Not quite winter here yet, but the holiday season is here with scarlet and crimson abound. Poinsettias are popping up and deep maroon velvet ribbons woven into trees, soon to be tying up Christmas gifts. Meanwhile, I’m dreaming of a red Christmas with an exquisite red gown or a perfectly painted red lip.

And, speaking of exquisite…

I present to you the first of the holiday giveaways. The lovely folks at Random House have decided to give one of you lovely readers a copy of The Encyclopedia of the Exquisite to keep for yourself or to gift this holiday season. {And, there might be a litle something extra…} Instead of random selection, we’ve decided to have some fun with this one.

To enter:

Come up with your own exquisite encyclopedic entry and list it in the comments section. I’ll pick a few favorites and feature them in a post. The best entry wins!

The contest closes December 07, 2010. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Bonne Chance!

1. marion cotillard by ellen von unwerth, 2. raquel zimmerman for vogue brazil 3. & 4. courtesy of random house

Quite a bit has changed for Ms. D since then. DVF launched everything from luggage to shoes to handbags. The famous wrap-dresses are still featured in each collection that hits stores, but aren’t as prominent. DVF has gotten a little edge. One look at my Shopbop DVF boards, and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Far from the body hugging jersey dresses, the Davi dress is silk and more “body-skimming.” A touch on the bohemian side, the feather print dress would be perfect with bare legs or black leggings. {Jeans for you very tall girls that we’re all so jealous of.} I’ve paired it with the Alex & Ani wire bangle, 7 for All Mankind Radly Ombre Platforms, and Ciaobella’s Nikko Hobo.

Inspired by a post Roseline of {This is Glamorous} and my own personal style, I’ve paired some overtly glamorous and feminine items with a casual DVF Sweatshirt Dress. Kova & T lace stirrup leggings, Kenneth Jay Lane Feather earrings, and Alice+Olivia sequin cardi make this dressed-down dress all dressed up. Perfection for autumn.

If you’re not a dress girl, DVF has bags, too. Check these two straight from the runway. Call me crazy, but I really like the furry, multicolored stripe.

Everything above is currently available at Shopbop. Yes, it is the promised land. It’s one giant candy store of clothes, which is why we’re giving away a $100 gift card to be used sitewide. {So you can have all the DVF dresses and DVF handbags you want!} They ship internationally, so this contest is open to anyone.

To enter:

Visit Shopbop and pick out your favorite item from the Diane von Furstenberg dresses. Then leave a comment below telling Ms. Jenn what it is and what you’d wear it with.

Want to increase your chances of winning?

Follow {Bits of Beauty} on twitter.
Use the Retweet button for this post.
Like the {Bits of Beauty} page on Facebook.
Subscribe to {Bits of Beauty} with e-mail or  Google Friend Connect.

Contest ends 10/08/10 and winner will be announce 10/11/10.

*Winner will be chosen by participation and response.

{p.s.} Don’t forget to follow shopbop.

all images {via} Shopbop edited by Ms. Jenn for {Bits of Beauty}

There’s a wicked heat wave sweeping through the Northeast and crazy humidity here in the South. It is not skin friendly weather. {Seriously, I’m breaking out right now.}

Lucky for you, the folks at Dr Perricone skin care like to give goodies away. One lucky reader will win the Summer Survival Kit, which includes the Citrus Facial Wash, High Potency Amine Complex Face Lift and No Foundation Foundation. {Value of approximately $125!}

Now, I’ve told you before how my sister and I were on the Perricone Promise Diet, which really isn’t a diet at all. It’s just a very healthy {and tasty} way of eating. Our skin never looked so good. {I need to stick to that healthy eating, but that’s a whole other post. Damn cookie habit…} So, I can vouch that his skin care solutions are great.

So, back to the part about you winning stuff. Here’s what you gotta do:

To enter just leave a comment telling me why you want or need the Summer Survival Kit.

This contest is open to anyone in the US or Canada. Contest ends on Thursday July 22nd at midnight EST. Winner will be announced on July 23rd.

Good luck!

Jenny Maurer! Congratulations, Jenny. Verderocks will contact you shortly. Thanks to all for participating!

Congrats Claire!

One lucky Piscean will win a zodiac crystal necklace from Urban Outfitters. FYI – The backside has the constellation with stars marked in crystals.

To enter:

Leave a comment below with your birthdate and why you love being Piscean.
Tweet this post for an extra entry {tag @bitsofbeauty}

Giveaway ends at midnight EST on March 20, 2010

Thank you to {Bits of Beauty} sponsor:

Now for our last giveaway of the season. Harlow Monroe is giving away a $40 gift certificate to their vintage etsy shop.

To enter:
1. Visit Harlow Monroe and heart your favorite item.
2. Come back here and leave a comment.
3. Tweet for an extra entry {tag @bitsofbeauty}.

Giveaway ends 12/26 at midnight EST. Good luck!

Be sure to enter the other giveaways going on right now by browsing here.

Aren’t these new pieces amazing? I can’t wait to see the rest. {I’m already fantasizing about that one on top.} I’m so happy that one of you will have the chance to wear a gorgeous VerdeRocks creation. I lovingly wear my VerdeRocks cuff and regularly receive gushing compliments on it. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it, and it remains my favorite piece of jewelry. I think you, my lovely readers, will find a favorite piece from VerdeRocks, too.

Gwen is giving away one of her brand new preserved rose necklaces to a lucky {Bits of Beauty} reader. Poetic, no?

To enter:

1. Visit the VerdeRocks website and pick out your favorite item

2. Leave a comment below

3. Tweet this giveaway for an extra entry {tag @bitsofbeauty}

UPDATE: Giveaway now ends on December 31st at midnight EST. Good Luck!

{btw} When you visit her site, please sign up for e-mail updates, as the new line will be debuting soon!

As one of the many giveaways going on here at the blog, we have a gift certificate for a custom portrait from Fifi Flowers. You can see more of her work here.

To enter:

Just leave a comment below. Get an extra entry if you follow this blog or tweet this giveaway {tag @bitsofbeauty}

Contest ends 12/25 at midnight EST. Winner will be selected at random. Good Luck!

One lucky reader will win a Dolores Petunia Fancy Betty Crystal headband. To enter, visit Dolores Petunia and heart your favorite item. Then, leave a comment below. Extra entries given to tweets {tag @bitsofbeauty} and followers.

Contest ends 12/25 at midnight EST. Winner will be selected via random number generator.