There are wine glasses for sipping Chardonnay on the patio, and they can’t cost much or you wouldn’t take them outdoors. There are large wine glasses for when you’ve had a tough day at work, though we prefer to call them tumblers. And then there are wine glasses for the Thanksgiving table, which can be all exquisite shimmer and delicate shape.

Make that holiday toast to good health and thankfulness among your family and friends a beautiful one with some striking stemware.

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We all know times are tough for retailers. Big stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus - even Target - are losing money. Even the promise of holiday shopping isn’t making anybody feel too comfortable.

So if the big boys are having trouble, what about that wonderful, independent, chic, beautiful boutique you love? It’s probably in real trouble.

A story in WWD today outlined in detail the problems small boutiques across the country, in big cities and small, are facing. The big stores are offering huge markdowns on designer goods that the little guys can’t match. Customers - even wealthy customers - are not buying as much, and they’re not willing to pay as much as they would have even six months ago.

Add to that a spike in the cost of European designer goods and it’s a disaster in the making. Independent boutiques are not able to stock their shelves as fully as before, and many are laying off employees or closing. People who are shopping now are mainly buying safe, classic items that will last for years, as opposed to zany or different items that help make that neighborhood boutique unique and fun.

So give your favorite local boutique a break and buy some holiday gifts there. You’re going to end up in the big box stores anyway. This way, you can do your part for the local economy and still look good in the end.

In our never-ending quest to keep you current on celebrity style, we have some updates on Hollywood’s hottest tot  - Suri Cruise. (That title is official, Forbes says so. She beat out Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. Forbes.com has a video all about their detailed polling methodology. Forbes also says Suri has her own pair of custom-fitted Christian Louboutins.)

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Let’s save some money. Let’s find cute things for less cash, and let’s dream a little on the way about the possibilities. Where are we going? The Clearance Rack, of course.

We’re beginning with a power suit. No one will dare turn down your budget request when you’re wearing Ann Taylor’s red Havilland short jacket ($130, was $218, left) and Havilland straight skirt. The jewel neckline and three-quarter sleeves are all business, in the smartest possible way ($80, was $108).

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Have you seen the commercial where it’s raining shoes? A woman is driving to work and all of a sudden there’s an absolute shoe downpour? She gets out, grabs a couple hundred shoes, throws them in the back of her car, gives the world a confident head toss and gets back in?

What is that commercial advertising? We don’t know, we can’t stop looking at the raining shoes. Thus, we offer our blog version: we’re raining shoes upon shoes upon shoes down on your head. Sadly, they’re not as free as rain. But you’ll still feel that head toss when we’re through.

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Thinking about holiday gift shopping online? Remembering that feeling of exhaustion and confusion among the gazillion choices? We’ve heard about one site that can ease your cluttered mind.

It’s called Multiple Choice. It only sells one thing at a time. And when that one thing is gone, the site will find another thing to sell. Talk about minimalist.

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Keep your fork, there’s pie.

It’s one of the most magical sentences in the English language. Even if  we can’t imagine another bite, when we’re full to here of turkey and dressing and potatoes and all the side dishes the relatives brought, Keep your fork, there’s pie somehow fortifies us, sending us happily into battle once again.

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Until Michelle Obama wore a Thakoon dress at the Democratic National Convention, many people had not heard of Thakoon Panichgul.

Born in Northern Thailand, Thakoon moved to the United States when he was 11.  After graduating from Boston University with a business degree and a love of photography, Thakoon moved to New York where he found work as a fashion writer.  Inevitably, his keen eye for style led him to the Parsons School of Design where he pursued a degree in fashion design.

Thakoon debuted his first ready-to-wear collection in September 2004 and quickly cultivated a following among the fashion press, celebrities and stylists. 

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