Clique sur l’image pour voir tout ça en gros plan! Ça vaut la peine! De plus, si tu t’inscris à la liste d’envoi d’Old Navy, Gap et Banana Republic, tu vas recevoir tout ça dans ta boîte de réception! La chose la plus merveilleuse dans tout ça, c’est que tu peux sélectionner les options… donc, si tu veux rien savoir du linge pour enfants, t’as juste â pas le sélectionner!

Bon magasinage!

P.S Old Navy commence à ouvrir plus tôt à partir de vendredi! Donc, ils ouvrent à 9h la semaine et le dimanche et à 8h le samedi.

P.S 2 Si tu te pointes dans les 50 premiers samedis et que t’achètes pour plus de 20$, tu as 4 billets de cinéma GRATUITS!!! 4!!!

Sabato 28 novembre alle ore 7,45 davanti all’Istituto Vittorio Emanuele, Largo Della Zecca Genova

I GAP, GRUPPI D’AZIONE PRECARIA insieme ai Cobas e altre realtà politiche effettueranno un presidio- picchetto- volantinaggio per protestare contro:
i tagli alla scuola pubblica la riforma delle superiori il possibile smantellamento delle copresenze che decimerà la categoria degli ITP la gerarchizzazione del ruolo dei docenti conseguente al decreto Brunetta.

Chiediamo:
il ritiro dei tagli alla scuola per il prossimo biennio l’assunzione in ruolo di tutti i precari l’estensione delle tutele a favore di Docenti e ATA ex terza fascia indipendentemente dalla loro iscrizione nelle liste del provveditorato il rispetto delle norme di sicurezza nella scuola.

I Gruppi di Azione precaria sono impegnati a creare un coordinamento tra insegnanti, personale ATA, studenti, ricercatori, genitori dagli asili all’Università contro ogni forma di precarietà e contro la distruzione della scuola pubblica.
Sono invitati tutti i lavoratori, gli studenti e i soggetti politico- sindacali impegnati nel rilancio di una lotta necessaria e indispensabile per il nostro futuro democratico.

According to KPIX (CBS 5) in San Francisco, the Banana Republic stores in San Francisco are hiring foreigners at minimum wage and putting them up in hotels because they claim they can’t find qualified local workers.  So, KPIX had their staffers try to apply for jobs.  “Oh, we’re not hiring” they said.  When contacted, the Gap/Banana Republic operation said that the store was “mistaken” and that they really are hiring.

Donald Fisher, the now deceased founder of the Gap, was a lying sack of shit and always had been throughout his life.  His purchase of virgin redwoods which he claimed he would preserve (only to be logged when nobody was looking) was just one in a string of lies he laid during his life. 

So, now the legacy of Donald Fisher continues at the Gap and Banana Republic.

How about some honesty in business for a change.  Is that so hard?

We’re not the biggest fan of topcoats, but that obviously doesn’t mean they can’t look good. First things first, they need to be slim fitting. If you have a clunky topcoat, you’ll look like a clown. As we all know, it’s tough to get a tailored fit for a reasonable price, but luckily Gap has a solid option that won’t kill your bank account. When most respectable topcoats cost close to $1,000, Gap has managed to put a hell of a lot of style into their $150 option. Sure, it may not be made from Cucinelli cashmere, but this wool-blend option will get the job done. Wear it unbuttoned and be ready to recieve some compliments. You can get yours for $150 at Gap.

Visiting Angels, Living Assistance Services – this is an extraordinary business whose people provide “…family alternative to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.…”  We have a family member for whom the Visiting Angel who comes three times a week is an angel indeed.  There comes a point in the drama of dementia when the one with this illness no longer responds to her own family…but this caregiver can raise a smile, encourage a laugh and provide a walk to the park.  Visiting Angels are human blessings…and a business to be thankful for.

