How to Have the Perfect Christmas Shopping Experience

Ever thought about finishing that Christmas list in a single day? Now that we are faced with our second weak economy Christmas, working on a budget shouldn't be new for most people. Here are a few ways to get through that list without resorting to the bottle...of eggnog, of course.


6 steps to the perfect Christmas shopping experience:

1. Make your list, check it twice, then print out a copy!

2. Look at that list and think about who is on it. The best way to shop is with a clear idea of each individual's interests.

3. Set a budget. Determine how much you can spend in total, then how much for each person. Be realistic based on gifts you had in mind.

4. Start online. Most sites offer special discount codes, free shipping and reduced prices. Check out different websites - you never know where you'll find a deal. This can save you a lot of stress and time.

5. Use catalogues. They may seem old fashioned, but they are a quick and easy way to shop. Most come with size charts too!

6. Head to the mall. Avoid peak times such as weekends, they're rarely productive. If you want to capitalize on deals, try Friday night instead.

Don't forget it's never too early to start shopping. Many sales in January and the spring are better than those you find around Christmas. Take advantage of deals and store gifts until Christmas. It's always a treat to pull out that box and find you're almost done your shopping!

Another Reason New York City does Christmas Better than you!

I love New York. Just like guest blogger Olivia Horbasz. To reinforce the very true fact that New York does Christmas better than you do, here is another reason why:

Enjoy some holiday shopping at the famous Saks Fifth Avenue department store

4. Shopping

There is no greater variety, no better deal, no prettier landscape to shop against than the great city of New York. Try it, I guarantee that you'll agree.

Christmas time in New York is like no place else. If you ever have a hard time catching that Christmas spirit, just give the city a visit!

3 Reasons why New York City does Christmas better than you!

I love New York. No really. I love, love, love New York.

Someone recently asked me when my favourite time to visit the great city was.

At first I said Spring. I like walking around and seeing all the trees and flowers beginning to bloom. Plus it’s Tony season.

Then I corrected myself. Autumn. I like walking through Central Park as the leaves are changing colours.

But then I remembered Christmas.

New York at Christmas time is absolutely my favourite time of year to visit the city.

New York does Christmas better than any other city in the world. And there are three reasons for this.

1. Store Window Displays

The most famous windows are the Macy's windows. This year Macy’s did Miracle on 34^th Street windows and did some letters to Santa windows.

Also fantastic though are the windows on Fifth Avenue. Cartier makes its storefront look like a present. Bergdorf Goodman has a music theme this year.

2. Lights

Time Warner Center. Absolutely the most beautiful display of lights ever. The stars hang from the ceiling and change colour. Starting at 5pm they change colours to music.

3. Rockefeller Christmas Tree

This glorious tree is the focal point for New York’s Christmas. The lighting ceremony is televised every year. People line up to take a picture with the tree. Vendors try to sell pictures of the tree. There isn’t a New Yorker in the world who is jaded enough to skip out on this holiday tradition.

So there you have it. New York does Christmas better than you do. But hey, try to prove me wrong. I dare you.

Guest blog by Olivia

It's Never Been Like That... By: Amanda Burcul

Saturday night's Phoenix concert at the Sound Academy ranked #2 on my list of best concerts ever attended. Believe me, that's saying something. Between the lights, the staging, the showmanship and the energy shown by all band members, Phoenix put on a phenomenal show that all music lovers could appreciate.


Hailing from Paris, France, the band consists of four guys: Thomas Mars, Christian Mazzalai, Laurent 'Branco' Brancowitz and Deck D'Arcy. With their first album 'United' being release in 2000, the band has since evolved with a new sound - shown in their last two albums - that has earned them greater fame and popularity. Their recent release 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' has even produced several songs that have been used for commercial purposes and has earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.

All of this change and excitement reverberated through their show last night as they took the stage to a packed house and screaming crowd. Leading their set with the second single off their latest album, they jumped into 'Lisztomania' with all the enthusiasm of an indie Toronto band opening their first show at the Big Bop. Crowd favourties such as 'Consolation Prize', 'Napoleon Says' and 'Fences' followed.

