a mission to stop world hunger, or to save cuddly creatures from becoming fur coats, or to prevent the destruction of rainforests. Whatever the cause is, I have some philanthropic gift ideas for her that are people-, animal- or earth-friendly. And who says you can’t look good while you’re doing good? 

Check ‘em out, after the jump.

For the earth-conscious, try one of these yummy smelling handmade soy wax candles by Tatine, selling at Anthroplogie for $30. According to Apartment Therapy, where I first read about these candles, Tatine uses earth friendly ingredients, essential oils, cotton wicks and recycled packaging with vegetable-based inks. No petroleum-based waxes, soy wax only, which is cleaner burning, longer lasting, biodegradable and water-soluble. 

I love, love, love this MATT & NAT handbag, available on Shopbop for $165. Its color, hardcore detailing, and ability to go from clutch to handheld strap to cross-body strap – perfection. Here’s the crazy part: it’s vegan (PVC, not leather), with 100% recycled faux suede lining. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out MATT & NAT’s very cool, eco-friendly handbags. 

Dogeared carries a wide assortment of cause-centered products, from recycled organic jewelry rolls to soy candles to breast cancer awareness necklaces. But I chose this gold-dipped heart necklace ($52) because it’s simple, sweet and 100% of its net profits go to One Voice, a nonprofit that helps poverty-stricken families.  

With these TOMS wrap-boots ($98), you’ve got a double whammy. Not only are they vegan friendly – no animals harmed making these velcro, elastic, cotton canvas, rubber soled boots – with every pair of TOMS shoes sold, the company gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need. It’s the gift that REALLY keeps on giving! 

Crushed Glitter Magic Wallet $16.50 - jcrew.com

The code of the party girl requires that she can’t leave the house without a touch of bling. They are, like myself, magpies in nature – gravitating towards all things shiny, glittery and sequin-y.

After the jump, I’ve compiled some great little pieces, at both high and low price points, that will give those dancing queens some late-night sparkle.

Domestic Dream Aprons - etsy.com/shop/domesticdream

What would we do without the hostesses in our lives? They manage to have flowers on the table, candles lit, amazing food in the oven and, most importantly, a sixth sense for when your wine glass is down to the last sip. My life would be a blur of Top Ramon and microwavable mac ‘n cheese if it weren’t for two of my favorite hostesses – my mom and my good friend Heather.

A great way to thank those dinner party divas is with an adorable apron, like the pretty hand-sewn creations in the photos above by Lori of Domestic Dream. If you live in town, you’re in luck! Her aprons will be on sale for $35 this Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1076 Normandy Hill Lane in Encinitas. If you’re interested in a custom order and/or you can’t make it to the sale, contact Lori at lori.domesticdream@gmail.com, and keep a lookout for her upcoming Etsy shop!

More fab finds for hostesses, after the jump!

Kolo Essex Travel Book $25 or $30 - kolo.com

This gift guide is for the girlfriend who is always on the go - Madrid, Moscow, Hong Kong, Florence – you name it, she’s been there. I’m obsessed with Kolo’s sweet and simple photo albums (available at the Blick Art Materials store in Little Italy for fellow San Diegans) and this Kolo travel journal is just perfect for stashing little tidbits, photos and maps collected along the way. It comes in both small ($25) and large ($30) sizes.

And while she’s traveling, the last thing she wants is to look like is a tourist. Functional – and stylish – globetrotting must-haves, after the jump.

When you’re abroad, you want the contents of your purse safe, accessible and not giving you a back ache. The solution seems too horrendous to mention. Surely I don’t mean a fanny pack!? Thankfully, there is a new version of the “waist bag,” including this black leather rose one by Felix Rey ($290) on shopbop.com. (It’s even lined with leopard-print fabric!)

My scarves are my go-to accessory, whether I’m in Italy or Northern California, and they are great for keeping warm on the plane and versatile enough to wear out to a nice dinner or walking around a city. I’m loving how easy the infinity scarves are – no wrapping or tying necessary – especially this soft and affordable one by American Apparel ($28).

I can’t take credit for finding this Nikon Coolpix camera, that goes to The Pioneer Woman, but I did find it on sale on Amazon ($129.99). Besides it being a great-looking point-and-shoot at a great price, its compact size is a bonus when space is limited.