Los Vaqueros Grill, “Mexican traditions with American twists”…according to their website!  This charming restaurant is about a six minute walk from my home and today provided me with a solo relaxing and enjoyable lunch.  One of the perks of having a home-based business is choosing where I have lunch – most days I admit it’s right here in front of my laptop at my desk…but today I needed a quiet getaway.  This is a business for which I’m thankful today.   I sat in their greenhouse dining area and enjoyed a lunch of:

• “…Tilapia Tacos Anchiote – marinated tilapia, sauteed and placed in soft flour tortillas. Then topped with a scallion, cilantro and chipotle sour cream, tropical pineapple mango coleslaw and queso fresco….”
• I started with an appetizer:  “…Camarones Rellenos Culiacan – Our most popular appetizer. White tiger shrimp filled with Gouda cheese, wrapped in bacon, quickly fried then topped with chipotle mayonnaise….”
• add iced tea then coffee and churros for dessert.  And lest you think I ate it all, I saved half for my husband’s dinner for tonight.

Nike brand walking shoes – why would I put this humongous company in as a business I’m thankful for today?  It’s because of the walking shoes that allowed me to go to lunch in comfort.  I’m not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination [although in college I ran some cross country but that was quite a few years ago] and due to most of a year walking barefoot on the sands of Waikiki in the late ’90’s [sounds like a hardship doesn't it?] I have some foot challenges…so the Nike brand walking shoes help. From the Nike website:

• “…When Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman made this observation ['if you have a body, you are an athlete'] many years ago, he was defining how he viewed the endless possibilities for human potential in sports. He set the tone and direction for a young company called Nike.…”

Today thinking about my feet was something I didn’t have to do as I enjoyed a walk outdoors on a beautiful autumn California day.

Gap, Inc - I’m thankful for this business because my younger son-in-law works there.  This brilliant young man is an Apple IT genius and works in the San Francisco headquarters office.  In these troubling economic times, especially in California with its incredibly high unemployment numbers this year, I am extremely grateful and thankful that my daughter and her husband are okay.   The founder of Gap, Don Fisher, said:

• “…I created Gap [in 1928] with a simple idea: to make it easier to find a pair of jeans. We remain committed to that basic principle….”

And it is principles like this that keep young people like my son-in-law employed.

Raley’s – my other son-in-law has worked for Raley’s for several years.  Raley’s founder, Tom Raley, “…opened his first store in Placerville, California in 1935. His dedication, hard work and vision are the seeds from which our family of stores continues to grow….”  And this son-in-law fits that description perfectly – dedicated and hard working.  I am so very thankful that this is another young family [my daughter, son-in-law and their 2-year old] that are ending this calendar year without layoff or unemployment over their heads.  Raley’s is another business for which I am thankful today.

I heard a saying once that went something like, ‘as goes GM, so goes the country;’ not so I say.  Rather let’s give thanks to the businesses that represent the people who are our neighbors, friends and family – as they go, so goes the country.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hello everyone! Here are today’s deals delivered straight to my inbox and right here for your viewing and shopping pleasure:

Groupon’s Los Angeles Daily Deal
$12 for $25 worth of cookies, brownies, & delicious desserts at Plantine Cookies, which was named one of the 20 Best Bakeries by LA Magazine. That’s a $13 savings!

Coupon Cabin

• 50% off coupon for New York & Company: 50% off your entire online order. Expires November 30.
• 70% off coupon for Restaurant.com: Insert coupon code THANKS for 70% off your entire online order. Expires November 26 so USE IT NOW!
• 15% off coupon for JC Penney: Insert coupon code PCTHANJC for 15% off your entire online order. Expires December 31.
• 15% off coupon for Lord & Taylor: Insert coupon code THANKS for 15% off your entire online order. Expires November 30.
• 15% off coupon for 1-800-FLOWERS.com: Insert coupon code COUPONCABIN15 for 15% your entire order (some exclusions apply; see website). Expires December 31.
• Nordstroms: Free Lancome Absolue Precious Cells sample expires November 30
• Zales: $50 off a $300 purchase expires December 24
• Liz Claiborne: $20 off any purchase expires November 30
• Boston Market: $4 off a $20 purchase expires December 2
• Loehmanns: 15% off any purchase during the month of your birthday expires December 31
• PacSun: $25 Pacbucks Coupon expires December 12
• $5 off $25 coupon for Aeropostale: Insert coupon code 5GIFT for $5 off your online order of $25 or more. Expires November 30
• 20% off coupon for Alloy: Insert coupon code CCUSE20 for 20% off your entire online order. Expires December 3.
• 15% off coupon for Reebok: Insert coupon code 15CABIN for 15% off your entire online order (some exclusions apply; see website). Expires November 30.
• 20% off $100 coupon for Ann Taylor LOFT: Insert coupon code 20CABIN for 20% off your online order of $100 or more. Expires January 5.
• 20% off coupon for Gap: Insert coupon code GAP20 for 20% off your entire online order. Expires December 15.
• Wilson’s Leather: 25% off AND free shipping coupon expires December 24
• Drugstore.com: $10 off $50 coupon expires December 1

