Introducing… Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara

Lancôme has just launched their newest mascara: Hypnôse Star.  Get your star lash look with the new dual-sided brush, which uniquely features two sides. First, you’ll use the flat side of the brush. Apply at the lash line for instant volume. Then, turn it over and run the round side through your lashes to give them length. As the experts at Lancôme say, your lashes are enhanced with a liner effect, looking thick at the lash line, long and luscious through the tips. Experience it for yourself!

Consider a Winter Wedding

While late spring, summer and early fall continue to be the most popular months for exchanging vows, there is something magical about a winter wedding, especially when your wedding day involves candlelight and a dusting of snow. And on a financial note, reception venues, caterers, bakeries and florists may offer more budget-friendly rates for work during the “off season.” So don’t rule out a winter ceremony. You can use the cost savings to plan an exotic tropical honeymoon!

image found via.

Ringing in the New Year … Fashionably

New Year's Eve is the night we pull out all the stops: Champagne, high heels, sequins, staying out 'til past 10 pm… Sure, some people think it's over-emphasized and are okay with staying home and finding a movie to watch. I, however, am not. And if you're of like mind, I have a great variety of party-worthy dresses to share with you. You've got one night, so make it memorable! Dress up, make reservations and celebrate the old year as you ring in the new. Who knows what possibilities lay ahead? Happy New Year!

Holiday Blowout

So Christmas 2012 is behind us, but it's not too soon to start thinking about next year! Visit our holiday shop and save up to 70% on an incredible selection of holiday accents, home décor and more. Ideas: Start or complete your nativity set, pick up some ornaments for next year's gift-giving, grab some scented candles (pine and holiday scents are lovely throughout the winter season) at a great price… the list goes on!

Merry Christmas!

We’re raising a glass to you today, and wishing you a relaxing, safe and joyful Christmas! 

All the best,
The Bon-Ton Bloggers

image found via.

New from Clinique: Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

Ready to see smoother, brighter eyes? I am! One of my weaknesses is that I am powerless against new treatment products, so my holiday gift to myself will be the new Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream. It helps visibly smooth, plump and refine the texture of the entire eye area after only 4 weeks of use. And since Clinique has a great track record of amazing skin products, I know I’ll see visible improvement. Join me!

Gifts under $25!

In our family, we call them “throw-ins”: Those little extras that complete a gift or add an extra-special touch. Are you looking for a few throw-ins to complete the gifts on your list? Here are some ideas, and they all can be found for under $25:

Sweaters for her | for him | for juniors 
PJs for the whole family
Stocking stuffers for the home
Trendy jewelry
Bath and body sets
Gourmet foods

stocking image via Martha Stewart Living

A Handbag Holiday

Any woman on your gift-giving list will appreciate a new handbag. The trick is figuring out her personal style in order to choose the right one. Is she whimsical and fun? Classic and traditional? Minimalist? Does she live for embellishment? These things are easy to determine if you just take a look at her day-to-day wardrobe and observe how she lives her life. And we have an incredible selection of bags to choose from. From a fine leather Coach bag (now available online!) to a sleek Hobo bag; from a boldly printed Fossil bag to a wildly embellished Nine West crossbody, we have a style to suit any shopper.

Last-Minute Gift Picks!

Have you procrastinated a little on a few Christmas gifts? We're all friends here, so I won't judge; I'm guilty of it, too! Without wasting another minute, here are my suggestions for your last-minute gift needs:

1. Reclaim your phone or tablet and gift the kids with tech gifts from Disney.

2. Cake pops are trending right now. Give Babycakes recipe books, cake mixes, small appliances & more.

3. Tasteful additions to the Christmas tree are always appreciated. Give Waterford Crystal collectable ornaments.

4. Who doesn't appreciate cozy flannel & fleece sheet sets?

5. When all else fails, give food! Try our selection of gourmet foods & gifts.

Deal of the Day: LivingQuarters Comforters!

Exclusively ours and only 24.97, it’s our Deal of the Day!  This down-alternative microfiber comforter is super-soft and decorated with leaves, circles or stripes, giving it personality and texture. It is filled with polyester fiber – an allergy-free alternative to goose down – to keep you warm and toasty all winter long.

Deals of the Day priced so low, additional discounts do not apply.  Offer available online only.

