Well, it is too late in the year to give you my best shopping tip, which is to be done by now, so we’ll just move on to the more timely practical stuff I can help with at this point before the panic sets in!

One Gift for All!
I have legions of cousins and it can be a ridiculous feat to buy individual gifts for each person, so I have often relied on one theme for the whole crew. One year I did music, one board games, another photo albums, that way everyone got something individual, but I wasn’t trying to come up with the perfect gift for each single person out of the whole world of choices. Limiting my possibilities saves me mental stress!

One such gift to be found here is slippers. You can’t go wrong giving people something cozy and guessing sizes is pretty easy- and you can always ask. Usually people aren’t sensitive about the size of their feet. Buying for folks in chilly, snowy climes you can pick fleece and shearling lined slippers.

Some slippers are strictly for indoors while others provide enough of a sole to make a quick trip to the mailbox. Or if you are lucky enough to enjoy the sunshine year round you can pick terry-covered slippers and flip-flop style slippers perfect for pool-side relaxing.

Sizes, Sizes, Sizes!
Yeah, trying to guess your mother-in-law’s size can be an ugly scenario that really takes the fun out of shopping. Instead of agonizing over choosing between sweaters that fit and labels that offend, you can comfortably select beautiful new purse or bag with confidence that it won’t upset anyone.

For the younger or cooler among your list look to Haiku or Keen for youthful colors and styles. For the hard-to-buy-for college student or older teen try Mimo’s Lucy bag or something by Webe for an off-beat funky look. Jane Marvel continues to produce great new bags ranging from the oversized carry-all to the sleek grab-and-go wallet in vivid patterns and colors that shake the norms.

Maybe just what you need for that twenty or thirty-something that combines work and a busy life. A professional put-together type person on your list? Try Baggallini for classic looks in new colors that will complement any professional wardrobe. Then, for the special one-of-a-kind bag look to Anuschka for gorgeous hand painted leather bags that are breathtaking works of art.

Free Bonus Stuff!
Isn’t it great when shopping is rewarded with free stuff? Yeah, I think so, too. I can either keep the bonus, include it with the original gift or even use an entirely separate gift! I love options. Several vendors on PlanetShoes.com are offering bonus goodies with a purchase this season (aka Gifts With Purchase), so be sure to check them out.

Teva and Bearpaw are giving away tote bags and CDs, BOGS is giving away socks for the whole family, Spira is giving away headband/ear warmers, Kenneth Cole and Sperry are giving away clothing, Skechers is including a free wristband/wallet, and Kamik is giving away the cutest if least practical freebie- an adorable owl named Oliver! So, look and see what boots, shoes, sandals and more might be just what you need to round out your shopping list then you can enjoy

Do you have Vegan friends? I sure do. Perhaps you have a stereotypical vegan in your head? Someone dressed in hemp and cotton that looks somewhat bohemian? Sure, that’s one kind of vegan, but as people discover the health benefits, decide to take a stand against the exploitation of animals and animal cruelty and the environmental benefits of veganism, their numbers are growing.

This means that veganism isn’t just for hippies any more folks! In fact, I have a lot of vegan friends who enjoy sleek, sophisticated styling but that are frequently stymied by the options that are out there. They like elegant and up to date clothing and accessories, but they have a heck of a time finding options that stand up to their values and have the look they want.

So I was happy to report to my circle that Planet Shoes is now carrying Jane Marvel bags! Jane Marvel bags are everything you could want – simple, elegant, colorful and vegan to boot! Every bag is made with laminated canvas and a polyester lining. Trim is made from cotton webbing, PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This material choice is fabulous, not only because it is vegan, but because it’s lightweight, easy to clean and virtually waterproof.

So here are some of the super cute Jane Marvel bag options!

Here is the Jane Marvel Satchel. This brightly striped purse with extra wide bottom for durability and stability is a perfect every day option. It has a convenient external zipper pocket and internal zipper pockets for your most important items.

This bag is super roomy and can carry just about anything you need and you’ll look great doing it! The chocolate brown handles make a fabulous contrast to the colors of the bag and are durable to boot.

The straps are also large enough to carry over the arm at the elbow or snugly up at your shoulder. This is a great bag for anyone from working mom to student on the go! Did we mention its vegan?

The Jane Marvel Overhead makes me happy. I’m a traveler and this bag is a great shape and size for those aggravating and shorter business trips.

It has a roomy front pocket perfect for wallet and cell phone during security and it has a comfortable, padded adjustable shoulder strap that’s detachable for everyday use. The sizable interior could either hold a change of clothes or anything you need for a flight. The styling is also super clean and elegant.

The simple two tone color scheme will work with any outfit and the fact that it’s not made from any animal materials will keep me guilt free as I go from airport to airport! This will certainly fit in the overhead compartment or tidily under the seat in front of you. I’m ready for my next trip, are you?

The Jane Marvel Hobo bag is a great shape and a standout every day bag. With a wide and reinforced bottom in contrasting faux leather, this bag will hold everything you need and more!

The comfortable adjustable shoulder strap is perfect for all day, every day carrying and like all Jane Marvel bags, this one is virtually waterproof, super easy to clean and very lightweight – at least until you fill it!

