Favourite Outfits of 2013

I'm going to let the pictures do the talking. Click the photo to go to the original post. Enjoy!

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Best of Blog 2013

Original post

Greetings, dear readers! Hope you're enjoying what's left of the holidays. My plans for a blissful 12-day vacation have been waylaid by the flu, sadly. I started feeling aches and chills on the evening of Christmas Day (um, thanks, Santa?) and have been hibernating indoors ever since, camping out on the couch with Netflix, tissues, and lots of tea.

But now that I have some of my energy back, it's time to look back at 2013 and round up some of my favourite posts from what turned out to be a great year.

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Merry Christmas!

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Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with warmth, love, and good food and cheer. Thanks for your generosity and support this past year, gorgeous readers!

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Latest Outfit: Plaid, Red, Green

J. Crew schoolboy blazer and no. 2 pencil skirt | Plenty sweater (c/o) | Kate Spade bag | Plaid scarf (borrowed from the boy) | Madewell boots | Lipstick: MAC 'Cherry' Lip Pencil and Fresh Sugar Cherry Lip Treatment

I'M ON VACATION UNTIL THE NEW YEAR! In case you couldn't tell, I'm positively ecstatic about having twelve whole days off. I haven't had this much time off since last year when I moved into our condo, and moving is hardly a vacation. That means I haven't had a real vacation in two years. Eep! Maybe now I'll be able to do things like lint-roll my black clothes. (Seriously, my blazer is disgraceful in the second photo.)

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NYE-Worthy: Eye Makeup Inspiration from Blanche Macdonald

While we're on the subject of NYE beauty ideas, check out this stunning eye makeup by the director of the Blanche Macdonald makeup program, Jon Hennessey, for the fashion school's 2013 design graduate show last month. It's intense, graphic, and elegant, playing on light and texture. And if it was avant garde yet versatile enough to go with dozens of fashion graduate designs, you can be sure it'll pair well with whatever NYE frock—edgy, romantic, classic—you have in mind.

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Lise Watier Winter 2013 Jardin de Givre Collection

Is it too soon to talk about New Year's Eve beauty? Because I think Lise Watier's winter 2013 Jardin de Givre collection merits serious consideration for the big night. Inspired by "a shimmering world of white feathers," what you see here is everything needed for mesmerizing, dramatic eyes and luminous skin, coupled with alluring-but-neutral lips and nails.

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Golden Holiday

Judging from this holiday guide full of gilt-y pleasures, I've come a long way from being a recovering gold-phobe! Whether you're looking to entertain or gift in style, these picks are sure to put the Midas touch in your festive season.

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Latest Outfit: Grunge/Glam

J. Crew buffalo plaid shirt | LOFT Collection earrings (c/o) | Gap 1969 Always Skinny jeans | Madewell boots | Chanel 2.55 bag

No matter how prepared I think I am for the holidays, the first two weeks of December always sneak up on me and cause their fair share of panic. So many things still left to do: Christmas cards, blog posts, putting together the bar cart, prepping a holiday brunch. Eep! Simple outfits have been my way of coping: buffalo plaid and my go-to jeans, dressed up with glitzy earrings and Chanel.

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Prime Time

With work, parties, Christmas shopping, and a never-ending holiday to-do list, this time of year can send a girl's schedule into overdrive and force her makeup to work overtime. One solution to making sure your skin is as dewy and fresh-looking at 9pm as it was at 9am? Adding a primer to your beauty routine. Not only do they subtly illuminate skin, correct tone, and blur imperfections, they create a smooth canvas for foundation, powder, and concealer. Here are four I've tried and liked, each for very different reasons.

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The $50 Gift Guide

What girl would say no to these gifts? Whether you're looking to thank a hostess, complement a girlfriend's ever stylish look, or keep someone's home cozy and bright, these under $50 finds are sure to please.

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Latest Outfit: Winter Weekend

J. Crew stadium cloth cocoon coat and jeweled-starburst sweater | Gap 1969 Always Skinny jeans | Madewell boots | Onna Ehrlich bag (c/o) | Front & Co. earrings

No matter how many sweaters I own, I always have some excuse for buying a new one. The rationale behind my latest acquisition? I loved the proportions (boxy fit, three-quarter sleeves), the hunter green (so flattering on cool-toned, fair-skinned gals), and the navy blue starburst jewels (they take the guesswork out of accessorizing). Also—looking at these photos now—I'm impressed with how I'm not wearing anything black. Surely it's these sunny, chilly days inspiring me to live (and dress) colourfully!

Happy Monday!

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TRiM Holiday Hair Tutorial #2: The 3D Braid Updo

If last week's holiday hair tutorial from TRiM Hair Salon whetted your appetite for more, you're in for a treat! Today's tutorial features another lovely braided updo by stylist and owner Sarah Stach. I love how my friend Paula's hair looks here. The upside-down French braid has a raised 3D texture, and gradually thickens and culminates in a ladylike side bun. Talk about drama.

This style is more advanced than the easy braided updo, but still something you can do on yourself with practice and patience. Or better yet, gather some girlfriends at your place, have a glass of wine, and braid each other's hair before your next big holiday party.

Ready for the step-by-step breakdown?

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The $25 Gift Guide

First off, thanks for all the positive feedback on Tuesday's $10 gift guide! I'm glad you enjoyed that post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Today's round-up of gifts is at a slightly higher price point, but still very affordable. I particularly like the idea of cute potholders, stationery, or a scented candle as a hostess gift.

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The $10 Gift Guide

It's officially December, which means it's time to make your lists and check them twice! No matter what your budget is, there always seems to be room for a few inexpensive presents. (Think stocking stuffers, Secret Santa exchanges, and coworkers.) These finds—all $10 or under—will gladden the heart of any stylish, beauty-loving girl without breaking the bank. Attach one as an add-on to a larger wrapped gift, or combine several items into a fun and eclectic present.

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Latest Outfit: Merry and Bright

Bootlegger Temperance Collection 'Hepburn' dress (c/o) | Front & Co. earrings | Shut Up I Love This necklace (c/o) | Saint Laurent 'Belle de Jour' clutch | DKNYC booties | Lipstick: MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in 'Lush Life' | Nails: Diorific Jewel Manicure Duo | Hair: Aveda Institute

The boy and I both had our office Christmas parties during the last weekend of November, and even though I was feeling under the weather and skipped mine, we made it to his party on Saturday evening. We managed to last until 11-ish before we called it a night, cabbing home and curling up in PJs by midnight.

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