I have complained on numerous occasions regarding the unpopularity of my name. You have all been invited to multiple pity parties chronicling the difficulties involved in finding personalized items for myself. My name is not a common one. I am not your average Joe or Jo-Ann. I am not every Tom, Dick or Harry. I am Samara, and although I have had a cute bag and pair of ballet flats named after me, I continue to find myself looking for more.

Lo and behold, I have recently stumbled upon a virtual treasure trove of personalized items, not for me, but for those who love me.

Friends, family, boyfriends, co-workers, confidantes, fellow college alumni and Let'sTalk Stylers of all ages, now you can celebrate yours truly (your favorite style blogging hostess with the mostest) with an entire line of Samara gifts - just in time for the holiday season.

O come let us adore me.

Show your unwavering devotion to me on your chest with these Samara approved tees that are hot off the screenprinting presses. Choose from basic tees, ringers, sweatshirts, hoodies and even onesies for babies who come out of their mamas' wombs loving me, just waiting until they can form complete sentences so they can Ask Sammy a few baby style related questions.

It doesn't stop there. Shop for totes, caps, keychains, coffee mugs, mousepads, aprons, stickers, buttons and more Samara worshipping paraphernalia that tells the world that I rule.

You like me, you really like me.

A few words for Tiger Woods who has recently exhibited unstylish and unsportsmanlike behavior.

1. Don't cheat on hot Swedish swimsuit model wife. It's poor form.

2. When calling your ho regarding secretive matters involving protecting your identity, don't preface the message by saying "Hey, it's Tiger".

3. Don't crash your SUV into fire hydrants. Dogs need to pee there.

4. The next time you feel the urge to play with your club, stroke it alone, in the privacy of your own home.

One more swipe at Tiger, and then I promise I'll move on to more fashionable topics.

Hello Sammy,

Bruce
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Hello Bruce,

Thanks for your question.

I'm a big stocking girl. Wait, that didn't sound right. More accurately, I'm a petite-sized stocking girl who is a big fan of the Christmas stocking.

Sometimes my guy loves what's hidden inside my stockings even more than the big gigantic gifts nestled under the tree. Wait, that came out wrong. I didn't mean stockings that I'm actually wearing. You know what I mean. When it comes to stuffed stockings, I love both giving and receiving. Wow. You know what, let's just get to the gifts.

Here are my suggestions for little trinkets that will get you big marks with your lady this Christmas.

1. Love Wood Block Statement Rings - Christmas isn't Christmas without a little toy in your stocking. She may be too old to play with dollies, but these Wood Block Statement Rings from Delight.com are only $24 each and have love written all over them.

2. Sexy Little Things Shimmer Powder - Chicks love smelling good and things that are sparkly. Let her mist herself with this pink shimmer power that comes in a sexy little bottle with a sexy little atomizer from sexy little Victoria's Secret for $25. Then feel free to have a little sexy time.

3. Sprayology WomanPower - The holidays are a stressful time for her. She has tons of shopping to do, dozens of Christmas cards to send out and dysfunctional families who have flown in from Denver to deal with. She may not be in the mood, regardless of the sexy little shimmer powder she just opened. Give her a hit of Sprayology's WomanPower, and prepare to hear her roar with a libido enhancer that will have you both jingling all the way.

4. No matter how serious the relationship is, you can never go wrong with anything, I repeat anything from Tiffanys.

Trust me Bruce, these stuffers will knock her stockings off.

I did it again.

xoxo,

sammy

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Zappos has always held a very special place in my heart. Whether I was in desperate need of new spring wedges, strappy bridesmaid heels for the summer or sexy leather boots for winter, Zappos has always been there, wooing me with their free 365 day return/ exchange policy, their 24/7 customer service assistance and of course, their stellar selection of zapatos (that's Spanish for shoes).

Not only does Zappos indulge my unhealthy obsession with zapatos, but they also pamper me with the poshest selection of designer handbags, jewelry, clothing and fragrances in addition to my beloved footwear. Yes, I have spent many hours frequenting the Zappos.com website drooling over webpage after webpage of merchandise. Imagine my delight when I discovered that they now have a lush catalog that will soon be coming to a mailbox near me!

Holy heels Zappos, that's fantastic!

Now, I don't even need a Wi-Fi connection to find all of my favorite brands in clothing, shoes and fashion accessories including Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, 7 For All Mankind, Lucky, True Religion, Calvin Klein and others. I can still order online or I can also call their toll-free number to enjoy actual human contact.

