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

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.

Now that it’s almost December, I’m starting to plan my looks for the holiday party circuit. And I keep coming back to daydream over these shoes from the Chanel Fall 2012 show. Let’s face it though—if these amazing boots actually graced my feet during a festive soirée, I’d be forced to stand in a corner by myself all night in case someone stepped on them or (gasp!) spilled a drink. Some things are just too beautiful to be worn in the real world.

Purple patinated leather boots by Chanel (price upon request), chanel.com.

Sometimes it takes cringing at Christmas morning pics to see the obvious—that a sense of style shouldn’t desert you when it comes to sleepwear. Imagine starting the day in this satin night shirt from Joe Fresh: Cupping a mug of tea while standing barefoot in the kitchen just became infinitely cooler.

Joe Fresh night shirt, joefresh.com.

I initially didn’t believe this morning’s surprise news that Nicolas Ghesquière is leaving Balenciaga after 15 years.  I googled, skeptically, until I reached the official press release which confirmed it. Now I feel terribly nostalgic. I’m sure the future looks bright for both Ghesquière and Balenciaga, but let’s have a moment for their beautiful history together: the aviator jackets; the skinny pants; the Fall 2006 collection with tweed suits and equestrian-inspired hats; the paper doll-like exaggerated silhouettes of Spring 2008′s floral mini-dresses—perfect updates from the voluminous archives.

Then there was Fall 2012, with its array of immediately covetable irony-tinged sweatshirts and T-shirts. Ghesquière’s Spring 2013 collection—which the designer termed “the most sensual collection I’ve ever done”—was another triumph: asymmetric skirts, sculptural ruffles, and pantsuits paired with modified bras.

Stay tuned for more news! Check out our top 20 favourite Spring 2013 Balenciaga looks. Your faves?

Balenciaga Wave Sleeveless T-shirt, $285, balenciaga.com