The Friday Five: 5 Things on My Mind

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1. Cars. I just want to publicly acknowledge my car breaks and quick reflexes. Thanks to both of these things, I avoided a potentially major accident the other week. Oh my goodness. I am so thankful.

And on the topic of cars, I learned how to replace the bulb of my tail light. I felt like a hero. I’d like to thank a couple of YouTubers and their videos for teaching me how to do it. Easy peasy.

2. Costco. I took up a Groupon offer for a Costco membership recently. If you follow me on Instagram, you already knew that. If you’re my friend in real life, then you’ve already heard me talk about this multiple times. Now, prior to this acquisition, I had been to Costco many times with family and friends who are members, but now that I have my own card, I’m part of the club. On my last few trips, I seem to have spent more time looking at the jewelry and purses than I have at the food, and I’m sure that’s not really what I’m supposed to be doing. 🙂 The gas is so much cheaper than anywhere else, so I’ve been taking advantage of that…oh, and Nutella was on sale the other day, so of course I had to stock up for 2019! I’ll check back in a few months or a year to let you know if the membership is worth it for me.

3. Things to do instead of spending money. Post-Christmas, you may be looking to spend less money. To resist the temptation, try doing one (or more) of the things on this list. Thanks to Jen at Rambling Renovators for sharing this.

4. Gift guides. Are you still on the hunt for gifts for your loved ones? I’m so thankful that Daniela was able to gather a ton of great gift ideas once again this year. Perhaps one of her features will catch your attention: for the host; for men; for women; for kids, tweens, and teens.

5. Blog break. I’ll be taking a week or so off from the blog. I’m sure I’ll be posting on Instagram, but don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me over the next little while.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

 

Gift Guide: For Women

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Have you been liking Daniela’s gift guides this year (for the host, for men)? She has a couple more to share, and I’ve had a sneak peek. Good things are on the way! Today she’s bringing us goodies for women, so you can get more things checked of your Christmas shopping list (or wish list).

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Hi everyone. I’m back with a gift guide for that lady in your life – your friend, coworker, mom, or wife. This list has something for everyone! As usual, I’ve included items at a variety of price points. Many of these items fit nicely in the “what to buy 20-somethings” category, so if you are looking for a gift for your older daughter or niece, you’ll likely find a great item here. Happy shopping!

Not only does this VitaJuwel water bottle raise some attention, it has healing benefits due to  crystals that are contained in a clear glass vial. There are a few types of crystals, but I like this one best as it is a blend of amethyst, rose quartz, and clear quartz. These are known for their mind-easing benefits. Let the water sit for seven minutes before drinking. If you’re not into crystals, you can still buy it because it’s a really really nice looking water bottle.

VitaJuwel 5 elements gem water bottle, $98USD (also available at Anthropologie)

Brunette The Label is a company based out of Vancouver whose mission is to empower women to empower one another. The classic “brunette” and “blonde” sweatshirts are awesome, and if you know a mom who has a daughter, the brand carries matching sweatshirts in the kids’ collection. Who doesn’t love a mom and daughter in matching outfits?!

Brunette crew sweatshirt, $79CAD

Want to add a little bling to your go to sweatshirt? Their holiday collection comes in gold foil.

Blonde crew gold foil sweatshirt, $88CAD

Do you know someone who wants easy, quick, and effortless make-up because they just don’t have time for more? If so, then this “stick” is the perfect gift. It comes in a variety of shades; however, I am featuring the “nude” here as I think it is a good basic for every day. The Bite Beauty Multistick will apply like a cream and wear like a powder finish. The best part is that it can be applied to the lips, cheeks, and eyes,, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go.

