Canadian Living December 2012

This week, as we’ve been busily putting our December issue to bed, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the past year. I have had a year of good health, spent some wonderful times with family and friends, and been fortunate to have steady employment in a not always stable economy. But I’ve also heard enough news recently to make me realize that not everyone has been so fortunate. Last weekend, I attended the wedding of a friend whose beloved grandmother wasn’t able to be there because she was starting kidney dialysis. I heard of a mom who was diagnosed with an advanced cancer and had to start chemotherapy immediately. I spoke to a young man who recently lost his sister and an elderly woman who was searching for a…

Made With Love Many years ago, my mom made each of my three children a tiny mitten with their name on it for Christmas. She continued this tradition every year. As the years went by, I never knew what to do with the mittens we were accumulating. My then-young daughter, Alex, asked if she could decorate the banister with them. That was fine for a while, but the amount of mittens grew. About 10 years ago, Alex asked if she could put the mittens on the Christmas tree, and we decided there were so many that they should have their own tree. Nana’s mitten tree has become a focal point in our home during the holidays. Last December, my dad was very ill. Christmas looked bleak for our family. There was not a…

gifts of beauty KATHERINE FLEMMING SENIOR EDITOR, BEAUTY & HEALTH “THE HOLIDAYS ARE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE GLAMOROUS GIRLY INDULGENCES THAT PEOPLE WOULD NEVER PURCHASE FOR THEMSELVES.” WRAP ARTIST Shelve ho-hum elastics in favour of these glittering hair ties, which are far more forgiving on precious hair – and eyes. SEPHORA COLLECTION RIBBON HAIR TIES, SET OF EIGHT, $10, SEPHORA.COM. MAGIC BULLETS Lipstick touch-ups become all the more alluring when you can pluck this sleek and shiny gold tube from your purse. GUERLAIN SHINE AUTOMATIC LIPSTICK IN LOU LING, 3.5 G, $40, THEBAY.COM. BRUSH WITH GREATNESS The pick of hair pros worldwide, this luxe boar-bristle brush will ensure gleaming strands for years to come. MASON PEARSON BOAR-BRISTLE AND NYLON POCKET HAIRBRUSH, $97, EBEAUTY.CA. STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT The northern lights inspired these shimmering shadows. YVES SAINT LAURENT BORÉAL PALETTE…

Prizes may not be exactly as shown. Please go to canadianliving.com/holidays for more prize details. 60 NOV. 2Family Fun Pack from Hallmark $105 hallmark.ca59 NOV. 3Donna Karan Lenox Burnished Copper 103/4” Vase $175 lenox.com58 NOV. 4Mountain Equipment Co-Op Victoria Tote $56 mec.ca57 NOV. 5Colour Your Library Books (Set of 10) $120 indigo.ca56 NOV. 6President’s Choice Gift Card $50 loblaws.ca55 NOV. 7Walmart Wednesdays Walmart Gift Card $100 walmart.ca54 NOV. 8Parker Ingenuity Collection Pen $195 parkerpen.com53 NOV. 9Mark’s Gift Card $200 marks.com52 NOV. 10Breville YouBrew Coffee Maker $350 breville.ca51 NOV. 11Men’s or Women’s Fragrance Sampler Set $75 shoppersdrugmart.ca50 NOV. 12Editor’s Choice Fitness Fit Pack $13549 NOV. 13Korhani Home Rug and Whoopie! Cream Confectionery Candle $92 korhani.com48 NOV. 14Walmart Wednesdays Walmart iPhone and iPad Case Bundle $100 walmart.ca47 NOV. 15Style at Home Sweet Dreams…

TRENDSPOTTING: THE GLITTERATI Ditch the fine jewelry and delicate chains. The three qualities holiday accessories should embody are decadence, baroque style and the ability to make a statement. 1 | ALAN ANDERSON CLIP-ON EARRINGS, $945, HOLTRENFREW.COM. 2 | ANNA DELLO RUSSO FOR H&M NECKLACE, $60, HM.COM/CA. 3 | EARRINGS, $190, SWAROVSKI.CA. 4 | MEDUSA RHINESTONE BOW HAIR CLIP, $48, HOLTRENFREW.COM. 5 | BRACELET, $62, BANANAREPUBLIC.COM. 6 | RHINESTONE STATEMENT NECKLACE, $148, LIASOPHIA.CA. 7 | MEDUSA BEADED HAIR CLIP, $30, HOLTRENFREW.COM. 8 | ANNA DELLO RUSSO FOR H&M EARRINGS, $30, HM.COM/CA. WE LOVE: HAIR DECORATIONS The runways saw an influx of designers dressing models with statement hair accessories. These ornate embellishments were intended to accent updos, not to steal the show – but, of course, they did. If you’re hitting hair-styling fatigue, ditch the curling…

BEST TUMMY TAMER Hanes Shapewear Firm Control Hi-Waist Brief, $18, walmart.ca. I loved how easy it was to put on and take off. I was also a fan of its localized control: It only focused on smoothing out my belly and tightening up my lower back. BEST THIGH SLIMMER Secret Cool Comfort Mid-Thigh Slimmer, $12, walmart.ca. The control top slenderized my tummy and thighs, and lifted my rear. It stayed in place all day long. It was comfortable and made everything look smaller. BEST SMOOTHER Triumph Lovely Sensation Body Dress, $80, thebay.com. This shaping slip dress was the only support garment I wouldn’t be embarrassed to have my boyfriend see me in. The sexy lingerie design would fit into my intimates drawer with ease, plus it did a great job of contouring.…