The "I ate way too many of everything" holiday dress guide...

Is it bad that when I start shopping for a few new holiday dresses the first thing I consider is how much food I'll be consuming and in turn will only look at dresses that will hide my food baby stomach? I'm convinced I'm just being smart and realistic knowing full well that if I'm wearing tight pants or a fitted and snug dress my night will basically be ruined. So here are my leads on holiday attire for those nights when no one will notice you just ate 16 shortbread cookies in a span of three minutes... (No Herve Leger here!)

Willow drop sleeve drape dress, shopbop, $575

Rachel Pally, long fortuna dress, $251

Riller and Fount, Atlantis long sleeved dress, $176

Halston heritage, jacquard mini dress, $325

Diane Von Furstenberg, Fleurette dress, $325

Pins and needles bow-back sweater dress, $49

Ecote ladies dancing dress, $89

Kimchi Blue french dress, $149

I'm cursing shipping and duty fees...

After my Seattle trip, there is one store in particular that I would literally give my right arm for to have in Vancouver and that fabulous store is Anthropologie. It's funny because the clothes don't exactly do it for me but the home decor items, jewellery, books, bags and shoes get me ridiculously excited. I spent a solid two hours in there and bought the most random items (a peacock plate, an antique looking soap dish, a turquoise glass cup, perfume, ceramic drawer knobs and a candle holder) because I was thoroughly overwhelmed and felt rushed but calmed myself by remembering I could order online when I got home to buy all the things my bf wouldn't let me buy...

So here I am, back home, my online shopping bag filled with a pair of shoes, a bag, a couple cool books and a few other amazing things when I go to checkout and realize that the duty and taxes double the price of my bill : (

Lessons of the story:

a) Don't shop with boys; they rush you and then you make uneducated and rash decisions about what to buy and you end up with drawer knobs...
b) Just buy everything. You won't regret it.
c) Peacock plates look cool in a store filled with boho items, not in my modern apartment...
d) If you are planning on going to an Anthropologie, pretty please, buy me these things...

Coalescing necklace, $58

Caladoc heels, $258

Food Fashion Friends: Recipes And Styling For Unforgettable Parties, $49.99

Petite ecole messenger bag, $158





Egyptian eye earring, $98



Iced Eaves necklace, $38


Draping sapphire heels, $338




Anticipation heels, $168




Sunbird sheet set, $148 (queen)

Love Letters sheet set, $228 (queen)

Joni mini bag, $168

Cooking with Italian Grandmothers, cookbook, $40

I may be broke, but I smell damn good...

There are a few things I hate buying for myself, one being perfume for no reason other than I really enjoy getting it as a gift. That is until recently when I discovered Tocca Beauty, a gorgeous line of fine fragrances in the prettiest of bottles that is making me throw my rule out the window. I went with 'Stella', a fragrance inspired by a young rebellious Italian beauty (how could I not!) but will also be buying 'Colette', 'Florence' and 'Giulietta' a.s.a.p. (or when my credit card lets me...). The line is available through Anthropologie.com or Tocca.com and makes a very lovely Christmas present! (Crossing my fingers the bf will read this...)

'As impetuous and moody as a rebellious young Italian beauty, Stella attracts your senses with blood orange and spicy lily. A flirtatious combination of white freesia, wild diamond orchids, sheer musk and sandalwood create a fresh, sensual fragrance. '
$68

'Inspired by the French novelist and libertine, Colette, TOCCA's newest fine fragrance captures the seductive essence of a woman. Known for her romantic liaisons as much as her inspiring writing, Colette embodies the irresistible scent of a woman that lingers on the pillow long after she leaves. Warm, spicy and sweet, Colette is the perfect fragrance for the sensual woman in us all.'
$68

'Florence is an alluring combination of Ivory Gardenia, Italian Bergamot and crushed violet petals. Blue iris and bottom notes of blonde wood add a sophisticated and feminine scent that's reminiscent of old world Paris.'

$68

'Inspired by the love story of famed Italian director Federico Fellini and his actress wife, Giulietta Masina, our Giulietta Eau de Parfum scent draws from the ethereal scents reminiscent of the couple’s trips to the island of Corsica where the two dreamt up the director’s visionary tales. '

$68

Splendid Seattle...

Just got back from a fabulous mini getaway in Seattle with the bf and I already want to reminisce every lovely detail...

Like the unique jewellery boutique Fancy where I found this amazing train-squashed penny necklace from Fancy Pony Land...

And the very funky Fremont Vintage Mall where I could have spent the whole day searching and digging...

And the tasty charcuterie assortments at Le Pichet, a quaint and extremely charming French cafe...






And the adorable Christmas ornaments at Crate and Barrel...




Chubby Santa ornament!



And the delicious menu at How To Cook A Wolf, a rustic Italian inspired restaurant where dishes are meant to be shared...





And the crazy street art like the giant concrete troll hiding under the Aurora bridge...

And the absolutely perfect early morning beignets from Toulouse Petit in Queen Anne...

And the glorious croque monsieur from Cafe Campagne in Post Alley...

And the buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomato and basil , oven-baked pizza from Serious Pie (I swear my taste buds were crying they were so happy...)

And of course, happily strolling around Pike Place Market on a very rare sunny Autumn day...

Inside the market

Vintage posters at an antique store

The gum wall in Post Alley!

A handsome stud I found in the alley

J'adore...

I am in love with this unique collection of Parisian inspired decorative pillows found on Etsy.com...

Time in Paris, $27

Paris document pillows, $41

Eiffel Tower pillow, $25

Bonjour pillow, $27

To Paris with love, $33

My own Thieves' Market...

On one ridiculously hot Saturday in Lisbon, Portugal, I stumbled upon an outdoor flea market that seemed never-ending (basically my heaven) and I spent 7 hours roaming around the stalls like a kid in a candy store. It was called The Thieves' Market and as I walked back to my hotel, I fantasized about having something similar back home where I could spend every Saturday lost in a maze of old antiques and one of a kind trinkets. Of course, it was just a fantasy, until I heard about Etsy...

If you like flea markets, original pieces of art, unique and lovely jewelry finds and anything handmade with a little love (all of which I adore), you will absolutely love Etsy.com. It is an online global marketplace where everything you buy and sell is handmade, like one gigantic worldwide flea market! Here are my amazing finds (so far)...

Angel wing brooch, $40

Secret garden earrings, $30

Trailing bloom pin, $24

Antique Autumn leaf necklace, $29

Antique frame bulletin board, $70

Made by my lovely friends Kerry and Chelsea of ButtomsUpsDesigns

Vase and wood wall hook shelf, $42

Japanese carved pendant, $55