Christmas

2016 Holiday Gift Guide Submissions

November 1, 2016

I will be featuring fabulous gift ideas in my annual Holiday Gift Guide so amotherworld is now accepting pitches for products to review, give away and/or feature in our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

Categories include:

Gits for Him
Gifts for Her
Gifts for Kids
Gifts for the Home/Hostess

We offer several options available to suit your needs.

Gift Guide Listing

Your product will receive coverage in our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide in the appropriate gift category, as well as social media promotion.

Product Feature with option for giveaway

A product review with giveaway will receive its own blog post with contest running for at least one week as well as social media promotion. amotherworld is not responsible for shipping prizes.

Please contact us for rates and administration fees.

Submissions deadline is December 1. Giveaway prizes must be shipped by December 15.

To have a product reviewed and included possibly in editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, and/or featured in a giveaway, please email amotherworld@gmail.com with subject line “2016 Holiday Gift Guide Submission”.

Christmas

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for The Hostess

December 11, 2015

Just in time for the holidays, we’ve selected some fabulous gifts for the hostess, from the newly launched Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan Mini Project Pack, to the Smithsonian History or Design books by DK Canada.

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for The Hostess

Annie Sloan Mini Project Pack

The new Chalk Paint™ Annie Sloan Mini Project Pack has been launched containing everything needed to create a small project, such as a chair or bedside table, and includes two small project pots of Chalk Paint™ (100ml) – in colours of your own choice, 1 tin of Clear Soft Wax (125ml), 1 tin of Dark Soft Wax (125ml) and a small pure bristle brush. Chalk Paint™ offers the simple way to transform furniture, walls and floors and absolutely anyone can achieve great results – from the novice to the experienced Upcycler.

The Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paint range by Annie Sloan comprises over 30 decorative and historic colours, which can be mixed together to create many more colours, making it easy to find just the right shade. The Pack includes pointers for creating your own masterpiece, and more guidance is available on the Annie Sloan website and YouTube channel.

$100 online and various retailers

Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint™ Workbook

To coincide with the 25th anniversary of her unique decorative paint, Chalk Paint™, Annie Sloan has launched her 25th book!
This unique and beautifully designed book will become your very own creative journal, where you can paint, sketch, stick, collect, write and reflect. Divided into six themed chapters – Bohemian and Vintage, Rustic Country, French Elegance, Traditional Swedish, Modern Retro and Warehouse, and Coastal – Annie gives you her own personal decorating hints and tips about the colours and elements that make up these key decorating styles.

Among the pages designed for your own notes, sketches and paint splashes are six pocketed card dividers where you can store magazine clippings, paint charts, fabric swatches and more.

$27.95 available at bookstores and Annie Sloan retailers

Annie Sloan’s Home Fragrance Collection

Featuring the finest, subtle fragrances ever created for the home and made from the best ingredients, many of them organic, is Annie Sloan’s Home Fragrance Collection. They have been created by Annie Sloan in collaboration with one of Britain’s leading master perfumers (whose clients include the Royal Family, Harrods, and Liberty). The six home fragrances epitomize the French place names they bear: Antibes, Aubusson, Burgundy, Paris, Provence, Versailles, which also correspond to colours in the Chalk Paint™ palette.

Candles start at $39.95; Diffusers start at $52.00. AnnieSloan.com

Smithsonian History

If you’re looking for #awesomegifts this holiday season, how about a stunning book? I love DK Canada coffee table books as they are always gorgeous with large, glossy pages filled with beautiful photography and information. And Smithsonian History and Smithsonian Design: The Definitive Visual History don’t disappoint.

Head on over to this post to read more about these awesome gift idea, and a chance to win a copy!

Bath and Body Works – Warm Vanilla gift set

Bath and Body Works, Upper Canada Mall

kate spade new york Diagonal StripePortable Charger

This rechargeable 4000mAh charger from kate spade new york gives you power when you need it so you can stay connected on the go. It features flashy graphic prints for eye-catching style in a compact design that charges your USB devices in no time.

