The mesh trend that started with YSL’s cage heel hasn’t lost steam in our style books. While we’d like to own the high fashion stuff, Topshop‘s affordable mesh high heels do the trick, creating a look that’s edgy and industrial but incredibly sexy at the same time. A Velcro fastening brings something extra to these shoes, which will work all year round. [$100, Topshop]

How come finding good basics always feels like such a fruitless search? The perfect piece has to fill so many criteria—fit, versatility, comfort, genuine love for the garment. We think we may have stumbled upon a great candidate with this slouchy t-shirt by Velvet. Everything from its cap sleeves to its worn-in texture and loose scoop neck make this the kind of top we’d absolutely live in. And like a great basic, we’d take this out with a skirt and heels, or wear it on laundry day. [$71, Shopbop]

Since when did J.Crew start producing awesome handbags that easily rival Coach? We’re all about their offerings at the moment, and have a particular crush on this Beacon bag—the perfect daytime carryall with a price that won’t break the bank. The white and brown color combo adds a preppy touch to the sack, but gold hardware keeps it classy and elegant. While this definitely has a spring vibe, we’d break it out now to add a bit of fresh style to the gloom-and-doom days of January. [$168, J.Crew]

Perusing street style websites for hours is one of our slightly embarrassing guilty pleasures. Sure, we pick up style tips and identify missteps, but sometimes we can’t help but wonder whether we’re wasting too much time. With the Street Style Memory Game, though, we don’t have to choose between our sartorial hunting habit and being productive. This game provides fashion enrichment yet also makes the brain work as you try to match the top halves of the subjects with the rest of their outfit. You’ll definitely want to pick this one up when it’s released in March. [about $19.56, BIS Publishers]

At first glance, this piece of jewelry looks like a necklace with the multiple hanging layered chains. But take a closer look and you’ll realize it’s a two-fingered ring, which expands to fit any size, and decorates not only your fingers but your whole hand. We’re loving that it’s totally on trend with the chain look, and the fact that you can convert it to wrap around your wrist means that it does double duty. Two new pieces of jewelry in one! If nothing else, it’s a great bar conversation starter. [$109, Stanton James]

Beyond adding extensions or using complicated styling tricks, there isn’t a whole lot you can do to make your hair thicker than it actually is. But leave it to scientists to figure out how to dupe everyone into thinking Mother Nature blessed you with voluminous strands. Living Proof’s smarty-pants team developed a new material that gives hair tons of oomph without making it brittle the way hairspray does. Those lifeless locks should be extinct in no time. [$24, Living Proof]

If you’re anything like us, nothing, even the frigid temperature, can keep you from wearing your cute dresses. But lately our shins have been feeling a little frostbitten. That’s why we’re adding these fleece tights by Plush Foot to our underwear necessities. No longer will warm legs also mean itchy legs because, unlike wool tights, these are soft yet toasty. They’re also the most opaque tights we’ve ever come across. Fleece has finally found its place in the fashion world. [$35, Singer22.com]

It might have taken a while for the military jacket trend to trickle down to the affordable mass retailers, but we’ve finally found a version we love. (Of course, when you spend time seeking out the perfect alternative to the luxury model, the second you find something, no one’s really talking about it anymore. Which is just as well.) This Forever 21 soldier jacket plays up the style well with its epaulets and antique-inspired buttons, but stays far away from camp with a neutral color. [$27.80, Forever 21]

Aldo does it again! We seriously think this company should maybe consider nixing the shoes and go all accessories all the time. The latest goody to catch our eyes is the “Thon” necklace (weird name, though). Multiple silver strands make this piece weighty, but it’s also super elegant thanks to the simple bow detail that recalls a Lanvin aesthetic. We’d rock this in the evening, and we’d also happily pair it with a black sweater dress or solid tee for a fashionable office look. [$18, Aldo]

The hype over the “Where The Wild Things Are” movie may have died down, but that didn’t stop us from seeing the cuteness in these slippers modeled after the main character, Max. We can’t think of a more ferocious way to warm up your feet around the house (seriously, is anyone else freezing?), than by shuffling around in these fuzzy, plush slip-ons. Guaranteed to scare the crap out of your boyfriend. [$9.97, WBShop.com]

