Currently at the Bay's holiday preview and I'm seeing tons of signature items. Coats, blankets and scarves, oh my!

** Update: I meant to include a photo with this post initially, but it didn't upload. All fixed now. **

There’s four more days until Christmas and I’ve listed a few picks below for all of you last minute shoppers. Hopefully the items I’ve chosen will provide a few potential ideas. Happy holidays!

Danier leather jacket

Details: Mongolian lamb collared jacket with ribbed detail. Price $149.

Augustina Fragrances by Susanne Lang Parfumerie

Details: all fragrances sold in-store at Augustina and exclusively online at Anthropologie. Scents available: Avondale, Woodlawn and Roxborough. Sizes:7mL perfume oil roller, $30 for 60mL eau de parfum, $95 for 120 mL dry body oil, $50

RADO watches, Sintra Automatic Skeleton

Details: transparent case back, black hi-tech ceramic bracelet, limited edition. Available at Holt Renfrew, Birks and other fine jewellers across Canada. Price $7,800.

UP TO YOU, heel protectors

Details: slide these protectors onto your heels “to fend off tears and scratches caused by sidewalk cracks, stairs and escalators. The protectors are then removed when you reach your destination ensuring that the heels remain unscathed and looking their best. Fits most stiletto type heels.” Price $11.

Details: “all of the bracelets are handmade with high quality materials that come from nature. Real, hand-dyed leather forms the basis of each bracelet” designed by Ana Kuzmanovic. Price range, $50-$200.

Hudson's Bay Company multistripe point blanket

Details: 100 per cent woven wool “first commissioned by HBC in 1800, the multistripe has never been out of production since. It is the most popular colourway of all the HBC point blankets, past or present.” Sizes available: twin, double, queen and king. Price $275.

Images courtesy of Augustina Fragrances, Danier, Hudson’s Bay Company, RADO, ShopElegant

One of my favourite shoes stores in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area is Balisi, owned and operated by Cory Kierstead and Rehlee Balisi. They have amazing staff and stock footwear brands that no other retailers carry in the city; the stores are guaranteed to tempt and most likely make you spend your hard earned money.

“The Cinderella sale is back at Balisi! All regular priced footwear is now on sale. Take 15% off your first pair, 20% off your second and 25% off your third. All sale merchandise is now 40% off, spot the dot on the merchandise to save!”

Store hours:

Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sunday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Locations:

668 College Street, Toronto, Ontario

711 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario

439 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

2507 Yonge Street, Toronto Ontario

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“Here's your chance to buy the perfect gift for the holidays, below-cost prices for a wide array of one-of-a-kind belts, costume, sterling silver and semi-precious jewellery. New pieces are added daily, up to 90% off retail!”

Date/Times:

Friday, November 26, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 27, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 28, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Payment: cash only

Location: 63 Wingold Avenue, Suite 110, Toronto, Ontario (three stop lights south of Lawrence, west of Dufferin)

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“Crafternoon Tea is a fabulous crafty/fashion market, how-to den and charity tea party all rolled into one that's been running in the east-end since 2004. This laid back event showcases 25 plus local indie makers, plus a hands-on do-it-yourself zone and a yummy charity tea area – plus a stellar raffle too.”

Event highlights:

•  Jewellery made from watch parts, feathers, buttons and ceramics 
• Sweaters morphed into x-mas stockings and mittens Vinyl LPs reinvented as journals & drink coasters
• Vintage collage art – organic soaps & scrubs – upcycled leather bags & belts 
• Eternity scarves – sewing project kits, PMS cookies 
• Baby bibs made from jeans and men's ties

For more information visit, http://on.fb.me/aHQNqQ

Date/Time: Saturday November 27th, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Queen Street East Presbyterian Church, 947 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario

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Call me old fashion but I love nice stationary – paper, envelopes and especially beautifully designed cards. With everything going digital nowadays it’s very easy for holiday e-cards and greetings to be passed over as you quickly read through the vast number of e-mails appearing in your inbox daily. A physical card will make you pause to see who went to all the trouble to write and mail you a message – it makes a lasting impression.

As expressed in several past blog entries, I do love visiting my local HomeSense store and on a recent visit last weekend I spotted some fashionable stationary by the Bonnie Marcus Collection that I couldn’t resist picking up.

I can’t wait to mail these out, those who know me will smile at my choice of holiday card.

Cost, $5.99 for a pack of eight cards and envelopes.

It’s that time of year when the annual office holiday parties begin. Those of us who are lucky have their company party during work hours, but others have to endure the slight torture (or annoyance) of finding an evening outfit to wear and plus a date.

To provide a little help, I’ve chosen six holiday dresses of varying price points and styles which may inspire you to rework something from your wardrobe or motivate you to buy. Enjoy!

