Home for the holidays the best of this life's gift guide book 2017 bestofthislife com 2

Home for the Holidays D E C E M B E R

THE SEASON OF JOY! FROM TO

GIFT

HOLIDAY

'TIS

THE

GIVING

CELEBRATIONS

SEASON

FOR

JOY

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

EDITOR'S LETTER

from the editor Dear Readers,

The best of this life is the small and big things that excite us - the recipe we can’t wait to try, the outfit

Every day brings with it new possibility. As we awake

that has our name on it, the discovery of a gift that’s

each morning, we have the opportunity to connect

just perfect for someone we know. It’s anything and

within ourselves with gratitude, hope, and joy - letting

everything that makes you smile and glow!

those sentiments lead our way. Choosing happiness doesn’t mean we won’t be faced daily with

For me, this is the season of magnificent joy. When

frustrations, setbacks, fear, or bad news - it just

the beauty of the everyday is heightened by flickering

means we can overcome them better if we are in

lights, decorated trees, and presents waiting to be

touch with the light within us that has the power to

opened. It’s a time when we gather together to sing

push them back and continue forward.

carols, eat wonderful food, and share in laughter.

This year, for me personally, has been a year of

It is with pleasure I created this holiday gift guide to

choosing joy in spite of failure and hardships. It has

share with you some ideas for this festive season. I

been a stretch of time of pursuing what makes me

love to give gifts of all kind - fun, frivolous,

come alive the most, what nurtures me, and ultimately

sentimental, edible, thoughtful, exquisite, and even

what gives me and my family the most happiness.

humorous! I hope my roundups inspire you to find the special presents you’re looking to give the loved ones

Here we are, in the home stretch of 2017 and it feels

in your life!

like I am bursting at the seams with joy. Every resounding yes has brought me where I am today,

From my home to yours, I am sending you warm wishes

able to share with you openly and happily the best of

for a joyful holiday season and a very Merry

this life.

Christmas!

E.Smith

EMILY SMITH THE BEST OF THIS LIFE

WARM & FESTIVE Whether you’re walking through the Christmas market or snuggling by the fire, feeling comfortable and festive for the holidays is where its at! I am all about cozy sweaters, lined leggings, cute leg warmers and blanket scarves to keep me warm yet stylish.Â

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

GIFT GUIDE

Style Lovers Wishlist

What Lies Within Long Necklace

Faux Fur Collar

wearemovingmountains.com $48

urbanoutfitters.com $22

Velvet Crossbody Bag Joe Fresh $24

SMITH High Heel Steve Madden $120

Fair Isle Turtleneck Sweater Joe Fresh $39 Fringe Knit Pencil Skirt Vince Camuto $135

Texture Legging Joe Fresh $19

Circle Statement Earrings strutjewelry.com $85

Faux Suede Ankle Boots Joe Fresh $49

Italian Superloft Classic Crew bananarepublic.ca $95

Petite Clutch - Jam Matt & Nat $90

MADE YOU BLUSH, XX To put a pretty holiday outfit together, where you can get away with feeling comfortable while still feeling glam, you’ll want to start with a super soft and ultra feminine hued sweater and pair it with a shimmery skirt, fabulous heels and an evening purse – voila!

Just like that, you’ve got yourself a gorgeous holiday look that you’ll feel perfectly cozy in all night long.

SOFT, SMOKEYÂ ALLURE For soft holiday makeup use iridescent slate grey and pale bronze eyeshadows to create a light smokey eye + cotton candy blush and gold rose highlighter for a pop of colour + for a touch of extra drama, apply a pair of glam lashes to complete the look.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

GIFT GUIDE

Prettiest Beauty Gifts Hard Candy

I've tried them all & love 'em!

