CURRENTLY LOVING: SUMMER TOTES

These summer totes by Jack Gomme Paris caught my eye this morning on our way to music class. The vibrant hues (there is a lemony yellow too) made me do a double-take of the Article.27 shop window on Queen Street West. Wouldn't this tote be pretty and handy to carry around this summer?

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: FOR THE GUYS

1. Wool overshirt
2. Beer glass
3. The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz
4. Tivoli Classic AM/FM table radio with Bluetooth
5. Cufflinks
6. The Hudson's Bay Company wool blanket
7. Bowers & Wilkins headphones
8. MOMA perpetual calendar

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: THE LADIES

1. Sweater
2. Hammered gold stacking rings
3. The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings by Nathan Williams
4. Messenger bag
5. Scarf
6. Wild Fig and Cassis cologne
7. Terrarium
8. Ornament
9. Hair barrette
10. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: THE KIDDOS

1. Baby elephant print by The Animal Print Shop
2. Padraig slippers
3. Madame Constance doll by Moulin Roty
4. Tres Cool sweater by Oeuf
5. Volume limit headphones by KIDZ Gear
6. Raglan dress and leggings by mini mioche
7. Along a Long Road by Frank Viva
8. Mini kick scooter by Micro
9. Jenga
10. Everything but the Dalmatian Firehouse Collection

THE FESTIVE SEASON

Let the festive season begin! Today, we put up our Christmas tree, strung lights and hung our stockings. Now, pass me a mug of spiked eggnog and gingerbread cookies.

In case you're in need of some gift-giving inspiration, I will be posting a few holiday gift guides with cool things I find in my own search for just the right gifts. Stay tuned for those in the coming week or two ... and in the meantime, you can check out last year's gift guides for hosts, ladies, men and little ones.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: FOR HIM

Now it's time to give a little gift-giving inspiration for the men on your list ...

1. Zipped wool sweater ($285)
2. Simon Carter watch ($130)
3. Socks ($20)
4. Conde Nast Traveler: 25 Years of Photography ($60)
5. Horn bottle opener ($28)
6. Magic Cube Laser Projection Keyboard ($200)
7. Weekender bag ($329)
8. Doppler by Erlend Loe ($15)
9. Gramophone for iPhone ($250)

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: FOR THE KIDDOS

And now, some gift-giving inspiration for those special little ones in your life ...

1. Deep Into The Forest diorama ($35)
2. Nordic sock slippers ($35)
3. A banjo ($30)
4. Monkey hand puppet ($30)
5. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen ($14)
6. Modelling beeswax ($30)
7. Nightlight that creates a magical starry night ($180)
8. Blabla Dog ($55)
9. Bat hat ($55)
10. Floor puzzle ($20)
11. Whittle World School Bus Set ($25)
12. Crazy Forts ($45)
13. Angel Wing Sweater ($95)

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: FOR HER

To continue with this year's Holiday Gift Guide, I've searched for some gift-giving inspiration for the women in your life ...

1. Polka-dot cashmere sweater ($310)

2. Silver and turquoise earrings ($115)
3. Double wrap bracelet ($150)
4. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook ($35)
5. Ela leather clutch ($328)
6. Kate Spade iPhone case ($40)
7. Leather and wool gloves ($95)
8. Pretty serving bowls ($10 each)
9. See the World Beautiful by Anne Menke ($60)
10. Gingham flannel pajama set ($100)
11. Minnetonka slippers ($60)

P.S. You can also check out Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Host for more gift-giving inspiration.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: HOST

Festive displays adorn shop windows, strings of lights and wreaths decorate houses along our street, and radio stations are now mixing in Christmas tunes. The Holiday season is officially here and it's time to get merry. For the next two weeks, I'm going to post gift guides to help you with some gift-giving inspiration. And since the holiday parties are already in full swing, let's start with gifts that would make any host/hostess feel very much appreciated ... 

1. Bespoke Uprising tea towel ($17, also available at Kid Icarus)

2. Moustache bottle stopper by Jonathan Adler ($20)
3. Savon de Marseilles ($20, also available at Anthropologie)
4. Scrabble coasters ($23)
5. Balsam and cedar scented candle ($16)

FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

It's Father's Day on June 17. I had a little help from Monkey's dad on this one. I hope we give you a bit of inspiration if you're still searching for a gift for your dad (and husband too!).

Bacon jam to make any piece of toast a little more delicious. ($47.50 for 3)

A cut and shave at Garrison's by the Park, downtown Toronto. It's like a spa treatment for dad. ($60)

Getting dad a tie is cliché, but a reversible bow tie is just crazy enough to work. ($65)

 A beer-making kit to help him realize his dream of becoming a micro-brewer. ($60.62)

He doesn't know he wants a cozy sweater, but he does. ($145)

A round of golf at his favourite course. ($100) (Photo)

A must-have this summer for Toronto dads. ($24.99)

Written by a dad for all music-loving dads. ($16.98)

The summer shoe that gives back.

For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. ($55)

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

Mother's Day is fast approaching on Sunday, May 13. Here are a few ideas if you're still on the hunt for something special for your mom.

A bouquet of tulips is simple and beautiful. ($6.99) (Photo via A Country Farmhouse)

Pretty and delicate earrings. ($130)


 

 A subscription to Vanity Fair. The gift that keeps on giving month after month. ($38)

Whimsical tea towels from Anthropologie to cheer up any kitchen. ($24)

Beautiful scented cologne from Jo Malone. 

My favourite is French Lime Blossom. ($125 for 100ml)

  Personalized monogram stationery from Pinhole Press to share her pride(s) of joy. ($80 for 50 cards)

A bright double-wrap watch by Swatch that is perfect for summer ($60)

 A relaxing massage or spa treatment to soothe her senses. A spa treatment at Body Blitz in Toronto includes therapeutic waters -- absolute bliss. ($90 for a 30min massage at Body Blitz).

A lightweight scarf for spring. This one is from Virginia Johnson. ($195 -- Virginia Johnson is currently having a 20% off sale for Mother's Day)

A delicious breakfast made just for her. Here's the recipe for these yummy blueberry pancakes.