HOLIDAY GUIDE 2010: Perhaps because of the hot “Mad Men” throwback styles or the not-so-hot-economy, blowout salons are making a comeback in L.A. These casual salons could become the next mani-pedi and an inexpensive option for a unique holiday hairstyle.

“There was a gap between high-end salons … and discount chains,” says Alli Webb, who this year turned her mobile blowout business into a series of studios, aptly named Dry Bar.

The bright and airy salon — with locations in Brentwood, West Hollywood and Studio City — is a bit more bar than salon, with flat-screen TVs, plenty of hair products, plus bubbly and wine on the menu. Also on the menu are cocktail-themed 'dos for $35, including the Mai Tai, with messy, beachy waves à la Kate Hudson; the Cosmopolitan with big, loose curls; and the Southern Comfort, “which is our big hair with lots of volume,” says Webb. Her holiday recommendations after the jump >>

From homemade luxuriant bath salts to personalized preserves, Brand X is all about employing the DIY spirit during the holiday season.

The folks over at Make Me Hungry have an awesome aromatic holiday project that does just that, utilizing local farmers market herbs to create a rustic wreath to adorn your home.

It's made by weaving a variety of market-fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano and mint into a simple grape vine wreath from Michael's.

The best part? This fresh and festive decoration can be made for under $10. (Head over to the site for a step-by-step demo.)

But if the tryptophan from your turkey leftovers has you feeling lethargic and less-than-crafty, we've got your back. Here's a guide of gifts from these local Etsy producers that'll do just fine, too.

-- Krista Simmons

Follow me on Twitter @kristasimmons

Photo credit: Lisa Cohen

All Jarred Up

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2010: Whether it's beer, a terrine or panna cotta, we can't help but be excited when comestibles are presented in a Mason jar. Teri Hiles, creator of All Jarred Up, capitalizes on this homey sentiment with their adorable jarred pies, which come in flavors like “Peachy Keen,” “How Do You Like Them Apples?” and “Pear-ed Together.” The pies are made to order, topped with an adorable checkered handkerchief and shipped the same day to ensure freshness. Jars come in 8-ounce ($7) and 16-ounce ($13), and can be ordered on their Etsy page. www.alljarredup.etsy.com

I Love Popcakes

Three local moms conceived their cakes-on-a-stick business organically. After constant requests to bring the customizable pops to their children's parties, the ladies decided to turn a profit off their talent.

Inspired by Bakerella's similarly shaped creations, Janice Ho and her two baker buddies offer a variety of cake bases that can be mixed and matched with various frostings and toppings. (The chocolate with milk chocolate frosting and toffee was to-die.) Currently I Love Popcakes offers snow-cap-wearing monkeys and penguins, and they'll also be doing a variety of holiday-themed cakes to be announced soon, sold at $2.50 a pop. They also do customized popcakes to order if you'd like to get crafty yourself. http://ilovepopcakes.com

Perishable

The Chicks with Knives are no strangers to the local pop-up scene, so their latest Perishable pop-up pickle shop was naturally a success. Using fresh, local ingredients, the two L.A. ladies crafted various jams and pickles, including bacon jam, Mexican-style carrots and jalapenos and curried Asian pears. The ladies' wares will be available for purchase online on Dec. 9, with small sizes running $6 and large going for $8. www.perishablepickle.com

Chocolate Box's secret stashes

This Malibu-based chocolatier recently started offering some of their secret, off-menu hot-chocolate blends to the public in cool glass boxes that resemble the traditional gingerbread house (Let's be honest: A box full of chocolate is way better than spiced crackers.) Flavors like the Spicy Latina (chili pepper and cinnamon), Indian-inspired Cardamom Mintranda (cardamom and mint), Caramellow (caramel and help) and Her Name is Earl (Earl Grey and violet). Orders for the hot-cocoa combos ($29) can be called into the store, or bought in-house.

