The simplified gift wrapping -- I wish

Hello everyone! How much time and effort do you put into gift wrapping?

Tonight I spent an hour locked in my (tiny) laundry room to begin wrapping the Christmas presents. I wish I could wrap every present beautifully, but I just do not have the time (sorry, DIY gift tags). This year I got one day of a head start, and that's just to make sure I get wrapping paper around every gift, rather than just sticking on a pre-packaged bow.

I can guarantee you: next year I am checking that "Wrap it" box at checkout.


Photo: Yvonne Koné.

The simplified gift tags

Hello everyone! How do you go about gift tags for Christmas?

Somehow, it is the thing that I always leave for last, and neglect as a consequence. In more than one occasion I have even... just written the recipient's name directly on the gift wrap (gulp).

This year I am planning to put the web to my best advantage. Behold the free printables gift tags. I love the ones by Design Corral pictured above, but I discovered many more via The Honest Company Twitter feed. (Thanks Jessica!)

P.S. If you are still missing a few gifts, be sure to check out our suggestions for the new mom (part 1 and 2), for the grandparents, and for the hostess, the neighbours and everyone with a sweet tooth.

The gift of art

'

Hello everyone! Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

We are officially into last minute gifting! If you are ordering online, you may have only hours left to make sure your purchase arrives on time. Indeed, if there are still unchecked boxes on your gift list and you are out of ideas, you have until midnight today to head over to 20x200 and report to a great option: art.

As you may or may not know, 20x200 has been on hiatus for a while. Last month, it relaunched in beta phase, and it started offering (again!) some great art. For the holidays, 20x200 has compiled some great gift collections on Pinterest that you should check out -- or just head over to my picks.

And, since you are at it, sign up for their newsletter. It is a gem delivered straight to your Inbox.

P.S. More foolproof suggestions for the new mom (part 1 and 2), for the grandparents, and for the hostess, the neighbours and everyone with a sweet tooth. Remember also our advice from last year?


Image: Ideal Bookshelf 505: Fashion, by Jane Mount, via 20x200.

The simplified gift guide: For the new mom, part 2

Hello everyone! Do you know The Honest Company?

It is the way Jessica Alba turned her love of natural living into an empire of non-toxic beauty, home and baby products. I have not had the chance to try their products myself yet, but now that shipping to Canada is available I will not wait!

The Collective is The Honest Company's new designer collaboration. Last week I discovered it (thanks Gabrielle!), and fell in love with every. single. item. If there is a new mom on your gift list, and you are not inspired by my earlier suggestions, you cannot go wrong with The Collective.

My top three choices? The diaper caddy, the baby carrier, and the stroller. They are all on my wish list too!

P.S. Other ideas for the new mom here. Be sure to also check out more foolproof suggestions for the grandparents, and for the hostess, the neighbours and everyone with a sweet tooth.

The simplified gift guide: For the new mom

Hello everyone! Is anyone on your gift list a new mom?

Having a baby does not make you an expert about what every new mom needs. Everyone and their babies have different needs. But if you have ever met another mom, you know that we love giving each other advice, especially about baby gear. Here are thus my top recommendations if anyone on your list just had a baby (I know, mine was born ten months ago already - gulp -, but time flies...): 

A fashionable phone to snap those baby pictures - because she'll have her hands too full to take out the camera, to remember to bring it along, and possibly both.

A fashionable diaper bag - because it will likely be the only bag she will carry for a while. And this diaper clutch, too, for the moment she realises she has indeed carried the above-mentioned bag way too long, and she decides to ditch it.

The closest thing to a PDT (personal digital trainer) - to have the necessary information handy when she decides to tackle that baby weight issue.

Something to remind her of a great piece of wisdom - because one has never enough of that.

P.S. More foolproof suggestions for the grandparents, and for the hostess, the neighbours and everyone with a sweet tooth.

The simplified gift guide: For the grandparents

Hello everyone! Are you following our simplified gift guide?

The idea is to give you just a few foolproof suggestions, in case you are struggling to finish your Christmas shopping and you have gotten lost on Pinterest (I mean, who hasn't?).

For many years, for my children's grandparents, and great-grandparents when they were still among us, I have sticked to a photo album or calendar. This year I have fallen in love with Minted, and I have decided to shake things up a bit. Photo journals are my latest obsessions. More useful than photo albums. More portable. More bragging-ready. What's not to like?

