FASHION Magazine

See our list of 61 creative hostess gifts »

Glitz and glam reigns supreme during holiday season. From twinkling lights to shimmering dresses, three of the country’s most stylish hostesses show us how to bring it on home when hosting a New Years bash or Christmas dinner party. Jacquie Somerville, Krystal Koo, and Eva Hartling‘s inspired holiday ideas will have you dreaming up ways to perfect your holiday gathering. These women turn up the heat in the kitchen (or hire someone to do so) as well as in their closet with their party appropriate shopping picks. While their holiday parties may differ in style, it’s indisputable that each lady knows how to throw a chic bash with a healthy dose of holiday sparkle.

Jump to: JACQUIE SOMERVILLE: THE DINNER PARTY | EVA HARTLING: EVENING COCKTAILS | KRYSTAL KOO, NEW YEAR’S BASH

See how the chignon twist is done with our holiday hair tutorial »
See other holiday hair tutorials »

If the word “updo” is something you normally associate with a visit to the salon, think again! While there are indeed complex styles that require the assistance of many hands, many updos are simple to do at home and take only a few minutes to master. The chignon—which can refer to any gathered hairstyle that sits at the nape of your neck—is ideal holiday hair because, based on your skill level and the event you’re attending, it can be perfectly polished or left loose and messy. But however you style it, compliments are sure to follow. (And isn’t that what holiday hair is all about?)

See how to do the fancy ponytail with our holiday hair tutorial »
See other holiday hair tutorials »

The ponytail is a classic hairstyle that has a seemingly endless number of variations. In fact, by changing the part, adding some curl or positioning the final pony in a different spot, it’s a style you could likely wear seven days a week without anyone being the wiser. While quick ponytails are often associated with going to the gym or casual dressing, it only takes a few modifications to make it work as a holiday hairstyle. It’s a trend that’s supported by A-listers and designers alike: Gwyneth Paltrow wore a structured ponytail on the red carpet at this year’s Academy Awards and Joe Fresh and Jonathan Saunders (to name just a few) had models in polished ponytails on the Fall 2012 runways.

See how to do the deep side part with our step-by-step directions »

Holiday season is here, and with it comes an endless number of parties and social engagements—which also means an equally endless amount of time spent primping and prepping. But don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Over the next two weeks we’ll be sharing holiday hair and makeup tutorials, complete with step-by-step, foolproof directions on how to get each look. Inspired by runway looks and red carpet styles alike, our holiday hair tutorials will ensure you look your best all season long. First up: the deep side part.

The deep side part is definitely having a red carpet moment—Kristen Stewart did it best at the Los Angeles premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 2 and other stars are taking note. A mix of Old Hollywood and modern style, the trick to keeping a deep side part under control is all in the twist: Instead of parting your hair and hoping for the best, this holiday hair tutorial shows you how to secure it back with a modified braid. Our step-by-step guide was developed in conjunction with Toronto-based hairstylist Margot Keith and takes all of the guess work out of making your hair holiday party-ready. (Even better, each of the styles in our series of holiday hair tutorials will work well beyond Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve parties, so right-click save our handy one-page guide for future reference!) Ready to learn how to master the deep side part? Read on to see how this holiday hairstyle is done.

See our designer-inspired cocktail recipes »

Or jump to: MCQUEEN’S PINK LADY | THE FROZEN DIOR | MINT MARC MERRIMENT | PRADA-PEROL | KORS NOG | PROENZA PALOMA | ERDEM ELDERFLOWER | MISSONI TODDY | GUCCI GIMLET

In honour of the most wonderful time of year, we’ve combined two of our favourite things—fashion and drinking—to create some inventive takes on classic cocktail recipes. Complete with the most gorgeous vintage glassware from the folks over at BYOB Cocktail Emporium, these nine designer-inspired cocktail recipes that are sure to rock the socks off your most stylish friends.

With a little help from Margherita Missoni herself, who revealed her own spin on the wintertime classic Hot Toddy, these inspired cocktail recipes run the gamut from the Thai chili-garnished Proenza Paloma to the frothy Alexander McQueen-inspired Pink Lady.

Call it the Mad Men effect, but cocktails are truly having a moment and as their popularity grows, getting creative with ingredients and inspiration is more common—not unlike our own variety. Our cocktail recipes can carry you through festive parties to Christmas dinner, all the way to New Years Eve and straight into 2013. If you’re gifted a bottle of alcohol and have absolutely no idea what to mix with it, our holiday cocktail recipes offer up a taste of a variety of speeds. Pick your poison—vodka, gin, Moët Chandon, or even whiskey—and we’ve mixed a cocktail with it that’s ready to be sipped and enjoyed with the best of friends and family. Best part of it all? They are all quite simple to make and none require over 4 ingredients. Who says fashion can’t be tasty?