holiday highlights

(At the Unionville Millennium Bandstand)

I know it's the first couple weeks of 2016, and I should be looking forward to the year ahead, but I feel like the Holidays went by so quickly this year, that I barely had a chance to take it all in. I did so much, but I was also working a lot (kind of missing that now though that retail has slowed way down and I'm barely working anymore), which never really allowed me to slow down and enjoy the moment. I was so busy planning fun festive things to do on my days off, that I never had time to relax and reflect on how fun the last two months of the year were and how lucky I was to be able to do so much with so many people I love. So here are some of my Holiday highlights that I wanted to share with all of you, and hopefully this will also get me out of my January funk (I go through this every year; when everything slows right down and I have too much time on my hands), and remind me that more fun is just around the corner. For more highlights visit my Instagram.

a year in outfits

Fashion is such a big part of my life, and living in Canada where you really feel four different seasons, allows me to express myself through fashion in all different kinds of weather. I love being a blogger; being able to find inspiration in fellow bloggers and throughout all facets of my life and the fashion industry, and being able to share my own personal style and thoughts through this platform. This year has been so different from past ones for me. I went through some changes and discoveries of myself and what I want to do in life and for a career; I started dating the most amazing boy; I really got a sense of who I was as a person, and my personal style definitely changed over these last 12 months. That's not to say that I have everything figured out 100% yet, but I am definitely many steps closer and I can't wait to keep discovering new things along the way. I thought since we are entering a new year, it would be fun to go back through some of my favourite outfits and shoots of 2015 and share them with you. Enjoy!

anniversary in niagara

(Some beautiful Christmas decorations along the Falls at night)

All summer I kept saying how I wanted to take Phil to Niagara Falls. He hasn't been since he was very little, and after I went with my sister at the end of June, I remembered how much fun it was and couldn't wait to go with him. We never got a chance to go in the summer, and I was thinking of what would be a great first anniversary present for him, and a friend of mine gave me a great idea when she told me that Groupon was having some amazing deals on hotels in Niagara Falls, and that there's a bunch of stuff you get with the booking of the hotel. So I looked up some different options and finally decided this would be a fantastic anniversary present, and to be able to get away from work for a little bit as it's getting crazy for the holidays.

kate spade

(Cedar Street Harmony Crossbody bags in the most gorgeous colours)

It's very rare that I get invited to or hear about an event (no matter how big or small) and I'm actually not working or already have plans, and I am able to attend. However, I'm so happy this was not the case last Thursday evening, when I heard about the Kate Spade and Elle Canada event at their Cumberland location in Yorkville in Toronto. It was a chance to see their November collection, which had their first batch of Holiday looks, as well as shop the line with 25% off! My friend from work who I knew would also be super excited about this event had the day off as well, so it ended up being the perfect evening.

Winter Getaway

Happy 2015 everyone! Apologies on the lack of posts in the new year so far. As you know, I was on a family vacation and then last week, though I was already home, I just needed some time to get back to work, routine, and real life. But, now that I'm (unfortunately) reaccustomed to not laying by the pool all day and forgetting about responsibilities, I have some amazing vacation pictures to show you.

Toronto Christmas Market

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I would be getting to the Toronto Christmas Market at some point this holiday season, and that I would share some photos with you after I had gone. I am going on vacation with my family and getting on a cruise tomorrow, so as my last post until the new year, I thought I'd leave you with some cute pictures and holiday inspiration.

New Year's Outfit

New Year's Eve is one of my favourite nights to dress for, since pretty much anything goes. There is so much happening on that night that you can do anything you want to be doing, and therefore dress however you feel like dressing.

My City Gossip: Holiday Outfits

Need some help with what to wear to holiday parties? Read my latest for My City Gossip for tips!

(Not So) Ugly Holiday Sweaters

A severely ugly sweater may have been a serious faux pas in the past, but in recent years (maybe over the last 3 or so) ugly Christmas sweaters have become ever so stylish. The ugly sweater trend itself started a while back (it became popular to have an ugly sweater party sometime around 2001 (source)), but back then the sweaters were still considered "ugly".

Holiday Spirit

Maybe it's because there's no snow on the ground, or that the weather hasn't even been that cold lately, but it's been hard for me to get into the holiday spirit this year. As much as I love warm weather and summer, I always love to get cozy in December with fuzzy PJs, Christmas movies, and the holiday spirit.

Gift Guide: Indigo

It's that time of year where holiday store hours and return policies are in effect, and people have started buying their holiday presents already. While I don't generally do the whole holiday presents for every single one of my friends and family members thing (I pretty much just exchange gifts with my sister, and my work does Secret Santa), I do still enjoy looking through home store catalogues and online to look at the beautiful holiday-themed gifts. One of my favourite stores to shop at (all year-round, but especially around the holidays) is Indigo, and since this is the first week people are really starting to kick-off their holiday shopping (it mostly starts with Black Friday), I'm going to show you what they have to offer for your holiday shopping!

Of course, my love for Indigo started with books, but a while ago I really got into their home section. It's just so beautiful even to walk through, it makes me want to redecorate my house every time I go in there with their new arrivals. Although for the holidays you probably won't get the personal on your shopping list things to start redecorating their home, you can definitely get them little things to add to their existing decor. Like these ornaments; they're so cute and will match with any holiday decor theme they already have going on. Of course, a bath and body basket is always a safe route to go, and Indigo has a selection of scents. With all the home stuff at Indigo, we sometimes forget they still offer books! There are some great coffee table ones, but also you can never cross off a good old fashioned paper back. I always love getting new outerwear accessories every winter, and these faux-fur matching ones are just so cozy and perfect. But, you also need some cozy accessories to wrap yourself in inside the house. These slippers and bathrobe will do nicely sitting by the fire with loved ones watching traditional holiday movies. And, although these picks were in the "men's" section of the Indigo website, they can be for him, her, or them.

1. Festive ornaments

2. Coconut milk mango bath salts, hand cream, and bar soap

3. Books: This Is The World, Kate Spade New York: Places To Go, People To See, and 

Not That Kind Of Girl

4. Faux fur earmuffs, gloves, and scarf

5. Fuzzy robe and slippers

6. Antler bottle opener, reindeer mug, and woodland animal shot glasses

We Heart The Holidays

Happy holidays everyone!!! I hope you all are having an amazing holiday season, spending time with family and friends, partying, and drinking lots of peppermint flavoured everything!

Here are some things to keep you inspired over the holidays! All pictures are from We Heart It.