Retail Therapy

Holiday Gift Guide 2012: 18 Covet-Worthy Gift Ideas for the Fashion Set

by The Backseat Stylers | November 27th, 2012

As I ran around a largely deserted mall on December 24th last year, I vowed to myself – for at least the fifth year in a row – that I would never leave the task of gift buying to the very last minute ever again. Next year, I promised myself, I’ll be one of those extremely prepared folks who get to brag about having finished their holiday shopping weeks – months even – in advance.

Well, it seems the moment of truth has come, and while I have exactly zero presents purchased to date, I do have a stellar gift guide prepared with a whopping 18 incredible items for only the most fashionable females on your list. Now, all you and I have to do is print out this blog post, get to the nearest computer or mall, and get shopping like the proactive, stylish elves we are. Good luck!

1. Nicholas Kirkwood Floral-Embroidered Sandals ($1,695), Holt Renfrew

Kirkwood’s metallic floral-embroidered mesh sandals are nothing short of perfection. Sealed with a bow, this exquisite shoe is perfect for soirées this holiday season and year round.

2. Banana Republic ‘Breanna’ Bow Flat ($120), bananarepublic.ca

We all need a break from heels now and then. Banana Republic’s bow-embellished, pointy-toe flats are so chic that even the most devoted of stiletto fans won’t be able to resist them.

3. Christian Louboutin ‘Decollette’ 554 Pumps (US$625), neimanmarcus.com

A surefire way to a shoe addict’s heart? Christian Louboutin, obviously. Whether it’ll be her very first pair or her 50th, these black patent leather stiletto pumps with those signature contrast red soles will become footwear rotation regulars.

4. Jason Wu Lace-Trimmed Cape ($3,305), The Room at The Bay

As far as outerwear is concerned, it doesn’t get much more luxurious than Look 21 from Jason Wu’s Fall 2012 ready-to-wear runway show. With its lace overlay and of-the-moment oxblood shade, it’s the perfect cape for the superwoman in your life.

5. LINE Knitwear ‘Uptown’ Knit & Leather Jacket ($550), Holt Renfrew

Wrap the edgy LINE Knitwear ‘Uptown’ in a box and put some fierceness under the Christmas tree. This black leather jacket with knitted panels will keep its new owner toasty warm and looking über-chic.

6. 3.1 Phillip Lim ‘Pashli’ Satchel (US$895), saksfifthavenue.com

Every woman needs a chic everyday carry-all, and Phillip Lim has created a fabulous option in his ‘Pashli’ satchel. Marrying fashion and function, the street style favourite is available in a range of sumptuous colours to complement any wardrobe

7. Tiffany & Co. Coin Purse ($85), tiffany.ca

The mere sight of that unmistakable shade of Tiffany blue will put a smile on any girl’s face. Slip a Tiffany & Co. bauble into this lovely patent leather coin purse for an extra special gift.

8. ela Editor Pouch ($188), thecode.ca

Whether she’s a fashion editor or merely one in her daydreams for now, she can look the part with ela’s edgy Editor Pouch. The studded clutch is available in several colours, but silver mirror is our favourite by far.

9. MAKE UP FOR EVER Backstage Collector Bag ($359), sephora.com

Featuring 28 of MAKE UP FOR EVER’s most popular products, this Sephora.com exclusive is both the perfect face paint introduction for a neophyte and a makeup lover’s dream come true.

10. Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Eye & Cheek Palette ($85), Holt Renfrew

Lagerfeld fans will love his latest collaboration with Shu Uemura, which includes lipsticks, fun faux eyelashes, a mini brush set and more. Our pick is the eye & cheek palette in smoky velvet or prestigious bordeaux, featuring the Kaiser’s whimsical muse for the collection, Mon Shu Girl, on the compact.

11. Nixon ‘Kensington’ Leather Watch ($150), nixon.com

Timepieces are always great holiday gift ideas — what better way to count down the clock on New Year’s Eve? — and this classic leather watch by Nixon is no exception. The no frills design makes it a handsome, versatile option that will go with any outfit.

