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With Thanksgiving almost here, now’s the time to get a jump on your holiday shopping. See Store Adore’s favorite website for chic but cheap gifts?

For high fashion on a low budget, All The Rage Online offers baubles and bags to satisfy any stylista. Many items are less than $15. Enter StoreAdore at checkout to save 20 percent on purchases of $50 or more. Click here for details.

Knock Knock paper goods are presents with personality for people with a sense of humor.

Wishingfish is another good source for quirky yet thoughtful gifts. We love these Lego iPod (regularly $20) speakers for the young-at-heart mustic lover. Enter “storeadore” at checkout to save 20 percent on a purchase of $40 or more. Click here for details.

Elsewares is a virtual green market of goods from companies that focus on healthy labor practices and environmental sustainability. With items like these drinking glasses made from recycled bottles (regularly $34 for a set of 4, Store Adore price $27.20), and organic cotton onesies, there’s something here for everyone on your list. Enter “storeadore” at checkout to save 20 percent on your purchase. Click here for details.

ModCloth stocks affordable, where did you get that accessories and clothing.

Etsy is an artsy, online marketplace with goods from more than 100,000 registered crafters.

And at day-lab, you’ll find a treasure trove of unique knickknacks.

I’ve wanted to add a cameo to my jewelry rotation for a while now, and with my favorite holiday approaching (that’d be Halloween, natch), these stark iconic Victorian pieces seem especially apropos. The colors of this orange-on-black cellulose number—available as a ring or brooch—really pop and are a nice alternative to the usual black and white. I love the intricate scrolls in the setting. It’s a recession-friendly bargain at $18, and the cameo comes other fun color combos (like neon green and pink, if you’re feeling very ’80s). Buy it from Walkonthemoon (who has a ton of other fun jewelry designs for sale, btw) at at fabulous D.I.Y. depot Etsy.com.

Sign up for Store Adore here.

With the election merely weeks away, we’re in the final leg of political season. Had enough of campaign buttons and “Rock the Vote” tees, but still want to show support for your candidate? Or maybe you’re attending a debate watching party and need a hostess gift that extends beyond a life-sized cardboard standup of your candidate? Indeed, the serious pundit in your life would probably appreciate something more sophisticated. We scoured our favorite shop for gifts that are smart, often quirky and befitting for lucky gift-getters of every political ilk.

Renowned Washington, DC-based jeweler Ann Hand takes sporting your American pride and political message to new heights. Why slap a bumper sticker on your car when you can sport these shades (regularly $175, Store Adore price $149)? A running tally in the window of Hand’s eponymous Washington, DC shop and on her website has Obama winning by a landslide. Save 15 percent on all costume jewelry.

Since the celeb favorite Barackawear line was founded last year, the company has sold more than 20,000 items (like this hoodie, regularly $40, Store Adore price $32) emblazoned with the eye-catching “Barack-the-Vote” mantra, and over $7,000 has been donated to the senator’s campaign. Store Adore shoppers save 20 percent on all Barackawear.

Most things in life can be boiled down to a phrase on a t-shirt. At D.I.Y. site Spreadshirt, you choose from a variety of high quality products (tees, aprons, sweats and more) and add your own text and motifs. Or, you can purchase designs by other pundits who also have a way with words. A few of our faves: this Pucker Up for Palin tee (regularly $25.90), this PALINtologist Bib (regularly $14.90) and a Hockey Moms for Palin hoodie (regularly $38.90) . Store Adore shoppers save 20 percent on any purchase of $30 or more at Spreadshirt.

The mission behind New York-based site Uncommon Goods—to connect people with products that are unique expressions of individuality, high in quality and low in negative environmental impact—guarantees that buyer’s remorse won’t kick in. The site devotes an entire section to politically themed gifts, like these candidate noteholders ($25) and political party mugs ($12)—available for Democrats and Republicans, the country turns all blue or red, respectively, as your pour in hot water.

At online indie marketplace Etsy, aspiring artisans can sell their handmade wares directly. A search for the word “election” delivers 55 pages of results and provides a unique snapshot of which way the artistic community is leaning these days. These Palin/McCain and Obama/Biden earring sets ($12) are—to someone—a perfect pair.

