Gift Guide for Her: Under $100

It's Christmas Eve! Have you finally finished your shopping, or are you still out on the hunt? We've reached our final installment of this year's Gift Guide, and rounding it out with gifts for under $100. I had originally planned to have Gift Guides which included ideas from denominations of $25 under $100 (ie. $75-100, $50-75, $25-50. under $25), but with my exam schedule and work getting in the way, I just couldn't. I've tried to include gifts from each category to balance out this last list, so hopefully you're able to find a gift that is within your budget!

1. Iconic Cape - Community (Aritzia) | $75.00
I love to transition a lot of my summer/fall dresses for the winter by throwing on a quick sweater to keep myself warm. I personally prefer a looser fit sweater as it is "sweater weather" after all, but I don't want the sweater to swallow up the dress completely. A looser sweater lets your dress still show through but keep you warm. If you find that the sleeves are too short, Brandy Melville also offers a great alternative.

2. Black Dahlia Matte Lip Tar - OCC (Sephora) | $22.00
Winter is a great time to try out a dark lip and what better way to do it than with a lip stain. I've seen some great reviews online for this particular shade that allows your to layer it up in order to achieve a deeper look. A single application leaves your lips a plum shade, and a second application leaves them a dark vampy burgundy. You won't have to worry about losing any lip color through the process of eating a merry drinking throughout the night!

3. Love and Lacquer Reds Set - YSL (Sephora) | $60.00
This set is perfect for winter with the red lip gloss stain, nail lacquer and beautiful mascara. As the website says, these are some of the most coveted items in the YSL cosmetics range and what better way to allow your lucky lady to try them out by giving her a set for Christmas! It's all perfectly packaged in a gold box so that you can easily wrap it up and she can re-use it for storage.

4. Nike Free 5.0+ - Nike (Lady Foot Locker) | $79.99
I am a huge fan of Nike Frees not just for runnning but for working out in general. I've also heard from many other people that it's a great shoe for walking around especially when you are traveling and busy sight-seeing. You can't go wrong with a neon color and the Nike site itself lets you customize your own shoe in order to meet your desires. I prefer these over any other runners as I have a really high arch and I find that these always seem to fill them in so I'm not left with a hollow space between my foot and the shoe. There are a ton of different color varieties that get released every season so don't worry about being stuck with a neon pastel pink if she's not a big fan of the color.

5. Coquette Scarf - Wilfred (Aritzia) | $85.00
I personally own this scarf and can attest to its warmth. It's made of 100% wool which is fantastic as it really blocks out the wind when it's cold out. It's also huge, which allowed me to use as a blanket when I was busy hibernating in my university library whilst trying to study for exams. It's also really long, so you can wrap it around your neck multiple times. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I always detested scarves that were too short to properly wrap around my neck since then they'd leave this triangle at the top of my chest that was exposed to the wind. Ever since I've purchased this scarf, I have completely solved this problem and kept myself warm in this cold season.

Gift Guide for Her: $100-200

If you're a student like me, you're probably cheering now that I'm touching base on gifts within a more affordable range. My Christmas gift list usually include a lot of people as I have a large family so gifts can't be too expensive or else I'll end up breaking the bank. This year I decided to start hunting for gifts a lot earlier to see if I could score deals for them around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I didn't exactly luck out for those two days in particular, but many stores have been offering great discount codes online recently. I think I'm about 80% finished with the gifts so I just have a couple more to grab over the next few days. I can't quite hint at exactly what I've purchased in case those people read my blog, but I'll definitely include a couple with my Gift Guides!

1. The Bombshell 1.5 Inch Rod Curling Iron - Bombshell (Sephora) | $150.00
This curling iron is perfect for re-creating those infamous Victoria Secret curls that your special lady sees down the runway each year at the fashion show. This Sultra curling iron is a little bit wider than your typical one in order to give the looser and bouncier curls that you seek. It also doesn't have a clip so it may be a little more difficult to curl your hair without burning your fingertips. There is a heat protectant glove that comes with the set though, so with a little bit of practice and lots of wary, you'll have perfectly tousled hair without the charred smell!

2. Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System - Sephora | $139.00
I've sworn by the Clarisonic Mia ever since I've bought it and I've known tons of girls who have too. You really have to give the system time to work its magic before deciding if it's effective or not. There's about a two week learning curve for your skin where the system literally purges it of impurities and although it may appear that you are having an aversive reaction to it by breaking out everywhere, that's just the effectiveness of the cleansing that brings up all of the impurities in your skin. The kit that I've linked comes with a little cleanser as well that works great with the system, but you can use any other facial cleanser as long as it doesn't have any exfoliants in it.

