GIVEAWAY: Win a $50 gift certificate to Park Royal! {CLOSED}

Those of you who have passed through West Vancouver recently have probably noticed some significant changes being made to its iconic shopping centre, Park Royal. Instead of running around the city, savvy shoppers can now escape to Park Royal’s new 150,000 square-foot outdoor expansion, which includes Anthropologie, J. Crew, LOFT, LUSH, Sephora, and Zara, as well as an expanded parkade and two Squamish Nation public art pieces. Other notable retailers will also be opening in early 2014, including Artizia’s new flagship location, Bath & Body Works, Browns, Town Shoes and Urban Outfitters. Be sure to check out Park Royal's Twitter and Facebook for more info.

To celebrate the expansion, I'm also excited to be able to offer one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to Park Royal so they can check out the changes for themselves, plus a bottle of Rose Gold perfume from Zara!

HOW TO ENTER:

♥ Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: "Enter to win a $50 gift certificate from @shopParkRoyal and @alison_elle - http://bit.ly/1cufXSh #EscapetoParkRoyal"

Giveaway ends December 19 at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. Open only to Vancouver-area residents as you must be able to visit Park Royal Shopping Centre - sorry!

---

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER - DINAH QUAN!

Holiday Gift Guide: Yves Rocher Cocoa Collection Sparkling Shower Gel

The Cocoa Collection (or "Collection Cacao" in French) from Yves Rocher is a new limited edition holiday line featuring a range of bath & body products in three delicious cocoa-based scents. I was sent the line's Sparkling Shower Gels to try out and I've got to say, I really like them. They smell amazing and are great quality for the price ($6 CAD). Plus, the ornament shapes are so cute.

My favourite of the three scents is Cocoa & Raspberry but Cocoa & Orange comes in a close second. It smells just like a Terry's Chocolate Orange. Cocoa & Pistachio will probably appeal to those who like more nutty scents though personally, I prefer the fruity ones. Also, full disclosure: being a person with severe nut allergies, I'm always paranoid of using products with nuts in the title (though there appear to be no actual nuts or nut oils in this shower gel's ingredients).

Wouldn't these products would make great stocking stuffers or gifts for those on your shopping lists? You know... if you're like me and haven't completed all your Christmas shopping yet!

O Christmas Tree (West 49 Holiday 2013)

This weekend I did something I've never done before: I got a real Christmas tree! Previously I've only ever had fake ones but there really is something special about finding that one perfect tree and the fresh, pine smell that fills your home with festive cheer.

My trip to the tree lot also turned out to be the perfect opportunity to wear some new winter-weather clothing from West 49 Holiday 2013. I've previously featured some of their Spring pieces but their holiday looks are also right up my alley. These boots, for example, feature a super soft & fuzzy sherpa lining and are soooo warm. Be sure to check out the West 49 Girls Holiday Lookbook for some great outfit ideas and enter for a chance to win a $500 giftcard while you're at it!

Sweater: Billabong (c/o West 49) (also here) / Plaid Shirt: TNA (Aritzia)
Jeans: Old Navy (c/o) (here) / Boots: ROXY (c/o West 49) (in black)
Bag: Mulberry (here) / Bobble Hat: ASOS (in grey and black)