'Tis The Season to Guiltlessly Wear Hideous Sweaters...

This past Saturday night the gorgeous and talented Stefania of Toronto TextStyles threw what I believe to be one of the more ingenious holiday theme parties ever: The Ugly Seasonal Sweater Party! Not only was the party in and of itself a blast, but some of the sweaters that came through the door were truly mind-boggling in their deliciously inelegant goodness.

As a former figure skater I consider my attraction to all things sequined, beaded and/or generally ostentatious to be entirely justifiable, hence the wonderful monstrosity of a cardigan that I wound up in...
...And yes, I am drinking wine out of a coffee mug. Because I keep it classy like that.

This photo credit is of course given to the lovely and talented Stefania! I cannot even express how much I recommend that you click here to check out her blog, which everyone who's anyone knows is totally the best new Toronto street style site on the block. Happy Monday everyone!

Holiday Gift Guide: Part 3, The "I've Got To Spend Something" under-$150 gift for everyone on your list.

The problem: Roger Daltrey of The Who prophetically uttered "I'm not trying to cause a big sensation, I'm just talking bout my g-g-generation" back in 1965, and never do Daltrey's words seem to ring truer than when one is attempting to find the perfect gift for an individual who isn't a part of their, for lack of a better term, generation. Such is the case with today's subject, who's absolutely hipper-than-thou within their own age group, but who's taste level leaves something to be desired in yours...

There's something to be said for classic items which have seemingly not gone out of style since their arrival upon the scene, and herein may lie your salvation when it comes to getting this dude on your list a gift that totally makes him emphatically say "Raucous!" (or whatever term it is that kid's today use in place of the much simpler and more straightforward word of my generation: 'cool')

Today's subject: The Super-Hip Albeit Slightly Uncultured Younger Brother/Cousin/Dude

My under-$150 gift solution #1: A great pair of beat-up checkered Vans have been synonymous with teenage dude cool ever since a young Sean Penn donned them in the seminal 1980's teen comedy 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High'. As much as the fashion elitist part of you may scoff at the notion of gifting anyone, no matter their age or social status, with such a pair of shoes, you may want to check THIS out before you make any rash judgements either way: for a starting price of only $50 you can not only give the little dude in your life a pair of kicks that simply ooze laid-back cool, but more importantly the chance to play designer for a day with Design-Your-Own-Vans. Do-It-Yourself for the internet generation has never been so easy!

My under-$150 gift solution #2: You may have noticed that this guy is always, always walking around with his headphones on, be they the gigantic studio kind or the ubiquitous white iPod earbuds. If you're anything like me, you undoubtedly find it completely obnoxious when this individual has a conversation with you with his headphones still in his ears, but you think their audiophilia and obsession with all things music to be ever so slightly charming all the same. The Ion TTUSB Turntable with USB Record is the perfect gift for this person on your list because nothing warrants street cred with the teenage set more than having a cooler collection of vinyl than everyone else (never mind the fact that this particular machine actually converts such vinyl into MP3 format!) Throw in a couple of classic LP's and these nifty wall-hanging frames to ensure that this dude definitely has the most rad dorm room on the block...when he finally gets to university, that is. Turntable, $91, LP frames, $19, classic albums on vinyl that they will appreciate more and more with age = priceless.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's next installment of Modern-Guilt.com's Holiday Gift Guide for under $150 series!

Holiday Gift Guide: Part 2, The "I've Got To Spend Something" under-$150 gift for everyone on your list.

The problem: Being poorer than the person that one is buying a gift for is often a tricky situation, as there is naturally not much such person wants and doesn't already have. And when preferences are expensive, as was the case with the The Gadget-Loving Boyfriend/Husband/Brother/Dude/Person covered in this post, the perfect gift begins to seem like an impossible notion created by some evil corporate power for the singular purpose of making you experience strong feelings of misery, inadequacy, dissatisfaction and, eventually, financial over-compensation.

But fear not, readers, you don't have to feel this way! First and foremost, it's reasonable to assume that the expensive-shoe-lover on your list has an affinity for the finer things in life, and that this trait extends to more than just their footwear. I've yet to meet an "I-Only-Wear-Manolos" woman who doesn't also possess an interest in beauty and aesthetics on the whole - so work with that!

And so continues the second installment of Modern-Guilt.com's Holiday Gift Guide for under-$150 list for:

Today's subject: The "I-Only-Wear-Manolos" Best Friend/Mother/Sister/Person...

