Tuesday's Tune - December 4th, 2012

In the Christmas spirit yet? Oddly enough, I became in the spirit mid November this year?! I can't complain though, I actually really enjoy the holidays & everything to do with them! SO if you're not in the spirit yet, check out today's tune, its a classic!

Here's Merry Christmas Baby by Otis Redding.

Cheers! xo

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is here! I'm currently listening to my new Black Keys album "El Camino" (which is amazing), admiring my new Michael Kors boots, and thinking to myself how spoiled I am. Mom & Dad called me up early November saying 1 gift this year, $100 limit, we have to start cutting back etc... which I agree, I'm not a kid anymore. However, we all know that like myself, my mom couldn't help herself once again when it comes to gifts and went way over the $100 budget. It's just too fun giving people gifts that you know they'll love! So merci Ma & Pa!

We had a delicious brunch, opened gifts and I will be returning later for our traditional turkey dinner. Afterwards, I'll hopefully be meeting up with all my favorite people to celebrate this wonderful Holiday!

I wish you ALL a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holiday with friends and family & for those of your in the Montreal Area, be safe, the roads are slick!! 

CHEERS XOXO

Snow!

Ok so I'm completely contradicting everything I've been saying about snow with these next few lines but... I woke up to snow and I gotta say I was kind of excited. (for the record I'll be back to my bitter self after Christmas is over with) I’ve come to the conclusion that the main reason I'm not feeling Christmas this year is due to the lack of snow. It was so pretty walking the dog this morning, it seemed so quiet and peaceful as the snow just slowly  came down on us. Every little inch of each tree branch and bush was covered and it was quite stunning to the eye!

I’ll be on a 4 day vacation as of noon today and I cannot WAIT! I’ll be posting a few things over those days, so be sure to check in! I have some really cute Christmas Cupcakes to share with you tomorrow!

As usual, here is your latest Jenna Marbles video... she's really outdone herself this time hahaha... I suggest watching this with headphones if you're at the office or in public! (The name is kind of a give a way)

We made it guys!! Cheers to the freakin' weekend!

xo

Almost there...

This week has been SO busy, work during the day, Les Gateaux Mignons at night, and all while trying to prepare myself for the holidays! Friday is so close, yet feels so far! It’s funny normally when I’m mad busy the days and weeks fly, however it seems to be the opposite right now, so slow!

For some reason I just can’t get into the holiday spirit this year, maybe it’s because Mother Nature has been lacking on the snow? (however I have to admit, I’m happy) But I’ve literally listened to Christmas music, watched Christmas movies and tv specials, decorated, baked friggin’ cookies AND bought and wrapped all my gifts early this year and yet I just don’t feel it? Maybe because it snuck up on us like a picture sneak attack this year, I don’t know… but I just don’t feel it!

One thing I do feel is how exhausted I am, I can’t wait to have a few days off to just relax and spend time with friends and family, feels like it’s been awhile!

On another note, the Montreal region got slammed with freezing rain yesterday. Very stressful driving in those conditions, walking Behr was also a challenge, but I really do think it’s super pretty to see all the trees glistening from the ice! Feels like we’re in a little winter wonderland (minus the snow).

More cupcakes tonight! Will post pictures soon!

Cheers xo

Celebrate!

What a weekend! My body totally hates me right now and my liver is begging for a divorce, little does it know we're just getting into the holiday festivities! Love this time of year for the fact that we all get together and dress up! So fun!

Here are some Mini Christmas Cupcakes I did for a client this weekend, they had peanut butter, Skor and Mint centers!

 Mini Santa Hat

Mini Mint

Mini Tree

1 week till Christmas! Although I really don't feel like its already here!

Cheers xo

Sometime's I get a good Feeling...

I've totally had Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" song stuck in my head all morning! I guess it's not the worst song to have stuck in your head and I mean really it's Friday, so it's fitting that I would have a good feeling. My friends will all be done school as of about 4pm this afternoon! It's been quite lonely during their exam time, so I am anxiously awaiting to celebrate with them tonight, tomorrow night and well let's be honest, all throughout the holidays!!

I started working on a cupcake order last night, decorations will go on tonight! I'm eager to share the pictures with you guys but I have a rule of only posting them after my customer has received them! (Seems like a fair rule no?) So I think it's safe to say by Saturday afternoon or Sunday, they'll be up. I did mini's with peanut butter, Skor bar  & mint centers, all with extremely cute Christmas decorations!



Here is Jenna Marble's latest video, she's totally crazy and I freaking love it. Hilarious! Enjoy!!

bahaha She makes me laugh everytime!

Well folks enjoy this glorious Friday!!!

Cheers xo

2 weeks till Christmas

 How gorgeous is my friend's tree?

Can you believe it's 2 weeks till Christmas? Bananas.

Winter Wonderland

What a beautiful Saturday morning here in Hudson! I think I often take this place for granted, it really does have a picture perfect landscape.

I decided to take Behr out for a walk down the tracks, he was like a kid on Christmas, SO excited. As much as I dislike snow and wished I lived in a hot climate next to the Ocean, Snow can be very pretty! 

Last night as mentioned on Friday's post, I decorated my buddy's apartment along with a few other friends. It looks absolutely stunning! We made it into a Christmas Winter Wonderland theme, so it seems fitting that finally we get a bit of snow to make this theme come to life. This is my first weekend off  from cupcake making in a long time, bad for business I guess but perfect for relaxation! I can't say that it isn't draining working 2 jobs! My girlfriend is cutting down a tree today with her man, (so jealous, I wish I could fit a real tree in here) and when they get back I'm going to help them install some outdoor lights! When the light mission is complete, we decided its a perfect night for a walk around the gorgeous streets of Hudson to see people's Christmas lights!