$39.99 Best Buy

The Live Clean Fresh Face Travel Kit

Among all the essentials out there, the Live Clean Fresh Face Travel Kit is essential! The kit comes with four simple, effective Live Clean Face products in a little travel pack: Foaming Daily Cleanser, Soothing Daily Moisturizer, Smoothing Facial Scrub and Nourishing Night Cream. Think gym bag, airplane, overnight business trips – and also think Live Clean’s skincare philosophy: pure, natural, simple.

$10.99 Well.ca

Cocktail Apron

Wrap yourself up like a gorgeous present to your guests in our fabulous cocktail apron. It is “one size fits every body” and hits above the knee. Generous pocket accommodates all hostess accoutrements, including secret stash of sausage balls (even Holly Golightly must eat). Wide grosgrain ribbon wraps around and ties in front.

$25 Hen House Linens

Time For Tea Set

The perfect cup is just a pour away with our new tea-lover’s set. It comes with a generously sized cup, single-serve stainless steel infuser and ceramic stir spoon. Everything securely rests on a specially designed wood tray, making it perfect for work or school. The set comes beautifully boxed and makes an easy gift for any tea lover.

$24.50 Indigo

David’s Tea Gift Set

David’s Tea put together this collection of nine caffeine-free blends to share with your loved ones in a box shaped like a hard-cover book…with a special, tea-themed holiday poem on the inside cover. Includes Super Ginger, Sleigh Ride, Alpine Punch, Banana Nut Bread, Mother’s Little Helper, The Big Chill, Forever Nuts, Cinnamon Rooibos Chai and Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait.

$28 Davids Tea

Maison Orphee Oils Gift Box

This Gift Box proposes an assortment of the following products in 50 mL size: Classic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Basil Olive Oil, Organic Virgin Sunflower Oil, Organic Cooking Sunflower Oil, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

$14.95 Maison Orphee

DNA Ancestry

Want to give a collective family gift to your loved ones? Discover the family story your DNA can tell. Uncover your ethnic mix, discover distant relatives, and find new details about your unique family history with AncestryDNA.

AncestryDNA

Disaronno Roberto Cavalli Ltd Ed Bottle Gift

Italian brand Roberto Cavalli and liquor company Disaronno have teamed up to design a limited edition bottle.

$33.95 LCBO

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Holiday Gift Guide for Him

Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Christmas

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Gifts For Him

December 8, 2015

What to get your special man this holiday season? Here are some of holiday gift ideas for him this holiday season 2015.

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Gifts For Him

Boss The Scent

The new scent from Boss, The Scent is a seductive fragrance that conveys pure magnetic masculinity. With top notes of spicy ginger, heart notes of Maninka fruit and Base notes of burnished leather, Boss The Scent will be sure to please your man.

$78 50 ml $100 100ml Hudson’s Bay

Marshall Major Headphones

Maximize your music experience with these premium over-ear headphones from Marshall! These babies are crafted from soft vinyl and extra comfy ear cushion for a perfect wear. Compatible with any 3.5/6.3 mm music player.

$120 Urban Outfitters

Star Wars the Complete Saga

Experience the spectacular adventure of “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” in a way only Blu-ray(TM) can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six movies in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With more than 40 hours of thrilling special features including three bonus discs, you can journey deep into the “Star Wars” universe. Feel the Force of “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” on Blu-ray!

$114.96 Walmart

Blundstone Boots

These popular, best-selling boots are simple and can be worn with everything – jeans, skirts, pants and shorts. There have been a few attempts at knock-offs but nothing steps up like the original Blundstone boot.

Available at Town Shoes, Upper Canada Mall

Manhattan Moonshine

Manhattan Moonshine is a super-premium, Prohibition style, Northern Moonshine that has been crafted to be the world’s first luxury Un-Aged Whiskey. By using a unique blend of the finest New York grains, this complex Whiskey that does not need any aging to deliver its exceptional flavour. Combining innovative, modern production methods with sophisticated, vintage packaging inspired by the Prohibition era’s art deco style and exquisite parties, Manhattan Moonshine is a liquid embodiment of a bygone era of American elegance.

