Wishing and Hoping

Source: OldSamovar.tumblr.com

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Just when you think you have your shopping list all figured out, it hits you. "Waaaait a sec," you ponder, "there's the teacher and the secretary and my mother-in-law and...who do I have for that gift exchange again?" And then a few days later, as you smugly sit, mentally patting yourself on the back for how super organized you are, your daughter tells you that she really doesn't like Barbie anymore (at all!) and she's totally back to Disney Princesses. "But you already sent your note to Santa, honey," you reason. "Santa can work it out, mom." Hmm.

And don't even get me started on hostess gifts. You're on your way out the door for a holiday party and somehow all your wine is gone (not sure how that happened..) so you rush around and try to find something to re-gift and, for lack of time, end up grabbing an ornament off your tree. True story.

This gift guide should help you in your quest for the perfect present for everyone on your list, whether you've just started to think about tackling it, or are one of those super women who only have a few loose ends to tie up.

Good luck out there, my fearless shoppers. Hope you're enjoying every little minute of this crazy season x

1. 2. Travel by Land Cassis Scented Candle, $12.95, Roots; 3. Tupelo Honey, $21.95, Teavana; 4. Waring Pro Wine Aerator, $29.99, Future Shop; 5. Marrakech Tea Tins, $11.95 each, Teavana; 6. Birdseed Covered Birdhouse, $13.99 each, Green Earth; 7. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, $20, Coles 

1. Disney Pixar BRAVE, $26.99, HMV; 2. LeapFrog LeapPad 2 Explorer Learning Tablet, $109.99, Future Shop; 3. Ski-Doo Spark Snow Moto Snow Machine, $79.99, Sears; 4. Skylanders Giants Portal Owners Pack for XBOX 360, $54.95, Future Shop; 5. Melissa and Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse, $39.99, Sears; 6. Nakamura Juvy Kids Bike, $169.99, SportChek; 7. Softec Tri-Grip Ice Skates, $89.99, SportChek 

1. Gretzky Duffle in Tribe Leather, $388, Roots; 2. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Shades, $149.95, Sunglass Hut; 3. Titleist NXT Tour 12-Pack Golf Balls, $34.99, SportChek; 4. AE Hooded Down-Filled Puffer, $99.37, American Eagle Outfitters; 5. Nike Classic Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie, $39.99, Champs Sports; 6. Nixon The Banks Watch, $449.99, Boathouse; 7. Jawbone Jambox Speaker, $159.99 (reg. $199.99), The Source; 8. Propel R/C Stinger Indoor Helicopter, $24.99, The Source

1. Baked to Last Blush, $18, The Body Shop; 2. AE Hooded Toggle Duffle Coat, $99.41, American Eagle Outfitters; 3. Studded Cuff, $18, ALDO; 4. Photobooks, starting at $8.99, Black's; 5. Diamond Tennis Bracelet, $199, Peoples Jewellers;  6. Roll Over Boot in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots; 7. Face and Body Brush, $26, The Body Shop; 8. Kobo Glo Touchscreen eReader with Wi-Fi, $129.99, Future Shop; 9. Breville One Touch Tea Maker, $249.95, Teavana 

1. Ginger Sparkle Body Polish, $19, The Body Shop; 2. Striped Sequin Heart Graphic Tee, Aeropostale; 3. Minnetonka Suede Brown Mukluks, $149.99, Soft Moc; 4. Element Garcia Shovel 8.0, $180, West 49; 5. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray, $75, Sears; 6. Jordan SC-2 Hi-Top, $79.99, Champs Sports; 7. Taylor Swift 'Red', $12.99, HMV; 8. Nintendo Wii U Gaming System, $299.99, The Source

Best. Gift Guide. Ever.

Photo: Burberry.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Who am I to say what makes a great gift?  After all, the beauty of giving is always in the eye of the Christmas-morning-bushy-tailed-beholder and of course, it goes without saying that presents are utterly personal.  The thing that might make me squeal with joy might make someone else inwardly cringe, and while a grom (thanks Urban Dictionary) might go mental over that new board, I'd be like, "Ooh, thanks! Um, sorry, what do I do with this?"

