Need a fresh playlist for the New Year? My December Soundtrack is full of so many new musical discoveries! I was in a a pretty chill, happy mood last month — this is great music to help you work, think and create. Some highlights include MØ‘s Kamikaze, Mount Dreams‘s Home, and Jaakko Eino Kalevi‘s Everything Nice. Stream this 60 minute soundtrack wherever you are, right from this post!
Hosting a New Years Eve or holiday party, and need a last minute idea to kick your decor up a notch? Add a thoughtful touch to your soirée with my DIY Mistletoe-Inspired Wine Charms! They’re cute, easy and inexpensive to create — all you need is seasonal greenery and berries, hoop earrings and copper wire in various colours. And the best part is that you can make them in less than an hour, for about $20! These wine charms are a fun way to help guests keep track of their drinks at a cocktail party, and they can also take them home as a keepsake and dry them. And if you’re hosting a New Years Eve Party, they may also come in handy at midnight!
I really love sangria. I love it so much that sometimes my girlfriends and I are referred to as The Sangria Sisters — and I’m not mad at it! I also like to eat (and drink) as seasonally as possible, so I created this holiday sangria recipe inspired by seasonal flavours, Gatsby glam, and New Years Eve bubbly. Traditional sangria gets a luxurious makeover in my Sparkling Pomegranate Cranberry Sangria — I’m swapping wine for bubbles, and infusing the recipe with flavours of pomegranate, cranberry, orange, and ginger, plus a healthy splash of Grand Marnier to send it over the top. Enjoy this sangria at your holiday parties, or to ring in the New Year, because as the great F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” Cheers!
Are you in the holiday spirit yet?! This has been such a busy month for me, and the weather has been so nice that it’s hard to believe it’s almost that time of year! Today I’m sharing my favourite timeless pieces to wear during the holidays. For me, the holidays are all about spending time with friends and family, and winding down. While I love to get glammed up for holiday parties, today’s post is about those classic style staples that you can wear to casual get togethers and family dinners — occasions when you still want to look cute and festive, but be comfortable. I also chat about finding the perfect red lip to complete your holiday look!
Mountain Peak Faux Fur Headband | Sunglasses | Killah Striped Swing Coat (similar, similar, similar) | Contrast Cable Knit Sweater | Faux Fur Clutch (similar) | Cocktail Ring | Faux Leather Legging (similar) | Charles David Caterina Pointy Toe Pump (similar, similar, similar) | Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Holly (similar)
Don’t you just love limited edition holiday beauty releases? It’s that magical time of year when brands really seem to step up their game and create so many exclusive products, and value-packed offerings. If you’ve been with me for awhile, you’ll know that I really love Bite Beauty — a Canadian lip-exclusive brand who’s products are made with natural, food grade ingredients that are actually good for your lips. I’ve mentioned previously that Bite’s Luminous Crème Lipsticks are my all time favourite lipsticks — every year I love to pick up these mini duos. They last me until the next year! Today I’m reviewing all 12 shades from the Mix n’ Mingle range for Holiday 2015. If you’re in the market for some great new lipsticks, or looking for gift ideas, you’ve come to the right place!
Last week, Pantone announced their colours of the year — they chose two colours for the first time in history! The official Colours of the Year for 2016 are Rose Quartz (a soft pastel pink), and Serenity (a periwinkle pastel blue). Today’s post is an introduction to these shades, including ideas on how to incorporate these colour trends into your personal style for the holidays, as well as inspiration for home decor, fashion and beauty.
I’ve followed Pantone for colour inspiration my entire career — they’re the global colour authority for creative industries. They provide a colour system that ensures colour translates accurately across all mediums, whether it be in fashion, beauty, print, or in design. Pantone also predicts colour trends, so I like to keep up with what they’re forecasting to stay ahead of the curve!
I believe that if you’re going to treat yourself, you can nourish yourself at the same time — so this year I’m putting a whole food spin on traditional holiday sweets. These are my kind of treats — the ones you feel really good about indulging in (sometimes I even have them with my morning coffee!). Next time you’re looking for a quick, no-bake, holiday party treat, try my Dark Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites! They’re a healthier alternative to traditional holiday truffles or rich, chocolate-based desserts. They’re also vegan and free of gluten and refined sugar — perfect for parties where guests have food sensitivities and allergies. You can whip these festive little bites up in just 10 minutes, and keep them on-hand for last-minute guests, holiday gatherings, or all for yourself!