Welcome!
Hope you'll stick around for a bit! If you like what you see here...be sure to visit me on my Instagram @vicki_hall_
I know you think all my articles this week are going to be about love. Well guess what? They’re not. But, they are about something that I love very much - our planet and how we can be better citizens of it. It is my sincere hope that we can take care of it long enough that many future generations will be able to love it as I do.
Have you been standing in front of your closet wondering if you actually have anything to swap? This has been my most common comments since I launched She Shops Swap. “I don’t think I have anything in my closet to swap!” And while this might be true for some, it’s likely not the case for most women
Do you believe in signs from the Universe? Naysayers you don't have to click away just yet, hang in there because whether you think this story is sign or just a plain coincidence - I think it’ll make you smile.
Just wanted to start off the top with how overwhelmed I am with the feedback for She Shops Swap. I launched this event after only speaking with a few friends about it, and I can’t believe the positive reception I’ve received. What it tells me is that you really do want to be the change your fashion consumption while doing something fun with friends.
Have you ever had a party to go to, needed a new outfit, so you asked a friend if she had anything you could borrow? Have you worn that awesome sparkly top to a few holiday parties and now everyone has seen you in it? Have you taken some clothes in to a consignment shop and had them refused because they’re not ‘designer’ enough?
In the past couple of weeks I’ve taken a deep dive into the Ronan Farrow’s world and his investigation of Harvey Weinstein and NBC via his book Catch and Kill AND his Catch and Kill Podcast. It’s fascination to read about the far reaching cover-ups that took place in the entertainment industry and the lengths and money that were used to silence women for decades.
I recently watched a an incredible and eye opening documentary on the fashion industry called The True Cost. Released in 2015, The True Cost studies the impact of the garment industry on the environment and the low wage workers (mostly women) in Bangladesh, India, China and Cambodia who work in oppressive conditions to keep up with our demand for ‘fast fashion’.
Thank you so much for coming along this twenty four day whirlwind of gift suggestions with me. If I was able to help with even a single gift on your list…then I’ve done my job.
According to the website Canadian POS “Gift cards are a popular choice of gift for every occasion….and are most heavily purchased at Christmas.” Do I think a gift card is a good choice? Yes…absolutely. In fact I was at my Mom’s nursing home this morning and one of the ladies mentioned that she really appreciated receiving a gift card for coffee over more chocolate or cookies.
You’re cutting it tight if you haven’t started your shopping yet, but I trust that most of my readers are already sitting back and relaxing with a good book, podcast and glass of wine. But just in case you’re looking of a fab bottle to take to the family dinner on Christmas day, might I suggest my current favourite;
One of my favourite wineries in the Niagara region is the 13th St. Winery. Their modern farmhouse buildings containing the tasting bar & wine boutique and farmhouse bakery have me visiting each time I’m in town for a couple of bottles of their famous ‘Burger Blend’ wines.
There’s an old Italian saying goes something like this; Se chiedi Gucci…potresti ottenere Gucci. It roughly translates to; If you ask for Gucci…you might get Gucci! Feel free to insert you favourite Italian luxury designer in place of Gucci.
