My 2021 Christmas List

It's that time of year again? Already?! I've contemplated doing gift guides this year after taking last year off from them. I think I'll refrain from doing them again, but I've already seen so many wonderful ones on other blogs. Gift guide posts do really well with traffic, but it just doesn't feel right this year. If it is something you want, I could gather a master list of ideas instead of themed posts/guides or link you to some of my favorite guides I've seen.

I thought I would keep up with the tradition of sharing a few things on my Christmas list and maybe that will also serve as some ideas for you. That's what I love about posts like these! I always find at least one thing that makes me go, "Wow! How did I not know about that?" or something in that nature. 😄 I find the older I get, the harder it is to come up with a Christmas list. I feel like they were novels written in seconds in my childhood. Now, of course I have a running wishlist of sorts, but it always feels different when putting it into gift terms. If that makes any sense...

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July 2021 Favorites

Hi, everyone! I'm back at you again with my July favorites and honestly, it feels like I just did the June version of this post. July went by so quickly for me! I selfishly want August to do the same, because my countdown for autumn and the start of the holiday season is on. I won't lie about doing a happy dance when I found out Bath and Body Works were already putting out their Halloween collection. With everything going on right now, we need to find things to be happy about! If that means shopping for Halloween in late July/early August, then so be it. Am I already thinking about where to put my Christmas decorations? Maaaaaaybe.

It was a short week here in Canada with Monday having been a holiday, so it's a really nice realization to wake up and remember it is Friday already. It's often a struggle to keep the days straight! If the weather holds up, Toronto is supposed to have a Vincent van Gogh hot air balloon on Saturday to draw attention to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. Vincent is my favorite artist and I've never seen a hot air balloon in person, despite coming from an area that hosted a giant hot air balloon festival every year. I just never had the opportunity to attend! Have you seen one in person? I don't think I'd ever be comfortable riding in one with my fear of flying and heights, but I'm happy to admire from solid ground.😄

To this past month's favorites! What were some of the things you've been enjoying? Do we have any in common? I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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Collective Birthday Haul - Coach x Peanuts, Torrid, H&M, Old Navy, Shoppers, and Sephora

Hi there! Last week was my birthday and I splurged on a few things, because... hi, my name is Wendy and I can't say no to birthday discounts, apparently. I felt like the best way to share what I got would be to do a collective haul. Some of the things I've already shared on my Instagram. I'll share some of the beauty items in later posts, both on there and here. I purchased all of this within the last two weeks, I'd say, so most of it should still be available if you see something that interests you!

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What's In My Purse?

I haven't done one of these in a long time now. If my search skills are correct, my last What's In My Purse post was just over two years ago. I used to be the girl that carries the kitchen sink and sometimes I still am when I carry one of my bigger bags. That's one of the things I like about choosing a smaller bag though. You only have so much space to delegate to the more important items. It depends on my mood and my daily plans, but my shoulder definitely thanks me when I go the smaller bag route!

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Givenchy Noir Interdit Mascara

I have not tried anything from Givenchy in a good long while, but the launch of this mascara had my interest. I've done the "swan neck" wand of Lancome's Grandiose mascara and I really love that mascara, so I definitely wondered about the bending wand on Noir Interdit. Is it a gimmick or does it make a difference? Let's find out!

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2017 Oscars Best Dressed

I don't watch awards shows live, if at all. They really have to appeal to me and I had much rather tape them and watch them after the fact, because me and my fast forward button are BFFs. But if I do any of that, it is typically awards shows focused on music and not TV and/or movies. That's just my preference. I'll catch up on social media to see the highlights and any performances I missed after the fact. Like this year's amazing Justin Timberlake opening or that big "whooooaaaa, what just happened?" moment at the end.

But honestly, I'm all about the fashion when all is said and done. And these five ladies below nailed it, in my opinion. I'd love to know who made your best dressed list!