If you’re the one hosting the party, hit up Plum Party to liven up your table and find favors your hosts will never forget. The site devotes a whole section to election themed gifts, where you can find candidate cups (regularly $18, Store Adore price $14), dinner plates (regularly, $5 for a set of 8, Store Adore price $4), patriotic napkins (regularly $5 for 16, Store Adore price $4), and even politically-themed “off-coloring” books, (regularly, $7.50, Store Adore price $6). Store Adore shoppers save 20 percent on everything at Plum Party.

Ready to clean up the country? Feel Good/VOTE soap (regularly $7.50) has an olive branch scent to remind us to take care of business peacefully. Plus, what better way to remind yourself to get to your polling station on election day then to set a reminder in the shower? From quirky gift site Wishingfish, Store Adore shoppers save 20 percent on any purchase of $40 or more.

ALSO SHOWN:

This clever gag gift reminds us that “there are more than just two parties. In fact, the Pick Your Party Wheel O’ Wisdom (regularly $7.50) features 14, including lesser known ones like the Peace & Freedom and Prohibitionist parties. With a spin of the wheel, interesting facts, slogans and stats appear. When you like everything you see, you know that the arrow points to your perfect political match. From Knock Knock, where Store Adore shoppers save 15 percent on any purchase of $50 or more.

A Mano: Candidate buckets ($35) are chic and functional too. Don’t you wish your candidate was like that too? Call to order at 202-298-7200.

Eleni’s: Hand-iced Candidate cookies ($59) are sweet even when the political process isn’t.

Toms Shoes: Political party shoes come in Democrat, Republican and Split Decision ($45 each).

More from Etsy: Bi-Partisan Pillows ($22), Elephant Necklace ($12 also available as a donkey), vegan Hope on a Rope ($15, also available in McCain), Obama Graffiti necklace.

This post all started with a picture of the You Can’t Break My Spirit Off the Shoulder Sweatshirt by 291 ($140, available at Hollywood-centric e-shop Singer 22) that a publicist emailed for my perusal. Sure, I thought. I LOVED Flashdance. In fact, I’m thinking of renting it tonight and trying out my moves.

Long before Pretty Woman, ladies dreamt of the fairy tale that was Flashdance. Less sleazy, though no less gritty, Jennifer Beals’ character, Alex Owens, was a Pittsburgh steel-mill welder by day and exotic dancer by night. (She doesn’t actually remove her clothes, though. Not sure Julia could pull that off as a prostitute.) The pretty blue-collar gal has aspirations of a career in the ballet, and along the way, she finds her prince. The movie inspired all sorts of fashions, from ripped sweatshirts to leg warmers as streetwear, worn over jeans.

I was an impressionable teen in a small New England town when all this was happening–a cheerleader no less. You better believe I adopted this style as my own. I wish I could find a picture to post, but you’ll have to just believe me, parachute pants and big hair was NOT a good look for me. In any case, like all else, everything old is new again. Revel in it.

ASOS Slouch Lounge Top, $35.02, similar to a style worn by Victoria Beckham, has a slightly scalloped trim and loose, cropped sleeves. It’s constructed of viscose with a little elastane for a soft and stretchy wear. Available at ASOS.

Photos courtesy of ASOS.

The one, the only, Jennifer Beals, in Flashdance (1983). What a feeling, indeed!

Photo courtesy of IMDB.

This Off-the-Shoulder Fleece Pullover by 291, $140, features a girl graphic on the front, ribbed banding at the bottom hem and long sleeves with cuffs. Available at Shopbop. If you want to do the whole look, go with ASOS Utility Turn Up Shorts, $48.16, with turn up tab hems and button up back pockets, available at ASOS.

Beals is wearing pointy red patents in the poster, but we spotted a similar look at Intermix: Sergio Rossi Angelika Patent Pumps, $475, with a four-inch stiletto (yikes!) are a little bit disco, especially in cobalt, but the slightly crinkled texture give them an updated spin.

Don’t forget the leg warmers!

These Leg Warmers by Dork Designs, $20, were made on a knitting loom with a green on green acrylic yarn. Available at Etsy, home of the hand made.

