How to Look Like a Champ on Christmas Morning

Have you heard of Pascal's Patisserie? They're a Calgary company that makes the most delicious bake-at-home pastries. You buy them frozen, leave them out overnight to thaw and rise and bake them when you wake up. We're loving their pain au chocolat. They bake up big and crispy and make the house smell heavenly.

Photo courtesy of Avenue magazine. We ate ours too fast to take a photo!

They'd make for a great last minute host/hostess gift too! Here's a list of Calgary shops that sell them.

Happy Halloween!

We're keeping it pretty low-key this year- scary movies and handing out candy. Unfortunately, Eric won't be recreating his Prince costume from last year's rock star themed Halloween party, but perhaps you'd like to take it in...

I saw this hilarious Guide to Trading Candy over on Cup of Jo and thought you might enjoy it.

Happy Halloween!

Jupiter, Venus and Mars

A little something to make these dark, chilly morning a bit more interesting...

Jupiter and Venus (Mars was being a bit uncooperative)

Three planets will converge for a beautiful close encounter in the eastern sky about an hour before dawn for the next couple of days.

This week, Venus and Jupiter — the two brightest objects in the night sky after the moon — and Mars appear at their closest together in the sky for 2015, forming a tight triangle near the constellation Leo in the early morning. Such close gatherings of planets are sometimes called planetary conjunctions.

Because all three planets are within five degrees of one another, if you look at them with binoculars, you'll be able to see all three at the same time, something NASA calls "a rare and beautiful sight."

-CBC News

Fall Workwear

I'm going back to work next week (eep!) and while I still have a lot of pre-pregnancy work clothes that fit, I could use a few new pieces.

Silence + Noise Chloe Pant- I'm a bit nervous to venture into the culottes trend, but I saw a girl wearing a pair of simple black wide leg pants similar to these and they looked so chic and comfortable. The crop means they'll likely be short lived, but one can hope for a late start to winter, right?
Long Zara Sweater- Being at home, I've grown accustomed to wearing leggings (like, A LOT). I think this sweater paired with faux leather leggings is appropriate for every single Monday going forward.
No. 2 Pencil Skirt- not much needs to be said about the pencil skirt. It's easy, it's flattering and this mustard version adds some good color to an otherwise very black and gray wardrobe.
Pleated Fit and Flare Dress- I picked this dress up last week and I was shocked at how flattering it is. The sleeves are a perfect length and it comes in just enough at the waist to not look like a sack. Perfection!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We're having my family for brunch tomorrow (I'm making this), a karaoke birthday party tomorrow night (I've been practicing Salt n Pepa's Shoop) and turkey dinner with Eric's family on Monday where I shall eat all of the pumpkin pie. Now more than ever, I'm so thankful for our friends and family. It's been a rough few months, but we're so lucky to be surrounded by so much love.

I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving and find some time to relax over the long weekend.

♥

Plum Streusel Coffee Cake

I have always loved coffee cake. I especially like the fact that as soon as you put the word coffee in front of cake it becomes entirely appropriate to eat it for breakfast. I gotta say that when I woke up to snow last Saturday, curling up on the couch with a piece of this, a cup of coffee and some terrible TV really hit the spot.

Obviously, the streusel is the best part, but even so, I felt like this recipe had a LOT of it. I used 3/4 of what it makes and there was still a (not so) healthy layer of the good stuff on top. I'm pretty sure you could use any kind of fruit, but plums are so delicious right now and they make for beautiful colour.

Plum Streusel CoffeecakeFrom Epicurious
Streusel1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar1/2 cup walnuts3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened1 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
batter1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened3/4 cup granulated sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 pound plums (4 to 5 medium), sliced
Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan at least 2 inches deep.Make streusel:In a food processor pulse together streusel ingredients until combined well and crumbly.Make batter:In a bowl with an electric mixer beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and vanilla. Sift in flour with baking powder and salt and beat until just combined. Spread cake batter in pan, smoothing top, and arrange plum slices over it in slightly overlapping concentric circles. Sprinkle streusel over plum slices and bake cake in middle of oven 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Coffeecake may be made 1 week ahead: Cool cake completely in pan on a rack and freeze, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. Reheat cake, unwrapped but not thawed, in a preheated 350°F. oven until heated through, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake slightly on a rack and sift confectioners' sugar over it. Serve coffeecake warm or at room temperature.

