The Pastiche Holiday Love List!
Ideas, Gifts & Experiences We Love for the Holidays from Local & Small Businesses
The most wonderful time of the year is here and I am so happy to finally be decking all of our halls to bring some much needed Christmas comfort, joy and cheer into our home.
The holidays, like everything else this year, will be different, but if I’ve learned anything in the last few months, what that means to me is:
We can still count our blessings and have an intimate & meaningful experience
We have to support small businesses any chance we get
We can be extra, go all out & basically do whatever we want to feel good, there are no rules
We’re not doing much gifting ourselves this year, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share some of my all time, year round favourites which happen to also be perfect for Christmas.
Full disclosure: With this post I get nothing from promoting any of these businesses or products. I just want to share my love for these people and the wonderful things they’ve created and spread that joy to all of you in case it might help.
I love the warmth and romance of Christmas. My taste for nostalgia, intentional living & details fits perfectly with this holiday and I hope you love something here and can support a small business if you do!
Christmas Cards & Ornaments from Monarch Design Co.
Photo via Monarch Design Co.
I adore stationery and mail so you bet that I love sending physical cards any chance I get. Tayne and Ashley are the husband and wife duo behind Monarch Design Co. and you might recognize them from the wedding projects we’ve done together and the brand and website design they did for me earlier this year. Their selection of designs is so festive and together with the customizable details like colourful envelopes, wax seals, and even addressing, makes custom beautiful and so so easy. They’re actually even customizing one of their designs for me even further and I can’t wait! They’re also offering custom calligraphy ornaments and there have been some really fun ideas to commemorate this year. Personalized and detailed is always the way to go in my opinion so I’m so thrilled with all of their options. You can check out their site here and Etsy shop here.
Holiday (or Winter) Photo Session
Photo via Simply Lace
You know how much I love a well thought out and styled photo session, and this is the perfect time. Either book one for yourself (and then you can use the photos for your Christmas cards!) or contact a photographer and ask for a gift card or credit option that you can buy as a gift for someone! This is actually exactly the kind of thing #StyledbyPastiche was created for as well, to help you style mini moments like this to best reflect what you’re trying to achieve with the shoot. Some of our favourites include Corina V, Simply Lace, Brittany Williams, Alix Gould & Rae Connell. Some are even doing holiday mini sessions so be sure to look around! Don’t want to do a Christmas shoot but love the idea? Make it a cozy winter session instead! There are so many possibilities and I guarantee you will never regret having these special moments artfully captured.
Modern Hoop Wreaths from RV Design Shop
Photos via RV Design Shop
If you’re looking to spruce up your holiday decor this year, look no further than this trendy hoop wreath selection. On the door, on the wall, on a bar cart, on a mirror - so many fun places to style these to instantly elevate your holiday home. These just so happen to be creations by my sister Roxy who has branched out from her successful sticker business to try her hand at these hand made beauties. You can check out her wreath shop here and sticker shop here.
Sweets & Treats from Nadia & Co.
Photos via Nadia & Co.
Combining some of our favourite things, fine art and heavenly pastries, Nadia & Co. is the go-to for the perfect treat for ourselves and our loved ones. Her 2020 Holiday Collection is live and we can’t decide between the Cinnamon Snowflakes kit and the adorable Hampers.
Flowers & Gifts from Oleander Floral Design
Photos via Oleander Floral Design
This has been a local Etobicoke favourite of mine for years and years. Jennifer and her team are incredibly talented with their floral creations (and are even offering planter styling!) and have curated a lovely home and gift shop next door as well. Their Holiday Open House is this Saturday and you can save 20% on your purchases. I already have my eye on the perfect blue ornaments, fun reusable dishcloths & some gorgeous small pieces for our families.
Subscription from Posh Home Box
Photo via Posh Home Box
Martine curates a wonderful home and gift collection and offers these themed monthly boxes that arrive right at your door and are available in 3, 6 and 12 month options. Makes a perfect addition to your own home with bespoke updates to “pastiche” up your own home, or a great gift for someone in your life who appreciates pretty things.
Wine Club
Photos via Kew Vineyards
Speaking of subscriptions, what better gift is there for a wine lover than an exciting wine delivery full of staple favourites and new creations? Some of our favourites are Kew Vineyards, Redstone & Rosehall Run. Don’t want a subscription but like the idea? A lot of wineries (a few more favourites: Pearl Morissette, The Grange & non-wine Dillon’s in Niagara & Kinsip in PEC) have made deliveries super easy so you can order a la carte right to your door and toast with something exciting for the holidays!