3. Amanda Skinny Jeans - DL1961 (ShopBop) | $197.89
Imagine this outfit with a lighter wash jean, it looks much more casual doesn't it? I personally love a dark wash as it cleans up any casual outfit, even if there are a few rips here and there that make the pair of jeans look lived in.

4. Layla Headphones - Rose Gold & White - Frends (Chapters) | $150.00
I really like the clean edges in the design of this pair of headphones and the fact that the sides that cover your ear isn't too large and distracting. The white contrasted against the rose gold is also an extremely chic way to listen to your favourite music and still look fashionable. Although the ear pads aren't large, they're constructed out of memory foam, allowing for your headphones to shape perfectly to your ears!

5. Lynda Metallic Loafers - Jeffrey Campbell | $150.08
Usually when you hear loafers, the first thing that comes to mind is your grandmother's penny loafers. Not in this case. I love how this style cut very similarly to a smoking flat so the cut is more modernized and doesn't feel as dated. The metallic also makes the shoes appear slightly futuristic, definitely cutting down any "old" vibes. If you're a flats lover like me but want to be able to dress up for New Years, these flats are perfect way to add some festive sparkle into your outfit without sacrificing your comfort.

Gift Guide for Her: $200-300

It's no longer a surprise to me when I can compile these Gift Guides for Her within 30 minutes, while the Gift Guides for Him take me a couple of days. The fact that the majority of these items have been sitting in my Hukkster account makes it that much easier for me to browse through to find things that I want to include in my Gift Guides.  We've come quite a way from gifts that costs $500+, but there is still a ways left to go. My goal is to make it down to gifts below $25 before Christmas comes around so I've got my gears spinning for the challenge! There's only 17 days left till the big day and I'm getting more and more excited as the time passes. The point where I'm no longer motivated to study, but if I want that paper that says I've graduated, on the well oiled grey matter must go.

1. Thea Mini Fold-Over Cross-Body - Tory Burch | $225.00
One can never have enough cross-body bags. Not only are they efficient since your hands can be free to do and hold other things, but there are so many different designs available. I liked how this one can be folded over so that when you need more room it can be opened up larger. I'm not usually one for pink either, but this shade isn't too bright or offensive and is extremely feminine without screaming Barbie.

2. Ombre Dustls Coat - FCUK | $298.00
Ombre doesn't have to be just on the head. I really liked how the arms of this coat fade from black to red in a really subtle gradient that doesn't scream ombre. Because the shade of red isn't offendingly bright, the jewel tones are perfect for this moodier time of the year. It also will match perfectly with your Christmas decor, if you want to that is. The cocoon silhouette is also extremely popular this year so this coat would be perfect for your ever stylish lady!

3. Sweetie Bracelet - Links of London | $275.00
I'm not a proponent for charm or link bracelets, but I really like the look of this bracelet worn on its own. If you're usually in a pinch as to what to get your lady on other special occasions, you can set yourself up nicely by adding to her collection of charms each time around. Unlike other charm bracelets, the ones by Links of London may cost you quite a penny, so if any girl is able to rock out a wrist full of them, she is quite the lucky one.

4. Hudson Mini Moto Bag - Rebecca Minkoff (ShopBop) | $265.00 $205.48
I didn't realize that I had included two bags in this Gift Guide until I got to the part of writing up each description. It's perfect how opposite these two bags are from each other.  While one is sweet and simple, the other is edgy and boxy. I also really liked how the sealing along the edges of this bag are a completely different color than the bag itself. You don't usually see this in most bag designs but it gives it a really pretty and unexpected pop of color.

5. Slim Signature Blouse - Equipment (ShopBop) | $278.00
Equipment never fails to provide fantastic silk blouses and this little number is exactly what is needed for the winter season. The gold polka-dots brightens up a typical black blouse so you don't have to wear as much jewelry for your outfit to appear complete. I actually loved the entire outfit that the model is wearing, including the red heels. Because the blouse itself is already the statement piece, a simple pair of strappy heels really helps to pull the look together without detracting attention from the top.

