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Holidays 2018: Gift Guide


Shopbop
I love Shopbop for many reasons, but the amazing selection of high and low must-haves is what keeps me coming back again and again. If you’re looking for perfect holiday gifts, there’s no better time to get your Shopbop on. You can get up to 75% off sale and up to 25% off full-price items until November 25th, using promo code MORE18. Think vintage CHANEL and Hermes pieces that never go on sale, toasty cashmere, silk pillowcases, chic PJs…there are stylish gifts for every budget and every wishlist! And don’t forget to treat yourself while you’re at it.


Holt Renfrew
Holiday sales at Holt Renfrew are pretty epic. Over the years, I’ve treated myself to some lovely designer finds at a fraction of the original price, and this year I hope to continue this tradition. But while holiday shopping for yourself can be super satisfying, Holt Renfrew makes it super easy to stock up on prezzies for everyone on your list, from fashion lovers to tiny tots. There are sweet Parisian indulgences (Angelina Chocolate, anyone?), luxurious beauty finds (Diptyque gift sets, limited-edition CHANEL perfume, oh my!), stylish offerings from Canadian brands like Smythe, and too many heart-stopping pairs of shoes to count. Holt Renfrew is truly a one-stop Canadian shop for those unforgettable magenta-wrapped gifts anyone would be thrilled to find under their tree.


Indigo
Whenever I’m shopping for hostess gifts, presents for the little ones, or some cute but useful stocking stuffers, Indigo is my go-to. My faves this year include Becoming by Michelle Obama, cozy reading socks, a chic mirror compact that doubles as a cell-phone charger, the latest Fitbit Charge 3 (it comes in rose gold!), Jenny Bird pins, and one of the hottest gifts this year – the gravity blanket (for those with anxiety issues or trouble sleeping). Lots of pre-Black Friday sales are happening at Indigo at the moment, so it’s a really great time to get your shop on and save some money on those holiday presents.


Shoppers Drug Mart
If you collect PC Optimum points, then holiday shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart is a no-brainer. You can buy some really great presents, while earning points to treat yourself later. At a recent holiday preview, I spotted some wonderful gift ideas like magnetic makeup brushes by Quo, a wide selection of designer fragrances, luxurious beauty advent calendars (like this huge one from Artdeco), sleek electric toothbrushes, and so much more! There are plenty of gifts for kids, tech geeks, makeup lovers, hosts and hostesses, husbands, boyfriends, the mailman…you name it. And best of all, a lot of these gifts are available online, and plenty of stores are open 24/7, letting you shop around the clock.

Shop after the jump!
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Holidays 2017: Last-Minute Gifts That Don’t Suck


We are less than two weeks away from Christmas, and I am happy to report that I am pretty much done with my gift shopping. If you’re still stumped about what to get for your friends and family, here are some last-minute gift ideas that (we think) don’t suck. You obviously have to know a bit about the person you are getting the gift for, but I doubt someone would be disappointed with any of these presents.

1. Their Fave Drink
If the person you’re shopping for loves to host parties, or if you know what their drink of choice is, then getting a beautiful gift set from LCBO is a no-brainer. I love this Grey Goose Martini Pack ($59.95), but there are lots of other gift set options available.

2. Luxurious Touchscreen Gloves
Gloves are one of those things that people tend to lose all the time, so giving someone a beautiful new pair would certainly be appreciated. These Quill and Tine touchscreen beauties ($89) aren’t only made with 100% Italian lambskin and cashmere, but they are also crafted in Canada.

3. The Gift of Film
If your person is a film lover (and who isn’t?!), then the gift of TIFF Membership (starting at $49) is one of the best presents you can buy. With exclusive year-round savings and perks, ticket pre-sales, discounts, and special offers and events, this is the gift that will keep on giving all year long. If you don’t live in Toronto, annual membership to their fave museum or art gallery would also make for an awesome present.