Alexander McQueen, wool-crepe pleated shoulder dress

French Connection, starlight knit sparkle dress

Lanvin, 22 Faubourg dress

LK Bennett, Wildeve dress

Moulinette Soueurs, stilled night dress

Topshop, queen maxi dress

Images from Anthrolopologie, Far Fetch, French Connection, LK Bennett, Topshop

Today is my birthday.

Birthdays are a funny thing. As a child, I (and everyone at some point) relished the idea and hoopla of having a big party with balloons, a fancy cake and a herd of friends in attendance.

As I get older, I have a different view on this “special” occasion. You could say I’m a little cynical or the magic and illusion surrounding birthdays have poof! Vanished. I don’t mind celebrating other people’s birthdays, just not my own.

For the past several years, I prefer to spend April 16 having a quiet family dinner at home and eating a modest birthday cake for dessert. Friends usually ask if I have a party planned and my response is “No,” or I graze over the topic as if it was never brought up. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the well wishes I receive from family and friends, but prefer to treat today as any other day of the year.

Am I the only one who feels blasé on their birthday, or am I just a birthday Scrooge? Bah humbug.

February is Black History Month and when this time of year comes around I reflect on my family heritage. My background straddles a multiracial line consisting of African, Chinese and European. I haven’t celebrated Black History Month in a longtime and recently took the opportunity to attend the Canadian Film Centre’s (CFC)’s event examining the black experience in cinema.

To speak to this topic the CFC had legendary Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison (In the Heat of the Night and Hurricane) and Lee Daniels, director of Monsters Ball and the Oscar nominated movie Precious present for the discussion. The moderator was Clement Virgo (Poor Boy’s Game).

Influenced by recent events I attended revolving around the use and power of social media, I decided to tweet for a large portion leading up to and during the discussion with the three filmmakers. Here’s a recap of the evening’s tweets:

6:19 PM – Making my way to @cfccreates to meet @JDAconsulting. Looking forward to hearing Lee Daniels & Norman Jewison spk.

6:29 PM – @cfccreates ticket pick up is ridiculous. Waiting outside is not fun. A better system is needed.

7:05 PM  – Sitting w/ @JDAconsulting waiting for @cfccreates discussion to st. Got a few pics of Lee Daniels working the media line.

7:13 PM – Cdn filmmaker Clement Virgo is making intro on stage. #blackhistorymonth

7:34 PM – Norman Jewison talking a/b apartheid & his interest in the black experience. @cfccreates. #blackhistorymonth

7:37 PM – Norman Jewison says when he filmed "In the Heat of the Night" timing was everything. @cfccreates

7:39 PM – Lee Daniels loves #toronto & feels you can kill racism w/ kindness.

7:46 PM – Lee Daniels talking "Monsters Ball" & says ppl were afraid of the truth re: depicting Halle Berry & got a lot of hate mail as a result.

7:51 PM – Lee Daniels says film making is a/b growth & he tries to learn how to be better. @cfccreates

8:21 PM – Norman Jewison says racism goes both ways. Lee Daniels feels the same way.

8:23 PM – Virgo: where do black stories go fr here? Jewison: they get stronger. Young ppl today are less prejudice than their parents.

8:31 PM – Now onto the Q&A portion of the discussion. In "Precious" pig’s feet were the symbolic item to show the characters' inside.

It was a very educational and insightful night for those exploring and celebrating Black History Month, as well as providing cinephiles with a chance to hear these talented filmmakers speak. Virgo was extremely well-versed in the history of Black cinema, but there were times when he didn’t provide enough context thereby losing the audience in parts of the conversation – a more streamlined approach and simplification of discussion points would have made it easier to follow along.

I was very impressed by the frank discussion and honest answers Daniels, Jewison and Virgo shared, particularly their views on racism and overcoming it.

Images taken by Kimberly

Event description: Toronto-based jewellery line Bijouxbead has teamed up with upscale fashion boutique Magnolia for a special cocktail reception to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Guests can shop while enjoying a glass of wine and delectable cupcakes and mingle with an eclectic group of Toronto’s fashion industry insiders, media and artisan lovers.

Bijouxbead designer, Darlene Martin will be in-store to greet customers and help them find the perfect piece of wearable art as a Valentine gift for a loved one or a special treat for themselves.  

Bijouxbead’s wearable jewellery art consists of earrings, bracelets and necklaces (ranging in price from $70 up to $1,300 for custom pieces) and is also available for purchase online at www.bijouxbead.com/shoponline. For those who can’t make the event, Magnolia will have select pieces from Martin’s collection available for purchase in-store until February 14, 2010.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Location: Magnolia, 333 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario

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