LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY | Our Fail-Proof Father's Day Gift Guide

via RW&CO.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

My husband was just away for 8 days in Winnipeg. I knew that we would miss him. But I also knew I could handle it. If nothing else, I know how to get sh*% (shtuff) done. As laissez-faire as my friends might think of me, momming and running my own business have taught me how to multi-task like a pro. And I did it all. I got it all done. We got to school on time. After drop-off, I managed to get from Kitchener to Toronto and back again each day in time for pick-up. I didn't miss a single soccer practice. The laundry was folded, the house was clean(ish), they practiced their piano. We even managed to not run out of groceries.  I was exhausted all. the. time. but it all got done. 

But here's the thing: we didn't quite get it all done. Because it's not all about checking off lists and showing up. It's the other stuff my husband does every day that makes his absence felt every time he goes away. It's the jokes and the laughing and the fun. It's the time he takes with our kids to talk about their deep thoughts at bedtime and recount their dreams at breakfast.  It's the way he knows how to let things go and sometimes be late and be toootally okay with it. Oh, and it's also the getting up early because he knows I'm not a morning person and taking out the garbage (we like to keep some things tradish) and the help with literally everything else  around the house that I miss a lot, too. Dads are good like that. 

With Father's Day around the corner, it's time to thank the amazing dads in our lives. From sporty to stylish, from baller to boss, we've got your dad covered this Father's Day...

SEE THE BEST GIFTS FOR DADS HERE...

LOVE YOURSELF | 45 Sweet (But Not Too Sweet) Red & Pink Picks

via American Eagle

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Each year, right around this time, my husband and I have a little tête-à-tête. It's usually in the kitchen, in the morning, as we frantically make our kids' lunches and toss our breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, while I beg him to please make us cappuccinos so I can get my sense of humour back.  I'd make my own but he does it better. The conversation usually involves one of us saying something like, 'So, Valentine's Day...' and the other one of us being all like, 'Let's just do something little. Honestly, do NOT get me anything.' At this point he usually launches into his anti-Hallmark-Holiday tirade to justify not buying gifts, claiming that he doesn't like the pressure of having to prove our love in such a premeditated way. He usually gestures towards the expertly frothed cappuccino in his outstretched hand at this point, as proof that he does romantic things for me all year round.

And I tend to agree. I mean, romance should not necessarily be inextricably tied to holidays. It should be the thoughtful little things that we do on the daily for our loved ones that prove that they matter to us.  And while my 'do NOT get me anything' used to translate to 'I actually hope you get me something and if you don't I'll be annoyed,' I legitimately mean it now. He knows that I love a card with a sweet message written inside. He knows how much I adore mid-week champagne. Both of us usually cave and end up buying each other something little and occasionally something big, which I will never turn down, because DIAMONDS (HINT, HINT - no seriously, do NOT get me anything), but he understands that no matter what, I will likely go out and buy myself a gift anyway, because I've learned the importance of loving myself. That, and I have a shopping addiction. Finally, when I come home wearing my new cute new red kicks, he knows to notice and tell me how cool I look, even if he'll never, ever understand my excitement surrounding shoes. Now that's love.

Whether you're fully committed or flying solo, whether you want to surprise your bae or just want to treat yoself, you're going to love these on-point red and pink picks. Click the thumbnails to scroll through. (Oh, and also Love Yourself video below because no matter what you think of the Biebs, you have to admit he makes the best music videos.) Happy Valentines, lovelies! xo

SEE MY RED & PINK PICKS HERE...

LOVE ON THE BRAIN | 18 Valentine's Gifts to Make Them Swoon

Pretty in pink Ray-Bans via Sunglass Hut

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

There's nothing better than love. Sigh...I mean, what's not to love about love? From new relationships to weathered, old ones - er, I mean, deep, lifelong, stuff-that-movies-are-made-of ones - Valentine's is about celebrating that most important 4-letter word. I'm talking about love. Love is patient, love is kind, and love demands presents from time to time. Or is it just me who demands them? Anyway, it's complicated. Let's let these sweet, swoon-worthy gifts do the talking for me today. Clearly, I'm so smitten that it's making my mind foggy. Must be love on the brain...

READ MORE...

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...

GIVE JOY | Our Lovely Last-Minute Guide

via theofficialpandora on Instagram

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Whether you've finished all of your shopping or haven't even started yet, I'm not here to judge. After all, life is busy and December? Well, judging by my headache and ever-growing list of things to do/places to go/people to see, it's even busier. Since my job involves shopping and research, I love putting together gift guides each year. It's a win-win: I get to figure out what I'm buying everyone, I think of ideas to give people who ask what I want, and I get to share all of it with you in case you're super busy, too. 

These gifts are luxurious but come in all shapes and sizes for a wide range of holiday budgets.  My favourite thing to do when I can't afford to go it alone? Round up my family members or friends and go in on a bigger gift - strength in numbers, as they say. I found tech gifts and sweet gifts, fun gifts and fashionable, expected gifts and some not so much. Take a look and hopefully it will inspire you as you head out into the snow to pick up things for the ones you love. Good luck out there and remember, the best gift of all is you. And my daughter would argue a hoverboard...

SEE THE GUIDE HERE...