shopping & a fashion show

 {Wearing: Jacob Trench (c/o), Dress via Piperlime, Zara Pumps, Borrowed Bag}

After getting together with my lovely friend Jen for a dinner date a few weeks ago, we stopped by BeautyMark in Yaletown for their annual holiday preview. They have such a fun selection of holiday goodies that would make perfect gifts or stocking stuffers. While we there we decorated a sugar cookie for a little #bestcookie contest they were running on twitter. I don't want to brag but my cookie won. It was also delicious. An evening of beauty and sweet treats is this girls idea of a great night.

After some shopping at BeautyMark we headed over to Blanche MacDonald's Annual Fashion Design Show. We were joined by some of Vancouver's most fashionable, including Meagan, Chelle and Erin.

My favourite looks of the show.

 {designer: Mira Campbell}

 {designer: Michelle Hardy}

 Fashion show photos thanks to Dela Cruz PR
 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

{Wearing: Aritzia Peacoat, Barefoot Contessa Toque}

I guess now that it's finally December I should embrace the cold weather and stop traipsing around in blazers as my outerwear and freezing my buns off (okay, we all know that isn't going to happen). 

Last week I spent a few hours at Barefoot Contessa on Main street and put together a list of my favourite gift ideas for the mom's, sister's, best friend's and event hostess' in our lives. I loved my picks so much that I purchased a pretty amazing bundle of gifts for my loved ones (hear that people in my life? you're going to love your gifts!). I wasn't going to buy anything for myself, which is a ridiculously difficult task when you are in a boutique like Barefoot Contessa, but I couldn't resist this darling button toque. It's just so warm and girly. Their entire collection of toques was just lovely. If you're looking for some gift ideas head over to Barefoot Contessa and see what I picked out! And even if your sole purpose for shopping is gifts, I approve buying a toque for yourself... just sayin'.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have an amazing weekend (I will be at work). What do you all have planned? Any fun Christmas activies?

The Mavi & Banana Republic x Vitamin Daily Shopping Parties

*photos taken by Cara*

{Wearing: H&M top, American Apparel Skirt, BeautyMark Tights, Nine West Booties, Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag}

I was lucky enough to attend both the Mavi Shopping event and Banana Republic x Vitamin Daily Shopping Party all in one evening. Since they were the last of all these amazing shopping events I thought I'd end with some sparkle and throw on some sequins.

The Mavi event was held in their Yaletown store. We enjoyed delicious cocktails and cake pops while getting our eyelashes done and makeup touched up. We also got to meet and chat with some of Vancouver's bloggers and tweeps. Eryne did such a spectacular job with this event.

{Cara & Rick enjoying the evening.}

The Banana Republic x Vitamin Daily event was hosted by two of my favourite bloggers, Kelsey of The Anthology and Anya of I'm the It Girl. Cupcakes and champagne were flowing while the ladies got their nails done and makeup touched up. One lucky gal even won a $500 shopping spree! Lisa and the Vitamin Daily ladies sure know how to throw a party!

{Cara, Jen, myself and Erin}

 The shopping events have come to an end and I have officially put a huge dent in my Christmas Shopping (and potentially gained 5 lbs from all the delicious snacks). Thank you again to everyone who put on these amazing evenings. I feel so honored to have been included in all of the fun!

*photo credit of three of the photos given to Rick & Kelsey*

Gap x Style Spy Shopping Party

{Wearing: ShopRuche Blazer, H&M Dress & Belt, BeautyMark Tights, Zara Boots}

Photos by Cara

{Nicole of Le Mode Du Jour}

{Cara, Tessa, Randa, Leonie & Jen}

Another shopping party meant another opportunity to snack on some treats, get my hair braided by Blo's Braid bar, and chat with some of Vancouver's very fashionable ladies. Each member of the Style Spy styled an outfit using the gorgeous pieces available at the Gap right now and someone was lucky enough to win one of the outfits! I have always been a fan of the Gap so browsing through the holiday collections was right up my alley. I am now in desperate need of colored denim.

PS, Yes I have noticed that I am wearing a lot of blue lately... While I'd like to say it's on purpose and that I know something about the color blue that you don't, it is really just a coincidence.

PPS, Do you like the idea of seeing my embarrassing photo outtakes? Hop over and "like" Miss Melissa on facebook and you can see a few of my latest outtake gems.

Le Chateau/ Flare Magazine Shopping Event

{Wearing: Zara Blazer (similar), Lulus Maxi Dress, UO Shoes, H&M Belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag (here)}

Photos taken by Cara

{Lyndi & Cara}

{Niki getting her nails done}

{Cara, myself & Jen}

On the weekend I attended the Le Chateau and Flare Magazine Shopping event.

