Looking for something new? Not in the mood to sniff 100+ bottles of perfume at your neighborhood Sephora? I’ve got a ton of delicious recommendations that will compliment that summer dress perfectly! Sure, you can go with your standard floral/fruity perfumes, but I dare you to be a little more bold this summer. You never know what that hottie at the beach will be into…

You may have to drop some elbows, but there's still time for some really good last minute gifts.

So it’s Christmas Eve, you just got home from school, and sometime between the TV marathons and the Facebook-stalking your BFFs on their tropical vacations, you realized you hadn’t done much Christmas shopping. And now it’s Christmas Eve and you still haven’t gotten those important people their gifts yet.

Uh oh.

Well, not to worry; It’s On has done your shopping  for you. I’ll tell you where you can still go today to get all of the holiday essentials. And don’t worry -I’m not sending you to CVS to pick up a box of chocolates and whatever other weird stuff they’re trying to sell by the checkout counter. There are some really legit stores staying open today for the lazy people of the world those busy last-minute shopppers.

Stick with me (and get ready to battle for some parking spots) and in the next few hours you’ll be home wrapping those special gifts for those special people.

In an effort to make things easier on everyone I’ve tried to identify 5 basic gifts – perfume, sweaters, hat/gloves/scarf set, bags, and entertainment – that people usually covet this time of year. And instead of my normal head to head match-ups, I’ve given you two stores per item that WILL BE OPEN today.

Oh and don’t forget to check out CouponCabin.com before you go; you may even still be able to snag some good deals today!

I know, I just saved your life.

Entertainment:
This includes iPods, iPhone/iPod Accessories, CDs, Blu-Rays and other things that you can find for the movie/TV/music lover. If all else fails – and you find yourself staring at a wall of DVDs and have no clue which they’d want – a 3-month membership to Netflix is never a bad idea. And you don’t even need to leave the house to get it.

Best Buy
(Not always the cheapest store, but they do have plenty of good coupons on everything from digital cameras to DVDs right now!)
9:00am-10:00pm

Game Stop
(You can grab a bunch of used games for cheap, new games, and some awesome gaming accessories. Like a new guitar for Guitar Hero. You know, so maybe your bro will let you play sometimes.)
10:00am-8:00pm

Perfume:
People LOVE perfume. And the best thing about buying perfume this time of year is that they all come in some pretty sweet gift sets. You can break these up into lots of smaller gifts for people you don’t want to spend a lot on (!!), or give the whole shebang to those super important people in your life. If you want a good deal (without having to buy some nasty grandma scent from 6 years ago), Macy’s and Kohl’s are your best bet.

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Kohls
6:00am-6:00pm

Bags
Most of the good stuff was picked over weeks ago, so you may not have much luck finding something cute with only a few hours until Santa hits the friendly skies. (The good news is, what’s left tends to be marked down a lot!) But if you wanna try, I recommend hitting up Target and Macy’s. If nothing else, at least you’ll have a large selection of other stuff to look through if they don’t have what you came for.

Target
7:00am-7:00pm

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Hat/Gloves/Scarf Set
This is essential, cheap and comes in a bunch of varieties to fit every style.

Target
7:00am-7:00pm

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Sweaters
The ULTIMATE multipurpose gift, sweaters can be found virtually everywhere, but, again, if you need quick, decently priced and before Christmas, there are two stores that will definitely have the best stock.

H&M
They have special hours in certain locations. I’d advise you calling your H&M of choice to find out specific hours.

American Eagle Outfitters
Again, call your store of choice to find when they close

The only other advice I can give you is to get moving early this morning. And wear comfortable shoes. Oh, and wear your seat belt. There is nothing more dangerous than a mall parking lot the day before Christmas. Nothing.

Until next year, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

So if you’re like me, part of the fun of being a girl is getting all beautified and purtied up. I mean, beyond the fun that is playing with makeup, what’s the point of putting together a cute outfit if your skin looks dry, your hair looks flat and you smell like a thrift store?

Obviously, my all-time favorite one-stop-shop for all my beauty needs is Sephora. That place has it all… not to mention you can pop in there while you’re shopping and freshen up with their variety of samples. (Confession: sometimes I’ll make Sephora my last stop so I can use all their expensive makeup to get ready for the night!) The sad fact is, beauty products are muy expensive-o and can quickly add up.

Good thing Sephora has a nice stock of too-good-to-be-true goodies for under $20. Let the beautification begin!

Nothing says winter like peppermint hot cocoa and marshmallows, and this Philosophy set helps ya carry that smell around all day. And considering Philosophy’s usual prices, this is quite a steal! Holiday Bonus: The boys’ll find your scent irresistible.