Sources: Getty, Steve Granitz/WireImage, Jeff Kravitz/Getty, Getty, WireImage

• Emma Stone - Wearing a gold gown by Givenchy Haute Couture, Emma was glowing. This worked perfectly with the bigger waves in her hair for a retro vibe. My only complaint is that I wish she hadn't thrown shade in her interview afterward about the envelope fiasco. It seemed so unneeded. 
• Hailee Steinfeld - This Ralph & Russo gown is sheer perfection. See what I did there? I'm living for the lavender and flowers.
• Viola Davis - Words cannot describe how much I love this woman. And she picked a real winner with this red Armani Prive gown. That neckline and the draping is something special.
• Kate McKinnon - How has she not made more best dressed lists? I think she looks stunning in this sequined black number by Narciso Rodriguez.
• Taraji P. Henson - Va-va-voom, am I right?! The blue velvet Albert Ferretti gown fitted Taraji like a glove. That giant diamond choker and bombshell hair is all that was needed for an added impact on the red carpet. I think Fergie has a song about her: G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.

2017 Golden Globes Best Dressed

I'm late on this post, but I usually share my thoughts on the best dressed and I am one who enjoys tradition. I did stop doing the worst dressed version a year or so ago, as I chose to not focus on the negative. Fashion should be fun and you should be allowed to take risks. Maybe you like something that others don't. That's okay!

Same can be said with the best dressed. Maybe you don't like some of my personal choices for best dressed. It's all personal opinion. But I don't want to bring attention to or say something is horribly bad that a designer worked so many hours on and that a celebrity and many others happen to love. You start questioning your taste and it can feel very polarizing. So I focus on the positive and here I am to share with you my favorite looks from the 2017 Golden Globes!

Sources: Venturelli/Wire Image, Getty Images, Getty Images

• Emma Stone in Valentino Haute Couture - My favorite of the night. Those stars and that pale pink! 
• Brie Larson in Rodarte - Red hot! I love the drapey layers and that bodice. Simple, but far from basic.
• Zoe Saldana in Gucci - I didn't like it upon first sight, but it really grew on me. It's practically Hermione from the Yule Ball. I'm soooo okay with that!

Sources: REX/Shutterstock, Getty Images, Getty Images

• Hailee Steinfeld in Vera Wang - I love lilac. It was one of my wedding colors! A bit risque on top as an unexpected touch!
• Lily Collins in Zuhair Murad - Full on princess, like straight out of a Disney movie. The amount of detail is just right.
• Millie Bobby Brown in Jenny Packham - Age-appropriate and stunning. Completely suits her sparkling personality!

Sources: Steve Granitz/WireImage, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

• Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford - Mr. Suit & Tie! I love that charcoal jacket.
• Donald Glover in Gucci - A brown velvet suit? It has some retro vibes going on and he really makes it work.

Whose style did you love on the 2017 Golden Globes Red Carpet? And can I just also mention how Tracee Ellis Ross wins with all of the bling she was rocking?! More is more sometimes!

In the Name of Gucci by Patricia Gucci

I was kindly sent this book and it is my current read. In the Name of Gucci by Patricia Gucci is out today and perfect for fashion lovers or those that love a good memoir. My favorite part of any biography or memoir is personal pictures and this one delivers on that front, as well as telling about the Gucci brand and Patricia's life as the love child of Aldo Gucci.

This is no boring story just talking about handbags and leather goods. This is a story of how Patricia became the first woman to be on the board of directors (at age 19!) for Gucci and became his sole heir. If you are not familiar with some of the history behind the Gucci brand and name, there is family betrayal, prison time, and a love affair that lasted through the ages.  I don't want to tell too much, because I think this is a story that many of you would enjoy and should read for yourselves. It is a well written look into the story from a different perspective.

Author photo is from 2013 by Piero Gemelli.

The book is now available at bookstores and online. If you are in or near NYC, Patricia will be doing a book signing on Friday May 13, 2016 at The Strand Bookstore at 7pm!

**I received this book for reviewing and entertainment purposes.

2016 Met Gala Best Dressed

I'll be honest and say I didn't know where they would go with "Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" as a theme. Like was Gaga going to show up in a dress made of just iPhones? Was C-3PO going to show up in a tuxedo? I just was not sure what to expect with such a broad theme. I definitely got it with some celebs, but scratched my head on a few others that I just didn't get the theme vibe from at all. It was really hard to narrow it down and I loved many other looks. Here are some of my favorites from last night. I'd love to hear who you thought got the theme right!

Claire Danes in Zac Posen - Yes, holy yes. THE BEST. Not only is it gorgeous, but it lights up. Amazing!

