Now that spring is here, I'm (finally) inspired to blog again. I thought I'd (re)start by sharing my spring essentials list. Here are the things I'm going to be wearing lots this season - it's all about the accessories!
Ballet flats: I've been on the lookout for the perfect pair of casual, go-with-everything ballet flats for a while now, and I found a great pair at Gap a few weeks ago. They're metallic pewter, a great basic colour, and they're super soft leather. They're perfect with jeans, capris, bermuda shorts and skirts.
Cross-body bag: This is on my shopping list. I'm looking for something that will hold my essentials (phone, wallet, keys sunglasses and lipgloss) but that's about it. My kids are finaly getting big enough that I don't have to carry enough supplies for a small army at all times! It's still nice to have your hands free, though, so the cross-body trend appeals to my practical side too. I'm thinking a fun colour for spring/summer - maybe green? We'll see what I find!
Something floral: It's a big trend this season so I should have lots of choices. I don't think I want anything too flowy or sweet - it's not really "me" and I like the contrast of the floral pattern with a more structured style.
"Statement" jewellery: I've always been a big fan of what's being called the "statement" necklace. It's usually something colourful, chunky, and distinctive, the kind of piece that can make a basic outfit sing. I don't change my earrings often (I wear simple diamond studs pretty much all the time, partly because they're simple and sophisticated but also because I'm lazy and they go with everything) so I like to add colour and interest to my outfits with funky necklaces. That's why I was attracted to Stella & Dot, a gorgeous line of statement-type jewellery that's been getting tons of attention in the fashion world lately. I was just thinking of adding a few of their pieces to my collection, but then I thought of all the ladies I know who would love their stuff too, and I decided to become a Stella & Dot stylist! The best part (other than the beautiful jewellery) is that everything is kept really casual and fun. I'm really excited to start!
Stress Free Holiday Shopping Guide
Chances are the only trouble you’re having with your kids’ wish lists this year is deciding what not to buy. But what about kooky Aunt Mildred, the kids’ teachers, or even your Dad (who truly needs nothing)? And even if you knew exactly what to buy each person on your list, how do we yummy mummies find the time and energy to run all over town tracking everything down before the big day?
I love shopping and I love gift-giving, but I’m definitely not one of those people who has all their shopping done (and wrapped) months ahead of time. Nope, I’ve been right there with the rest of you fighting for the last parking spot on December 24 and wandering the mall praying for inspiration. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things. Here are my top dos and don’ts for getting it all done and finding awesome gifts, stress free:
DO shop online. This is pretty self-explanatory: no lineups, home delivery, and the option to shop in your bathrobe in the middle of the night. Some of my favourite gifty sites are: GoneShopping.com, LeeValley.com, MEC.ca, Chapters.Indigo.ca (check out the toy section) and MastermindToys.com, where gift wrapping is always free!
DO hit the mall on a Saturday night. Most malls offer extended shopping hours in December, and around here Saturday nights are crowd free. Get a sitter and make it a date night!
DO involve your family. When I’m stumped for a gift idea, I ask my five year old what he thinks. He often comes up with something perfect. Try it, you might be surprised! Or send your partner out to take care of things like gift cards for the teachers and bottles of wine for hostess gifts. Check!
DO check out Etsy.com for unique homemade gifts. You’ll find gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewellery, home decor, accessories and more. Warning: this site can be highly addictive.
DO pick up a few inexpensive and pretty tree ornaments – they make great hostess gifts or a little something special to go along with a gift card for a teacher. I love Pier 1’s ornament selection.
DO try something that gives all year long. You can get subscriptions to just about anything these days. Magazines are the obvious choice, but movie-lovers might enjoy Zip.ca’s DVD rental service and oenophiles are sure to love a wine-of-the-month club membership from WinerytoHome.ca.
DON’T feel pressured to buy just one big gift when a few smaller gifts can be equally great, especially if you’ve got a theme. You can even make the wrapping a part of the gift – think a “green” themed gift wrapped in a handy reusable shopping bag.
DON’T go overboard with the gift cards. I like them for stocking stuffers (e.g. iTunes, Starbucks) but for those closest to me I really like to try to give them something to unwrap.
DON’T cheat and ask people what they want. Surprises are more fun!
DON’T shop too early. It may sound like a good idea to get your holiday shopping out of the way in the summer, but it’s never worked out very well for me. Either I forget what I’ve bought and end up with extra gifts, can’t remember where I’ve stashed things, or I find something better and can’t return what I bought earlier since it’s been too long. Unless you’ve got to ship to Timbuktu, start in November at the earliest. Trust me.
And above all, DON’T stress! It really is the thought that counts.
Happy holidays!
