Eve

{ image via Shutterstock }

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! It's hard to believe today is already the last day of 2011. I'd like to thank you for reading my new blog and for sharing your comments. I'm excited to grow this blog in the new year and see what it will become. But first, it's time to ring in 2012! Whatever your plans are tonight, have fun, stay safe, and see you next year!

Gingerbread Cookies

I've been baking these gingerbread cookies every Christmas since I was in high school, and it's now a holiday tradition of mine. The original recipe came from my mom's co-worker, which I have since adapted as my own. What I love most is that it uses real pieces of ginger and the Jell-O butterscotch pudding adds a nice chewy bite. If you have any favourite holiday baking recipes you'd like to share, please let me know in the comments below!

Monday Muses: Heidi Klum & Lou Samuel

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic December 25th! Since today is Boxing Day, I thought I'd compile a Monday Muse for all the shoppers out there who are looking for something for themselves and their little ones. I was drawn to this monochromatic outfit that Heidi Klum and her daughter Lou are sporting. Here are some pieces that will help you get their look.

For Mama:
1. Wilfred Chevalier blazer $225 CAD
2. J. Crew sequin Isabel sweatshirt $229.99 CAD on sale
3. Forever 21 sunglasses $8.60 CAD
4. Steve Madden P-Lakke boots $139.95 USD
5. Zara jegging trousers $59.99 CAD on sale

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For Mini-Me:
1. Osh Kosh B'gosh glitter tee $7.99 USD on sale
2. Gap mini skinny jeans $34.95 CAD
3. Airwalk Mary Jane convert clog $14.99 USD on sale

The Happiest of Holidays

{ image via Shutterstock }

Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing you lots of love, joy and cheer with your friends and family this holiday season!

xo,
Marisa

Hello Lover

{ Coat: Aritzia // Sweater and Belt: Old Navy // Pants: H&M // Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Bag: Danier // Sunglasses: Dior // Necklace: House of Harlow // Bracelet: Spike the Punch // Cocktail Ring: HRH Collection // Watch: Michael Kors }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

These shoes were last year's Christmas present from my husband and I adore them. I definitely had a Carrie Bradshaw moment when I unwrapped the box. I'm also in love with my Spike the Punch necklaces (if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you would have seen a preview of them), and chose to wear this smoke and silver glitter necklace as a bracelet. It has the perfect amount of sparkle and I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing both necklaces non-stop through the holidays.

What's making me smile

{ Revlon Lip Butters in Cherry Tart and Lollipop }

Can you believe there are only four more sleeps until Christmas?! It's time to eat, drink and be merry! I hope all your holiday shopping is done too! I finished mine tonight and can now breathe a little easier. Having all my gifts completed, along with these snippets of happiness, are certainly smile-worthy in my eyes.

{ Ornaments in an Ikea vase, an easy way to give your home some holiday cheer }

{ A sophisticated red and green bouquet that's festive and bright }

{ Pigtails in Charlotte's hair (she was photographed by Eleanor Chow) }

{ Finding the H&M faux fur vest I've been coveting on sale for 50% off }

Monday Muses: Halle Berry & Nahla Aubry

Today's muses are Halle Berry and her daughter Nahla. Toting my toddler around on my hip is an every day occurrence for me, and seeing Halle Berry do it so fashionably has me looking for an equally put-together look for myself and Charlotte. Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

For Mama:
1. Wilfred Tapestry Wool Scarf $75 CAD
2. American Apparel Unisex French Terry Drop-Shoulder Sweatshirt in Zinc $54 CAD
3. BDG Black Overdye Skinny Jean $54 USD
4. Spring Ketterer boots $34.99 CAD on sale

5. ASOS Gold Aviator sunglasses $22.50 CAD

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For Mini-Me:
1. Old Navy cableknit sweater $14 CAD on sale
2. Gymboree snail bow sneaker $13.48 USD on sale
3. The Children's Place bootcut jeans $15 CAD on sale
4. Carters long sleeve graphic tee $5.99 USD

