five more days...

so we're down to the last five days before christmas, and the one person you've neglected on your recent shopping frenzy is you. 'tis the season to give a little and get a little (for yourself). don't worry--everyone does it. there's no shame in rewarding yourself for making it through another year. while you're out there, skip past the tempting discounts on winter wear (do you really need another cardigan?) and look forward to a new year and a new season with some color and cheer. poole shop happens to have a "pre-spring" shipment in from tucker, and we're loving this new style:

wrap it up and put it under your tree or, better yet, don't wrap it and wear it tomorrow under one of those cardigans cluttering your closet. trust us, it's amazing what a little color can do to brighten your mood and get you through these last hurried days.

clothes comfort

she's your mom's younger (baby) sister, but she's always been a mentor to you. she's the life of the party and the one who can talk her way out of any sticky situation. her style is minimal and cool, so what should you get your aunt for christmas this year? just in at poole shop: this cute, comfortable yet stylish sweatshirt tunic (or is it a dress?) from organic. she can wear it solo with boots in the spring or layer it up this winter with leggings, a cardigan and a funky scarf. let her go wild by taking something simple and making it all her own.

it's sunnier there...

it's always sunny in california, right? at least that's what your best friend over there tells you. in a land of lattes, smoothies and vegan desserts, you need a gift that fits the laid-back easygoing lifestyle of the left coast. once again, it's calypso to the rescue. we love this embroidered chambray tunic, which goes from sunny beach to sunset boulevard without a hitch. she can wear it over a swimsuit or her jeans or even by itself while lounging on the deck sipping afternoon cocktails.

what are the kids wearing these days?

you want to show your kid brother that you're still cool and know what's happenin' (does saying what's happenin' age you?), so you've made a pact with yourself to get his girlfriend the perfect gift this year. the only problem is, you're not sure what is the perfect gift for today's teenagers. relax. poole shop can help. check out this little number from organic:

part tee shirt, part sweatshirt, a little cropped and a lot of style (plus the organic factor!) make this the perfect little gift for your brother's gal. it says you know what's going on but you're not trying too hard to show it.

go big or go home

she's your mom. there's no gift too great to honor the woman who's been by your side--albeit sometimes a little too close to your side--through bad breakups, even worse hair days and everything in between. this year, don't be shy about showing her how much you care with a little sparkle and shine courtesy of deux filles.

diamonds, pearls, mixed metals and leather give this jewelry line an edge: casual for every day yet sophisticated for church with enough sparkle for any nightime soiree. put it in the bottom of her stocking for a nice little surprise after she's waded through the starbucks gift card, tic-tacs and christmas-themed candies.

work it

'twas the night before the company holiday party and all through the cubicles not a creature was stirring...

that's because everyone was too preoccupied with trying to figure out what to give the boss this year. it's the ultimate dilemma: you want to make a gesture but don't want to go over-the-top or end up picking out the same gift as all your coworkers a la clark w. griswold. keep it simple and fresh with a candle from calypso. if your boss is girl, she'll love the st. barth-inspired colors and fragrances to dress up a powder room; if your boss is a guy, then he'll just give it to his wife anyway. trust us on this one. and just like the jelly of the month club, it's the gift that keeps on giving.

banded together

when a broken-heart "best friends" necklace seems too juvenile and a friendship bracelet too fragile, give your best girl pals this elastic band bracelet from lizzie fortunato. it has style and staying power--literally and figuratively--and is a great way to stay bonded with your buds. it's also a great gift option for your babysitter, dog walker, hairdresser or any other fabulous young thing you'd like to say "thanks" to this holiday season.

lounge in style

you love her in a she-drives-me-crazy-but-gave-birth-to-my-husband kind of way, and every year you stress over this gift more than any other (will she like it? will she think i'm trying to tell her something?). this year let poole shop push your anxiety aside with a gift that any mother-in-law would love: the brochu walker shawl collar cardigan in a chic winter white. besides being 100% cashmere and totally cozy, it's the perfect update to her overused "house sweater." whether her style is hippie, conservative or just plain comfortable, this sweater will fit seamlessly into her wardrobe. and the best news? it's now 40% off--who can resist such a deal?

working girl

she's a working girl who can never find the right combination of function and style. this year show your sister which one of you (really) knows everything by delighting her with this useful carryall from meredith wendell. it's an easy, practical color (for her) with a bright accent that makes it not too boring (for you). she can easily fit her laptop, clipboard, lunch bag, cosmetic case, phone charger and whatever else it is that she carries around all day inside, so no more ugly work bags!

on the first day of december...

welcome to december and the poole shop annual holiday gift guide. follow our advice this year to wow your friends, acquaintances and off-the-wall family members with gifts that are thoughtful and (sometimes) entertaining. first on our list this year: your old college roommate! you lived in extremely close quarters, knew way too much about each other, and you still expect to see her when you walk through a department store and catch a whiff of the perfume she used to bathe herself in. why not bring her up to date with a scent that is always pleasing but never easy to find...

way before oprah named it one of her favorite things, we at poole shop knew the secret of kai. this subtle fragrance--a perfect combination of honeysuckle and gardenia--is a perennial favorite as a stocking stuffer or just because. we have yet to meet someone who isn't drawn to this scent, so gift away.

60 days...