I love shopping and I love gift-giving, but I’m definitely not one of those people who has all their shopping done (and wrapped) months ahead of time. Nope, I’ve been right there with the rest of you fighting for the last parking spot on December 24 and wandering the mall praying for inspiration. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things. Here are my top dos and don’ts for getting it all done and finding awesome gifts, stress free:
DO shop online. This is pretty self-explanatory: no lineups, home delivery, and the option to shop in your bathrobe in the middle of the night. Some of my favourite gifty sites are: GoneShopping.com, LeeValley.com, MEC.ca, Chapters.Indigo.ca (check out the toy section) and MastermindToys.com, where gift wrapping is always free!
DO hit the mall on a Saturday night. Most malls offer extended shopping hours in December, and around here Saturday nights are crowd free. Get a sitter and make it a date night!
DO involve your family. When I’m stumped for a gift idea, I ask my five year old what he thinks. He often comes up with something perfect. Try it, you might be surprised! Or send your partner out to take care of things like gift cards for the teachers and bottles of wine for hostess gifts. Check!
DO check out Etsy.com for unique homemade gifts. You’ll find gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewellery, home decor, accessories and more. Warning: this site can be highly addictive.
DO pick up a few inexpensive and pretty tree ornaments – they make great hostess gifts or a little something special to go along with a gift card for a teacher. I love Pier 1’s ornament selection.
DO try something that gives all year long. You can get subscriptions to just about anything these days. Magazines are the obvious choice, but movie-lovers might enjoy Zip.ca’s DVD rental service and oenophiles are sure to love a wine-of-the-month club membership from WinerytoHome.ca.
DON’T feel pressured to buy just one big gift when a few smaller gifts can be equally great, especially if you’ve got a theme. You can even make the wrapping a part of the gift – think a “green” themed gift wrapped in a handy reusable shopping bag.
DON’T go overboard with the gift cards. I like them for stocking stuffers (e.g. iTunes, Starbucks) but for those closest to me I really like to try to give them something to unwrap.
DON’T cheat and ask people what they want. Surprises are more fun!
DON’T shop too early. It may sound like a good idea to get your holiday shopping out of the way in the summer, but it’s never worked out very well for me. Either I forget what I’ve bought and end up with extra gifts, can’t remember where I’ve stashed things, or I find something better and can’t return what I bought earlier since it’s been too long. Unless you’ve got to ship to Timbuktu, start in November at the earliest. Trust me.
And above all, DON’T stress! It really is the thought that counts.
Happy holidays!
Attention shoe-aholics
I'm juggling about 50 million things right now, but I had to pop in and post about Aldo's fabulous Thursday's Thrill promotions. Every Thursday, they offer one mens and one ladies shoe or boot for an amazing price. A couple of weeks ago they featured tall leather boots, regular $180, for around $55! Today I bought the husband (hi, honey!) a pair of new shoes for $35.
If you need new shoes (or just love new shoes) it's worth signing up for their email list and checking out what's on special each Thursday. They offer free shipping and hassle-free returns at any Aldo store, so what have you got to lose?
If you need new shoes (or just love new shoes) it's worth signing up for their email list and checking out what's on special each Thursday. They offer free shipping and hassle-free returns at any Aldo store, so what have you got to lose?
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a boy and a girl. After spending every possible minute in each other's company for almost a year, the boy and girl found an apartment and moved into it together. This apartment was not overly large, but even so, the boy and girl needed some furniture to make into a home.
Being young and living in central Ottawa, they spent a lot of time in the Byward Market and regularly drooled over the offerings at Phillip Van Leeuwen furniture. It was there that they made their first major joint purchase - a very large, very comfortable camel coloured couch with massive striped throw cushions.
This story, of course, is about me and my hubby, and the very same couch that is still anchoring our family room, 11 years, 3 houses, 2 dogs and 2 kids later. It's been the scene of many hours of tv watching, afternoon naps, and family snuggles. In fact, hubby came home from his business trip last night to find the little guy and I asleep at opposite ends of the couch where we had been watching the hockey game. It's looking a little faded but otherwise is still in amazing condition after daily use.
We're actually shopping for some new furniture right now, for our living and dining rooms. When we made the decision last week to decorate these rooms, I got a little overexcited and went directly to UsedOttawa.com to post our perfectly good but not exactly stylish couch and coffee table for sale. I had over 20 replies to my ad in 5 hours, and the next day they were sold to the person who responded mere minutes after my ad was posted. Unfortunately, this leaves me with an empty front room (where the kids are currently enjoying the large expanse of free floor space).