Enjoy! Save & spend wisely!

Um video de 5 segundos.

5 segundos a 1.000 ou 1.000 segundos a 5?

Texto Original:

Ok. Let me clear things up. This is Josh Kasper ollie’ing a stair set. This is his part from Osirus:The Storm. The song is “The Kids Aren’t Alright” by The Offspring. There we go, no more…

-BOGO Free Guittard Chocolate Drinks at Caribou Coffee, on 11/27/09:

In-Store Coupon

-Extra 20% off sale at J. Crew, plus free shipping on $150+ through 11/29/09:
EXTRA20

-20% off tops and dresses, 50% off sale at Hale Bob, through 11/30/09:

NOVTNK50

-15% off Urban Minx, storewide, 11/27/09 (no code, online & in stores).

-50% off all sweaters online at Gap, plus free shipping on $50+ through 12/15/09 (no code).

-25% off new (11/26-11/27/09) or 60% off sale items (11/26-11/29/09) at Guess and Guess by Marciano (no code).

-20% off site-wide at Duwop, on 11/30/09:

THANKFUL

-30% off every purchase through 11/30/09 at Cache:
K090917 or In-Store Coupon

-25% off store-wide from opening-10 a.m. on 11/27/09 at H&M (no code).

-20% off through 12/1/09 at Smashbox:
SBFF9

-$20 off $125, $40 off $200, or $100 off $300 through 12/24/09 at PH8 stores:

In-Store Coupon

-$20 off $99+ at DSW, through 11/29/09:

THANKU

-20% off through 11/30/09 at Max & Chloe:

TGIV9

-40% off site-wide through 11/30/09 at Betsey Johnson:

BONANZA

The Bank of the Philippine Islands, the leader in electronic banking, continues to give clients more options through its alternative banking channels as it introduces BPI Express Mobile Mall, a service facility under BPI’s 24/7 Banking that gives clients the freedom to use their mobile phones to shop, order coffee, or buy movie tickets from merchant partners.

“Majority of the country’s population already own mobile phones. Using the available technology, BPI Express Mobile Mall provides the means to make activities like buying clothes or getting a cup of coffee convenient and easy,” say Teresita B. Tan, BPI Senior Vice President and Head of Overseas Banking and Channels Services.

The BPI Express Mobile Mall facility is an applet that can be downloaded into a GPRS-capable mobile phone. Once connected to the internet – whether via Wifi or GPRS – users can now utilize the applet to leisurely “go shopping” without having to leave their homes. Purchases are immediately debited to the user’s registered BPI account.

Current merchant partners for the BPI Express Mobile include Phillips and Memo Express, retailer of Nokia mobile phones. Also on board is the Rustan’s Group of Companies. The group is composed by a widespread network of subsidiaries including Rustans’ Supermarket, Rustan Coffee, Stores Specialist, Inc., Starbucks Coffee, Rustan Marketing Corporation, Shopwise, Rustans Specialty Concepts Inc. and Rustan Marketing Specialist, Inc. which carries over 50 brands including Marks & Spencer, Zara, Gap, Debenhams, and Diesel, among others.