Always a favourite, I made sure to take ample video of 'Rally': http://bit.ly/6eNR5p

The entire show was like a reunion, with everyone singing along, people bonding like they'd known each other for years and many dancing in the very small amount of space they had. This all culminated with one of the most inclusive and exciting endings to a concert I had ever seen. When the band returned for their encore, they didn't wrap it up with a quick song, instead choosing to perform three songs and an interlide. They then broke up their last song of the night - the radio friendly '1901' - with a surprise body surfing expedition by singer Thomas Mars and a crowd dance party on the stage. It was an experience. I managed to get a portion on video. But I had to put down my camera for the rest - I was too busy dancing up a storm... http://bit.ly/8JCZMr

Crimes of fashion, literally

Today, it is somewhat uplifting to see Pakistan in the news for reasons unassociated with violence. Nov. 4, 2009 marked the beginning of Pakistan’s first ever fashion week in Karachi. Brave models strutted their stuff down runways displaying the creations of 32 Pakistani designers.

In a conservative Islamic country with a growing number of extremists, it is almost outrageous to see models bearing so much skin. The couture fashions included vibrant flowing Islamic robes, shorts, funky bracelets, spiked necklaces and sequins. Bare shoulders, legs, backs and even tattoos were on display for a full crowd of willing spectators.

Strangely, Kirachi fashion week was a way for designers and fashionistas to send a message to the world. “Pakistan has a different side to it. It’s not just about bombs and Taliban. It’s also about beautiful clothes, beautiful people, and it’s about promoting our country and our culture to the most glamorous profession, which is fashion,” said Rizwan Beyg, Designer.

Madrassas have been popping up all across Pakistan’s countryside for the past two decades. It should not have come as a surprise to anyone when the presence of the Taliban insurgence blew-up in Pakistan this year. Against a backdrop of terrorism and violence, pulling off Karachi fashion week was a huge feat. Fashion week was originally scheduled for October, but was put on hold after a series of deadly militant attacks. When the event finally commenced, beefed-up security was definitely present.

As expected, backlash against Pakistan’s fashion week ensued. Most women in the country sport hijabs or full-blown burqas, so the couture pieces are clearly not accessible to everyday women. Men do not want their wives, daughters and sisters walking around the markets, looking like they just stepped off the catwalk. Admittedly however, a large part of the response on Facebook and Twitter has been rather positive. Urban women in the country are embracing an attitudinal shift towards a more liberal independent Pakistani woman. The success of Pakistan’s first fashion week gives supporters a sense of national pride and a glimpse at a brighter, more fashionable future.

Shut the Door. Have a Seat. And Get Ready for the Ride. By: Amanda Burcul

I'd been dreading Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 since Aug. 16, 2009. The end of season 3 of the AMC series Mad Men. Now that may seem pessimistic to some people. But if I'm being honest with myself I am a bit of a pessimist and in some small way it made me savour this short but remarkable season all the more. The intrigue, the romance, the histroy, the politics, THE OUTFITS!! Every little bit of this season had me so entranced that I didn't want to look way. So that I spent every week anticipating the return of my Sunday night ritual, 2 hours, the same episode in a row. That's right, I watch the same episode twice - don't want to miss any of that Matthew Weiner glory. And truly it takes 2 viewings at least to understand and appreciate the complex story line that is Mad Men. Every little thought out line of dialogue, movement of a character, placement of a poster on a wall. For those of us who enjoy breaking down entertainment for all the nuances it can deliver, this show is packed with details for us to appreciate.

And the season finale did not disappoint. To be honest I wanted to post this blog a bit sooner. To come out with it the day after the episode aired with all my sweet little insights and thoughts poured out into a tight-knit little blog. But I couldn't. The piece of art that I was delivered deserved far more of my attention and careful thought. Well that and I had to take a sick day, weather changes are not kind to me. Though now, after a couple more days of rumination I finally feel ready to give my own summary and review.

***Spoiler alert, from this point onward the blog will reveal plot details***

Will she or won't she? That was the question we were all left pondering on the second last episode of Mad Men when Betty Draper decided to throw a passive aggressive tantrum and let Don know that she wasn't having any of his behaviour anymore, she just wasn't in love. Of course this all came after she had secured a way out with a man she had met, oh, a handful of times (but don't worry - they're madly in love and totally getting married). When will Betty learn? After Don finally comes clearn and starts behaving in a semi-decent and respectful manner, she decides she has had enough and is ready to go. Betty seems to prefer Don as a bit of cad. She really seems to want a bit of a chase, to have a husband she needs to work to get the attention of. Maybe Don should just go back to sleeping with whatever is a brunette and walks with a sway. Will Betty's trip to Nevada with Henry Francis work out? Will Betty really be able to carry on without Don? You'll have to wait until next season people, but if you're a fan of Matthew Weiner and you really (and I mean REALLY) watched The Sopranos, I think there are some guesses you could make. Personally, I don't think we've seen the end of their relationship.