Gift Guide for Her: $300-400

I wanted to put a little bit of focus on this Gift Guide for Her towards other things besides fashion, mind you I did include a beautiful pair of tortoise shell sunglasses, but everything else is different from the usual assortment you'd find in my Gift Guides.

I apologize for the sloth pace of posts the last month. I had planned on posting 2 more gift guides last week but was suddenly struck with a stomach flu and was bed ridden for a few days. Walking into working with a "puke bucket" doesn't set the best precedent. Anyways now that that has subsidded, I have begun studying for the dreaded final exams. Fear not, I have utilized my break time in between study sessions to compile and prepare my lists in hopes of keeping pace with my blog! Hopefully everyone snagged up the majority of their gifts this passing Black Friday or the upcoming Cyber Monday!

1. Stainless Steel Aroma Espresso Machine - Saeco (Les Cafetiers) | $400.00 $345.00
If the special lady in your life enjoys a well brewed espresso each morning as part of her routine, investing in a top of the line machine will save you dollars in the long-run. Also sold on the Starbucks website, score it for much cheaper and on sale at Les Cafetiers!

2. Daddy B Sunglasses - Oliver Peoples Eyewear (ShopBop) | $325.64
Perfect for that subtle cat-eye look, this pair of sunglasses is a nod to Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's look. If you've got an even lovelier gift of a get-a-way planned, sunglasses are always a great hint-dropper!

3. Rand Brass Box - Tory Burch | $350.00
Every girl needs a jewelry box to keep her fine jewelry and watches safe. This beauty is perfect with its sharp and clean lines. I love how there are no patterns or designs on the outer surface of the box, so it will easily fit in with your decor as long as your color scheme can hold gold.

4. Artisan Stand Mixer - KitchenAid (Hudson's Bay) | $449.99 $349.99
This beauty can make any baking a breeze. My mother was gifted this model a couple years back and I never fail to use it whenever I am whipping up a confectionery delight. You can also purchase attachments in the future as gifts, an adult women's charm bracelet!

5. Lunares Stag Bust - Shopbop | $342.20
I live vicariously through my Gift Guide obviously, gold included. My room decor revolves around white and silver, so should I be able to track down a version of this bust in silver, it would definitely have its own property on my desk top. It would also look beautiful atop of a mantle, next to some Diptyque candles and a raging fire.

Gift guide for her: $400-500

This week's Gift Guide features a set of items within the $400-500 range. It was actually a lot more difficult to curate as many of the original ideas I had were either under $300, or over $500. Over a 5 hour period, I managed to track down some neat and useful gifts that fit into this price range. Enjoy!

1. Cocoon Wool Coat - Wilfred (Aritzia) | $450.00
I have the original version of this coat in a soft oatmeal color and let me say that although it may not look as sturdy as other winter jackets, it can definitely protect you from a Canadian cold of down to about -15 degrees. I reserve mine mainly for nights out or to a special event as the simple design lends an elegance to the wearer. This year Wilfred amps it up a notch with leather sleeves and zips along the front and forearms. I love the edginess of the exposed zippers and how different it is from typical pea coat. I'm almost 100% sure that this coat will make its way into my closet before the end of this season.

2. Louis Ghost Chair - DWR | $410.00
If I could, I would decorate my room with acrylic. I hate hiding components of decoration behind opaque silhouettes. Why shove that beautiful fur throw you have into a leather chair when you can show it off on top of an acrylic chair? Females like things besides fashion too.

3. Babs Bibb Mini Dress - ONE by Contrarian (ShopBop) | $410.86
The champagne color of this dress is perfect for literally every skin shade. I also love the sexy backless component of this dress. The simple straps and folds also create a very delicate and feminine feel. If I had the bank to own this, it would be the dress to ring in the New Year.

4. Sony DSC-QX100 - Amazon | $498.00
Every female is familiar with the art of the 'selfie'. And if you're an Instragram user like I am, you know how far a good quality photo can get you. Or for anyone who wants the versatility of HD photos without the bulkiness of a camera body, you can easily attach this lens-style camera to your smart-phone and snap away. The photos can be wirelessly synced to your phone so as to allow for easy photo-editing and uploading onto any social media platform. Now you can have better quality selfies while eliminating the need to delete an excess of 20 photos because half of them were 'bad'.

