on the first day of christmas...

welcome to the poole shop gift guide. from now until december 24th, we'll present you (no pun intended) with the best presents for everyone on your list this year. from grandmas to long-lost cousins and family members you'd rather disown, our collective brains have come up with some real show stoppers guaranteed to please. you'll probably even find a couple things for yourself along the way...cheers!
what: 3.1 phillip lim lace driving glove
who: your eccentric great-aunt. you never know what to get your grandmother's sister, but she's been at every family gathering sipping her special christmas cocktail ever since you were wishing for the barbie dream house. she's lived in paris and london and once had a brief affair with a famous actor in the 1940's. she's seen a lot in her day and isn't surprised by much, but this year we're confident she'll love the old-world luxury and charm of phillip lim's lace driving glove. it may even take her back to her great gatsby prohibition days.

move over, pumpkin pie

traditions create a sense of comfort and nostalgia, but we sometimes can't silence the cynic inside who says traditions can be predictable and downright boring. so this year why not shake up your thanksgiving fiesta by offering a new dessert (gasp!) in place of the grande dame of thanksgiving, pumpkin pie. we found this delightful little recipe on marthastewart.com, and we can't wait to test it out. not only do we love the tempting flavors of this gingery fruity dessert, but also the presentation is way more chic than your classic pumpkin pie:

ingredients:

- 2 bags (12 ounces each) cranberries, fresh or frozen

- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar

- 2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger

- 1 bar (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature

- 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 2 cups heavy cream

- 2 homemade or store-bought all-butter pound cakes (12 ounces each) cut into 3/4 inch-thick-slices

- candied orange zest, for garnish (optional)

directions:

1. in a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, 2 cups granulated sugar, ginger and 2 cups water. bring to simmer over medium; cook until cranberries begin to burst, 8-10 minutes. let compote cool completely.

2. make cream filling: using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar and vanilla on high until well combined. with mixer on medium, gradually add heavy cream; continue beating until soft peaks form.

3. arrange 1/3 cake in 3-quart serving dish. spoon 1/3 compote over cake; spread to sides of dish. dollop 1/3 cream over compote; spread to sides of dish. repeat twice, ending with cream filling. cover, refrigerate at least 2 hours (or up to 1 day). garnish with candied orange zest, if desired.

4. surprise everyone at thanksgiving with the new dessert, and enjoy!

rock and roll is here to stay

on sunday, november 29th, HBO will air four hours of the 25th anniversary rock and roll hall of fame concerts, and all the buzz leading up to this monumental event has reminded us that rock and roll and fashion have always gone hand in hand. to honor this special occasion, poole shop has found the best rocker-chic looks of the season and put together one serious outfit. of course, feel free to take your own creative license by dismantling our look and working the separate pieces into your own wardrobe.

born to run: we can't tell you how much we love alexander wang's natasha pump ($490), and it is the perfecting launch pad for the rock and roll girl. put these on, and the rest comes naturally.

satisfaction: how cool are these tie-dye leggings from j brand ($205)? as soon as you pull them on, you'll be chanting "under my thumb" and channeling mick jagger while dancing to the music in your head.



whiter shade of pale: a simple top will not due for the rock and roller, so that's why the cage top ($295) from alexander wang is perfect. the slashed shoulders give this classic shape a new attitude to help unleash your inner badass.

walk on the wild side: when ordinary denim just won't do, check out this black studded denim jacket courtesy of current/elliott ($475).

light my fire: aptly named the jagger cuff from dannijo ($390)...need we say more?

rockin' in the free world: the perfect little bag to sling across your body to top off your rockin' look. alexander wang gunny ($620).

give your hostess the mostest

if you're like us and letting someone else brave the dreaded family holiday gathering at their house this thursday, we have some ideas for hostess gifts that will guarantee an invitation next year. just remember to keep it simple by looking for something smelly, tasty, tipsy or cozy:

smelly: one of our favorite go-to gifts is a fabulous candle. no one really wants to spend $50 on a candle for themselves, but it's a gift that's always appreciated. right now, poole shop has dayna decker candles courtesy of the organica deluxe pop-up shop in a variety of scents and two sizes that retail for $36 and $55 respectively.

tasty: the pumpkin pie won't last forever, so leave your hostess with a gift she can enjoy all by herself once the crowd has dispersed. we're obsessed with the organica deluxe fleur de sel caramels that are handmade in brooklyn and absolutely divine. the cute heart-shaped box retails for $25, and don't miss the tiny $9 box for your own little "pick-me-up" following a harrowing day spent with the relatives.

tipsy: can anyone really get through a holiday encounter without a little help from our friends pinot, cab and savignon blanc? a bottle of wine is the gift that keeps on giving (until you run out, of course). we especially like deloach pinot noir from the russian river valley. it's a delicious, smooth wine that retails for under $15, so grab a few bottles to get you through a long dinner.

cozy: even more than the luxurious lutz & patmos sweaters we covet do we love these cable knit blankets the line created especially for west elm. the neutral colors work with any decor and are perfect for your hostess to bundle herself in on the sofa after a marathon in the kitchen.

vampires, werewolves, volturi, oh my!

unless you've been hiding under a rock the past year or so, you're aware of the "twilight saga" (which is more of a "twilight phenomeon" in our minds) and all the adorable, angst-ridden teens that are sometimes vampires, sometimes werewolves and always entertaining. today marks the premiere of the second installment of the films adapted from stephenie meyer's best-selling series, and we can't wait to see how the new director, chris weitz, immerses us in forks, washington. best-known for directing american pie, new moon seems to be quite a jump for weitz, but we're told he handles himself well while "protecting" meyer's work.

unfortunately we couldn't make the midnight showing last night to give you our personal take on the movie, but maybe we'll take a "long lunch" today and grab a seat at the matinee showing...

thank you!

as our little way of saying thank you (and cheering up your spirits after all the rain we've had), poole shop is giving you 20% off of everything in the store tomorrow, thursday, november 19th! come in out of the rain and get an early start to your holiday shopping season or just splurge on something special for yourself!

introducing harvey

what do you get when you mix a longtime style editor at martha stewart with a former art director from kate spade? the answer is harvey faircloth, a line "dedicated to creating spirited, off-kilter classics for modern women." poole shop has just received its first delivery from harvey (resort!), and we have to say that it delivers on its promises. an exaggerated sailor pant pairs beautifully with a cheeky, nautical-striped backless halter, and these girls are not afraid of color--bright yellow and dayglo orange permeate the collection. after a fall spent wallowing in a sea of greys and charcoals, we're quite ready for the introduction. come in to poole shop and meet harvey in person...you won't be disappointed.