She'll Love

Blush & Bronzer Kit walmart.ca $4.97

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic $170 Night Time Radiance Set

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque $68

khiels.ca $89

SkinCeuticals.ca

Maison Jacynthe 100% natural, active and vegan products maisonjacynthe.ca 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar

Hard Candy

thebodyshop.com $69

Fizz Smoothie walmart.ca $4.97

Body & Face Soaps naturallyvain.ca $9-$13

Elizabeth Grant’s Wonder Effects Retinologist Rose Hair Elixir Unforgettable False Eyelashes

theinnatelife.co

ESQIDO - $28 USD

10ml $15 USD

Day Cream ElizabethGrant.com $60

GLOWING SKIN IS ALWAYS IN The holidays are a perfect time to play with highlighter for a gorgeous glow. A little goes a long way with Maison Jacynthe's beautiful natural highlighter thanks to its lovely texture and fine pigments. Here I wear Soleil Pétillant 01 along with Maison Jacynthe's liquid foundation in Sable 02. The shimmery golden hue is ideal for creating a healthy glow for a natural look, or to make an evening look really pop! The formula for Maison Jacynthe's highlighter is made with coffee extracts, corn, macadamia oil and apricot - to brighten and hydrate your skin all winter long!

Highlighter Soleil Pétillant $33 maisonjacynthe.ca

ALL GLAM ALL THE TIME With endless colours and textures to choose from, the 48-piece eyeshadow palette lets you create your own personal look whenever you wish, wherever you are! All the must have eyeshadow shades are here, along with 10 eyeliners, and a sharpener.

Hard Candy Glam Kit Supreme  $19.97 walmart.ca

"Gooseberry Prints are intended to inspire an understanding that much like the creature characters who populate our imaginations as children, real life animals are also truly wonderful friends." - Laura Benn

SOME BUNNY LOVES YOU Both my children love the art work they have in their rooms. The pieces are special, adorable, and meaningful.

That's why I'm totally smitten with Gooseberry Prints! I know my kiddos would love them (as I do).

Laura Benn, the artist behind the collection, photographs rescue animals in storybook settings to create limited edition works of art for little ones to add magic and whimsy to their decor. They are ideal for nurseries, family living rooms and home offices.

lauralbenn.com/printshop

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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1. WowWee Magnaflex Rainbow Set, $49.99 amazon.com 2. Dog Man #3, $12.99 indigo.ca 3. Soggy Doggy Board Game, $29.95 indigo.ca 4. Toy Oven Mitts and Aprons, For The Love of Aprons Co, Etsy.com 5. Gooseberry Prints DOBBIN 08 8x10 print, $35 laurabenn.com/printshop 6. Blue Wood Car, 3 Princesses Store, $33 Etsy.com 7. American Girl Tenney's Accessories, $42 indigo.ca 8. American Girl Tenney Grant Doll & Book, $149 indigo.ca 9. OwlCrate JR book subscription box, $27.99+ USD owlcrate.com 10. Bear Toy Chest, $32.99 wayfair.ca 11. Art Easel, $137.99 wayfair.ca 12.

Racoon Plushie, Â Jamie Bennett Art, $48 Etsy.com 13. Canada 123, $12.99 indigo.ca

"As a mom, one of my great joys during the holidays is getting to surprise my children with hand-picked gifts I know they will love. It's the cherry on top of all the fun of the season!"

THINK INSIDE THE BOX Subscription boxes are all the rage and for good reason! Who doesn't like to receive fun mail? OwlCrate offers reader boxes for kids aged 8 and up. Each box contains one brand new hardcover Young Adult novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish keepsakes to help set the mood for a literary adventure. Every box is built with a super fun and creative theme in mind, and also includes special goodies right from the author! This is such a fantastic gift that combines reading and play - I love it!

OwlCrate JR Subscription Box $27.99+ USD owlcrate.com

SEALED WITH A KISS My husband and I’s gifting style varies from year to year. We both have given each other an array of gifts, from incredibly meaningful to wonderfully cheeky! Either way, we always put a lot of thought into what we’re gifting one another. I like to find presents my husband has mentioned throughout the year, which he’s most likely forgotten about - or things he’s not expecting. There are also some traditional gifts I always include, like his favourite chocolates or speciality sauces!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

GIFT GUIDE

Thoughtful

gifts for him Hunter's Spice Kit

Reuzel Grooming Tonic

spicetrekkers.com $26

reuzelpomade.com $17 USD

Captains of Crush Grippers Men's Set roguecanada.ca $82

Kings and Gentlemen's Maca Root Grooming Kit bodyshop.ca $45 Broken-In Pocket T-Shirt J. Crew $32.50