The Jane Marvel Hobo even comes with a sunglasses case to keep your shades safe and sound. One of the other aspects of this bag that I love is the adorable print that manages to be bright and cheerful but can be neutral any day!

Have you heard of WeBe Bags?

They’ve been getting quite a buzz lately, and not just because they’re made from recycled coffee coffee sacks (har har). Featured in stories in USA Today, the New York Post, Family Circle Magazine and SheFinds.com, WeBe bags are gaining ground as an eco-friendly and fashionable option for women (and men) who love a great bag. WeBe Bags are fashion forward, unique and creatively designed bags, totes and purses that are made from recycled feed, flour and coffee sacks.

Now sold in boutiques worldwide, we’re thrilled to be offering them here at Planet Shoes. This is the kind of company we love to highlight because the look is as fabulous as the story behind it!

The WeBe bag concept was born in the Caribbean as founders Tara and Angus Beavers watched Rastafarian ladies stitching sail cloth straps onto tough flour sacks to create durable market bags.

Although the bags were utilitarian in nature, they also had a great, whimsical look to them with the combination of color, texture and functionality. The founders took this innovative combination of form and function a step further, elevating the style, choosing colorful and bold graphic prints and adding linings and interesting shapes.

You’ll find cute purses with bamboo handles, classic totes incorporating fun prints and bold graphics from the original flourm feed and coffee sacks as well as deconstructed back packs and even larger duffel bags. There are so many reasons to love these bags!

1. They are made with recycled materials – and the recycled materials are durable and sturdy. These aren’t made to use for a season and toss away – you’ll be able to love your WeBe bag for years to come and we know you’ll draw attention and get compliments all along the way.
2. They are made with a classic styling that is modern and interesting without being too trendy. This means you’ll be able to use your WeBe bag with a ton of different looks and it will be a timeless accessory.
3. You never know exactly what you’re going to get! You order the shape, but you don’t know which kind of coffee sack, flour bag or feed sack they’ll be using to make bags that week, so the bag you get will be unique, fun and surprising!

So if you’re looking for a different bag this year – a bag that won’t break the bank, comes from an eco-friendlier company and creates high quality, interesting pieces that will last, then you need to take a close look at WeBe Bags!

I’ve got my eye on the Adjustable WeBe Duffle bag for my summer travel. Which one do YOU like?

We love The North Face! Their shoes and bags are made with durability and style in mind, so you can trek into the outback or look stylish but practical hitting the playground with the kids or heading off to school.

One of our favorite stars, Jennifer Garner, has been seen sporting a great The North Face backpack while out and about with her daughters.

The North Face Recon backpack is extremely efficient and streamlined with the ability to carry a lot without taking up a lot of space.

It can hold a laptop up to 17 inches and has a hydration port for long distance hikes and treks. Side pockets will hold water bottles or sippy cups! With a Daisy chain on the front you can easily hook on other gear.

The North Face backpacks are made to stand up to the test of time and this efficient back pack will get you where you need to go. You’ll even be emulating celebrity style while being super practical. What could be better?

I was speaking today with someone who loves Timbuk2. They love this brand so much they have three of the bags and this was literally her quote:

“I have one in every size. It basically documents my life. I have an extra large messenger bag from grad school when I toted books around with my laptop. I have a large messenger bag from when I started working in New York City and commuting on the train all the time and I have a small one now for day to day purse duties. Essentially, Timbuk2 has a bag for every stage of your life.”

This is typical of Timbuk2 bag fans. Their core market has traditionally been city goers who are always on the move and need a real utility bag to bring laptops, PDS’s, cell phone, accessories and even layers everywhere on their back. In fact, they were originally developed for bicycle messengers so you know they mean business.

They are so well made, subtly stylish, and so well designed for real every day use, that once you own one you become completely addicted. No matter how hard you are on bags, they remain easy to clean, the look good with a lot of wear and abuse and their virtually waterproof which is perfect for the urbanite on the go.

They also work hard on versatility offering multiple strap options for their larger laptop and messenger bags. This is key if you’re lugging around any laptop with a larger screen and you want to avoid major back and neck issues in the long run. These bags are also designed for safety when walking around at night. Not only will you find built in reflectors but there’s even a safety flasher attachment loop.

Here at Planet we’re offering two backpack styles as well – which will hold not only a laptop but whatever else you need to bring along as well. These are perfect for commuters and students who are more interested in stylish function that will last and protect their stuff than in the trend of the day.

The style of Timbuk2 is also smart and modern. They don’t make a bag that you’ll love one year and discard the next. They use simple colors, a bold and modern striped pattern and classic shapes that have just enough edge to never look dated.

My friend actually said that even though she has moved on from her XL and L Timbuk2 bags, she could still go back to them at any time because they’re in such great shape. This is really where Timbuk2 stands out from the competition – these bags can fit any lifestyle and even if you outgrow that old Timbuk2 bag, as your lifestyle evolves again you can just go back to the old bag and it’ll look great and function beautifully.

Check out our selection of Timbuk2 backpacks and messenger and laptop bags and enjoy knowing that you’re investing in a bag that will last as long as you want to use it. Well designed for today’s commuter, student or just for anyone who needs a great bag, Timbuk2 is waiting for you to become addicted to their bags!