My 2014 New Year's Eve Playlist!

Putting together the right party playlist can be stressful. Making sure to hit the right songs to keep the party going, and hearing more cheers than jeers about your selection is a delicate balance.

Favourite Christmas Gifts - Thanks a Bunch Tag!

I was recently tagged by Nikki at Dollar Store Diva to post about my top Christmas Present!

Much like Nikki, I will be picking 3 gifts (I really can’t chose). I received so many wonderful presents this year and was truly spoiled, but if I need to pick, here are my top 3!

New Year's Eve Outfits

New Years is a fun night to get dressed for. It's the one night of the year (with the exception of maybe Halloween) where you can take a little extra license to do yourself up something extra. Sparkles, heels, hair and makeup; you're celebrating the end of another great year and looking forward to an even better one. Why be shy?

No matter what your event, here are some looks I've pulled together to help you style yourself up for the last night of the year!

Merry Christmas!

It's been a hectic day back and forth seeing families and friends. I am feeling very loved, very lucky and just a little spoiled today!

Turnip and apple - Christmas dinner side dish

With Christmas almost here, people are starting to receive their delegated "please bring" dishes for Holiday dinners.

If you've been asked to bring some kind of vegetable side dish, this could be your answer: Baked Turnip and Apple.

What to do after Graduation? - My Time in Scotland

Christmas Holidays are here and Students across the country are headed home for a well deserved break. 

For many many undergraduate students, they're now at the point of trying to figure out, what to do next. Do you go back to school? Do you throw your hat into the job application ring? Do you travel?

Holiday Gift Guide - Last Minute Shopping Ideas!

With just 10 days of shopping left, you might be panicking about what to get the special lady in your life!

Toronto Christmas Market

Last night I was treated to a fabulous date night at the Toronto Christmas Market in Toronto's Distillery District.

Homemade Tikka Masala Curry

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the GTA with snow all over the ground, and of course as a result I've come down with a slight winter cold.

I'm a believer in medicating with food and teas (for colds, not for the serious stuff!) So when I got home last night I decided to crack open my new Jamie Oliver - Comfort Food cook book and make Chicken Tikka Masala!

Christmas Cocktails

Fa la la la la, la la la la!

The other day my mother and I got to talking. With all of the events we've got coming up over Christmas (many of which we will be hosting), we decided that we need to come up with some signature Christmas Cocktails to serve our guests.

Shepherd's Pie - A Winter Favourite!

It's a bit nippy out! I've fully transitioned into "keep warm" meals lately and decided the other day on an old winter favourite - Shepherd's Pie! Perfect for a cozy night in.

Gnocchi & Squash Sauce - Comfort Food Cookbook

I was recently given Jamie Oliver's new Comfort Food Cookbook for my birthday! It's got fabulous recipes for folks who love to spend time in the kitchen (He mentions in the forward this is NOT a 15 minute recipe cook book)

After pouring over the pages, I decided on the Gnocchi in Squash Sauce dish, as Squash is just so delicious right now!

Be a Prepared Christmas Party Guest

The holiday season is upon us! And with it, parties galore! 

From office parties, to cocktail mixers and dinners, to family functions, open houses and full blown swanky functions, it's a busy season.

Even the most organized of ladies (and I like to think of myself as one) can be blindsided by a surprise get together, or find themselves without enough time to adequately prepare. I find by keeping just a few things in the house, I'm ready for anything!

Shrimp Scampi Linguine

I've always loved Shrimp Scampi. Lemon, Garlic and Shrimp? All my favourite things in a meal!

Birthday Love

Yesterday was my Birthday!

Driving in a snowstorm

The greater Toronto Area got hit with 6" of snow this afternoon, so My usual 30 minute drive home today clocked in at an impressive 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Christmas Decorating Day

This past weekend was the Toronto Santa Claus Parade! Excited about Christmas, my friend Steph and I decided to spend the day decorating our apartments and getting into the festive spirit.

Nervosa Trattoria - Birthday Girls on the Town Part 2

After our fabulous birthday event at Anthropologie, the girls and I went across the street to Nervosa Trattoria, Yorkville's fabulous Italian restaurant. 

Anthropologie Birthday Party - Birthday Girls on the Town Part 1

My Birthday is coming up on November 21st!

Cauliflower Leek Soup

The Days are getting Colder!

Bonfire Night - Canadian Style

"Remember, remember the fifth of November ..."

Potato Cauliflower Samosas

I decided the other day that it was time to learn to make a (fairly) healthy samosa at home

A How To Guide to Halloween 2014 Costumes!

It’s the spookiest day of the year! And arguably the best week of the year because every night after work, it’s been a DIY paradise at home.

Paper maché, paint, scissors, glue, wire framing, crown building. We’ve had a lot of fun!