I used to shop at Le Chateau all the time but for some reason haven't shopped there in a few years. I was pleasantly surprised by their selection of outerwear, shoes and accessories. Their scarves came in gorgeous colors (I picked up an orange one for myself).

I have a few more shopping events to share but seriously, after all of these amazing events I will never be able to shop regularly again. I will walk into a store and demand champagne, a hair touch up by Suki's and to get my nails done.

I will also ask to have models walk around the store with Luisa Rino from Flare talking about all of the latest fall trends that store has to offer. I've officially been spoiled.

Anjolee Diamond Tennis Bracelet

For some reason I'm not a huge accessorizer. I always admire people who can accessorize the heck out of an outfit but I tend to go for one focus piece, like a statement necklace. Otherwise I like dainty pieces like pearl earrings or a diamond tennis bracelet. That's how I accessorized my last outfit and I was about to post these pictures in the outfit post until I realized that this gorgeous bracelet from Anjolee deserved a post of it's own.

{Diamond Tennis Bracelet c/o Anjolee}

I have always drooled over tennis bracelets because they are exactly my style. This one is gorgeous. I received a handful of compliments within minutes of wearing it. If you're looking for Christmas present ideas for a lady in your life, you should head over to Anjolee and see their selection of jewelry. Not only do they have stunning diamond tennis bracelets, but they also have earrings, necklaces and pendants. They also carry men's bracelets!

Happy Shopping!

Joe Fresh Gets Festive

 I don't know about you, but to me, the fact that Christmas is only 35 days away is both exciting and scary. I always love a few new sparkly pieces to wear over the holidays but I know that buying gifts for others is the priority and staying on budget is a challenge.

Luckily I'll have the opportunity to attend some holiday shopping parties in the upcoming weeks and I'll get to share with you all the amazing deals I find. Today I'll be sharing what I discovered at the Joe Fresh Holiday Preview and trust me, it was gold (gold sequins to be exact)

 {Nail polish $4 (3 for $10), mini lip gloss set (6pcs) $10, individual eye shadows $4, more prices available on joefresh.com}

 The holiday makeup palettes were stunning. I had no idea that Joe Fresh makeup was of such great quality and the colors were beautiful.

{PC Holiday serveware with silver pine branch decal: Rectangular platter $12, Set of 4 small round plates $10, sugar or creamer $3 each, Set of 4 mugs $10, cake plate $10, star salt & pepper set $3, square dessert plate $2, set of 4 embroidered napkins $9, Metallic printed placemat $4. more prices available in store}

 {Holiday pillows $8 each, Solid color decorative pillows $14, slippers $9, more prices available in store}

To allow us to see all of the holiday products PCHome and Joe Fresh had to offer this season, the penthouse in False Creek's Kayak building was decorated solely with these pieces. Aside from it being obviously stunning (the view? I mean come on), the holiday decor resulted in such a cozy and inviting atmosphere that a few of us bloggers were tempted to move in.

I ran into Jen (pictured above) while exploring all of the goodies in the bedroom and closet and Olivia (below) while drooling over the makeup.

 {Clothes: nordic sweater $69, gold sequin shorts $69, silk shirt $49, sequin striped tee $29, metallic sweater $29, cashmere v-neck sweater $69, nordic leggings $29, puffer jacket $79. Shoes: bow flats $39, gold brogues $79, lace up wedge bootie $79. more prices available at joefresh.com}

I loved that all of the Joe Fresh clothing was hanging in the closet because for some reason it was easier to pretend that everything was in my closet look at. The men's, women's and kid's collections were all of really high quality and the colors will be perfect for winter.

If you're like me and looking to finally start decorating your apartment for Christmas like a grown up or want to get dolled up for the holidays without breaking your holiday budget, Super Store will be the place to shop.

I think my favorite part is that I can walk in and buy a Turkey and a pair of gold sequin shorts at the same time. Amazing.

BeautyMark Holiday Shopping Party

 {find gingerbread girl here}

 {find candy cane here}

 {find women's skincare here}

 {find men's products here}

I'm a huge fan of BeautyMark so I was excited to explore their new location in Yaletown. It's two floors of everything a girl (or guy) needs to look their best. I was especially excited to start my Christmas shopping. I stopped by their Holiday Party with Jen (of Prairie Girl in the City) and we both found some fantastic gifts for our loved ones. I spoiled myself with a pair of fleece lined tights... my legs are going to be toasty warm this winter!

If you're in Vancouver make sure you stop by BeautyMark's new home. You'll never be able to believe they fit all their amazing products into their old location!

If you're not in Vancouver don't fret. You can order their products online at beautymark.ca and there is US and International shipping available.

Did I just give you all the easiest (and best) way to get all of your Christmas shopping done online? I think I did.