5. Varina Classic Bow Flats - Salvatore Ferragamo (ShopBop) | $490.42
I firmly believe that besides black, white, beige and navy, every woman should own a pair of red shoes. I know not everyone can traipse across the city in heels, so flats are the way to go. Although these will cost you a pretty dollar, they exude elegance, sophistication and class. The grosgrain bow is beautiful and the arch is softly cushioned to provide for ample support. If you're not ready for the commitment, there are a plethora of other options available for a fraction of the cost.

Gift Guide for her: $500+

As the season of gift-giving nears, everyone runs into the rut of what to get. Admit it, you've spent hours scouring the internet or stores trying to decide on the perfect gift while being frustrated with yourself for not listening to those subtle cues throughout the entire year of what gifts the person would like. I too fall into this trap. Being the perfectionist that I am, it's hard for me to find the 'perfect' gift; functional, cost efficient and valued. I've compiled a list of gifts for both him and her within a broad range of budgets in hopes of making everyone's shopping this year a little easier. Hopefully my suggestions will help you find the perfect gift, or give you ideas as to what to shop for. Each week as a countdown to Christmas, I'll release a short list of about 5 items for both genders going from $500+ down to $50+. I aim to hit all categories such as fashion, beauty, technology and home, but if you find that I'm missing anything, don't hesitate to leave me a suggestion or comment! I'd love to know what everyone else has on their wishlists for this year!

 

I'll admit it, although the items on today's wishlist may not be completely budget friendly for the 20 something year old working student like myself, every girl can dream right? I've included some quintessential items on this list that would be fantastic to recieve as a Christmas gift and can be worn to the following week's New Year's parties or any festivities that come up. Classic and simple, everything is black so as to match with whatever else is found in your wardrobe.

1. The 5050 Boot - Stuart Weitzman | $660.00

Living in Canada teaches you to dress warmly but fashionably for any occasion. If you are wearing a dress to a party this season, these sleek and simple boots will keep your attire within occasion while keeping your spindles warm. They also double after the parties are over as a chic way to liven up a simple jeans and t-shirt look. Simply slip these on and you can elevate any outfit to sophistication. They also help when you're walking through 2 feet of snow and those booties aren't cutting it anymore.

2.  Cluster Earrings - Tiffany's | $6,5050.00

As the saying goes, diamonds are a girl's best friend. The main theme of this list seems to be simple and timeless silhouettes. Studs can be used to dress up any formal outfit, or pull together a simple one. This pair is small and not over the top extravagant, so you can easily wear these without making others jealous, unless that's what you're aiming for.

3. Kay-F3 Black Down Coat with Fur Trimmed Hood - Mackage | $690.00

A plush down coat is a must if you're going to brave the winter up here in the North. We get the rap for having snow year round, and I've heard stories of those coming from down South expecting to go skiing in the middle of July. Spoiler: we have 4 seasons in a year. Winter lasts a meager 2-3, before the snow melts and becomes slush. Even then, our winters can be harsh and very dry. As a student, I slave for the OC Transpo schedule each morning as I walk out to the bus stop, and sometimes the snow storms can cause buses to be 45 minutes to an hour behind schedule. Sometimes they don't even come altogether! Therefore a good coat that can cover past your buttocks is essential to block out that icy wind that gives your cheeks a winter blush (you don't want your other cheeks to be cherry red though). The added effect of the fur hood can block out any incoming snow to your face, but hey, wanting a nice snuggle doesn't hurt either.

4. Small Antigona - Givenchy | $2,280.00

The perfect structural bag that is casual yet sleek. This bag is large enough to fit those pair of mittens, beanie and head warmer you've brought along to keep yourself warm while you shop. I also love being able to throw in a water bottle and snack when I'm out and about in order to prevent unnecessary spending (I need to save money for clothes right?). This bag has an understated glam to it that lets the rest of your outfit shine through without completely disappearing into the background.

5. So Kate - Christian Louboutin | $625.00 (this color for the holidays)

Mr. Louboutin has done it again, this elegant and simple silhouette shows off the delicateness of the wearer's foot. Does that sound wierd? I don't think so. Not that I have a foot fetish, but I've always found that the higher the heel, the more beautiful the arch. Not only is the heel at the perfect height (not too high to be misinterpreted as a street walker, but not to look to appear modest), the pointed toe lends to an elegance. Simple switch out from your 'outdoor shoes' and into these at any occasion and you will be the envy of the room.

Looking at this entire list, I think you could literally build any wardrobe around this. Or even wear everything together, just one shoe at a time. The only thing left to do now is to find that perfect dress to ring in the New Year!