The simplified gift guide: For the hostess, the neighbours, and everyone with a sweet tooth

Hello everyone! Do you remember what I wrote last year about hostess gifts?

There is one item on my gift lifts that is a yearly staple: panettone. It is funny, because in Italy nobody would gift a panettone -- people just buy it for themselves, to eat for breakfast, or to offer to impromptu guests. Abroad, panettone keeps that aura of all Italian things, and I find over and over how much people like it as a gift.

As last year, I am buying mine at Holt Renfrew -- a real steal at 25$ in such a pretty tin box (the small one is an even greater bargain at 8$). But hurry, they sell out really fast.

The simplified holiday decor

Hello everyone! Have you decked the halls?

I love my house to look good and feel warm and welcoming, especially for the holidays. I am not into DIY-ing anything though, because, let's face it, who has the time? My husband will be back just a week before Christmas, and, as it always happens, while he was gone I got a mastitis and both kids got sick.

My guiding light in decorating our home for the holidays has been, well, light. I bought many strings of white lights and hung them around every window in the house, from the kitchen to the walk-in closet. These genius battery-operated lights have brightened forgotten corners and centerpieces. Easy.

Plus, who says I need to take them down after Christmas? Talk about keeping up the holiday spirit throughout the year. I say: let there be light.

P.S. More simplified holiday decor.

P.P.S. You can find more posts of our Simplified holiday series here.

A bag for a bag

Hello everyone! Would you like to help me with a luxury problem?

As you may remember, last summer we celebrated my younger son's baptism. My parents couldn't come because my mom fell and broke her elbow on the eve of their departure. A couple of days before all happened, my mom was so excited about coming that she had bought a designer bag for the occasion, something she never ever does. It was a Miu Miu matelassè number with jeweled chain that was all over the brand's ad campaign last year. 

Obviously my mom never got to wear it, and decided to gift me the store credit for Christmas. It can be used for any brand except Louis Vuitton and Chanel, and now the time has come for me to make a decision. At the top of my list is Saint Laurent's bowling bag (I have come a long way since this post), but I obviously have other favourites…Which one would you choose?

The clutch issue

Hello everyone! How do you carry a clutch?

Last week, in a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, I went out with my husband (sans kids!) to a cocktail party.  The occasion called for a clutch.

J Crew says it's a pouch with a million uses a wallet, a makeup bag, a going out clutch... I know you can reinvent it, but it was so annoying to try to juggle my glass, plate, and clutch in a dignified way! For the whole evening, I missed my crossbody bag.

Yet I cannot stop lusting over them, and buying them. (Proof: Santa is bringing me a Want Les Essentiels de la Vie one, and do not ask me how I know). I wonder what would my therapist say.


Pouch by Indigo.

The Christmas Edit | It is starting to look a lot like Christmas...

Hello everyone! Have you decorated the Christmas tree yet?

We finished ours yesterday night, and this morning I went to help decking the halls at my older son's school. When I left, I peeked at him in the library reading a book title "I love to read", He is in first grade and just starting to read, so I could have never been a prouder mama.

I am digressing here though (mom's pride knows no boundaries, right?). It is time for our holiday series! Remember the one from last year? This year I have a lot of new ideas, so make sure to follow along!

French is in

Hello everyone! Is it just me or references to the French culture have multiplied?

A few weeks ago I was checking one of my favorite websites, tinyprints, for my son's birthday party invitations. I stumbled upon the designs for adults invitations, and I am not kidding but a good third are French-themed (like the one above).

Then there was, until recently, Merci's pop-in shop at Nordstrom. Isabel Marant's collaboration with H&M (which I was able to shop thanks to some dumb luck) sold out in a flash. And what to say about the French effect on handbag design?

Paris is indeed always a good idea.


Design by tinyprints.

All about my coats

Hello everyone! Were you able to score any pieces of the Isabel Marant for H&M collection?

(I am pulling a Garance here, and talking about it three weeks after the launch. Because, even though I have half-written this post the day after, I forgot all about it in the germstorm of the first flu spell that has hit our house, and which has been replaced by baby sleeping hell -- more on this in another post).