I bought this set a few weeks ago and it’s totally perfect for beauty on-the-go. It comes with a gorgeous palette of eye shadow colors, a blush and 4 choices of lip gloss.  For under $20, you really can’t go wrong.

If there’s one guy out there who knows hair, it is Frederick Fekkai. He’s got tons of products to get your hair lookin’ its best and this spray is by far the most fun. It adds a nice golden shimmer to your hair that’s perfect for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. Healthy, shiny hair? Yes please.

Perfume rollerballs are a great way to carry around a fragrance for those long days when you need to re-apply. (Like after that 100 question exam that left you sweatin’.)  I love this Stella McCartney scent, but they have a whole lot of options to choose from if Stella isn’t your girl.

Everyday essentials by Bare Escentuals? That are 100% natural? That will make you look perfect without making you break out? I can’t think of anything more heavenly.

If you’re a big Diet Coke/coffee drinker, these Go Smile Touch Up sticks are for you. You just pop one open and it will freshen your breath (because coffee breath is rank) and prevent stains from forming on those pearly whites (because yellow teeth are ranker…)

Bliss creams are. the. best. OMG. I can’t say it enough. This stuff rocks. It smells good, it absorbs quickly, it keeps your hands soft and it’s small enough to fit in your bag.

And for those days when you’re surrounded by snow, stuck in the library and all you can think about is a tropical vacation, try this lovely scent. It’ll take you to Hawaii…for under $20.

One more thing: If you aren’t already a member, be sure to sign up for the Sephora Insider Pass. It’s a free club that gives you points with every purchase and sends you awesome perks (like free $15 gift cards, birthday gifts and more). Yay, Sephora!

There are many beauty freaks out there like me and trust me, we don’t ever get sick of unwrapping new beauty supplies for the holidays! I love the sweet smell of lotions and perfumes, eyeliners and mascaras! Honestly, I’ll take beauty products over another gift card to Bloomies, any day. Let’s be honest, I’ll end up spending that on stuff at the MAC counter anyway.

Most of the beauty supply stores are doing huge doorbusters and giving away lots of free stuff, so you can snag plenty of swag to get your friends. We beauty freaks appreciate the little fragrance samplers and mini tubes of lipstick, so I’ve put together the perfect guide for your beauty obsessed friends!

The Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster
This $400 value makeup kit is selling for just $48! That is a HUGE steal! It contains 84 eyeshadows, 60 lipglosses, lipliners, eyeliners, some brushes and a book with instructions for various looks. It all folds together neatly in a portable case and is definitely the most versatile gift you can get one of your beauty freak friends!

ULTA 3-in-1 Shower Smoothies
1. These bottles are gigantic. I’ve had one last me a year and a half.
2. They smell delicious and don’t leave an overpowering scent after.
3. They come in tons of flavors like Appletini, Pink Champagne, Chocolate Milkshake, and holiday flavors like Gingerbread Cookie and Candy Cane!

Right now they’re only $8.99 AND buy 2 get 1 free! That’s a major deal!

The Clarisonic Mia
I put this beauty tool on my Christmas list and it’s the only thing I want this year. The wonderful folks at Clarisonic have released a smaller and cheaper version of their skin cleansing brush. This tool is revolutionary for skincare. It gently exfoliates and gets all of that makeup, dead skin, and dirt off of your face leaving you with smooth, silky skin. The kit includes the Clarisonic Mia, charger, a sensitive brush head, and a trial size gentle cleanser. If you order from Clarisonic directly, you get a free gift and you can personalize your gift with an engraving!

Benefit BADgal World’s Best Mascaras
Benefit makes some great mascaras, and this duo of plum and black mascaras makes a great stocking stuffer! I’ve used both of these, and they’re amazing products. The plum instantly brings out the color in eyes, and everyone needs a good black mascara for everyday wear.

Deluxe Fragrance Sampler
Finding a good perfume is hard. Have you ever tried sniffing all the newest scents at the store? If you don’t end up with a headache, you do end up with some awful scent because they all start to smell the same. Well, not with this little kit. It comes with 12 samples of new fragrances that she can actually try on and take for a test drive and a voucher that your giftee can bring to Sephora to redeem for a free full size bottle of a fragrance she loves best!

Bedhead Mini Styling Iron
There is nothing worse than spending 30 minutes straightening your hair in the morning only to walk outside and have it frizz out in seconds. That is why every girl needs her own travel flat iron. This one is super cheap and the perfect size to throw in a messenger bag. She can fix her hair between classes, at the gym… the possibilities are endless.