4. Comfy Pajamas
I am not sure if it’s just me, but I loooove getting new PJs for Christmas! Get a luxurious set or a cute onesie, throw in some nourishing skincare masks, and a box of hot chocolate, and you’ve got a lovely gift set that will make them smile on those cold winter nights.

5. The Gift of Fitness
When shopping for someone who’s into fitness, there are plenty of gift options that are both cute and practical. Fitbit (and accessories) is something that I’ve given as a gift before, and it’s something that I use (and love) myself. Other fun gift ideas include: a fancy new yoga mat for your fave yoga lover, a nice gym bag for that gym goer in your life, a pair (or two) of cute grippy socks for a friend who loves to barre. If you know which gym or studio they frequent, a gift certificate to their fave workout place would also make for a thoughtful last-minute present.

6. Their Fave Perfume
This one requires a bit of knowledge about the person you’re buying the gift for. If you know which perfume they usually wear, then buying a lovely perfume gift set for them will be both thoughtful and well-received. This luxurious CHANEL N°5 L’EAU Gift Box ($214) from Holt Renfrew is definitely top of my list, as is this adorable Miu Miu Mini Duo Set ($95) from Sephora.

Shopping: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals 2016

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American Thanksgiving is just days away, which means Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. But you don’t even have to wait until Friday to get your shop on – websites like Shopbop have started their Black Friday sales early, so you can get started on your holiday shopping ASAP. If you’re a seasoned shopper, you already know that this week is the best time to pick up those gifts on your shopping list and save some major moolah, so below are a few sites that are offering major savings right now. I’ll continue updating the list as the deals roll in, but this should be enough to get you started.

Happy Shopping!

Amazon
New Black Friday Deals Posted Daily + Cyber Monday Deals

ASOS


20% off everything. Free Delivery Worldwide.
Promo Code: GOGOGO

Banana Republic
50% off everything. Free shipping on orders over $50.

Forever 21
21% off purchases $21 and up. Free shipping on all orders.
Promo Code: CYBER21

Gap
40% off your purchase. Free shipping on orders over $50.
Promo Code: GAPCYBMON

H&M


10% off $50 purchase. 15% off $75 purchase. 20% off $100 purchase. Free Shipping.
Promo Code: 3010; 3011; 3012

Hudson’s Bay


$25 off $75 purchase. Daily Deals posted on the website.
Promo Code: CYBER

Indigo


Various Deals – full list on site.

J.Crew
40% off (almost) everything.
Promo Code: HOLIDAY

Nordstrom


Black Friday Deals + Cyber Monday Deals

The Outnet
Up to 90% off clearance items.

Saks Fifth Avenue
40% off fall styles. Free Shipping and Returns. No duties for Canadian purchases.
Promo Code: HOLIDAY

Shopbop


15% off orders of $200+
20% off orders of $500+
25% off orders of $800+
Promo Code: GOBIG16
11/22 – 11/29
Some exclusions apply

Photo Credit: Marc Jacobs

Holidays 2016: Best Beauty Gift Sets to Buy Now

best-beauty-christmas-gift-sets-2016
Despite what the weather outside would have you believe, we’re only a month and a bit away from Christmas, and if like me, you’ve been too distracted by the US election and this beautiful weather to even think about Christmas shopping, then this post is for you. I’ll be doing a usual gift guide a bit later in the month, but today’s post is dedicated to those beauty-obsessed people in your life.

Holiday time is the best time to buy beauty goodies for several reasons – not only are sales in full effect (Black Friday is coming, y’all!), but the stores are full of beautifully-packaged gift sets that offer amazing value as well. Just yesterday, I stopped by Sephora to grab a Caudalie gift set for $52 ($78 value), which contains a full-size serum that I use every day, and which normally costs $57! Even without the 2 additional products, this gift set is an amazing deal. Of course, not all gift sets offer this kind of value, some are just super-duper limited-edition, like this beautiful Pat McGrath Labs Metalmorphosis kit ($195). I don’t know any beauty junkie who wouldn’t be ecstatic to unwrap a gift like this on Christmas morning.

