hot as ice

At the risk of inducing some jealousy here I'm going to tell you that winter is the furthest thing from my mind right now. For the past few weeks I've been bronzing and sweating daily in 35 degree plus heat so it's getting a little hard to remember what it was like to have to wear layers. Truth be told I kind of miss it. Especially now that I've had some time to catch up on Chanel's Fall 2010 RTW show (ironically all of this sunshine has made me sick with a cold so I'm hibernating today and reintroducing myself to the wonderful world of style.com). Anyways, all of this latest Lagerfeld eye candy makes me pleased that my permanent home is in a climate that involves four distinct seasons (albeit not as proportionate as I'd like) rather than this year round heat and humidity. Arctic apparel may be cumbersome at times but I can't imagine a life/wardrobe without chunky scarves, leather jackets, fur vests and tweed.

apres ski

All the recent hype surrounding the Vancouver Olympics is starting to make me feel down right lazy. Considering I've never perfected any kind of winter sport (unless you count curling up indoors with a bottle of wine) I'm thinking this might be the year I finally manage to learn to ski.

Properly.

After hurtling down a hill and crashing into a fence during an ambitious day out when I was 13 I decided that snow-based activities might not be for me. Excusing myself with my British childhood (we never had snow - surely I can't be expected to learn now!) I have gotten away with avoiding winter sports for a good ten years.

However, with a ski-obsessed boyfriend who is so adamant I learn he's willing to splurge on lift tickets and hot chocolates, it seems that I can't really ignore the slopes any longer. Hopefully I'll manage to endure...even enjoy...this ski-season. If anything it's just a fabulous excuse to wear a lot of Fair isle.

white winter hymnal

A very white South Korea

Today I was lucky enough to be treated to a snow day, extending a wonderful vacation by one more day. I spent it playing in the park beside my building, sipping on a honey latte, and watching both Avatar and The Lovely Bones. Although the snow was quite a shock after being in balmy weather for the past eight days, it was a nice reminder of the Canadian winters I've (sort of) been missing.

hello

St. Vincent - Just the same but brand new

Happy New Year!

tiny gingerbread houses

tiny gingerbread houses found here

Um, how awesome are these tiny gingerbread houses, made to perch on the sides of steaming cups of hot chocolate? I wish I could try to bake these - although my lack of oven would provide a slight problem. That being said, I simply love all types of Christmas baking (and was the lucky recipient of a goody-filled care package just this week thanks to my very talented mother and express posting). Gingerbread is, of course, one of my very favourites (which my mother can certainly attest to). To this end, some of my best memories growing up involve visiting the Lexington General Store to stock up on carefully hand-picked house adornments (i.e. 5 cent candies) and then coming home to bake/assemble/decorate my very own gingerbread house. This would then be displayed in our back hallway as part of a scenic ginger wonderland (which would slowly deteriorate every time I passed by). Sigh. I miss having an oven.

chance of flurries

"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."

- Wilson Bently, 1925

Forget for a moment the awful commute this morning or the fact that most of the white stuff outside has now transformed into the predictable grey slush that Torontonians know and loathe ... isn't the first snow of the season kind of magical? From paper chains to sugar cookies, snowflakes are my favourite winter motif due to their unique shapes and dazzling intricacy. There was perhaps no one more fascinated by these crystallized wonders than photographer Wilson Bently. In his lifetime he captured more than 5,000 microscopic images of one-of-a-kind snowflakes blanketed on a backdrop of black velvet. Currently the Bentley Snow Crystal Collection permanently resides at the Buffalo Museum of Science (wait...there's more to Buffalo than football and bargain shopping?) and I think these beautiful images would definitely be worth a visit. And if I can't make it to Buffalo anytime soon I think this book would make an excellent stocking stuffer.

Calendar Girl

Finally it's December 1st and this is significant for two very special reasons. It's the first day I actually allow myself to start getting excited about Christmas (ie: playing this song on my ipod on repeat). And, it's time to start in on everyone's favourite Christmas countdown tradition - the advent calendar. While I love these beautiful crafty calendars, I myself am partial to the terribly retro dollar store specials. There's just something wonderful about those tiny wax chocolates inside, they always make me nostalgic for childhood stories of Christmases past. Speaking of which, let me share with you a rather hilarious memory. When I was eleven years old I broke into my cousin Hannah's calendar - craftily removing the tray of chocolate from the bottom so as not to disturb the paper doors - and stole a significant number of chocolates. Eventually I was caught (my lies to her about the 'chocolate factory screwing up' eventually found their way to my mother) and I am now forced to relive the embarrassing tale every Christmas when some (mildly intoxicated) family member inevitably brings it up at the dinner table.

But I digress. Anyways - I still haven't picked up an advent calendar (it just seems so sad and grown-up to actually purchase it for myself) so if any generous little elves want to leave one on my doorstep that would be just magical.

Holiday Wish List

My mother has been bugging me for weeks now to send her a Christmas list. Instead, I've decided to create an elaborate wish list to share with all of you. So, in no particular order, all I want for Christmas is...

A Parisian Aparment (although i'd settle for something in the Candy Factory Lofts)

Stylish winter accessories

Louboutin booties

An unlimited Starbucks card

Bright eyes
The dream bag

A signature scent

Colourful and scrumptious treats

A sparkly New Years Eve outfit

Snow white

photos via

I'm not sure who came up with the whole "no white after Labour Day" rule but I'm pretty sure they're an idiot. After a glancing at these whimsical snowflake-esq pieces I'm 100% in favour of all sorts of winter whites - especially those of the frilly variety. Piling on romantic ruffles in ivory, cream, and mother of pearl seems like a clean and refreshing alternative to the sparkle and shine routine of the festive season - not that I'm going to give up wearing sequins any time soon. At the risk of looking too bridal I'd opt for a shorter version of the pouffy white dress for any upcoming holiday parties. You know what would be perfect summer/winter double duty number...that Chanel dress Marissa Cooper wore to prom oh-so-many years ago. Remember?

Fair Isle love.

While it often makes a cameo appearance at ugly Christmas sweater parties I think these pretty patterns (named for a small island off the coast of Scotland) are the perfect knit to curl up in when the temperature starts to plummet. From cozy sweaters to festive mittens Fair Isle designs are a classic and enduring winter wardrobe staple. The more tacky designs the better if you ask me - bring on the crocheted snowflakes and reindeer please. Even Chuck Bass agrees.