My under-$150 gift solution #1: Alright, it's been determined that this woman is discerning and impeccable in what she wears, and assumed that the same rings true in all other aspects of her faaabulous life. Naturally, her coffee table would appreciate '100 Years of Fashion Illustration' because she obviously needs something gorgeous to look at while waiting at home for the Prada cashmere cardis she scored on Cyber Monday to be delivered to her door! And make sure that she's not left to inelegantly crease the spine of the book when such packages arrives by including the Robie Bookmark, the design of which was adapted from a Frank Lloyd Wright wall sconce...and if that calibre of design isn't chic, I truly don't know what is.
My under-$150 gift solution #2: Not all designer items are that expensive, and if this person on your list is anything like mine and therefore currently stuck in the treacherous ugliness that only bitterly cold weather brings, a couple of not-knit-by-grandma outerwear accessories may be your first-class ticket to having the coolest gift under the tree for them this holiday season. Be it Miu Miu or Missoni, your Manolo-lover is sure to appreciate a cozy, functional beanie that doesn't make her look like a cross between the Abominable Snowman and a creepy cat burglar. Missoni beanie, $75, Miu Miu beanie, $60. More selection and matching accessories can be found at net-a-porter.com

Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1, The "I've Got To Spend Something" under-$150 gift for everyone on your list.

This is the first installment of a Holiday Gift Guide series which will be continuing throughout the upcoming weeks.

I totally get it. You're running out of time, you're not particularly crafty or adept at making things and, for that matter, you cannot think of anything to make that's doesn't hearken back to the Popsicle-stick jewelry boxes of your youth; sometimes, recession be damned, you're just left with no option but to get out there and spend. On the other side of the spectrum, stuff is, well... expensive, recession be damned or not; if the people on your gift list are as discerning and costly in their preferences as the people on mine, you're naturally feeling as though you're between a rock and a hard place.

So I've come up with a few ideas as to how one can overcome this particular hurdle. While you may not have the financial means to present the gadget-loving man (or woman!) in your life with a brand-new MacBook come Christmas morning, you do still have some pretty awesome and viable options.

Today's Subject: The Gadget-Loving Boyfriend/Husband/Brother/Dude/Person

The problem: Given the fact that common, store-bought technology has been updating at an exponential pace throughout the past couple of years, it's only natural that more and more of these types have been coming out of the woodwork. You probably have one in your life and, if you don't, you're undoubtedly acquainted with a few. I find these individuals the hardest to shop for when on a budget because let's face it: the things they appreciate don't come cheap.
My under-$150 gift solution #1: Sure, he's not particularly fond of clothing or home decor, but what if you found a way to parlay these types of items into gadget-related gifts? Thankfully for us, the brilliant geniuses over at Throwboy.com have done exactly this. Show the Machead in your life the above photo and watch them squeal and coo like a fashion blogger does over pictures of the latest Rodarte collection. Available for purchase here, at $29 each or $149 for the set of six as shown.

My under-$150 gift solution #2: If you've ever heard the words "If it doesn't have an LED screen, I probably don't like it" uttered by this person, you'll know that often the calibre of gadget is less important to them than the fact that the item in question is a gadget or computerized device of some sort - I have, in the past, made the mistake of doubting this and figuring that everyone appreciates a nice $600 designer coat when this is in fact NOT THE CASE. Above note an assorted variety of small, inconsequential electronic devices which are sure to please this person on your list far more than that pair of expensive jeans you were eyeing for them. Plus an array of presents under the tree is just fun for everyone, isn't it? Clockwise, left-to-right: Fruit Powered Clock $18, LED Umbrella $24.99, Giant Ear Bud Speakers $40, Electronic Bubble Wrap Keychain $9.99, Rocket Alarm Clock $20, Portable Electronics Charging Station $29.99

Stay tuned for the continuation of the gift guide on Sunday, at which point I'll be covering off the next subject of interest: The "I-Only-Wear-Manolos" Best Friend/Mother/Sister/Person...

How lovely it is to find a plaid shirt that fits!

I've had a thing for plaid, button-down shirts for as long as I can remember. I'm unsure as to where or when my obsession with all things checked originated, but I do know that the thrill I felt when I saw this shirt on a shop girl in Guess a couple of weeks back was nearly second to none. As far as my love for the typically masculine garment goes, I've found that looking for a shirt of this kind to be boy-ish but not actually made for a boy to be a consistently unfortunate and trying endeavour.
I'm certain that you are all beginning to think I have the worst, most proletarian taste in the world, what with the Foot Locker hoodie yesterday and now a Guess Jeans shirt. Alas, the Dolce & Gabbana offerings of plaid shirts and lumberjack dresses are out of my price range at this point in time, and if I can find a similarly designed top at a fraction of the price (which consequently allows me to look the way I want to and keep up my standard of living in all other respects), what does it matter to me what the tag on the inside of it says? Truth is, it doesn't, and I'm happy that such places exist at which I can get my affordable fashion fix!

As much as I love fashion, I believe it's a grave mistake to take it too seriously - so to complete my mall fashion extravaganza look, take note of the grey high-waisted Urban Planet jeans and Forever 21 oxford lace-up platform pumps. Even my black leather blazer, as much as I adore it and want to wear it every single day forever, is from Danier.

Regardless of the fact that every single item I'm wearing came from the cheesiest mall stores imaginable, this turned out to be a quite practical look for an evening that consisted of a dental appointment and a stroll through one of the cuter areas of the city, and one that I quite liked for that matter.

