{Shopping Guide} Holiday Wishlist

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, but treating yourself a little now and then can go a long way in terms of keeping morale high amidst all the craziness. So when Southgate Centre asked me to make a holiday wishlist from their roster of retailers, it was a therapeutic process to say the least. Now I don't expect anyone to rush out and buy me an MK bag or iPad Air (you're officially off the hook, Mr. AiF), but it sure is fun to dream nonetheless. And in keeping with the whole 'treat yo' self' philosophy I seem to prescribe to, don't be surprised if you see a fun leopard clutch or bright red dress creep into posts during the weeks to come... Just saying.

Be sure to visit southgatecentre.com to make a holiday wishlist of your own � one lucky winner will walk away with their entire wishlist, up to $2,500! How's that for treating yourself?

This post was sponsored by Southgate Centre. All opinions shared are my own.

{Style} BRKLN

Moto jacket- Gap | tshirt- Rag & Bone | trousers c/o French Connection | pumps- ShoeMint | bag- 3.1 Phillip Lim | beanie- Aritzia | necklace- J.Crew | ring- CC Skye | bangles- J.Crew | watch- Michael Kors



Happy weekending! xx

Photos by Brittney Le Blanc

{Style} Wavy In Wang

Sweatshirt- LA Notte | leather jacket- Rebecca Minkoff (similar) | boyfriend jeans- Gap | bag- 3.1 Phillip Lim | studded pumps- ShoeMint | necklace- Barefoot Contessa | eye ring- House of Harlow (loving this and this) | bangles- J.Crew | watch- Michael Kors

Sweatshirts have quickly become my go-to for fall, yet despite my ever-growing collection, I just can't get enough... It's a sickness, I tell ya. And speaking of sickness, I'm feeling particularly healthy this week after loading up on supplements and an immunity pack... Now let's just hope that the snow (yes, we have snow now) and lack of sleep don't do me in. xx

Photos by Kastles

{Style} Bundled...

When a scarf simply won't do, sometimes you need something a little more akin to a blanket wrapped around those shoulders... Enter my Urban Outfitters plaid cape. I bought it last fall, and on particularly cold days, it gets to come out of closet hibernation and resume its rightful place � Strewn around my neck in jumbo scarf form. Oooh yeah. xx

Outfit details: sweater- Talula (Aritzia); skinnies- Forever 21; plaid cape (worn as scarf)- Urban Outfitters (old; similar here); booties- Aldo; ring- Forever 21

{Style} Happy Pants...

In the dead of winter, a little floral print can do wonders for morale...  Take it from me, with over a month of snow under my belt, nothing cheers me up quite like some peppy pants. That, and cheesecake. And ice cream.  Ooooh, and pretty much all carbs. Luckily for you guys this isn't a food blog... Although Adventures in Gluttony kinda has a nice ring to it, no?

Outfit details: denim shirt- Forever 21; sweater- Aritzia; floral leggings- Zara (similar here); bag- ASOS; beanie & skull necklace- Zara; booties- Aldo; ring & bracelet- The Bay; gold watch- Michael Kors

{Leather Detail Week} The Jacket...

The leather-detail goodness continues with this denim jacket from Zara... Isn't it cute? It's the perfect throw-on-and-go piece that, believe me, has seen its fair share of action (wink wink). Want to know what's not cute? Winter. And wind. Oh, and frostbite... Soooo not pretty. To that end, please forgive the disheveled hair and mitts� for the next few months just consider them a hazard of the job.

There's plenty of leathery details where that came from friends, so stay tuned for more! xx

Outfit details: sweater- Aritzia; faux leather sleeve denim jacket- Zara; bubble skirt & pumps- Joe Fresh; rhinestone necklace- Forever 21; gold watch- Michael Kors

{Style} Black & Gold...

Can we just take a moment to talk about this skirt? I bought it at The Pretty Secrets popup shop a couple weeks ago and have been obsessed with it every since. I mean come on, it's gold, pleated and all kinds of awesome, am I right? Plus it's vintage Smart Set, which totally appeals to the 13-year-old 90s child inside... Hashtag sigh.

In other news, it's time to announce the Boutique Onze gift card winner... Are you ready? The winner is... Jessica of Here & Now! Congrats girl!