Hope you're all enjoying this beautiful day!

Cheers xo

Woot!

FRIIIIIDAY! Hooray! We made it guys! I'm still slightly bitter about last night's vote off on XFactor...how ridiculous! (For those of you who watch it, I'm sure we are in agreement that Nicole screwed this one up big time!)

In other news, tonight I am getting my Christmas deco on with a few friends...and a few drinks... cant wait! It's actually my staff "Holiday" party tonight, however I am skipping it this year due to the fact that I will be driving alone in the dark 45 mins there and back and I am blind as a bat in the dark, so it seems like decorating is a better bet for me this year! My buddy's annual Christmas party is next saturday, so we're spiffing up the place, it going to look snazz!


Well, here is a funny Jenna Marbles video for ya, gotta say I guess I fall under the "White Girl" category, can't say i've never taken my shoes off before.... sometimes those things KILL! But ya gotta do, whatcha gotta do! Sorry Jenna! But for the most part, I totally agree with her!

TGIF! Enjoy!

Cheers

Sweet Treats that make excellent gifts!

If you're on a tight budget this year and don't have room to get gifts for all your friends, coworkers etc, here is a simple and inexpensive way to show someone how much you appreciate them during the holidays!  Last year I made a ton of sugar cookies and packaged them in cute dollar store boxes! This year I plan on doing the same, but I've decided to try a Gingerbread cookie recipe! I have a subscription for Chatelaine and they had great recipe, so it works out perfectly!


Unfortunately I haven't made these yet because I want to give them out as Christmas gifts, so pictures of my creations will follow in the next couple of weeks! I will share the recipe with you though so that if you're in a tight budget like myself, you can still make someone feel special on Christmas!


Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (10 mL) ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each allspice, salt and baking soda
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) fancy molasses

Preparation time 20 minutes
Standing Time 5 minutes
Refrigeration Time 30 minutes
Baking Time 7 minutes

Makes 50 cookies

Step 1 In a large bowl, using a fork, stir flour with spices and baking soda. In a medium bowl, using a wooden spoon, beat butter with sugar for 2 min. Beat in egg, then molasses. Make a well in centre of fl our mixture, then pour in molasses mixture. Stir until most of molasses is absorbed. Gently knead until dough is an even colour. Divide into 4 portions.


Step 2 Shape each into a ball, then flatten slightly into a disc . Wrap separately with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 min or up to a week. Or overwrap with foil and freeze up to 1 month.


Step 3 When ready to bake, remove dough from refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature until soft enough to roll, 5 to 10 min. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly spray or oil a baking sheet. Place a disc of dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Roll dough no thicker than ¼ in. (0.5 cm). Cut out shapes with cookie cutter. Place on baking sheet about 1 in. (2.5 cm) apart.


Step 4 Bake in centre of preheated oven just until edges begin to darken, 7 to 10 min. Remove cookies to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Store in an airtight container in a cool place up to 1 week or freeze up to 1 month.

Photo Credit: Chatelaine.com

This recipe is courtesy of Chatelaine Magazine feel free to check out the link for extra tips! http://food.chatelaine.com/recipes/view/classic-gingerbread-cookies



As promised, here is my little tree!

Cheers xo



Oh Christmas Tree....

So I'm sloowwwly getting into the holiday spirit. Last night I picked up some decos from the dollarama (how awesome is that place). Unfortunately I cant fit a tree in my place, so I bought this little guy that's about 30 cm high, it works! (Picture to follow sometime this week).

Since I'm trying to get into the spirit, I thought I would share some cupcakes I did for a festival in Hudson. My client wanted them to replicate a tree cupcake ornament that she was selling. The result was amazing with thanks to a couple of girlfriends! 

So here are some pics to get you in the spirit!

Cheers xo

Cute things that would make fun gifts!

Ever since my girlfriend told me about Etsy, I find myself browsing all the time! Just like people who write and sing songs, I really appreciate when something is handmade. It shows a form of creative talent and I feel like you can learn a lot about a person through their work.

After hours of browsing, I have found some really cute gift ideas that would guarantee to put a smile on somebody's face!

Here is a Cupcake Candle that is adorable! It would make great a party favor, stocking stuffer or simply a little (Oh theres something else in the gift bag?) filler. You can purchase this through Etsy on SweetlightCandleCo.

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

So if you're like me and enjoy coconut on your body rather than in your mouth, check out these life like Cupcake Bath Bombs and Bubblebaths! There's something about the smell of coconut that reminds me of the Caribbean! These would work great as a stocking stuffer, and perfect for when you get back from your winter vacation down south to keep the tan moisturized! The Bath Bombs are made by Sherry Hodgson from Moncton, NB, and can be purchased on Etsy under her page; SherrysSuds.

 

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

If you're looking to buy local, similar Cupcake Bath Bombs can also be purchased at Vêtements Façade.

My last gift idea for the day is this fake cupcake, it looks like you could literally take a bite out of it, it looks so real! I have been collecting random "desk flare" for years now. For those of you who are wondering what that is, it is basically random objects and figurines. I have a couple California Raisins, Peter from Family guy, a flying pig & a straw bird some random dude made me in Cuba. I can see this cupcake fitting right in. Mostly because it would be hilarious to see the look on peoples faces when they realize its actually fake! This can also be used as a paperweight or the perfect addition to the classic fake "tea party", that little girl in your life is having. These can be purchased on Etsy on Shimrita's page!

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

I want to shout out to my Russian & European followers, thanks for the love!
Cheers fellow readers!!