Thank you Zappos. You must have read my mind because I'm cuckoo for catalog shopping. I'm a self-professed Catalogs.com addict, where I get my pick of yummy fashion catalogs delivered to me every month. There's a big difference between shopping through a website vs. shopping via catalog in my humble opinion. In a catalog I get to see an actual model decked out in the shoes/bags/clothes I'm eyeing, and I get to see ensembles carefully styled and put together.

If you can't wait for Zappos to zap you over the latest issue, view the current Zappos Life Catalog online.

I'm living la vida Zappos.

Built by Wendy's effervescent indie designer Wendy Mullin has built a fashionable enterprise by presenting a fresh, hip and modern take on traditional attire. With fans like Sofia Coppola, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams and Zooey Deschanel under her handcrafted belt, Ms. Mullin has built herself quite a legacy.

Yeah yeah yeah, you're bummed because you don't have the cash to splurge on Wendy's newest collection. Sew what?

Now Wendy is offering you a chance to build your own outfits that can be cut from the same cloth with these fab Built By You patterns that will help you update your wardrobe for a mere $14.95 (needle, thread, fabric and handiwork provided by you).

The Built By You collection features a dozen patterns comprised of tempting tunic, mini dress, pretty pant, top and jacket pattern combinations, with up to three patterns included per package for sizes 4-12 or 12-20.

Follow the pattern exactly, or make it your own.

If Wendy can sew it, sew can you.

Happy Bday Nessa!

I can't believe you're turning twenty today, my how you've grown. It seems like just the other day you were singing/pirouetting down the Disney halls cashing paycheck after HIgh School Musical paycheck, engaging in underage drinking and posing in naughty nudie pics that scandalously surfaced on the internet. Ah, good times, good times.

Keep smiling and showing off those cute little dimples Vanessa and remember, just one more birthday and you and Zac-ipoo can finally drink legally.

Perhaps it's because I live in Miami where it is a momentous occasion if the temperate drops below 60 degrees, but I simply do not understand the allure of the fur trapper hat.

I know they're considered elegant and wintery chic when prancing down the runway, but I would not wear one out of the house unless I was going to a costume party as Davy Crockett or Marge Gunderson from the Coen Brothers epic masterpiece Fargo.

Again I understand, baby it's cold outside and you want to keep your noggin' warm. I'm not hating so much on the plaid ear-flapped Elmer Fudd variety, but when it looks like you actually killed da wabbit and have it nesting on your head, yeah, I have a problem with that.

A snuggie is cozy, but you wouldn't wear that out in public, would you?

***The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the people who work in close proximity to me.

Paris, je t'aime... (The city in France, not the Hilton.)

I'm longing for a Parisian getaway this winter but my I've exceeded my holiday gift budget by a few extra dollar signs, so the closest I'll get to gay Paree this holiday season is eating a très buttery french croissant and spraying myself with a sample of some fancy eau de toilette at the fragrance counter of Nordstroms.

I may not be able to shop on the home turf of Chanel, Dior, Gaultier, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, but I can still add a taste of french flavor to my wardrobe with the meager francs left in the emergency pocket of my baguette.

deLiA*s captures all the charm of the young Parisian mademoiselle with an adorable pair of French tees for $26.50 each. I can't choose between the Say Cheese Tee and the Bonjour Tee, but I'll save $10 if I buy two, so I'll probably go for the deux.

Add a hint of Parisian bling by wearing the Eiffel Tower on your ears and neck with this enchanting Paris Night Jewelry Set from Forever21. I'm also digging these Lily Allenish Paris hoops for $2.80.

If anyone needs me I'll be enjoying a cup of General Foods International Coffee in French Vanilla and french kissing under the mistletoe.

She stole our hearts on the big screen as a madeover LA cutie in Clueless, a rich girl-turned-nanny in Uptown Girls and a frazzled newlywed in Just Married...and now she is gone.

It was a shock for everyone to hear reports that actress Brittany Murphy died yesterday at 10am at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, after reportedly going into full cardiac arrest.

She was bubbly, she was vivacious and had a laugh that was completely infectious. She leaves behind an incredible filmography with an even number of comedic gems as well as dramatic turns that made us first sit up and take notice of the girl and all her Murphy charm.

Ashton Kutcher (Brittany's Just Married co-star and ex-boyfriend) and I are rarely on the same page, but yesterday when he tweeted - "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine" - we were indeed, both on the same Twitter page.

I couldn't have said it better myself Ashton.

We'll miss you Brittany.

Dear Sammy,

Chrissy

Dear Chrissy,

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the makeup can be so delightful.

