sparkleshinylove

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
 

 
IMG_9582

 

 

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

 

Winner of the Little Live Pets Mouse House Giveaway!

2015 holiday gift guide for kids

 

 

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest! The winner is Treen Goodwin!

Congratulations Treen, we will contact you shortly so you may claim your prize!

 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

Beados Gems Easy Design Studio Review + Giveaway

Beados Gems Review + Giveaway
 

 

I’ve been testing out a lot of toys this month with my son, and I’m not sure which one of us has had more fun!

The latest was the Beados Gems Easy Design Studio, and it was really fun to play with.

The set includes different coloured beads that you could funnel through a pen which distributes into a pattern that you can make into jewellery.

The set up was really easy, and all we really needed to do was load the beads into the top of the funnel, and we were ready to go.

 

 
Beados Gems Review + Giveaway

 

 
Beados Gems Review + Giveaway
 

 

The pen used to distribute the beads is really neat! You just push a button on the top to release the colour bead you would like, and pressing the button on the pen releases it into the stencil.

There were a few templates included, but you could make anything you wanted easily.

Using the pen was much easier than placing them by hand (which was really difficult, I tried).

 

 

Beados Gems Review + Giveaway
 

 

Once I completed the pattern, I sprayed the beads with water and let it sit for 30 minutes so it would set. I was sceptical that water would work at all, but it fused the beads together.

The set comes with pieces to make a ring, bracelet, necklace or just fun shapes!

I for sure had a lot of fun using it! My son is only three, and since the toy is for ages 4+ it was a little difficult for him to maneuver, but he still had fun playing with it.

 

 

Beados Gems review and giveaway

 

 

Now you have the opportunity to win a Beados Gems Easy Design Studio for yourself!

Enter via the Facebook post found on my sparkleshinylove Facebook page here. Just comment on the post, tagging a friend to enter. You may enter as many times as you like as long as each person tagged is different.

This contest closes on Monday, December 21st at 9:00am est. It is open to Canadian residents only.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

 

 
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