Wishing and Hoping

Source: OldSamovar.tumblr.com

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Just when you think you have your shopping list all figured out, it hits you. "Waaaait a sec," you ponder, "there's the teacher and the secretary and my mother-in-law and...who do I have for that gift exchange again?" And then a few days later, as you smugly sit, mentally patting yourself on the back for how super organized you are, your daughter tells you that she really doesn't like Barbie anymore (at all!) and she's totally back to Disney Princesses. "But you already sent your note to Santa, honey," you reason. "Santa can work it out, mom." Hmm.

And don't even get me started on hostess gifts. You're on your way out the door for a holiday party and somehow all your wine is gone (not sure how that happened..) so you rush around and try to find something to re-gift and, for lack of time, end up grabbing an ornament off your tree. True story.

This gift guide should help you in your quest for the perfect present for everyone on your list, whether you've just started to think about tackling it, or are one of those super women who only have a few loose ends to tie up.

Good luck out there, my fearless shoppers. Hope you're enjoying every little minute of this crazy season x

1. 2. Travel by Land Cassis Scented Candle, $12.95, Roots; 3. Tupelo Honey, $21.95, Teavana; 4. Waring Pro Wine Aerator, $29.99, Future Shop; 5. Marrakech Tea Tins, $11.95 each, Teavana; 6. Birdseed Covered Birdhouse, $13.99 each, Green Earth; 7. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, $20, Coles 

1. Disney Pixar BRAVE, $26.99, HMV; 2. LeapFrog LeapPad 2 Explorer Learning Tablet, $109.99, Future Shop; 3. Ski-Doo Spark Snow Moto Snow Machine, $79.99, Sears; 4. Skylanders Giants Portal Owners Pack for XBOX 360, $54.95, Future Shop; 5. Melissa and Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse, $39.99, Sears; 6. Nakamura Juvy Kids Bike, $169.99, SportChek; 7. Softec Tri-Grip Ice Skates, $89.99, SportChek 

1. Gretzky Duffle in Tribe Leather, $388, Roots; 2. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Shades, $149.95, Sunglass Hut; 3. Titleist NXT Tour 12-Pack Golf Balls, $34.99, SportChek; 4. AE Hooded Down-Filled Puffer, $99.37, American Eagle Outfitters; 5. Nike Classic Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie, $39.99, Champs Sports; 6. Nixon The Banks Watch, $449.99, Boathouse; 7. Jawbone Jambox Speaker, $159.99 (reg. $199.99), The Source; 8. Propel R/C Stinger Indoor Helicopter, $24.99, The Source

1. Baked to Last Blush, $18, The Body Shop; 2. AE Hooded Toggle Duffle Coat, $99.41, American Eagle Outfitters; 3. Studded Cuff, $18, ALDO; 4. Photobooks, starting at $8.99, Black's; 5. Diamond Tennis Bracelet, $199, Peoples Jewellers;  6. Roll Over Boot in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots; 7. Face and Body Brush, $26, The Body Shop; 8. Kobo Glo Touchscreen eReader with Wi-Fi, $129.99, Future Shop; 9. Breville One Touch Tea Maker, $249.95, Teavana 

1. Ginger Sparkle Body Polish, $19, The Body Shop; 2. Striped Sequin Heart Graphic Tee, Aeropostale; 3. Minnetonka Suede Brown Mukluks, $149.99, Soft Moc; 4. Element Garcia Shovel 8.0, $180, West 49; 5. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray, $75, Sears; 6. Jordan SC-2 Hi-Top, $79.99, Champs Sports; 7. Taylor Swift 'Red', $12.99, HMV; 8. Nintendo Wii U Gaming System, $299.99, The Source

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