Regardless, these gifts are pretty much guaranteed to delight, whether you're trying to find the perfect thing for your stylish sister, your fitness fanatic friend, your teenage Twihard, your Monster High-obsessed mini-me, your husband who doesn't want anything (really), or even your ever-loyal pooch.  Happy shopping y'all! Only 27 more sleeps! x 

1. Legacy Leather iPad Case, $178, Coach; 2. Chiffon Polka-Dot Blouse, $35, Smart Set; 3. Rowenta Precision Valet Garment Steamer, $159.99, Personal Edge; 4. Michael Kors Runway Watch, $220, Watch It; 5. Kate Spade Photo Frame, $50, The Bay; 6. Opera Length Leather Gloves, $85, Danier; 7. Rollover Boots in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots   

1. Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson Set, $89.99, Showcase; 2. Yoga Mat, $40, Titika; 3. Burton Feather Snowboard, $399.99, SportChek; 4. Under Armour Seamless Tank, $44.99, SportChek; 5. New Balance Ioxnix Runners, $119.99, Footlocker; 6. Nike SportWatch with GPS, $169.99, SportChek 

 1. Nintendo Wii U 8GB Gaming System, $299.99, The Source; 2. Skull T-Shirt, $14.95, H&M; 3. Vanilla Bean Lipgloss, Bath & Body Works; 4. Just Dance 4, $49.99, EB Games; 5. Legacy Leather Large Wristlet, $108, Coach; 6. Sephora by OPI Gelshine At Home Colour System, $189, Sephora; 7. Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith, $15, Spencer's; 8. 4-Pack Hair Ties, $4.90, Garage

1. Toddler Boys Knight Hoodie, $26.95, babyGap; 2. Monster High Skull Shores Doll, Walmart; 3. Apptivity Angry Birds Game, $19.99, Showcase; 4. VTech Text and Chat Walkie Talkies, $39.99, The Source; 5. Cat Slippers, $9.95, H&M; 6. My Pretty Petal Dollhouse, $82, Walmart

   1. Sephora Favourites Shaving Kit, $25, Sephora; 2. Bowery Quilted Jacket, $448, Coach; 3. Halo 4 Game, $59.99, EB Games; 4. UGG Ascot Men's Slippers, $164.99, Soft Moc; 5. Trans Canada Airlines Small Banff Bag in Tribe Leather, $448, Roots; 6. Samsung Galaxy Tablet 16 GB, $299.99, The Source

1. Jonathan Adler Dog Bowl Mat, $13, The Bay; 2. Printed Legacy Stripe Leather Dog Collar, $88, Coach; 3. Jonathan Adler Chevron Leash, $16, The Bay; 4. Temptation Treats and Hartz Cat Toys, Walmart; 5. HBC Collection Striped Dog Bed, $82.50, The Bay 

Name to Know: Pontus & Hawke

Precious Metal 'Diamond Style' Ring ($325), Skinny Kayan Stackable Rings (starting at $90 each), and Skinny Revolver Ring ($225),  all at Pontus & Hawke

Loving these cool made in Canada gems from the stylish sisters behind Pontus & Hawke.  The Toronto-based company makes edgy yet eco-conscious jewels made from .935 recycled Argentium Silver, perfect for sensitive souls since it's both tarnish resistant and hypoallergenic.  Pontus & Hawke is starting to gain some serious cred with recent features in Style at Home mag and shout-outs by the Coveteur for their shoot-em-up revolver ring.  Adore! Is it too late to add these to my Christmas list? 

Cyber Monday Mania

I got the best news yesterday.  Fashion Etc. announced that J.Crew would be 40% off today w free shipping for Cyber Monday.  Though I'd already reached my Black Friday limit and technically (what's technically?) didn't really need (what's need?) to buy any more clothes, started loading up my shopping cart over at J.Crew.  I debated staying up until midnight, just to make sure I got every little thing I wanted but decided to get up early with my 2 year-old instead.  So here I am, up and at 'em since 5:45 and as it turns out, J.Crew remains at 25% off with free shipping.  Good but not the shopping nirvana I had so anticipated.  No hard feelings Fashion Etc. Just saved myself $300 :) 

If you have lists to check off, take advantage of these Cyber Monday deals, most with free shipping, if you want to avoid some of the pre-Christmas rush at the stores.  Zonk.  Espresso anyone?

x

ALDO

Extra 50% all women's sale shoes & sandals

www.aldoshoes.com 

Asos

30% of the entire site from Monday, November 26th through Friday, November 30th using code CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL.

www.asos.com

A|X Armani Exchange

35% off the entire site plus duty-free shipping

www.canada.armaniexchange.com

Club Monaco

30% off cashmere with code MONDAY

www.clubmonaco.ca

Diane Von Furstenberg

Extra 30% off all sale items using the code HOLIDAYSALE.

