An astute comment on the virtues of velvet last Wednesday from reader Juniper Rye jogged my brain onto an entirely new topic: I love designer Lyell. This New York-based label does feminine tops and dresses almost better than anyone else with tons of unexpected details and craftsmanship. I tracked down three exquisite Lyell pieces on the site today, all of which feel perfect to buy right now, like this unique party shirt, and (yes, perhaps finally my dream will be realized!) a velvet dress.

... but I'm in Paris and in a serious mood to acquire some voluminous, slouchy tops. And if they come in gray, khaki, army green—all the better. This one gets bonus points for having big bell-like sleeves.

The Gillette Mach3 Turbo razor—"the best a man can get!"—is the greatest razor ever. And I use the Gillette shave gel—I like the masculine scent. I also love Head & Shoulders. It's not technically gender-specific, but do you know any other women who use it? I tried it for the first time in my boyfriend's shower and couldn't believe how great it was (especially in the winter, when things tend to ... dry up on my head). And it smells so good.

Chickdowntown.com is offering 45 percent off all regularly priced merchandise and an extra 30 percent off all sale merchandise through the end of today. There's a lot on the site that's tempting, like these classic Hunter wellies, which are a good thing to buy now and wear forever. Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have anywhere really fancy to be anytime soon,

I have a new Etsy obsession, one that's shared by our fashion director Hope Greenberg, who has been wearing a Brookadelphia necklace around the office. They're all laser cut and super-intricate—and everything's extremely well-priced. I wish so much that I lived in Texas, Ohio, or California ... or even Brooklyn, so that I could have my statehood around my neck immediately. Instead, I'm going to settle for being a post-post-modernist—or I'm going to wait three weeks for a Montana charm.

RIGHT NOW (through December 1st), there's a Friends & Family 20% Off sale going on in Kiehl's stores—I was in the Manhattan outpost on Saturday, and the whole place was a happy mob. Bring a printout of this picture to get the discount.

What is your number-one favorite Kiehl's product? Quick, quick, don't think too hard! Or else you'll come up with too many things. Mine: Amino Acid Shampoo. Jean Godfrey-June's: Lip Balm #1. Now YOU go.

—Cristina Mueller, senior beauty editor

Seeing this photo of Kate Moss wearing an incredibly cute rugby-striped shawl-collar cardigan sent me over the edge. The look falls somewhere between sporty and sophisticated, making it as suitable for Saturday errands as it would be (with a pencil skirt and heels) for going to work. I have no idea who makes the one she has on in the picture, but after poking around for a while, I was able to come up with a very similar version by For Joseph. It's satisfyingly streamlined but cozy, and it would do well in countless scenarios. I like how she gives it an edgy twist (mussed-up hair, printed tee, rock boyfriend), though you could play up the collegiate aspect too and add baby-wale cords and old-school sneakers or go sleek with skinny black trousers and black ankle boots.

A little over 10 years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow attended the VMAs in a sleek, skinny red velvet pantsuit made for her by Tom Ford. It was, at the time, one of the coolest things I'd ever seen, and it kicked off a decadelong odyssey of velvet failures for me. See, there's a problem with this plush fabric. While it's soft, festive, and sometimes even regal-looking, it can also quickly slip into a Ren-Faire-1983-piano-recital-New-Age-Jimi-Hendrix-bad-fashion abyss. However, around this time of year, every year, my obsession is reignited, and I wonder: Can anyone look cool in velvet? I found some streamlined-looking blazers today on eBay (here, here, and here). Should I try to pull one off?

Feeling thrifty, yearning for simpler times and freezing cold, I went shopping online at The Vermont Country Store. I purchased flannel pajamas and hideous but incredibly warm socks. I was utterly satisfied with my purchases when they arrived. My children were fascinated by the old-fashioned-looking catalog they came with—it produced shrieks of laughter for many hours in fact.

Eventually, they drew my attention to the beauty section—which is large and full of amazing things: Gee! Your Hair Smells Terrific! and Body on Tap shampoos, for instance.

It's not. I'm a sucker for an artfully constructed top. I like the high-wattage fuchsia here, particularly because it's tempered by gray and black. I'd keep it really simple, by wearing it over a T-shirt, or under a fitted blazer. I'm really into the back, too.