Everyone seems to have his or her signature dishes. You know, the kind that people expect you to bring to a potluck, and you hear about it if you don’t. I have a few of these dishes myself that are on constant rotation. I’m often asked for the recipes of these items, so I’ve decided to create a blog series entitled Signature Series. It will feature my crowd pleasing, go-to recipes, and I’ve decided to start it off on a sweet note.
Cake pops are a new discovery for me, but they have proven to win over a crowd, and therefore are in the regular rotation. I’ve tried a few recipes for my cake pops, but this one in particular ups the anti. Not only are they guilt free due to their size, but they’re the perfect party favor. I love being able to send my guests away with a little something, and these treats are perfect for that. Whether it be a birthday party, Easter brunch or just because, you’ll have your family and friends eating off the end of your stick.
One of the most efficient ways to create a dramatic make up effect with minimal effort is through the lip. What makes it so much fun at the moment is the amazing colors available. No longer are we stuck with the tradition red lip to spice things up. Various shades of pink, coral and tangerine are making their way into the hearts and make up kits of ladies everywhere.
I thought I would share my beauty routine when creating a dramatic lip. First, at the start of a makeup application I like to apply a moisturizer to the lip. By the time you’re ready to add some color to your pout, your lips will be smooth and hydrated instead of dry and flaky. Outline your lips with a lip liner in a coordinating shade and then fill in the entire lip. Using a lip brush, apply your lipstick on top of the lip liner. The key to a professional grade lip is applying the product with a lip brush. Finally, again using your lip brush, brush on a lip gloss. You can have some fun here, pick a gloss with some shimmer, glitter or a glass like finish, and apply liberally. This weekend let your hair down, let you tan glow, and show off that perfect pink pout.
One of my strongest memories of the Calgary Stampede growing up is the annual pancake breakfast that my parents used to put on. There was an electric atmosphere that overcame our house as the smell of pancakes and the sound of live music took over my senses.
I thought it was about time to resurrect the tradition, and 144 eggs, 20 pounds of bacon, 150 sausages, 120 hashbrowns, and countless pancakes later, it was deemed a success. There was live music, a portable cooking grill, an array of refreshments and of course, line dancing.
The key to the success of the event, and my enjoyment the day of, relied heavily on the prep work leading up to the occasion. The weather could not have been more beautiful, and with the feedback received I think it’s safe to say this might just have to be an annual event.
One of my most favorite things in life is hosting good friends and family in my home. This is especially so when it’s friends from out of town. I’ve discovered a few ‘tricks of the trade’ in regards to creating the perfect guest room ambiance.
To start, I like to fill the frames in the guest room of photos of myself with my visitors. Since the sun rises at a disrespectful hour in the summers in Calgary, I included an eye mask for lazy mornings. Lip chap is a necessity as most of my visitors go from grape to raisin the moment they land. A small jewelry box on the bedside table allows guests to store their jewels, and a water carafe allows for thirsty travelers to quench their thirst without having leaving their room. I plan on cooking a brunch one morning this week, so I whipped up a little menu to give my company some direction on what I have prepared for their visit. The best part of all this preparation is hearing friends say they feel like my home is their home.
Club Monaco Shirt and Skirt, Loeffler Randall Loafers, Chloe Handbag, Michael Kors Watch
I keep hearing about Palm Springs and how it’s the ‘hot spot to be at the moment’. I saw this skirt and top in all it’s palm tree glory and knew it belonged it my closet. I love mixing prints together, and it was especially easy with the matching color palette of these pieces. Since I can’t be there, why not bring a little Palm Springs to Calgary?