12. FALLON for eBay Stud Charm Bracelet (USD$88), ebay.com

FALLON designer Dana Lorenz churns out to-die-for statement jewelry like nobody’s business. Her holiday capsule collection for eBay is the perfect opportunity to add some edge to any arm party.

13. Lauren Elan ‘Abagail’ Choker Necklace ($195), laurenelan.com

Toronto accessories designer Lauren Elan mixes Swarovski pearls, chains, crystals and rhinestones to create a stunning statement necklace that serves up a whole lot of bling for your buck.

14. Tibi Penguin-Intarsia Sweater (US$375), net-a-porter.com

Who says a holiday knit has to be tacky? Tibi’s exclusive penguin sweater for Net-a-porter is anything but. Whether she wears it casually or edges it up, this is one adorable piece the lucky recipient will be wearing non-stop this winter.

15. MOON Apparel Lace Dress ($89), moonapparel.ca

The MOON Apparel crochet lace dress is a go-to for me, and this season the Canadian brand has recreated the popular piece in eye-catching turquoise. It’s a very ladylike and versatile design that is sure to become a closet favourite.

16. Smythe Herringbone Equestrian Jacket ($595), eluxe.ca

No one designs jackets quite like Smythe’s Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe (just ask Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge!). Their classic equestrian blazer is a wardrobe essential that will be worn for years to come.

17. “The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisited” by Karl Lagerfeld & Carine Roitfeld ($102.50), chapters.indigo.ca

This beautiful coffee table book is a fantastic present for any fashion lover. Pair it with a classic black tweed jacket by the design house and that Chanel devotee on your list will be over the moon.

18. Neiman Marcus x Target x CFDA Holiday Collection Ornaments by Jason Wu (US$49.99 for 3), neimanmarcus.com

For the gal pal with the most stylish of Christmas trees, these limited edition ball ornaments and their lace-print trim are both festive and fashionable. Available starting December 1.

xx, S


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Events

MAKE UP FOR EVER at [FAT] 2011

by The Backseat Stylers | May 16th, 2011

I dropped by [FAT] Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week 2011: Fashion Schematics last month to visit with FAT’s official make-up sponsor, MAKE UP FOR EVER. The lovely folks at MUFE had invited me backstage to check out the make-up looks up close and personal once again, as I’d done just one year ago during my very first [FAT] experience.


MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Melissa Nicholl and Jacquie Jeffery

Last year, I had had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of MUFE’s Melissa Nicholl and Jacquie Jeffery, who had patiently explained to this amateur of amateurs the benefits of MUFE. Truthfully, most of what they told me went over this make-up neophyte’s head, but suffice to say, I’ve been hooked on MAKE UP FOR EVER everything ever since!

I caught up with Melissa and Jacquie on Day 3 of [FAT] again this year to witness more of the magic they conjure up backstage. MUFE worked with each designer to develop the make-up look for their show, and it was fascinating to see how the looks on paper translated on the runway. The models walking Breeyn McCarney’s show had ghostly white make-up with black cupid lips that perfectly complemented her stunning white paper dresses. The concealed eyebrows and nude lip gloss on Heidi Ackerman and Lindsay Sinclair’s models completed the intergalactic, future-meets-past feel of their joint show.

These aren’t looks I’m likely to try at home any time soon, but every time I hear from the lovely ladies at MAKE UP FOR EVER, I’m inspired to be just a little more adventurous with my make-up!

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Retail Therapy

Dear Santa…

by The Backseat Stylers | December 22nd, 2010

Dear Santa:

Hope all is well with you, Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves up in the North Pole! I know we only just saw each other at Mr. Backseat Styler’s company Christmas party last week, but I thought I’d write to you to remind you of our discussion at the time. As you know, I’ve been a tad overindulgent this past year, so I probably only deserve a lump of coal in my stocking. However, should you decide – in all your infinite, jolly wisdom – to give me a free pass this year, I have taken the liberty of listing out what I would most like to see in my stocking. In the unlikely event that 3 days is not sufficient time for the elves to cobble together these items, I’ve also included where each item can be purchased. The prices I’ve listed don’t include the Kris Kringle discount though – I’m sure you could do much better.

