My top ten Christmas song covers!

I love Christmas music. Honestly, I listen to it all year long in my headphones, but December is the time to blare it loud and proud. I'm all for the classics, but I love a good cover, new and old. Here are 10 of my favourites, in no particular order!

1. Blue Christmas - Michael Bublé

2. Barenaked Ladies - Jingle Bells

3. Destiny's Child - Silent Night

4. Bruce Springsteen - Santa Clause Is Coming To Town

5. Sam Smith - Have Yourself  A Merry Little Christmas

6.Carly Rae Jepsen - Last Christmas

7. Mariah Carey - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

8. Demi Lovato - Wonderful Christmas Time

9. John Legend - O Holy Night

10. The Temptations - Silent Night

I hope you enjoy, either while wrapping last minute gifts, baking cookies, or at your holiday get together! Let me know your favourite Christmas song, either a cover, or original, below in the comments! Merry Christmas!

Last Minute Gift Guide

With all of the hustle and bustle surrounding the holidays, it's easy to forget a gift or end up in a situation where you need an extra one.
Here are some ideas that you can easily pick up for anyone and they are sure to love it!

1. A bottle of wine. Because who doesn't like free alcohol? If you feel like they're not a wine drinker, you could always pick up a bottle of whisky instead. Just make sure they're of legal drinking age!

2. A Bluetooth speaker. Most people these days have a smart phone and most people like to listen to music. It's pretty much a concrete win.

3. A cocktail shaker. Everyone could use having one of these in their lives. Maybe pick up some glasses to go with it?

4. A candle. There are so many different kinds of scents out there, so you can please everyone.

5. A toque. It's winter and it's cold. Everyone could use a hat. Maybe grab some matching mittens to go with it.

6. A Polaroid camera. Slightly expensive option, but they're super fun! Anyone one would love it - capturing moments is always a good thing.

7. Gift card. I know some people don't like giving gift cards as a present, but they are good if you're stuck. Get one for their favourite store or you could get a restaurant gift card so they can enjoy a night out!


So there you have it - some easy last minute gifts that anyone would love!
Can you think of other easy gift ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays!

Talk to you all soon,

Christmas cookies!

My whole life, baking has been one of my favourite things. One of my earliest memories is of my grandma holding me in her arms, teaching me to crack an egg. I bake all year long, but my urge to bake truly comes alive at Christmas. Shortbread, peanut butter balls, nanaimo bars, and my families favourite, chocolate chip cornflake balls, I love to make them all! Thankfully, I have a lot of people around to help me eat them!

Below are a few of my tried and true favourite Christmas cookie recipes!

Chocolate chip cornflake balls

Chocolate chip cornflake balls

2 1/4 cups sifted flour

1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup soft butter

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. almond extract

3/4 cup crumbled cornflakes

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in egg yolk and almond extract, and blend until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together flour and salt, and add to the wet ingredients. Mix in chocolate chips and cornflakes, and roll into 1” balls, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. Place on rack to cool before eating.

Chocolate oat coconut clusters

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 butter

1/2 milk

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 tsp. vanilla

A pinch of salt

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring as you go. Remove from heat. Combine the oats and coconut, and stir into the hot cocoa mixture. Add vanilla and salt, and mix well. Let chill for 20 minutes. On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spoon out small blobs of the mixture. Let chill until firm.

Shortbread

1/2 cornstarch

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup butter, softened

Sift together cornstarch, icing sugar, and flour. With a wooden spoon, blend in butter until soft, smooth dough forms. Shape into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft to handle, cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and flatten with a lightly floured or sugar covered fork (a trick to get the sugar to stick for the first one is to rub a tiny bit of dough over the bottom of the fork, so the grease from the  dough makes the sugar stick). Decorate with candied cherries, sprinkles, or nuts if desired. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on a cooling rack.

Let me know some of your favourite cookie recipes, or if you've tried any of mine, in the comments below!

THIS OR THAT: Christmas Edition

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Welcome to our special (and first) edition of THIS OR THAT.

#1: REAL TREE or FAKE TREE

Christina - Fake tree!! One of my favourite parts of Christmas is setting up our old fake tree, trying to find the faded spots of colour left, so we can make sure we're colour coordinating the branches to the trunk properly!

Em - Fake! My family actually gets a real tree now (my dad likes them and the cats leave them alone), but I like fake ones because you can put it up sooner and they're less maintenance!


#2: GIFT GIVING or GIFT RECEIVING

Christina - Giving! I both love shopping, and seeing the look on peoples faces when they see what I picked for them!

Em - Don't get me wrong, I love opening gifts like everyone else- but, I LOVE shopping for people and seeing how they react when they open it!


#3: STAR or ANGEL (on top of tree)

Christina - I personally like the look of a star, but we had an angel growing up, so that holds a lot of nostalgia for me. Angel wins this one!

Em - Angel! As far as I can remember, we've always had one. I would like to try a star one year though. Fun fact, we went to go buy a new angel the other day, and we saw a squirrel tree topper. A squirrel. Because nothing says Christmas like a woodland creature on top of your tree.