Ayala Malls’ Sure Seats is also a merchant partner. Through the BPI Express Mobile Mall service, clients can enjoy the ease and convenience of securing movie tickets without the hassle of lining up at the counter. No need to claim tickets as well, the validation sent via SMS serves as the movie ticket.

“The objective of BPI 24/7 Banking is to give clients more freedom through a more convenient and round-the-clock banking service. When you can do banking transactions on the go – anytime, anywhere – you gain time to do other things,” adds Tan.

To use the BPI Express Mobile Mall Facility, BPI clients must be Express online users and have GPRS-capable mobile phones. Registration can be done through the internet and activation of the registration through any BPI ATM kiosks.

For more information on how to enroll your account for the service, log on to www.bpiexpressonline.com.

Joanna Newsom in Armani; image courtesy of wmagazine.com

So W just dropped news that Joanna Newsom has a proper follow-up to Ys and the subsequent Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band EP, the particulars to which twentyfourbit.com elaborated, all of which I know about thanks to GRCA’s Emily Marks.

Now, I’m not sure why it’s taking her so long to make another full-length, which I’m assuming Drag City is releasing. Some might speculate that her hiatus might be due to her relationship with SNL’s Andy Samberg. And while I have no problem with giving Samberg a good feminist hard time, I’m not entirely sure if her absence can be attributed to playing house. With recent appearances in trendy fashion magazines like W, much as she did earlier in her career with publications like PAPER, I think it might have something to do with playing dress-up.

The boys of Lonely Island with their dates at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards; image courtesy of aceshowbiz.com

Yikes! I realize those last two sentences might have infantilized the singer, something choruses of music critics do any time they call her voice “child-like.” What I mean is that Newsom has been mingling in the fashion world. Perhaps it’s no surprise that a long-haired, full-lipped, leggy white lady recording artist can get designers to take notice. However, I find it particularly interesting who she’s syncing up with, how this might help construct her image, and what all this might suggest about the commodification of indie. Because she’s not just putting on Armani. She’s friends with Rodarte, waxing pretentious about the collaborative process and wearing their designs to in-the-know, downtown fêtes. 

Joanna Newsom representing Rodarte's Fall 2008 collection; image courtesy of obsoleteantics.blogspot.com

Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, who created a label honoring their mother’s maiden name, Rodarte, have made quite a splash in the fashion world and on the red carpet over the past few years. They seem like cool ladies with whom I’d definitely want to watch some movies. Yet I’m still on the fence about their decidely avant-garde design aesthetic. I almost like a lot of it, but it gets way too drapey and twee at times — particularly when factoring in the cost.

Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon’s dresses for the 2009 Oscars were vivid shades of pink and blue, but the knotty bodice patterns and woozy detailing made me a bit nauseous. Similar situation with the dress Tilda Swinton wore for a premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – loved the color palette, wanted to rip off the sleeves. And in theory, I like the Rodarte sweater Kristen Stewart wore in last January’s Teen Vogue, but in actual practice, I have a hunch that I could find some moth-eaten angora free of charge if I just brave the family attic. 

Cute sweater or is Kristen Stewart just wearing the empress's new cardigan?; image courtesy of flickr.com

That said, I like that Rodarte work with retailers like the Gap and Target to make their clothes more accessible and affordable. And they have made some killer, coveted items that I’d snap up if I had the money.

Reese Witherspoon's minty fresh Rodarte minidress; image courtesy of girladvantage.com

Michelle Obama wore a 2007 Rodarte dress to meet with Queen Rania in April 2009; image courtesy of paulrfrost.blogspot.com

But Newsom and Rodarte seems an interesting match. Though musicians pairing up with designers is nothing new (see also: Cher and Bob Mackie, Madonna and Jean-Paul Gaultier, Courtney Love and Christina Aguilera representing Versace, M.I.A. representing Marc Jacobs), something seems pretty perfect with the alignment here. Perhaps with the three ladies’ talk about collaborative processes, we’ll get to see a Newsom-designed collection, as we did with Chloë Sevigny’s 2008 collection for Opening Ceremony.