Thanks to everyone who entered, I wish I had a gift card for all of you! xx

Outfit details: studded leather jacket- Zara; sweater- Aritzia; gold skirt- The Pretty Secrets; bag- ASOS; booties- Aldo; necklace- Little Pancakes; ring- vintage

{Style} Flowers & Dots...

Sometimes the simplest outfits are best, while other times you just have to pack in as many colours and prints as humanly possible. I'd like to think of this particular outfit as a happy medium in that it's low key yet fun and super print mix-y (totally a word by the way). I mean why wouldn't you wear floral print and polka dots � with a splash of leopard, no less � on a casual day? My thoughts exactly. xx

Outfit details: sweater- Aritzia; floral leggings- Zara; polka dot blouse- Forever 21; beanie- Zara; booties- Aldo; necklace- thrifted; bracelet- Forever 21; watch- Michael Kors

{Style Panel} Black-on-Black...

Embracing the coming season's black-on-black, leather-hungry sensibilities might not be for everyone, but the girlie girls (myself included) of the world can breathe a collective sigh of relief � The trend is as flexible as it is fun!

To achieve a look that feels feminine yet decisively on-trend, I opted for a faux leather mini and a black, peek-a-boo cutout sweater. By keeping silhouette, proportion and accessories in mind � think statement necklaces and fun bracelets � I was able to embrace the trend while still remaining true to myself. Fist pump.

Outfit details: sweater- Talulah (Aritzia); faux leather skirt- H&M; loafers- Zara; necklace & ring- Forever 21; watch- Michael Kors; bracelets- The Bay & Michael Kors

Casual Friday & eShakti Giveaway Winner...

Nothing beats borrowing clothes from a bestie, and I did that in spades for this post... From the button up and striped tee, all the way down to the neon satchel, this outfit was brought to you by Kastles. After all, what are friends for?

And in other news, it's time to announce the winner of my eShakti giveaway! Are you ready? Drumroll please... The winner iiiiiiiiis � Laurie Callsen! Congratulations to Laurie, and a big thank you to everyone who entered!

Happy Friday, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: button up- Loft 82; striped tee- Joe Fresh (both borrowed from Kastles); leggings- Talulah; leopard loafers- Forever 21; neon satchel- Target (borrowed from Kastles); jewelry- Forever 21, H&M and House of Harlow

Street Chic...

Outfit details: sweater- Talulah (Aritzia); skirt- Forever 21; faux leather jacket- Sirens; hat- H&M; bag- Michael Kors; loafers- Forever 21; necklaces- Pyrrha & Moon Raven Designs; watch- Michael Kors; ring- YSL

When AiF Met Lulus.com...

You know when you see a print, and it's like animal magnetism or something � you know, that feeling of just having to have it? Well that's what happened when I saw this dress on Lulus.com. I'm a navajo-print nut, and the colour scheme of this dress just made my heart go pitter-patter (yes, clothing does has that effect on me!). Well luckily for me, the good people at LuLu's were nice enough to send it my way, along with another adorable dress that I can't wait to show you... Let's just say it may or may not involve polka dots ;)

A big thank you to Lulus.com for this amazing dress, and if you should feel the online-shopping itch, use the promo code "ADVENTURES" (it's case sensitive, so be sure to use all caps!) at checkout to score 15% off your purchase... Not too shabby, huh?*

Thanks for reading, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: dress c/o LuLus.com; vest- Forever 21; leggings- Talulah (Aritzia); booties- Michael Kors; necklace- Forever 21; watch- Michael Kors; ring- YSL


*Offer valid to customers in the US and Canada only. Valid until April 21, 2012.

For the Birds...

So you know how I went through that paint-my-jewelry-with-nail-polish phase? Well similar as it may be, this isn't one of those necklaces... The main difference being that this bad boy lacks the smears of colour where they don't belong, and I didn't get a head rush from all the nail polish fumes. Totally worth the $17 if you ask me.

Happy Monday, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: blazer- H&M; shirt- TNA; skirt- H&M; necklace- Forever 21 (similar, and even cooler, one here); bag- H&M; booties- Michael Kors