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 

To Have and to Hold

Oversized totes are huge (literally) for fall. Photo courtesy Harper's Bazaar

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When the government issued a plastic bag tax last year, I was relieved. I knew that the 5 cent charge was a little step in the right direction for our environment, slowly training us to be eco-aware. And yet, I have to admit, my relief was also aesthetically motivated. I mean, a plastic bag can wreak serious havoc on a great outfit. You could be wearing a Giambattista Valli frock with rockstar Louboutins but carry a plastic bag and you might as well be wearing jogging pants.

A great bag, as it turns out, is as essential as wearing pants. Instead of being an afterthought, a beautiful bag should be at the top of your priority list when getting dressed since great shoes and a good bag can make even jeans and a tee look spectacular. And the great news? The right bag doesn't have to be a Mulberry or Marc Jacobs. And it certainly doesn't have to be splattered with overt logos, be they Gucci G's or Coach C's. Instead, look for a beautiful silhouette, a colour that makes you happy, and a design that makes practical sense for your life. Choose right, and your bag will be something to have (and to hold), from this day forward, forever and ever (or at least for the next 3 years), Amen.

Want to look current for fall? Here are some of the top trends we saw on the runways this season:

1) Black Bags - After so many seasons lying low, black bags are back in a big way. Bonus: they're classic, weighty and go with everything.

2) The Top-Handled Bag - Ladylike and practical, these totes meld form with function. The Doctor's Bag is particularly hot for 2012.

3) Spicy Colours - Look for shades of turmeric yellow, saffron orange, and rich cayenne to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe this fall. Rich shades of bordeaux are also having a major moment this season.

4) Overt Embellishment - Bags loaded with embellishments, from studs, to fringe, to beading, to fur, are unapologetically busy and add dimension to any outfit.

5) Metallics - Shades of metallics, but particularly gold with black clutches or chain-handled bags, are perfect for busting out after dark.

6) Oversized Everything- This fall, the bigger the bag, the better. Look for massive silhouettes, from totes to oversized envelope clutches to hold all your stuff, with room to spare

7) Jewel Tones - Rich purple, emerald green and ruby red will go beautifully with all the jewel-toned separates hanging from the racks this fall.

Ready for a brand new bag? Click on the thumbnails below for 30 chic beauties from White Oaks Mall you might want to carry home this fall (Bags from Town Shoes, ALDO, Le Château, Roots, Danier, Coach, Club Monaco and Smart Set)

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The Anti-It-Bag

Originally posted in The CLOSET

A budget-friendly Chanel quilted bag - photo via Jak & Jil blog

1. Coach Classic City Bag, Coach, $278; 2. Structured Handbag, ALDO Accessories, $38; 3. Coach Classic Leather Shoulder Purse, Coach, $298; 4. Messenger Bag, Danier, $189; 5. Kristina Bag in Prince Leather, Roots, $298; 6. Modern Satchel, ALDO Accessories, $45; 7. Clutch, Danier, $69; 8. Fossil Mini Cross-Body Bag, The Bay, $70; 9. Faux Leather Tote, H&M, $39.95; 10. Mini Monique Bag, Roots, $188

I'll admit it:  I have a love-hate relationship with logos.  Seeing an iconic Chanel 'C' or a far-beyond-my-budget LV instantly brings to mind words like luxury, haute-couture and credit card debt.  There are days when I wish I could snatch up the latest celebrity It-bag and have a Birkin in every colour, just because I had so much money that, what else could I possibly do with it all?!  I get the twinges of jealousy, I understand the appeal, I feel the lust. 

And yet, those same It-bags can often feel a little, for lack of a better word, cheap.  Seems counterintuitive given the hefty pricetags associated with designer bags, but there's just something about a girl plastered with logos that screams, "Hey everybodyyyy, see my Gucci bag?  See all the logos?!  I'm rolling in it, suckers!!!"  Don't get me wrong, I own a few logo pieces myself, but my latest obsession is the subtle, classic bag - the well-made, beautifully-designed bag that won't look dated in a year or two (see my top 10 relatively guilt-free picks above).  Maybe it is a jealousy thing or maybe I've just gotten tired of trying to compete, but to me, a beautiful, understated bag is miles more impressive than a loud, logo-plastered purse.  Shouldn't they be paying me to advertise for them?  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way - clean-lined, logo-free bags are being embraced by designers everywhere this fall and I'm loving the results.  Even Coach recently brought back its line of 'Classics', whose timeless appeal and un-fussy designs have won over legions of stylish fans.

Now, carry on.  Just be sure to carry away a simple, chic new fall bag as a little back-to-whatever gift.  They're always saying to love yourself first and I really can't think of a better way.  Hooray!