Table Essentials from Simply Beautiful Decor
Photo by Wreath and Rose Photography
Celebrating on a smaller scale at home doesn’t mean you can’t go all out and deck out the table too. Simply Beautiful is based in NOTL and offers all the best romantic & timeless pieces for your table. My advice? Pick a theme or colour scheme that speaks to you & get creative by mixing patterns and textures. Velvet tablecloths, linen napkins, tile-inspired chargers & a rainbow of stemware - dress up your table & give yourself and your home the ultimate holiday experience. Pick up a centrepiece from your local florist, order fancy takeout from your favourite restaurant & give yourself a 5 star evening in the comfort of your own home.
Meal Kits, Take-out & Gift Cards from your favourite restaurants
Photo by Simply Lace Photography
Restaurants need our support to survive. A few of my favourite spots have already had to close for good and I’d be sad to see more and more incredible restaurants disappear. Gusto & Antler are offering some amazing meal kit options, Dundas Street Grille (where I used to work!) is a family owned Etobicoke gem that’s my go-to for comfort take out, & most restaurants are offering gift cards (some even with bonus add ons for the holidays!). Speaking of a 5 star evening at home, why not order something special or an exciting cook it yourself option to add to your special tablescape set up. Make it a cooking lesson/tasting experience at home; have fun with the plating and presentation and I promise it will be a night to remember!
Get Dressed Up with Fitzroy Rentals
Photo by Wreath and Rose Photography
Fitzroy is my go-to any time I need a special outfit for an occasion or a shoot. Renting special occasion wear is a sustainable choice (instead of buying something you’re likely to wear once to that specific occasion) and is an affordable option to enjoy designer pieces for less. Christmas, NYE or a special evening at home can be made even more special with the perfect dress, accessories & more. Even though I’m spending NYE at home, already have my ideal dress in mind to ring in bigger and better things in 2021.
Getaway at The June
All of our international travel plans might still be on hold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan incredible getaways closer to home. The June is run by two incredible women who now have TWO stylish getaways for you to choose from. Go with Prince Edward County if you want to explore, sip on wine & scout out the newest eats in the area. For retro surf vibes, iconic beach sunsets & drool worthy lobster rolls poolside with frozé in hand, can’t go wrong with Sauble Beach. They are booking into 2021 and this would make an amazing gift for someone who really needs a break, or for yourself (maybe a work-play trip to get inspired in the new year?).
Digital Style Guide Subscription from Julianne Costigan
Photo via Julianne Costigan
Bringing a little bit of the personal stylist touch at a fraction of the cost, Julianne’s new Digital Style Guides help shop seasonally and balance between key investment pieces and affordable every day finds. What we wear has such a huge impact on our mood, productivity & general energy. I think this is such a fabulous idea to help find your signature style and build a meaningful wardrobe based on principles and feelings that are most important to you.
Calendars from Wee Three Sparrows
Beautiful original photography to calm and transport you, with 2021 and perpetual options to keep track of the most important dates, these gorgeous calendars from Rebecca would make the perfect (& hopeful!) gift to plan for the future. You can find the calendars as well as postcards and other beautiful things from Canadian artists in her shop here.
Masks from The Loved One
Photos via The Loved One
Staying safe and looking great - these masks from Antonia are my go to. Since we have to wear them everywhere, why not invest in great reusable/washable pieces that last. I love the wire at the nose to help secure the mask and the overall fit that makes me sometimes even forget I have it on. With gorgeous prints for all seasons, I find these help me make the best of things.
Jewelry from Accessories by Talia
Photos via Accessories by Talia
Not only are all of Talia’s gold pieces gold-filled (as opposed to gold plated, which means higher quality that will last longer), they are the perfect investment piece for a staple wardrobe. Hope to achieve that perfect layered necklace or stacked ring look? She’s amazing at advising you on what you’re looking for and will help guide you to get exactly what you want. I love the sentimentality of jewelry and have bought myself pieces from Talia to celebrate milestones or remind myself of certain things when I wear them. Gifting jewelry is so special too, so check out her customizable and trendy new additions.