GIVE JOY | Our Top Gift Picks of 2014

Yes, a Crockpot can be cool, but only when done up in rainbow chevron.

Originally posted in The LOOK

It's the most wonderful time of the year. No, really, it is. But sometimes, all of that wonder and joy can get lost in the rush. One look at my December calendar and chances are you'll find me either crumpled in a quivering heap on the floor, seeking advice from my Elf on the Shelf and/or downing another box of Turtles. Between the parties, family get-togethers, work deadlines, school plays and Christmas concerts, I'm left wondering if I'll have time to shower. And don't even get me started on the lists: lists of cards to send, lists of things to do, lists of gifts to buy. And gifts. And more gifts. 

Speaking of gifts, I've put together a great gift guide for Intercity Shopping Centre that should help you as you look around for that perfect present. Check it out and sorry for the poor effort at posting this week. I've been busy (read: crumpled up in a corner, seeking advice from my Elf on the Shelf, eating Turtles)

xx

SEE THE GIFT GUIDE HERE...

HOLIDAY '14 | The Splurge vs. Save Edit

Photo courtesy Target

Originally posted in The LOOK

Ever get that feeling that you're in a time warp? One minute we're back to school shopping and the next - Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, first snowfall, Christmas. Um, sorry, what just happened? Suddenly, there we are, white knuckled on the steering wheel, stealing parking spots from grandmas, sprinting through Target trying to score that last Zoomer Dino, pick up more tape (why does tape always go missing, btw?), and find more time. Can you buy time? If you find some, can you tell me where it's on sale?  

It's chaos. And since it's hard to think straight when our heads are spinning, ideas can be tough to come by. So, this year, I've decided to get a jump on shopping so I can enjoy every December minute. I've put together a list of the holiday season's most-wanted gifts to help inspire you while you're out shopping, too. And since, like time, our budgets are always stretched to the max this time of year, I've found splurges and saves for each perfect gift.

Time to put your slippered feet up, grab a glass of wine and remember your yoga breaths. It's not even December yet. You've totally got this...

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TREND REPORT | Shades of Grey

A perfect grey moto jacket. Photo via Danier.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Just got back from New York and like always when I get home from this beautiful city, I feel inspired. There's just something about the way a New Yorker throws herself together that exudes character and confidence. And yet after this trip, it's not a boot or a handbag that stood out to me as a must. On this trip, it was the colours that came out on top from the classic neutrals to the pop-brights (see yesterday's post) that stood out like yellow cabs against the concrete. But while I'll always love black, my go-to neutral this fall and winter will be about quiet, subtle but sublimely sophisticated grey.

New York It-chicks sailed through the city this week in all shades of grey, worn most strikingly from head-to-toe, acting a lot like urban camo against the backdrop of sidewalks, buildings and the grey fall skies. And while you'd think all grey would be boring, it's surprisingly not. The NYC secret? Mix up shades of grey in loads of different textures to achieve wardrobe 'grey'tness. 

If this hasn't been played out too much already (and even if it has), I've rounded up 50 of my fav grey finds. Mix these picks up with abandon and you'll look urban in all the right ways for fall, even if you've yet to set foot in NYC...

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HOT STUFF: The Cute New Ways to Cozy Up

Cara Delevingne walks the Burberry Prorsum runway in the brand's now-famous check blanket poncho. Giovanni Giannoni/Fairchild Photo Service.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Why spend the season with chattering teeth and freezing feet? Designers have given us loads of tempting reasons to cozy up this fall, from the trend that lets you wear your blanket out, to the warm boot socks you'll never want to take off. 

Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies! Personally, I'm grateful for stretchy pants. And you?

SEE THE FULL STORY HERE...

CHECKMATE: How to Pull Off Plaid

A street style plaid pic from Paris Fashion Week. Photo via Harper's Bazaar.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Though plaid has proven its staying power throughout the ages, it's a print that waffles between incredibly cool and tragically nerdy. While plaid is the Royals, Kurt Cobain and Gwen Stefani, it's also lumberjacks, farmers and really bad golf pants. Plaid has clearly ingratiated itself with the cool kids again this fall, since everyone (l mean EVERYone) is parading around in plaid shirts right now. From buttoned right up to worn open over a graphic tee, (aka. the hipster blazer) plaid shirts are the layer of choice for this in-between fall weather, while plaid pants, skirts and leggings are perfect for those willing to take some fashion risks. And, of course, it's easy to get behind all of the pretty plaid accessories, from classic tartan scarves to studded plaid crossbody bags. 

So, how do you pull off plaid this season? Luckily, it doesn't take a lot of fashion know-how to make it work...

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