I won’t be seeing my mom on Mother’s Day this year, she’ll be in Florida for a mini holiday. I’ve got a pretty card ready to send out, and flowers on hold for when she returns. I typically give household gifts on Mother’s Day, a little something bright and fresh to welcome spring. These days, I love Anna Bond’s new iPhone cases, or these pretty garden cards from Crate and Barrel. If your mom is hard to buy for, a subscription to a magazine is both a safe bet, and a gift that keeps on giving!
Long drives and flights equal perfect reading time, and I’ve had lot’s of these moments as of late. Here’s what’s currently on my traveling nightstand:
Every year I read one or two compelling business books penned by women. I’ve just read the first few pages of Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, and so far I think I’ll enjoy her “feminist manifesto,” as she puts it. As the current COO of Facebook (and former Google executive,) a wife and a mother, I’m especially looking forward to Sheryl’s advice for balancing work and home life.
This fellow Canadian (she’s from Edmonton) may seem like an overnight success but she’s been honing her skills and working her craft for years. If you’ve just discovered her, don’t sweat it – I too, discovered her late in the game. But Kelly is hilarious. She’s witty, realistic and she’s going somewhere. Her book Everything Is Perfect When You’re a Liar is patiently waiting for me at home, and I can’t wait to dive in.
I won’t lie, this isn’t my first choice of books, but it’s my book club‘s next pick and I’ll be reading it. The bf once told me people are either ghost believers or alien believers, and I’ve always preferred aliens over ghosts so I might just enjoy Coppen’s query into the age old Acient Alien Question.
Here’s the thing about Canadian winters: unless you embrace it it’s going to be a very long, depressing few months. Yes, I know it’s cold out there, I know you spend the few hours of daylight cooped up inside at your desk, and I know it’s easy to feel sluggish and stay put on your couch watching a movie marathon – or in my case, Homeland seasons one and two! But the truth is, winter is here to stay and we might as well make the most of it. To help, I’m sharing a few tips sure to keep your mood high and your heart healthy.
ONE // Go for a Walk
It’s the easiest thing to do and it costs nothing. Try walking to work if you can, taking a longer route to your bus stop, take a walk over lunch, or park your car a few streets away from your destination. The fresh air will do you good, and just fifteen minutes of sunshine can boost your vitamin D levels, making you instantly happier and subsequently healthier.
TWO // Play a part in your Community
Most cities offer loads of winter activities, from snow sculpture competitions to outdoor obstacle courses. These festivals often need a helping hand and volunteering is a great way to get outside. You’ll gain more then just sunlight time, you’ll meet new people and feel good knowing you’re helping out. Too busy to volunteer? That’s fine too, but be sure to explore what your city has to offer, and don’t forget to bring your family along too.
THREE // Winter Sports
It’s a no-brainer and there’s a reason it tops every winter activity list, nothing beats staying fit while enjoying the great outdoors! We’re lucky to live in a country with ample room to be active, and most of us have it right at our doorstep. Try a few hours of snowshoeing, an afternoon of skiing, skating, sledding or cross-country skiing. It’s never too late to learn a new sport, and if all else fails go for a hike instead, and take your pooch along – they too can suffer from winter blues!
FOUR // Shovel Snow
I know this one’s a pain, but try not to outsource shoveling snow and count it toward your fitness time instead. An hour of shoveling is said to burn 280 calories… not bad! If you’re feeling extra nice, pay it forward and clear your neighbor’s driveway.
FIVE // Book an Impromptu Holiday
If funds permit it, book a holiday in a sun-filled location to break up the winter. There are lots of cheaper options for a last minute trip down South. Even an extended weekend can do wonders to your mood – a 4-day trip to Mexico can run as low as $400, flight and hotel included. 
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I’m on the hunt for an area rug for our living room. Ideally, something with texture and colour. I’m quite fond of this Crate and Barrel shag rug, but not so fond of its price tag! In a perfect world I’d uncover an old persian rug and transform it with dye, similar to the last image shown below… But I suspect this dream may have to wait a while.
Images via Hemnet
If the ladies in your life are fans of beauty products the next few items are sure to please. First up, lacquer strips are great as stocking stuffers and come in all sorts of colours and fun patterns. I’ve tried them myself and they’re incredibly easy to use, just peel and stick. On my wish list is the Clarisonic Mia2 skin cleansing system. The bristles are über soft, and it promises a deeper cleanse then what you can achieve with your hands or a washcloth… I’m a sucker for skin products! Other no-fail ideas are l’Occitane’s lavender hand cream and Urban Decay’s Naked2 eyeshadow palette, I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love both these products.
Beauty products aside, nothing would make me happier then receiving an SLR camera like the Canon’s EOS Rebel T3i below. It seems I only use my iPhone camera these days and I’d love to start taking quality pictures again. There’s also not much light in my kitchen and a small lighting kit would solve my constant need for food photography. For the not so serious photographer, Restoration Hardware is selling fun iPhone lenses like the fish eye lens below – perfect for stocking stuffers!
[Beauty: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven ]
[Photographer: one | two | three | four | five | six ]
Gift giving is one of my favourite parts of the Holiday season. Now I know this may sound awfully capitalistic of me, but the truth is I enjoy a good gift hunt. I’ve always liked the act of finding the perfect present for loved ones, hard as that may be sometimes. These days the difficult part is thinking up ideas, while the easy part is buying them online.
For the fashion-loving gal in your life, I’m loving statement pieces like Club Monaco’s feather vest below. And if you’d rather play it safe, you can’t go wrong with a classic mid-sized watch – I’m a big fan of Michael Kors’ stainless steel chronograph watch.
I typically buy my sister a cooking related item. Last year I splurged and got her Le Creuset’s signature round dish, and this year I’ve found a great wooden salad bowl set from Crate & Barrel (she knows already!) On my wish list this year are Merchant no. 4′s Limpid Jars to store all my pantry items in style, along with a set of good knives * wink, wink…
Stay tuned for Part Deux of Christmas For Her on Thursday.
[Fashionista: one | two | three | four | five | six ]
[Cook : one | two | three | four ]