Gaga in Versace - Ok, the iPhone dress didn't happen. But old-style Gaga showed up and it worked perfectly.
Kendall Jenner in Versace - I love the intricate blue and white pattern.
Jourdan Dunn in Balmain - The gray gradient in her hair is a nice touch. Love that accessories weren't needed.
Brie Larson in Proenza Schouler - I don't usually like tiered dresses, but this is beautiful and delicate.
Kerry Washington in Marc Jacobs - I can't wait to see what else she wears during this pregnancy. Love the black lace and the purple hair!

I felt like I needed to separate these into their own category, because they are couples! I don't know if you know this about me, but I am hardcore obsessed with The Weeknd. I love Abel and Bella together and thank goodness I love what they wore, because it gives me a chance to validly share this picture. ;)

Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger and Zayn Malik in Versace - I love the front draping on the dress. And C-3PO didn't show up, but I kind of feel like he partially did with the metal arms that Zayn sported.
Bella Hadid and The Weeknd in Givenchy - I love that they both wore Givenchy. Bella's thigh high shoes were on point and made that slit stand out from the crowd.

*images from Getty

What's In My Purse

I love seeing what is in other people's purses, refrigerators, makeup bags, planners, etc. etc. I don't care what it is, if it has contents, I love seeing 'em. I actually have not done a "what's in my purse" post in a long time. Seriously, my blog search showed 2012 as my last one. So let's update that! Here are my current purse essentials. The purse is a taupe Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac.

• Cell Phone - Obviously! My lifeline. The bow case is from Ardene.
• Lipstick - Right now, it's MAC Velvet Teddy.
• Battery Bank - This Kate Spade one charges your phone up to three times. (Charger cord not in picture.)
• Wallet - I've had this Michael Kors one for years and it fits well in small purses.
• Pen and Notebook - Sometimes I use my phone for notes, but I still prefer pen and paper.
• Hand Gel - I always have hand sanitizer with me.

The only thing missing are my keys, but I don't need them on most days because I'm usually out with my husband and we just use his. So I didn't even think to include them in the picture! What are you carrying in your purse right now?

2015 Academy Awards: Best Dressed

I can't wait to fast forward to all of the highlights I am interested in like Lady Gaga performing songs from one of my favorite movies, Meryl Streep being fabulous as always, and Adele Dazeem getting back at Glom Gazingo for butchering her name. I'm back to routinely share my favorite dresses and eye candy. And as a bonus, one of my favorite red carpet moments!

• Rosamund Pike in Givenchy - I don't usually like her choices, but this fits and suits her perfectly.
• Jennifer Aniston in Versace - I love that she's stepping out of her comfort zone a bit more.
• Anna Faris in Zuhair Murad - The right amount of sparkles and the belt is finally done right!
• Dakota Johnson in Saint Laurent - Red hot! And the makeup is perfection.
• Anna Kendrick in Thakoon - That embellished choker collar is to die for. This dress is just peachy!

• Ansel Elgort in a black and blue Prada tux - I love black and blue together.
• David Oyelowo in maroon Dolce and Gabbana - An unexpected pop of color done successfully.
• Chris Pratt in a classic Tom Ford tux - Because classic never goes out of style. And because Chris Pratt, that's why.

This picture is everything! Emma Stone and Jennifer Aniston bear-hugging on the red carpet is exactly what I wanted and did not even know it. How can I get in on this friendship?!

Honoring Oscar de la Renta

Easily one of my most loved designers. When I think back to awards seasons, his creations were often among some of my favorites. I thought I would share a few of my favorite dresses in this post and I admit that it was hard to narrow it down to just these five. The world lost a lot of class and certainly a man who understands women (at least, close to it!).

 Amy Adams at 2009 Golden Globes and Michelle Dockery at the 2014 Golden Globes

Cameron Diaz at 2010 Oscars

Taylor Swift at 2012 Ripple of Hope Gala

Amal Alamuddin Clooney in her wedding gown with Oscar

And if you don't believe he still had it, just look at his Spring 2015 Ready to Wear looks. Each one is absolutely breathtaking.

SAG Awards 2014: Best and Worst Dressed

The Screen Actors Guild Awards bore me. There, I said it. I don't keep it a secret that I just don't care about watching full awards shows, but there is usually at least a performance or two that I am interested in enough to PVR them. The fashion part always intrigues me, but as far as the actual SAG ceremony goes? Boring. I just cannot bother.

The red carpet arrivals this year were amazing, though! It was hard to pick out choices for my worst dressed list. I love when that happens, though it makes my hunt more meticulous. I see some stylists getting permanent jobs and raises after this!

