Categories
Food & Drink

Great Christmas Cookie Decorating Tutorials

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE the Food Network and I have spent countless hours watching it; I usually have it on in the background while I’m cooking, cleaning, marking, writing at home. My favourite program this time of the year is the Christmas Cookie Challenge. I am so blown away by the bakers’ talent and skill when it comes to decorating cookies. I decided to learn –the jury is still out on my level of mastery, however, I did find some super great tutorials.

I read a great article on the Wilton blog about the types of icing for sugar cookies and I tried my hand at some of them.

Buttercream…

Royal Icing…

Cookie Icing or Glazing…

Fondant…

Categories
Fashion

Christmas Staff Party Outfit

Staff parties are back! We haven’t had one since December 2019 and you can bet your bottom dollar that we are going to ring in the Christmas season with gusto (in keeping with current health regulations –of course!).

But what should I wear???

Ribbed V Neck Sweater Dress (Heather Green Gables) from Reitmans
Snowflake Earrings & Necklace Set from Etsy
Santley Box Clutch (Black) from Aldo
Koosaflex Ballerina Flats (Black) from Aldo*

*Normally, I’d pair this sweater dress with boots; however, I am still recovering and haven’t been cleared to wear heels. These ballerina flats are much fancier than my Nikes. BUT secretly I can’t wait until I can wear these…

Nisha Faux-Fur Lined Stiletto Ankle Boot (CL by Landry) from The Bay

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.

What about you?

Categories
Gifts

Stocking Stuffers: Adult (Women) Edition

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there….” (Dr. Suess)

To conclude my “Stocking Stuffers” series, I present to you some great options for the ladies in your life!

-Bath Salts
-Reed Diffuser
-Cuticle Oil
-Deborah Lippman Nail File
-Wine Stoppers
-Silicon Straw
-Flower Seeds
-Jam
-Gua Sha Stone

Categories
Gifts

Stocking Stuffers: Adult (Men) Edition

Check out the stocking stuffers I bought for the special guys in my life for Christmas this year…

-Jalapeno Jelly
-Gear Ties
-Beef Jerky
-Cooling Towel
-Tire Gauge
-Utility Key Tool
-Sneaker Deodorizer Balls
-Bottle Opener
-Beer Chilling Sticks

The last of my Stocking Stuffer posts will appear on Monday, December 6! Stay tuned!

Categories
Gifts

Dear Santa,

My name is Lila Austen-Smith and I am 35 years old. I live in Canada. I have been very good this year (although to be honest it was a challenging year). I have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas. Here are my top THREE…

1. Paderno Non-Stick Hard-Anodized 12-PC Cookset

2. Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike

3. Eberjey Gisele PJ Set and robe (in black)

However, if there is no room in your sleigh… just leave chocolate… lots and lots of chocolate!

Love,
Lila

P.S: I am very excited for your visit and I will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Categories
Gifts

Stocking Stuffers: 16 Year Old Girl Edition

My eldest niece turned 16 this year; and it really hit me hard that the little girl I first met 10 years ago has blossomed into an incredibly smart and kind young woman. Words cannot express how proud she makes me and how lucky I am to be her aunt. Anyways… enough with the mushy stuff. Usually for her, I pick one of her favourite stores and fill her stocking with a variety of items from said store. Which were a HUGE hit with her!

Previous “Store-Themed Stockings” have included the following.

-Sephora
-Chapters
-Bath & Body Works
-Cabelas
-Ardene’s

However, this year will be an eclectic mix of items to match her changing interests and needs.

-Bluetooth Shower Speaker
-Fidget Toy Phone Case
-Journal/Notebook
-Crystals
-Funky Socks
-Candle
-Card Game
-Wildflower Seed Package
-Sample Scents

Stay tuned for two more stocking stuffer posts in early December; for adults!

Categories
Fashion

Dress Like….

Jackie O!

This woman is on MY list of fashion icons. I was inspired to write this post after reading Hannah Huber’s feature in WMagazine, entitled: Jackie Kennedy Through the Years –A Look Back at the Original White House Style Icon.

Earrings: Cezanne 14 mm Pearl Studs from The Bay
Blouse: Icone Stretch Poplin Shirt in ‘assorted’ pattern from Simons
Skirt: Vegan Suede Pencil Skirt in shitake from Ricki’s
Stockings: Opaque Control Top Tights in black from Nordstroms
Boots: Lille Mid Calf Boot in black from Aldo
Purse: Shay Shoulder Bag in brass/saddle from Coach
Coat: Structured Front Zip Coat in black from Melanie Lyne
Glasses: Jackie Ohh II in brown gradient with shiny tortoise from Ray Ban

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.

What about you?

Categories
Gifts

Stocking Stuffers: Tweens Edition

As my nieces and nephews get older, I find it tougher and tougher to find good stocking stuffers; either the items I find are too ‘young’ or too ‘old’ for them. This year I spent a lot of time researching online and asking some of my students for some help.

-Fidget Toys
*In particular the Infinity Cube
-Card or dice game
*In particular WhatchamaDRAWit or Tenzi
-Funky Socks
-Stickers/decals for notebooks, binders & chromebooks
-Pez
-Scratch Art Notes
-Personalized/inspirational/themed Pencil Pack
-Hot chocolate mix
-Diffuser