Here's another item that falls into the category of great all-purpose last-minute gifts: J.Crew's metallic Stella clutch. It's made of Italian leather with a crinkled, tinfoil-esque finish that's at once vintagey and futuristic (sort of like what Judy Jetson would carry to a cocktail party), and would pair equally well with a silky dress or jeans and a trench. And originally, it was priced at $128, but now it's marked down to $39.99, thus making it an incredible bargain. If you're dead set on giving it on time, splurge for the expedited shipping (you've got to order by 10 AM EST tomorrow, so hurry) and it'll be there on Monday. It's an extra $15, but you might think it's worth it.

Finding a great bargain gift, one that truly looks fancier and more substantial than its price would suggest, is always tricky—which is why it's particularly gratifying to track one down. I just stumbled onto these adorable floral travel bags and am about to run over to the closest Sephora to buy them for all of my girlfriends. Makeup bags are the kind of thing someone can always use another of, especially when they're as cleverly designed as these. The vinyl exterior is durable and keeps the vibrant pattern pristine; they've all got inner compartments for easy organization; and they're insulated so that your makeup won't melt when the weather heats up. They've got two sizes in stock, both roomy enough to hold a hearty supply of cosmetics, and amazingly they're only $10 apiece.

Because I have a deplorable tendency to wait until the very last minute to do anything, it comes as no surprise that there are still several things left outstanding on my holiday shopping list, never mind that we're now officially six days from Christmas. Online shopping is not ideal for procrastinators like me unless they're prepared to spend a fortune on shipping—but if you don't mind giving belated holiday presents (and it's the thought that counts more than the timing, right?), consider this incredible set of four tumblers I discovered on Urban Materials + Accessories. The simple, streamlined glasses are decorated with the trompe l'oeil motif of stately Victorian goblets, so they're not only great for daily use, they're elegant enough for fancier occasions.

I love a knit dress (my obsession with them is well-documented): They're at once sexy and sophisticated, kind of old-fashioned but still of the moment. Since so many of my favorite labels have been turning out excellent ones for the past couple of seasons, I've become something of a connoisseur. That said, I feel like I really stumbled onto something special when I discovered this gorgeous mohair version from Iisli. The zigzag hem and cap sleeves are cool touches, and it's rare to find a knit dress with a pattern, especially one as chicly European as this.

I'll never understand people who don't like online shopping. In the days before the Internet, I'd probably never have discovered Jinny, an amazing and commendably fashion-forward boutique in Columbus, Ohio. But now I've got shopjinny.com in my computer's bookmarks bar and can drop in whenever I like. The store (and the site itself) is a fantastic resource for great but lesser-known labels like Sretsis and Sue Stemp, plus it's got all the stuff you want from higher profile designers like Loeffler Randall and Jill Stuart. Right now I'm fixated on Alice Ritter's sweetly sophisticated short-sleeved ruffle jacket and this delicate and strikingly beautiful, origami-inspired silk camisole by Willow. To add to my temptation, they both happen to be half off.

  If money were truly no object, this Moncler puffer could be the answer to my keep-warm-this-winter prayers. It's very sleek but looks legitimately cozy; it's long enough to cover the bum (an important prerequisite for any jacket that's actually going to be warm, or so I'm told); and it's got a hood, which is great on days when you don't want to bother with a hat. And since I often prefer to go purse-less in the winter (too much fuss on top of a thick coat), I like that the front pockets are big enough to accommodate a cellphone, wallet, lip balm, and keys. There's a drawstring waist to give you a bit of definition, and if you really want to accentuate your shape, there's also a removable belt. Realistically though, what I'll probably buy is this Spiewak parka. It's very similar to the Moncler only not quilted, a tad longer, and the fur trim is faux (which I might actually prefer). And perhaps most critically, it also happens to be about a fifth of the price.

Of all the things I've acquired in the past year (and you know about most of them) my new Nespresso machine is perhaps my very favorite. I've always been skeptical about them, mainly because they use vacuum-sealed pods of coffee instead of fresh grounds, which always struck me as unappealingly futuristic and unnatural—like Dippin' Dots, which I find totally freaky. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I received one as a gift. It's amazing: It makes an utterly flawless shot of espresso in seconds, there's no mess to clean (the pod drops neatly into an interior chamber of the machine after you're through with it), and it's truly foolproof. I didn't even glance at the owner's manual before trying it out, which is reason enough to love it. Yes, it's an investment, but when you think about it in terms of cost-per-use (as opposed to getting a daily Starbucks fix), it isn't so bad at all.

