I have a thing for hand towels. Unfortunately, at this time in my life I don't actually have a powder room to display them for all my guests, but if I did, I'd be quick to show off these by Christian Lacroix. The black-and-lilac color combination and the graphic floral print add a modern, fashiony jolt to even the simplest all-white bathroom. And as much as linen can be nice for this sort of thing, I really love the wrinkle-free ease of these velvety cotton versions. A set of four is $20—a good thing to keep in mind next time you're in need of a thoughtful-but-still-practical gift. 

On an average week, I'd say I wear a cardigan five out of seven days—and I'm not just talking about during the colder months. I tend to prefer really basic, simple cardigans in solid colors and soft cashmere, though on occasion I wish I had something that's just as cozy but slightly more dressed up ... something like this cashmere and silk sweater by new designer Dorothy Lee. It's got super-feminine details (lace trim, an Empire waist, and tiny ruffles on the sleeves), but they're tempered by a cool, modern, black-and-cream palette. And the overall effect is at once statement-making and somehow subtle, so I could see wearing this, well, almost every day.

As noted previously, winter has me craving white dresses. I finally found one that's actually designed to wear in the cold: Elijah's sleek shift is made of wool, and is thick enough so that you safely wear dark tights underneath without them showing through the dress (a rarity when it comes to white dresses). Though strapless, it comes with its own built-in bra, so there's no need to bother with fussy undergarments to get it to fit just right. And with a blazer on top, I might even be able to get away with wearing it to the office.

Special sections director Liz Kiernan has been wearing the best tights all winter—perfectly opaque and matte, and not just in black but in cool, muted shades of gray, brown, and navy too—so great, in fact, I finally had to ask her where she's been getting them. Though I was expecting her to tell me they were from one of the fancy European brands, it turns out her resource is a quirky, under-the-radar site called sockdreams.com. She's tried the bamboo and microfiber versions, and also ones made of thick ribbed cotton, all of which are dense and warmth-inducing, though unlike the wool varieties, they aren't itchy and don't make you overheat when you get indoors. Liz has been ordering them in bulk and I'm about to follow her lead.

West Hollywood's Bird boutique has long been one of the best resources for cool, offbeat international fashion. What I didn't realize until just now, however, is that a thorough selection of their inventory is also offered up on their website. Birdla.com is worthy of bookmarking for access to designers like Bruno Bordese (a handmade shoe collection out of Italy), UK-based Emma Cook, and New York's Gary Graham, who makes the most beautiful, slightly deconstructed pieces from hand-dyed fabrics. Pretty much everything on the site is on sale right now, including some springy items like Sonia Rykiel's slouchy pleated skirt in cream with a big bow at the waist--was $705, now $176.

Dear Reader: Indulge me with just one more warm-weather fantasy. I promise it'll be my last (at least for a little while). I've been considering making the switch from the bikini to the one-piece suit for a while now. My big hesitation is looking like a dowdy school marm, so I've yet to take the plunge. The truth is there are plenty of sophisticated, legitimately nice-looking one-piece options out there, but most have a look that's just a touch more grown-up than I care to project at this point in my life. I just discovered this Malia Mills style that's sleek and sexy without being too risqué. It's got skinny straps and ties in the back like a string bikini, but it's balanced by a covered-up midsection and a boy-shorts-like cut on the bottom half. The effect is a little '60s beach bunny, but it's still satisfyingly modern and youthful, so it might well be a good place to start.

Here I am again, longing for clothes that are way more summery than my local weather conditions will permit me to wear anytime soon (not to mention far more expensive than budget constraints will allow me to actually buy), but so be it. I just saw this ridiculously pretty color-block dress by Doo Ri on Ron Herman's website, and I'm in love. I'm always a sucker for tone-on-tone color—the effect is consistently fresh and so elegant—especially in hues as soft and inviting as these pale watercolor-y pinks. And though the cut is very straightforward, there are a couple subtle, unexpected details (delicate mesh overlay on the bodice, a touch of elastic on the back) that set the dress apart from anything else I've seen.

One of the things I most like to buy with complete disregard to how many I already own is a large canvas tote. More specifically, one that's really sturdy and sized appropriately to function as my airplane carry-on, which means that it's got to be big enough to hold about half a dozen magazines, my travel blanket, noise-canceling headphones (the one gripe I have with these is that they come in a space-hogging case), and my laptop. This Old Navy one will soon join my collection. It's sufficiently roomy, has a cool off-center geometric print, and the dark gray version seems pretty stainproof.

One of my closest friends is off to India next month and I'm insanely jealous. Getting daily updates on the glamorous camel safaris and achingly gorgeous castles he's booked doesn't help matters; I can't even tell you how many daydreams I've had lately that entail me lounging around poolside at some grand old hotel in Udaipur—especially as it just gets colder and colder in New York. Here's what I'd wear if fantasy were reality.

My ever-chic cubicle neighbor Marissa Cooley just shared her new genius, go-to present for just-moved friends: an old-fashioned embosser with the recipient's new home address. Design-wise it has a coolly industrial, '50s office vibe, and in terms of gift-giving, custom anything is always a thoughtful, luxurious choice. There are about a million different combinations of fonts and styles to choose from, so be sure to scour the site to investigate all the options before you order. Regardless of what you decide, I guarantee your friends will be thrilled.