Where to buy

Leather Gloves

Winter and style go hand in hand with Gil, a pair of gloves made of genuine leather and memory fabric. An adjustable leather strap allows you to fit Gil tightly around your wrists.

$75 Rudsak

Crosley Ranchero Radio

During the 1950’s America was known for good music and style. The Crosley Ranchero commemorates the 1950’s style while incorporating the latest technology. The wood style radio is equipped with AM/FM radio as well as an auxillary-in and headphone jack. Bring home a piece of the 50’s and you will be rockin’ and stylin’ just like the good ol’ days.

$99.99 Electronics for Less

TP-Link PB50 Power Bank

The TP-LINK PB50 lithium polymer 10000mAh power bank is an essential accessory that keeps devices charged. The charger has dual USB ports to allow for multiple devices to be charged simultaneously to help ensure that you are always connected no matter where you are.

$49.99 Best Buy

UFC A Visual History

Follow the rich history of UFC from its inception as a small, fledgling organization all the way to its present day status as a sports world juggernaut! With insider commentary and stunning visuals, experience UFC like never before! Through a comprehensive year-by-year review, get a closer look at the people, events and decisions which helped make UFC the powerhouse it is today. By DK Books

$35.97 Indigo Books

Timex Classic Watch

Timex originals honor more than 150 years of quality timepieces by drawing inspiration from iconic styles in our archives. Comes in a gunmetal IP case finish, natural dial with black printing and brown nubuck leather strap.

$63.75 Sale, Hudson’s Bay

Philips Grooming Kit

The perfect gift to give to the man in your life, the Philips 8-piece grooming kit is essential to every man’s grooming armour. It offers a full metal trimmer and adjustable combs with over 35 length settings to achieve any desired look.

$39.99 Best Buy

Leather Bracelet

This handmade, made-to-order leather bracelet features a secret message in spiraled antique silver. Measures 8”

$48.57 Etsy

Franklin Dartboard Set

Indulge in friendly competition this Bristol 18-inch dartboard from Franklin Sports. With its clean wood finish and laminated wood cabinet, it makes a great addition to your games room, den, basement or man cave. The dartboard comes with 6 steel-tipped darts and a chalk chart board on the cabinet for keeping track of scores.

$129.99 Best Buy

Visit our friends over at Upper Canada Mall for more gift ideas!

Christmas

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gift Ideas at Best Buy

December 8, 2015

These days, our lives are managed and entertained with technology. Don’t you find that there are so many home entertainment and technology items you could use, but don’t necessarily buy for yourself? These days our lives are made easier thanks to technology, for helping to manage our schedules to providing endless sources of entertainment.

Best Buy has the best gift ideas handpicked by the Best Buy Blue Shirt elves. Here are some of my favourites:

Star Wars Darth Vader Toaster

The perfect gift for the Star Wars fanatic in your life, the Darth Vader 2- slice toaster toasts bread with the Star Wars logo. Star Wars fans are sure to enjoy the dark side of bread with the variable toast shade selector and removable crumb tray to help with quick cleanup. $59.99

Samsung Gear S2 Classic Smartwatch

The perfect gift for your tech-savvy friend has arrived! The Samsung Gear S2 is a stylish smartwatch that tracks activity to provide health and fitness insights and syncs with your smartphone to keep you connected. The WiFi and Bluetooth enabled timepiece sports a circular 1.2″ touchscreen, protected by Gorilla Glass. Our Blue Shirt Elves have the perfect smartwatch suitable to all style preferences, also check out the Motorola Moto 360 Smartwatch and the Motorola Moto 360 Women’s Smartwatch. $429.99

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera

Add some vintage photography to your holiday season with the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 instant camera. Equipped with auto focus, auto flash, a brightness adjustment dial and a Fujinon lens, this camera takes cool, vibrant pictures fun for the entire family. Our Best Buy Blue Elves will help you find the perfect colour, check out the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 in Black, Pink, Blue, Purple and Raspberry. $99.99

