Three Fun Looks for the Holidays

Three fun looks for the holidays

 

 

As a girl who loves to get dressed up just for a coffee date, the holiday’s are even more of an excuse to step it up a notch when it comes to my style.

There are so many events during the holiday season from parties, gift exchanges, dinners and nights in with friends.

Most have a different dress code from casual to formal, so I put together some of my favourite looks for the holidays to give you a few ideas on what to wear.

My first and most formal outfit is this black lace dress.

I bought this dress from Winnners, and at only $29.99 it was a steal! Although I only bought it last week, it may be hard to find now so I have linked to similar ones below.

Lace dresses are so pretty and have a more formal feel, and the fit and flare style is one of the more flattering looks for all shapes and sizes.

 

 

Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 

Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Lace Dress – Winners {similar here, here and here} | Black Heels – Christian Louboutin| Crystal Bib Necklace – Forever 21 | Classic Flap Bag – Chanel

 

 

 
 

Next up, something still dressy but more cozy and slightly more casual. If you know me, you know I have an obsession with leather skirts! I love the style of this one, and it pairs great with a chunky white sweater! Normally I keep my legs bare, but a chunky sweater looks great with a pair of cable-knit stockings with heels. The whole look is really simple, but I love the look of a pleated skirt toned down with a sweater.
 

 

Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
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Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays

 

 

White Sweater – Winners {similar here and here} | Faux Leather Skirt – Forever 21 | Black Heels – Christian Louboutin | Classic Flap Bag – Chanel

 

 
 

 

Finally, my most casual holiday look obviously involves sequins. Although it pains me not to wear a skirt or dress (have you noticed I avoid pants at all costs?), this oversized sequinned DKNY sweater looked best with faux leather leggings. I bought the sweater in XL for two reasons – it’s all they had left in stock, and because I wanted to have the oversized look with leggings. I thought it looked great (more like a tunic because it’s so thin and long), and for some reason a clutch always make things look a little more chic.

 

 

Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 

Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Three Looks for the Holidays
 

 
Silver Sequin Sweater – DKNY | Faux Leather Leggings – Dynamite | Black Sandals – Nine West {similar}| Clutch – Chanel
 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

Sago Mini Superhero Review

Sago Mini Superhero Review

 

 

Superheroes are so fascinating to children, and my son is no exception to this. One day he decided that superheroes were the coolest thing ever, and from that day forward he wanted to be one. He loves wearing capes, and playing games where he gets to save someone from “bad guys”. The only problem comes in when he tries to fly. This is a common problem I’m sure for most parents with “superhero” children.

When my son saw a photo of the new app Sago Mini Superhero, he was beyond excited for the launch!
 

 
Sago Mini Superhero Review

 

 

The main character is Jack the Rabbit, and he flys through the cityscape saving the day and encountering his other friends along the way.

 

 

Sago Mini Superhero Review
 

 

I love that Sago Mini apps are so easy for kids to navigate. My son started playing Sago Mini apps when he was three, and he has never become frustrated or confused in navigating them. They are so user friendly for toddlers, and they come with fun surprises!

I loved that the CN Tower was featured in the app as well! It’s a great tribute to the home of Sago Mini headquarters in Toronto.

Flying around town trying to help friends and to fix problems for others is a great message to send the users of this app, and I love the influence it’s had on my son. He talks all about how he helped his friends in the game, and that’s an amazing thing.

To learn more about Sago Mini Superhero, visit the website here.

 

 
Mandy Furnis

 

Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale

Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop Up at Yorkdale
 

 

We all have them. You know, that one uncle you can never find the right gift for? Or the friend who buys you a fabulous gift every year while you feel the gift you are giving them is bland?

Christmas is stressful for a number of reasons, but the pressure of finding the right gift can be overwhelming.

The good news is that I can fill you in on the perfect spot to find the memorable gift you need. The Brika Pop-Up shop at Yorkdale has everything you have been looking for that you didn’t know you or someone else can’t live without.
 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop Up at Yorkdale
 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop Up at Yorkdale
 

 

I was unable attend one of their workshops at the pop up earlier in the month so I thought I’d swing by to see what the shop was all about. Turns out I didn’t want to leave.

They have some of the most unique gifts out there! I have shopped the Brika website before so I knew about the fabulous things it has to offer, but I had never seen it all in one place before.

I wanted two of everything – one as a gift for someone, and one for myself!