Not Soap Radio Sorority Products
If you have a long list of sisters to gift to this year, Not Soap Radio’s line of sorority inspired goodies will do the trick. They’ve got everything from hand lotion to face palettes personalized for every chapter out there. The packaging is adorable and the products are really great, too.

Hey, Kristin: apology NOT accepted!

Lady Gaga…before she got all kinds of crazy.

Back-to-school fashion at its finest.

Oh you know. Rihanna looking fabu as always.

Now THOSE are some lashes.

Wear your perfume. Literally.

Although I have fallen in love with Lush’s unique products and packaging, it is the company’s goals and mission that keeps me coming back (and spending the extra cash).

They make it their business to use fresh ingredients, make the products by hand (how many places actually do this anymore?), not partake in animal testing, and protect the planet by making the products ‘green’ or vegetarian/vegan friendly. With minimal preservatives in their products, I have truly been refreshed by the products I have tried and I believe that using fresh products like seaweed and avocados has made a difference in the way these bath bombs and gels work.

Buying cosmetics is important to every girl, but in the current state of the economy, spending money on lavish products may seem silly. However, with a company promising to help the environment and its customers with the freshest and hand-made products, dishing out the extra few bucks is worth it… especially when it comes to these guys:

Shampoo Bars: This is probably my all-time favorite beauty invention. Instead of traditional liquid shampoos, these bars come in a circular form and all you have to do is lather the bar in between your hands and then apply it to your hair. Want direct contact? Just rub it on your scalp, and prepare for the suds to take over. Although each bar is 1.9 oz for $9.45 (a little steep, especially in this economy), I promise that they last over and over again (if you follow directions and don’t keep them submerged in water). According to Lush, these bars last “for around 80 washes, saving three plastic bottles along the way.”

My personal favorite is Karma Komba, which is supposed to help prevent tangles, but other bars work for other reasons like the Soak and Float which protects against dandruff and the Hard Solid Shampoo which is made for those that live in “hard water areas.” If you have to try one Lush product, I would recommend this more than anything else. Not into the bars? Lush also has liquid shampoos and conditioners available.

Bath Bombs: Lush is probably best known for its bath bombs, which come in two sizes (big and bigger). For example, there is the Big Blue bath bomb (6.3 oz) and the Big Big Blue bath bomb (28.2 oz). Either size is perfect to cut and divide up into a few baths, no need to use the whole bomb all at once. Once these amazing balls hit the water, your bath will explode into a sizzle of fizz and scent. Colorful and creative, each bomb has its own personality. With the Big Blue bath bomb, seaweed makes its way out of the ball and turns your bath into an instant ocean, while the Supernova bath bomb turns your bath into a party, complete with confetti.

Lush has a variety of bath bombs, so finding one that fits your mood or personality will be no problem. Unlike other bath bombs, Lush has a scent that will linger and stay long after the water is down the drain, and it will leave your skin feeling silky smooth beyond comparison to other similar products. Although these innovative bath time products make a dip in the tub extra fun, the only downside is that the seaweed, confetti, or other special ingredient may clog the drain.

Buttercreams: According to the Lush website, “Buttercreams are a luxurious blend of 15% soap – enough to get you clean but not make masses of lather – and 85% natural, skin-softening butters, glycerine, plant infusions and essential oils.” Although buttercreams can be used in the shower or the bath, it is best to use them cold. Put them in the fridge or the freezer and before getting in the shower or bath, cut a small chunk off and prepare yourself to be pampered. My only qualm with the buttercreams is that the scents like Heavenly Bodies, which is aimed at chocolate lovers, or Ring of Roses, which is covered in rose petals, doesn’t stay and the creamy, softness promised rubs off fast.

And these products are just a few of the extensive Lush product line. Want the most unforgettable bath that will actually keep its bubbles and scent an hour into it? Go for a Bubble Bar. Sick of the same old perfume? Try one of the company’s solid perfumes, which come in lip balm type pots. Guys, want to plan a special evening for your girlfriend? Get a massage bar and give her the spa treatment yourself. From body lotions to shaving creams to solid soaps, there is something for everybody. And with vibrant colors and clever names, shopping at Lush (whether in one of its stores or online)  will be a unique cosmetics shopping experience.

Move over Bath and Body Works, Lush is definitely here to stay!

Oh, if only I could gather the courage to rob a bank. Sigh.