We are hosting a holiday party in a few weeks and of course, custom order furniture takes much, much longer than that to arrive. Sigh.We I have been tempted to buy cheaper, in-stock furniture so that our guests will have a place to sit at the party, but that would mean compromising on both style and quality. I don't need something that's going to last forever - after all, I'm sure we'll want to update our decor again someday - but I also don't want something that's going to sag and pill after the first use. I want something that is going to give us many years of enjoyment, like our family room couch. I think we're going to wait for the right furniture, and I'm thinking of hanging a disco ball for the party and making the living room into a dance floor ;-)
Strangely, I was perusing the paper this morning and noticed an ad for Phillip Van Leeuwen's renovation sale, and then a few hours later I received a notification that @PVLFurniture was following me on Twitter. I think it's a sign!
Being young and living in central Ottawa, they spent a lot of time in the Byward Market and regularly drooled over the offerings at Phillip Van Leeuwen furniture. It was there that they made their first major joint purchase - a very large, very comfortable camel coloured couch with massive striped throw cushions.
This story, of course, is about me and my hubby, and the very same couch that is still anchoring our family room, 11 years, 3 houses, 2 dogs and 2 kids later. It's been the scene of many hours of tv watching, afternoon naps, and family snuggles. In fact, hubby came home from his business trip last night to find the little guy and I asleep at opposite ends of the couch where we had been watching the hockey game. It's looking a little faded but otherwise is still in amazing condition after daily use.
We're actually shopping for some new furniture right now, for our living and dining rooms. When we made the decision last week to decorate these rooms, I got a little overexcited and went directly to UsedOttawa.com to post our perfectly good but not exactly stylish couch and coffee table for sale. I had over 20 replies to my ad in 5 hours, and the next day they were sold to the person who responded mere minutes after my ad was posted. Unfortunately, this leaves me with an empty front room (where the kids are currently enjoying the large expanse of free floor space).
We are hosting a holiday party in a few weeks and of course, custom order furniture takes much, much longer than that to arrive. Sigh.
Strangely, I was perusing the paper this morning and noticed an ad for Phillip Van Leeuwen's renovation sale, and then a few hours later I received a notification that @PVLFurniture was following me on Twitter. I think it's a sign!
Free shippping at Lululemon.com (no expiry!)
This just in! I came home to excellent news in my Twitter feed: Lululemon has just announced that their complimentary shipping promotion is now here to stay. And I'm pretty flattered that they actually notified me directly via Twitter, how cool is that?
You had me at 30% off
I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone that this weekend there is a coupon for 30% off everything at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Just in case, though, here's a link (it ends tomorrow, so you've still got time!)
Hubby and I were at the mall today to drop off a dress at the tailor, and we had to walk by Banana to get there. I casually mentioned that I had the 30% off coupon in my purse (printed off just in case I was at the mall) and did he want to go in and see if he saw anything he liked? You can see where this is going. I zeroed in on a sweater I'd been eyeing and sought his opinion. He loved it, so I decided to try it on. On the way to the changeroom, I fell in love with two more sweaters and took them in to try too. One (thankfully) didn't flatter, but the other two fit like they were made for me. I couldn't decide which I liked better, and neither could hubby. I told him he was supposed to say, "Just buy both!" but he made me choose.
I picked the original sweater (light grey with a deep cowl neck) but I can't stop thinking about the second one. It's teal with a shawl collar and would add a lovely punch of colour to my wardrobe. When we got home, I was taking my new sweater out of the bag and noticed a little piece of red paper. What's this? Coupons for 40% off a single item for each of the next three Wednesdays? Teal sweater, here I come!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm a sucker for good marketing.
Hubby and I were at the mall today to drop off a dress at the tailor, and we had to walk by Banana to get there. I casually mentioned that I had the 30% off coupon in my purse (printed off just in case I was at the mall) and did he want to go in and see if he saw anything he liked? You can see where this is going. I zeroed in on a sweater I'd been eyeing and sought his opinion. He loved it, so I decided to try it on. On the way to the changeroom, I fell in love with two more sweaters and took them in to try too. One (thankfully) didn't flatter, but the other two fit like they were made for me. I couldn't decide which I liked better, and neither could hubby. I told him he was supposed to say, "Just buy both!" but he made me choose.
I picked the original sweater (light grey with a deep cowl neck) but I can't stop thinking about the second one. It's teal with a shawl collar and would add a lovely punch of colour to my wardrobe. When we got home, I was taking my new sweater out of the bag and noticed a little piece of red paper. What's this? Coupons for 40% off a single item for each of the next three Wednesdays? Teal sweater, here I come!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm a sucker for good marketing.
They picked me!
Remember when I posted about the Tassimo Twitter giveaway? All my groveling finally paid off. In 7-10 days, I am going to be the proud and grateful owner of a shiny new Tassimo coffee machine. Eeeee! I can't wait to try all the different drinks and see what all the buzz is about. The best part is that I was forced to really get engaged in Twitter, and it's really addictive fun learning how to use social media effectively.
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