During the winter months we celebrate the birth of Christ and the fact that our makeup is no longer melting and sweating off, but in exchange for the lack of oil slicks we must endure dry patches, anemic complexions and flaky lips that are not ideal for smooching Santa underneath the mistletoe Christmas Eve night.

When it comes to adapting your winter makeup routine, make sure you double up on the moisturizer and try my trifecta of holiday cosmetic charms that will take your face from Bah Humbug to Ice Princess in a matter of minutes.

The holidays are all about the glitter Chrissy. Add a little snowflake sparkle to your eyelids with a few swipes of Urban Decay Eyeshadows available in fifty or so shades ranging from rich gold to sultry plummy purple. You'll have fun playing with color while incorporating a hint of sparkle, shimmer and metallic bling to your lovely lady lids.

It's too cold to hit the beach but that doesn't mean you have to be a whiter shade of pale. Save your skin from sun damage while achieving a healthy looking winter tan that all of your friends will be jealous of with a dab of Tanning Bed in a Tube from Too Faced. Just remember, a little dab'll do ya.

If you haven't had time to send out your Christmas Cards, satisfy your pucker while sharing some last minute sentiments to your best galpals with these Holiday GlossyGreeting Cards from CARGO. They come in a set of 5 cards adorned with a tiny button of lip gloss in Bora Bora (a flattering shade of vibrant rose) built right in. Best of all, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

p.s. They all make up great stocking stuffers.

Have a jolly glossy Christmas Chrissy.

xoxo,

sammy

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Happy Post Christmas Weekend everyone!

I just stumbled upon this old Hoover holiday advertisement and had to share because it seemed like an ad the Mad Men at Sterling Cooper would've come up with (without Peggy Olson's help).

Question - Would you have been happier if you woke up Christmas morning to find a Hoover vacuum under your tree?

I would have felt something, but happy isn't the adjective that comes to mind.

Is it just me or does this gift cry out - "Merry Christmas honey! Now go clean the floor."

No offense Hoover, I think you make brilliant vacuum cleaners, but I was plenty happy with finding purses, perfume, a TomTom GPS, gift cards, cash, jewelry and more purses under my tree.

And personally, I think giving someone a vacuum cleaner for Christmas sucks.

As Americans, we the people are entitled to certain inalienable rights...

1. The right to exercise our freedom of speech
2. The right to bear arms
3. The right to a trial by jury
4. The right to bear chic eyeglasses.

We are living in hard times my fellow Americans, but Oh say we still need to see. As my vision continues to deteriorate month by month, I have grown tired of digging in the bargain bins at my local drugstore for affordable frames, but thankfully I found a new go-to site for specs and it is my patriotic duty to pass it on - GlassesUSA.com

At first glance, I was beyond impressed with the prices of these haute glasses and found myself nodding my head like yeah, moving my mouse like yeah! From rimless to retro and fashion forward frames, I was more thrilled than a child twirling a sparkler on the 4th of July to finally find a selection of affordable eyeglasses that didn't look like they belonged on Mr. Magoo. When placing my order I was tickled to find that the cost included not only my stylish frames but my prescription glasses in their entirety, lenses as well.

Mine eyes have seen the glory!

Which eyeglass frames did I choose? The Independence Browns won my popular vote, making me feel like the independent woman that I am with a nice bit of added bling at the temples, but the Hilarie Reds and the Lady Liberty glasses would surely make me the life of any political party.

Besides featuring top quality lenses in the hottest frames available (starting at hello, $18) Glasses USA has also done their part to ensure that we all have access to the proper vision care. Instead of restocking their returned prescription glasses (as is the case with most optical stores) GlassesUSA recycles them, donating them to various organizations around the US who then sanitize and redistribute them with the correct prescription to people all over the world who can’t afford them. It's their American way.

Shop with coupon code Mommy5 for 5% off of your final order.

God bless America and God bless GlassesUSA.

Sammy,
Help! I was just invited to a New Years party last minute. What do I wear?

Thanks,
Betsy

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This is going to be the easiest Ask Sammy post ever.

I have two words for you Bets, something sparkly.

Going to a high end party? A sequined sheath is the way to go.

Hanging with friends at a chilled out gathering at a hip downtown loft? Jeans paired with a sequin cardigan, vest, tee or racerback tank equal New Year's party perfection.

Going to a New Year's pahty in da club? A short sequined mini as seen below will get you in the door. Just make sure your private sparkly business is covered.

Stick with me Betsy and you'll start off 2010 looking like a 10.

Cheers!

xoxo,

sammy

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!