UMass-Amherst graduate DJ Lindsay Luv has turned tables for some of the most stylish clients in the business -- from Victoria's Secret to NYLON Magazine -- and even lent her mug to campaigns for Andrew Marc and Boston's own Miss KL, the girly counterpart of streetwear e-comm giant, Karmaloop.com. Now she's returning to her Boston roots to step into the DJ booth at the Revere Hotel's swanky Emerald Affair on New Year's Eve, but if you can't make her gig, Miss Luv shared her tips for how to make a party playlist and even created an exclusive mix for Boston.com and The Globe. (We're pretty cool, in case you didn't know already.)

First of all -- what do you listen to when you're getting ready to go out?
When I want to get pumped I listen to a lot of Madonna. I'm known to play her CDs on repeat but something I'll listen to my own mixes, which I know sounds horrible but when I make mixes I know I put stuff I love on it.

If I don't have my own personal DJ, what are my options?
Try finding a pre-mixed playlist. I do mixes for TheFuture.fm, a streaming website with mixes from a variety of DJs around the world. It can be anyone like Tiesto and Avicii to someone local like me. So whenever people are having a party of their own, I just tell them to stream the mixes.

But what if I want my own music?
Ultimately the problem starts when people don't pre-sync their music and create playlists to go with the ambiance of their party. If you haven't sorted through your music or plan to use a pre-made streaming playlist, and you just say, 'OK, play whatever is on my iTunes,' you're going to end up with Barry White one second and Britney Spears the next. It just won't make sense. I like to set up different playlists that go with the mood of the event -- chill out music for a dinner party, maybe some Johnny Cash for a barbeque, and stick with those.

Will a change in music actually change the mood of a party?
The ultimate goal of music at a party is to keep people's senses up. As a DJ, you want to build the night and keep people going. You don't want them to feel like it's time to leave until the very last song. I'll usually start with hip-hop and pop for the first two hours and then move to house and heavier dance music for the last two. Around the last song, when you're ready to get everybody out, that's when you can take it down a notch.

What do you consider to be a good ratio of top 40 and pop music to more indie tracks?
I personally use the two-to-one rule for myself, which means for every one really off-the-wall unknown song that I play, I play two songs everyone is going to recognize after that. You want to mix in those tracks that you think the crowd is going to love and be inspired by so it's not regurgitating the radio. Otherwise what are you doing as a DJ, you know?

EXCLUSIVE -- Lindsay Luv's New Year Eve Playlist
Scream & Shout: Will.i.am & Britney Spears
Midnight City Diamonds (Rihanna x M83) - Mada Remix
Die Young- Ke$ha
We Run the Night - Havana Brown feat. Pitbull
Your Body- Christina Aguilera- The Dirty Tees Remix
We Own the Night- Tiesto & Wolfgang feat. Luciana
Finally Found You- Enrique Iglesias feat. Sammy Adams
Lights (Chase Apollo Mix)- Ellie Goulding
Bright Lights Bigger City- Cee Lo Green
Last Dance- The Raveonettes (DJ Lindsay Luv and DJ D-Major Reflip)

Catch DJ Lindsay Luv at the Revere Hotel's Emerald Lounge for the Emerald Affair New Year's Eve party on Dec. 31. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event.

[Photo by Shannon Cottrell]

Super secret sneaker shop, Bodega, teamed up with North Andover-based Converse to create two pairs of limited edition kicks just in time for the holidays. The Converse Pro Leather Collection designs are part of a five part collaboration by the brand and five renowned sneaker shops around the world. The Bodega styles feature a low-top and a high-top with supple leather and faux camelhair uppers, respectively, and are priced at $100 and $110.

Both styles are available exclusively at Bodega, 6 Clearway St., Boston. (Enter behind the Snapple.)

The Target + Neiman Marcus collection, featuring the limited-edition gift-able designs by 24 renowned CFDA designers, drops in stores and online tomorrow and if it goes anything like the last mega collaboration with Missoni, we foresee a lot of heartache and headaches in our very near future. However, it doesn't have to be all crocodile tears and chaos. As seasoned sample sale shoppers, we've compiled a list of four tips to keep in mind when shopping the collection this Saturday, Dec. 1. Listen to us and you may be successful. Maybe. No promises. Good luck to you all. But be warned, if we see you going after that last Altuzarra cocktail set, we will take you out.

FULL ENTRY

Berklee grads, Karmin, turned up the holiday spirit by shooting a video for "Sleigh Ride" for purse purveyors, Coach. The music video (for the subsequent single which is available for free download on the brand's site) features the duo donning Coach's holiday collection styled by Rachel Zoe for a kicked up rendition of the classic holiday tune.