Electric

{ Coat and Sweater: H&M // Faux Fur Collar: Urban Outfitters // Jeans and Belt: Old Navy // Watch: Longines // Bracelets: handmade (inspired by HRH Collection) // Booties: Zara // Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Sunglasses: Dior }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

I haven't worn a pair of coloured jeans since I was in the seventh grade, when Guess was THE brand of jeans to wear at my elementary school. Now I wish I could go back into the closet of my 13-year-old self to pull out the mustard and purple jeans. Instead, I picked up this pair of cobalt blue jeans on clearance at Old Navy for only $7.50 (as mentioned in this post). They're an easy transition into coloured jeans since they're still in the blue family, and work well in any season. I've styled them with a dark coat and faux fur for a winter-feel, and am already anticipating the warmth of summer to colour-block the jeans with a bright top.

Mandy Lau Illustration

You may have noticed that my blog and Twitter page have gone through a little facelift. Mandy Lau is the talented artist behind the new illustrations on my blog. Her work spans different styles, from fashion, lifestyle, and portraits, to caricatures, cartoons and fantasy. You can view more of her work on her website.

I hope you enjoy the illustrations as much as I do!

Monday Muse: Miranda Kerr

I've always enjoyed looking at celebrity style and attempting to re-create it for less. My first muse in this new series is Miranda Kerr. The Victoria's Secret Angel stepped out in a luxurious Balenciaga leather motorcyle jacket and cashmere sweater by The Row, which together totals to over $4,000. Below is a compilation of pieces that will emulate her entire look for under $400.

1. Forever 21 classic striped sweater $16.50 CAD

2. Melie Bianco Faith bag $94 USD

3. Miss Sixty faux leather moto jacket $79.99 USD on sale

4. Gap skinny moto pants $69.95 CAD
5. American Apparel Crew sunglasses $45 CAD
6. Aldo Kirkling booties $70 CAD

Holiday Gift Guide: Etsy Favourites

With only 15 shopping days left, Christmas is literally right around the corner. Some of my favourite gifts to give are ones that are handmade, either by myself (last year I knitted hats for friends and bibs for babies) or by a talented artisan. I've rounded up a gift guide of all the girly hand-crafted goods from Etsy that would delight your bestie, mom, sister, niece or even yourself.

1. Spike the Punch necklace $36 USD
These hand-painted crystal necklaces are sparkly, fun and can double as a bracelet. I've already picked up two for myself.

2. MadeByGirl ABC KIDS typography print $50-$65 USD
How cute is this print? They come in different colours and sizes, perfect for accenting a little one's room.

3. Curly in the City clutch $18-$22 USD
I love this clutch in the large size, and folding it over gives it an entirely new look. 

4. Social Experiment cocktail ring $25 CAD
Made from semi-precious stones, these cocktail rings are inspired by Vancouver and the West Coast. My pick is this clover-shaped pink aventurine set in gold-plated wire.

5. Bfrend Golden Cobra bracelet $45 USD
The friendship bracelet trend is in full swing. These colourful Bfrend bracelets make a statement on their own or stacked in an arm party.

6. HRH Collection Silver Cuff necklace $50 USD
Alex is the Queen behind HRH Collection and has since "graduated" from Etsy to her own online shop. I first discovered her jewelry when it was still on Etsy so I'm including her since she's still a favorite of mine. I recently wore her layering chain bracelet here.

7. Plum Street Prints custom iPhone skin $35 USD
Custom skins are a great way to personalize your phone while protecting it at the same time. Plum Street Prints can customize nearly any cell phone or tablet.

8. LOVE + MARK'D Stationery $18-$28 CAD
Personalized cards with glitter are winners in my book. Gift a set of cards to the ladies in your life who enjoy sending chic notes.