Luckily there were also some ads for the fall’s amazing new perfumes that don’t require me to go all Dark Knight on a neighborhood bank!  No, they aren’t exceptionally cheap, but they are from great designers and smell wonderful. And they last forever, so they really aren’t that expensive in the long run. Besides, it’s about time I accept the reality that it’s nearly fall and put away my “Instant Vacation” perfume.

The new fall scents below are so delicious (and their bottles so adorable!) that the transition into fall will be an easy one. You might even start counting down to it.

Marc Jacobs – Lola: Marc Jacob’s Daisy perfume bottle is so pretty it almost doesn’t matter what delicious scent is inside, and the same can be said for his new perfume, Lola.  At first I thought it was a bit over-the-top, but on the right girl it can be simply lovely.  The notes include pear, grapefruit, rose, fuchsia, and geranium.  Right now it is exclusive to Bloomingdales, and is between $65 and $85.  It smells so good and will look so pretty on my dresser that I’m considering the hour-long drive to my nearest Bloomies.

Dolce & Gabanna – 1, 3, 6, 10, and 18.  What happened to the missing numbers, I don’t know, but these five new perfumes from D&G are each represented by a celeb, like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer.  They are made for men and women and while their bottles may not be something to fawn over, they are clean and simple.  Vogue provided samples of 3 (L’Imperatrice) and 18 (La Lune).  3 was light and florally and 18 was a bit muskier and heavier. Clearly there is something for everyone. The fragrances will be available in September, at which point I might have to invest in a little #3.

Michael Kors – Very Hollywood: The bottle is the epitome of cute and very reminiscent of Elle Woods.  The scent includes notes of jasmine, raspberry, and mandarin, so it seems to be the perfect scent for those of you rocking the fruity summer sprays from Victoria’s Secret.  The perfume also has its own sparkly website displaying a whole slew of other products, including a scented pen.  Take a blue book with that thing and your prof will have no choice but to slap an “A” on that badboy.

Now all I have to do is decide which perfume smells the best…or which will make the best decoration in my new apartment.

Err, well, kind of, anyway; it turns out that being home for summer vacation does not mean that it’s actually summer weather.  So, unfortunately I am not sitting on a beach (I tried, but the wind was cold and my leg hair grew back in 4 seconds) and went on a hunt to find fragrances that remind me of the beach (and that have super cute summery bottles!) instead.

So take a timeout from your finals, put on a bikini and spray one of these summertime fragrances. It won’t make the 80 degree days come any sooner, but you’ll smell so good you just won’t care.

Lilly Pulitzer Beachy: Nothing screams summer to me more than a Lilly dress, and the perfume is the same way.  It comes in an adorable bottle and includes scents of watermelon, citrus, and flowers. This scent will really take you from late-night-in-the-library to iced-tea-with-sand-between-your-toes in just one little spritz.

Mark (by Avon) Instant Vacation Costa Rica: This fragrance is worth more than its $16!  Its tropical fruit aromas can easily make you feel relaxed and take you away from your finals. In fact, this may be the exact thing to throw into that bag before heading off to the ‘brary for another all-nighter.

Michael Kors Fiji: Michael Kors has four summer island scents; Fiji, Hawaii, Bermuda, and Capri, but Fiji seems to be the best rated.  Fiji has scents of waterfalls, birch wood, mangos, and kiwis. A cheap “trip” to Fiji? Thank you, Mr. Kors!

Calvin Klein One Summer: This light fragrance is perfect for hot summer days or nights and is meant to be for guys or girls.  Plus if you order from Sephora now you can get a free beach towel! Just spray yourself down, lay out on your towel in your living room and play some Beach Boys for an (almost) Spring Break part deux.

Lolita Lempicka L: Okay, I’ll be honest, I am basically including this perfume because its bottle is the weirdest/coolest/most fun thing I’ve ever seen. According to the description, this perfume “embodies an ancient mariner myth, with the sea for a background and a mermaid for a mistress.”  I don’t even know what that means, but mermaids are usually pretty summery so I don’t see how this could go wrong.

If you, by chance, decide that you would like to smell like “Spring 2009,” some of the fragrance trends for this season include:

-Limey (But who really wants to smell like the aftermath of a tequila shot?)

-Sandalwood with creamy lactones (Such as coconuts, which your nose considers synonamous with the beach)

-Deep, dry amber notes (Yes, the gem)

-Rose Violet (Featured in almost all perfumes)

-Tuberose orange flower (Huh?)

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking. “Thanks? Am I supposed to go a market now and rub a tuberose orange flower all over myself?” Well, you can if you want to, but an easier way to create that spring scent-track (like a soundtrack for your nose) is to hit up your local Sephora and check out the newly featured perfumes created for Spring ’09. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dolce & Gabbana L’Eau The One is technically the same as “The One,” but with a twist. Some of the notes included are peach, vanilla, and amber, making this perfume “Divinely fresh and luxuriously fruity.”