Chloë Sevigny models her own designs for Opening Ceremony, convincing this blogger that t-shirts can be successfully paired with strapless dresses; image courtesy of stylefrizz.com

This pairing might be read alongside what commercial ventures Newsom has entertained. In an era that has seen many independent artists rely upon advertising and television shows to get their music heard, Newsom’s music has been featured in several places. Often she has elected that her music be used in documentary work. However, The Milk-Eyed Mender’s “Sprout and the Bean” was featured in Victoria’s Secret’s Dream Angels ad campaign. Note that her voice is not heard in this spot.

Or it could be that a dress is just a dress. Which is fine too. But while I’m excited about hearing Newsom’s new album, I’ll have two labels on my mind when it comes out: Drag City and Rodarte.

Two words:  outlet shopping.

These are the most deceptive two words to my vocabulary.  When I hear these two words I think about how much money I save shopping at outlets.  I think about how much I love a bargain, how much I could get at a discount thus resulting in me not needing to do any further shopping.  It all sounds very positive.  The question is, is it positive?

Now let’s keep in mind when reading this blog, I am no money expert.  I am far from it.  So nine times out of ten when I ask a question, I’m not being rhetorical or adding sass to my writing.  I’m literally asking a question.

So here’s my question again:  Is outlet shopping a positive thing when budgeting?  I honestly cannot tell.  I know I am getting savings, there is no question about that.  But do these savings cause me to buy in bulk?  Does it cause me to buy more than I would had the prices been higher and not highly discounted?

Today I went outlet shopping.  Dun dun dun.  When I first arrived I was able to get my new nephew a fleece, a large amount of Yankee candles for christmas gifts, some christmas ornaments and a new handbag, all totaling under $100.00.  Not too bad.  After I went looking for a single pair of jeans, I walked out of the GAP outlet having spent $150.00 and purchasing only one pair of jeans.  Sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, cardigans, gloves, fleeces, hats, etc… all at very good prices.  But the question is did I do well?  Is this going to keep me from purchasing other sweatshirts and sweatpants when I step foot in a mall this holiday season?

The answer really can only be answered by me.  It is a self-control issue when it comes to those two deadly words:  outlet shopping.  The outlet prices are extremely beneficial to your wallet.  But when you’re on a bargain spree, you have to then tell yourself to be done with shopping that season.  Outlet shopping is all or nothing.  Either you buy yourself a tee-shirt and leave or you buy your entire wardrobe and cut yourself off from shopping.

It’s not even Thanksgiving and already I have a huge holiday shopping list.  Since I decided to spend today, there will be no further presents for myself this season.  My sweatshirts and handbag and sweatpants were my last hurrah this Christmas season.  Today was an indulgence, it’s not an everyday occurence.  I try very hard not to let my poor spending habits and self-control get the best of me, and so to get my outlet shopping money’s worth, outlet shopping will be the last shopping I do.

How are your spending habits when you go outlet shopping?

And speaking of outlet prices and buying in bulk- try visiting a Sam’s Club this season.  Not a member? Here is a FREE one day pass!  http://www2.samsclub.com/holidays/media/print/onedaypass.pdf

Eh oui… t’as bien lu!

Si tu télécharges l’application Gap pour iPhone et que tu te points dans un magasin Gap en la montrant, tu obtiens 10% de rabais chaque fois!

N’est-ce pas fantastique?

Au lieu de me remercier, remercies plutôt Camille de la web-émission La Brique sur Bombe.tv!

I received an email today from the AFA President, Tim Wildmon. It appears that for all action AFA members took on behalf of advertising against the GAP’s Christmas policies, the GAP has relented and will acknowledge the National Holiday of Christmas as it should. Copy as follows:

“Your actions make a difference! Gap says “pro-Christmas” ad to air this weekend
November 24, 2009

According to Bill Chandler, vice-president of Gap corporate communications, Gap’s Old Navy division will launch a new television commercial this weekend which “has a very strong Christmas theme.”

