Christmas

Dear Diary

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Though many might consider it a downfall or weakness, I am without a doubt a proud romantic. I honestly can’t help it- I just love, well, love, especially when the most wonderful time of the year rolls around. That’s right lovebirds, I’m talking about Christmas!

When Giftagram first approached me to curate some of my favourite holiday gifts for all you lovers out there, I practically jumped out out of my chair at the chance. Not only do I consider myself the most hopeless of all hopeless romantics, but I also specialize in all things Christmas and gifting related (if I do say so myself). I’m the type to keep a list of Christmas gift ideas for my significant other on my phone all year round, the type to start shopping in August and have everything wrapped and under the tree well before December first.

In short, I think I’m a pretty good person to date this time of year, and I’d love to help spread the love by sharing some of my favourite swoon-worthy gifts from all across the continent. If you’re looking to win a heart this holiday season, look no further!

Canada

1. Sweet Woodruff Grande Bouquet
Forget Valentine’s day and send a gorgeous bouquet of fresh blooms over the holidays. Not only are they sure to earn your date’s affection, it they’ll totally earn brownie points with the family too when they ends up being the centerpiece at Christmas dinner.

2. Sloane Mint Chocolate Tea
Nothing says love like a cozy night in sipping freshly steeped tea and baking cookies with your nearest and dearest. Sloane Tea is carefully crafted, locally packaged, and loaded with delicious all-natural flavour.

3. Kitten and the Bear Jam Set
Kitten and the Bear jams are all handcrafted here in Toronto by the sweetest husband and wife duo you can imagine, and anyone who has visited their tiny Parkdale cafe will vouch that all of their products are made with love.

4. Woodlot Recharge Candle jar
Baby it’s cold outside, and what better way to keep warm than over an all-natural coconut wax candle?

5. Gold Apothecary bath Salt Set
Take your Netflix night up a notch by cuddling up with your boo in a bath laced with bergamot and rose petals. It doesn’t get much more classic than a lover’s bubble bath, and it’s a great excuse to get naked right?

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USA

6. Compartes Chocolate Bar Collection One
I’ve had a personal love affair with this incredible LA chocolate company for ages, and I’ll gladly accept pretty much any chance to gift (or receive) any of them! I mean really, a “Donuts and Coffee” chocolate bar? What can possibly compete with that!

7. Flower Crown Home Kit
No one can resist the gift of frolicking around in a beautiful homemade floral crown. I repeat, no one.

8. Thee Spa Day Box
Give your nearest and dearest the gift of relaxation with this amazing kit featuring a hand poured candle by The Little Market, a Dick Taylor Chocolate Bar, Infused Honey, Sugarfina sweets, Herbivore Calm bath salts & soap, Dram Apothecary floral posey tea.

9. The Bouqs Bouquet
Festive, classic, and oh so pretty, you really can’t go wrong with 12 winter-white roses delivered to your bae’s doorstep.

10. Sugarfina Cheers! Gift Set
Treat your sweet with one of Sugarfina’s famous sugary gift sets! Containing three of their best-selling boozy candy creations (champagne bears, champagne bubbles, peach bellini), this set makes snack time a cause for celebration.

Originally published on the Giftagram blog

Oh so Pretty

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And so it begins- the long line of pastel gift guides I’ve been crafting for months is finally here! I’ve got a whole bunch of ideas fit for every pastel princess (and prince) on your list, but I thought it made sense to start with one of my favourite themed categories: beauty!

I don’t know how many of you have been watching Birchbox rapidly expand into a massive curated beauty destination over the past two years, but from their incredible NYC brick and mortar shop opening to their launch in Canada it’s been a pretty exciting brand be involved with. I had the pleasure of helping the Birchbox team decorate for a magical event a few months ago, and you’ll notice a whole bunch of collaborative products with them over the holiday season here at RAOP.

I truly love making wish lists and gift shopping no matter what the season, but nothing rivals the joy of curating gift picks for Christmas morning. Here are some of my favourite finds from Birchbox’s awesome new Canadian online shop (don’t worry USA, you can still shop everything too!)

1// Not Soap, Radio Body Wash

Bubble bath is one of those products that no one can ever have enough of (like candles, or wine). I’m a massive sucker for good branding, and Not Soap, Radio had me at first glance, despite my confusion over their mysterious name. Created by two sisters who used to make soap concoctions in the bath together growing up (SO cute), this line can be used as both shower gel and bubble bath, and the clever names and descriptions are so fun to read.

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2// BKR Heart Water Bottle

It’s extremely important to stay hydrated over the holiday season, and by that I mean it’s important to be sipping a fancy cocktail or champagne at all times. BKR’s glass water bottles are an absolute staple when it comes to cute beverage transportation, and when you decide to smarten up and get healthy in the new year this little guy will be your best friend (if you actually start using it for water that is!)

3// Davines OI Oil

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it 100 times again: this stuff is GOLD. Anyone and everyone with hair should own this product- it smells amazing and leaves even the most damaged locks shiny and silky smooth. Buy your mom a bottle, buy your bestie a bottle, buy your boyfriend a bottle… and make sure you scoop one up for yourself while you’re at it!

4// Cynthia Rowley Liquid Liner

Liquid liner is a staple in my makeup bag, and I can’t think of a better excuse to perfect your cat eye skills than over the month holiday parties. Exclusive to Birchbox, this Cynthia Rowley liner pen is super easy to use, stays put no matter how much sweaty dancing you do, and it’s oh so festive too!

