Don’t get mad at me – it’s time to talk about the holidays. I know, it’s still October. But this weekend it’s November, and technically that means it’s fair game to put up your Christmas tree and start your holiday shopping. Did I just give you anxiety? I think I just gave myself a little anxiety actually.
Last night I was lucky enough to attend a holiday preview at one of my favourite shopping haunts – West Elm in Toronto. Maybe it was the fab food and drink from Mildred’s Temple Kitchen that kept me zen enough to tackle talk about the holiday season, but I was right into it!
West Elm seems to expand their holiday collection each year, and not only do they have new ranges of holiday décor, but holiday gifts as well.
On the décor side they have lots of gilded and gold accessories this season, and some of these pieces are a great way do a cute home refresh for the holidays. I feel like the holidays are a great excuse to buy new accent pillows and throws to make-over your space for entertaining.
My favourite things to shop for at West Elm are their table settings. Even just shopping in-store you can get some great ideas for your holiday table based on their awesome displays.
These Gilded Dapper Animal plates are a fun collaboration between West Elm and designer Rachel Kozlowski. I used to be very plain with my table settings, but lately I’ve been drawn to cute designs like this for a more lighthearted look. And seriously, who wouldn’t want to sit at the place setting with the penguin plate?
Just before the preview my friend and I were chatting about bar carts and how her friend just created the cutest display on hers! I was talking about how I was looking for one to go in my living room to go under my giant wall-hanging Buddha (ok, this is making my house sound really strange – I swear it’s cute!) but I haven’t found one, and there is no chance I can have an actual display on top because of my toddler. I just need the cart! Anyway, it’s funny because West Elm is obviously where I am going to pick up a bar cart because they carry some really beautiful ones with some gorgeous displays!
West Elm has a few different décor displays for their holiday tree’s, but my favourite was the monogram-themed tree. It’s probably because I am totally in a monogram phase (I’ve been putting my initials all over anything that doesn’t move), but I think these ornaments are great.
As for gift giving, I thought West Elm had a few things I know I would sure like to receive. I am not sure why, but I just loved this cheese knife set. I think because it’s in gold – everything in gold is just better. I want this in my stocking please and thank you!
They also had a lot of great candles and trinkets as stocking stuffer’s, hostess gifts, and just general you-are-awesome-so-here’s-your-present gifts. I really liked some of the items in the FEED line. In their mission to end hunger, for each of these cutting boards purchased, FEED will donate 23 meals to families in need. Each plate, cup, spoon, and misc. kitchen item has a number on the back of it, and that tells you how many meals will be donated with your purchase. What an awesome gift to give someone!
Oh, and by the way (I’m talking to you possible secret Santa who may be reading this post) I really like this pink toaster. Let’s be clear – I don’t actually NEED this toaster, I actually already have a great toaster. But the one I have is not pink, and this one is so I feel like it would be an excellent gift. For someone like me.
You can always shop online at www.westelm.com, but head into their Toronto store in Liberty Village (109 Atlantic Ave, Toronto) to shop around in person to see what all of their holiday line has to offer!