 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale
 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale

 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale
 

 

The Pop-Up includes a DIY corner with a colouring wall from Screech Owl Design. There is also a gift wrapping station where you can wrap the gifts you just bought. I loved this idea, and the wrapping materials were so pretty.

I loved that they carry Lovefresh products as well which smell amazing.
 

 
Why you should visit the Brika Pop-Up shop at Yorkdale
 

 
Makeful has sponsored an event space where weekly workshops are taking place, and it’s a very cool area to hang out! I’m so sad I missed the wreath making workshop I was invited to because I’m sure it was amazing.
 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop Up at Yorkdale
 

 

There’s even a cafe! It services drinks, snacks, and baked good by Moo Milk Bar.
 

 
Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop Up at Yorkdale

 

 

Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale
 

 

Why You Should Visit the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale

 

 

Artisans featured include Bizu Jewelry, Meera Lee Patel and Designed by Artists. One of the artists mi cielo was featured in my Holiday Gift Guide for Kids last week on the blog – I have to get my toddler one of their shirts with Mr. T on them!

The Brika Pop-Up will be open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre until the end of January 2016, and you can also visit Brika online here.

 

 
Mandy Furnis

 

Winner of the Holiday Gift Guide for Her Contest

Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

Thank you so much to everyone who entered this contest! The winner is Kelly Hasey.

 

Kelly, we will contact you shortly to claim your prize. Happy holidays everyone!

 

 
Mandy Furnis

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for kids

 

 

It’s that time of the year when we parents run out to buy gifts for our kids that they will play with for a couple of days and then quickly lose interest in. It’s a depressing reality in most cases so I decided to create a gift guide with some very cool items for the holidays that are fun, and hopefully will be a hit with both the parents and the child.

If you haven’t completed your holiday shopping yet, take a look at my guide to see if there’s something you haven’t thought of yet!

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Tuck Shop Trading Co. Hat
 

 

I bought my first Tuck Shop Co. hat this year, and I’m so excited they come in kids size as well! Not only can you find American cities now, but also Canadian provinces, cities and neighbourhoods.

 

 
 

 

Holiday gift guide for kids

AKID Shoes
 

 

Everywhere my son wears his AKID shoes, people stop to tell me how cool they are. Even Kardinal Offishall gave them a nod of approval and a smile at a party a couple weeks ago! I love that most shoes lace up but also have a zipper so my son can take them off and put them on himself.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday gift guide for kids

Gnome Crayons

 

 

Who wouldn’t love crayons in the shape of gnomes? Even I want to colour with them!

 

 

 

 

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BRIKA Mi Cielo Mr. T Toddler Shirt

 

 

Last week I was at the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale mall (review coming next week!), and I fell in love with this Mr. T shirt. It also comes in a onesie, and it’s such a conversation piece! Who doesn’t love Mr. T?

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids
 

 

MimiTens Mittens

 

 

MimiTENS solve some cold weather problems all parents seem to encounter. Mittens never stay on, and it’s such a struggle when it’s freezing and you are trying to get mittens back onto your child’s freezing fingers. mimiTENS are thumbless mittens for babies (or they include a thumb spot for older children) and they include and extra long cuffs so they comfortably stay on. The line has become so successful more items are being offered such as booties, neck warmers and hats. All items are made in Canada, and there are some super stylish options to choose from.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Smile Led Lantern

 

 

The Smile Led Lantern is the perfect nightlight because it lets off a soft light, and it’s safe for a child to take it to bed without the parents worrying. I love that it looks like a lantern you would use camping.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift guide for kids

 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids

Little Live Pets
 

 

Last week I reviewed and gave away a Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank, and later this week I will be reviewing and giving away a Little Live Pets Lil’ Mouse house! Both toys have been tested by my toddler and have been big hits!

 

 

 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids
 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids

Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack
 

 

I have written a few times about my son’s love of Sago Mini apps because they are pretty much the only thing he is interested in when he is on our iPad. He loves his plush Jinja the Cat so much he brought him on our vacation!
 

 

Sago mini
 

 

Included in the Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack are characters Jack, Jinja, Harvey and Robin. The packaging even turn into a house for the characters! Anyone who has children that have played these amazing apps before know that this gift would be a big hit with them.

 

 

 

 

2915 Holiday Gift Guides for Kids

Chalktrail

 

 

Chalktrail attaches onto a child’s bike or scooter to make a trail of chalk wherever they ride. What child wouldn’t love seeing the trail they would make on the road?

 

 
 

 

Good luck with all of your holiday shopping this year!

 

 

Mandy Furnis