The scent of pining.

The way I see it, we have two options:

a) We can pretend like all I want for Christmas is world peace, or

b) We can collectively swoon over the pretty things on my wish list.

Which sounds like more fun to you?

Clockwise from top left:

Michael Kors Bel Aire Chronograph watch. The nontraditional femininity of rose gold juxtaposed against the classic, masculine shape of this watch makes it an absolute must. I've always considered a two-tone Rolex oyster watch to be my ultimate "I've made it" purchase, but until the day arrives that I can drop a year's worth of rent on a piece of jewelry without batting a Dior-lacquered eyelash, I'd be thrilled to have this madam-gone-military timepiece on my wrist.

Wolford Velvet de Luxe 66 opaque tights. The idea of spending $45 on tights still makes my head spin, but I have it on good authority that Wolfords are worth every penny. Shockingly, my father (who is wont to roll his eyes at my love of everything unnecessarily expensive) didn't laugh in my face when I half-jokingly threw these on my list this year. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a Christmas miracle.

Prada "Prada" perfume. Every perfume I've ever worn with any longevity has been some combination of orange and spice, be it the Demeter "Orange Cream Pop" I donned back in middle school, the Betsey Johnson tangerine/amber concoction I graduated to next, the bitter orange/cinnamon/vanilla blend of "L de Lolita Lempicka" that saw me through the better part of college or the YSL "Opium" I've been wearing since I "borrowed" it from the SELF beauty closet in July. Prada's original scent is the grown-up incarnation of my preferred citrus-Oriental flavor, with Bergamot and orange oils creating a power play in the forefront while undertones of vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood and musk awaken a baser human sensuality beneath.

(Did I fool you? Do you think I know anything whatsoever about perfume? This shit smells good; you should try it sometime.)

3.1 Phillip Lim printed silk bralette and boyshorts. Forgot the usual implications of lingerie. All I desire of this watercolor floral set is that it provide a much-needed pick-me-up from the bitter wasteland that will be raging outside my window for the next six months. (P.S. If you haven't, check out the interview I did with Phillip for CS magazine last spring. He's a gem.)

Farouk CHI 1" ceramic flat iron. The Holy Grail of hair straighteners. I try to give my battered strands a rest from heat styling when I can, but if I'm going to subject them to frying on a semi-regular basis, I might as well use the best damn destruction tools available.

Miu Miu booties. I'll keep this brief: these are my dream shoes, and I would do despicable things to get my hands on them.

Nespresso machine. While I did ask Santa for a coffee maker, it's unlikely that the extremely highbrow Nespresso will be making a cameo in my kitchen any time soon. I'll settle for a French press and some World Market Texas Turtle blend for now, but I eagerly await the day when I can steam my own lattes using the most unapologetically snobbish appliance on the market. I'm fairly confident that with the money I'd save on Starbucks/Peet's/Panera (shut up, I love Panera coffee. I'm crazelnut for hazelnut. Don't judge), it would pay for itself in about three weeks.

Saint James sweater. Breton stripes made my top ten list of wardrobe musts back in April, but I'd trade my whole stack of H&M cotton tees for just one of these perfect sweaters. Saint James is the originator of the Breton stripe (or at least its most famous producer), and I adore the coquettish buttons, low-maintenance crewneck and perfect ecru/navy combination of this particular style.

Have you had the good fortune to get your hands on any of the above? What's on your holiday wish list this year?

Building blocks.

So everyone in the blogosphere appears to be compiling top-ten lists of their can't-live-without-'em clothing and accessory items this week. It's interesting (and refreshing!) to see how the lists vary from author to author - we're always advised to stock up on the same hot-ticket staples (perfect jeans! LBD!), but what most style manuals fail to take into account is the effect of personal style on what defines the parameters of a "basic." I hate pants, so perfect jeans and well-cut work trousers would never garner a spot in my top ten; however; a ruffled silk dress and blue oxford shirt are two more nontraditional options that I find myself reaching for time and time again. Despite an unusual color or cut, these pieces have, indeed, become my closet's "basics" - and once you define yours, it's easy to see where you should invest your hard-earned cash (and makes those uncreative mornings about a thousand times easier).