Beach Beauty

Calgary has a super cute new beauty bar! Beach Beauty focuses on healthy beauty services- lemons to soften cuticles, non-toxic polishes, etc. I've been for a couple of mani/pedis and I love it- I actually prefer their bio-seaweed gel to the regular Shellac. They also serve wine and cocktails which makes it the greatest place ever!

My CIFF Picks

The Calgary International Film Festival kicked off this week. Eric and I saw the Hank Williams biopic 'I Saw the Light' on Wednesday evening and really enjoyed it. Here are a few others I'm hoping to catch over the next 10 days.

45 Years

Brooklyn

Freeheld

Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: Story of the National Lampoon

Green Room

Room

The Smalls: Forever is a Long Time (click the link for the trailer).

Have a great weekend!

Etsy Made in Canada Show

The Etsy Made in Canada show is this Saturday at Golden Acre Garden Centre. When I'm not shopping my face off, I'll be there helping my sister-in-law sell her adorable Lucky Wall prints.

Hope to see you there!

Turning 30

I'm turning 30 on Saturday! The day itself is sure to be an emotional one. We booked a trip to Tofino before we had Annalee thinking that it would be the perfect first trip with our baby. Now, we've traded our mini van rental for a convertible, because maybe being a bit ridiculous will cheer us up- even if it's just a little.

I'm looking forward to my thirties. Perhaps I'm just excited about a new chapter, but I feel like I did everything I wanted to in my twenties. I've traveled, I've built and maintained the relationships that are important to me and managed to shed the ones that aren't, I've lived by myself, I've learned new things and I've had a LOT of fun.

In an effort to mature just ever so slightly, I'd like to be a bit better with my finances in this new decade (one does not need to spend money on 10 different white t-shirts) and little bit easier on myself when it comes to my body- less negative self-talk, more appreciation of my health.

Goodbye, twenties. It's been real.

Images from the Bold Italic

Freezer Apple Pie Filling

It's September (how did THAT happen?!) which means it's apple season. Our tree produced apples this year, but the majority of them have been destroyed by birds, squirrels and hail. Luckily, we have a ton of apples from our summer fruit share that are perfect for baking.

This freezer pie filling is much easier than canning it. I like to keep a couple of frozen pie crusts handy as well. When a friend or family dinner rolls around you can always offer to bring the dessert and have it made in no time. And who doesn't love apple pie?

Frozen Apple Pie Filling
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. lemon juice
6 cups of apples (peeled, sliced and cored)

Combine sugar, cinnamon and flour. Stir in lemon juice and apples until combined. Use immediately or freeze for up to six months.
Makes enough filling for one 9 inch pie.

A couple of notes:
-After I thaw the filling, I like to drain a bit of the liquid out before I fill the pie crusts to keep it from being too soupy
-This filling is heavy on the cinnamon which I love and have only heard good things about, but if you're not a cinnamon fan, you might want to use a bit less
-If you've got a ton of apples, this tool is a godsend!

Pep Talk Generator

For your Monday morning- the Pep Talk Generator (click the link for your pep talk).

Have a good day :)

Homemade Multipurpose Cleaner

I hate cleaning. I like to keep a tidy house in case people drop by, but a full clean is torture. I was keeping some wipes around the house to wipe things down every few days, but even though they were a somewhat natural brand, all of those disposable cloths aren't particularly good for the environment. In an effort to be a bit more conscious- and to make cleaning a smaller job- I made these homemade wipes to keep in the bathrooms and kitchen for quick clean ups.

What you'll  need:

Rags- I used j cloths, but you could use old towels or t shirts instead
2 tbsp. Castile soap
6-8 drops of essential oil

Cut whatever you're using for rags into squares. I cut two j cloths into sixteen. Pour one cup of water into a reusable container (mason jar, tupperware, etc.). Add the Castile soap and essential oil. Fold up the rags and place them into the container so that they're soaked with the solution.
Wash rag after use and return it back into the solution for future clean ups.