Jennifer Lawrence: Dior Haute Couture. Easily fave of the night!
Elisabeth Moss: Michael Kors. Michael is a king of simplistic and beautiful designs.
Sofia Vergara: Donna Karan Atelier. Gunmetal is becoming my new favorite thing!
Jennifer Garner: Max Mara. The fit is perfect.

Kerry Washington: Prada. It pains me to put her on my worst list, but I hate that crop top.
Emma Thompson: Vintage. Top part of dress? Good. Bottom part? Weird hemline is a no.
Edie Falco: Lanvin. Butterfly print? Did I wake up back in the 90s?
Mayim Bialik: Rachel Livingston. Way too much going on and I feel like it washes her out.

I usually include one piece of manly eye candy, but I couldn't choose just one. So here are four hot babes that captured my attention. I think I just got drool on my keyboard. Worth it.

Bradley Cooper: Gucci. Not a man I typically find attractive, but he looks dapper here.
Mario Lopez: Unknown. I like the tighter fit around the legs.
Jared Leto: Dior. Love the unexpected white bow tie and white shirt combo!
Benedict Cumberbatch: Unknown. This man makes everything look good. Mmmm...

Alice + Olivia Starbucks Mug

I couldn't resist! I tried to, but it's like this mug has a gravitational pull that was pulling me in. I couldn't resist the cuteness. It was worth the hunt! It is absolutely worth calling your local Starbucks to see if they have any left in stock. For me, I tried two locations at first with no luck. But the second store told me when they would be getting another shipment in and I called in that day to reserve one.

Sooooo worth it. Like I just can't handle the adorableness...I just can't...it's easily the cutest little mug I have ever seen! It's completely taken away my ability to type like a normal adult when I look at it. So here are my pictures and thoughts on the Alice + Olivia ceramic mug for Starbucks!

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Kate Spade Agenda in Rose Print

The year is coming to an end and it's that time again. A time where the office-supply nerd comes out in full force! The time where I get to buy a new organizer to get me through another year. I suffer from mild OCD and I've had to have a planner for as long as I can remember. I have to be organized and I have to write everything down. It just helps me!

I have had all kinds of different planners and I've enjoyed them all. I've kept them all too, as they are like mini journals of my life. This year I wanted to try a different brand and I fell in love with this floral Kate Spade design. Super girly, super pretty, and definitely right up my alley! I found mine at Chapters. I do not see this exact design on her website, but she does have other cute ones listed.

Here are some pictures of the details and inside!

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#RMRoadTrip, Holt Renfrew, and the Power of PR

I had the Rebecca Minkoff event on Saturday at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto. She's a favorite of mine, so I was super excited. I got to the Holt Renfrew store early, but she wasn't there yet. They had started setting everything up, though. So I walked back out in the mall and wasted time. Before I knew it the event was almost over and still no Rebecca.

Apparently, she mentioned she wasn't coming on Facebook and Instagram due to her son being sick. Well, I didn't check those sites for updates. In retrospect, I suppose I should have. I did check her and Holt's twitter accounts and found no mention of her not being able to make it. You figure this day and age, that twitter is the first place to check! Not to mention, the store should have put up signage saying she was not coming to the event. Nobody I talked to at the event knew that she was not coming and we commiserated together.

Now aside from that, I assumed the event wouldn't be a total waste and that I would be able to get my bag monogrammed at the very least. I had read several blog posts from the previous #rmroadtrip events that they were allowed to get a previously purchased bag monogrammed. However, I was told that I had to make a RM purchase that day to be included in the painting fun. Seriously? Even after the fact that Rebecca couldn't be there? Shouldn't it have been offered as a way to make up for it?  I was not a happy camper and was ready to walk away.

I don't like being a "negative Nancy", but I think I had a right to be perturbed. Upon complaining that there were no proper signs telling people about Rebecca's absence and the fact that I had been waiting a long time, the person working Holt's PR was quick on her feet. In the end, she did overlook that I did not buy my bag that same day and let me get my bag done.

I had a negative experience and she was quick to rectify it. In doing so, I left the store feeling satisfied that the event was not a total bust. I'm very grateful for how apologetic and kind she was. And that is why good PR gets your brand, company, etc. everywhere! Had she not been so great, this blog post would have gone down a whole different path. I believe in good service and that we all deserve it!

So here are pictures from the event and my bag!

