This is a toilet brush I saw in New York. It costs $114.

This is a  wastebasket. $178. Also seen in New York.

There is a smaller white version that I’m considering particularly, $135.

Oh, antlers. Antlers with studs and stones. My taxidermy bent is leaning me toward you. $898 at Michele Varian in SoHo.

I would like this to come home from the New York gift show.  Spell whatever you like. Find the letters here.

In Los Angeles this week, I puckered up to these Kelly Wearstler marble lips at her shop on Melrose in Los Angeles this week.  $995. Gah.

Ms. Wearstler also offers this keyhole cuff, which is $275, and wonderful. Find it at her shop or at Nordstrom.

Still in Los Angeles, wandering through Barneys in Beverly Hills, I had a moment with Taschen’s Fashion Designers A-Z series — each volume encased in a lucite sleeve. $350.

And this is what I actually bought: a T-shirt ode to my wish list. $38 at Kitson. Glamorous, glamorous.

I just concluded the Great Legging Hunt of Winter 2013. I tried Hue, Wolford, Nordstrom brands, Forever 21 brands, J. Crew, Target, and more. It’s been polar here in Phoenix, and I’m heading on some work trips to icy climes. This means leggings. Leggings and boots every day.

I wear them under dresses and skirts and have been on a mad hunt since October to find a totally opaque pair that don’t fade, don’t sag in the knee after a few hours, and don’t feel like you’re wearing pants. Isn’t the entire point of leggings to pretend you’re wearing pajamas?

My research has produced three excellent discoveries:

1. Zella Live-In leggings, $52 and pictured above,  are to be added to your wardrobe post-haste. They’re sleek, opaque, comfortable, and chic, and recommended by fashionistas nationwide.

Add boots and a top or skirt that hits mid-thigh, and  no one will know you’re wearing yoga pants to work. Glory, hallelujah.The waistband doesn’t bind, either. I HATE that. They cling to the knee perfectly — which is the key to good leggings, I’ve learned. Another bonus: they’re reversible, and one side will keep you warmer than the other. Hello, New York City in January. I’m on my way.

TIP: Lululemon Wonder Unders also come recommended for all of the reasons above. I love Lulu — but the black is a weird color and doesn’t match my closet.

2. Eileen Fisher Leggings, $98 at Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

I’ve never tried anything by Eileen Fisher before, but the women on the internet promised me that these jersey leggings are legend. I went on a hunt, and they are, in fact, worth $98 . These are the gorgeous opaque tights I’ve been dreaming of all my life. Thin, soft, elegant, tight, high-quality. Hooray. I’m converted.

3. Vera Wang wears black leggings every single day and swears by Danskin Supplex, about $30 on amazon.com and pictured below. These leggings even offer hip and thigh compression. Hmmmm. Mine are on the way. Also, once upon a time (last year), Costco sold the best leggings in the world. My friends and sisters have been searching to no avail. Dear Costco, please bring them back.

What am I missing? Do you love leggings as much as I do? Tell me if there’s a secret pair that I haven’t yet found.

I’m not ready for Christmas, not in the slightest bit. All that cookie dough is still raw, in the fridge. All but three of the presents are in a heap in the craft room. (And these three I wrapped the day after Thanksgiving.) I have blank spots next to the names of people I love on my list. Gah.

And I’ve been sick — a nasty allergy attack that I self-diagnosed as a brain tumor, of course. (Some people should stay off of Google.)  My doctor had a lovely time yesterday making fun of me. I am a very fun person to tease. I’m calling in sick to my blog, friends. I’m sorry posting has been sporadic.

So here’s the Christmas I created in November. Perhaps when the drugs kick in  I can show you my gift wrap ideas. And the cookies I shall bake. And the tea party I want to have with my nieces.

Ty spied this local artist at Frances’ Crafeteria two weekends ago and rightly steered me over. “There’s a typewriter,” he said. Indeed.

Vintage images on beautiful antique plates? Oh, baby. These are by Josie Cirincione of Inky Black Paper Arts, and my friends Berkley Vallone (interior designer of doom) and Shauna Kupetz (who owns JAM) are equally obsessed.

Josie has installed her entire collection this week at Frances in UNION at the Biltmore. Prices are about $35 to $120. I took home the two below, but please leave some Fornasetti plates for me.

In each December, there is a crescendo of work and shopping and plans and parties that leads to a moment when I find myself late for something, hiding in a parking lot, changing clothes in my car.

Joy to the world.

I have a good laugh, but I still need solutions, sleep and a car wash. (Last night, Tyson said to me: “You look younger, did you get some sleep? When you don’t get enough rest, you look old . . . er.”)

And heaven and nature sing.

My solutions for these last-minute moments:

1. JUST ADD RED LIPSTICK I feel like a breathless magazine editor telling you this, as if a lipstick really can change the world. But I finally found the burgundy shade I’ve been hunting for, and it certainly made me feel glam when I put it on (in the car) last Friday night. Try Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color in La Sensuelle, $32.50 at Nordstrom. (Ahem, Chanel: that lipstick name is eight words long.)

2. THE PERFECT BLACK DRESS It holds you in, flares in the right places, is right for every possible holiday party, and doesn’t wrinkle when it spends the day in the car. Add a cardigan for work. I own it, love it, wear it to death. $288 at Nordstrom.

3. A HOSTESS GIFT FROM THE GROCERY STORE I’m there with you, friends, running in on the way to the party, wishing I’d been more prepared and thoughtful. Do this: grab a bottle of champagne, a gift bag, and a pint of Haagen Dazs. Tell her the champagne is for now, and the Haagen Dazs is for later – her post-party treat. Tell her not to share.

4. LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA Have you gotten your hands on one of Restoration Hardware’s faux fur throws? Softest, prettiest, cuddliest things ever. And just $79. I put this on the top of my wish list, and would happily give to anyone I love. The lynx color is my favorite.

Wishing you a happy weekend filled with holiday joy, red lipstick and enough time to get dressed at home.