For the most part, we’re all about hiding the cords that keep our panoply of gadgets energized. But then we came across this photo showing a lamp with a fancifully manipulated cable, and it made us realize that sometimes, like when you have a ginormous zit on your forehead, it’s better to embrace the problem than to attempt to cover it up (everyone can see what you’re trying to hide anyway, right?). Lifehacker recommends using wall clips like these ($21.34 for 100) to create your design. Plus, spending an hour or so creating a modern art installation out of cords you already have is probably cheaper than buying a piece of artwork. [Maisie Maud Broadhead via Lifehacker]

For my teeny tiny Christmas tree in my Manhattan apartment, I purchased one of those flimsy contraptions, certainly built to only last one season. But this Swarovski-encrusted tree stand is putting me to shame. It’s shiny, fancy, and really, really expensive at $14,770. Could this be the very best present under a tree? [Born Rich]

Yes, it’s another “whatever of the month club” subscription—but, hold up, this one is worth it, mostly because they aren’t sending you cuts of beef or different cigars each month. Polaroid of the Month Club was started by Melanie from the darling You Are My Fave blog. She takes pretty pictures of pretty things with her Polaroid camera, and sometimes takes pretty pictures of things you tell her that you like. Then she sends said pretty pictures to you every first of the month. It’s like a tiny, monthly dose of fuzzy, photographic beauty. (Sure glad the hipsters saved Polaroid now!) It’s three months for $14 and six for $27—you email Melanie to sign up and tell her what you like, too! Seriously, everyone in my life may get this for the holidays this year. [You Are My Fave via The Lil Bee]

High-class French food emporium Fauchon unveils its limited-edition eclair, featuring a design of Brigitte Bardot. Délicieux. [GoGoParis.com]

This awesome concept entails recycling your cassette tapes to let them shine on. [Unplggd]

Sure, a tent-coat combo sounds like an utterly ridiculous piece of clothing (it sort of looks more like a scarf than a coat, if you ask me), but these days who wouldn’t want one? I mean, hello? Just think about it: We are smack in the middle of sample sale season. What does that mean? Many long lines on sidewalks in not-so-nice weather—who wants to stand in rain/hail/cold winds when you can stroll up in your coat-tent, pitch the thing and spend those waiting hours out of the elements? And, with the newest “Twilight” installment upon us, all I’m seeing are hordes of cold potential moviegoers camped out in front of movie theaters waiting for their chance to see the vamps tomorrow. Wouldn’t a tent-coat make those nights spent on line more pleasurable? So, I ask you again, who wouldn’t want one? [Inventor Spot]

Yesterday I took a field trip over to Colette, the famous Parisian concept boutique. This place might as well be the Eiffel Tower because it’s a prime tourist destination, and probably one of the most frequented stores by visitors to Paris. Since it’s such a touristy destination, I didn’t think it would be a problem to snap a few pics with my iPhone. The second I got my camera out of my pocket, however, I could feel the security guard eye me, and as I held it up, he was by my side before I could hit the shutter—“Pas de photos!” he warned. Sheesh!

Similarly, style blogger Susie Bubble discovered on her trip to Hong Kong that shops there are even more strict about snapping pics: “I didn’t realize the Rise Commercial Mall on Granville Circuit in Tsim Tsai Tsui would be so stringent so these were snapped only to be halted by a big fat no-photo sign.” So what’s the deal? Wouldn’t you think that pictures are for sharing, therefore, having some taken would only promote a store’s merchandise?

File under: Furniture That Will Cause Potential Hookups To Run Screaming Out Your Front Door. (Also, Things That Will Scare Any Cows That Wander Into Your Bedroom.) [Hamburger Bed]

Waffle fries are the holy grail of French fries for me, and it’s not always easy to find them when I have a craving (or they’re so weighed down with grease they’re soggy—ugh). Luckily, I came across Alexia Foods’ Crunchy Snacks Waffle Fries at the grocery today. They don’t need fried or cooked, and their texture is a cross between a fry and a chip; mostly crispy, but soft on the inside. The hot pepper flavor is spicy and delicious, and everyone in The Frisky office wanted to steal them from me. While the fries aren’t exactly health food, they are all natural with no artificial preservatives, flavoring, or coloring. So, now I have access to my beloved waffle fries wherever I want, which will be awesome provided I don’t overdo it—I still have three more flavors to try.

Despite being a fan of plaid, I’ve never particularly liked Burberry’s signature print. But that’s OK, because the owner of this home, Norwegian artist Jens Werner Andersen, more than makes up for my lack of enthusiasm. [via Buzzfeed]

Dig into the recesses of my bag, and you’ll be sorry you did. In between lip glosses, notebooks, pens, and random pieces of jewelry, there’s bits of receipts, hair ties, and more clutter than I like to think about. Bag designer Monica Botkier—she of the truly covetable “it” bag line Botkier—is out to save women from their endless purse issues by getting down to the rules of keeping your handbag clean and clutter free. And I’m taking her advice, after the jump…

If you’re into collectibles, listen up. Gwen Stefani has five brand-new Harajuku lovers for your collection, and they’re beyond adorable.To spice up the winter line, Snow Bunnies, she’s created the Sunshine Cuties. “We wanted to change up the outfits, because that’s what they are — little fashion plates,” said Gwen. Each of the five personalities—Love, L’il Angel, Music, Baby, and G—are based on summer scents, complete with floral accents in their hair and precious little bikinis. Singer-turned-designer Ms. Stefani described her own little doll’s outfit as such: “It’s the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ version of a bathing suit,” and admitted that she developed the line on tour, proving that multitasking is a skill she’s mastered. She’s even looking into designing more jewelry come spring, as well as a stationary line. “Eventually, I’d love to do everything,” she said. “But I want to do it right — I want to be totally involved with it all.”