Dunk 'n Dip

The other night, Steph and I decided to try out our Local Fondue restaurant, Dunk ‘n Dip.

A perfect cozy find, just in time for winter!

Sunday Brunch-Day

This Sunday, Nela, Amanda and I gathered together for a nice brunch day.

Work Potluck

I work in a pretty social office. 

Lemon Chicken Schnitzle

This Recipe was inspired by the meal I had at Amsterdam Brewhouse in Toronto.

Wedding at the Steam Whistle Brewery

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a friend’s wedding at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto.

Easy Holiday Appetizers

As Canadians across the country recover from their Thanksgiving turkey comas, and we start seeing Santa's in the stores, there's one thing that has become very clear...

The Holiday Season is upon us!

Fall Outfits

I’ve been on a bit of a fall fashion blitz over the last few weeks.

It’s FINALLY cold enough outside for boots and sweaters and adorable coats, so I’m pretty much in heaven.

Amsterdam BrewHouse on the Lake

If you haven't yet been to the Amsterdam BrewHouse in Toronto, make it next on your list for a night out in the city!

Me Day! Burger's, Crafts and Fall Fun!

Today I took a day off work for a "Me Day".

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized onion and apple

This new recipe was pulled out of Septembers "Style at Home" Canada Magazine.

Stuffed Roast Pork Tenderloin

Autumn is here, so bring on the roasts! I'm no longer afraid of my oven and decided to do a nice Sunday evening meal of Roast Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.

Book of Mormon Date Night

Last year for Christmas, Kris gave me the gift of "tickets to any musical I wanted"

Canada's Baking and Sweets Show

This past weekend was Canada's Baking and Sweets Show in Toronto. It first came to my attention with the introduction of the "Wonut" and as soon as I knew it was happening, I had to go! 

A room filled with cake? Try and stop me.

Thai Fresh Egg Rolls

The other night, I was making my Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp and noticed I still had a ton of rice wrappers in the cupboard. I quickly checked my stock and decided to make some Thai style Fresh Egg Rolls to go with out meal!

First Day of Fall

Today is the first day of autumn! 

Lemon Sockeye Salmon... SURPRISE!

The other day I had a bit of what I like to call "The Dumb". With the changing weather, I've been finding it difficult to keep my eyes open, let alone be effective at work or in my day to day tasks. Throw in some post bridal-party exhaustion and I was in pretty rough shape.

I decided that what I needed to fix "The Dumb" was to have some brain food! I went to the store and picked up some Sockeye Salmon to cook up for dinner.

Referendum Day

With everything going on in Toronto right now with “Ford Nation”, the Crack to the Cancer, and the ongoing Mayoral Election, Torontonians are ignoring a lot of other things going on in the world right now.

I never wanted this to be a political blog (even though my degree is in poli sci), but today I have a confession to make

This is not my first blog. This is.

Harissa, Mint, Corn and Shrimp - A Moroccan Feast

Lately I've been hankering for some well spiced foods. I'm a fan of Thai and Indian, but I wanted to branch out a bit and try something new.

Enter Moroccan food!

A Wedding in Photos

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Fuentes! 

A Wedding Rehearsal

My friend Stephanie is getting married tomorrow to the love of her life, Eric. Tonight we all gathered at the church and then the pub for the Rehearsal!

Brunch at Bonjour Brioche

Brunch is the best meal of the day. Even on days you don’t eat brunch. Even on days you manage to squeeze breakfast and lunch around brunch, because you eat like a hobbit. 

Brunch is the best, and I take it very seriously.

An Ovation at TIFF

The Toronto International Film Festival is on! The celebs are in town, worldwide movie premiers are taking place, and the parties are in full swing!

TIFF Presents King Street West

The Toronto International Film Festival always makes September a little brighter in the city. 

The Burger's Priest

Last night it was far too hot to cook, so we decided to walk over to this burger joint we've been meaning to try: The Burger's Priest.

Homemade Bruschetta

Tonight I was craving some Italian flavour for dinner, and decided that I would put together a brushetta platter for us to nibble on while we made dinner.

Sushi Picnic

 

With summer drawing to a very quick close, some friends and I decided to get together for an after work picnic by the lake! All planned, we were ready to meet right up until the last minute when complications struck out of the blue and we had to reschedule.

I was a little bummed, but I love these ladies so I understood... Unfortunately this meant I had picnic brain and didn't feel much like cooking. And I'd put on such a pretty summer dress

The alternative? I would cozy up in my apartment and have my own picnic! Do some pinning, maybe watch a movie... certainly not do any real cooking!

Let's Go To the Ex! (oh baby)

"Come and celebrate Toronto and do anything you want to at the Ex!"