This Jonathan Adler sunglasses case ($38) is a whimsical alternative to a standard case, and its soft material makes it easier to fit in small bag – a waist bag, perhaps?

muji.us and thecontainerstore.com

If you, like me, have a brother (or sister) who can never hear you because he has headphones permanently glued inside his ears, I found two gifts that will rock the skinny jeans off your music-obsessed sibling. With its sleek design and built-in speakers, this wall-mounted CD player by MUJI ($178) is perfect for a small room or dorm. Just pull the cord to play a disc! If you’re looking for a gift on a budget, this MP3 desktop speaker ($9.99) from The Container Store is the perfect pint-size solution. I love this because it doesn’t require searching around for an electrical outlet and messing with tangled cords.

amazon.com, katespade.com, mightyleaf.com and cb2.com

This could be your best friend, your co-worker or your grandfather, but you know you have an addict when you can’t think of a time when they don’t have a mug in their hand.

For the serious coffee drinker, you can’t go wrong with this Bodum French press travel mug ($20). Pair it with a bag of their drug of choice (coarsely ground), and you’re good to go. I have one, and I love it. For someone who likes cream and sugar in their coffee, or who chooses hot chocolate over caffeinated beverages, this spoon/mug combo ($3.95) from CB2 is the perfect gift – stylish and functional. And lastly, my favorite tea is from Mighty Leaf (the vanilla bean black tea is deeeeelish), and on its Web site you can choose from many holiday gift sets, including this cute tea box for $24.95.

**One more! I forgot to include this absolutely too-cute-for-words polka dot thermos by Kate Spade ($30) when I put this post up! I think it’s only available in stores, so run to your nearest KS store ASAP!**

Since I’m behind on my Christmas gift guides (but not on my Christmas shopping!), I’m going to put up a few today, starting with grandma.

If your sweet grandmother is anything like mine – layering long johns and scarves year-round – she will love these leather gloves! I tried choosing just one pair, but there were just so many cute ones out there, I picked four. This way, whether your grandma is eclectic or traditional, your budget large or small, there’s a pair for you!

My picks, after the jump.

Instant Photo Album $10 - urbanoutfitters.com

What better way to kick off the gift giving season than with a gift guide for myself? :) After the jump, a rundown of what I’m hoping to find under the tree (or what “santa” bought me a little early…).

(And if you’re looking for gift ideas for a gal with the same sequin, wine, grey sweater and Polaroid tendencies as me, you’re in luck!)

From boyfriends to brothers, birthdays to graduation presents, finding gifts for the guys in my life isn’t always easy. So, if you’re as stumped as I can be at times, I’ve compiled some ideas I have already used or have stored away for future uses.

You don’t have to break the bank for a great gift - a subscription to GQ is super inexpensive, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Barney’s CO-OP doesn’t sound like the place to find a deal, but Ryker would be just as excited if I got him a $100+ tie as he would if I got him a pair of these striped Paul Smith socks. And my brother would love this technicolor Timex watch. 

If your boyfriend, like mine, is a member of a wine club and has his bottles stored in a huge ugly cardboard box, this sleek wine rack would be a perfect alternative. Or, if he prefers beer, I love Cost Plus World Market’s Summer Brews 10-pack – it’s a fun way to try some new foreign refreshments.

Urban Outfitters always has a great selection of fun, vintage-y cameras and accessories with reasonable price tags. Since my brother is a photographer extraordinaire, I think he would appreciate this Holgawood camera and the dreamy photos you can take with it.

Also at Urban is a nice little collection of record players, one of which I got Ryker for Christmas last year. If all else fails I can always dig through records at Off the Record, a little store in North Park, for a gift that makes use of a prior gift.

I love love love my Flip Ultra, but most of the guys I know would much prefer the quality of the newer Flip MinoHD, which is even smaller and cooler than mine. 

What will my mom be getting this Mother's Day?

Mother’s Day is coming up, and if you are a procrastinator like me, you haven’t even started shopping yet. I actually found something for my mom a couple days ago, but I thought I’d share with you some of my other great ideas from years past as well as this year. As you can tell from the image above, my mom is ALL about blue and white, so I tried to keep that in mind as I shopped around.

Also on my radar: anything for the kitchen, anything with a fleur de lis, something for her backyard, something cute for her “office” (my old room), something soft/warm, some kind of pampering, and something wine-related.

After the jump, see what I looked at (and maybe even bought) for my mom.