Chandler responded to AFA last Friday, after a poll showed 90% of AFA supporters wanted to continue the boycott as a result of Gap’s initial “holiday” ad that mingled Christmas with the pagan “Winter Solstice” holiday.

Gap says the new ad will include the popular Supermodelquins proudly cheering “Merry Christmas”, and features Christmas trees, lights and ornaments as well.

In good faith, AFA is suspending the Gap boycott until it has an opportunity to view the new commercial this weekend.

As a result of your dedicated actions, we believe Gap is beginning to realize that Christmas is not just another “holiday” and will begin to advertise in a way that is respectful to Christians and Christmas shoppers.

Here is the last call to stand with us and proclaim to our communities that Christmas is not just a winter holiday focused on materialism, but a “holy day” when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We can do it in a gentle and effective way by wearing the “God’s Gift – Merry Christmas” button. Don’t wait! Place your order by December 1 to receive it before Christmas.

Thank you for your vigilance. My prayer is that you and your family will have a meaningful Thanksgiving Day celebration.

God’s Gift – Merry Christmas
(click to order) Say “Merry Christmas” to you friends, your church, your school or your whole community by giving away these beautiful Christmas buttons or displaying a Christmas sticker on your vehicle. They are a great reminder that Jesus was God’s gift to the world and that He is the one we celebrate at Christmas.
Sincerely,

Tim

Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association”

Now as I see it, if one organization can adversely affect a trio of store chains with a campaign within a week or so, I know the individual effects of various organizations are influential upon the current administration.

Arkansas had its own Statewide Tea Party Conference Call. We know other states have had theirs. We also know there are many organizations out there that need to combine efforts: the 912ers, Conservatives, Libertarians, Oathkeepers, Christians, Reaganites, etc. We need to get together now and stop the idiocy of Washington on the Terrorists Trials in New York City, the Health Care Bill, the pussy footing around with the Terrorist of Foot Hood, and the overall hoodwinking of these United States of America. Who will make the merge, so that we can surge forward and be heard?

Aldebert fait le show……….un Pestacle pour petit et grands enfants……………… plein d ‘énergie et d’humour……………  passant du reggaë à la pop…………….. et même au métal !!!! Plongez  dans  l’univers d’une famille un peu loufoque, faite de rêves…………et de peurs……….

Donc  si vous n’avez pas eu la chance ……….comme  mes pt’is chéris………. d’aller  à l’ Olympia………….et que vous êtes de passage dans les Hautes Alpes, surtout foncez à la salle du Cube à Gap……….il n’y a pas d’âge pour faire des “enfantillages”…….!!!

…………..Enjoyourself…………le 16 décembre à 18h30 , la salle du cube à Gap ……………….

Le blog d’Aldebert

www.koifaire.com

Willy KF Gap

YOYOYO!

Waren letzten Samstag wieder mal auf Achse um geile Skate-Footage zu bekommen. Wir tourten also durch unsere Redneck-Nachbarstädte und es kamen auch 2, 3 coole Tricks zu stande, zum Beispiel dieser KF über ein “Dreck-Gap”.

Vielleicht wird es den ein oder anderen Leser freuen dass wir immernoch neue Footage drehen, es wird wohl schwer für uns einen Strich zu ziehen an dem wir sagen: Ab jetzt nix neues mehr.

Aber bis wir diesen Strich ziehen haben wir noch genug anderes Zeug zu ziehen. Haha!

Peace queers, Finch

Stella McCartney is doing more for Gap besides making fashionable clothes for precocious tots. She has also created a PRODUCT (RED) tee that features a crimson chain on a simple white tee. At $28, this tee is a graphic statement in the fight to find a cure for AIDS. Make this purchase and help make a change.

Click here to purchase.

Exklusiv bei Gap von Stella McCartney. Das T-Shirt kostet 28 Dollar

Warum haben wir keine GAP in Deutschland.