Win a prize, cop a feel! Claw vending machines in Japan have been known to offer bizarre-o prizes like live crabs or turtles, cigarettes, underwear, power drills and packages of American $2 notes—so, by comparison, these busty stress relief balls seem vaguely normal. Or not. [Inventorspot]

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it doesn’t matter whether your mashed potatoes are Michelin Star-worthy or if you’re serving Stouffer’s vegetable lasagna. What’s most important is spending time with your loved ones—and making sure the dining room table looks good. Set the stage with Henry Road’s beautiful printed cotton table cloths and napkins and your Thanksgiving spread will look as though it belongs in the pages of a magazine, even if dinner came from the grocery’s frozen foods aisle. [$20 for 4 napkins, Henry Road]

WIN THIS! We’re giving away a Henry Road Rio Samba Crimson/Pink table cloth and Grid Crimson napkin set, but you have to work if you want to win. The best commenter for this coming week—from today, Friday, Nov. 13 through Thursday, Nov. 19—will be awarded with one. So, be as clever, smart, and original as you can! Click HERE to read the official rules.

Yes, that’s a shot of the late Yves Saint Laurent‘s former “country home.” But really, would you expect anything less from one of the most luxe fashion designers of all time? The mansion in Deauville, France, is dripping with extravagance, and now you can get a look inside and even own a piece of it—Christie’s is auctioning off the wares inside. Granted, you have to be pretty wealthy to take part (sigh, as always).

But the eclectic collection of furniture and decorative accents makes for entertaining viewing pleasure. Feast your eyes on an elk chandelier, Grecian urns, and tons of Rococo furniture. Our favorite item, however, has to be a collection of porcelain bulldogs. So random! (Yet weirdly chic as well.) Some more pics after the jump! [Paris By Appointment Only]

During the summer, it stays light well into the night, and I like to meet friends for late, alfresco dinners. But these days, as darkness falls by 4:30 in the afternoon and it’s nearly always raining, I just want to get home, curl up in a blanket, and down comfort foods like there’s no tomorrow. The dishes that make my tummy the most content are a yummy cheese grits casserole my mom used to make when I was little, macaroni and cheese, and buttered toast—but not all at once!

What are your favorite comfort foods? Share your food coma-inducing favorites in the comments, and, if you have a delicious recipe you’re willing to divulge, send it to style@thefrisky.com with the subject line: Recipe. We’ll post the most mouth-watering ones so you’ll have plenty of cozy food ideas throughout the coming cold months.

Women in Need is NYC’s largest provider of shelter and vital services for homeless families. This year, they’re raising funds in a truly different and creative way: They asked a bunch of celebrities, designers, and athletes to custom-design a paper mache house around the theme “Home is where the heart is.” Let’s just say people were into the idea because Oscar de la Renta designed a home (above), Kate Spade, Isaac Mizrahi, the Beckhams, Diane von Furstenberg and loads more people you know did too! Best part is, the houses really portray who and what the designers are all about. Check ‘em out after the jump—which is your personal fave?

The Sub Rosa restaurant in Oregon serves food and drink with a side of music, and clothing is optional. The trend was initially started by the staff, who found themselves stripping down during a blistering hot day at an outdoor barbecue. (Seriously, what was that one about if you can’t take the heat?) Diners soon joined in, and since then, it’s been a clothing-unnecessary place to dine, drink and dance.

The Sub Rosa actually turns out to be sort of invitation only, but if you really think about it (and get past the possibly painful spill factor), it could be a great way to get yourself to eat smaller portions! How? Just picture it: There you are at your kitchen table, about to bite into a giant Pizza Hut stuffed-crust, double meat-lovers slice and you look down and see ... a lil’ belly bloat! Personally, I’d probably be motivated to take a pass, pick up my fork and chow on a salad. Am I totally off with this, folks? Ever tried to eat while not fully clothed? [InventorSpot]

I was checking out Ryan Korban’s new interior design website this morning—he co-owns the super chic and English-y eclectic shoe shop Edon Manor, is besties with Alexander Wang (they went to school together), and has been designing Wang’s offices, etc., since day one—and happened upon this genius idea on how to make a non-working fireplace visually interesting: Stack it with books! Turn the books around so the spine sides are facing into the fireplace and stack them in all sorts of directions. (Don’t worry about it coming off as just a messy dumping ground; the uniformly colored pages create a cohesive look.) Plus, it’s not like you have to go out and buy anything for this designer trick—most of us already have books ready, willing and able. Now I’m dying for a non-working fireplace. [Ryan Korban]

Yesterday, one of our favorite funny ladies, Mindy Kaling, posed an interesting question on Twitter: “What retail store would people like to live in? I say Barneys on Wilshire because of the stairs or Dylans Candy Store in Manhattan.” Many stores where we shop have such interesting decors that we’d like to move in. Personally, I wouldn’t mind living in Madewell. The one in New York is mostly white with worn wood rafters and floors, and it’s decorated with old clocks and cameras, driftwood and plaid (in the form of clothes). Which stores would you like to live in? [Well I think we know at least one person around here named Amelia who would not choose Hollister.—Editor]