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5// Ban.do Flash Bobbi Set

Tis the season for sparkle! A super simple way to add a bit of glitter to any hairstyle, these colourful clips will have you sparklin’ around the Christmas tree all year long.

6// Birchbox Subscription

You know what no one hates? Receiving Mail! Nothing beats the rush of finding a package waiting outside your door, especially one filled with surprise treats and unexpected finds. Birchbox got started as a monthly beauty sample delivery service, and their still the best in the business. Why not treat your friends and loved ones to the gift that keeps on giving?

Birchbox – The Box is Monthly, the Beauty & Grooming Possibilities are Endless! Sign up for just $10/month.

Dear DiaryDress UpI'll Follow You Anywhere

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A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of playing dress up with the Bicyclette team for their final look book shoot. We got all dolled up in lace and sequins, and played around with tinsel, balloons and champagne while rocking out to Taylor Swift. It was an inspiring and magical day, and I can’t wait to be a part of whatever Paige dreams up next!

Reposted from my dear friends at Bicyclette:

“She’s an explorer, a daydreamer, and never turns down an excuse to wear flowers in her hair. She believes in magic, likes the challenge in finding the perfect dress, and always mixes her favourite vintage tee with a dash of delicate sequins. There’s no problem a swipe of lipstick can’t fix, and she’s always up for a midnight adventure.”

Our final holiday lookbook, ‘XO, Bicyclette’, is dedicated to all of our Bicyclette Girls who have made this adventure such a magical one. We wanted to capture the essence of our quintessential Bicyclette Girl, the dreamers with stars in their eyes and love in their hearts, and celebrate the end of this particular fairy tale. So with an abundance of star confetti, glittery balloons and party-perfect outfits that are begging to be taken for a spin on the dance floor, this one’s for everyone who has been along for the ride, thank you for inspiring us and making our dream a reality.

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Photographer: Scarlet O’Neill
Hair/Makeup: Ashley Readings
Models: Emily, Ana and Alyssa
Assistant Stylists: Marjory McClean and Katelyn Comeau
Shoes: Heel Boy

Looking for more? XO, Bicyclette // Behind the Scenes

Dear Diary

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Merry Christmas week everyone!

Sorry I haven’t been around as much lately- I’ve been going through a lot of big changes over the past couple of months, and though I have a lot to say about all of that, I’m going to try and keep things as on-subject as possible today.

Well, to be upfront, I’ve somehow ended up with a boyfriend for Christmas.

As you know I try not to get too personal around here, but it feels odd not to share such a big part of my life with all of you, especially when it’s something that I’m so excited about going into the new year. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, and to say I’ve fallen head over glittery heels is an understatement. I don’t want to get too detailed, but it suffices to say that I’m really, truly happy, and though I learned a lot from my breakup and being single, I think this new relationship is exactly what I needed to get my sparkle back.

Of course as a huge Christmas lover, finding romance just in time for the holiday season is a total dream come true, and my December has been spent cuddled up watching “The Holiday” with hot apple cider, and Christmas shopping hand in hand. The best part? I got a last-minute chance to gather all sorts of wonderful boy gifts, which happens to be my absolute favourite thing to shop for. Though my beau won’t be getting a peek until Christmas day, I figured I’d share some of my favourite items here with you in case you’re still on the hunt for your handsome partner!

scroll down to find the guide!

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In order of appearance from top to bottom, right to left:

Nike Tech Fleece Sweats and Roshe Run Sneaker Boot // When I hopped onto the mystery bus for the Project North trip my first thought was “Omg those boy outfits are way too good!” Seriously, this sweatshirt/sweat pant combo is the perfect gift for your partner, if only because you’ll definitely steal it to wear yourself sooner or later, and don’t even get me started on the fleece lined sneaker boots.

Richer Poorer inc. socks and boxer briefs // I’m a huge fan of Richer Poorer, and I seriously might have to buy their awesome socks for everyone at every special occasion from now until the end of time.

Commodity Goods Gin Cologne // I’m crazy about cologne, but Commodity Goods makes scent shopping so easy that even the most fragrance-phobic folks could find a perfect fit. Offering adorable sampler packs in case your partner is extra picky, Commodity is truly the best brand for scent gifting. If you’re feeling super confident, splurge on a full size bottle of Gin, Whisky, or Book– all three are irresistibly good!

Linneas Lights candle in “Vetiver” // There’s nothing more attractive than dating someone who not only smells good, but knows how to make their house smell fancy too. I’m a huge devotee to Vetiver, and Linneas Lights’ rich earthy take is the perfect fragrance to spice up a living space.

Muttonhead Toque // Designed and crafted right here in Toronto, Muttonhead is a unisex local brand with a super cute shop near my house and endless amazing gift ideas. I actually own this toque and I can safely say it will make anyone on your list warm and cozy.

Raised by Wolves Trap Life Tee // Another local brand, Raised by Wolves has that handsome woodsy Canadian thing down, and this holiday Trap Life print is so Canadian in the best possible way.

Ursa Major Trailside Candle and Traveller’s Skin Care Kit // I love Ursa Major’s all natural take on skincare, and their swoon-worthy packaging doesn’t hurt either.

Questions? Thoughts? Confusions? Let me know what you’re thinking in the comments and I’ll do my best to get back to you! 

*Note: Some or all of the items featured in this post were given to me as a gift from the maker, but I only write about products I genuinely adore, I promise!*