After much doubting, I did go in the end. It went like this. The night before I was way too tired to even consider waking up at 5 am to go and stand in line. Which put me in an even worse mood in the morning because all I could think was: It is sooo unfair! I am here breaking my back (literally, I have a ton of back problems at the moment) for everyone in this family, I do not sleep EVER, why can't I go and do something for myself I really want? A lot of boo-hooing. After dropping the kids off at 8 am I made a split second decision. I headed downtown, rather than going to the office and feel sorry for myself for the whole day (and possibly taking it all out on my unsuspecting husband, because you know, it is so unfair... I told you I was a mess).

That was when the universe smiled down at me. Or, at least, this is how it felt. I showed up at the H&M store half an hour after opening time, and I got a bracelet with a shopping slot at 9:30 am. When I got in, I found all that I had wanted in my size. My style is not boho, but I try to be chic. The items on my wishlist were the most "classic" ones: the coats, the jacket, the white tee, and the white pants (which reminded me of the ones in this picture). The boots were not at the top of my list because they looked too much like an H&M knockoff, albeit with the designer's blessing.

I was out of H&M at 10:30, and still had time for a latte and some book perusing at the bookstore across the street. It was the perfect day.

Giveaway on Giving Tuesday... Now closed

Hello everyone! What have you given today?

I confess: I did not know it was Giving Tuesday until I heard it on the radio on my way home from work. With the holidays coming up, I think it is a great idea. I have thus put together a last-minute giveaway.

THE FIRST PERSON TO EMAIL ME DESCRIBING WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN TODAY WILL RECEIVE THE CLUTCH PICTURED ABOVE (a 20$ value).*

Good luck!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Anna from Montreal, QC, for being our lucky winner this time. Anna has given her time (although she works three jobs) to help out at her local church.


*Sorry, limited to Canada and United States only. All emails need to be sent to fashionmomblog@yahoo.com before  December 3, 2013, at 11:59 PM EST. I will pay all shipping costs by regular mail for the item pictured above. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after. 

Thankful on Cyber Monday

Hello everyone! What was on your mind on Thanksgiving?

Every year, I struggle to find what I am thankful for. Compared to many, I lead a blessed life, and I am thankful for all of it. 

That said, lately there are few, small bumps in the road. The baby does not make me sleep much, and making it through some days is a real struggle. Christmas is coming up and I am not yet sure whether my parents will make it -- which is my son's greatest wish. 

This is why I want to celebrate two little things that I was thankful for today.

The freshly-made cup of coffee waiting for me at this morning's meeting, even though I had not asked for it -- the secretary just knew I would have needed it, and that I would have probably not had the time to get one myself on the way. 

The text message that I was erroneously sent, which reminded me how sweet it is to be in love. And the sender's words when I thanked her for putting a smile on my face at the end of yet another long day, which reminded me who a great friend is. 

Photo: truthworks.org.

Cyber Monday for Canadians

Hello everyone! Have you been shopping the sales this weekend?

A few of my favorite Black Friday deals have expired, but there are many good sales still going on, especially online!

So sit back, keep your wallet handy, and avoid at all costs Holt Renfrew (in spite of the much advertised longer opening hours for the Black Friday Event, in Montreal the store doors closed at 5 pm as usual, anyway) and GAP (who would offer a discount valid only in store on Cyber Monday?).

Most US stores now ship to Canada, and even after import duties are taken into account, it is the most convenient way to go. I have ordered from many sites over the years, and I would recommend you three places to point your mouse to. (Sadly, net-a-porter's sale is only for American customers though; our chance will come after Christmas).

Begin with Shopbop. Among the major US-based retailers, in my experience it is the website that holds the best selection-by-service ratio for Canadians. You'll find the latest styles at the (generally) lowest prices, and you'll get them delivered by your door fast and painlessly. Plus, should you not be satisfied with your purchase, returns will be hassle-free. Shopbop's promotion for Thanksgiving is particularly convenient because most styles have been discounted 30-50% off and you can take up to extra 25% even on sale items.

Then, hit Neiman Marcus. If you spend more than 200$, you will get a gift card of at least 25% the value of your purchase. Free shipping does not apply to Canadians, but Neiman Marcus's rate to Canada is one of the lowest.

Finally, head over to Yoox. Here expect to find styles from previous years, which has the advantage to make even Brunello Cucinelli close to affordable. You can take 15% off with code THANKYOOX until tomorrow.

P.S. Since most US retailers ship to Canada through Borderfree, you may want to check their active shipping promotions. Do also sign up for Borderfree's newsletter, which is full of great deals. (These are their current ones, to give you an idea).


Photo: The Sartorialist.