It’s that time of year: holiday shopping season is upon us. Whether you brave the mall or go the route of online shopping, here are some ideas from our editorial staff to you.
Charlie Kesslering's Wish List
Beats Headphones By Dre
Crafted by the doctor himself, this set will finally leave my ears uninfected by the low-quality aural experience of other headphones. Providing a richness of sound only found in the studio, and bass to rival an SUV, these over-ear phones bump Jay-Z, Kanye and Kid Cudi with a purity the baby Jesus would endorse. $300 - bestbuy.com
Tortoise Wayfarers by Ray-Ban
Although I’ve managed to lose four pairs of Ray-Bans within the last year and a half (two to robber-barons, two to Davey Jones’ locker), the continued brightness of the Sun and lacking stylishness of my naked face inclines me take another go at it. Do they sell insurance for sunglasses? $109 - ray-ban.com
Three more wishes.
Do I really look that stupid?
Courtney Roger's Wish List
Amazon Kindle
I love to read a good book while I’m traveling and since I’m planning on doing a lot of that in Italy, I think a Kindle is going to be invaluable. With worldwide wireless access, a Kindle would let me download books anywhere in under sixty seconds. Added bonus: I’m hoping that some of my English classes next year will require books that are in the Kindle library. (Amazon.com)
Flip digital camcorder
This semester, I delved into blogging and gradually learned the ways of the web in terms of adding pictures and links. Next semester, I’m planning on stepping it up a notch and adding video, hopefully with a new Flip. This handheld camcorder has preloaded software to turn your videos into YouTube files and you can personalize it with one of hundreds of designs or by sending in your own image. (theflip.com)
A legit backpack
As much as I love both my fifth grade L.L. Bean backpack and my Vera Bradley duffel, my recent backpacking adventure taught me that more utilitarian luggage is the way to go for traveling light. I’m still figuring out which brand and style to go for, but in true wilderness princess fashion, what I’m really looking for is something pink. (sierratradingpost.com)
Avery Spofford's Wish List
Eurotrip
When you’re taking the “studying” out of “studying abroad” and going on a parentally-funded Eurotrip for the first month of the summer, it’s sort of hard to ask your parents for much else. What I got for Christmas: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, a week in Italy, the French Riviera, Provence, Barcelona and Madrid. Better than Tickle Me Elmo.
New digital camera
Mine is about seven years old, and while it has been a trusty companion through many tailgates, parties, road trips and family vacations, I think it’s time for the ol’ Nikon to retire. The blurriness and inconsistent flash it’s been dishing up lately are less than ideal for documenting aforementioned Eurotrip.
Foley and Corinna mini “City” tote in mahogany
I might be the only person I know who doesn’t already have this bag, or who hasn’t given up the hunt. I missed the boat on the City tote when it first came out, making it now impossible to hunt the bag down in the exact size and color I want. The tote comes in four sizes and a variety of colors, but I need, need, NEED it in mini mahogany … but at this point, I might settle for chocolate. Maybe this year Santa will end the cruel game of “City tote, mahogany – mid,” “City tote, black – mini” and finally deliver the perfect combination. Where to find: Never-Never land, Narnia, Saks circa 2008. If you find it, CALL ME.
Holly Meehl's Wish List
iTouch
My 30G ipod is now fully packed with songs and instead of getting the newer 160G classic, I’ve turned my attention to, as Apple calls it, “the next level of fun.” The best feature of the itouch is the Internet wherever you can access free wi-fi, so if Santa complies, I will never get lost in the London tube with never-ending maps in my back pocket.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (the movie)
I love Rupert Grint and I figure watching this film a few more times will help me perfect my British accent before I hop across the pond.
la Canadienne Galaxy Boots
I tried these on over Thanksgiving break, they’re super stylish brown suede tall boots with stitching on the side and a comfy wedge heel. But the real reason I want these fashion savvy boots is that they’re waterproof, which will be very helpful when I’m trotting through London’s rainy alleyways.
Nikky Okoro's Wish List
Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life.
This book includes the best of the best when it comes to translating runway style into one’s wardrobe. Written by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, creators of the site of the same name, the style guide features a lot of vivid imagery and examples for dressing up on any day.
Calvin Klein ‘Carley’ Suede Pumps
I first laid my eyes on these classic pair of heels when browsing through one of my favorite fashion blogs. Not only do these heels offer versatility, but also comfort, which would prove perfect for New Years Eve night. Also, though I’ve been advised not to bring heels when going abroad, I feel that these beauties would qualify as an excellent exception.
Statement Necklace
These bold pieces of jewelry are the perfect punch to any outfit and ensemble. They come in every shape, color, and kind and also are available at a variety of different prices and stores. Plus, they could prove to be an interesting conversation starter at upcoming holiday parties.
Zac Hunter's Wish List
A Jamiroquai album
For three summers I laid tile in the hot New Orleans heat and the only thing that kept me going were tunes. My boss and I swapped CDs and whistled while we worked – he introduced me to the magic of “Virtual Insanity” and “Cosmic Girl.” Few people bring the funk like Jamiroquai and no one has a voice like Jason Kay. As far as an album goes, I leave it up to you Pops. Pick me a winner.
A New Year’s Eve Galactic Ticket
New Year’s Eve is one of, if not the biggest nights in live music, and in my hometown New Orleans one act rains supreme – Galactic. The local jazz/funk band with one of-a-kind sound and a world-class drummer (Stanton Moore) plays the December 31st gig every year at the famous Tipitina’s (look at Versus’s Plug Your Scene: New Orleans, for more). Unfortunately the ticket is about $50 and this always seems to be the reason why my friends and I pass it up. If someone will buy it maybe it’ll force me to take advantage and go.
A framed jazz-fest poster
OK, technically I already got this one (I won’t be in town for the holidays and my parents wanted to spoil me a bit while I was home), but it is awesome. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival always features an artistic poster of a local musician painted by a local artist. 2009’s Congo Square poster showed up-and-comer Trombone Shorty sitting on the corner of Napoleon and Tchop outside of Tip’s. I’m very pleased.
Chris McDonald's Wish List
The Beatles Stereo Box Set
A collection of every Beatles album ever? Oh, and every recording has been remastered? Yes please. After the disastrous first transfers of the Beatles albums to CDs, producer George Martin and engineers Allan Rouse and Guy Massey have painstakingly worked to rectify the past. The Beatles Stereo Box Set (the Mono Box Set is also available) his shelves earlier this year featuring beautiful versions of every Beatles recording ever made in near-perfect, remastered quality. For a price between $200 and $300 dollars, this set doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a must have for any fan.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sure they may be bulky and quite pricey, but for audiophiles like me there is nothing better than a set of high-quality, noise cancelling headphones. If I am truly trying to listen to music (meaning not just running it in the background or working out to it), I want to hear every minute detail, and your standard IPod ear buds etc. don’t even come close to what companies like Bose put out.
Harmonica
What’s more badass than a guy with a guitar who can sing? Oh yea, how about a guy with a guitar who can also play the harmonica? And yes, I am serious. As my musical interests grow ever more broad and complex, I find myself longing for new sounds. And having become obsessed with the folksy sound present in artists or bands like A.A. Bondy, Delta Spirit, or Blitzen Trapper, I have come to learn that the harmonica is key.