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Contests

MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick Giveaway

by The Backseat Stylers | December 7th, 2010

I’m a relative neophyte at makeup. I don’t know how to apply a smokey eye, I can’t figure out how to make my mascara not flake, and I wish I was much more adventurous with colour. The first 2 issues are on my To Do list, but I’m well on my way to resolving the last thanks to MAKE UP FOR EVER. Ever since I discovered MUFE backstage at [FAT] Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week 2010 earlier this year, I’ve been a devoted follower and my entire makeup regimen is now MUFE!

A post professing my undying love for MAKE UP FOR EVER is long overdue, so I’m making up for the delay by doing my part in spreading the word about the launch of MUFE’s new online Lipstick Shade Finder tool on Sephora and on MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Facebook page. “The tool was created to help women everywhere find their perfect shades of red, nude and pink lipstick by taking both hair color and skin undertones into consideration – making it easier than ever to buy lipstick online without actually being able to try it on.”

To celebrate the launch of the new tool, MAKE UP FOR EVER will be giving away a Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick to 10 lucky make-up mavens every day from Dec 7th-22nd, 2010 – that’s a total of 160 winners! All you have to do to enter is try the new Lipstick Shade Finder Tool on MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Facebook page and choose your favourite shade. No purchase necessary and 10 winners will be selected from each day’s entrants on Dec 23rd, 2010.

I’ve been using the Rouge Artist Intense Lipsticks over the past few months and I’m definitely hooked. This is a great opportunity to win your favourite shade and try it out for free – check it out!

xx, S


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Events

[FAT] Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week 2010

by The Backseat Stylers | April 26th, 2010

Being a newbie to the whole [FAT] Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week scene, I was looking forward to my first dose of alternative fashion, but sadly only managed to make it out to one night of shows due to other commitments. With lust as the theme for the night and Refined by Evan Biddell – one of the most highly anticipated shows of the week – on the schedule, I certainly picked a good night to show my face. M was my partner-in-crime for the evening and I was happy to be able to navigate through our first [FAT] experience together.


M and I started the night backstage courtesy of our lovely hosts Jacquie and Melissa from MAKE UP FOR EVER, who created and applied all of the makeup looks for the week. With a different emotion as the theme for each day of [FAT] and several makeup looks to evoke each emotion, Jacquie, Melissa and their team certainly had their hands full. Whether it was stenciled-in eyebrows or purple lipstick, the looks made strong statements with bold use of colour, perfectly complemented the clothing designs and generally just reeked of fearlessness. Of the slightly less adventurous type, M and I managed to wrangle some product recommendations from Jacquie (pictured chatting with M), who was more than willing to impart some of her wisdom on us. Not having previously been exposed to the MAKE UP FOR EVER line, I’m looking forward to testing out some of their products myself in the near future.

All of that preparation backstage was, of course, for a few minutes of glory on the [FAT] runway, and so it was time for the evening’s main event (for us) – Refined by Evan Biddell.

Refined, a collaboration between Toronto Fashion Week regular and Project Runway Canada Season 1 winner Evan Biddell and Cher Thornton from The Refinery, was a considerably more wearable but no less glamorous and in-your-face collection than Biddell’s TOFW effort a few short weeks ago. The reworked trenches were collection highlights for me. Always a show to behold, Biddell’s fierce designs stood out that much more on the runway thanks to the cast of characters he sent them on – 10 of his friends, including Toronto fashion personalities like Sarah Nicole Prickett and Gail McInnes.

The rest of the shows that night were, admittedly, a bit of a blur. Finding ourselves seatless after our gallivants backstage, M and I were left to enjoy the shows standing by the photographers’ pit. Squatting to get the shots in 4.5-inch Louboutins that caused unbelievable pain and then a scary numbness in my feet, I found it difficult to concentrate on what was happening in front of me. No pain, no gain, they say. If that’s the case – why were my photos still so damned crappy?

xx, S

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