It might be a consequence of having to pile on the layers because it's winter, but lately I'm in the mood to dress really simply, in a basic white dress with opaque black tights. There's something mod about that combination, but it's still modern enough not to be costumey. I've got plenty of stockings—my favorites by far are Lauren by Ralph Lauren, because they're inexpensive, completely dark, and last forever—but the trick is finding white dresses. The gauzy white ones in my closet are just too summery to pull off now, but I just spotted a gorgeous crepe dress by Alexander Wang that I think might be ideal for year-round wear. The twisted banding at the shoulders and grosgrain trim at the waist give it a subtle dose of embellishment, though the look is still as clean, cool, and crisp as can be.

Checking my work voice mail just might be my absolute least favorite of all office tasks. In order to motivate, I usually make a deal with myself: If I get through all of my messages, I allow myself a few minutes of aimless, unrelated-to-work Web surfing. Today, after slogging through a dozen very long-winded voice mails, I granted myself a brief visit to kateboutique.com, which is an excellent Santa Barbara?based shop that stocks designers like Erica Tanov, Pedro Garcia, and Malene Birger. And as it turns out, it happens to be in the middle of a pretty great promotion: Everything on the site is discounted 20 percent through the end of this week when you enter coupon code "holiday07." (I'm snapping up this cashmere tunic by Minden Chan.) Happy shopping!

Over dinner last week, my friend Samantha was gushing about a robe she got by this very-cool-but-hard-to-come-by label called Skin. As she pointed out, it's nearly impossible to find a robe that's practical as well as sexy, and this one, made of fine gauzy cotton, fits and feels more like a cozy wrap than anything else. "You instantly feel that much prettier and more ladylike when you put it on," she said, finishing her glass of wine. Intrigued, I searched all over for it online... to no avail. And then today as I was clicking around on catrionamackechnie.com—the just-launched Web-shopping arm of a gorgeous lingerie shop in the meatpacking district of Manhattan—I found exactly the one she'd been talking about, and it looks as beautifully drapey, sexy, and comfortable as she described. I'm sold.

The best news I heard today is that Candystore Collective—one of the places I'm always sure to hit whenever I'm in San Francisco, which isn't often enough—has finally launched online shopping. Contrary to their name, they concentrate more on clothing than sweets, and they truly do have something for everyone, with women's and men's fashion, cool toys and adorable onesies for kids, and a carefully curated mix of new and vintage housewares. Their specialty is artsy, indie design, so prepare to discover lines and goods that you've never encountered before. Definitely check out their selection of dresses because there are a bunch of bright, reasonably priced options (like Mixie's $92 Carly dress, with a bright botanical print). And since it's holiday-gift-shopping season, I ought to mention that there are tons of giftable options too; the ones I am most drawn to are Meg Mateo-Ilasco's hand-silk-screened journals and perfumes by Bay Area local Yosh.

I love how Barneys New York is celebrating the holiday season by going green. In case you missed their mailer, log on to their website—they've got an impressive selection of coolly unexpected eco-friendly gifts. Like these Walteria Living Vanishing Creatures Chocolates, for instance: sweets molded to look like endangered species, with proceeds to benefit an animal protection agency? Brilliant. On the fashion side, their Hemp Grocery Shopper is without question the most beautifully refined hemp accessory I've ever seen. Realistically, it's too pretty (and too expensive) for me to fathom using it to lug milk home from the corner deli, but it would definitely make an excellent carry-on bag or work tote.

Last week Inhabit, perhaps my favorite knitwear resource ever, held their annual winter sample sale, and sadly, I wasn't able to sneak out of the office to go. Desperately in need of some more cashmere (it is a very chilly 30-something degrees here in New York), I decided to log on to their site just now to see what they have and was thrilled to discover that they've extended their sale to the Web. Everything is marked down rather substantially, and they've still got a great range of stuff to choose from. I've been looking for an updated version of a classic grandpa-style cardigan for ages, and their slim-fitting stretch cashmere sweater (was $288, now $218) is pretty perfect. And for layering, I might stock up on their cotton racerback tanks (now priced at $30, down from $128) and pick up a few as gifts for friends too.

I've been eyeing this metallic jacquard See by Chloé dress on Net-a-porter.com for several weeks now?it's the perfect thing to get me through the holiday party circuit. I love the juxtaposition of a vintagey material with a modern, clean-lined cut. It's festive but not overly flashy, nor overly revealing, so I could safely wear it to a work-related event. And considering it just got marked down and that the site offers same-day delivery in Manhattan, I think I have all the incentive I need to put it in my online shopping cart.

I just dropped by Urban Outfitters' website, and I think I might have set a new record for myself: It took me only about 30 seconds to find something I am convinced I need to have. This silk top is so incredible: It's got the prettiest abstract watercolor print, but in a slightly tough black-and-blue palette. The shape is flatteringly drapey, and there's something about the billowy cap sleeves that feels a bit '70s-ish. They've also got another version of it in brown and blue that has a more elaborate, Rorschach-esque pattern that's also tempting. But the best thing about these two tops is that they're only $48... so I might just end up getting them both.