PARTY READY IN 60 MINS OR LESS
It's the holidays and your in-laws call to say they're gonna drop by in an hour for a little impromptu get together. Your fridge is empty and there's no way you're about to whip up a four course meal cuz hey, you're not Martha and who has the time anyway? Chill, take a deep breathe and get the cocktail napkins out because I'm going to tell you how to throw an impressive party in 60 mins or less.
Pre-party prep
You might need to make a quick stop to your local store but fear not, what you need to pick up is super easy: sweets, savoury, booze and some more Nespresso capsules if you're running low.
Nespresso has beautiful limited edition porcelain cups ($32 for a set of 2) that are perfect for the holidays or year round. They make an excellent gift and they look good on any dining table.
1. COFFEE STATION
Gather up your cups and saucers and stack them next to your Nespresso on your dining room table because you'll be using it as food station for the night. Nespresso is an incredibly user friendly coffee machine so anyone can help themselves to a cup of coffee. Best of all they have six limited edition flavours that are appropriately festive for this time of year:
Linzer Torte (red fruits flavour, for the Original Line Nespresso)
Sachertorte (reminiscent of soft chocolate and apricot, for the Original Line)
Apfelstrudel (apple & cinnamon flavour, for the Original Line)
Pumpkin Spice Cake (for the Vertuoline Nespresso)
Banana Bread (for the Vertuoline)
Gingerbread (for the Vertuoline)
NESPRESS LIMITED EDITION VARIATION FLAVOURS
SHOP NESPRESSO ACCESSORIES
2. SWEETS + DESSERTS
Next to your Nespresso set up a dessert station. Macarons and pastries from Butter Avenue are always a big hit in my family. A small cake will go along way as well as cupcakes or cookies, whatever you prefer.
3. SAVOURY
Crackers, aged cheddar, almonds, olives and gourmet jerky from Krave all make a good savoury platter for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. I fall into the latter category and haven't eaten meat in years but the meat eaters in my family are all fans of the gourmet jerky brand.
4. BOOZE + WINE
Finally, have some wine ready on hand alongside some good scotch, ice and drinking glasses and you're set! You should have enough time to touch up your makeup and have a seat before the doorbell rings. Happy entertaining!
This post is sponsored by Nespresso.
All photos and opinoions are my own.
WHAT MAKES A RELATIONSHIP SUCCESSFUL
As mentioned in my previous post my best friend of over 20 years is getting married in a weeks time to her long time boyfriend. This topic has got me thinking about my own marriage and what it takes to make a relationship successful and really, what does a successful relationship even mean?
Geoff and I have been together for 10 years now, married for eight and fought hard & ugly for the first couple of years. There was a point where I thought our marriage was going to end and I wasn't sure if we'd ever get past it. We don't have kids (more on that at a later time) but we have two amazing cats that are part of our little family, funny since neither of us were "cat people" when we adopted our first.
But back to the first few years of marriage. Without getting into too much detail and respecting our privacy I'll tell you that in hindsight we were fighting about everything a newly married couple might fight about - meddling family members, chores, how to spilt up the holidays, where to hang the art work, money, laundry, our different personalities, groceries, and so on. You name it and it was probably a point of contention for us.
We'd already been living together for a year before we got married but after the wedding every part of our normal day to day lives seemed so much more forced and suddenly we weren't meshing. The tension in our marriage but so bad that I found myself looking for apartments one day and that's when it occurred to me, I didn't want to live in my own shitty apartment, I wanted to live with Geoff and follow through with the commitment we had made.
After that we sat down and had a good long talk about why we were so upset with each other and what we were going to do to move forward. Getting to the point of being honest wasn't easy but it was necessary and it helped us mend our marriage and now I'm happy to say we're rock solid.
As Geoff and I near 9 years of marriage I can tell you from my personal experience what makes a relationship successful:
Forgiveness.
Acceptance.
Honesty.
Humour.
Respect. (This is a big one people!)
Even now we're still figuring things out as we grow. Geoff still annoys me and I annoy him but we laugh off the small stuff. Our love and respect for each other outweighs everything. I'm thankful to have him as my partner because he is truly an amazing person and I can't imagine my life without him.
SHOP MY LOOK
I'm wearing: Mackage winter coat, H&M knit, old Banana Republic jeans, Town Shoes boots, Ray Ban aviators.
SHOP MY WINTER BOOTS @TOWNSHOES
Pajar Alice boots with red plaid detail from Town Shoes.
Shot in Thorbury, ON during a weekend spent visiting my in-laws.
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This post is sponsored by Town Shoes. All photos and opinion are my own.
THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
As I write this my entire house is in chaos as I gear towards holiday mode. Gift sets and press releases are all over my living room floor along with my studio lights, cameras and props. Geoff begs me to tidy the mess and I swear to him that I'm trying in between getting work done and searching for a dress for my BFF's upcoming nuptials. She's my very best friend in the whole world; like a sister really and we've known each other since we were 10. She's marrying her long time boyfriend over what she calls a "boozy brunch" because she can't fully admit to herself that it's a real wedding.
In the middle of wedding planning there are also birthdays - hers, her boyfriends and mine. Not to mention the holiday events (!!!)- my husbands company Xmas party (which I cringe at each year seeing I have social anxiety) and then all of the industry events that come with blogging.
Life is a little chaotic right now but even still I try to carve out the time to see the good in everything and be thankful. I know it's major cheezy but it helps because you know what, life is tough and it can really suck if you let it get the best of you. Take the time to connect with the people you love and appreciate what you have each and every single day.
I know in time I'll find something to wear to my best friend's wedding and that samples in my living room will be put away. At the end of the day those are trivial things and having time to spend with my hubby and my family are so much more important.
I'll leave you guys on that note for now and promise to get more real on the blog cuz sometimes we all just need a bit of honesty.
SHOP LARSSON & JENNINGS LUGANO WATCH
Get 15% off Larsson & Jennings with code LJ15.
Washed out tunic from Sanctuary Clothing.
SHOP MY LOOK
I'm wearing: Aritzia coat, Sanctuary Clothing top, Equipment skinny scarf (from the Kate Moss collab), Rag & Bone jeans, TOMS sunglasses, Chanel patent leather jumbo flap bag, Saint Laurent Candy Platform boots, Tom Binns nail bracelet and Vita Fede rings from Black Caviar.
Bracelets and silver rings from Black Caviar in downtown Oakville.
This post is sponsored by Larsson and Jennings. All opinions are my own.
OCTOBER FAVES FEAT. NESPRESSO
It's time to bring back the Monthly Faves series because there are so many things I fall in love with each month that don't make it to the blog. October is the perfect time to start since it finally feels like fall and my perfume, skincare and even my snacks have taken an autumnal turn.
WELLNESS
I went to dinner with Saje Natural Wellness recently and what I learned made me love their products even more. Take the Immune roller for example (germ & virus fighting remedy), apply it to the palms of your hands, rub them together and cup them over your mouth/ nose and inhale deeply with your eyes closed. Another favourite, the Peppermint Halo roller for headache relief. Just rub some on your temples and crown of your head to soothe away a headache.
In my home I use the natural oils via the Ultrasonic Diffuser (currently on sale) which creates negative ions and cleans the air and makes me feel better. My fall faves are Glow (warm inviting scent of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon) and the 100% grapefruit oil, which makes me happy and inspired.
MAKEUP
On the days I hardly wear makeup I still like to curl my lashes. I use my Shu Uemera eyelash curler followed by Pixi's waterproof mascara to hold the curl. If I'm going to an event I use Charlotte Tilbury's Legendary Muse eye shadow palette which consists of rose and gold shades that are universally flattering and very glamourous. I finish my look by adding a touch of the glittery gold shadow to the centre of my eye lids for some true glam.
SNACKS
Hungry Buddha has a limited fall flavour coconut chip that is TDF - Pumpkin Spice! If you like PSL's, you're gonna love these! (I'm probably gonna cry when I eat my last bag...)
For drinks I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I drink about 2-3 cups of coffee a day. My favourite is medium roast called Rosabaya, a Colombian Arabic blend that's available for the Nespresso Prodigio machine. For those PSL lovers, Nespresso has a limited edition Pumpkin Spice Cake roast for the VertuoLine machines. (Read my Nespresso VertuoLine review here.)
SHOP MY OCTOBER FAVES
SKINCARE
As a freelance blogger I try a lot of skincare but I only have two all time favourites brands and one happens to be Darphin. This month they released their Lumière Essentielle collection with a new serum and moisturizer.
Essential oils of citrus, florals, cedarwood, and ginger visibly illuminate and revitalize the skin. Instantly, skin looks and feels soft, supple, and glowy.
I love it so much I want to smear it over my entire body but it's pricey so I'll leave it to my face, neck and dΓ©colletage for now.
PERFUME & JEWELRY
Another vanilla scent makes it to my list of Oct faves but this time in perfume. Aerin's Tangier Vanille evokes the feeling of being whisked away on an exotic romantic holiday. It's feminine and mysterious and I can't get enough.
For accessories I've been wearing my David Yurman Renaissance Bracelet with everything, even with this little chicken bracelet from the French brand called La MΓ΄me Bijou. It's goes all of my outfits and I love the pop of red.
