o The Footzyroll ballet flat from The Pink Hanger:   For when you just cannot.  walk.   another.   step.   in.   heels.  Footzyrolls are  pair of rolled up ballet flats for your purse, briefcase, travel bag, car.    Just $25, your choice of black patent, metallic gold or metallic (tarheel!) blue. And as if the shoes alone weren’t enough, each pair of Footzyrolls comes with a shoe bag to hold your big-girl shoes ‘til you get home.
The Pink Hanger, 2935 Providence Rd. #103
(704) 366-7272
Providence Plaza Shopping Center corner of Providence & Sharon Amity Rds.

o  The Minimergency Survival Kit from The Pink Hanger: About the size of a candy sampler, this kit is one perfect stocking stuffer, and it’s only $15.  Inside this little lifesaver are 16 girl-emergency essentials.  From the expected, like lip balm, breath freshener, pain reliever, a bandage and a mending kit.  To the unexpected, like two earring backs, clear nail polish & remover, hair spray, stain remover, hem tape, & a deodorant towelette - all neatly contained in a shimmery silver pouch.

o  The Ikat print Silk travel bag from PaperSkyscraper: $9.95 buys a perfect gift for the traveler on your list, or for someone whom you may not know all that well - who doesn’t need a gorgeous roll-up travel bag for jewelry or stuff?  By Vance Kitira (the candle people) on the jewelry case right when you walk in the store.
Paper Skyscraper
330 East Boulevard, Dilworth (corner Euclid) 704-333-7130


o  The Medusa necklace from Luna: Twist it, Knot it, Curl it, Wrap it as a bracelet.  This necklace is the best conversation starter you’ll ever see.  I dare you to wear one, two or three and not have to talk about it.  Metallic gold, silver or gunmetal, light as a feather and meant to be combined, doubled, twisted and knotted in any form or style you’d like.  One bendy piece that can look different every time you put it on.  Just $22.50.
Luna, 6809 Phillips Place Ct., Southpark (704) 554-6000




o  Lip Scrub & Lip Slip from Cottage Chic: Sara Happ’s Lip Scrub $25 is the perfect exfoliant for the winter lip blues….cures the peeling, the cracking, the dry and the flaky.  It comes in 6 deliciously scented flavors like cocoa or cinnamon sugar, it smoothes wonderfully, and one jar lasts forever.  Sara’s Lip Slip, also $25, is a thick, moisturizing balm for day or night, lightly pink, a little sparkly.  Both come “pre-wrapped” in pretty little be-ribboned boxes.
Cottage Chic, 1232 East Blvd, Dilworth (704)375-1888


o Hollywood Nights Evening Essentials from Monkees of Morrocroft: What everyone  needs for the big night, this kit features the red-carpet secret weapon known as Hollywood Fashion Tape.  Double-sided tape strips that you “crack-and-peel” to secure gaping necklines, low-cut tops in front or back, torn hems, slippery straps, and under-arm fat that keeps peeping out (oh wait, maybe that’s just me).  In addition to 1 pack of 36 strips of Fashion Tape, there’s a pack of Hollywood Oil Blotting Film, a pack of lint removing sheets, a tin of Hollywood Make Out Mints, a light-up mirror and, most importantly, a travel tin for carrying fashion tape, credit cards & cash in your teeny, tiny, gorgeous clutch.
Monkees of Morrocroft, 3900-E Colony Rd., Morrocroft Shopping Center,(704)442-7337

o  A Neoprene Lunch Bag by BUILT NY from PaperSkyscraper: The perfect gift for the office mate.  No more crunched up brown bags, these are the most elegant & adorable lunch totes ever created, I’m just sure of it.  Priced btw/$20-$30 depending on the style you choose.  And there are lots to choose.
Paper Skyscraper
330 East Boulevard, Dilworth (corner Euclid) 704-333-7130


o The Customized SIGG 0.6L water bottle from Cafe Press.com  $24: I love these.  I give them whenever I remember to design something in time.  (It takes over a week to create/ship).  Saves the environment, says you really thought about a person, says you took some time on the gift.  Upload a photo of them, their pet, their school logo, their favorite phrase, their favorite song, their favorite line from their favorite movie.  WHATEVER.  Superimpose Johnny Depp in place of their husband’s face.  Just go to the site, www.cafepress.com for hundreds of customizable gifts, or click here to get straight to the SIGGs.





o Neela reusable eco-shopping bags from PaperTwist, 5 for $30.  Also for your environmentally conscious folks, along with anyone you WISH were more eco-brained.   These bags are so stylish - chic patterns & vibrant colors inspired by modern textiles.  And so usable - larger than a standard paper bag, they hold the equivalent contents of 3 plastic grocery bags.
Paper Twist, Specialty Shops on the Park,6401 MORRISON BLVD. 704.366.3100. www.shopapertwist.com

o  Sephora Favorites Sampler kits $38. Admittedly, I’m a shallow, shop-a-holic, beauty junkie.  But these new kits from Sephora ROCKED MY WORLD when I saw them.  Each valued at about $120, they are collections of different brands of lipstuff, mascara’s, glimmer products, etc.  So the lip kit?  Contains sample sizes of Duwop,  Smashbox,  Sephora,  NARS,  Korres,  CARGO,  Tarte, and Laura Mercier.  The glimmer products would be a great gift for the young, who actually have something to glimmer about on NY Eve.  Check them out here or at the store.
www.sephora.com

o New bag for a Month from www.swaphandbags.com $35: swaphandbags is an online-only store to rent and buy “gently-loved” luxury, designer handbags for about one-tenth the retail price.  Created and operated by a Charlottean, swaphandbags has the perfect gift for the fashionista on your list.  For $35 you can give a month-long rental of one of their Holiday Bags.  There are over 25 bags to choose from, by designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Bohdi, Hype.  Best of all, you can buy now, they can pick later. If the mere thought of picking out fashion for friends and relatives simply terrifies you - just buy a gift certificate and they can pick their bag out for themselves!
www.swaphandbags.com