Check out the video below and let us know what you think in the comments.

There are three things that are considered sure-fire water cooler conversations for us at Stylephile: nail art, anything Isabel Marant, and Kate Middleton's hair.

This week, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (A.K.A Mrs. Prince William), was spotted with new side swept (and surprisingly awkward) bangs and Twitter was ablaze with coiff commentary.

Kate Middleton took her new bangs out for a bangier spin today while covering her belly...Let's ponder that last point vnty.fr/Tsv8W2

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) November 28, 2012

Behold: Kate Middleton's almost bangs racked.cc/Y1PnP4

— Racked National (@Racked) November 27, 2012

Kate Middleton has bangs.

— StyleCaster (@StyleCaster) November 27, 2012

Hold the freaking phone. Did Kate Middleton get bangs?? bit.ly/TstyDk (I can't tell. Could just be shorter layers around her face?)

— Elizabeth Holmes (@EHolmesWSJ) November 27, 2012

While the former Middleton, who is known for her perfect locks, may have single-highhandedly caused the rise of blow-out bar popularity, we're wondering if this new look will cause her fans to suddenly feel fringe-friendly.

However, The Daily Beast's Royalist blog reports the future queen doesn't seem 100% keen on her new look...

Kate having doubts on half-fringe? Tells Crowd Member: I'm Not Sure About My New Bangs thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/… via @thedailybeast

— Royalist (@royalist) November 28, 2012

What do you think of Catherine's new bangs? Reporters also noted the young duchess spent most of yesterday evening at the Natural Museum of History (where the bangs were first spotted, above), covering her stomach with her hands, putting everyone on high pregnancy alert. (BTW, She was wearing Mulberry.) New 'do for a new mum? Let us know what you think in the comments.

[Images: Top, Paul Ellis - WPA Pool/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images; Bottom, REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski/Pool)

The Boston Globe's annual Holiday Style issue of the Globe Magazine comes out this Sunday, and while we can only give you a sneak peek of what's to come, we decided to give you four style tips picked up on set that can help kick start party season:

The ability of a great shoe or a statement necklace to elevate last year's little black dress is obviously undeniable, but don't underestimate the power of novelty tights and stockings to raise your reruns to a new level. I love the giant polka dot pair we used on the shoot from Kate Spade, but these black sheers (both $32) that read "Cha cha cha" up the back are easily my favorites for the party season.

We were smitten with the great range of budget-friendly party dresses on the market this season, but nothing adds that necessary layer of luxury like a fur stole, faux or not. Post-party season, bring your stole to a tailor and have them stitch it to the collar of an old wool coat. You'll find yourself feeling warm and fuzzy all over again.

Ruby red lips aren't the only way to get in the spirit this season, so don't feel pressured to give into the soiree staple. Pretty pink cheeks (or as I like to say: wind kissed) practically scream holiday and leave room for a bold hue frock and footwear to shine. I'm a big fan of Benefit's Bella Bamba blusher ($27 at Sephora), a sheer pink with a hint of shimmer for cheekbones that pop on camera.

Don't be afraid to dip into your work wardrobe for party pieces. Those meticulously tailored trousers from your interview days of yore can look pretty darn sharp when paired with the right festive top, while your standby black blazer may turn out to be just the right topper for a sleeveless dress that needs an extra layer.

The Globe Magazine Holiday Style issue will be in this Sunday's (Nov. 18) Boston Globe. Don't forget to pick up a copy for our full holiday fashion spread, gift guides by neighborhood, and more.

[Photographs by Sadie Dayton; Styling by Rachel Raczka; Hair and Makeup by Mariolga/Team; Model: Pauline, Fenton Moon]

Innovation District-based footwear company, Casa Couture, is teaming up with Cuoio's Newbury Street location to host a trunk show fundraiser this evening for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Casa Couture's collection may look like your average collection of luxury leather ballet flats and sensible heels, but the brand puts an emphasis on comfort and wear-ability -- boasting feet-friendly features self-adjusting, flexible shoe length and width to accommodate swelling that can come from a full day of wear. Smart!

Most of the collection ranges in the $200-300 price point. Tonight, shoppers will receive 15 percent off Casa Couture, as well as other brands featured at Cuoio.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, United Way of Long Island, and the American Red Cross.

Shop the event at Cuoio Shoes, 128 Newbury St., Boston from 5-7 p.m. tonight. RSVPs are encouraged.

