Lifestyle

With such a busy schedule, an overflow of stimulation (computers, phones, televisions, etc.) and an abundance of options, where I’m able, I prefer to make simple choices at home, at work, and especially with my fashion selections.

Workday mornings are a bit hectic therefore I choose to live in basics, such as solid t-shirts, denim jeans, cozy knits but dressed with impactful pieces such as a statement necklace, chandelier earrings or luxe materials such as a faux fur coat or delicate lace. Making these simple daily choices I love has been a great addition to my daily routine!

Over the last couple of weeks, I partnered with Excel for the launch of their new Naturally Sweetened gum. Just like my effortless daily fashion choices, choosing Excel Naturally Sweetened gum is an easy choice you will love. I love this new gum that is made up of simple ingredients without artificial sweeteners, colours of flavours.

Whether it is sticking to wardrobe basics or adding simple ingredients to a recipe, what are some simple choices you make every day that you love?!

Last week, I was invited to enjoy an exclusive lunch and learn with Chef Cory Vitiello of The Harbord Room and Flock. He demonstrated how simple it was to transform dishes by incorporating Florida Grapefruits to create delicious masterpieces. Inspired by the juiciness and unique combination of bitter and sweet that grapefruits exhibit, I decided to prepare a grapefruit cocktail that is just splendid!

That few leftover bottles of champagne from your New Year celebrations is just the perfect excuse to whip up this Florida Grapefruit and Pear Champagne Cocktail, am I right?!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great few days off! If you’ve enjoyed your holidays as much as I did, it probably meant that you indulged a bit more than usual. With holiday gifts, dinner parties, and Boxing Week shopping, I’m sure you’re looking for ways to save.

Just before the holidays, I shared a few shopping savings tips by using digital coupons for the purchase of luxury goods and presents. Did you know digital couponing sites such as RetailMeNot.ca are also great for non-gift items such as planning your next vacation, saving on your next spa day, or even preparing for RRSP season? There are a vast amount of promo codes and offers made available on RetailMeNot.ca and I’ll show you how I used the website to prepare for my next vacation.

Read further to see how to save on your next vacation and chance to win a $200 VISA gift card c/o RetailMeNot.ca!

I love hosting a great party at home. Though this year, we’re (finally) hitting the town to celebrate New Year’s Eve with some friends, I thought I’d cook up some inspiration for those of you who will be celebrating with friends at home.

I created a super easy DIY floral backdrop (paper flowers made with love by Paper & Peony leftover from my wedding) and Pinata Balloons hung overtop that’s just perfect as a photo backdrop.

At midnight, puncture the balloons for some celebratory confetti fun! Read further to see more photos!

A start of a new year for me typically involves new routines and fresh starts. I spent the last couple of days clearing junk and clutter from my closet, office, and bathroom shelves so that I can tackle 2016 with a brand new canvas.

The last couple of months of the year is always so hectic, the week following Christmas is more calm and a great time to study the bathroom shelves and discard products that are long past their expiry date. Did you know each beauty product has its own unique shelf life? Using products beyond their expiration dates may cause irritation, rashes, blemishes and various skin and eye infections. For skin care products such as cleansers and exfoliants, they are typically good for 1 year, whereas products such as toners, facial/body moisturizers and serums lasts between 6 months to one-year after opening.

After tossing out half of my cabinet, I made room for some new products that I’m thrilled to start the New Year with. Read further to see my review of mereadesso face + neck cleanser, mereadesso mereadesso tinted moisturizer and non-tinted all-in-one moisturizer and the Philips PureRadiance facial cleansing system.

It’s two days before Christmas and I’m officially signing off until next week. I hope you’ll find time to enjoy the company of family and friends! The holiday season is best when paired with great food and drink. If you’re still scrambling for some last minute entertaining ideas, take note from this festive tea party session I had the privilege to host with some of my favourite insta-babes!

It was an afternoon of sipping on decadent loose leaf teas from Sloane Tea (also a great gift idea) and munching on delicious french macarons handmade by the talented Stephanie of Petit Nuage. We were also surprised with handwritten, personalized mugs and plates from Donna, who also designed the typography on my beautiful wedding thank you cards.

This Christmas, try your hand at throwing a modern, yet cozy Christmas Afternoon Tea Party with elements of DIY and the best treats in town as special as your family and friends!

Want to beautify your hair before the start of 2016?! I’ve got just the treat for you! I was recently introduced to the Kérastase Résistance Collection dedicated to treating weak and damaged hair. Kérastase Résistance rebuilds the internal substance of hair often affected by chemical or mechanical substances to restore its strength and health. Force architect products is dedicated for damaged hair (erosion level 1-2) while Therapiste products (erosion level 3-4) is designed for very damaged and over processed hair. After use of these products, hair is restored and quality of the fiber is like new.

I recently started incorporating the Kérastase Résistance into my daily hair routine, including the use of BAIN FORCE ARCHITECTE shampoo, CIMENT ANTI-USURE as a treatment and SÉRUM FIBRE ARCHITECTE as a texturizer – the perfect simple 3 step process. If the Kérastase Résistance is not suitable for you, there is a wide range of other Kérastase collections that addresses any hair concern.

I’m excited to partner with Kérastase to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a variety hair prize pack loaded with amazing hair products valued at over $300!

The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy a cup of tasty hot chocolate! I love cozying up on the couch on a Sunday afternoon with the comfiest loungewear, fur throw, my favourite magazines in hand and a cup of hot homemade hot cocoa. This past weekend, I was inspired by the many holiday recipes nestled between the pages of the latest holiday issue of Ricardo Magazine. I couldn’t help but create a jar of homemade Hot Chocolate Mix and decorate a handful of marshmallows for an added festive touch!

This Hot Chocolate Mix is perfect stored in the pantry or jarred ahead of time as hostess gifts for your next holiday party visit! Accompanied with cute decorative marshmallows will sure make the best Christmas morning treats while unwrapping gifts. A special thanks to Ricardo for sharing so many festive recipes in the Special Holiday Issue (on newsstands)!

Keep reading to see how you can prepare a cup of festive hot chocolate and your chance to win an one year subscription to Ricardo Magazine!

If you’re looking for holiday entertaining or recipe ideas, you MUST visit the PC Insiders Boutique located in the heart of Downtown Toronto. I was recently invited to experience an evening of delicious food and drink with my friends at President’s Choice who recently launched the PC Insiders Collection featuring 70 new, innovative, holiday inspired products.

The PC Insiders Collection Boutique is opened to the public and guests are invited to sample a selection of food and drink from the holiday collection that were inspired by four occasions: Dine, Brunch, Mingle, and Gift. During my visit, I had the chance to try dishes such as PC black label Beet & Goat Cheese Fresh Pasta, PC Butter Chicken Poutine, and PC World of Flavours Sweet & Spicy Gochujang Chicken Wings.

Interested in visiting this one of a kind pop up boutique? Keep reading to find out more and your chance to win $100 to spend on the newly launched line of PC Insiders Collection products!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?! Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your list? Personally, my parents are the toughest to shop for! Every year I ask them for a wish list, and every year, I’m left with the same response, “Save your money honey, we’ve got everything we need.” But this year, I’m so glad I’ve got just the perfect gift for them.

We received our wedding photo files a couple of months ago and it was so tough trying to figure out what to print for my family as keepsake. I thought what better way to share our special memories than to create custom prints for family and friends this Christmas with PhotoBox.