Making a DIFF

via @diffeyewear 

Some people collect shoes (I do), some collect coats (I do that, too), but then others collect glasses (to confirm: yep, still me). I have a few "collection" "issues" but I'm working on it. 

You see, here's the thing: curating fashion is a valid pursuit, especially when it has a purpose. I could go on and on about why stockpiling stamps or Pokemon cards or multiple husbands is a waste of time and resources, but accessories? Let me break it down for you. Shoes keep your feet protected and stop you from embarassing ejections from public spaces. Coats shield you from the elements, of course, while allowing you to wear pajamas to school drop-off and cover up coffee spills. And glasses? Well, they shade you from the sun, hide lack of sleep, and make you look cooler at all times of the day (just ask Corey Hart). While most people are obsessed with sunglasses, my particular fetish is for the non-shaded, non-prescription variety of glasses. I have my creative glasses (pink, tortoise, clear), my take-me-seriously spreadsheet glasses (no-nonsense black and heavy rims fit the bill) and then I have my 'my outfit is basic today' glasses that instantly elevate any 'fit.

I scored my first pair of DIFF glasses at Winners last year and while I fell in love with the style and comfort of these shades, it was their company mission that made me a repeat offender. Every pair of DIFF glasses sold helps to provide the gift of sight to someone in need through eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgery. To date, DIFF Eyewear has donated over 1.5 MILLION pairs of glasses worldwide. So yup, kinda like Toms but in the eyewear space.

With all of the time I spend on my laptop writing, I've recently become a huge fan of DIFF's Blue Light Blocking collection. Not only do these glasses look dope, they minimize eye strain, prevent dry eyes and blurry vision, and reduce headaches that come from too much screen time. 

I'm a fan and I think you will be, too. Ch-ch-check 'em out below. Epic website problems seem to be fixed for now so will be sharing more scores on the regular, kk?

Happy Friday, beauties!

Bella in Clear Crystal

Carina in Clear Leopard

Selena in Cream Tortoise

Carson in Light Pink Crystal

h.e.r x DIFF

Bella in Black

Becky II in Himalayan Tortoise

GIVE A LITTLE BIT | My Fave Holiday Tradition at Vaughan Mills

Messages of love at the Vaughan Mills Love Lock Wall.

Right now is that precise time of year when the fashion on my mind is exclusively inspired by jammies. The week leading up to Christmas, for me at least, involves a steady fashion menu of Roots joggers, cozy rompers, oversized sweaters and maybe the odd puffer for those last-minute panicked trips to the mall. Sure, I'll bust out the sequins and velvet and all of that festive hawtness starting Christmas Eve but right here, right now, I'm just down for anything that I don't mind spilling hot chocolate on. You feel me? Fashion, I'm afraid, is the furthest thing from my mind as I watch Home Alone (1 & 2, not 3 - ugh), pop advent chocolate and test-drive red wine. So when Vaughan Mills asked me to come back to celebrate the launch of their Love Lock Wall - this time as a blogger - I knew this was going to be the perfect first post back, since this event has come to mean so much to me. 

Our first time at Santa's Tiny Big Town in 2015, when they were still so little (sniff)...

For the last 4 years, my kids and I have gone to Vaughan Mills for what's become one of our absolute fave holiday traditions. We shop (of course), we eat (obvs), but then, we head straight to the Event Court to give a little bit. It's SO easy for kids to get caught up in the 'getting' this time of year, the 'giving' part sometimes gets a little lost. This trip always flips the switch and somehow makes us all care a lot less about gifts and a lot more about what actually matters: presents. My daughter just read that and was like, 'omg, mooooomm!' 

The amazing team at Vaughan Mills has made it their mission to give back in the most epic way to SickKids Foundation. As an official Catalyst Sponsor, Vaughan Mills has already raised over $600,000 (seriously) in only 4 years for this amazing cause, with an ambitious $1 million goal; all through Santa photo packages at Santa's Tiny Big Town and its Love Lock Wall experience.

C & I locking in our love at the Vaughan Mills Love Lock Wall.

That's me, trying to act natural. 

We arrive at Vaughan Mills and get right in line to get photos with Santa (which I can't stop, won't stop doing until they're in highschool - they'll thank me later). Santa's Tiny Big Town is stunning, Santa is the real deal, and unlike so many other places, you get your own private family moment with the big guy. The best part? 100% (!) of the proceeds from the photo packages goes directly to SickKids. Right beside Santa's Tiny Big Town is the Love Lock Wall, where you purchase a lock, dedicate it to someone you love with your own special message, and lock it on the wall. There's something about the act of dedicating the lock that always makes my kids quiet (this is a big feat) and thoughtful and truly, I think, helps them remember just how lucky they are. You can purchase 1 lock for $15 or 2 for $25 and with each lock purchased, you get to take home a beautiful 'keypsake' necklace to gift or to keep (um, yup, best teacher gifts EVER). Once again (you guessed it) a full 100% of the proceeds goes to SickKids. We lock on our locks, choose our necklaces (a moon and a star for their fave teachers) and then sit down for a concert by Shawn Hook (looove) who's come to celebrate the launch at Vaughan Mills. Scroll down to the video diary below to see how it all went down.

