Wrapped a few gifts last weekend…am in love with this new wrapping paper from Winners. Makes me want to wrap my entire house in it! Have you started shopping yet? Are you done? Curious to know what your shopping strategy is. Happy Holiday Shopping!
Holidays 2010: Clinique Beauty Essentials
Tis the season to be jolly! But all the fa-la-la-la-la-ing aside, the partying, unhealthy eating, and not enough sleep that come along with the holidays, can wreak havoc on one’s skin. Which is why we asked a Clinique skincare specialist to give us her top three “holiday survival” must-haves.
1. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($57.50) is perfect for any skin type. It’s an oil-free, multi purpose cream gel that quickly delivers long-lasting hydration. Moisture Surge provides immediate and long-term hydration boost, perfect for the cold winter weather (as well as post-champagne skin relief). It hydrates the skin correctly so make up goes on flawlessly.
2. 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula ($22) is a water-rinsable, manual exfoliator in a lightweight cream base. Suitable for any skin type. For dry to combination skin, it polishes and refines skin’s texture, allowing for make-up to wear better. For oily skin types, it refines texture, leaves skin clearer, dislodges impurities to help control breakouts, while allowing for smoother makeup application. This scrub brings out the radiance within, and who doesn’t want glowing, healthy-looking skin for the holidays?
3. Pretty Day Into Night Looks Makeup Set ($43) includes such necessities as eye and blush palette, High Impact mascara, Different Lipstick/Long Glosswear, Cream Shaper for eyes, as well as a full-sized tube of All About Eyes cream. Everything you need to look your best at the office and the office party is right there in the kit, all for a fraction of the price (value of $111).
And if that wasn’t enough, The Bay Yorkdale will hold its Showtime holiday gala on November 27th (12-9pm). Tickets are $10, with $8 that can be spent on any beauty product in the store, and $2 going towards the Look Good Feel Better foundation, which helps women whose appearance had been affected by cancer, learn how to look and feel a little more like themselves again.
Clinique will also offer a free 5 piece gift set with any purchase of $50 or more, and an additional silver tote bag with a purchase of $75 or more (perfect for stocking stuffers!). Couple that with food, drinks, and beauty tips, and you’ve got yourself a party to remember! See you there?
Holidays 2010: Stylish Lady Gift Guide
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I’m proud to say, that I’m half-way done…only a few big ones left on my list, and then I can begin enjoying the season, instead of running around like a madwoman from one store to another on my lunch hour and after work…who knew that shopping can be so exhausting?!
Just in case you’re still stumped, here are a few gift ideas for that special woman in your life. Some are under $10, and others…in case you really want to pamper that stylish lady of yours, are a bit more expensive. Enjoy!
1. Love Moschino Clutch $190 (The Bay)
2. Lanvin for H&M Shoes $99 (H&M)
3. Fornasetti Candle $150 (AT Design)
4. Gap Bow Belt $25 (Gap)
5. Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara $8.99 (Shoppers)
6. The September Issue DVD $22 (Best Buy, HMV)
7. Calvin Klein BEAUTY $89-$115 (The Bay)
8. Swarovski USB Stick $120 (Swarovski)
9. Olympia Le Tan Book Clutch $1500 (The Room)
10. Danier Leather Gloves $49 (Danier)
Holidays 2010: Dear Santa…
Ahh, Christmas-time! The time of “giving and receiving as well as having and sharing”. To be quite honest, I struggled with my list this year…not because I don’t want things, but because, mostly, I feel like whatever I do want, I end up buying for myself (excluding Chanel 2.55). So here’s this year’s Christmas Wishlist of things that I haven’t bought for myself…just yet.
1. Salvatore Ferragamo Flats
Classic, comfy, lovely. Also want the “Miss Vara” belt, as seen here.
2. YSL Wallet
Technically, I am in love with the entire Y-Mail collection, but this beautiful wallet would surely rid me of my winter blues.
3. Charlotte Olympia Shoes
Ok, so this one is more of a “dream” wishlist item, considering the price. But after meeting Charlotte at a recent event, I’m not only in love with the witty Brit, but with her entire Spring 2011 collection.
4. Chanel Wallet on a Chain
Not even sure if this one is available in stores anymore, but I adore its simplicity and versatility. Wallet for the daily grind, and a chic clutch for nights out – all in one cute quilted little package.
5. Lanvin for H&M Dress
I don’t even know why I put this one on my Christmas wishlist, since I already know that I’ll be lining up outside my local H&M bright and early come November 20th. But in case Santa can really hear me…Please, please, please, give me luck (and strength) to get the dresses I want amidst the madness that is sure to ensue.
6. Chanel Earrings
These are vintage, and I’ve been looking for a similar pair in gold for quite some time now. Not an impossible item, but surely is a tough one to get.
7. Pierre Hardy for Gap Shoes
These peep-toe wedges are as amazing-looking, as they are kick-ass. Too bad I can’t find a pair in my size!
8. YSL Ring
Various versions of this ring have been available for a while now, and though at first I was clearly smitten with the one in turquoise, this indigo blue ring is a bit more…glam? Regardless, I love this combo the best!
So far, I only have 8 items on my Christmas wishlist. 2 more to come soon…as soon as I see something shiny that catches my eye!
What’s on your list this year? Any suggestion on the remaining 2? Share in the comments!
Details after the jump!
Jeanne Beker Bratz Doll
Recently, at a preview of the new line of toys at Windsor Arms, I spotted something very interesting – a Jeanne Beker-inspired doll! A fan of Jeanne’s myself, I was wondering what the deal was with the Bratz Passion for Fashion doll, since apart from the hair, the doll didn’t really resemble Jeanne in the least. Well, apparently, it wasn’t supposed to. Jeanne Beker, who wrote the book titled Passion for Fashion – Careers in Style for the young fashion lovers, was approached by Bratz for a collaboration. The result? A fashion reporter doll, named Jeanne B – styled by Ms. Beker herself!