I loved, loved, loved nighttime dance numbers. They were enough to make me aspire to be an exotic dancer. (Well, almost.)

Here are a couple of items that would have sizzled on that stage. Jumper by Quail, $145, available at 80s Purple, inspires a kinky sort of number à la 9 1/2. (Acutally, didn’t Beals perform a number in a tux?). As for these Leg Avenue Rope Back Thigh Highs, $35.02, available at ASOS, I’ll leave that to your imagination.

Alex’s chunky rib knit sweaters never went out of style.

Try either of these two sweater dresses with thick tights in patterns or color or just don black Lindsay Lohan-style leggings. Left: Alexander McQueen Chunky Mohair Knit Sweater Dress, $790, available at Net-A-Porter; right: Stella McCartney Oversized Sweater Dress, $1,395, available at Net-A-Porter.

Prince Charming awaits after the big audition. (Watch the audition in the final scene on You Tube! It made me want to dance all over again.) I’d say she’s got a sort of Thriller look going on with the red jacket. After all, the album was released the year before.

Images courtesy of Youtube and LikeTotally80s.com.

If you insist on trying this look at home, 80s Purple offers a geometric studded style with the Edwardian Corded Leather Jacket by Converse by John Varvatos, $795, and the more girly, less expensive, synthetic WeSC Tea Jacket in Chili Pepper, $112.

I can’t quite get a more than a glimpse of what sort of bag Beal has slung over her shoulder, from this out-take from You Tube, but I think the Hobo Slingback Bag by Chinese Laundry, on sale for $47.25 at 80s Purple, would work just fine.

And, finally, big hair is a must. So ditch the silkening oils and rig up your diffuser. Remember, you’re a maniac.

Last week we got a glimpse of Sam’s orange room. Predictably, Jacob insists his room needs to be “on the computer” too. Jacob is seven. His favorite color is turquoise, just like his grandmother’s. I, too, am a fan of shades of sea and sky. Unlike Sam’s room, Jacob’s decor doesn’t pack a punch. Rather, it’s more restrained. This works out well, since Jacob is a bundle of energy, and thus really requires a serene space. Scroll on for tips of where to get the blues.

The bunk bed in Jacob’s room is a solid metal structure, with a twin size top bunk and full size bottom, purchased at Room & Board. The polka dot sheeting is from Garnet Hill, and the blankets are the softest fleece, from Target and Marshall’s, I think. (I buy these cozy covers in pretty colors whenever, and wherever, I see them.) Had the Blu Dot Dodu bed, $1,199 - $1,599, been around when I decorated, it would be resting nicely in Jacob’s bedroom. Available at Design Public, my favorite site for modern decor with whimsy. There’s also the children’s furniture line, Duc Duc, that designs amazing kids’ furniture with sky blue and orange accents. They make a bunk bed, actually, but since it was over $4,000, and slightly babyish for a six year old, I decided to pass.

It was important that Jacob have a rocking chair in his room. The motion soothes him, especially when he’s feeling a bit hyper in the evenings. I bought the Eames Molded Plastic Armchair Rocker at Design Within Reach, but it is widely available, including at Hive Modern, $449, a high concept modern furniture site based in Portland, Oregon. Another piece that would have worked nicely for Jacob, and I’m still thinking of acquiring, maybe for the playroom, is a Fatboy Original. It’s a sort of bean baggy thing that grownups can sit on and kids can even sleep on. Available at Design Public, $229.

This DIY plastic storage cube structure, called Cubits, is from Design Within Reach. After constructing this “ladder” shape as Jacob insisted, there were enough panels left over to make two additional cubes, which we attached together and added doors. It serves as Jacob’s night table. I absolutely adore this aluminum, powder coated Botanist Flora End Table by Orange 22, $999, at Design Public. Lekker, a home furnishings shop in Boston, sells the longer Botanist Flora Bench version, $1,450. Either of these would look amazing in his room, or anywhere else around the house. Hmm, I wonder where I could fit it in? They also comes in an elegant wood veneer version, perfect for a living room, available at Lekker, $900.

As for the stuff nestled on the shelves, we bough the globe at Target, but Tiny Living in NYC, offers this inflatable globe, just 6″ diameter, $12.95.