Fragrance Gift Sets

Still searching for the perfect gift for that special someone on your list? Click over to the Beauty and Fragrance section and take a look at all we have to offer. There are so many perfume, cologne and other gifts set options available, you can't make a bad choice! Shop now so that your gift arrives in time for Christmas. Some of my personal favorites are:

Ambition, our exclusive fragrance by Jordin Sparks

Give Luxury. Give Coach.

Rich leather, sturdy hardware, exquisite styling and a brand name with a tradition of quality and luxury… what could be better than giving the gift of Coach?  No gift is more treasured.  Alternatively, if you're struggling to put together a wish list of your own, why not consider adding a Coach bag?  With styles for every taste and items for every budget, a Coach bag will be used for years to come.
Give a timeless gift. Give luxury. Give Coach.

Staying Toasty

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or add-on gift?  How about a hat, scarf or a pair of texting-friendly gloves?  Hard as we try, those things are constantly getting misplaced. And really, anyone who lives in a cold-weather climate knows the importance of staying warm and looking stylish at the same time; we have to do it almost six months out of the year!

Shop Cold Weather Accessories:  Men's | Women's

Stylish and Tech Savvy

Dress up your electronic devices – phone, tablet, e-reader – with tech accessories! Beyond putting a personal touch on the electronics you use day in and day out, you'll be providing an added layer of protection in case of an unexpected fall from a desk or tabletop. And, when there are half a dozen items sitting on the chargers at our house, I can always zero in on mine in an instant, and that's invaluable when I'm dashing out the door. Have a look at our selection, and see if there's something for you or for someone on your gift list! Happy shopping!

Holiday Sweets

Food is a universal uniter, and it's a great gift for family and friends near and far; they can enjoy it themselves, take it to work to share, or serve it to unexpected guests. And it's easy on the giver, too! Just point, click and buy; we'll make sure it gets where it needs to go. We have a great selection of snacks, from sweet to savory, and some in delightful presentation tins and other fun containers. Not sure what to get that special kid in your life? (Because be honest: No child needs another noisy plastic thing in the house.) What about a bouquet of candy bars? Matter of fact, edible gifts work well for teacher gifts, out-of-town family, people in service industries like mail carriers, hairdressers… This season, put a new spin on the "tasteful" gift!

Deal of the Day: Etienne Aigner ® Leather Riding Boot

A trend-right at a steal of a price! Today's Deal of the Day is the "Chastity" leather riding boot from Etienne Aigner® at the can't-beat-it price of 89.97. This knee-high boot features a leather upper and would pair perfectly with tights and dresses or pulled up over your favorite pair of skinny jeans to add a sophisticated foundation to any ensemble.

Sorry, Deals of the Day priced so low, additional discounts do not apply.  Offer available online only.

Give a Gift, Get a Gift

A great thing about gifts-with-purchase? Options! You can combine these add-ons with your gift, if you choose, or you can keep them for yourself. You can also keep them on hand in the event of unexpected holiday guests! So many cosmetics and fragrance vendors offer gifts… you’ll find them for both men and women. Shop right and you’ll come away with great deals and extra gifts, to boot!

Shop Women's Fragrance:

Justin Bieber | Nicki Minja | Dolce & Gabbana® Light Blue | Jordan Sparks

Shop Men's Fragrance:

Kenneth Cole | Calvin Klein | Lacoste

Santa Paws

Large or small, fuzzy or sleek, canine or feline… Don't forget about your four-legged friends this holiday season!  We have it all, from gourmet bakery pet treats to soft, snuggly beds to cozy sweaters and jackets. Pets deserve a little something at Christmas time, too. After all, who else is so happy to see you when you come in the door, even if you only left to take out the garbage?

Tip: Lots of holiday plants, trimmings and foods are toxic to dogs and cats. And with all the chaos of the season, many times we either forget to keep things out of their reach, or host others who might not realize that the chocolate they’re trying to sneak to your pup as a “treat” might land you in the e-vet. A good resource for more information on these issues is aspca.org.

Oh, So Giftable: Watches!

While we can't actually give the gift of time – oh, would that we could! - we can give the gift of telling time. Watches are utilitarian in nature; most of us wear one every day. But they don't have to be purely functional. We carry an amazing selection of watches, from bright and bold looks, to eco-friendly models to fine precision timepieces. No matter what your budget or who the intended recipient, we have something that will fit anyone's needs. Happy shopping!

