Mom's the Word: A Last-Minute Gift Guide

Photo courtesy HomeSense. Originally posted in The LOOK

I'll keep this brief - I mean, it's only a few days until Mother's Day after all, and no, you are not alone. I haven't bought my mom a gift yet either. This is the woman who changed my diapers, who will watch my children at a moment's notice, who thinks that everything I do is golden. And yet, life happens and suddenly you're stuck, the day before her special day, trying to piece together a cool, somewhat thoughtful gift (click here for my cautionary soap-on-a-rope tale. ugh.)

Don't freak out just yet;  I've put together 15 great gifts for every budget that she's pretty much guaranteed to love this Sunday. Oh, except for the Justin Timberlake CD. She has to be a super cool mom like me to appreciate that one, if I do say so myself. I really hope somebody's paying attention to this gift guide because I really, really want that album. And since my children can't read yet, that means it's all on you, James. Ahem. Ahem. Kidding, we all know that it's 99% about the card, anyway. The gift is just the icing on the Mother's Day cake. No pressure, honestly...though a cake would be lovely...

Happy Mother's Day x

1. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, $29.99, Coles; 2. Lancome Génifique Skin Care Set, $104, Sears; 3. Mirrored Ray-Ban Aviators, $199.95, Sunglass Hut; 4. Glass Storage Box, $12.99, HomeSense; 5. New Balance Walking Shoes, $109.99, SportChek; 6. Quilted Embossed Leather Satchel, $99, Danier; 7. Canadian Diamond Solitaire Earrings, $179, Peoples Jewellers; 8. Fresh Picked Tangerines Antibacterial Mason Jar Hand Soap, $12, Bath & Body Works; 9. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, $349.99, Sears; 10. Blackberry Z10 Superphone, $99.95, The Source; 11. Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience, $12.99, HMV; 12. Sweet Indulgence Dessert Teas, $24.50, DAVIDsTEA; 13. Nike Ultimate Yoga Mat, $44.99, SportChek; 14. NIXON The Time Teller Watch, $179.99, Boathouse; 15. Keurig Single Serve Platinum Brewer, $199.99, Sears 

I Dream of Jimmy

Dream Rope-Tie Elaphe Sandals, $1,495, NET-A-PORTER

How insane are these Jimmy Choo sandals? Like crazy, amazing, cramazing. And I can't even pretend to afford them. Will someone with size 9 feet buy them please? And then wear them once and tell me what it feels like to don such over-the-top gorgessity. And then, upon seeing me cry, have a sudden pang of guilt over all of that useless disposable income and pity-Purolator them to me? And then watch my YouTube video as I head down La Rambla, castanets in hand, tassels swinging whilst flamenco stomping my way into the sunset? Yup, that's how I see this going. Not happening is it...

PUNK: Chaos to Couture at the Met Ball

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Sienna Miller attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Next to the Oscars, my fave sartorial sporting event to hit the red carpet has to be the Costume Institute Gala - aka the Met Ball. This year's theme? PUNK: Chaos to Couture, an homage to that rocker era of the early nineties complete with bad-ass spikes, studs and safety pins, a super fun change from the typical glam gowns we usually see. Here are a few of my fave celeb looks from last night - fave because these stars went ALL out with their bad girl ear cuffs and heavy metal extras from hip jeweler to the stars, Genevieve Jones. Um, is Cara Delevingne not the freaking coolest thing you have ever seen? Some people are just born with It.  I, on the other hand, have a little work to do. Hmm...now where did I stash those safety pins...

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Model Cara Delevingne attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Actress January Jones  attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Actress January Jones  attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Had to include this video, too feat. the perfect punk song of the moment. I don't care, I love it

Floppies and Fedoras

Photo courtesy Gap

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Why is it that on vacation, no matter what the weather, fun hats are such an essential part of our wardrobe? In our relaxed state of mind, OTT floppy hats and playful fedoras seem so at home on our heads, but at home? Not so much. I mean, how many times have you thought about wearing a hat and then taken it off? I can't explain it - maybe it just doesn't feel very Canadian, or maybe it's a short supply of margaritas (#tragic) but whatever the reason, let's all commit to wearing more hats this summer. Not only will they protect our faces from the sun's rays but let's face it: hats are super cool. Just look at Jessica Alba, Emma Roberts or Reese Witherspoon who regularly rock hats for some celeb inspiration.

I for one am going to go incognito with a good mojito in these wicked hats from Gap. I'm loving the ombré effect floppies and the brightly-hued fedoras, perfect for adding the cherry on top to any summer look. Aren't they pretty? xx

Ombre Floppy Hats and Straw Fedoras, $29.95, Gap 

The New Mom Uniform

Has your personal style taken a backseat (we’re talking 3rd row here) since having your bundles of joy? Bid farewell to your mom jeans and get right back in the game with these 12 Modern Mom finds that seamlessly blend fashion with mom-friendly function.

Read the full article here