WHISTLER TRAVEL DIARY: WHAT SHOES TO PACK ON YOUR TRIP
As you guys know, I had a chance to visit Whistler last month with Shoppers Drug Mart. The trip was amazing and right up my alley since we did our fair share of hiking, restaurant hoping and gondola rides up to Blackcomb Mountain.
Since I have so many pictures to share, I thought I would spilt my post into three parts:
Fall beauty trend forecasting with Shoppers (post here)
What to Do (coming soon)
What to Pack (what you're reading now)
If you're like me then you stress out about what to pack on holiday, let alone a press trip with plenty of out doors activities. My solution, chic and comfortable Stan Smiths (from Town Shoes) and cute ankle boots (also from Town Shoes). Both are excellent for traveling since they're easy to slip in and out of at the airport and they go well with so many different outfits. I wish I had a picture to show you guys but on my last day in Whistler, I wore a cute LBD, a leather jacket and my Stan Smiths to dinner. It was the perfect balance of chic but still elegant enough for a dinner out.
I always like to pack at least one pair of black jeans. They can easily be dressed up and dressed down. A striped long sleeve top is a fun way to keep an outfit from looking too serious and of course my Stan Smiths from Town Shoes are perfect for any scenario.
The climate in Whistler changes from day to day and depending on where you are. As we rode up the gondola to Blackcomb Mountain, it was chilly and foggy. Once on top, the clouds broke and the sun came out.
MY WHISTLER SHOE PICKS
From classic white kicks to suede ankle boots. These Dolca Vita booties from Town Shoes are excellent for transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall. Bonus, they're so comfortable you can wear them all day.
Finally, make sure you pack layers. My go-to is my Mackage leather jacket and a long sleeved top. I also like to carry around a small crossbody bag like the Saint Laurent bag in this post because they're worry free.
People are always surprised to hear that I'm a nature nut. I would leave the city in a heartbeat to live in the mountains. Obsiously saying goodbye to Whistler wasn't easy but I'm thankful for the experience. Take me back please!
* This post is sponsored by Town Shoes. All photos and opinions are my own.
** Special thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart & Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND: EAT BRUNCH ALL DAY LONG
Happy Friday! Life has been so busy lately for me lately and I'm finally settling down to do some blogging. My horoscope said I'd be traveling lots in August and it wasn't kidding! Between going to Whistler with Shoppers Drug Mart, visiting the Bite Beauty labs and personal farm of the founder and an anniversary getaway to Langdon Hall, my calendar has been jam packed! Now that I'm back, I'm excited to share my brunch adventures and show you guys what to do this weekend!
SLEEP IN AND EAT A LIGHT BRUNCH
I can't remember the last time I spelt-in so you can bet what I'll be doing this weekend!
My weekend style is pretty laid back, shorts or jeans, an oversized button up (Frank & Eileen makes my favourite ones. This one is called the Eileen) and some comfy shoes like these Zanotti combat boots (similar here). I keep my makeup pretty light and just slap on some lipstick and a pair of sunnies so no one knows I'm not wearing eye makeup! ;)
Once ready, it's time for a light brunch to get the day going. Recess Toronto has the traditional breakfast foods like blueberry flapjacks alongside some healthier vegan options like grapefruit stacks with pomegranate seeds. I'll admit, the food is decent here but the decor is better and calls for some awesome Instagram worthy pics.
Afterwards it's time to run errands and build up an appetite for a bigger brunch! This weekend I'll be looking forward to soaking in the last couple of weeks of summer. Pretty soon it'll be time to put the shorts away and take the winter coats out. Enjoy it while it lasts!
HAPPY HOUR & THE BIG BRUNCH
Once it's past noon and a socially acceptable time to drink it's time to start sampling cocktails! #yolo
Fonda Lola on Queen Street has some killer margaritas and sangrias. The Mexican food here is phenomenal and every dish is tastier than it looks. Meat eaters will have plenty to choose from but us vegetarians have limited options. Also, be sure to order a starter because when I visited there was only one cook in the kitchen for the entire restaurant and we were there for about three hours from start to finish. Love you Fonda Lola but it's time to get more cooks in the kitchen!
With happy and full bellies it's time for a little summertime siesta and to dream the next brunch spot. Any suggestions?
Fonda Lola has phenomenal Instagram worthy dishes for those seeking good food and good pics! ;)
FANCY THINGS YOU NEED NOW: NESPRESSO VERTUOLINE
In this version of Fancy Things You Need Now, I'm going to be looking at the Nespresso - the pricey coffee machine that pumps out lattes, macchiatos, espressos and regular ol' coffee in less time than it takes to order most fancy lattes. Since getting my machine I've come to realize the Nespresso is more convenient and less expensive (with cost per use) than buying a cup of coffee everyday.
