Last Minute Gifts Made Easy

Last minute gifts for mom, sister, girlfriend, cousin, wife who:

- is difficult to buy for

- has everything

- enjoys creativity

- appreciates a thoughtful gift

- is worthy of some time for herself

THE REFINERY Gift Experience Certificates 

Convenience is Key!

- order online, by calling 416.262.4116, or via email

- gift certificate sent to you via email within 24 hours

- you can print the certificate and put it in a card

- gift receiver contacts THE REFINERY when they are ready to book

- all contact information located on their gift certificate

- gift certificate is good until the receiver uses it - i.e. no expiry

- simple, easy, convenient!

THE REFINERY Gift Experience Certificates 

THE REFINERY experience: 

- work with women age 20 to 50 to 80

- loads of personal recommendations

- multiple National media endorsements 

THE REFINERY gift experiences are the BEST last minute gift choice! 

*** Order until 11:59pm Thursday December 24th, 2009 ***

 THE REFINERY Gift Experience Certificates

Wendy Woulds | Winter Evening Shoes with Jeans

Question submitted by Karma B.: "What shoes can I wear to dress up jeans in the winter? I'm trying to get away from the typical black boot look..."

Wendy Woulds: "For winter it's easiest to stick with closed toe shoes, but you can still have a lot of fun! Use any of your closed toe evening shoes - a patent leather pump, something with a rhinestone, or velvet are all great for winter. I like the idea of a jazzier boot as well - try something new with metal studs, a different colour, or some lace.

"If possible, when it gets really snowy I highly recommend wearing trudging appropriate boots to and from the event and bring your other shoes with you.  You can change into the pretty shoes when you're inside and store your boots with your coat."

REFINED. Gift Experience Ideas - Extravagant!

For the fifth installment of REFINED. gift experience ideas, I have compiled a list of my top 5 extravagant Toronto* gift experience picks:

1. Decadent Retreat at Elmwood Spa - bring new meaning to the word joy. $433 per person.

2. The REFINED. Woman makeover with THE REFINERY - a full makeover will have her feeling amazing about herself! $600 per woman.

3. Flames of Passion at Hotel St. Germain - an evening, and morning, of pure pampering. starting at $349 per couple.

4. Time Management Experience with The Time Doctor - The gift that keeps on giving... an organized life. $250 per person.

5. Takumi Dinner at Sushi Kaji - known as the best sushi in Toronto, and the most authentic. $120 per person. 

*many of these gift experience ideas can be applied to similar business locations in your city.

Day to Evening Outfit Idea

Wendy Woods from THE REFINERY shows you a simple way to transform a work appropriate day outfit to a stunning evening ensemble.

All you need:
1. A sexy dress in a matte fabric.
2. A blazer that matches your dress.
3. Sparkling earrings.
4. An evening clutch.

REFINED. Gift Experience Ideas - Eco Chic

For the fourth installment of REFINED. gift experience ideas - 5 Toronto* gift experiences to give to the environmentally friendly woman:

1. Beginner Rock Climbing Lesson at Joe Rockhead's - A beginner course the eco chic woman can later apply to the outdoors. $35 per person.

2. Shop Your Closet with THE REFINERY - leave the consuming to someone else! 30 new outfits from the clothes she already has. $120 per service.

3. Cooking Class with Marni Wasserman - Marni teaches you how to cook fantastically flavourful recipes with organic sustainable foods. $105 per person.

4. Signature Pedicure with Healthy Esthetics - only healthy and eco-friendly products used for these pedicures. $28 per pedicure.

5. Dog Sledding through TryThat.ca - an exhilirating experience spent in the fresh air. $150 per person. 

*many of these gift experience ideas can be applied to similar business locations in your city. 

Wendy Woulds | stockings with a black dress

Question submitted by Victoria M.: "If I am wearing a little black dress do I wear black, neutral or no stockings? Need to know the latest trend." 

Wendy Woulds: "Black and neutral stockings are classic looks so both work well!  These days bare legs is also perfectly appropriate - it all comes down to your comfort level, and need for warmth.  If you want a more trendy look wear stockings with sparkle/shine, pattern, or bright colour." 

All your style questions answered!

