I want – I got Holiday Gift Guide – Part 1

So, this year I lost my mind and I decided to create a holiday gift guide. I’m usually anti-gift guides because I’m not much of a Christmas person and gift guides are a shit ton of work. I don’t know what made me change my mind this year but here we are. People have told me this is a good idea, so I hope you find it helpful or amusing.

This is the part one of four in the I want – I got Gift Guide series. I have so many favourite things I wanted to include. This gift guide is very much I want – I got. You’ll see things I want, things I got and other obsessions.  Some things are affordable and some aren’t but I’ve tried to mix it up. The list covers fashion, beauty, electronics, art, toys and booze. Basically, all the items on the gift guide are I want – I got approved.

So, join me on this exploration of things I would love to see under my tree at Christmas.

complex geometries coma sweatshirt, complex geometries Long Turtleneck Dress
complex geometries coma sweatshirt, complex geometries Long Turtleneck Dress
  • complex geometries Coma Sweatshirt ($240) – online at complexgeometries.net and Fawn (967 Queen Street West, Toronto) carries complex geometries in Toronto
  • complex geometries Long Turtleneck Dress ($262) – online at complexgeometries.net and Fawn (967 Queen Street West, Toronto) carries complex geometries in Toronto. Looks like the gold turtleneck is sold out folks. There are grey and navy options.
Synergy Jem & The Holograms, Dean Davidson Plaza Ring, Hermès Clic Clac H Bracelet, Hermès Brazil Enamel Bracelet
Synergy Jem & The Holograms, Dean Davidson Plaza Ring, Hermès Clic Clac H Bracelet, Hermès Brazil Enamel Bracelet
  • Synergy Jem & The Holograms doll collection ($125) – Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor Street West, Toronto)
  • Dean Davidson Plaza Ring ($185) – Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor Street West, Toronto) and online at DeanDavidson.ca
  • Hermès Clic Clac H Bracelet ($645) – Hermès (130 Bloor Street West, Toronto) and online at Hermes.com
  • Hermès Brazil Enamel Bracelet ($565) – Hermès (130 Bloor Street West, Toronto) and online at Hermes.com
Givenchy Dahlia Noir Eau du Toilette, Maison Martin Marigela (untitled), Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum, Demeter Fragrance Mahogany
Givenchy Dahlia Noir Eau du Toilette, Maison Martin Marigela (untitled), Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum, Demeter Fragrance Mahogany
Mykita x Moncler Lino Sunglasses, Gap Twill Parka, m0851 Medium Weekender, Moncler S Mayuko
Mykita x Moncler Lino Sunglasses, Gap Twill Parka, m0851 Medium Weekender, Moncler S Mayuko
Smythe Great Coat, Philip Sparks Slip Dress
Smythe Great Coat, Philip Sparks Slip Dress
Dell XPS13 Ultrabook, Worn Fashion Journal Subscription, Print from YellowKorner
Dell XPS13 Ultrabook, Worn Fashion Journal Subscription, Print from YellowKorner
Church's Classic Burwood glossy leather brogues, Jeremy Laing Mouton Knit Sweater, Jeremy Laing Ridged Fan Sweater, Maison Martin Margiela Glitter-finished raffia brogues
Church’s Classic Burwood glossy leather brogues, Jeremy Laing Mouton Knit Sweater, Jeremy Laing Ridged Fan Sweater, Maison Martin Margiela Glitter-finished raffia brogues
ROM Membership, AGO Membership, TIFF Membership, Opera Atelier The Magic Flute Tickets
ROM Membership, AGO Membership, TIFF Membership, Opera Atelier The Magic Flute Tickets

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 of the I want – I got Holiday Gift Guide.

Ask A Geek – Canadian Brands Making Winter Coats – Updated November 13, 2012

Cdn Spirit Down Jacket
Sometimes readers ask me questions. If they are of value to all my readers I post them online. If you have a question, please feel free to submit it using the contact form. I’ll definitely do my best to answer it.

I want – I got reader @ThebergeSwim tweeted:

@ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl I’m looking 4 a warm winter coat Preferably fashionable & NOT black. Would like to support local designer #ThebergemovestoToronto
Me – @ThebergeSwim budget?
@ThebergeSwim - @geekigirl four to six hundred. Possibly a lil more if totally awesome.

Fashionable and functional are trade off that has to be made for a Canadian winter. I tend to side with function during this time of year. My recommendation is buy a long down jacket so you don’t have to layer as much. However, here’s a selection of Canadian companies with winter jackets and coats that will cover both spectrums and between.  Some of these companies might not have fall offerings online yet, but should soon.