1) Striped tee. I own three of these (black and white, yellow and white, and navy and cream) and find them to be incredibly comfortable and versatile. Nautical stripes are timeless, whether you're landlocked or on a boat, and this particular rendering is a chic European spin on the all-American t-shirt. Breton sweaters are lovely, but I prefer lightweight tees that can be worn in layers year-round (and find three-quarter sleeves to be the most flattering).

2) Riding boots. If your climate is even remotely chillier than tropical, you should own a pair of flat riding boots. They pair perfectly with dresses, leggings, jeans...even shorts in spring and early fall. Simultaneously athletic, bohemian, and classic, they are a true gift from the shoe gods.

3) Trench coat. What girl doesn't secretly want to embody even the slightest suggestion of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's? I prefer classic khaki, but I've seen beautiful renditions in every color, from periwinkle to punchy red. Waist-nipping, trend-proof and fabulously mysterious, the trench flatters literally everyone. Even better, it can be worn with nothing underneath for, uh...special occasions.

4) Aviators. Max Potter just walked into the coffee shop I'm at right now. She is wearing Ray-Ban aviators. 'Nuff said.

5) Two-tone men's watch. If you don't know by now that I'm obsessed with watches, you're either a first-time visitor or an Alzheimer's patient. Since I wear both gold and silver jewelry, I go for two-tone. And a men's watch looks fierce on a woman's wrist. Always has, always will.

6) Black high-waisted skirt. My shopping weakness. The item I will never be done buying. Seriously. I own, like, six; I could easily go shopping today and come home with an armful more. Of course there are variations - one is studded, one is leather, one is elegant and tulip-shaped, one is dangerously curve-hugging and reserved for when I need to pull out the big guns - but collecting black skirts of every silhouette and embellishment has become a sort of shopping sub-hobby.

7) CZ studs. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but cubic zirconia is a broke college student's best friend. I'm not much of an earring person (I'd rather wear a big, colorful ring or a statement necklace), but I think bare ears (if pierced) look unfinished, so I usually default to these. A little sparkle above the neck makes for a more polished look without detracting from the rest of the ensemble.

8) Blue button-down. Crisp white shirts get all the praise, but I prefer pale blue - it's slightly off-kilter, doesn't show dirt, and is still neutral enough to wear with most other colors (my favorite combos being blue and gray and blue and peach). I like to roll the cuffs up to right above the elbow and wear it tucked into a high-waisted skirt, with skinny jeans and riding boots, or open over a dress in place of a cardigan.

9) Nude platform sandal. I refuse to buy shoes with spindly heels because I know I won't wear them, so when it comes to height, platforms are my best friend. A flesh-toned shade lengthens the leg line and can be worn with just about anything, day or night. These are by Prada, my favorite shoe designer/where all of my money will be going once I am employed full-time.

10) Flirty dress. I'm a sucker for anything silky and ruffled. A dress like this takes you from the the office (skinny belt and a cardigan) to a dinner date (strappy heels and loose hair) to drinks with girlfriends (stacked platforms and statement jewelry).

Runners-up: A quilted purse, a well-cut blazer, a yellow belt, a giant cocktail ring, and (sigh) perfect jeans (dark and skinny).

My basics are very revealing of my personal style: hyperfeminine, with a grounding in French classics (and ill-suited to cold climates) (FML). As all over the map as my outfits may be from day to day and season to season, these are the things I keep coming back to time and time again (and, quite honestly, the things I would wear every day if people wouldn't judge me for, you know, wearing the same thing every day). I'm all for experimentation, but it's always nice to have an understanding of what makes you tick deep down inside. Give it a few minutes of thought. The items you choose may surprise you.