holiday wish-list...

My mom and sister right now are braving the Black Friday crowds across the US border. I almost went with them, if it wasn't for an expired passport (which I forgot about until there wasn't sufficient time to reapply). Of course a trip such as this means serious shopping, so making my holiday wish-list was prompted when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas.

Plus, with all audio in stores being hijacked by Christmas music already, the crazy snow storm we had 2 days ago, and the fact that Santa comes in exactly a month from today it's starting to feel a lot like Christmas. So I thought I'd share with you what I have on my list!

1. Bowler Hat

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs bag

3. Collar necklace 

4. Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses

6. Sequin skirt or leather shorts/skirt

7. Rebecca Minkoff bracelet

8. House of Harlow necklace

9. J.Crew sweater

10. Urban Decay eyeshadow palette

11. Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings

I also asked for a handful of clothing items from Joe Fresh (this blouse, this top, and this dress for starters)- I browsed the last collection at the Superstore after a workout earlier this week and had to exercise restraint from walking out with half of the store! The great thing about items from Joe Fresh are how affordable they are- which makes for great gifts without breaking the bank!

I still like a surprise, so I put way more items on my list than I actually expect to receive. I was never that child digging in the closets or under beds looking for the presents before Christmas...that's how my sister discovered there was no Santa! (Haha.)

What's on your holiday wish-list? 

3 things: wish list crushes...

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So as women who love to shop, we typically have a running flow of a wish-list that we'd love to have if money were no object. However, the unlikeliness that we'll win the lottery, marry a millionaire, or find a way to grow money on trees typically keeps us in check. After all, we may need to cloth ourselves and ensure we have good footwear to walk in, but the essentials like shelter, transportation, and food are all real priorities on the must-have list.

Sometimes the impulsive child in me wants everything at once, but she doesn't always get her way since my adult self isn't made of money. Right now the top 3 items on my wish-list are as follows:

1) A pair of cork-heel TOMS wedges

Photo credit: TOMS

It was love at first sight when I saw the red striped wedges on Pretty Shiny Sparkly's blog- I'm really eager to get my hands on these yellow ones! I had already been wanting another pair of TOMS since I bought my first from Je Suis Prest Boutique last month. I'm also crushing on these ash canvas TOMS.

2) A white mens-sized wrist watch

Photo credit: Fossil

I've been meaning to acquire a new watch for some time now- given that I had lost my previous 2 pairs and only have my unattractive sport timex I used for work. It may prove to be functional and essential but doesn't exactly cut it as a fashion accessory. I feel in love with Fossil's pearlized Stella resin watch over the Sears counter the other week but had to use restraint from making an impulse purchase!

3) A custom twitter handle necklace

Photo credit: Survival of the Hippest

In all fairness I realize this one makes me an uber geek. But I'm willing to accept that- twitter has played a big role in how I have branded my blog and social media has made a huge impact on how we network. I see an "@mshopaholic" necklace as my version of the Carrie necklace (Sex & the City).

So what's at the top of your must-have list?

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Coach Wish-List...

Since last fall I've been addicted to the crossbody bag. Now I've become so accustomed to being hands-free when I go out with friends or go shopping, that I could just never go back to any other type of purse. My deep obsession with the crossbody bag started with my purchase of a black leather Kristin hobo purse from Coach.

I was tortured by my pledge to not shop for lent when an invite showed up in my mailbox to receive 25% off Coach...I did browse the Coach website to fawn over my favourite bags, but managed to hold my ground and sadly let such a fanatastic deal slip away... 

  Kristin leather hobo in colours champagne (left) and pale pink (right)

Kristin leather hobo in peony (left) and aegean (right).

Kristin leather large wristlet in pale pink (left) and champagne (right).

Kristin leather crossbody in white mist (left) and the satchel in pale pink (right).

Of all Coach's handbag lines, the Kristin collection is my absolute favourite with the smooth leather, clean cut lines, and sleek hardware. I already own 2 pieces from Coach's Kristin line- a hobo purse and a wristlet. I look forward to having a little extra change in my pocket to be swinging one of these fresh spring colours from my arm!

Which of Coach's bags are your favourite? Even if it's not from Coach like my wish-list, what do you have your eye on for a summer bag?

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Jeffrey Campbell Fixation

Lately, I've fallen for platform shoes, and it's icing on top if they're a wedge. The great thing about shoes having a platform and/or wedge is that you can get height, and that more elegant muscle tone without necessarily sacrificing your comfort, or stability for that matter! You're talking to a girl as clumsy as they come!

What I love about wedges is that they provide more support to the foot, and while I've accepted I'll never be one of those girls who can sport a pair of stilettos for a full day (unfortunately), a wedge provides a good amount of support in comparison. (I was able to wear a pair of wedge booties for a full day of shopping in Freeport and Portland.) Platforms, as long as you have decent balance, is another way to get additional height without needing to increase the angle of the shoe (and the height between your heel and the ball of your foot). I see platforms and wedges being two features that will be big for 2011.

Lately my love is geared specifically towards Jeffrey Campbell's shoes: they're stylish with an edge. I've also seen a number of fellow style bloggers sporting them here, here, and here. Well he does have some fairly wild designs and patterns, below are some of the more versatile pairs I'm loving:

{above pics 1-5 from LuLu; pic 6 from Nasty Gal}

1. Jeffrey Campbell Litas: LuLus, $158; Revolve Clothing, $159; Lori's Shoes, $154
2. Jeffrey Campbell Ric brown Leather Platform Sandals: LuLus, $213; Shopbop, $155
3. Jeffrey Campbell Earnest Khaki Suede Desert Wedge: LuLus, $57 Sold Out :(
4. Jeffrey Campbell Rooster Tan Leather Wedges: LuLus, $118
5. Jeffrey Campbell Tan Tick Wedge: LuLus, $154; Karmaloop, $152, Nasty Gal, $148
6. Jeffrey Campbell Fickle Platform Pump: Nasty Gal, $120

My favourites out of these picks would be brown leather platform sandal (#2) and the tan tick wedge (#5). I love the fickle platform pump (#6) but I'm just not in the market for another nude pump (though I could use one in gray). I'm seriously considering ordering the tan tick wedge once my bank account recovers from holiday spending!

Which is your favourite Jeffrey Campbell shoe?

P.S. Check back Monday to see my current shoe collection!