REFINED. Gift Experience Ideas - For Men

For the third installment of the REFINED. gift experience guide - 5 Toronto* gift experience ideas for the REFINED. woman to give her man:

1. Wilderness Survival through TryThat.ca - fantastic survival skills for the outdoorsy guy. $99 per person.

2. Colour Analysis with THE REFINERY - without the benefits of blush, men need to use the colours they wear to their advantage. $150 per analysis.

3. 1-hour Private Snowboard Lesson at Mount St. Louis - whether he's a beginner or an expert he will have fun improving his skills. $75 an hour.

4. Boom Boom Cards - okay, so not an experience per se, but the cards encourage your man to create positive life experiences. $9.99 per deck.

5. Beer & Cheese Pairing at Leslieville Cheese Market - 5 beers paired with 5 cheeses to heighten the experience of both - delish! $30 per person. 

*many of these gift experience ideas can be applied to similar business locations in your city.

For the Love of It: Ashley Winnington-Ball

I love what I do... I meet the most incredible, talented people who inspire me and make me appreciate all of the effort and dedication that go into being an artist or designer in Canada.  What I especially love about what I do is hearing the behind the scenes story of how and why artists bring their visions to life. 

I first met Ashley Winnington-Ball about five years ago and was impressed by her unique  approach to jewellery design. Her ability to transform rusted metal, industrial, salvaged and antique items not only reduces the carbon footprint but re surges these found objects into true pieces of art.  Her eco-conscious designs give us some of the most original jewellery I have ever seen, and when you wear one of her pieces, you also make a statement to others about your aesthetic and your values.  Ashley is so passionate about her art form that she was chosen to be part of Sarah Slean's Recessionista tour, where the songstress donned recycled garments and accessories and donated these items to help raise funds for the David Suziki foundation.  “To me, it's about seeing things in a new light, seeing beauty where it might not be obvious or traditional. And ultimately, it's about resourcefulness, preservation and creative living.”

Ashley’s work is featured in the National Post, ET Canada, Toronto Living and Blog T.O.  Her following continues to grow and her dedication to her work is stronger than ever.  You can find Ashley’s work at Shopgirls Gallery Boutique at 1342 Queen Street West.

M. 

Michelle Germain, owner/curator of Shopgirls Gallery Boutique, showcases over 80 Canadian artists and designers in her Parkdale shop.  This 1800 square-foot creative and retail space features one-of-a-kind and one-of-a-few designs from emerging Canadians and also boasts carrying the biggest selection of Yoga Jeans in Canada.

The "LBD" myth

Many fashion writers make it known that in their opinion every women must have a Little Black Dress (aka LBD).  Let's just clear something up here: there are very few life necessities, and a Little Black Dress (aka LBD) is not one of them!

The information that these fashion writers actually mean to give you is, "A classic dress, in a solid neutral colour will make getting party-ready much simpler."  So what does a classic, solid, neutral-coloured dress look like?

Classic: A classic style is simple. If there are any details they are streamlined. Classic styles are "safe", and therefore also timeless!

Solid: "Solid" describes the colour.  It just means that the dress is made up of one colour - no pattern, no colour change.

Neutral: Neutral colours are actually "non-colours" called shades - think black, white, and gray - which makes them easy to match with anything.  Almost as easy to match, are colours like navy, brown, gold, and silver so they are often classified as neutral colours as well.

Next time you feel the need to get a LBD, know that you don't have to buy into the myth!  There are other dress options out there that are equally versatile, and fill all your holiday outfit needs!

REFINED. Gift Experience Ideas - Under $100

For the second installment of the REFINED. gift experience guide - 5 Toronto* gift experience ideas under $100: 

1. Aromatic Reflexology at Kalena Aroma - deeply relaxing treatment that calms the whole body. $70 per person.

2. Toronto Boutique Shopping Tour with THE REFINERY - guided by a personal style coach, she will discover some of Toronto's best boutiques. $70 per person.

3. Yellow Freedom Voucher with TryThat.ca - freedom to choose one of many different experiences through Try That. $100 per voucher. Various Locations.

4. Tickets to Nutcracker at Four Seasons Centre - a classic Holiday tradition for many. Tickets begin at $45 per person and increase from there.

5. 5 class pass at Breathe Yoga Studio - yoga is an amazing way to relax and give a woman some time to herself. $70 for 5 classes.

*many of these gift experience ideas can be applied to similar business locations in your city.