The doll comes complete with a copy of Jeanne Beker’s book, a press pass, camera, microphone and other fashion reporter essentials. And as for the looks, I was told that since most celebrity look-alike dolls tend to look creepy (completely agree!), Bratz decided to go in a different direction with this one. Not a Jenne Beker doll per se, but a Jeanne-inspired one instead. I think, it’s pretty amazing!
What about you? With Christmas approaching, would you get a Jeanne B doll for your little fashion lover? Let me know in the comments!
Wishlist: Birthday Girl
It’s my birthday next week! Hooray for cake, not-so-hooray for the aging part…
Above is my birthday wish list, in case you want to send me a little something-something. I do love birthday gifts, I won’t lie. And as any shopaholic, the few latest items I’ve been coveting are slightly outrageous…well, not horrendously outrageous, but definitely things that I would not buy myself (oh, and also tough to find, since some of them are a few seasons old). And though there’s obviously no Birthday Santa out there (is there???), it doesn’t hurt to throw it out in the universe and see who hears me, right?
I would also love to hear about your birthday wish-lists! Is there anything that you would really love to get on your birthday, that you would not buy for yourself? Let me know in the comments!
Links to items, after the jump!
Valentine’s Day: Gift Guide
Only one week left till Valentine’s Day! So excited! As I’ve mentioned before, Valentine’s is my favorite holiday EVER! All the red and pink everywhere, hearts, flowers, more hearts, lips, kisses, stuffed toys, balloons, chocolates, jewelry, fancy dinners and dressing up! What’s not to love? I do think that the holiday has become very commercialized, and the whole meaning of celebrating love gets lost somewhere between a trip to Godiva and all the money spent on expensive lingerie, but I still really, really love it. Sue me.
This year, just like last, le boyfriend and I are very lucky to be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day down South. Last year we were in Los Cabos, this year we chose beautiful Cuba! If only I wasn’t horrifyingly sick (complete with snot fountain, dry cough, fever, headaches – the works), I would be jumping up and down in excitement right about now. Unfortunately, since I am disgusting, I can only try to get some rest and drink endless cups of tea with lemon and honey, with only faint hope of getting better by tomorrow.
So enough about me, what about you? Have you gotten your boyfriend a gift this year? If not, you still have one week left to pick up something special for your loved one! Below is a little list I put together, to, hopefully, give you a few ideas, just in case you were in a panic mode! I ran these gift suggestions by le boyfriend, and he approved. But then again, different people have different tastes. Make sure your choice suits your man’s style! Happy shopping!
1. Sports Jersey – Does your boyfriend watch hockey or soccer religiously? If so, he might want a jersey of his favorite team! And if he already has one, some teams have different jerseys every year, so it might become something of a collectors’ item. Though, make sure you’re not getting him the exact same one he already has!
2. Espresso Machine – Who doesn’t like to wake up to a steamy kiss? We all do! But when you’re not around, a cup of hot and yummy home-made espresso might do the trick!
3. Call of Duty 2 – I know about this game, not because I’ve played, but from my male friends and le boyfriend, who are all obsessed with it. If you go with this one, please don’t blame me if quality time with your man goes way down. This is not just a game – it’s a lifestyle.
4. Magazine Subscription – Does your man care about style? Does he like to take care of himself? Does he like to read? If so, a men’s mag subscription might be a cool and an inexpensive gift that keeps on giving! Men’s Health, GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Vibe, Toronto Life…the list goes on and on.
5. Graphic Tee – Most men are kids at heart. When I asked le boyfriend about He-Man vs. Hulk, his eyes lit up. If he’s into superheroes, a cool (maybe even vintage) tee might just be a perfect gift for him.
6. Cookies, cupcakes, meat – Well, pretty much any type of food that your man enjoys would make an awesome gift. Plus, cooking for him, will let you showcase your amazing kitchen prowess…and if said prowess is lacking, then The Cupcake Shoppe is the way to go.
7. iPad – Ok, this one is quite pricey, but every single man I asked said that he would definitely love to get one. Men like gadgets – simple as that.
8. Sunglasses – I am only putting this on this list, because that’s what I got le boyfriend this year. A pair of classic Ray Ban Wayfarers. I lent him mine a few times, and loved the way he looked in them, so since he needed a pair for our vacation, I went and got him a pair just like mine. Yes, we’ll be disgustingly matchy-matchy on our vacay. And I love it (and him)!
9. Lingerie – Well, this one isn’t exactly for him. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t enjoy it just the same. Maybe even more so.
10. Rock Band – I got this one for le boyfriend last year. Drums, guitar, microphone, and a list of super-awesome rock songs to rock out to. What man wouldn’t love to “slap some base” with an upgrade from his usual air guitar?
And if none of these gifts work…a simple “I Love You” note and a make-out session go a long way! Ok, I am done being disgustingly cringe-worthy about the Valentine’s hoopla (but I love, love, love it!).
Check out the Christmas 2009 gift guide for more gift ideas!
Commuter Tie
Wondering what to get for a guy that has it all? How about this commuter tie? Thomas Pink’s amazing color palettes are second to only Paul Smith, and the IPod pouch on the under-side of the tie takes this accessory to another level! So clever and convenient – this is not your typical run of the mill boring tie! This item is no longer a limited edition piece, and will be available in stores and online this September! Love it!
Photo Credits: Thomas Pink
