FOR GUYS
Little luxury
He’ll look like a real stud starting the holiday fire with leather matchbook covers from Jack Spade. And you thought designer fireplace accessories didn’t exist. $10 at Jake, 939 N. Rush St. and 3740 N. Southport Ave.
Tie one on
Ironing’s not his thing. (And face it, who can blame him?) Luckily, The Container Store’s Tie Caddy solves the problem of rumpled neckware. Just roll ties in the clear plastic tube and they’ll be kept neat and wrinkle-free. $4.99 at 908 W. North Ave., or containerstore.com.
Caught on film
He’ll have captured all the holiday memories–even the moment Aunt Flo lost her dentures in the fruitcake–with Hitachi’s DZGX20A DVD camcorder. Added bonus: It also functions as a digital still camera and DVD burner. Starting at $899.99 at Sears stores or sears.com.
Cleans up nicely
Scruffy is sexy, but he’ll want to get rid of that five-o-clock shadow someday. He’ll get the job done right with the True Gentlemen Madison Shave Set, which includes a badger-hair shaving brush, a heavy-duty razor and stand. $225 at truegentlemen.com.
Hammer time
There’s no need for a bulky, overblown tool set when he has the Ultimate Hammer Tool. It’s a hammer, pliers, wedge, scissors, knife, saw, file and Philips-head screwdriver all in one. Let the tinkering begin. $14.99 at The Container Store, 908 W. North Ave., or containerstore.com.
FOR GALS
Lip service
Chicago DIY goddess Kathy Zadrozny crafts original cards, stationery, scarves and jewelry for her 16 Sparrows collection. Her latest craze? A limited-edition series of handmade lip glosses in tasty winter flavors, including gingerbread, cranberry, chocolate and Champagne. $3 each at 16sparrows.com.
Hit the clutch
Design-your-own-handbag haven 1154 Lill Studio moved to a new location on Armitage Avenue this month and has rolled out a new style to boot. The Grace clutch is easy to tote and features an interior zippered pocket Create one with or without a cutesy ruffle. $72 at 904 W. Armitage Ave., or 1154lill.com.
Now ear this
Just because she likes to chat on the phone using a headset doesn’t mean she has to look like a goofy robot-droid. The Steffi Thomas Swapset is an interchangeable system of headbands, headsets and headphones that puts fashion first. Choose from 30 headbands in a range of fabrics and patterns. Entire combo pack $95 at swapsets.com.
Meant for walking
Moon boots are passe. (Are you listening, Mr. Dynamite?) What’s hot now? The Padmasana Boot, which can be worn high, low, tight or baggy. From adidas by Stella McCartney. $240 at shopadidas.com.
Just grapey
She knows how to nose out a great bottle of wine. Now she can smell like the delicate blossoms found on grapevines. Caudalie’s Fleur de Vigne fragrance recreates the aroma of vine flowers with bergamot, grapefruit, orange, lemon and other energy-boosting scents. $56 at Sephora stores or sephora.com.
