Have a snazzy holiday

Neiman Marcus at SouthPark hosted its first Snazzy Holiday Luncheon recently and it was such a success they plan to do it again next year.

The guests - who were mainly the store's top customers - mingled in the designer clothing department before sitting down to a delicious luncheon. The "entertainment" was provided by the fun and style savvy duo of the store's manager, Kristine Matthews, and its public relations manager, Kristin Jackson. Each had a table set up with their favorite gift ideas from the store in several different categories including gifts for parents, spouses, siblings and children. Models also circulated through the crowd to show off holiday fashions and dazzling jewelry.

Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, I'm now seeing a Rachel Zoe brand Liza sequined blazer and Connie tie-neck top. Here's a photo:

My favorite unisex gift idea is the Chateau d' Estoublon olive oil from France that comes in a bottle that's so stunning it could be mistaken for a large flacon of rare perfume sitting on your kitchen counter. It costs $100 and is available in the store's Gift Gallery, although there are only two left as I write this. Here's a photo:

Matthews and Jackson also shared some exciting news that I've been waiting to hear for a long time: Neiman Marcus stores now accept MasterCard (before it was just Neiman Marcus or American Express cards).

Even if you can't afford some of the luxurious merchandise, it's always inspiring to walk through the store because it feels good to be surrounded by all that beauty, and you can get ideas for putting together things you already own in new ways by observing what top designers are creating.

Also - as Matthews so eloquently summed up for the guests - it's important to dream.