This striking yet delicate gold necklace – much like the desert flowers it’s inspired by – comes by way of London-based jewellery designer Alona Shelemy. Following the launch of her eponymous line, Shelemy’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection is rich in the colours (rose, yellow and pink golds abound) and splendour of a Middle Eastern desert at dusk. Can’t you just picture this gold Elise flowerbomb necklace (or one of the brass-finish cuffs or gunmetal pendants from the collection) as a regal finish to your night-out ensemble? You won’t have to – it just so happens the entire collection is available online.

Alona Shelemy Elise necklace ($230) at byalona.com.

I fell in love with this set of vintage-inspired dessert plates from Anthropologie and at only $18 a pop, they add a much needed eclectic flair to my otherwise white dinnerware set. Imagine serving up bite-sized macarons to unveil a lime green Praying Mantis. It feels like a natural selection.

It’s winter, I get it. I know I’m supposed to love the cold, frigid days, the wet flurries of mid-January, and rolling handfuls of freezing snow into round spheres and hurling them in a gaggle of laughter – you know, all things “Canadian”. But reality is, I just can’t. I’ve tried, I swear, but warm sunny days are more my fancy. That’s why this week’s Object of Desire is the Treccani Milano Croc Riding Boot, a perfect way to celebrate the heat wave that’s making it’s way through Toronto. What’s even more alluring about these buttery boots? They are custom-made in Italy and sold in Treccani’s Toronto studio. +12 on Sat, bring it on!

After what can only be described as a drab, dreary start to the new year with snow and chilly temps, I’m already dreaming of spring. Dreamy florals, bright hues, pastels – that’s what I want to think about right now. Since that’s not going to happen any time soon outside weather-wise, I’ll do with this pretty fluorite image by Weston for an iPad 2 cover, exclusively at net-a-porter.com. Not only does it have those spring-like colours I’m craving, but Weston prints always look like a piece of art. I might even go one step closer to spring and pick up a new iPhone case by Weston as well (have you seen this colourful confection?) Winter blues be gone!

Weston Fluorite printed magnetic iPad 2 cover, $100, net-a-porter.com

Hanji Handmade Paper and Gifts is the type of place where you could easily spend an afternoon, lost in the trinkets and treasures that have been lovingly curated by husband and wife duo Catherine Choi and Hyun Suk.

On a recent visit, I became smitten with the homemade notebooks that Choi binds in house and decorates with charms and dried flowers. I’ll be sure to stock up before I head to fashion week, since they’re small enough to fit in a clutch and stylish enough to whip out at the shows.

Homemade notebooks ($29.50) at Hanji Handmade Paper and Gifts, 619 Bloor St. West, Toronto

I haven’t decided whether I’ll order these flashy and fantastic pens as a last minute Christmas gift or as a treat for myself.

Smarter plan? Order two sets and then I won’t have to choose.

Caran d’Ache Fluo ballpoint pens, $70, netaporter.com

My new iPad definitely falls into the how-did-I-live-without-it category. (Hello, 21st century, I finally decided to join you.) But, much as I love the design of Apple products, I still feel this sleek gadget needs a little tarting up—as much for my own enjoyment as to impress fellow passengers on the train/bus/plane. (Oh, yes—and to keep the iPad unbashed and scratch-free.) This stylish Marni case caught my eye immediately. And it would go perfectly with my black carry-on bag…

Marni Leather-Trimmed Printed iPad Sleeve, $230 at net-a-porter.com

It’s been 72 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds since I’ve had my feet in the white sand of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.  It was a whirlwind of a trip that has left me craving warm summer days, fresh fruit, and frosty cocktails. The one fruity concoction that sent my taste buds into a furry was the passion fruit caiparinha, a take on the traditional Brazilian beverage.

Here’s how to make it at home:

1 Passion Fruit

1/2 lime

2 tb of sugar (yes, for each beverage)

Lots of cachça (a Brazilian liquor)

Ice

Mint leaves for garnish

Mix them all together in a cocktail shaker, pour into a rock glass and be whisked away to steamy Rio. Can I join you?

The holidays are upon us (basically December is just one extended lead up to Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, what have you…) and in my house, that means there’s a lot of wine going around.

I abhor a tepid glass of white, so I was so stoked to come across the VinOice. Silly name, brilliantly simple gadget. It’s a pouring spout you store in the freezer and slip into the bottle after cracking open a vino blanco. It keeps the wine chilled and drip-free.

No wine bucket required!

VinOice, $28, is available at The Bay, Home Outfitters, Stokes, Linen Chest and Bowring (vinoice.com)

One thing everyone at work knows about me is that I’m a travel junkie, in fact I carry my passport with me at all times because, well,  you never know when a last-minute opportunity may pop up.

My jet-set fixation is responsible for many things (including a membership on Mr. & Mrs. Smith Hotels, a nearly maxed-out credit card after booking a holiday vacation and an intimate familiarity with many airports in Europe)  but most recently it has caused a insomnia-inducing obsession with the new Grand Tourista Bag by Jason Wu for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. This luxe bag marks Wu’s first foray into the world of product created exclusively for travel and his first accessory designed for the St. Regis brand. And frankly, I believe it to be the only thing that can see you through airport security with your dignity intact.

Grand Tourista Bag by Jason Wu for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts ($1,995),  available at www.stregis.com/boutique and www.jasonwustudio.com.

*Disclaimer: This bag is not available until mid December, 2012. This makes it ideally suited to holiday wish lists. consider it at the top of mine.