Tivoli Audio Model One Bluetooth Speaker and AM/FM Radio indigo.ca $249.95

Crazy Horse Dr. Martens

Cooksville 1978 Hot Sauce

drmartens.com $189.99

chillychiles.com $9.99

SLOW COOKER PEPPERMINT WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE serves 8 8 cups whole milk or other rich, creamy milk (like coconut, or cashew - I used canned coconut milk) 6 oz white baking chocolate 3/4 cup crushed candy canes or 3 Tbsp peppermint extract 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract Optional for topping Whipped cream Crushed candy canes chocolate sprinkle mini candy canes

Turn your slow cooker to LOW and beginning adding all your ingredients, stirring them to combine. Allow the slow cooker to warm up for 15 minutes then switch to HIGH and let the hot chocolate simmer for 1 hour, stirring every 15-20 minutes to make sure the candy cane and chocolate blends well with the milk. Before serving, test the temperature to make sure it's not too hot before serving. Top with whipped cream, sprinkle with crushed candy canes or chocolate sprinkles and finish the presentation with a mini candy cane.

Cheers!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

GIFT GUIDE

Super Yummy

gifts for foodies Dillon's Rose Gin

PC Candy Cane Chocolate

lcbo.com $25

Fudge Crackle Ice Cream

g o brin t t c e f Per arty! p a o t

Loblaws $6.99

Suzy Q Doughnuts suzyq.ca

West Indian Extract Bottle spicetrekkers.com $12

Ferrero 34-Piece Golden Gallery, $18.99 thebay.com The Simple Bites Kitchen indigo.ca $32

Christmas Gift Box Set fruitcouture.ca $90

Coffee Lover Gift Box

Set & Forget® 5 Quart

pimpernelplum.com $55

Programmable Slow Cooker hamiltonbeach.ca $69.99

RELAX, RESTORE, REFUEL This beautiful box of goodies is the perfect way to pamper someone special in your life. Whether it's a holiday hostess or a new mother, Pimpernel & Plum is the way to go!

Pimpernel & Plum strives to create boxes that are not only stunning but also filled with items that are useful and nurturing too. They also love to use made in Canada products and local artisans whenever possible. As you can see their gorgeous gift boxes are sure to wow! They have an assortment of styles available and do custom boxes as well.

pimpernelplum.com

The Best Gift Around the Christmas Tree is...

THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY Here’s what I know - I love Christmas, not just because of the presents under the tree but most of all because of the traditions, new and old, I have with my family. The holidays are magical because we make them magical.

We come together to decorate our home beautifully, to bake sweet treats, to snuggle up under wool blankets and read whimsical stories, to get all dressed up for photos - the list goes on…and on. It’s a time where we make this wonderful, conscious choice to celebrate so many things and all that celebratin’ sure makes the days oh, so, fun!

For my family, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate the gathering of friends and family from near and far, we celebrate sugar cookies, we celebrate stories and memories, we celebrate all the fun activities like visiting Santa Claus and sleigh rides!

As much as gifts are exciting and joyous to give (and they are!), they are the cherry on top of everything this time of year has to offer. The message we share with our children is Christmas is about love and joy. A love and a joy that is amplified during the holidays, but that we carry within our hearts all year round and is ours to give freely, sometimes just with a simple smile!

This season, my heart will be tucked home for the holidays with my cherished loved ones. I’m here, present for every joy we get to experience together, every memory we make, and every wondrous moment we share.

My hope is that you too nestle in with the ones that mean the most to you and share beautiful times together, over the weeks ahead, you’ll carry in your heart forever.

the days of Christmas Thank you so much for taking the time to read The Best of this Life's Home for the Holidays gift guide! I'm looking forward to sharing this beautiful season with you. Throughout the month of December there will be more holiday recipes, gift ideas, giveaways and Christmasinspired posts on bestofthislife.com - I hope you will join me in celebrating the joy of the season.

From my home to yours, happy holidays friends and merriest of Christmases!

With love and gratitude, Emily xx

#BOTLjoyfulchristmas The Best of this Life | bestofthislife.com Instagram | instagram.com/best_ofthislife Facebook | facebook.com/bestofthislife Twitter | twitter.com/bestofthislife Email | emily@bestofthislife.com