And then there’s another type of a beauty gift set – one that offers more than just beauty. At a recent holiday preview for The Body Shop, I learned that the company will restore 1 square meter of rainforest with every specially selected gift set purchased. How wonderful is that? And the best part is that there are so many fantastic gift sets to choose from!

Exclusive gift sets and value sets are all over the place right now, and whether you’re shopping to treat yourself or for a loved one, there’s no better time to pick one up. Below are a few of my favourites. Share your faves in the comments!

Makeup


Skincare

Fragrance

Hair

Body

Holidays 2015: What To Wear to Holiday Parties

how-to-dress-for-holiday-parties-office


Holiday season is upon us, which means lots of parties and party outfits to plan. In case you are stumped for fun outfit ideas this year, here are my top three looks for three occasions that are super easy to pull off and that will have you looking festive this holiday season. Find these pieces at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

1. Office Holiday Party
When dressing for your work holiday party, it’s important to err on the side of caution. Even with the ever-relaxing office dress codes, you don’t want to be the subject of office gossip the day after the big event. As such, put away that lame mini dress, and grab that trusty LBD instead. To dress up your look, put on some statement jewelry, throw your essentials into a sequined clutch, and wear the cutest shoes you’ve got. This look is all about accessories, so choose yours wisely.

how-to-dress-for-holiday-parties
2. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
This one’s pretty much impossible to screw up. Obviously, the key piece in your ensemble will be the Ugly Christmas Sweater (and there are a ton to choose from out there), but don’t dismiss the rest of your outfit! To make your look really stand out, put on a pair of reindeer ears or a Santa hat, wear some red and white striped tights, and a sequined skirt instead of jeans – the tackier the better. You’ll be the life of the party in no time.

how-to-dress-for-holiday-parties-new-years
3. New Year’s Eve Party
They say the way you spend NYE is the way you’re going to spend the rest of the year, so for me, the sparklier my party outfit, the sparklier the upcoming year…questionable logic, I know…but just go with it. With that in mind, sequins, lame, glitter, embroidery, and bright colours are all fair game. I am particularly fond of stars, so this sequined frock paired with the silveriest boots ever are just what the doctor prescribed. You can’t tell here, but I also sprayed my hair with silver glitter hairspray from Shoppers, because if not on NYE, when else can you have glitter in your hair without judgment?!

Photo Credits: Max Kopanygin

Style Days of Christmas: LG G4 Smartphone

2015 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS LG G4
All good things must come to an end, and today is the final day of our annual Style Days of Christmas giveaways. But before I say good-bye and good-luck, there’s still one more giveaway to go, and it’s a good one! Today’s prize is the powerful and stylish LG G4 smartphone ($699). With a 16MP Main Camera, laser detection auto-focus, and OIS 2.0 (an improved optical image stabilizer that reduces camera shake), this phone is guaranteed to take some striking photos. It also features a bigger, clearer and faster 5.5” IPS Quantum Display and a classic slim arc-shaped, ergonomic design, which allows for a natural and firm grip. And it looks so good!

So what do you say? Want to win your very own LG G4? Enter below!

LG_G4_Genuine_Leather
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Style Days of Christmas: $200 Yorkdale Shopping Centre Gift Card

2015 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS YORKDALE
Our annual Style Days of Christmas giveaways are nearing the end, but there’re still 2 more awesome prizes to be won! Today’s giveaway is a $200 gift card from Yorkdale Shopping Centre – the home of Fashion Santa, and my own personal favourite place to shop in Toronto. It truly is a one-stop shop for all your holidays needs – from CHANEL, to H&M, to Zara Home, to AllSaints…just like a Stefon sketch – Yorkdale has EVERYTHING! And this holiday season, one of our lucky readers will win the $200 gift card to spend on whatever their heart desires!

In the meantime, make sure to stop by Yorkdale for a selfie with Fashion Santa (between Harry Rosen and Hudson’s Bay). For every selfie posted to social media using the hashtag #YorkdaleFashionSanta, Yorkdale will donate $1 to Sick Kids Foundation (up to $10,000). Trust me, you don’t want to miss a chance to hang out with the handsome Paul Mason – he’s the dreamiest Santa I know.