Now Sterling Cooper and Don Draper, what isn't happening in the world of Don Draper?! His wife is leaving him and his family is coming apart. Sterling Cooper seems to have come to the last of its days as Putnam Powell and Lowe seem to be throwing in the towel, or rather passing it off to McCann. And Peggy won't even consider his offer to jump ship and come along with him? Having devotedly watched all 3 seasons I don't think anyone could have said they saw it coming - until they heard him command her to leave, rather than ask. In that moment I just felt so proud. Though I'm not a Team Peggy kind of girl, having her stick it to the man and stand up for her work held a bit of joy for me. 'Equal pay for equal work' anyone? Or in this case at least equal respect. Here we see Don really struggle to grab his footing. For one of the first times in the series we really see him lose his temper and have issues with a challenge. What problem can't Don Draper solve? Apparently it was almost this one as the powers that be in Britain almost got the best of him. But anyone who knows Don Draper knows it wasn't going to be like that. In exactly the type of plot point you were hoping for, he manipulates his way out of the situation and reminds all the viewers exactly why you love this show.

One of the best things about Mad Men is how timely and accurate it manages to be. It hasn't left any political or historical issue unaddressed. And it hits the issues head on, not in some passive 'yeah I guess women had a hard time of it' or 'sure, African Americans really did have a struggle around this time huh?' - Mad Men really takes all the revolutionary things happening at that period in history and uses them to create this rich world of advertising with these deep and diverse characters. This relevance was on display this season as the times continued to shift at Sterling Cooper. Old married far too young, a woman pondered an abortion, another dealt with domestic abuse, segregation boiled, and a president hit new heights beforing falling to an unfortunate low - death. Using the assassination of JFK as a plot line to really highlight the emotional and mental state of the characters was a brilliant move on the part of Weiner. It really paired well with the climactic end of the season and served to move along the story, not just as a scandal happening in the background.

And now here we are. With the end of this episode we have reached a pivotal point in the plot. They're going out on their own. Sterling Cooper be damned, now I'm watching to absorb and become engrossed in the lives of those at Sterling Cooper Draper and Price (and maybe Campbell). To be honest this was a genious and thrilling move for the viewer. And truly they took all my favourite characters anyways! Let's just hope they bring back Salvator and I'm really very comfortable with the turn Mad Men has taken. This new advertising firm is just as exciting as the last, if not more. Because this one has brought Joan's character back to a more central role. This one is going to force Peggy and Pete to work closely together. And this one will show us who Don Draper is. At the beginning of the episode Connie (Conrad Hilton - painful character that he is) seemed to challenge Don to go out and make it on his own. To show that he's not just some man with a contract working as a cog. This is exactly what the fourth season of Mad Men is going to allow us to see. Will Don Draper and the new firm be a success? Will Roger Sterling keep providing the best lines in the show? Will Peggy stick with Duck? Is Pete going to make it as a partner? Will Betty and Henry Francis work?!

Like Sterling said, they've dangled that golden pork chop, and I'm just waiting until next summer to get my piece. Until then, you can find me watching my DVD's and attached to my on-demand.

Go green with your hair, just not the colour

I grew my hair out for over a year. In an attempt to bring it back to life (figure of speech, as hair is dead), I decided it needed a serious trim. Without a regular salon in Toronto, I visited my old friend Laura who is a Sr. stylist at LOKI in Yorkville.

While waiting for my appointment to begin, the receptionist pleasantly informed me that LOKI supports a “green pathway for change.”

Thanks to an organization called Green Circle Salons, hair salons in Toronto and around the world are going green. Guess what they are recycling? It’s hair of course!

Who knew that human hair makes the filter screens to clean oil spills. Someone in England even made a chair out of human hair resin. I know, legitimately creepy, but intriguing.

Hair is a sustainable resource. Some hope that in the future it will replace fiberglass and other materials to make things such as mascara, boat parts, shoes, clothing and structural beams. Shockingly, hair chair designer Ronald Thompson estimates that “a strand of hair can support 8,750 times its own weight, and that a head of hair can support 13 tons and that hair can double its own length before breaking.”

Keeping hair and colour tubes out of landfills supports Green Circle Salons’ bottom line of maintaining environmental integrity in salons. A directory found on their website lists the salons in the Greater Toronto Area participating in the green pathway initiatives.

So if environmental sustainability is on your mind, along with a hurting head of hair, make sure you choose a salon that is aligned with Green Circle Salons, or go see Laura at LOKI.

By Emily