MERRY & BRIGHT | 50 Fun Gifts For Everyone Left On Your List

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I can't blame you for feeling overwhelmed by it all. I mean, December is always straight up manic - between making plans and hosting parties, grabbing gifts and doing good deeds, this time of year is all about stressing and hurrying and getting it done. But then, when all of that rushing is done, it's all about stopping. It's about pausing and relaxing and fa-la-laaing with your favourites. It's about crisp white days and silent nights. It's about spending time with the people we love. We forget about work and worries for awhile as we watch Clark Griswold light up the night (Joy to the Woooorld) and Kevin experiment with after-shave. We remember what it's like to feel like a kid again as we eagerly wait for Santa to arrive.

As we all learned from Dr. Seuss, we know that in Whoville at least, Christmas came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. We know Christmas doesn't come from a store. We all know it means just a little bit more. But still, you have to admit it - giving great gifts is FUN. Since you're probably a little bit busy right now, I put together a list of 50 fun gifts for everyone on your nice list so you can quickly grab your gifts and get to all the good stuff just a little bit sooner. Happy holidays - hope you're enjoying every manic minute! 

SEE THE GIFT GUIDE HERE...

#SpreadLeLove with Le Château

Alex and I ham it up for the camera. #nopresh

When Le Château asked me to be a part of their #SpreadLeLove Campaign along with some of Toronto's top fashion influencers, I jumped at the chance. I mean, me and my little blog? I didn't know I was on the radar, so YAY! 

The shoot was designed to celebrate the many different types of love, all while wearing looks from Le Château, of course. So, I headed to Le Château at Toronto Eaton Centre and found a gorgeous Made in Canada red coat, & classic white shirt, a perfect pair of black pants, plus a pair of Spiderman-esque webbed booties that I knew my superhero-obsessed boy would appreciate. As for Alex? Well, he didn't have a choice, either in taking part or in what he was going to wear, because I didn't really tell him. There were no pep-talks, no fussing, generally no lead-up at all to the photoshoot except, 'Wanna wear your favourite fox shirt? They're going to take our picture for Valentine's Day.' Fingers crossed.

Luckily, our boy handled it all beautifully. I picked him up early from school, we drove to Toronto, then had a blast hamming it up for the camera. The adorable lookbook just arrived in my inbox and I had to share it with you first. Scroll through the slides below to see all the pics including: 

• Afiya Francisco and her adorable boys
• Power fashion couple Alexander Liang & Justine Iaboni
• Maple Media crew Chris Turner, Sarah Kooner and Marianne Litman
• Daniel Desforges and Julio Reyes
• Ryan Emberley and Sabrina Maddeaux
• Casie Stewart and Lauren O'Neil
• Erica Grenci
• Le Château's Lucy Song and Tu Tieu 

Thank you so much for including us in the fun Le Château! Okay, back to my blogging now. Sigh...I miss my modelling days. I mean modelling day...whatever...

xx

OVER/UNDER: The Football Dress

rlr mini in her Madewell version (which, sadly, appears to have sold out, but....)

Short-Sleeved Dress, $69.95, H&M

We're willing to wager a bet that this football dress from H&M will be your new fav piece. Whether playing a game of pick-up (from daycamp) or making an epic touchdown (in L.A, Miami or Capri), you'll be the best dressed playa on any field. And thanks to this frock's flowy silhouette, nobody will see your tight end (or not-so-tight-end) coming or going. My husband played tight end on his highschool football team. I still think that's funny.

After scouring 3 separate locations in Toronto yesterday, the intelligentsia at H&M Headquarters tells me that this dress has not even arrived in Canada yet. Luckily the frock is en route and is expected to touch down at Yorkdale, Bloor St. and Eaton Centre stores the first week of August. Get ready for full-body tackles with other like-minded ladies for this one. Just remember as you head into the battle: Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose...

Happy Friday!