LUXE VS. LESS | The 10 Most-Wanted Gifts for Her

via HudsonsBay on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

With gift-giving season in full swing, I keep running into men and women with one thing in common: they have no idea what to buy the women in their life. Women, it turns out, are not always so easy to spoil. I could tell my husband I want makeup for Christmas but he compares Sephora to that time he asked me to go to the hardware store to buy him wood screws. I walked in all confident and, 45 minutes later - after wandering through the aisles, lost, alone, with no Wi-Fi or cell phone reception and a decidedly unhelpful summer student who also knew nothing about screws - left with a bag of nails. I thought they were screws. And why are there 7,000 kinds of screws in the first place? And no, it is not the same thing as nailpolish. We NEED all the colours. 

And so, I consulted my friends, fellow bloggers and female family members to see what everyone is secretly wishing for this year. This guide is personal, as all guides are, but with luxe vs. less options, I hope it helps you in your hunt. And I'm not gonna lie, I also secretly hope this will make it through cyberspace onto the screens of my loved ones, just in case anyone happens to want to get me the Sunday Riley Power Couple Duo. It's at Sephora. And, in case you need a little help when you get there, either ask a Sephora Expert or come back here - last time I checked, they have Wi-Fi ;)

SEE OUR MOST-WANTED GIFT PICKS HERE...

CARRY ON: 40 Under-$400 Fall Handbags

The new Coach Fall 2014/2015 Campaign shot by the legendary Steven Meisel.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When it comes to feeling good about ourselves, bags are the absolute best. We all have issues with our bodies, whether it's our hips, our thighs, or the length (or lack thereof) of our gams. Even shoes, which usually seem like a safe shopping bet, can sometimes be tough to find - especially for those of us with odd sizes or unmentionable foot issues. Eww.

But then, there are bags. Ahhh, gorgeous bags that not only protect all of our important stuff on the daily, but also finish off even our most basic outfits. And the best part? They fit every. single. time.

For Fall '14, designers sent a myriad of bag options down the runways. Structured totes and sleek backpacks kept things classic while other designers just went for the fun with colourful furs, '70s fringe, playful text messages and embellishments galore. 

READ MORE...

A Tote-ally Cute Laptop Bag

Saffiano Leather Carry-All, $129, Danier

You're super confident in your smarts, your powers of persuasion, your ability to outwit any bully in a boardroom. But honestly, pantsuits and pantyhose all week long? Where's the fun in that? I'm loving this Elle Woods-esque structured bag with plenty of space for your laptop, meeting notes and phone, and enough bubblegum pink (and then some) to sufficiently girl up your 9 to 5, especially if you work in one of those offices. Life's too short to be so serious, especially in the summer...

Found: A Foulard to Love

Nomad Silk Scarf Bag, Anthropologie, $88

My internet and land line have been down all week so out of desperation, I made my way to a Wi-Fi friendly McCafe to write this post.  Ahhh, the glamorous life of a style reporter.  I'm totally McLoving this silk scarf bag from Anthropologie.  A beautiful scarf always lends a certain sophistication to the wearer and right now, scarf prints are all the rage;  whether on dresses, blouses, flowy pants or totes.  Though I don't plan on splurging on a Hermes version anytime soon (can anyone else hear James' sigh of relief?), I would snap up this pretty and practical scarf satchel in a heartbeat.  Wear it now and all the way through fall for the perfect pop of print and colour for any of your more subdued looks.  Gorge!

Must go.  The Big Macs are calling my name but I'm pretending I don't hear them.  Thanks for your patience, my P.Y.T's -  should be back to regular blogging again next week.  I have SO many fun things to share with you.  xoxo