Bite Beauty Multistick, $24USD, (also available at Sephora for $28CAD)

This next item on today’s gift guide is great for a person who loves bracelets (and especially “stacking” them!), and it also has healing powers. Handmade in the GTA and available at local markets across the GTA and online at Urth Elements Canada, these reiki-infused healing pieces promote healing, restoration, and uplift. In today’s hectic, fast-paced life, we sometimes need a little help to breathe and slow down to a calm state, so we don’t get overwhelmed. I think these are great gifts for the CEO – of a firm or of a household – in your life. These bracelets also make great gifts for teachers or university students who need to restore calmness in their lives.

natural gemstone bracelet, $25CAD, Urth Elements

see more of Urth Elements (including some great ideas for stacking) on Instagram

Okay. It wouldn’t be a gift guide if I didn’t include my second favorite beverage-COFFEE! (Water is my first favourite beverage.) Finding a good coffee bean is important to me. It is the fuel for my day, and I love the taste of a well-brewed coffee. Since I have been finding it hard to get to my favorite coffee place after having baby number two, my husband and I started buying Barocco coffee as it is closer to home. After trying a few of Barocco’s blends, my go to is the Alto. Barocco coffee is available at a few retailers and online. It’s great to have this option to feed my coffee addiction, and I definitely think it is an awesome gift for any coffee lover.

Alto espresso, $32CAD, Barocco

Iconic, Canadian jeweler Birks has received more attention ever since the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has been seen wearing some of the brand’s pieces. Birks has forever carried timeless, beautiful pieces, and it’s a Canadian company. This Christmas, for those of you wanting to gift your favourite lady a “little blue box,” opt to gift them a beautiful blue box from Birks…and make sure to pick out something beautiful to go into it! Here are a few of my suggestions.

freshwater baroque pearl and silver pendant, $350CAD, Birks

horizontal diamond bar necklace, $995CAD, Birks

My final suggestion is this beautiful organic Coyuchi robe that is perfection in my opinion. You may be interested to know that Coyuchi donates 1% of every purchase to help combat climate change. The company produces all of their organic natural products using minimal processing.

solstice robe, $73.50 (on sale), Coyuchi

Hope this gift guide helps you to find the perfect gifts for the ladies in your life.

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If you haven’t already gathered, Daniela is an expert shopper! She’s always on the lookout for cool brands and products that make our lives better – health-wise and luxury-wise. I love that Daniela included Birks in today’s gift guide. Long before Birks became a Duchess fave, I remember going to Birks Sherway Gardens (in Toronto) with my mom when I was so very little. At the time, I found it annoying to look-at-but-don’t-touch cases of jewelry. Now, though, I definitely appreciate a beautiful jewel or two!

Gift Guide: For Men

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Today’s gift guide is for the men in your lives. Daniela has brought us some great items, many of which are from Canadian companies, which we love to support!

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It’s that time of year again, and I’m here to help you (hopefully) with some gift ideas for the men in your life. You will see a heavy focus on Canadian brands below.

18waits is a Canadian company that you can find across Canada, the USA, and even Mexico; however, if you find yourself in Toronto, then I advise you to shop at the flagship store on Queen St. West. The clothing is well made and manufactured in Canada and the USA. Here are my top picks from 18waits.

whiskey tee, $90 CAD

Dylan shirt

eagle’s bone necklace, $250 CAD

Rocky Mountain Barber Company is a Canadian company that focuses on men’s hair, meaning their beards, mustaches, and the hair on their heads. Rock Mountain’s famous products are made of only the finest ingredients, and their small batch production ensures this quality remains high. And, when you check out, you will be given a choice of free samples. Who doesn’t love a freebie? Can you say free stocking stuffer? Here are my top picks from Rocky Mountain Barber Company.

Sandalwood shaving survival kit, $53.99CAD

Sandalwood hair comb, $22.99CAD

And of course a comb for the man in your life with a beard.

Sandalwood beard comb, $19.99CAD

Vancouver based brand Herschel Supply Co. is recognized globally as a high-quality brand with collections at great price points.

I am a fan of this specific wallet because I love the money clip feature, and it is thin, which is great for those men who don’t like carrying around a bulky wallet. This makes a great adult or teen gift. It also comes in many colours!

Raven wallet, $29.99CAD

An Autonomous office chair is a perfect gift for the man who works from a home office. Started in 2014 through Kickstarter, Autonomous has now grown and currently has 10 locations around the world. The Italian and Korean designed ergonomic chair ensures comfort while you work hard all day.