Existe uma fabrica em Sao Paulo (desculpe os acentos, estou num computador sem) que produz jaquetas de nylon e bermudas de surf para as maiores marcas do Brasil e do mundo. Eles fabricam para Siberian, Crawford, Zara, Gap, e muitas outras (inclusive as gringas). E claro, eles tem uma loja de fabrica, nem sempre voce encontrara estes produtos com as etiquetas, mas nao importa, a qualidade do produto e principalmente o preco compensam muito.

Jaqueta Abercrombie e Fitch

Comprei uma jaqueta de nylon, dessas que seguram qualquer inverno por 25 reais, desculpe, preciso repetir, jaqueta por 25 reais!!!!!!!

Para os homens, sempre tem jaquetas legais e as bermudas que eles adoram, para nos tem shorts no estilo surf tambem.

Bermuda surf

Vamos la, o principal, qual o endereco? Fica no Bom Retiro, esquina das ruas Solon com a Rua dos Italianos. E a fabrica se chama Marimper.

(a jaqueta e a bermuda sao somente exemplos para ilustrar, sao pecas semelhantes a estas, mas nao exatamente estas.)

Bjs,

Fe

The holidays are upon us and we decided it was worthy of our first joint posts, the MD  holiday gift guide 2009 parts I & II.  A selection of what we think would make fantastic gifts for that special guy in your life (or you know, us!). First up, Drew’s list:

1. Original rag socks $35 from Sundance. Classic, simple and totally holiday. I love my rag socks, they’re perfect in boots or just for lounging around the house.

2. The Amsterdam Moof Bicycle $795 from Sundance.  You might remember that I’ve posted about this bike before.  It is simply design at its best, and sure to be a classic.

3. The Stanley Flask $24 from Restoration Hardware. Just what you need to help carry that beverage of choice to keep you warm on those cold Christmas and New Years nights.

4. The Cabin Hat $39.50 from Martin & Osa.  This rag marl topper makes me think of Norman Rockwell New England winters.  It’s workwear without all the flannel and plaid.

5. PF Flyers Bob Cousy All American sneakers $60 from Piperlime.  PF Flyer need no explanation.  Get them.

6. Wool Hooded Plaid Zip-up Jacket $108 from Gap.  A great alternative to dropping some serious bills on a Woolrich Woolen Mills coat.  Enjoy American heritage workwear this winter.

7. Jack Spade Felt & Leather D.R. Tote $295 from Jack Spade.  By now you know that I have a Jack Spade obsession, and an ever growing collection of Jack bags. This is the perfect gift for those bag obsessed boys (or me!).

8. Sun-washed Flannel Shirt, $69.50 at J.Crew.  Ah, the “Crew”…we love J.Crew.  This will certainly keep that guy cozy and stylish.

9. Want Organic for J.Crew Da Vinci 72-hour Travel Bag $695.00 at J.Crew.  Speaking of bag obsessions, have you ever seen anything more perfect?  I thought not. Have I also  mentioned my J.Crew bag collection? I know, I have a problem…

10. Baracuta Jacket $275 at J.Crew. Continuing with J.Crew, a favorite from last winter this standby is a must have for those of us on the left coast enjoying warm winters.

11. Selvege Authentic Fit Jeans (dark rinse) $88 at Gap. Absolutely the best jeans I own.  A must.

12. Harris Tweed Laptop Case $98.50 from ACL & Co.  Michael Williams, the man behind the fantastic blog, A Continous Lean, is now offering some amazing items in partnership with designers like Billykirk, Cole, Rood & Haan, Co. and Mark McNairy.

For as long as anyone alive today can remember, the period from mid-November through early January has been know as the “Holiday Season.” On its face, the reason for the moniker is obvious: there are several holidays of significance observed by substantial portions of the population during this time, including celebrations by the major monotheistic religions, including, Christmas and Advent, Chanukah, Eid al-Adha and (sometimes) Ramadan, as well as the more secular Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, cultural celebrations such as Kwanzaa and even pagan celebrations such as Saturnalia or the Winter Solstice.