Lilly Pulitzer Wink is reppin’ several of the trendy spring notes in this extremely girly pink and green bottle. The smell of violet, amber, and rose, among others, will definitely have you thinking Spring (and that is enough to get you through the rest of this dreadful winter).

C L E A N Simply Soap has some serious “rolling around in just cleaned sheets” feeling with the trendy notes of rose oil, violet, and musk that will probably make you decide you “randomly” want to go roll around in just cleaned sheets. Outside. During a picnic. Get where I’m goin’ with this?

In today’s economy (and in college) it is pretty difficult to go out buy every scent you desire. So be the innovative student you are and try to create something yourself with oils, fruits, spices, or flowers. It will allow you to have your own unique scent for “Spring 2009” that no one can duplicate!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be bringing you beauty gift ideas galore! Each week, you’ll discover gifts of a certain category. Up this week are the most fabulous fragrance gifts money can buy. You’ll not only want to give these to others … you’ll so want to gift yourself a bit too.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Refillable Purse Spray Set

The sweet and sexy fragrance — infused with notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, amber, caramel and vanilla — takes on a new twist in a set of three purse sprays and a refillable atomizer. You’ll be good to go for months — and best of all, the atomizer will look beautiful when you pull it out of your clutch!

$50 at sephora.com

Clean Rollerball Fragrance Set

Shower Fresh. Ultimate. Warm Cotton. One smells better than the next in this set of three rollerball fragrances — though our fave is definitely Warm Cotton, which smells exactly like fresh laundry.

$48 at cleanperfume.com

Clinique Happy-To-Go

When we were younger, we loved scribbling on our hands, knees, even our jeans with pens whenever we were bored in class. (Should we not admit that?) Well, this scribbling might be found a bit more acceptable — because the three fragrance pencils in this set, which include Happy, A Wealth of Flowers and A Hint of Citrus, are designed to be scribbled all over your skin! Best of all, they can be worn alone or layered — and they even come with a handy dandy pencil sharpener.

$30 at qvc.com

Vera Wang Look Eau de Parfum

The bottle is modern and refreshingly uncluttered. The scent is fresh and clean, thanks to notes like lychee, golden apple and watery greens. It looks fabulous displayed on a vanity and it smells unbelievable on the skin. What’s not to love?

$70-$90 at bloomingdales.com

Sephora Brand Scent Sampler Best Sellers For Her

Not sure what your bestie’s signature scent is? Well, good news — this set comes with a whopping 10 different ones for her to try! Give her the gift of choice with scents like Calvin Klein Euphoria, Stella McCartney Stella, Vera Wang Princess, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B. and so much more. And the best part? It comes with a voucher that she can redeem for a full-sized bottle of her very favorite one!

$50 at sephora.com

Philosophy Grace Amazing Grace Layering Collection

Our fave scent from Philosophy now comes in three fab products — their signature 3-in-1, a fragranced shimmer lotion and a bottle of perfume, natch. And it’s all packaged in such a pretty box that it would be a shame not to keep this one for yourself!

$55 at philosophy.com

Harajuku Lovers Solid Coffret

Love. Lil’ Angel. Music. Baby. Gwen herself. Is it any shock that these little solid fragrances are the absolute cutest things this side of Gwen’s stage? Each is sweet and sassy, reflecting the Harajuku girl it represents. And you’ve gotta admit, they’re pretty darned adorable!

$60 at sephora.com

Stella McCartney Stella Holiday Gift Set

One of our all-time fave fragrances has now become a unique giftable for the holidays. The heady perfume finds its way into a scrub and body lotion, as well as the aforementioned fragrance, to create a gift set that makes us all tingly with delight.

$87 at nordstrom.com

Sula Roll-On Perfume Collection

Perfect for satisfying each and every fragrance craving, the six scents in this rollerball set include the sweet Vanilla Blossom, zesty Sun-Kissed Citrus, heady Blackberry Blush, succulent Champagne Sugar, intriguing Butterfly Kiss, and hearty Stiletto Musk.

$36 at ulta.com

Jo Malone Tasting Kit

One of the brand’s most-loved fragrances — Pomegranate Noir — is held within a beautiful leather box along with tiny bottles of three of its best notes, Raspberry, Casablanca Lily and Guaiacwood. The end result is a fun experiment in combining fragrances that helps you make this one all your own.

$110 at jomalone.com