West Elm

West Elm opens in Calgary today and that's very, very dangerous news for me. I thought I was a new rug away from being able to leave our house alone for a while, but then I started looking at their stuff and now I'm ready to redo every room.

Two Years

Today is our second wedding anniversary! At the end of our wedding, when we finally got into the sedan we'd rented to take us to the hotel (there were a lot of 'one more song!' requests from yours truly), we were starving. Like the classy people we are, we decided to pick up A&W on the way. When we got to our room and saw that the hotel had a bottle of champagne waiting for us, we couldn't help but laugh. There we were- me in my wedding dress and Eric in his suit- eating fast food and drinking Moet Chandon after the best night of our lives.

For our anniversaries, we like to recreate that night. We pop a nice bottle of champagne and tuck into a couple of teen burger combos. It's not fancy, but it makes us smile.

Who says romance is dead? ;)

Salmon Burgers

For the last two years, my father-in-law has gone salmon fishing in BC and we've reaped the benefits. Our freezer is once again loaded with huge, bright pink Coho and Sockeye salmon filets. I've made these burgers a few times now, eating them on top of salad instead of on buns. They come together quickly and are a great, healthy summer meal.

Salmon Burgers
adapted from the Food Network
1 1/4 pounds center-cut salmon fillet, skin and pin bones removed
 2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 scallions, chopped
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Lemon Dill Mayo

1/2 c. mayonnaise
juice of half a lemon
2 tbsp. fresh dill, finely chopped
Pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Cut three-quarters of the salmon into 1/4-inch pieces. Put in a large bowl. Cut the rest of the salmon into chunks; transfer the chunks to a food processor along with the mustard, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest and cayenne. Pulse to make a paste.

Add the pureed salmon mixture to the bowl with the diced salmon. Add the scallions, 2 tablespoons panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Gently mix until just combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Divide the salmon mixture into 4 mounds on the parchment paper. With damp hands, pat into 4-inch-wide, 3/4-inch-thick patties. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Spread the remaining 1 cup panko on a plate. Press both sides of the salmon patties in the panko. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties (in batches if necessary) and cook until browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes, adjusting the heat if necessary. Turn and cook until the other side is browned and the patties feel springy in the center, 3 to 4 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; season with salt. Serve with lemon dill mayo.

Loungewear

I'm a very slow mover in the morning. My favorite thing is to pour a cup of coffee and just chill out before starting the day. Whether it's at my parent's house, on our front porch or while on vacation with friends, good loungewear is essential. Here are a few beautiful options appropriate for rolling out of bed and straight to the coffee maker.

1/2/3/4

Okay.

Source

Okay.

First, I want to thank you for all of your love and support. It has helped us heal more than you'll ever know.

Life is starting to return to somewhat normal- a new normal, but normal nonetheless.

I've decided to keep this little blog going. I thought a lot about what and how much to share while still keeping things light and fun. The thought of it got a bit too overwhelming, so I've decided to start an online diary about Annalee and what we're going through. If you'd care to read it, you can find it here.

This space will stay mostly the same. Even though we're going through some of our darkest days, I still like to talk about clothes, cocktails, food and the like. I'm counting on this spot to be a welcome distraction.

Annalee Palmiere

Eric and I had our beautiful baby girl, Annalee Palmiere, on Saturday, June 20th at 10:31pm. She was 6lbs 15oz and 20 inches long. We are heartbroken that she passed away before we could welcome her into the world, but are so grateful for the time we got to spend with her. She had her Mom's lips and nose and her Dad's brown eyes and big feet and lots of dark curly hair. She was absolutely perfect.

We snuggled her and memorized every one of her features for fifteen hours before we said our goodbyes. She was physically with us for too short a time, but she has changed our lives and captured our hearts forever.

I struggled with whether or not to share this here or to just shut this space down entirely. I'm still not sure if posting will be a welcome distraction or an added stress in the days to come, but once I've made the decision, I'll let you know.