I found this metallic, turquoise piggy bank at Urban Outfitters, but this Amigo Leather Piggy Bank from the MoMA Design Store, on sale for $29.95, is far superior.

Like his dad, Jacob is a car freak, and quite good at building things. He’d love the beech wood Automoblox Sports Cars, with interchangeable parts, available at the W Hotel Store, $35.

I have an authentic reproduction of the 1950s era George Nelson Block Clock hanging in my kitchen in Boston, but it would work nicely in Jacob’s room too. Available at the modern design site Nova 68, $315.

For lighting we hung a transparent blue Pendant by Kartell from the blue beadboard cathedral ceiling. I bought it at DWR, but it is available at Hive Modern, $293. The lava lamp nightlight was a great find from Bed, Bath & Beyond. (They make great kids’ birthday gifts as an accompaniment to books.) For reading, we hung a light fixture on the wall by the head of the upper bunk, but for a bedside table I really like the Pablo Tube Top Small Table Lamp, $99, from Design Public. The base is acrylic, the shade is mesh and the colors pop.

On a trip to NYC to see the Arms & Armor Hall at the Met, I purchased a poster of Magritte’s The False Mirror at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift Shop. The original painting, from 1928, is actually part of the MoMA collection. It’s available online at the MoMA Design Store, $18.95.

I have an Etsy habit. I purchased the simple canvas on the left for $10. Here are two other paintings that are similar in feel and hue, and a bit more interesting, by Rachel Austin.

(Above: Meg Rush and her husband on their London honeymoon)

The votes are in, and we have a winner!

Congratulations are in order for Meg Rush of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, who won a super-indulgent Vosges Haut-Chocolat La Grande Hatbox, a luxurious box set packed to the brim with exotic gourmet chocolates! Read her winning story here.

We asked Meg a few question about her favorite shopping haunts and habits.

Meg’s favorite home decor shops:

1. Diptyque has the most heavenly candles. My favorite, especially for winter, is essence of John Galliano and I love to burn the lavender candle right before bedtime.

2. I am a big fan of Etsy, especially for artwork! My husband commissioned a portrait of me by John Clark for Christmas.

3. The MOMA Design Store is a great place to buy home accessories or gifts.

4. Bliss Home on Newbury Street is the only place I know of in Boston to buy luggage by Mandarina Duck. They also have a great collection of pieces by alessi.

5. I fell in love with Whittard of Chelsea while studying abroad in Oxford. I’ve been collecting pieces for my tea set over the last seven years. I stocked up on my honeymoon in London, to come home and discover that Whittard was opening its first US store in Boston.

Meg on her “personal style uniform”…

In the summer I tend to wear “thow and go” sun dresses, so that I look put together with minimal effort. I almost always have on a piece of jewelry that I’ve designed myself, or something by Les Nereides. I tend to wear a lot of headbands during the summer because they help tame my curly hair!

What style are you ready to see go?

I’m currently reading Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You by the fabulous Simon Doonan. I have to agree with Doonan, I wish more girls would just “Say no to Ho!”

Here I am on a recent morning, wrapped up in my favorite grey cotton scarf from Calypso. It’s chilly in Boston, a bit damp too. So for those of you waiting for the maxi dress update, I apologize; it’s been postponed. I scoured the streets of the city yesterday, looking for slaves to style, but given the chilly temp, girls are not sashaying around in spring dresses. Not even long ones. So instead, I’m going to show you scarves.

Upon seeing a photo in Meredith’s Store Adore Intermix party Notepad post of two women wearing loose, warm weather scarves, I realized that everyone in Boston is wearing them. So, having failed to snap shots of maxi dresses, I resorted to photographing scarf-clad lovelies in Back Bay and Newton Centre.

Sabrina, a preschool administrator in her early twenties, is a self-described “sucker for scarves.” She wraps one on every day. This one is from Mint Julep in Brookline. She says, “I only remember because I spent way too much money on black scarves that day—I bought three!” Her print dress is French Connection, the leggings HUE (”I bought about 20 pairs at Bloomingdales Chestnut Hill—I live in them.”), and the ballet flats are Tory Burch Revas, available at Moxie in Beacon Hill.