Vitamix Professional Stand Blender

For all your holiday entertaining needs, the Vitamix blender blends everything from soups to smoothies. The high-performance blender is equipped with variable speed controls and laser-cut stainless steel blades built to chop, cream, blend, heat, grind and puree the toughest ingredients. For higher blender speed options, check out the Vitamix S50 12-Speed Personal Stand Blender or the Vitamix 13-Speed Stand Blender. Also check out the Breville Hemisphere Stand Blender in Black or Red, which delivers efficient blending. $549

GoPro HERO4 Waterproof HD Sports & Helmet Camera

Document all the exciting experiences over the holidays with the GoPro HERO4 Silver, the first ever GoPro camera with built-in touch display. The HERO4 delivers high-quality video, including 4K15 and 1080p60 resolution video, and 12MP photos at a staggering 30 fps. $529.99

Sharp 43″ LED Smart Roku TV

Catch all your favourite holiday movies and more on the Sharp 43″ Roku TV. Its integrated Roku streaming technology gives you over 1,400 streaming channels for movies, TV, music and news, giving you plenty entertainment to keep you busy over the holiday break! The Smart TV delivers HD picture and digital sound and allows you to easily stream content from the web from all your compatible devices with WiFi connectivity. $469.99

Corningware French White Round & Oval Set

Entertain and serve with style this holiday season with this 12-piece round and oval cookware set from Corningware. Also a perfect gift to give to a friend or loved one, the Corningware set is made from durable, chip-resistant and non-porous stoneware. The dishes are safe for use in the oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher. $69.99

Jawbone UP2 Fitness Tracker

Stylish and functional, the Jawbone UP2 Fitness Tracker has a sleek, eye-catching design that seamlessly coordinates with any outfit. The Blue Shirt Elves are betting that you’ll forget it’s more than a fashion accessory! The UP2 delivers in-depth analysis of your eating, activity, and sleep patterns and is unobtrusive while sleeping. $139.99

For more best gift ideas handpicked by the Best Buy Blue Shirt elves, visit BestBuy.ca.

Enter to Win

One lucky amotherworld reader will win a $200 Best Buy gift card! Open to Canadian readers only. Enter here to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas

Holiday Gift Guide 2014

December 9, 2014

Oh how we love this wonderful time the year! The music, festivities, decorations, parties, shopping, entertaining, family time and of course gift giving! Here is my Holiday Gift Guide 2014. Click on the images to be directed to each Holiday Gift Guide.

Christmas

Win a $200 Gift Card to Upper Canada Mall

December 3, 2014

Santa has arrived a little early this year! I’ve partnered with Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket to give away a $200 gift card!

Spoil your loved ones with their favourite brands such as Michael Kors, Coach, Rudsak and Simon Chan. I love to browse and shop for the latest fashion and trends all in one destination, with some of my favourite stops at White House Black Market, Chicos, Zara, H&M and The Hudson’s Bay.

Did I mention the mall also has M by Mendocino, Sephora, Browns, Also, Target, Roots, Old Navy, Forever 21 and Toys R Us? So many fabulous merchants and your favourite brands in one convenient location.

Upper Canada Mall is the premiere shopping destination in Newmarket, Ontario located just 30 minutes north of Toronto. Owned and managed by Oxford Properties Group, Upper Canada Mall is an award-winning shopping centre featuring more than 200 stores in its 968,000 sq. ft. of retail space, including Victoria’s Secret, Aritzia, Apple Store and Disney Store. Upper Canada Mall is the best shopping experience north of the GTA.

If you’re looking for some gift inspiration, Upper Canada Mall has a fabulous Pinterest board with their holiday picks:

ENTER TO WIN

One lucky reader will be able to shop for the holidays with a $200 gift card to spend at Upper Canada Mall! Please enter the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Christmas

2014 Christmas Gift Guide Submissions

October 18, 2014

I will be featuring fabulous Christmas gift ideas in my annual Christmas Gift Guide so I’m now accepting pitches for products to review, give away and/or feature in our 2014 Christmas Gift Guide.