I even managed to have a bit of fun while at the dentist's office, as per the joke photo below. My dentist undoubtedly thought that I was out of my mind when G and I started laughing uncontrollably at the x-ray glasses (which we've since deemed 'The Lady Gaga') for fun - it's all about voguing no matter the location, darlings!Wearing

The fitted plaid button-down shirt is from Guess.

The leather blazer/jacket was purchased at Danier a couple of years back, and has not worn in completely to my liking yet.

The grey high-waisted button jeans are from Urban Planet.

The black patent oxford booties are from Forever 21.

I recently purchased this purse at Over the Rainbow in Yorkville, Toronto.

Black December: Living in latex leggings and baggy tops, loving being alive, the usual.

The weekend past began commonly enough, but quickly turned into a whirlwind of drinks, social engagements, more drinks, shopping, restaurant reservations and, finally, having my eardrums blown by the psychedelic rock n’ roll brilliance that was Darker My Love at the Horseshoe Tavern last night. In short, there wasn’t a moment of it which wasn’t thrilling and awesome.
One of the highlights of the past couple of days was the Black Sunday Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch, as organized by the perpetually lovely and charming Danielle of FinalFashion.ca. The fact that this tiny bit of space on the internet is bringing me to events like this one, which are filled with interesting, informative and like-minded individuals is really beyond anything I could have imagined at Modern-Guilt.com's inception just a few short months ago. A huge thank you to Anita, Gail, Danah, Jas, Carolyn, Eden, Danielle and Serah-Marie for being so welcoming and lovely, and moreover some of the best conversationalists I've had the pleasure of encountering in recent history.

In other weekend news, G and I finally got around to watching Lagerfeld Confidential on Saturday evening, which was a hugely inspiring and entertaining little film. One of the best parts had to be the outtakes of Karl photographing Mariacarla for a Chanel campaign in the streets of Paris with Emmanuelle Alt and a bunch of other impossibly chic Parisians in tow. It was absolutely lovely to see that, regardless of scale, equipment and the amount of attendants on hand, all photographs are just photographs, and are taken in what is essentially the exact same way at the end of the day.

On a more personal fashion-y note, I did absolutely no shopping this weekend (Black Friday). I'm doing absolutely no shopping today (Cyber Monday). And, at the moment, I generally just want to quit shopping for all time. The holiday season always has a tendency to put me in this kind of mood, what with all of the circulating stories of sickeningly crazed consumerism reaching brand new moral lows and record financial highs. As such, I've basically decided to buy as little as possible this holiday season and instead rely upon my own creativity and knowledge of the people on my 'shopping list' to create something wonderful and memorable for the ones I love; I may even do a DIY Holiday Gift Guide at some point in the near future, so watch out for that!

I obviously have plenty more to say about this and that and all the rest, but I don't believe it's all going to fit inside of one Monday post. I hope you all had amazing Thanksgiving weekends, and promise to of course be back tomorrow with even more outfits and ramblings and everything else you've come to expect from G and I - however, if you're unable to wait that long, don't forget about our brand-new Twitter account which we've been updating in a manner that borders on obsessive.

Wearing

I finally found a plain, well-fitting black hoodie, and at Foot Locker of all places! It is quite possibly my new favourite article of clothing.

The white tank is from a random Yonge Street shop, and is made of that wonderful slouchy jersey that I'm enjoying so much lately.

The latex PVC-like leggings are Silence and Noise, as purchased at Urban Outfitters.

My black leather platformed boots are Pedro Garcia, and need to be cleaned up a little bit as last winter seems to have taken a toll on them.

The navy blue moto purse was purchased recently at Over the Rainbow in Yorkville.

Updates and such...

Modern-Guilt is now twittering away. You may be asking yourself 'how many more things can S possibly be addicted to on the internet?'...and the answer is I've no clue, but this Twitter business is extremely fun. So yeah. There's a link to it here and on the sidebar if you ever feel like knowing what's going through my head at 2 a.m. on a Monday night.I've been tagged by the lovely Sueper of The Sueper Blog to share with ya'll the contents of the gigantic satchel full of receipts and gum wrappers that I carry around with me (more commonly known as my purse). The contents are more or less staples of anyone's purse, and are as follows: concealer, Dr. Pepper lip gloss, office and apartment building access cards, headphones, wallet, keys and suede gloves. The only integral thing that this photo lacks is my iPhone, and that would be for the very logical reason that the only thing a camera cannot see is itself (one of my favourite lines from the book Robot City which I've been trying to figure out a way to re appropriate into the blog for the past couple of days...yes, I am a huge sci-fi nerd).
I leave this tag open to anyone who wants to complete it! I hope that a lot of you do, as I'm sure most of you out there have much more thrilling purse contents than mine.

Before I sign off for the day I just want to wish you all a very, very happy Thanksgiving. We here in Canadaland celebrated it all the way back in October, but if you're reading this and you're American (or residing in some other country which celebrates it today...I can't say I'm that well-versed in international holidays) then know that G and I are wishing you the loveliest of days! In all fairness we wish that for you every day, but today is Thanksgiving so why not voice it publicly for once.