The mantra “Keep it simple, stupid” may get you through life, but it won’t help you mix a delicious drink. The Cocktail Gallery’s “K.I.S.S.” poster reminds us what’s really important when it comes to shaken or stirred beverages: simple syrup. Be sure to keep the 1:1 water and sugar combo in mind whenever you whip up a batch of mojitos. [$25, The Cocktail Gallery]

While this Rosey Ring is grown-up and sexy, it inevitably brings us back to childhood: “Ring around the rosey ... ” Is it weird that something can be seductive and childish at the same time? (Although that rhyme was about the bubonic plague ... but we digress.) A concept by German designer Fabien Seibert, the laser-cut rose silhouette elegantly wraps around the wearer’s finger. Its open form and stainless steel material lets you adjust it to make a perfect fit, which is great for those with small hands. Or big. Whatever. [$98, MoMA Store]

“So, how often are you flossing?” your dentist asks.

“Uhhh ... you know, everyday,” you lie.

He gives you a condescending look.

“Well ... sometimes I get a little lazy, so maybe every other day,” you add.

Silence.

“OK, FINE! Whenever I feel like it, OK?”

How is it that dentists always manage to make you feel like a failure? They should know that flossing is just plain annoying. So maybe if you make it more fun with this cupcake-flavored floss, you’d actually do it from time to time, and pass your next exam with flying colors (or pearly whites). [$9, Fred Flare]

Unless they’re splashy formal wear, skirts tend to be pretty basic—sort of like how an LBD or a pair of jeans functions in your wardrobe. That’s why we’re loving the creativity in Mara Hoffman’s knit mini skirt, which brings a punch to an everyday look with its black, white, and purple print. Added bonus: it’s made from merino wool and baby alpaca, so the skirt will keep your derrière extra warm this winter. [$140, Bona Drag]

Sure, you may have a daily planner on your smart phone, computer, and iPod, but sometimes, nothing beats a good, old-fashioned, and practical pen and paper. This box set from Moleskine contains a daily planner for every month, so you’re sure to make every appointment and date this year. [$39.95, Moleskines.com]

We here at The Frisky live for celeb gossip, chocolate, and your comments. What can we say? You crack us up! In honor of you, our smart, sexy, and incisive readers, who aren’t afraid to talk smack on the internet, we’re giving away prizes! Each week we’ll award you awesome chatty Cathys a little something special. This week, two winners will receive a copy of Flying Apron’s Gluten-Free & Vegan Baking Book. Without further adieu, the lucky winner of this week’s Gift For Gab.

Happy New Year! Now that the partying is done it’s time to focus on the possibilities of 2010. One of the first steps to more a positive outlook is shedding last year’s bad memories. That’s where a paper shredder comes in handy, because it can rid your dwelling of last year’s bills and erase all evidence of that fling that didn’t work out so well. The second step is getting over that hangover. [$79.99, Staples]

OK, so it’s a little pricey for a tie, but pretty cool once you take a closer look. No, ladies and gentlemen, that tie is not made of mere fabric; it’s actually a whole lot of recycled cassette tape.This strikes us as the perfect gift for that music lover who “has everything” because, let’s face it, there’s a good chance he does not in fact have this. [Sonic Fabric Neck Tie, $120]

Amazing music comes out of Sweden (The Sound of Arrows and Robyn to name two faves), and now we’ll be able to listen to tunes from the country through stylish Scandinavian headphones. Urbanears aren’t your basic earbuds. They’re made from colored steel and finished with a smooth, matte rubber coating, and each pair comes with a microphone and a remote so you can use them with your phone. But we think the biggest selling point might be the 14 available colors. [$40+, Karmaloop]

Every year we buy a few sweaters, but only end up wearing a couple favorites over and over. This year, though, we’ve found one that deserves to be added to the wardrobe mix because it pulls double duty. This particular sweater is perfect for layering under a quilted vest and toning down a full mini-skirt by day, but will also look sleek with a pair of skinny jeans and knee-high boots for night. The cozy cable knit is what winter is all about, but the wooden studs keep it from being too collegiate and stuffy. [$69.50, America Eagle Outfitters]