Categories include:

Gits for Him
Gifts for Her
Gifts for the Home
Gifts for Little Ones
Gifts for Big Kids

Your product will receive:

Possible inclusion and editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, which will fit into the appropriate gift category;
Giveaways will receive its own blog post with contest running for at least one week;
Social media promotion

Only a new full-sized and non-returnable product will be accepted for consideration for our 2014 Christmas Gift Guide. Shipping and brokerage fees are to be paid by the sender. For giveaways, amotherworld is not responsible for shipping prizes.

Products sent for consideration may not be guaranteed a feature. Please contact us for giveaway and sponsored post rates and administration fees.

Submissions deadline is December 1. Gift Ideas will run November until December 15th. For giveaways, prizes must be shipped by December 16.

To have a product reviewed and included possibly in editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, and/or featured in a giveaway, please email amotherworld@gmail.com with subject line “2014 Christmas Gift Guide Submission”.

Christmas

The Hottest Gifts of the Holidays Season at Upper Canada Mall

December 11, 2013

Christmas shopping can often be overwhelming, especially when your list is long even for Santa!

Gift guides are very helpful – they can highlight the hottest gifts of the holidays season. I usually go through gift guides and make lists before heading into stores to do some retail damage.

I love shopping at Upper Canada Mall not only because it’s close to me in distance and the best mall north of Toronto, it has all of the best retailers you’ll find in one destination. This time of year is magical too – store windows are decorated festively, Santa’s set up shop and the lovely Christmas music.

UCM has created a fabulous Wish List book, making shopping easier for you. There are some fabulous gift ideas for him, her, kids, teens, the techie, the foodie, the hostess and stocking stuffers too in their gift guide.

Upper Canada Mall is also hosting a contest – while you’re shopping, share what’s on your wishlist using the hashtag #wishlistUCM on your social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.) and you could win your gift!

I spent some time shopping for gifts at Upper Canada Mall and found some wonderful gift ideas for everyone in the family.

Here are my picks of hottest gifts for the holiday season:

For Her

Michael Hill has some beautiful pieces of jewelry right now. The Love necklace really caught my eye – it’s such a popular look this year, inspired by the Lanvin collection. The diamond ring needs no explanation – Christmas is a beautiful time to shower her with bling! Ring $3299, Love Necklace $219 at Michael Hill.

Ankle boots are hot this season and Aldo has a different style to choose from. She’ll love either a lace up boot $120 or a slip on $140 – Aldo.

MAC has some beautiful limited edition makeup sets for the holidays. The Nocturnals Lip Gloss in Coral provides high-impact colour in four shades: Dazzleglass in Moth to Flame and Cremesheen Glass in On the Scene, Night is Young and Star Quality. The packaging is sleek too; no wrapping needed as the sets come in a glossy black box embellished in white and gold. $38.50

For Him

A cozy sweater for the special man in your life is always a nice gift under the tree. This red pullover from RW&Co. is a must-have in his fall/winter wardrobe. $69.50

This mens’ check shirt by 7 Downie St is trendy in some pretty cool fabrics. $158 XCrossing

Jack & Jones jeans would be a lovely surprise for the younger male in your life. Low impact denim $120.

The Lamar leather messenger bag is made with crazy horse leather which means the leather has had special waxes to surface of the leather. You can carry all the essentials in this large bag with several compartments. $260 Rudsak

FOR KIDS

All the kids will want a cute Furry binder with a ribbon in shag pink and black is whimsy school accessory for your school-aged girl. From Triple Flip. $18.00

These DC Comics Batman & Superman Bookends are not only fun for a kids’ room but also for a home office! $49.99 HMV

For the baby in the family, the Fisher-Price Peek-a-Blocks Stack & Smile Crocodile will entertain. The alligator’s folded tail has a bumpy surface that aids baby in stacking the 4 new Peek-a-Blocks Builders blocks on and it rewards baby with musical responses. Babies ‘R’ Us. $29.99

These cute pyjamas are perfect for a “sheep-over”.They are 100% cotton rib and featurejersey appliqués and embroidery. Sheep Over Party Two-Piece Gymmies® are at Gymboree for $21.95.