Sam, a Netwton native and NYU student who’s working as a sales associate at Lola in Newton Center this summer, added this maize colored linen scarf ($69), to her outfit when she got to work that afternoon. The billowy shape echos that of her ivory bubble dress with banded bottom that she picked up in the East Village at Angela’s Vintage Boutique. “I always wear scarves. Everyone in New York does.”

Elizabeth, a student and part-time babysitter (pictured here studying at the playground), is wearing a green scarf that she bought in Spain. I love the way she’s so casually chic, with her messy ponytail, striped, fitted cardi pulled low on her hands, and white tee. Calypso has a selection of super soft and lightweight linen/rayon scarves in gorgeous colors like aqua, saffron, melon. (Available online, $75).

Hayley, whom we stopped in local ice cream shop, J.P. Licks, looks amazing in this short sleeve, scoop neck dress in shades of blue from Marc by Marc Jacobs. The navy scarf with fringed edges, which she got at Urban Outfitters (similar scarves in an array of colors ($85) are available at Pink Mascara) is a great touch, as are the pointy, silver metallic ballet flats, also by Marc by Marc Jacobs. And you can’t see them here, but Hayley is also wearing sky blue Bling studs by local designer JoJo, available at many Boston boutiques, including Twilight and Beauty Mark.

Alex, in town from Vermont and hanging out at my favorite Starbucks, is wearing a scarf she was given by her mother, who is part of a women’s collective that makes products using recycled materials. A little crunchy, but the colors and texture add edge. Pairing it with the violet top is an interesting choice, but I think it works. The top brings out the scarf’s violet threads, which are lurking beneath the reds and oranges. Unfortunately, Alex couldn’t recall the collective’s name, but you can find similar looks at Etsy.

Katie, a new mom from the neighborhood, was pushing her adorable daughter on the baby swing at the playground when we spotted her yellow, green and turquoise striped scarf. She reveals, “I found it at the Barneys New York outlet in Wrenthem.” (Who knew?!) The scarf spruces up her Splendid tee, purchased two blocks away at Intermix. And I love the fab orange flats from Coach. For a similar scarf look, try the Tie Dye Striped Scarf by Free People, in green or orange, (just $28!), at Shopbop. P.S. Katie was worried about looking tired from lack of sleep, but she looks great.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Tess & Carlos: Pretty prints in lightweight wools.

Matsu: Exquisite Italian weaves.

Stash: Trendy L.A. faves by Sir Alistai Rai. (Pictured here, $65.)

Cards have been au courant for a while. Who can forget the photos of Ben Affleck in Vegas during the Bennifer era? These days, poker’s even popular with the pre-teen set. (The community center in the ever upright Boston neighborhood of Beacon Hill actually hosts a family poker night.)

With the proliferation of Vegas-centric movies coming out of Hollywood (”21″ starring Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey, and “What Happens in Vegas” starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher are both currently in theaters), gambling is firmly in the mainstream. Not surprisingly, the fashion world has followed suit.

Jewelry designers have created golden talismans that look lovely worn around town or at the tables. Check out the three we’re placing our bets on.

John Wind Gaming Necklace

From this fifteen-inch silver chain hangs four vintage gaming charms: blue pawn, die, chess knight and wooden token. Designed by John Wind, the necklace is available at Art Effect, $137, our favorite gift shop and jewelry boutique in Chicago.

Sheila Fajl Good Luck Charm Necklace

Sheila Fajl’s 18K plated gold necklace is chock full of charms, with a four leaf clover, rabbit’s foot, money bag, horn, horseshoe and feather. Available at Polka Dots and Moonbeams, $44, a super source for trendy, celebrity favored styles.

Luis Morais Fancy Cookie Necklace

Suspended from a long 14-carat gold chain is a yellow diamond studded ring holding five tokens of luck: skull, black coral horn, tiny heart, horseshoe, and four leaf clover. Available at Aloha Rag, a funky boutique in Oahu. At $5,310, it’s strictly for high rollers!

Main image: Yves St. Laurent vintage spade brooch (or pendant) in red enamel, available at Archive, $98.