Want to give back this holiday season and share an amazing experience with your fam? Be sure to head to Vaughan Mills to visit Santa's Tiny Big Town and the Love Lock Wall. Oh, and while you're there, be sure to snap a pic of you locking in your love and share it with the hashtag #VMGives. After visiting SickKids hospital and getting to meet some of the families whose lives have been impacted by this amazing place, including kids who can't come home for the holidays at all (ugh I know), I really cannot think of a better cause than this. xx

 

C & A at the Love Lock Wall & Santa's Tiny Big Town in 2016. 

GIVE A LITTLE BIT | The Vaughan Mills Love Lock Wall + Our Visit to Santa's Tiny Big Town

Messages of hope on the Vaughan Mills Love Lock Wall...

Epic snowstorm or not, we are on our way to Vaughan Mills. My kids are in the backseat, all dressed up, and there is no turning back. With school, soccer practices, choir performances and colds having delayed us over the last few weeks and Christmas only a week away, this is literally our only night to do this - and for the record, we're not just going to shop. As the Official Stylist of Vaughan Mills, I spend most of my days focusing on the fluffy stuff - the fashion, the shoes, the sparkly gifts I find on the daily at VM, all of which I love. But while Vaughan Mills is one of my favourite places to shop, it's their focus on giving back that means the most to me. And so, we're driving, through a blizzard, for 3 hours, to see Santa. 

Even a snowstorm can't stop these two from seeing Santa...

 

Made it! C & A, all set to meet the big guy at Santa's Tiny Big Town.

For the second year in a row, Vaughan Mills has partnered with Toronto's SickKids Hospital for Santa's Tiny Big Town, where 100%(!) of the proceeds generated from Santa Photo Packages will be donated to SickKids. We came last year and my kids still talk about how magical Santa's Tiny Big Town was. The set-up is beautiful with twinkly white lights everywhere and magical little elf houses dotting the path to where the kids eventually meet the man of the hour. This year, there were no line-ups, no waiting (see: blizzard) so C & A waltzed right in but VM has thought of everything so along the way, there are loads of games and distractions to keep little ones entertained. 

Fun games in the line-up make waiting loads of fun.

All is calm, all is bright...

Frame-worthy. And yes, Santa's beard is 100% real (I know because they checked). 

We're greeted by two elves, direct from the North Pole, who usher us into the room where Santa sits. The genius part is that you can't see the big guy until you're allowed into the room so it feels special and quiet and magical. Once inside, you finally see Santa, in all his jolly glory, sitting on his giant green armchair. My kids are in awe and I see them examining his beard. It's definitely real. They tell him their wishlist (which includes everything from rocks to hoverboards this year), then he gives them a magical key to leave out for him on Christmas Eve before posing for a pic, winking his eye and bidding them goodbye. 

All giddy after meeting the man of the hour.

"He's the real deal, mom," declares my daughter, whose grade 4 classmates in her 3/4 split have had her questioning things like Santa and the tooth fairy lately. Confidence restored and two thrilled kids in tow, I smile, realizing I get to keep them little for at least another year. Vaughan Mills is awesome so they've given each of my kids a gift card to pick up a little something for themselves as a pre-Christmas treat. We head to LEGOLAND®, the Disney store, Toys, Toys, Toys (where Alex is in Pokemon heaven) and Build-a-Bear, where my daughter gets to build and dress up her very own reindeer. She is 100% smitten. 

No trip to Vaughan Mills is complete without a visit to LEGOLAND®. 

Decisions, decisions...

Literally larger-than-life LEGO...

Talking Pokemon (a language I'm sure I'll never understand)...

Chloé's first trip to Build-a-Bear and her newly 'born' reindeer, Emma. 

An important reminder in this season of giving...

Shopping was fun but I'm most excited for this next part. The kids don't know it, but they're about to be part of something amazing. With the focus so quickly turning to what we want to get this time of year, I often struggle with how to teach my kids to give in meaningful ways. We make our way to the Sport Court (Entry 4A) to visit Vaughan Mills' newest charity initiative - the VM Love Lock Wall. The concept's inspired by the love locks in Paris where you write a message on a padlock and leave it behind. The Vaughan Mills Love Lock Wall is similar, but which each padlock purchased, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to SickKids. I was lucky to be invited to the media event last week to see the wall in progress and meet some of the families who regularly rely on SickKids - so many inspiring messages of hope have been left on the wall already and it really hits home when you meet these strong, incredibly brave kids. 

All ready to lock in our love for SickKids...

But first, cupcakes...

Vaughan Mills ambassador, Katie Zeppieri, gives C & A the Love Lock run-down...

I take C & A to meet Katie Zeppieri, former SickKids patient, TED speaker and Vaughan Mills Love Lock Ambassador. She explains how you buy a padlock, write a message on it, then lock in your love by attaching it on the wall. As a 'keypsake', you get to choose a charm necklace to take home or give as a gift. Um, teacher gifts: DONE. Katie explains that they can write whatever they want on their locks - from words of love, to a message of hope for the kids at SickKids. I can see their wheels spinning as they try to think of the best words to write. My son asks how to spell Pokemon so we explain it again to make sure he really gets it. 'OHHH, okay, how about Be Brave.' Perfect.  