Leopard, Lace & Leather

{ Scarf and Booties: Zara // Blazer and Lace Top: H&M // Faux Leather Shorts: Forever 21 //  Bag: Jimmy Choo for H&M // Sunglasses: Tory Burch // Bracelets: Forever 21 and HRH Collection // Watch: Michael Kors // random tights }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

Leopard, lace and leather are textures I love to play with. Plus, when you put them all together you get some fun alliteration going on (is it just me being an English geek?). For my very first outfit post, I got together with my cousin who's learning to use a DSLR, while I learn how to be a "model" and pose. It's a work-in-progress for the both of us, but we're enjoying it and hope you will too.

Pear and Raspberry Tartlets

My fridge had a few too many Bartlett pears that were starting to get over-ripe and bruised. Since we weren't going to be able to eat all of them before they spoiled, I looked up a dessert recipe that would allow me to use my abundant stock of pears. I modified this recipe into a tartlet instead of a mini pie, and used store-bought tart shells and puff pastry to save time. I would have loved to make the pie crust from scratch but let's face it, when you're trying to bake during a toddler's nap, there's not a lot of time to make your own pie dough.

What's making me smile

{ Bouquet of orchids from the husband }

I recently picked up a DSLR camera and have been shooting everything in sight for practice. After reviewing the photos, I realized that I took pictures of things that make me happy. Here's a compilation of what's currently putting a smile on my face.

{ A Caramel Brulé latte in Starbucks' red holiday cup }

{ Cheap fashion thrills from Old Navy: cobalt jeans $7.50, gray leather stud belt $7.16, furry leopard belt $8.28 }

{ Finding Tarina Tarantino's Showroom lipstick at Sephora (I've been searching for this lipstick since April!) }

{ Decorating the house for Christmas, starting with a nutcracker from President's Choice }

Black Friday: Self Restraint

I've never partaken in the crazy Black Friday sales but I got a little caught up tonight. Some of the online sales started at 12am EST so for me that meant it was only 9pm on the West Coast! I ended up perusing the goods at Beyond the Rack (one word: danger). I put the following items into my virtual shopping bag because even if I don't check out with everything, I like holding things in my cart to get a sense of the money that I'm "saving." Am I alone in doing this? Maybe...

1. Vintage Louis Vuitton Accessory Pouch 305 in Monogram $129.99
This is in good condition for vintage. The hardware is noted as slightly tarnished, the outside has light signs of wear and the strap seams are slightly open in two areas. Original price is listed as $260.

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2. Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat in Beige Tendre $56.99
I've been needing a new powder foundation ever since I broke my MAC Studio Fix and have been wanting to try Chanel's pressed powder for a change. Original price is listed at $70.

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3. Chloe Paddington Small Shoulder Bag in Tan $1199.99
I've always loved any of the Paddington bags and shoes that Chloe designs. I've been on the hunt for the perfect cognac purse and this one has everything I'm looking for. Original price is listed at $1900.

 

So what did I walk away with? Drum roll please....NOTHING! I probably would've bought the Chanel powder but they only offered one shade and I have no idea what colour I am. And I was thisclose to buying the LV pouch. I punched in my credit card info and everything.

Sparkle and shine, it's party time

The spark of Christmas is in the air and that means the holiday parties are quickly approaching. For me, half of the fun is in getting ready. The first step is finding the perfect party dress with the right amount of shimmer, then complementing it with stylish stilettos and sophisticated jewels. Don't forget to outfit your mini-me with an equally fun frock and accessories that will glimmer into the night.

For Mama:
1. ModCloth Striking Gold Dress $104.99 USD
2. Blue Nile Freshwater Pearl Ribbon earrings $360 CAD
3. Christian Louboutin Lady Peep platform pumps approx $980 CAD
4. ASOS Feather Clutch Bag $45.68 CAD
5. YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in Red Muse $34 USD

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For Mini-Me:
1. Zara Ponti di Roma knit dress with feathers $39.90 CAD
2. Gap lurex rosette cardigan $35.96 CAD (on sale)
3. Payless girls' toddler bow Fiona ballet flat $8.99 USD (on sale)
4. The Children's Place sequin bow headband $5.95 CAD
5. H&M glittery tights $9.95 CAD