Let me tell you that we love coffee in my house. We have two french presses, a percolator, a Kitchen Aid coffee maker and a Cuisinart Cappuccino maker that we got as a wedding gift. We grind our own coffee beans and when it comes to espresso, we only use Illy. We're one of those couples.
Now that you know my level of commitment to coffee, let me tell you why you need a Nespresso.
QUALITY
Everyone wants to drink a good cup of coffee but not everyone knows how to make it. Think about how many lukewarm, bad tasting cups you've ever had at a cafeteria, restaurant or relatives house. Nespresso measures the exact amount of water needed for each coffee capsule, ensuring your coffee is consistently delish. Each capsule is sealed until it's time to brew.
TASTE
With 16 flavours available, from light to dark roasts, my faves are; Melozio (medium blend), Hazelino (hazelnut flavoured blend) and Odacio (medium blend with a hint of fruit).
EASE OF USE
Seriously it doesn't get any easier. Just place the capsule in the machine, press the button and voila!
COST
Fast forward to three weeks since getting our Nespresso and the daily run to Starbucks has stopped. Now I feel guilty buying coffee when I'm out because I can make better coffee at home.
The Nespresso VertuoLine (featured in this post) retails for $249 and is available as a bundle with the Aeroccino (milk frother) for $299. The Aeroccino retails for $100 on it's own. Coffee capsules average on $1.10, which is cheaper than most coffee shops. Espresso capsules retail for $0.85. It's hard to deny that having a Nespresso is cheaper in the long run.
My favourite thing; curl up with a magazine and a hot cup of coffee. #AllDone
In collaboration with Nespresso Canada.
All opinions and photos are my own.
EVERYDAY ATHLEISURE
If you follow my blog and Instagram closely you might have picked up on my weight gain confessionals. It's harder to admit to myself than it is to you guys that I've recently gone up a pant size. I have ripples where I don't want, I feel like I jiggle when I walk and above all else, concealing muffin top has become a daily struggle.
Most people in the fashion & beauty industry might freak and run for the hills but why? Sure I'm not as skinny as Chiara Ferragni and I don't have a cute bubble butt like Dani Song, but I'm okay with that because beauty comes in all shapes. Interestingly I'm the happiest I've ever been and I'm not going to let a few pounds stand in my way.
Out of comfort (and perhaps weight gain necessity), I'll often throw on some athleisure wear on my days off. My favourite pieces are a loose fitting top and some comfortable stretch bottoms, like the cute LolΓ« shorts I'm wearing here. I'll blog from home and run errands in my comfy gear because it's more than just for practicing yoga and sometimes I don't want to deal with skinny jeans (are you shocked?).
It's not to say you have to gain weight to wear some comfy pieces, but it just happens that's when my appreciation for it came to play. Now I mix and match pieces according to how I feel and of course, I'll often accessorize with a cute bag and some jewelry.
I'm currently working on getting fit and eating better but I'll know I'll still be wearing my LolΓ« pieces for a long time to come.
For any yoga enthusiasts out there, make sure you check out the LolΓ« White Tour happening this Thursday. I'll be giving away two tickets to the tour so be sure to comment here, on IG or Twitter to enter. Good luck!
Photography by Tristan O'Brien
In sponsorship with LolΓ«. All opinions are my own.
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND: SON OF A PEACH PIZZERIA, BURLINGTON
Alright Torontonians, I'm daring you to get out of the city for a day and *gasp* head west to Burlington for pizza. That's right. If you haven't already ventured there, I highly recommend you check it out. With cafes, bistros, bakeries galore and a vegan cupcake shop all just a walk away from the lake, Burlington is pretty and picturesque, almost like a cross between Montreal and Toronto, tucked away in this suburban downtown core.
I got into my car with mama WoahStyle on a Friday afternoon and ended up in a pizzeria called Son of a Peach Pizzeria for a quick bite. This highly Instagrammable place is as tasty as it looks.
Mama and I ordered tempura style cauliflower bites with garlic aioli and roasted lemon to go with our Peach Iced tea (OMG yum!). Stone baked Tomato and Mozzarella pizza followed, with in-house smoked virgin mozzarella. Cheese, bacon, peameal bacon, peppercorns and tomatoes are all smoked in house. Pizza dough is fermented for 3 days so the dough is easier to stretch and makes for softer pizza. Mmm. Doesn't that sound worth getting out of the city for?