Most educated people understand why so many significant cultural celebrations coincide during these six weeks or so. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the time of year when the days grow shorter and the temperature plummets, when, in agrarian cultures, the harvest would have been complete and for there to be little left to do but to hunker down with friends and family and enjoy the fruits of the collective labor. Some of these holidays clearly share the same roots, while others have arisen independently, but the season is celebrated throughout much of the world for similar reasons. More succinctly, Jesus is not the (only) ”Reason for the Season.” The “Season” was here before he was born and it is still there in places that have never heard of him. Christians largely co-opted elements of several existing pagan celebrations, including the time of year to form a new holiday focused on Jesus’ birth.

Curiously, rather than take hear the biblical admonition to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15), as our Christian predecessors did when forming the Christmas holiday in the first place, a significant number of Christians have begun to voice opposition to, and even fear of, the notion that different people are celebrating different events of their own cultural importance during this time. The American Family Association has gone so far as to maintain a “nice” and “naughty” list of retail companies, declaring those who specifically (and apparently exclusively) mention “Christmas” as being “nice” and those who choose a more inclusive “Happy Holidays” to be “naughty.” Those who mention Christmas in some, but not all advertising are accused of “marginalizing Christmas.”

Judging the morality of companies based on the frequency with which a retailer mentions a particular holiday not only smacks of xenophobia, it also leads to some obvious and glaring contradictions. For example, AFA lists Bed, Bath and Beyond as “FOR Christmas” and Victoria’s Secret as “AGAINST Christmas” (capitalization theirs.) However, these two outlets are merely different iterations of the same parent company. Are we to honestly believe that the same management is simultaneously “for” and “against” a federally recognized holiday? What exactly constitutes being “against” Christmas anyway? Are the stores not closed, do they not give their employees a paid day off? Would it not make more sense to rate companies on charitable giving, social responsibility or treatment of employees and customers?

Meanwhile, Best Buy and the Gap are taking all sorts of flack for attempting to acknowledge what the population at large has no trouble handling, namely that there are many specific holidays during this time of year. In Best Buy’s case, they have decided to eschew the generic “Happy Holidays” for specific, named holidays as they occur. Thus, this week’s circular wishes a Happy Thanksgiving and acknowledges the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which takes place on November 27th this year. This should hardly be viewed as an affront to American or Christian values but rather opportunity. When Jesus encountered at Samaritan woman at the well, he did not focus on their differences, even when she brought attention to their divergent places of worship and practices. He focused on her as a person. Culturally, it is important to recognize that while estimates as to the exact number vary, it is undeniable that there are a substantial number of Muslims in the U.S.– certainly more than a million and possibly as many as eight million. Even splitting the difference at 4 million or so, that is as many Muslims in this country as Presbyterians! The parallels between Samaritans of Jesus’ day and Muslims of ours should not be dismissed. More practically, a corporation the size of Best Buy likely has hundreds of Muslim employees and thousands of Muslim customers. Does it really make in business or moral sense to ignore such a group?

Meanwhile, The Gap is taking heat for its light-hearted Old Navy ad that contains a “cheer” that dares mention Kwanza, Solstice and Hanukkah “celebrate whatever holiday you wanukkah!” This ad, according the AFA, warrants a full boycott by their members. To the “War on Christmas” crowd, this is an affront to their values, which apparently involve the exclusion of millions of people from the holiday season so that they can have their own holiday all to themselves.

Perhaps the wiser stance is to recognize that companies do not celebrate holidays, people do. Companies celebrate profit. It is not in there to exclude groups of potential customers on the basis narrow-minded groups. As people, we need to recognize that we are not only celebrating events of religious, historical or cultural significance but also each other. You can wish me a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, Festivus, Solstice or Saturnalia, and I will return the favor and the sentiment. This is what the spirit of the holiday season has been about for millennia and I do not intend to have it wrecked by a group that is so insecure as to feel threatened by neighbors with different beliefs. Instead of decrying the Muslim holiday in the Best Buy curricular, why not find a Muslim family in real life or on the Internet and ask them about it? You might learn something. And maybe, just maybe, they will learn something to. A healthy dialogue never hurts anybody.