Deck Your Halls

With all the excitement and busy-ness of the holidays, it's always been my goal to try to keep stress to a minimum. To that end, I've started doing a lot of online ordering. Store hours do not always correspond with the hours I'm available, so it's nice to be able to shop on my terms. And since I've begun taking this approach, the holidays have become at least a little less stressful. So I'm thinking, I order gifts online, why not order decorations online, too? We have an incredible selection of gorgeous, unique fresh and dried wreaths to choose from. Do you want to take it a step further and order your Christmas tree, too? We're happy to accommodate! Click through and cross a few things off your to-do list. Easy shopping means less stress this season, and that's a gift we'd all love to receive.

Deal of the Day: Olympus® 16MP Digital Camera

With its 24mm wide-angle lens and super compact all-metal body, this camera is packed with all the features you'll need to take sharp, crisp photos.  Plus, a bonus – it’s available in five eye-catching colors, which is perfect for those who like to serve up a bit of colorful personality with their picture taking. Say cheese!

Deals of the Day priced so low, additional discounts do not apply.  Offer available online only.

Coach Has Arrived Online at Bon-Ton!

Get ready for holiday luxury: Coach has just arrived at Bon-Ton. Shop the newest collections and find gorgeous giftables for everyone on your list—including yourself.

The Gift of Fragrance

As hard as I try to get my Christmas shopping done early, I still find myself struggling to get those few things at the last minute.  Well, not this year!  When in doubt, I’m choosing fragrance gift sets. From my teenage sister to my aunt, there’s something for everyone, for any taste, and at a variety of price ranges. Do you know their signature scent? Then your gift choice is easy!

If not, what about a coffret set, which offers a variety of smaller-sized fragrances to sample.  While you’re at it, take a peek at something for yourself. Why not? Shipping is always free for any beauty and fragrance purchase of $50 or more!

Free shipping offers exclude Yellow Dot Clearance. Surcharges may apply.

Holiday Entertaining

More than any other holiday, Christmas is the time of year celebrated by adorning our homes with themes of the season: Twinkling lights, a Christmas tree, festive wreaths and decorations passed down for generations are lovingly displayed to mark this festive time of year.  I love the idea of carrying this same holiday spirit into the dining room by dressing the table with holiday-themed platters, linens, wine glasses and dinnerware. You can go all out and invest in place settings for each guest, or you can choose a pattern and add to it year after year for a more budget-conscious way of collecting. Whatever you choose, your home will be a warm and welcoming place for your guests, and a place to celebrate year after year.

Shop our Holiday Shop

Top Holiday Dress Picks

The magic of Christmas Eve isn't lost on adults, and I'm certainly not one to pass up an opportunity to dress up. Actually, between holiday parties, Christmas itself and New Year's Eve celebrations, the month of December offers many opportunities to break out the lace, sequins, velvet and tulle, not to mention the accompanying shoes and accessories. I'll cop to having a few favorite looks, and I've featured some of them below.

Another option, though, is to invest in a flattering little black dress. Find one that makes you feel like a million bucks, accessorize it differently for each event – add an embellished cardigan! Add a beautiful wrap! Add stunning, statement jewelry! - and you've got a budget-conscious look that will take you through the season in style. Enjoy… and Happy Holidays!

Ultimate Sugar Cookies, a recipe from KitchenAid®!

Whether you're whipping up a batch of cookies for your child's class, or making dozens upon dozens for the annual exchange, baking tends to go more smoothly with the proper tools. And anyone who's ever used one will tell you that the KitchenAid Artisan mixer is the gold standard in kitchen appliances. Treat yourself before the holidays (you deserve it! And it helps with the baking, which means that everyone wins!), or put one on your wish list. I promise you'll be glad you did!

Ultimate Sugar Cookies (© KitchenAid Best-Loved Recipes Cookbook – page 124)

1 cup Butter, Softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all –purpose flour
Makes 4 dozen cookies

1.  Place butter and vanilla in bowl of KitchenAid stand mixer. Turn mixer to medium and beat about 2 minutes or until mixture is smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat about 2 minutes longer. Add eggs and beat about 30 seconds more. Stop and scrape bowl.
2.  Turn mixer to low. Gradually add cream of tartar, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and flour to sugar mixture. Mix until blended, about 1 minute.
3.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto greased baking sheets about 3 inches apart. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from baking sheets immediately and cool on wire racks
4.  Once cookies are completely cool, decorate with your favorite frosting and holiday sprinkles.