FOR TEENS

Nothing says cozy like a sweatshirt. For teens American Eagle Outfitters sweatshirt. For him $39.95, $34.95 for her.

Perfect for your teenage girl, this V-neck Tee & Boyfriend Pant set comes in a pretty box. PINK Orig. $54.50 Sale $36

Not sure what to get your picky teen? You can’t go wrong with a pair of Vans from West 49. The Chukka low has a canvas and suede upper and Vans Original Waffle outsole. $75 West 49

Stick your iphone or ipod into the Party Horn and instantly have speakers – no electricity or batteries required. Made of silicon, you can just throw it in your travel bag or in your pocket and not worry about breaking it. 1$ of this purchase goes to our Hear No Evil Project and the Let Them Hear Foundation benefiting the hearing impaired. $10 at Zumiez.

FOR THE HOME/HOSTESS

The cranberry oil from Body Shop is their best seller year after year so a Cranberry body lotion set is a lovely gift for the hostess. $20 and $50.

A perfect hostess gift or gift for the home – your home will smell wonderfully with this Lampe Berger paris l’essentielle kit available at Hallmark for $49.99.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Parfait Chocolates Dessert Collection are Hazelnut praline topped with dark chocolate flakes, caramelized nuts and chocolate coffee beans. 2 for $26 at Laura Secord.

Easy to clean and store this full line of essential everyday kitchen tools and gadgets will provide an ease in cooking and food preparation. KitchenAid® 17-Piece Tool & Gadget Set $69.99 Sears.

Make sure to browse through Upper Canada Mall’s Wish List book for more holiday gift ideas!

Happy Shopping!

Disclosure: I’m working with Upper Canada Mall to promote their gift guide and contest.

lifestyle

Christmas Gift Ideas 2013 Submissions

November 2, 2013

Christmas is around the corner! We are accepting pitches for products to review, giveaway and/or feature in our Christmas Gift Ideas posts.

Categories include:

Gits for Him
Gifts for Her
Gifts for the Home
Gifts for Little Ones
Gifts for Big Kids

If accepted, your product will receive:

Possible inclusion and editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, which will fit into the appropriate gift category
Giveaways will receive its own blog post with contest running for one week
Social media promotion

Only a new full-sized and non-returnable product will be accepted for consideration and must have a minimum value of $50. Shipping and brokerage fees are to be paid by the sender. For giveaways, amotherworld is not responsible for shipping prizes.

For a feature without a review or a giveaway only, please contact us for rates.

Submissions deadline is December 1. Gift Ideas will run from mid-late November until December 15th. For giveaways, prizes must be shipped by December 16.

To have a product reviewed and included possibly in editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, and/or featured in a giveaway, please email amotherworld@gmail.com with subject line “2013 Christmas Gift Ideas Submission”.

holiday gift guide

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for The Hostess

Annie Sloan Mini Project Pack

Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint™ Workbook

Annie Sloan’s Home Fragrance Collection

Smithsonian History

Bath and Body Works – Warm Vanilla gift set

kate spade new york Diagonal StripePortable Charger

The Live Clean Fresh Face Travel Kit

Cocktail Apron

Time For Tea Set

David’s Tea Gift Set

Maison Orphee Oils Gift Box

DNA Ancestry

Disaronno Roberto Cavalli Ltd Ed Bottle Gift

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Gifts For Him

Boss The Scent

Marshall Major Headphones

Star Wars the Complete Saga

Blundstone Boots

Manhattan Moonshine

Leather Gloves

Crosley Ranchero Radio

TP-Link PB50 Power Bank

UFC A Visual History

Timex Classic Watch

Philips Grooming Kit

Leather Bracelet

Franklin Dartboard Set

Enter to Win

ENTER TO WIN

Good luck!

For Her

For Him

FOR KIDS

FOR TEENS

FOR THE HOME/HOSTESS

Happy Shopping!