It's a good week for beauty lovers. Lush, a "self-appointed cosmetic deli," opened doors in the Mall at Chestnut Hill this week, bringing their boatloads of fresh-made and fragrant skin, body, and face products to Route 9. This is the sixth Massachusetts location for the British brand, with a seventh location in South Shore Plaza in the works. Lush joins fellow Chestnut Hill newbies, Vineyard Vines, and LOFT, with a smattering of other retailers soon to follow. (We're looking at you, J.Crew.)

While some Bostonians may already be familiar with Lush -- or at least familiar with the sweet, sudsy smell that consistently wafts from its front door -- we know it can sometimes be intimidating for others to shop in a store that cuts wedges of soap from rounds that look suspiciously like provolone (it smells much better, we promise) and serves up its face creams from refrigerators, but we promise, it all comes with good fun and good purpose. The brand plays by a rather strict ethics code, stating: "LUSH products are 100% vegetarian, 80% vegan, 67% preservative-free, and 46% free of wasteful packaging with absolutely no animal testing being done on LUSH products or ingredients."

Pictured: Senik solid shampoo ($11.95), Pink bath bomb ($4.95), and Ocean salt face and body scrub ( $21.95 - $35.95).

Lush is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun, noon- 6 p.m.; at the Mall at Chestnut Hill, second level, at 199 Boylston St. (617) 244-2957.

Melbourne-bred skin and hair brand Aesop opened the doors for its third U.S. location in Boston this week. With a simplistic smarty pants attitude and a wide range of products with both natural and lab-created origins, the brand's press release cites Boston's "Puritan beginnings and its stature as a center for independent thought, scholarship, and literary and scientific brilliance" as a source of inspiration for the store's unique design.

The 850-square-foot space on Newbury Street between Exeter and Dartmouth was designed by William O’Brien Jr., an assistant professor at the MIT School of Architecture + Planning, and integrates "the centuries-old with the contemporary, employing new and reclaimed wood as core materials."

The store will offer elixirs such as the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner ($39) and the Sage & Cedar Scalp Treatment ($33), as well as a very luxe $340 handmade badger bristle shaving brush.

Aesop is open daily, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at 172 Newbury St. 212-899-3450.

A favorite of the Michelle Obama, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the fashion famous alike, Prabal Gurung was announced as Target's next designer collaboration in stores February 2013. The New York-based designer will design an 80-piece collection of budget-friendly womenswear, accessories, and footwear ranging from $12.99-$199.99 Like many Target collaborations prior, we expect Gurung's capsule to be a reflection of his current RTW collection and his general design aesthetic. Think: bold, dreamy prints and straight shooter tailoring. We can't wait.

"The collection is inspired by a girl’s journey through the different stages of love and the clothes she wears during each milestone—from the first date to meeting the parents to the engagement," Gurung said in an interview with the brand.

But if you need a little taste of Prabal (on a budget) a bit sooner than Feb. 10, we've got good news. Gurung is also part of the Neiman Marcus holiday collaboration for the big box retailer that includes the likes of Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, and Rag & Bone. His little black bejeweled caplet and evening bag (pictured) both ring in under $100 and hit Target stores with the rest of the uber collaboration Dec. 1.

[Images, from left: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a Prabal Gurung dress, via Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images; The designer with actress Zoe Saldana in his designers, via Larry Busacca/Getty Images; Gurung's cape and handbag for the Neiman Marcus x Target collaboration via handout]

Tickets for the Oct. 19 Gilt City Boston warehouse sale at the Revere Hotel have sold out. But you can still snag tickets for two of the Oct. 20 sales. The deals are outrageous (up to 90 percent off), and the crowds can be crazy, but least there will be cocktails to sooth your nerves. You're on your own, however, when it comes to taming your retail addiction.

I don't mean to sound bitter, but I have gotten a tad steamed under the collar that nearly every pop-up shop in Boston tends to be for ladies. Yes, ladies love to shop, I get it. But there are a subset of gentleman such as myself who also enjoy (re: desperately need) retail therapy. So a big thank you to my friends at Ball and Buck, one of my favorite new Newbury Street stores, for pulling together this weekend's American Field Pop-Up. It takes place Oct. 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..

The emphasis is on American-made brands such as Rancourt & Co, Randolph Engineering, New Balance, and Stormy Kromer. You can find it at the old power plant building at 560 Harrison Ave. in the South End. There will also be music from Nicholas Hagen, The Day Life, Cat London, Younger Me, Nat Osborne, and Jess Carvo, plus food trucks and (wait for it) beer.

She practically stole the 2009 documentary "The September Issue" out from under Anna Wintour, and at long last we'll hear the full story of how Grace Coddington went from model to editor. The new issue of Vogue has an excerpt from Coddington's forth-coming biography where the Vogue creative director writes about her days as a swinging London model. Let the salivating begin. The book arrives in stores on Nov. 20.

