as promised, and just in time for black friday and holiday shopping - here is the ultimate christmas wishlist for any modern mama - from practical to fabulous, this list has it all! …and to fit any budget (or behavior!) - whether you have been naughty or nice!

just leave this little list in plain sight for your hubby, significant other, or family to see and you are good to go! …and, just like the modern mama’s brain, it is in no particular order or sequence!  enjoy!

white house/black market cocktail dress - $178 - a perfect lbd for the holiday and can be also worn throughout the year - and this one is a bit more ‘forgiving’ with its flattering cut and swing to it - now you can enjoy the eggnog AND look fabulous doing it!

roxy light as a feather scarf - $22 - this scarf is as fun as it is functional - not to mention, love the bright bold color in the dead of winter!

wall candy arts – rococo chalkboard - $36 - i featured this treasure in a previous post…need i say more - this is a must have for any busy, modern mama!

harajuku lovers perfume - $45 - how cute are these?!  how cute are you with them?!  i say VERY! …and they are by the uber modern mama herself, gwen stefani!

dirt devil kurv handheld vacuum - $50 - i know the last thing you want under the tree is a hint that your housecleaning skills are not up to par, but this cute little gadget caught my eye due to it’s functionality and form! …bonus points if the gift-giver charges it beforehand, so you can quickly spring into action and vacuum up all the ripped paper and bows from the gift-opening frenzy.

dvf ‘catwalk’ luggage collection – prices vary - for any mama on the go, these ruffled numbers won’t ruffle your feathers or your wallet when you travel for business or pleasure.  …and what an easy way to spot your luggage since who else but the uber modern mama would have luggage so unique?!

prada crispy tote - $715 - it’s black. it’s waterproof. it’s handsfree. and, it’s PRADA…need i say more?!

nadri pave crystal bangle - $158 - every haute mama needs a little bling-bling in their lives, don’t you agree?!

juicy couture ‘angel’ logo boots - $198 - of course, no list would be complete without something from juicy couture.  these boots were made for walking…and shopping!

blackberry bold (prices vary) - your brain in a box.  a cool, electric box…it’s kind of like having your own personal assistant tucked in your handbag and with you 24/7 - and who couldn’t use that?!  (note: men would much rather shop for gadgets/electronics for women than shoes, purses, and handbags!)

sex and the city ‘the movie’ dvd - $17 - for those of us who grew up and had babies watching sex and the city (thus having less sex and venturing less into the city) - this finale movie is a keeper.  love the story. love the clothes. love the ending.

maybelline 50 second nail polish - $4 (in pink shock, berry boucle, plum intense, and mocha blast) - because what modern mama has more that a minute to do their toe nails?!

ipod shuffle - $49 - size doesn’t matter…at least with your ipod! this cute little number carries your favorite tunes on the go - you can even engrave it!  the only drawback is it is so small, it may be hard to find amongst all the crap in your gi-normous handbag!  (see note on blackberry bold!)

talking pedometer - $22 - we may all need this after having ‘too much christmas spirit’ this year!

kensie matte silver cropped jacket - $26.40 - no, i didn’t omit a ‘0′ - look like a million bucks with this adorable jacket that costs under $30!

hello kitty toaster - $25 - if you don’t cook, and even burn toast (like me!), why not have your toast be as cute as possible with the help of hello kitty?!

juicy couture ‘iconic’ pop top mittens - $55 - yup, another juicy item made the list.  i like how these convert from fingerless gloves to mittens…how else would you be able to dial your blackberry bold with mittens on?!

suddenly slimmer body wrap – prices/packages vary - i was a bit skeptical about this, but it really does work!  don’t get me wrong - it is no miracle pill (or wrap), but it does work. …not to mention, your skin feels silky smooth for days!

tiffany&co starfish pendant necklace - $265 - it’s always nice to get something in the little blue box - and this elsa peretti classic is one of their more iconic pieces that doesn’t break the bank.

dooney & bourke ‘giraffe’ wristlet - $75 - love the giraffe print and again, size doesn’t matter - this baby is big enough to just hold your phone, credit cards, $20 cash, and your car keys…priceless!

recently, there was an article online indicating that lipstick sales have historically been a financial indicator as to the plight of our economy.  the rationale being, women will pass on a pair of pricey shoes, or a handbag, but still need a way to satisfy their urge to shop and treat themselves.  i have heard this is true with chocolatier’s as well - especially those located within a high-end mall or shopping center.  women spend all day ‘window shopping’ and may not make a purchase (or as many purchases) due to the economy, so they decide to treat themselves to a $3.00 piece of decadent chocolate instead.  i know i am more cognizant about purchases i make these days.  so, my question is - what have you given up or changed from your lifestyle due to the current state of our economy?

…and speaking of lipstick - have you seen the show lipstick jungle?!  this has become my new PG-rated replacement of sex and the city, since that era came to a close with their movie finale.  i actually think i like this version better (written by the same author candace bushnell) because this show has a lot more diversity within its character mix, and is more about love and life - than just life and…well you know!

take this 10 second PERSO-NAIL-ITY TEST and find out what your favorite nail polish colors say about your personality!

here is what my fav choices said…and i think they’re right! - don’t forget to come back and share what your perso-nail-ity is!

on the wednesday morning after the most historic election of our time, i, like millions of others around the world, when on the internet to eagerly read insightful stories about the dawn of a NEW day coming. instead, most of the media outlets were overflowing with commentary (mostly negative) on michelle obama’s wardrobe choice for tuesday night’s grand stage. now, i have to admit, i for one, wasn’t ‘crazy’ about the dress myself, because i have seen her in the past really nail it - whether she was in an frock from old navy, a off-the-rack number from white house/black market, or haute couture – flat out, the woman’s got style. what i was CRAZY about was the fact that she didn’t conform to the past and wear the couture skirt suit and traditional string of white pearls that we have so often seen more demurely worn in the past. michelle’s dress – from the body conscious fit, to the fire-red bold print – said, “i am confident, strong, and will not conform or be the stereotypical first lady you have seen in the past.” it also speaks volumes that she is conscious of the current economic state of our country and she doesn’t need to spend 10k on an outfit just to look good (not that narcisco rodriquez is cheap).

as the ultimate modern mama, ms. obama probably also took into consideration that a bold, abstract print will hide any potential stains from the hand prints (and hugs!) from her two, beautiful daughters throughout the long day and night. (think of unknowingly showing up at a board meeting with two small ‘peanut-butter’ handprints on your brown suit from the last-minute hug you received from your wee one before heading out early for that all important meeting or a kool-aid kiss on your ivory pants…i’ve been there – we all have! - if it were a print, no one would have noticed – but pinstripes or solids don’t conceal a thing!

and, after all, she ain’t no dummy – she and barack are the most highly-educated/highest degree earners ever to become first lady and president. i am looking forward with anticipation to see how the next four years plus, roll out – and i am also looking forward to seeing this obama mama and her style and grace as the first lady and the first REAL modern mama in the white house! yes, there’s been other first ladies in the past that were mothers – but none came even close to being a true modern mama! it is clearly the dawn of a new day coming – from foreign policy to fashion, and everything in between!