3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu; (310) 456-7977; www.chocolateboxcafe.com

-- Krista Simmons

Photos: A pecan pie from All Jarred Up, Inc.; Popcakes in seasonal styles; pickles from Perishable; Chili hot chocolate from Chocolate Box Cafe. Credits: Courtesy of Bread & Butter Public Relations; David Greenwald for Brand X; Rachael Narins; Krista Simmons for Brand X

If you'd rather avoid dealing with the unwashed masses, but still want to give your loved ones a unique, handmade gift this holiday season, then head to Etsy, the online marketplace for crafts. Because it's easy to get lost amidst the floral print throw pillows and knit scarves (so ... many ... knit ... scarves), we've picked out three of the most unique L.A.-based sellers for you to choose from.

Collisionware

Collisionware, the brainchild of Angie Diersman, photo editor at Tiger Beat Magazine, is probably the only collection of potholders and oven mitts that will make you say “awww.” Angie, who has been crafting since she was little, got serious and started selling on Etsy in 2008, and was fortunate to find a warm reception for her colorful, creative creations. While home for the holidays, Angie found inspiration in the form of an old rabbit oven mitt of her grandmother's, and she soon created her Little Devil oven mitt.

Seeing the success of the Little Devil, Angie has since introduced a bevy of spooky mitts, including a vampire, zombie and Frankenstein. And at $19.50 each, you'll thankfully be able to afford one for both hand. http://collisionware.etsy.com

I Made You A Beard

Do you enjoy hanging out in Silver Lake and Echo Park, but lack the follicular fortitude to effectively pull off the rugged urban lumberjack look? Fed up with people asking if your babyfaced boyfriend is your little brother? Well, fortunately for you, Portland native Erin Dollar has created I Made You A Beard, where you can get a felt or yarn-based beard substitute to cover for your facial hair failings. Pick your beard from a variety of styles, like “Gnome,” “Speckled Lumberjack” or “Ex-Talkshow Host,” and wear your flannel with confidence. Felt beards are $18, yarn beards $40. http://imadeyouabeard.etsy.com

Forest Candle Studio

These stunning rose-impersonating candles are a family operation. Founder Marcie Forest has been hand-crafting these beeswax works of art since 1997, but now gets help from her daughter Camille and son Cary. Prices range from $22 to $125 for a candle you'll never want to burn. http://forestcandlestudio.etsy.com

-- Daniel Siegal

Photo: Collisionware's Little Devil Oven Mitt. Credit: Collisionware

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2010: OK: You know better than I ever possibly could what kind of movies your friends are into.

If they're fans of, say, Disney's “Beauty and the Beast” or “Avatar” — but not so into them to be first-day purchasers — then sure, get them the new super-duper editions. But, if their tastes are a tad more unusual, you might want to risk your friendship by springing one of the following (most of which have just been released) on them.

“The Secret of Kells” (New Video Group, Blu-ray Disc/DVD combo, $39.95; DVD, $29.95) As long as we've already invoked 1 1/2 animated films above, let's suggest an alternative. This gorgeous, independent Irish production was nominated for an Oscar last year but got predictably shut out by Pixar's equally worthy “Up!” Brendan Gleeson and Evan McGuire provide the voices for a stern monk and his orphaned nephew, who ends up helping to create the real-life Book of Kells. The beauty of the artwork almost demands Blu-ray, but don't let that stop you from going with the DVD. There is a genial commentary track from the filmmakers, as well as 45 minutes of “making of” material and split-screen comparisons of some storyboards and their finished versions.

“Night of the Hunter” (Criterion, BD, $49.95; DVD, $39.95) Among Hollywood productions, Charles Laughton's sole directorial effort may have the highest influence-to-success ratio. Robert Mitchum gives an iconic performance as a wicked preacher in an Appalachia reimagined as a terrifying fairy tale world. This new release is simply definitive, including a terrific commentary, a “making of” documentary, and 21/2 hours of extra footage and outtakes assembled by the UCLA Archive. More picks after the jump >>

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2010: Buying a stack of iTunes gift cards for the holidays? Save your money. Plenty of this year's best albums and EPs were released for free. Here's our guide to surprising your favorite Pitchfork reader.