Here's a scene of Grace in "The September Issue"

Warby Parker is bringing their wide range of hip, affordable eye wear to Boston with a pop-up location on Market Street in Faneuil Hall. The temporary shop, stowed away inside a re-purposed school bus, will take Warby's full collection of frames and shades on a nine-city tour that includes Boston, Dallas, and L.A. The interior of the bus has been "reimagined as a professor's library, complete with leather sofas, wood paneling, vintage books, maps," and the brand is cheekily deeming their efforts, "The Warby Parker Class Trip." A team of Warby stylists and an optician station will also be on location to help with fit.

Warby Parker's bus will be in town through Oct. 23, open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.

Allure did a survey of "top stylists" across the country to pinpoint the most-requested celebrity hairstyles in major metropolitan areas. Who came out on top in the Hub? According to Marisa Marino of Stilisti on Newbury Street, it's American sweetheart Reese Witherspoon's forehead-grazing fringe. "Her bangs are the perfect length for her face shape, and they're weighty without looking heavy," Marino told the beauty pub.

No doubt Witherspoon's precision cut layers and perfectly fluffed fringe are on our own celeb mane wishlist, but we reached out to some other area stylists to see what else Boston women are asking for:

"Everyone wants a 'do-it-yourself' look. Messy, but polished. For color, people are looking for rich tones like red with a punch, browns that really pop, and blondes that are golden. People want to be noticed. But our most-requested celebrity style would be Zooey Deschanel's bangs." -- Justine Piecuch, Master stylist at Jeffrey Lyle Salon.

"Long hair is always in and following Jennifer Aniston and her ever-changing classic looks are what to watch. She always has great hair. " -- Eva Mustafai, Co-owner and master designer at Salon Eva Michelle.

"Some women are taking a bold change for the fall and getting rid of their long locks. Inspiration comes from Anne Hathaway and Miley Cyrus, who recently cut all of their hair off and still look confident and amazing." -- Michelle Lee, Co-owner and master designer at Salon Eva Michelle.

"Men are going back to the '50s and '60s with tighter sides and backs with some length on top to play with. Think 'Mad Men' and Jon Hamm. Colors are also having more fun for the fall and we're seeing pops color on women, like Katy Perry. Blue, purple, pink." -- Jennifer Ng, Advanced designer at Salon Eva Michelle.

Do you have a particular celeb style that you request when you step into the salon? Comment here.

[Top image via AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck]

After seeing all of the local fashioin during Boston Fashion Week, you are no doubt jonesing to get some of that sweet, sweet Boston design in your closet. Calm down, Debbie. You'll get your chance on Oct. 11. There is a mike&ton trunk show at the Mandarin Oriental from 6:00 pm - 8:00pm, where you can find select samples. A portion of proceeds go to the ICA. rsvp: mikeandton@gmail.com

Photo by Russ Mezikofsky

In case you missed this, here's a clip from Style.com with Chanel's amazing wind farm fashion show. Although methinks that this is less about sustainable energy, and more about making a runway look very chic.

AP Photo/Andrew Burton

Clarins head makeup artist Christopher Truffa and his team will be at the Bloomingdales at the Chestnut Hill Mall through Friday to give complimentary skincare and beauty consultations to help you through the fall transition. Whether you're seeking out the idea eye cream to prep for this humid holiday weekend ahead of us or want to find the perfect vampy burgundy lip shade for the office, Truffa is in town for a limited-time to provide unlimited advice. (Meaning he'll teach you how to execute the key fall looks, not just list them off.)

His favorite fall trend? Truffa said he's liking a nude lip with a bold eye. (Like above, at Rag & Bone.) "I think a smokey eye paired with a dusty nude lip is amazing. I love all of those coral tulips coupled with a nude liner. You're still getting that nude color but adding a bit of orange to the environment. I think this look can even extend into the spring."

Learn Truffa's favorite look and more at the beauty department in Bloomingdales, 225 Boylston Street, Newton through this Friday.

The Future Boston Alliance, that group that caused such a hubbub earlier this year Is presenting a weekly series celebrating art and culture in Boston at the Emerald Lounge at the Revere Hotel. On Oct, 10, you can honor the legacy of sneaker design in American culture at a show curated by YES.OUI.SI. You can see a privately owned collection of Air Jordan shoes and other collectables from Michael Jordan’s career, along with original artistic work riffing on Jordan’s legacy. The exhibition starts at 7 p.m., admission is free.

You can meet Brandon Svarc of the denim company Naked & Famous on Saturday at the Tannery (plus there's Japanese treats!). Meanwhile, here's a look at some of his style essentials from an interview in GQ. Details of his Tannery appearance are below.