www.dvf.com

French Connection

40% off all regular price items plus 10% off all sale items and free shipping with code 'CYBERSALE'

www.canada.frenchconnection.com

Jacob

Everything at 40% off the last ticketed price with free shipping

www.jacob.ca

J.Crew

Take 25% off the entire site through 11:59pm on Monday, November 26th, using code 'MONDAY'

www.jcrew.com

J.Crew Factory

50% off everything (prices as marked) with free shipping using code 'YOURGIFT'

www.factory.jcrew.com

Lands' End

30% off everything and free shipping on orders above $50

www.landsend.com

Le Château

40% off footwear and bags and BOGO 50% off jewellery

www.lechateau.com

Mackage

$50 off and free prioriy express shipping with code 'CYBER'

www.mackage.com

Net-a-Porter

Enjoy up to 50% off select items on sale.

www.netaporter.com

Revolve Clothing

Take $15 off your purchase of $100 or more using the code CYBERWEEKEND15

Take $50 off your purchase of $250 or more using the code CYBERWEEKEND50

Take $125 off your purchase of $500 or more using the code CYBERWEEKEND125

Take $250 off your purchase of $1000 or more using the code CYBERWEEKEND250

www.revolveclothing.com

Roots

25% off everything (30% off Roots original flat bags) + free standard shipping

www.roots.com

Rudsak

40% off and free shipping with code 'CYBERVIP40OFF'

www.rudsakstore.com

Shopbop

Take 20% off when you spend $250, 25% off when you spend $500, and 30% off when you spend $1000 through Cyber Monday with code 'BIGEVENT12'

www.shopbop.com

Yoox

Take up to 40% off selected Fall merchandise and an additional 15% off using the code YOOXTHANKS.

www.yoox.com

All They Want for Christmas...

Source: Necessary Objects
         

Once upon a time, I would write pretty ambitious Christmas lists.  I'd ask for ridiculous things like ponies, and the ability to fly and pink hair 'like a mermaid'.  But always, always, my #1 wish would be 'neat stuff.'  Back then, that meant strawberry-scented erasers, sparkly stickers and lipgloss rings.  While I've lost my love for horses (well, riding them at least...), opt to fly Porter, and have already indulged in pink highlights at least once, I will never stop loving neat stuff - though I've graduated from e-rasers to iPads and from lipgloss rings to the sparkly cocktail versions.

If your list is long and ideas hard to come by, check out this, our first gift guide for the holidays full of new, neat and super stylish gifts for your favourites.  It being Black Friday and all, I can't think of a better time to start (or finish?) checking off your list! xo

1. Lana Del Rey: Born to Die/Paradise Edition, $12.99, HMV; 2. Pebbled Leather Satchel, $199, Danier; 3. Nixon The Time Teller Acetate Watch, $199.99, Boathouse; 4. Multifaceted Ring, $12, RW&CO., 5. Vera Wang LOVE Diamond Studs, $2,299, People's Jewellers; 6. Quilted Fingerless Gloves, $39, Danier; 7. Metallic Cap Toe Pumps, $110, Le Château; 8. Tablet Case in Croco, $58, RW&CO.  

 

1. Roll-Up Sleeve Loungewear Top, $29.50, RW&CO., 2. AEO Ribbed Beanie, $19.88, American Eagle Outfitters; 3. Fifty Shames of Earl Grey, $13.99, Spencer's; 4. GRRR!: 3 CD Set by Rolling Stones, $34.99,HMV; 5. Buffalo Check Boxers, $12.45, American Eagle Outfitters; 6. Persol 649 Sunglasses, $360, Sunglass Hut; 7. UGG ASCOT Moccasins, $164.99, Soft Moc; 8. Wooden Dominoes Set, $16.99, HomeSense; 9. Citizen Eco Drive Watch, $487.50, Charm Diamond Centre 

1. Pink Sunglasses, $12, ALDO; 2. Marled Sweatshirt ($48), and Cable Knit Slippers, ($26), RW&CO; 3. iPod Nano 16GB, $149.99, The Source; 4. True Blue Spa Super Softening Hand Lotion, $15, Bath & Body Works; 5. Aero 1987 Heritage Cinch Sweat Pants, Aeropostale; 6. Faux Fur Throw, $, HomeSense; 7. Hair Ties Set, $9.47, American Eagle Outfitters; 8. Glass Teapot with Removable Strainer, $19.50, DAVIDsTEA 

1. Monster Beats Solo HD Headphones, $179.99, Champs Sports; 2. Helly Hansen Insulated Jacket, $349.99,SportChek; 3. Reebok RealFlex Runners, $119.99, Footlocker; 4. Under Armour Charged Cotton Crew Socks 2 Pack, $11.99, Champs Sports; 5. Nike + Sportwatch with GPS, $169.99, SportChek; 6. Burton Honcho Snowboard, $449.99, SportChek ; 7. Call of Duty Black Ops II (for PS3, XBox360, Wii U, PC), $59.99, EB Games 

P.S - Is this how you feel when you go shopping?

Originally posted in The LOOK