Autonomous Ergochair 2, $499CAD

My last item is a charging station for the person who has a lot of gadgets. With this gift, they can easily and conveniently charge all of them, all in one place. I love this specific charging station as it works with multiple phones and tablets.

charging station, $24.59CAD

Happy shopping!

Gift Guide: For Her and Him

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Last week, I introduced you to my cousin Daniela  and two of her holiday gift guides: babies and toddlers. and tweens and teens. She’s back this week with two more guides for us. And they’re just as good as what she brought as last week! Today, she is focused on the adults in our lives. Have a look!

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Hey everyone. I’m here with an adult gift guide, and I hope you find lots of items for your loved ones. Or, you may ask Santa for something for yourself, too! I have!

What’s great about this list is that some these items can also make great gifts for that teen/university/college student in your life as well.

Reviews on the Tre wireless ear buds by Sudio say the sound is crisp, and they last for a long time with a single charge. They’re stylish and Swedish, so I think, all-in-all, they make a great gift for the tech lover/music lover/podcast follower in your group.

Tre ear buds, $93.75 (on sale), Sudio

Next up — my favorite insulated water bottle on the market. I bought my first one over a year ago and use it daily for both hot and cold beverages. I can attest to the length of time it keeps things hot and cold. It has never let me down. The hot actually lasts longer than 8 hours, and I can keep my warm lemon water all day at my desk. The other thing I love is that, true to its advertising, once washed, it does not hold the flavor of whatever drink was in it before. I can easily put water in it the day after having used it for coffee or tea. This bottle is from Canadian company Green’s Your Colour and comes in an array of colours. What’s special right now is the limited edition white versions which make great gifts for any adult on your list.

rock steady limited edition bottle, $45, Green’s Your Colour

champagne bliss limited edition bottle, $45, Green’s Your Colour

Anyone who has lived with me before-or worked with me for that matter-may run to buy me this amazing gadget. The Tile Pro is available at Best Buy, and it’s a great gift for those of us who lose/misplace our keys every day or every hour. The free Tile Pro app will locate that item you always seem to lose by emitting a loud sound. Santa, are you listening? I need one!

Tile, $45 CAD, Best Buy

Isn’t winter all about cozy chunky sweaters? This merino wool sweater from Aritzia is not only stylish for a night out with friends but equally cozy for a night in.

merino wool sweater, $166.50 CAD (on sale), Aritzia

2017 seemed to be the year of the beard. If you have someone who is sporting this trend, this kit makes a great gift. Rumor has it that taking care of a beard is a lot of work. This all-natural Canadian-made beard kit is a perfect gift for that beard lover on your list.

The Northern Beard Company – The Revival Kit, $25.48 (on sale), Well

Journaling, becoming more mindful, and seeing andshowing gratitude in every day is proven to make us healthier not only in mind but in body, too. This is a great gift for that special someone in your life. It will help them create a daily habit of journaling and its rewards will be endless.

The Five Minute Journal, $26.95 CAD, Chapters Indigo

My last item is this trendy backpack by Matt & Nat for Indigo. Backpacks are now coming in various versions and styles. I love this one not only because it is sleek, modern, and a great size to fit all kinds of items, but it is also made from sustainable products. Both Chapters Indigo and Matt & Nat are Canadian companies which is an extra plus. Although this backpack seems to be featured for going to work or school, as a mom of a toddler, having two hands free has become quite important while also having (lots) of things accessible. I have this on my wish list, too. Hopefully Santa is reading this blog today.

Matt and Nat X Indigo backpack, $180, Chapters Indigo

Happy shopping!

– Daniela

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Jeez, Daniela, your guides are top-notch! I love all of your ideas for gifts for loved ones (and for ourselves!). Thanks for sharing your ideas with all of us today!

Gift Guide: For the Design Fan

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For the second holiday gift guide this year, I’ve gathered some pretty amazing objets for the design fan in your life.

white-cabana-gift-guide_design-fan

white nest bowl, Chen Chen & Kai Williams book stand, steel paperclips, walnut box, white ceramic cockatoo, storage bin, Jonathan Adler I-Scream vase, Areaware white balancing blocks, Kelly Wearstler Legs marble box

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See the first holiday gift guide – for the cook.

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