I tend to keep my jewelry pretty sparse (remember, I don't even have pierced ears), but that said I wouldn't mind stacking on loads of these delicately wrought rings by designer Philip Crangi. They're so understated (yet still so meticulously crafted) that you could pile on several but not look overly accessorized. Red Hook's Erie Basin stocks a bunch of different versions of the ring; my favorite is this twisted style, but they're all equally elegant and cool.

I'm just back from the Consumer Electronics Show (an international showcase of the latest tech innovations that happens every January in Las Vegas), and I'm totally overwhelmed. I got a glimpse of the not-too-distant, even more-high-tech future that awaits us—which included a look at some insanely cool gadgets, like this ultra-luxurious phone. Not only is Motorola's new RAZR2 clad in gold plating, it has an embossed rubber back that actually feels like snakeskin and the world's chicest (and possibly tiniest) ebony and gold Bluetooth headset. In addition to being a thing of beauty, the memory, camera, and sound are pretty incredible.

In my opinion, nothing is more luxurious (or irresistible) than handmade leather goods. And by goods, I really mean anything, from business card holders to makeup cases to key fobs to the perfect bag—which is precisely what I've just discovered. This carryall by Knoxx is made of incredibly supple leather; it's so soft and expandable that if you're a light packer, it could be an overnight bag, and if you're a pack rat, it's the best carry-on ever. Design-wise, it manages to be both equestrian (the color palette, the brass bits) and a little bondage-inspired (the crisscross straps), an unlikely combination that somehow works. Plus, it's made by a father-daughter design team—how charming is that?

I take sunglasses very seriously. I've never understood those people who manage to lose dozens of sunglasses a year; I think it's so hard to find a good pair—one that's both flattering on your face and an interesting style in and of itself—that once I do, I take care to really protect them. I know I'd be extra-special careful with this pair by Karen Walker: They're a slick, modern update to a classic '80s Wayfarer shape, but they're also pretty timeless, thanks to the tortoiseshell frames. And given that I plan to wear them every single day of the year—yes, possibly even in the pouring rain—they're also a totally worthwhile splurge.

Full disclosure: I don't have my ears pierced. I'm usually totally fine with that fact, until I spot earrings so cute I'm tempted to rush out, locate a Claire's boutique (last time I looked into it, sometime around 1989, this was the go-to place for ear piercing), and just take the plunge. And now something has retriggered that old impulse: These delicate, vaguely tribal-looking spike earrings by Marion Cage. The pointed charms are kind of tough, but still refined and completely feminine. I like the idea of using them to add a bit of texture to an otherwise sleek outfit. And even though they're sexy enough to want to wear for a night out, they're not so statement making you couldn't wear them to the office.

I've never encountered a candle quite like this. A collaboration between entertaining guru Colin Cowie and candle purveyor Seda France, it's not only incredibly massive (like a gigantic gallon tub of ice cream), it's also got the most beautiful scent, a heady mix of citrus and berry notes so good I wish I could bottle it and wear it as my new signature fragrance. It weighs in at more than five pounds and comes with four wicks; and though I've been burning mine pretty much non-stop for weeks, there's barely a dent in the wax, so I'm confident it's going to be with me through the spring.

I just came across the absolutely amazing website for a shop called Tender, in Birmingham, Michigan, and am kind of ashamed not to have stumbled (and reported) on it sooner. It's a trove of splurge-worthy, big-name European labels like Lanvin and Nina Ricci, and if nothing else, it's worth a visit just to poke around and drool over the inventory. There's a bit of clothing, but the real draw is the shoes and bags. If I were to max out my credit card, I'd get a running start by snapping up Mulberry's gorgeous chocolate brown snakeskin purse with a chain strap (it's the perfect day-to-night bag; roomy enough to be practical but so luxe and so glamorous) and Valentino's super-sexy patent leather peep-toe oxfords.

The best thing to wear if you ate as much as I did over the holidays (which is to say frequently and in extreme quantities) are jeans with a slightly higher rise. I know they might sound risky and anything but flattering, but I promise: The above-the-belly-button waistband sucks everything in and creates a smooth line, and with a little bit of stretch in the fabric, they're quite comfortable. And a dark wash and longer hem increase their slimming effect. My favorite pair right now is this one by Grey Ant. Since they're pretty pared down (no whiskering or contrast stitching), they feel a bit more sophisticated than the average pair of jeans, and they've got vertical seams down the front that add to their skinnifying, leg-lengthening quality.

I love the New Year. After three solid weeks of parties, overeating, gift giving, etc., it's such a relief to have landed in 2008—it's similar to the way you feel after getting off a really long flight. To celebrate the arrival of the New Year and to put myself in a get-back-to-business mood (which I'll need to do if I'm ever going to tackle my 2008 resolution of cleaning my absurdly messy cubicle) I've decided to buy this pretty desk calendar. It's girly enough to appeal to the right side of my brain, but it's also totally practical, and is going to fool people into thinking I'm hyper-organized and ready to start the year right.