♥

For Dad

Happy Father's Day to all the dads (and dad's to be)! I hope you get to spend with weekend with your favorite bad-joke-telling dad. Here are a few things he might like:

Mega Matchstick BBQ Lighter
Friday Sock Co.
Serious BBQ- My brother has made us a couple of things from this book and Charred and Scruffed and it's some of the best BBQ I've ever had!
Shinola Runwell Chrono
J Crew Pajamas

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Once spring rolls around, strawberry rhubarb anything is my favorite. When my brother invited us over for a BBQ last weekend, my dessert choice was a no brainer.

When it comes to crisps, I always like a little extra topping. I've left the recipe below in its original form, but when I made it, I increased the topping by a third and finished it off with a big scoop of vanilla gelato.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
from Bon Apetit

3/4 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. plus 
1/2 c. sugar
Large pinch of salt
6 tbsp. (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 c. old-fashioned oats1/2 c. husked hazelnuts*, toasted, coarsely chopped
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
4 c. strawberries, hulled, halved 12 ounces rhubarb (preferably bright red), ends trimmed, stalks cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces

*I used pecans because I had them on hand. I think you could use any nut and it would be delicious.

Combine flour, 2/3 c. of sugar, and salt in a medium bowl; whisk to blend. add butter. Rub in with fingertips until mixture sticks together in clumps. Mix in oats and nuts. Topping can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Place 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; whisk to blend well. Add strawberries and rhubarb to sugar in bowl; toss to coat well. Scrape fruit filling into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle oat topping evenly over filling.

Bake crumble until filling bubbles thickly and topping is crisp, about 45 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Spoon warm crumble into bowls. Serve with ice cream.

Pregnancy Favs

Only 3 more weeks to go (hopefully) until we get to meet this little one! My pregnancy has been really great overall, but here are a few of the things that have made it even better.

Dry brush- I've dry brushed on and off for years, but I was a lot more consistent with it throughout pregnancy. It's great for dry, itchy skin and circulation. It can be a bit intense at first, so I started with a dry brush for sensitive skin from Rocky Mountain Soap Company and then progressed to a normal one.
Sweet Almond Oil- again, the dry skin! I mostly used coconut oil in the beginning, but the smell and the mess started to bother me. Almond oil is scent free and seems to absorb faster.
Wiggy Winks Body Pillow- I'd seen people rave about the Snoogle, but a friend of a friend gave me this one and I love it. I like that it's supportive without being too much to maneuver in the middle of the night. Plus, the shape of it serves as a constant reminder of how you ended up needing a pregnancy pillow in the first place ;)
Lululemon Wunder Under Roll Down- unless I missed something, the leggings maternity stores try to pass off as 'workout wear' are not even close. At the same time, my usual Lululemon pants were too low rise to be comfortable. These high-waisted ones cover the belly while still providing all the good sucking in and smoothing support of actual workout leggings. An added bonus is that they'll hide the post-baby paunch.
Water bottle- now more than ever (thanks swollen feet) I'm drinking water like it's going out of style. It's nice to have a reusable bottle to keep track of how much you've had throughout the day- the nice colours don't hurt either.
Cute shoes- while maternity clothes have come a long way, there have been times where I've felt like I've had to compromise my usual style to accommodate my changing bod. I've never been much of a shoe person, but I've found that a fun pair a shoes can go a long way in making even the most basic maternity clothes a little bit more personal
Prenatal massage- Greatest. Thing. Ever.


Honourable mentions go to:
Oatmeal, all of the Popsicles, any and all of the make your own frozen yogurt bars and whichever hormones are in charge of making your skin awesome.

Dixie + Twine

I love having fun party decorations on hand. Any time I see cute plates, banners, cups, anything really- I snap them up and hoard them in my basement until our next soiree. I love the fun stuff that Dixie + Twine makes. Her cheeky banners and gorgeous party supplies are perfection.

I'm such a sucker for glitter!

For Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous moms! And for the last minute shoppers, here's a little gift guide for inspiration.

Oh Deer Rose Petal and Ylang Ylang Bath Salts
Copper Moscow Mule Mugs
Yield Design Co. French Press
By Ollia Macarons

Have a wonderful weekend!