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3.1 Phillip Lim for Target 3-in-1 Organizer Set

I was sick with a cold all during last week and I'm still dealing with it (summer colds suck). With that said, I just couldn't drag myself out early to wait in the cold early morning hours for my local Target stores to open. I love the bags that were released, but I love getting better more! So I slept in and left for my first Target around 11:30am. My goal was to attack the lesser populated towns outside of Toronto. The first store was a letdown, but I got lucky at the second location.

Extremely lucky! There were plenty of the clothes left, but there were no bags on the display. So I concluded that I'd might as well do the rest of my shopping and come to terms with leaving with no Phillip Lim. We were lined up at the register and I went to take one last look at the dollar zone and lo and behold! I saw this beauty discarded in one of the bins of notebooks and grabbed it up!

The 3-in-1 organizer is part of the men's collection, but who cares? This product is totally unisex and I'm in love. I can't wait to put these to good use!

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Currently Loving #1

I've seen this type of post on other blogs and thought I'd start the series also. I always do my monthly favorites each month that usually contains beauty and skincare items. Every now and then I throw in random things I'm loving at the moment. With this series, I'll be able to share more of my everyday type of favorites that aren't about beauty.

I don't know how often I'll do the "Currently Loving" posts, but I think it will be fun to show other loves of mine! So without further ado, here's my first post in the series.

^ My view from my condo. I look at this while doing my yoga and pilates on the balcony and it just adds an extra amount of zen to be able to get lost in the scenery. If you are not familiar with the skyline of Toronto, the huge tower is the CN Tower. To the right of this picture is more tall buildings and to the left is Lake Ontario. I never get tired of this view!

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Golden Globes 2013: Best & Worst Dressed

So this past weekend was the Golden Globes ceremony, which brought out the stars dressed to the nines. Some were definitely better than others, but I always wonder who actually used a stylist. I'm sharing my best and worst choices, but you certainly do not have to agree with me. Fashion being subjective is what makes it so fun! Feel free to share whose dress won you over or which one made you wonder if the celebrity got dressed in the dark.


Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen and Anne Hathaway in Chanel. Kate looks fabulous and this really shows off her figure without showing too much skin. I love how classic Anne looks and the bare neckline allows her to show off her gorgeous pixie cut.

Kristen Bell in Jenny Packham, Tina Fey in L'Wren Scott, and Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney. Kristen did a fabulous job at picking a dress while pregnant. What a wonderful cut and design! I adore how Tina went with a retro look and Amy played up a tuxedo. The fit is spectacular, especially on those tailored pants.

Honorable Mention: Lucy Liu in Carolina Herrera. I believe this was either a "love it" or "hate it" dress. I personally loved it and thought it was beautiful with the flower print.


Emily Mortimer in Jenny Packham and Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein. This sequined dress did nothing for Emily. Instead of making her shine, she looks rather drab. I feel as though Jessica deserves a dress with more flair. And I dislike the shoe choice, as well.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad, Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton, and Guiliana Rancic in Celia Kritharioti. Yes, Jennifer looks beautiful with an amazing body, but I don't know...this dress just did not win me over. Rachel's dress looks like it is having an identity crisis, but her makeup and hair is spot on. I did not like anything about Guiliana's look. I think the dress is bringing attention to the wrong areas. It looks like something I would have seen on one of those 80s shows like Dynasty.

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows Week 18

Girls, it's a new year and we're still growing! If you update your blog often and can handle weekly Monday posts, email me to let me know you are interested in joining AtWi80E. :)

Group post time!




Gucci Soho Disco bag in cream - New dream bag! It's so gorgeous.
Tory Burch Caroline Patent Leather flats in pink -  I've only heard good things!
Jo Malone London English Pear and Freesia cologne - Fell in love with this at first smell!

Granted, this is just a wishlist and all three are so very expensive. These are definitely my top 3 loves right now, though! And if money were no option (shame that it always is!), all of them would have a new home with me! Fingers are crossed to at least get one of the three this year. :)

Affairs Magazine : fell in love with a new trendy color!
Beauty & Baggage :  is sparkling with her Models Own Mirrorball collection.
Fashionable Heart : found a red lipstick that might sway those that are terrified to wear red lips!
Massachusetts Mask : finally got her hands on two tricky lipsticks!
Norwegian Elephant : is taking a wee break from blogging!

So how would you answer this week's question?!