RUDSAK – Lots of leather options here. Montreal based but has a store on Queen Street West.

Moose Knuckles Canada – Moose Knuckles is outside of your budget but I included it because it’s Canadian.

Canada Goose. – I bash the Canada Goose a lot.  Not because of it’s function, I can say that it’s a great winter jacket.  My problem is that it seems like everyone in Toronto has one.  I call it the Toronto uniform.  I guess I just have a problem with conformity.  However, many Retailers carry the Goose including sportinglife.ca, Canadianicons.ca, Holt Renfrew and Over the Rainbow.

Downtown Down – Both Cdn Spirit and Johnny Yiu can be purchased on Downtown Down. I purchased a Cdn Spirit down jacket a few winters ago and it’s amazing.

Mackage – Montreal based but they are carried at Holt Renfrew, Over the Rainbow and online at ssense.com

Orb Clothing – Vancouver based clothing company. Makes great winter jackets for snowsports as well as more casual options. I wore an Orb jacket during my trip to Whistler this year.

Mountain Equipment Co-op – Definitely more on the functional side but affordable.

TNA – TNA down jackets were the Canada Goose of their time with young women and teens. They aren’t as popular anymore but you’ll still see a lot of people with them. You can get these at a TNA store or Aritiza.

Soia & Kyo – More fashion than function here. If you aren’t looking for a down jacket there are lot of options here.

m0851 – Another company with great leather products. They have a store in Yorkville.

Danier – Can’t forget Danier, they’ve really upped the style quotient of late.

Joe Fresh – I don’t know how warm their down jackets are but they do make very affordable ones in bright colours. Store at Queen and Bathurst

Krane – Amazing menswear by Toronto based Ken Chow. I think women can pull the jackets off too.

Philip Sparks – I’m currently dying over this Philip Sparks coat.

UPDATE: The moron in me forgot a great Canadian Coat company, Smythe

Updates August 5, 2011
Stacey ZhangShe also has a store on Queen Street West Store on Queen street has closed. Online Shopping available on her website.

CMFR Canada – There are no retail outlets for these guys listed on the site and no online store as of yet. They have a ton of stockist now. Due West, Sydney’s, Ssense.com.

LUNDSTRÖM

Updates August 6, 2011
Ewanika – She usually has 1 or 2 styles of coats in her fall collection.

Update May 1, 2012 – This post is in dire need of a update.

Sentaler Luxury Alpaca Outerwear – Thanks for nudge to update this post

Company of Adventures – This link is dead but it’s sold at The Bay.

Toast Skirts – Not a coat really but still good for cold weather

Update November 4, 2012

OSC Cross – Designed and made in Canada. Available online

PDG by Plenty – West coast retailers house brand. Available online. Retail locations in BC

Nobis – available at The Show Room and online.

Fadedsoul.com – Just discovered this Canadian online shop where you can find brands Nobis and Moose Knuckles

Jacob – Has a selection of wool and down filled coats. Available in store and online

Update November 13, 2012

A reader let me know about Montreal based Sicily Clothing. I never heard of them before but they look like another good alternative to the Goose

Well, I think I’m tapped out of ideas but I feel I’m missing companies. Let me know in the comments!

i got: A Weekend Bag by m0851

My Weekend Bag by m0851 is one of my favourite bags and gets a lot of usage. It has a laptop storage pocket holds my EEE Pc and still has room to spare for the multitudes of crap I manage to bring with me daily. This bag is a year old now but I’ve noticed that it’s very popular with some of my friends. So popular that I’ve decided to take photos when I run into someone with one.

IMG00215

Mine is the Robin’s egg blue version. I was salvating over the purple one too, but alas that is not mine but Monique from Moonrox’s.

IMG00199

The brown version belongs to Andrew Sardone from Now Magazine. The bag’s popularity really lies in it’s versatility and minimal design. The buttery m0851 leather helps also. It’s utilitarian design is something that both men and women can use. It lacks a gender, which I find very appealing. Even though the bags are produced season after season, m0851 changes the colours each season.

m0851 is a Canadian company that still designs and manufactures in Quebec. Yay!

You can purchase the Weekend Bag online at m0851 or in their Yorkville store at 23 St. Thomas Street

m0851 Fall 2008 Preview

I got a sneak peak at m0851’s fall collection and it’s very nice. I’m particularly in love with the purple bags and wool jackets.
IMGP9920IMGP9918IMGP9917IMGP9919

m0851 is Canadian and based out of Montreal. All of their goods are designed and manufactured in Montreal. For those of you that don’t have a problem with leather, you’ll wanna eat up the whole store.

More photos here: m0851 Fall 2008 Preview