Playoff Workout

I'm still suffering from a bit of pelvic pain and I've had to switch up my usual workout routine. No more spin, yoga or walking for any longer than 20 minutes at a time means I've had to get a bit creative. In addition to swimming, I've come up with a workout I can do at home in between periods of Flames playoff games- which have typically been happening every couple of days. We're in Toronto this week where the games don't start until 10pm (!!!), but it can be easily adapted to do during TV commercial breaks as well.

Each break:

20 pelvic tilts
15 squats with shoulder press
20 of each:

• bicep curls
• lateral raise
• shoulder press
• overhead triceps extension
• alternating punches

15 weighted squats
1 minute plank

repeat once

I've been using 5lb weights, but use whatever you're comfortable with.

Go Flames Go!

Linguine with Pea Pesto

With a high of 27 today and fresh peas at the farmer's market on the weekend, spring must be here! I usually don't get excited until after the typical May long weekend snowstorm, but its been so beautiful for the last couple of weeks that I can't help myself!

I always love the ritual of shelling peas. It may seem like a lot of work, but the reward of sweet, fresh peas is always worth it. Last night we decided to whip up some fresh pasta and use this Smitten Kitchen recipe for pea pesto. I added a bit of lemon zest and juice for acidity, but the recipe is great as is.

Recommended Reads

It certainly feels like summer is on its way which means it's time for a few good books. Here are a couple that I've loved recently:

All the Light We Cannot See- My mom is one of my most trusted sources of good read recommendations. If she raves about a book, it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll like it and this one was no exception. Set during WWII, the story follows a blind girl in France and an orphan boy in Germany until their paths eventually cross. It's an emotional story, but tough to put down.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette- My friend Michelle is my second most trusted source of book recommendations. She always seems to know what the new hot book is going to be before anyone else. Where'd You Go, Bernadette is funny, quirky and totally heartwarming. Reading it felt like watching a movie. It's perfect to read while sitting outside and drinking rose :)

The Girl on the Train- I know I'm a bit late to this party, but I finished this book in a day and a half. I was obsessed! It's typically recommended to anyone who liked Gone Girl, but regardless of whether you did or not, this is a great read- just make sure you have some free time to hammer through it!

Bumpdate

I'm a week into my third trimester and up until last week, pregnancy had been a breeze! I felt great, I was keeping up my usual exercise schedule and aside from an increase in ice cream consumption, I've been eating pretty normally. Like clockwork, on day one of the third trimester, I started feeling a bit uncomfortable. Nothing major, just some slight pain when I walked. On Wednesday, I slipped on some gravel and even though I didn't actually fall, I pulled all kinds of things and wound up pretty much unable to move and having to use crutches to get around. Not cute. After a few days of rest, I'm feeling better- not 100%, but back to my daily routines.

Aside from that little mishap, things are great! Lentil is the size of a butternut squash and moving around like crazy. Time feels like it's flying and moving so slowly at the same time. We just want to meet this little one and see what he or she looks like and what their personality will be. That said, we're not even close to being prepared! Nesting hasn't quite set in- I'm hoping it does some time in May, but until then, we'll just enjoy our free time. :)

Coconut Nests

Happy Easter! We're having my family over for a BBQ tomorrow and heading to Eric's parents' house for an egg hunt and dinner on Sunday. I made these coconut bird nests as treats for my nieces and nephews.

Using this macaroon recipe,  I used the back of a spoon to make an indent in the cookies before baking. Once they were cool, I filled them with chocolate ganache and mini eggs.

Have a great long weekend!

Local for Lentil

When we first found out that I was pregnant, our little baby was the size of a lentil and ever since then, that's how we've referred to it- little Lentil.

While his or her room is nowhere near being done (or even started for that matter), we've been picking up or coveting some unique, locally made items for when we get around to it.