...until christmas, that is. it's never too early to start shopping, and poole shop just got new navajo bangles (you remember those from last spring that sold out in a week, right?). with prices ranging from $45-$75, they are the perfect gift when you don't know what to give. hurry in, though, we're sure they won't stick around for the next two months.

m is for the million things...

think of all the things you've put your mother through over the years (dirty diapers, tempestuous toddler--and teenager--years, questionable boyfriends and body piercings) and remember to tell her that you love her this sunday. in the meantime, here are some gift ideas for the last-minute shopper in all of us.



from the cash-strapped student: make up for all those years when you left a mess around the house with a sweet smelling candle from calypso ($45). with the new packaging, calypso has already done the work for you--no wrapping required.



from the nature lover: wearing a deer on your ring finger may be a bit out there, but who can resist little bambi nestled in a bed of flowers? this ring from matina amanita ($186) offers the perfect combination of quirkiness and love that a mother can appreciate.




from the beach comber: so you can't afford to send her on a vacation to the island of mykonos, but you can inspire a feeling of repose when she slips on these gold sandals from botkier ($225).

from the fashionista: as seen on the streets of paris, milan and new york and in the pages of every magazine from vogue to bazaar, stripes are the trend of the season. get your mom in the groove with a striped tank, tee or sweater.

all items currently available at poole shop.

thanks, but...

you survived the holidays with the in-laws, outlaws and everyone in between, but your real survival instincts will kick in when you have to fight the crowds at your local electronics superstore to return to the kindle that your mom thought was sooooo you (sorry, but a true bookworm would never abandon the old-fashioned hardback). in keeping with the spirit of the season, we offer you three tips to exchanging gifts graciously:

1. when you find yourself in double trouble (i.e. the gift you just opened has a twin already living at your house), tell the giver he/she is so thoughtful and knows you a little too well since you just bought one for yourself last month. flattery opens the door for a simple exchange.

2. when the shoe (or dress, or top...) doesn't fit or the style is just way off, smile pleasantly and concoct a little white lie about how you can't wait to wear it to such and such an event. you can always exchange clothing for something you would actually wear...or just hide it in the back of the closet until your next big purging season.

3. when all else fails, remember that one's trash is always someone else's treasure. we are not opposed to re-gifting as long as you tell the recipient up-front that it was a gift given to you that you just can't use yourself. never try to pass off a re-gift as your own, and make sure the one you pass it to has no affiliation with the original giver.

what: lizzie fortunato "on the road" necklace, $160

who: your teenage daughter. because she hates everything you pick out. because she's an individual. because you secretly want to make her smile (and mean it!) this christmas. lizzie fortunato's grown-up take on the old school "friendship bracelet" has blossomed into a sold-out collection that had fashion editors drooling last fall. lucky for you poole shop just received lizzie fortunato's spring collection, which now includes a necklace (left) accented in bright, spring hues. At a price that won't have you dipping into her college fund, you may have stumbled upon this year's perfect gift.

wrap yourself in a christmas package

what: epice circus scarf, $245
who: your best friend. she's the veritable "girl who has everything," and this time of year always stirs up a friendly rivalry as you try to outdo one another in the gifting department. last year she won by trumping your diptyque candle (weren't we in a recession?) with her funky christopher kane cashmere gloves. get her back this year with the quirky circus scarf from epice. with a unique and colorful motif, this scarf is the perfect accessory and a conversation-starter all on its own. wrap it up, and go ahead and take a victory lap.

five golden rings

what: matina amanita topaz flora ring, $488

who: your mother-in-law. you don't have the same taste in clothes or music or food, but she did give birth to your husband, so make it a good one this year. the flashy flora ring from matina amanita has just the right amount of spunk and sizzle to fit her harried lifestyle. give her the sky blue topaz that is universally flattering, and you can be sure this year she won't be shaking her head telling herself "it's the thought that counts."

it's christmas eve and these shoes are just her size

what: repetto ballet flats, $141
who: your sister. she's laid back, casual and doesn't know the difference between tory burch and tori spelling. you finally rid her closet of merrell's and dansko's, so it's your job to find the right fit for her this holiday season. enter: repetto flats. the perfect little shoe for moms or students or anyone looking for a little comfort and a break from the whacked-out platform concoctions that have been styling shelves the past few seasons. with perky color choices such as kelly green and navy blue, repetto flats are the perfect accent for daytime garb.

a candle in the window

what: calypso mimosa candle, $38
who: your co-worker. candles are a great gift because they can be equally bestowed upon a great friend or someone you see everyday yet know virtually nothing about (except that she likes cats as is evident by the wall calender plastered on her cubby). scents can be tricky, so stick with something classic and fresh like mimosa from calypso. it's perfect for the bathroom or a guest room and is light enough to please any palette.

visions of sugarplums...

what: organica deluxe fleur de sel caramels, $26

who: your son's 4th grade teacher. nothing says "thank you" for putting up with your son on his good days and the bad like a mouth-watering box of chocolates. this year bypass the mini godiva boxes at the barnes & noble checkout in favor of the salty, sweet, and bitter dark chocolate flavors that spew forth from the organica deluxe fleur de sel carmels. if you haven't tried these yourself by now, be sure to grab a box for yourself. guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face even on the most hectic of days, you're son will soon be teacher's pet.

two little candy canes winked at me

what: t by wang striped baggy tank, $89
who: your niece. you're the "fashionista" of the family, so inevitably it's your job to find the niece's gift. she's 12; she likes miley cyrus and selena gomez but also covets the louboutin's she uncovered in your closet. while you don't want to spoil her with a prada bag all her own this year, you can give her a little piece of fashion with this adorable nautical tank from t by wang. she'll know exactly how to layer it and may even teach you a thing or two about so-called "fashion."