Giveaway details after the jump!

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Style Days of Christmas: Laboratoire Dr Renaud Gift Pack

2015 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS DRR
We’ve had some great beauty giveaways this holiday season, but in case you wanted even more goodies to pamper your skin, Day 10 giveaway will take care of that. Today’s prize is a gift pack from Laboratoire Dr Renaud – with all products made in Canada, this company has been a leader in innovative skincare and cosmetology for over 50 years!

If you love to have a healthy glow all year long, but don’t want to expose your skin to the sun’s harmful rays, then Laboratoire Dr Renaud Liquid Sunshine Self-Tanner ($40) is the product for you – it gives a natural “healthy”, personalized golden tan, evens, intensifies and extends your natural tan, and is ideal for anyone wishing to avoid sun exposure. Laboratoire Dr Renaud CC Cream Instant Eye Multi-Corrector ($49.95) is formulated with high-definition pigments and ultra-performing, anti-ageing cosmetic ingredients. This CC cream illuminates and decongests the eye contour, stimulates and instantly refreshes thanks to its cool ceramic tip, reduces the appearance of dark circles and shadows, erases signs of fatigue, diminishes the look of wrinkles and fine lines, and detoxifies – so many awesome benefits in one tube! Laboratoire Dr Renaud ExCellience CellClock Cellular Youth Serum ($110) uses the exclusive CellClock Technology, to increase cellular youth and optimize skin regeneration. It promises to reduce the look of wrinkles, improve complexion, firmness and elasticity of skin, all this while regenerating the skin and making it look visibly younger.

Sounds like a prize pack you’d like to win? Enter below!

laboratoire-dr-renaud
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Style Days of Christmas: Icebreaker Merino Gift Pack

2015 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS ICEBREAKER
If you live in Canada, chances are you stay active in the winter – whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or simply hiking, most Canadians I know don’t let a little snow stop them from enjoying the great outdoors. And with that in mind, I am really excited to partner up with Icebreaker Merino – a New Zealand-based company that produces merino wool clothing and accessories, on today’s giveaway.

If you didn’t know, merino’s fleece is breathable in summer, insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight, making merino wool products perfect for layering in any kind of weather. And this holiday season, we are giving away an awesome layering pack that includes a Zone Long Sleeve Half Zip ($129.99), Zone Leggings ($119.99), and Ski+ Ultra Light Over The Calf Socks ($29.99). These lightweight, breathable, and odor-resistant pieces aren’t just cute, they will help you stay active and comfortable snow or shine. Want them? Enter after the jump!

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Style Days of Christmas: $200 Peoples Jewellers Gift Card

2015 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS PEOPLES
Whether you firmly believe that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, or you simply like a little sparkle now and again, you won’t want to miss out on today’s prize, because we are literally giving away diamonds…aka a $200 Peoples Jewellers gift card. If you’re Canadian, then you’ve definitely heard of Peoples Jewellers, but if you haven’t stepped into a store in a while, let me tell you – there are so many amazing finds, you will want to marry yourself, just so you can get yourself a ring…or two.

There’s the exclusive Vera Wang LOVE Collection, each piece complete with a “something blue” sapphire as the signature of the collection and a symbol of faithfulness and everlasting love. There’s Open Hearts by Jane Seymour – beautiful fashion jewellery that will surely make the perfect present for any important woman in your life without breaking the bank. There’s also my personal favourite – Blue Lagoon by Mikimoto – a collection of timeless pearls, some accented with diamonds and gold, all equally stunning. I also recently learned that at Peoples Jewellers, you can buy Canadian-mined diamonds, Le Vian chocolate diamonds (yum!), and you can even order personalized jewellery for that extra touch of thoughtfulness! Excited yet? So what are you waiting for? Enter below!

peoples-jewellers-rings-earrings
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