Teepee Tots Co.- we grabbed a couple pairs of Bermuda shorts for the baby to chill out in this summer. I'm sure a pair of moccasins and that teepee swaddle are going to make their way into my shopping cart as well.
Gypsy Skulls- we picked up an original bird at Market Collective for Lentil's room and a skull for our living room
Bluesunshine Dream Catcher- only the sweetest of dreams for our little one
Boolah Baguette- out of Saskatoon, these little stuffed animals are the cutest things ever!
Wholesome Handbook- I saw this Orion cross stitch on Etsy and had to have it.

Jalapeno Poppers

As someone who enjoys cooking, it really doesn't bother me to spend time on a really good recipe. However, it never fails that the biggest hits at parties are always the most simple items. Take these jalapeno poppers, for instance. They're five ingredients, they take about 10 minutes to put together and yet they're always the most requested appetizer when we have a big gathering.

It's amazing the things that Pilsbury crescent rolls can make ;)

Jalapeno Poppers
makes about 20

2 tubes of Pilsbury crescent rolls
1 small tub of cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup cheddar, shredded
6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Unroll the crescent rolls and pinch together the seams to make one hole free sheet of dough. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, bacon and jalapeno. Spread half the mixture onto the crescent roll dough and roll up. Repeat with the other tube of dough and the rest of the mixture.

Cut each roll into 10 slices and place on a greased cookies sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden,

Wedding Shower

I hosted a wedding shower for my dear friend Michelle on Saturday. Friends and family came over for a quick Mexican themed party-complete with beergaritas, sugar skull sugar cookies and a pinata. Afterwards, we headed to National for bowling and drinks.

Michelle and Cam get married this coming Saturday!

Made me smile- xylophone Zeppelin

Ah! I saw this video the other day and could not stop smiling. How awesome are those kids?! And that music teacher for introducing them to Led Zeppelin! It gives me hope for the future.

My grade three teacher played the guitar and, if we were well behaved, he'd  leave 10 minutes at the end of each class for us to sing along. He made us all song books filled with songs by the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan and Elvis. He was my very favorite teacher and without him, I'm not sure I would've come to appreciate music as much as I do. Thanks Mr. Pratt (wherever you are)!

Around Calgary- Rhosyn Floral

I saw the Rhosyn Floral gift boxes on Instagram and not-so-subtly hinted to Eric that I wanted one. Her floral arrangements are right up my alley and extras are all heavenly things from local businesses.

I figured Eric had forgotten about it until Erica, the owner and floral designer, knocked on our door on Wednesday night to deliver what has to be the best gift box ever.

What was in it:
Rhosyn floral arrangement
Our Daily Brett sea salt caramels
Fiasco Gelato vanilla bourbon marshmallows
Oh Deer rose and ylang ylang bath salts
Packaged in a reusable wooden crate

Needless to say, the last few days have been pretty indulgent around here!

You can order the gift boxes in three sizes (see them here) by emailing rhosynfloral@gmail.com. Eric loved dealing with Erica so let's hope there are more of these in my future ;)

Happy Weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day and long weekend everyone! We're off to Edmonton tonight and then hanging out with my parents in Camrose for the rest of the weekend. Nothing says romance like hanging out with your Mom and Dad,  am I right?! ;)

I found this letter from Johnny Cash to June Carter. Even though it was for her birthday, I thought it was perfect for Valentine's Day...or any day for that matter.

Here's another one in case your heart isn't bursting enough.

Have a great weekend!

Pizza and Wine

It's International Pizza Day (yes, it's a thing)!

I'm a firm believer that all pizza is good with all wine, but according to Wine Folly, there is a bit of a science to the pairings. Check out what you should be drinking with your favorite slice here.

Manhattan Beach

I was in Manhattan Beach last weekend to celebrate my good friend Michelle's bachelorette party. Seven of us stayed in this incredible home drinking margaritas and laughing our heads off by the outdoor fire.

I'd never been to Manhattan Beach and now I can't wait to get back. The houses our amazing, the beach is lined with volleyball nets and surfers and there are loads of great restaurants and shops. We did a wine tasting at Barsha Wines, ate and danced at the Strand House, had dinner at Manhattan Beach Post and grabbed some healthy acai bowls to eat while we walked along the boardwalk.

The trip and the company were so great. It was the perfect escape from winter.