The perfect holiday gift for teachers, friends and family this holiday season...

You can't miss the massive GIVE sign...

Choose from Hero, Love, Dream or Best Friend - purchase a lock and you get to take home a 'keypsake'...

Bright red locks all ready to be personalized...

Thinking of the perfect message is the best part...

A writes 'Be Brave' on his lock...

Love this message.

The Love Lock Wall is starting to fill up...

C & A try to find the perfect spot for their locks...

C leaves her message on the Love Lock Wall...

After the locks are locked on, we head back out into the storm and make our long, slow trip home. As my kids fall asleep, my daughter murmurs from the backseat, 'That was so worth it.' I totally agree. 

Want to give back this holiday season? Be sure to head to Vaughan Mills to visit Santa's Tiny Big Town (hours here) or the VM Love Lock Wall (or both) until Dec 24th. While you're there, be sure to snap a pic of you locking in your love and share it with the hashtag #VMLoveLockWall. Also, don't miss our 

12 DAYS OF GIVING CONTEST

Share your Love Lock Story and you’ll have a chance to win a $200 Vaughan Mills gift card and a padlock to lock in your love at our Love Lock Wall.
 
All you have to do is:
 
1. Follow @vaughan_mills on Instagram
2. Like the Vaughan Mills 12 Days of Giving post on Instagram
3. Tag a friend
4. Comment on our Instagram post or share a video about who you will be locking in your love for
5. Winner will be announced on @vaughan_mills 12 Days of Giving post at 1:00pm and will win a $200.00 Vaughan Mills gift card and a padlock to lock in your love at our Love Lock Wall.
6. Profile must be public

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK | Why You Should Shop for GEN1 This Holiday Season

It might be what's inside that counts but when it comes to gift giving this year, might be time to reconsider the outside, too. The new Canadian Women's Foundation Shop for GEN1 collection features party supplies and gifting-made-chic finds that give back in a big way.

Before you go ahead and pick up just any random wrap, consider this: 100% of the net profits from the line are invested in emergency shelters, programs that help women rebuild their lives from abuse and prevention program designed to teach young people how to put an end to violence - for good. The Foundation's aim? Help build the first generation of women in Canada to experience true gender equality and live without the fear of violence. And you thought it was all just pretty packaging. 

Find the Shop for GEN1 line at WINNERS and HomeSense stores now, perfect for adding meaning to any gift or gathering this holiday season. 

Gifts that Empower | Far & Wide Collective

All photos via Far & Wide Collective

Gives and gets are doubly met thanks to Far & Wide Collective, a brilliant Canadian company founded by Hedvig Alexander. She lived in Afghanistan for 7 years working in international development, and after seeing the amazing creative talent of the women who lived there, decided to switch gears. Her dream? Create a sustainable business model to connect artisans and female entrepreneurs in developing countries with the international market, changing both invidividual lives and whole communities in the process.

One look at Far & Wide Collective's online marketplace and I was hooked. With beautiful handmade works by artisans from countries like India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mexico and Swaziland, every piece tells its own compelling story. From jewelry and accessories to truly unique home décor accents, the expertly curated site is both fashionable and philanthropic, so you can pick up beautiful gifts while empowering the talented artisans who make them.

A gift is so much better when there's a story to go along with it, don't you think? Read on for a few of my favourite finds on Far & Wide Collective right now, ready to pick up just in time for the hols. Love this!

Enjoy and happy Friday!

A woman at work at Zarif Design, which employs 50 Afghan women and men who, from their homes and one workshop in the old city of Kabul, revive traditional Afghan textiles.

Black Warrior Bracelet, $86.  Inspired by the traditional bracelets worn by the warriors, this glass beaded flexible cuff with recycled plastic boning is woven together with recycled thread in Tanzania.

Black Beaded Collar Necklace, $53. This necklace is made from rolled-up recycled magazines. Can you think of a more perfect gift for the fashion maven? Made by Quazi Designs in Swaziland. 

Lapis Star Bracelet, $50.  The Aayenda jewelry line is designed by Afghan students who are trained and mentored in jewelry-making and gem-cutting in India.

Hedvig Alexander, founder of Far & Wide Collective, at the opening of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

A series of beautiful handwoven sisal baskets from Kenya. 

Gold Plate Aquamarine Studs, $120. Made in Afghanistan by artisan Shugufa Yousofzai.

Colourful Otomi pillows from Mexico. The designs on these pillows and blankets (not pictured) are said to be inspired by ancient wall paintings found in the nearby caves of Tenango de Doria, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. They provide an income, some independence and a sense of community to the female artisans who create them.

White Jamdani Kaftan, $195. Made by House of Wandering Silk, which partners with a cooperative of 1,400 women in India, bringing them an improved economic status, medical assistance and a sense of community.