Odd Future - Discography 

The L.A. rap group has released a career's worth of material on their Tumblr blog for free. Most are worth a few spins, but we'd start with MellowHype's "BlackenedWhite" before moving into the group's more abrasive material. [Odd Future]

Elliott Smith - Bootlegs

A handful of unofficial but crisp-sounding concert recordings from the late L.A. songwriter surfaced this year, offering both full-band and acoustic takes on his still-heartbreaking material. The latest ones are from Sept. 28, 2000, August 12, 1998, and Dec. 30, 1999, but don't hesitate to dive into the rest. [Archive.org]

Twin Sister - "Color Your Life" EP

Like a Beach House or Warpaint found even deeper below the radar, Twin Sister's "Color Your Life" draws on murky '80s influences as well as Stevie Nicks' witchy wonder on superb songs such as "Lady Daydream." [Twin Sister]

The Smiles - "Hermosa" EP

If you wish Vampire Weekend would drop the Ivy League pretensions and just sing songs about girls and going to the beach, L.A.'s own The Smiles have got your back. "Hermosa" is six songs of sweet, simple guitar-pop as accessible as it is tuneful. [The Smiles]

Amanda Palmer - "Amanda Palmer Sings the Popular Songs of Radiohead with her Magic Ukulele"

O.K., so the former Dresden Dolls' singer's seven-song covers EP will run you $.84, but considering the strength of the material, we'll break our freebie rule for this one. [Amanda Palmer]

And, if you do decide to give out some physical gifts this year, here are five albums worth the investment after the jump >>

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2010: No longer must holiday functions be relegated to stale lodges that drip lame like bad hair from the '70s. Rejoice with cooler, more affordable and sometimes risqué options around Los Angeles.

CASA

Mario del Pero's Mexican restaurant in sunken California Plaza features big booths called casitas (little houses) that appear both inside and outdoors. One of the larger models is the Sueño Room, which accommodates 20 people, sports leather walls and a 42-inch flat screen. Looking for something more intimate? Consider the L.O.T.P. (Life of the Party), which seats nine. Food from chef Alex Moreno costs $28-$68 per person for options like crispy shrimp tacos or the carnitas “sandwich” called a mulita. It's an additional $25-$63 for the multi-booze drink package.

350 S. Grand Ave., Downtown; (213) 621-2249, www.casadowntown.com

First & Hope

Terry Brewer and Parker Martin's supper club resides in the shadow of Disney Hall and includes a back-room Art Deco caberet called the Fedora Room. An 18-inch stage holds seven musicians and adjoins a restored grand piano. The room holds 75 people for cocktails, 50 for sit-down dinner and 100 for standers. The room's equipped with an HD projection screen, surround sound, and they'll gladly provide champagne punches and vintage glassware, if that's your thing. Best yet: The room's shielded by soundproof glass, so don't be afraid to unleash a primal holiday scream. The Fedora costs $500 an hour from Monday to Wednesday, with a $4,000 minimum on Thursdays and Sundays, and a $6,000 minimum on Fridays and Saturdays.

710 W. 1st St., Downtown; (213) 617-8555, www.firstandhope.com

More options after the jump >>

Ah, November -- a month of pumpkin pie, autumn chill and, of course, frenzied shopping. Brand X is here to help. This week and next, we'll have your complete guide to the holiday season, from geek-worthy tech gifts to Black Friday survival to holiday beers and planning the perfect party -- stay tuned right here and pick up our print edition, on racks now, for more. Got more tips for us? Send 'em to brandx@latimes.com. 

As the madness of Black Friday descends upon stores like a herd of wildebeests this week -- seriously, watch the trampling scene from "The Lion King" again if you're not worried about this -- Brand X wants to make sure you make it through the holidays in one piece. Here's our guide to surviving (and thriving!) on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond -- after the jump >>

Sure, maybe it's annoying when they don't make eye contact during dinner because they're glued to a glowing screen, but after you check out some of the stocking stuffers we've picked out here, you might understand. Whether you're shopping for your video-game-nerd little brother or your gadget-fiend father, this year's hottest gifts are definitely worth geeking out over. See the list after the jump >>