#4: HOT CHOCOLATE or EGGNOG

Christina - Hot chocolate. Even if I didn't love it, it would win, just because it doesn't make me almost vomit like eggnog does.

Em - Hot chocolate all the way. Eggnog is disgusting and I don't get how people drink it and actually enjoy it. Yuck!

#5: OPENING GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE or CHRISTMAS DAY

Christina - Christmas Day. I don't like holidays to end, so I want to prolong them as much as possible. When you open gifts on Christmas Eve, it's all done so quickly!

Em - Christmas Day! My family we always open gifts in the morning. Lately, we've been opening some gifts with my boyfriend's family on Christmas eve. I guess I'm spoiled and get both!

#6: PEPPERMINT or GINGERBREAD

Christina - Peppermint. I LOVE anything peppermint.

Em - I'm not the biggest fan of either (I know, controversial). However, I'd choose peppermint over gingerbread. 


#7: FROSTY or RUDOLPH

Christina - Rudolph! I love the song and original movie! I have a Rudolph plush on my bed right now!

Em - This is such a hard choice! Frudolph. 


#8: WAKING UP EARLY or SLEEPING IN

Christina - Waking up early. I want Christmas to last as long as possible!

Em - When I was younger, I would get up so early and wait around for everyone else. Now I like to have a bit of a lay in... just a bit.


#9: WHITE CHRISTMAS or GREEN CHRISTMAS

Christina - The snow can show up on the 24th and leave on the 26th for all I care, but I need a white Christmas!

Em - I'm dreaming of a White Christmas! I love snow and Christmas needs to be snowy. It just has to. 


#10: LOTS OF SMALL GIFTS or ONE BIG GIFT

Christina - Lots of small gifts. I love seeing what people thought to get me!

Em - It honestly doesn't matter to me. I appreciate whatever I get! Smaller gifts drag out the fun though! 




Let us know what you prefer - this or that - in the comments below!


Until next time,

12 Days of Christmas Movies

 The most wonderful time of year is upon us!

I love watching Christmas movies. There's nothing I love more than being cozy with a hot cocoa, while it's snowing outside and watching a holiday movie. It makes me feel so happy and really puts me in the Christmas spirit.

I compiled a list of Christmassy movies for you guys. It includes some classics, some I loved to watch growing up and some I love to watch now.


On the FIRST day of Christmas...

The Night They Saved Christmas

This is a bit of an older movie, but it's a goody. I remember borrowing this movie from my grandma (on VHS) and watching it every year. It's a movie that reminds you that sometimes, you just need to be open to believing. Also... those sideburns though.


On the SECOND day of Christmas...

ELF

I feel like I really don't need to say anything about this one because everyone has seen it.
"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear."


On the THIRD day of Christmas...

 
The Santa Clause

Another classic. Is it even Christmas if this movie isn't playing every week? I actually really love this movie. I've grown up watching it. I will say that I don't quite love the 2nd and 3rd one as much though. Remember this though: "Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing."


On the FOURTH day of Christmas...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I love this movie, more so the cartoon version though. There's something about it that makes your heart feel three times bigger. It's a nice short movie (well the cartoon is short) to watch that will make you feel happy, cozy and christmassy.

On the FIFTH day of Christmas...

The Polar Express

Who doesn't love this movie? I'm not gonna lie, I haven't watched it in a long time and I've now mentally (and physically) added it on my list of movies to watch. It's so magical and captivating. A must see for everyone.


On the SIXTH day of Christmas...

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

...had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names - they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas eve, Santa came to say: "Rudolph, with your nose so bright; won't you guide my sleigh tonight?!" Then all the reindeer loved him, as he shouted out with glee. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!


On the SEVENTH day of Christmas...

Home Alone

As a child, this movie definitely freaked me out a bit and didn't make complete sense. Never the less, I do enjoy watching it and it reminds us how important family is. I do also enjoy the 2nd and 3rd one as well. I feel like the second one, Christmas in New York, has a bit more of a Christmas feel.


On the EIGHTH day of Christmas...

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I adore Charlie Brown and his sad little tree. There are multiple Christmas "episodes" and they're all amazing and are to sure to put you in the holiday spirit.


On the NINTH day of Christmas...

Mickey's Christmas Carol

To be fair, it doesn't have to be the Mickey Mouse version of a Christmas Carol. I just really like this version because it takes a plot which is quite intense and makes it a tad lighter while keeping the serious tones. This one doesn't make you feel the coziest but I do believe that it's an important classic to watch and teaches you a lot.


On the TENTH day of Christmas...

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

Following the Mickey theme, I would recommend this one. I had it on VHS and watched it multiple times every year. It has, I believe, three different short movies on there. It's a 3 for 1 deal! Each movie has a sort of "lesson" to be learnt, but they are good movies. It's a must for Disney lovers.


On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas...

Annabelle's Wish

I'm not expecting many of you to have seen this movie. I got it as a gift at my Grandpa's work Christmas party when I was very young. It's about a calf named Annabelle who's greatest wish is to be one of Santa's reindeer. It talks a lot about making sacrifices for other people. If you can manage to find it, do give it a watch.


On the TWELFTH day of Christmas...

Eloise at Christmas Time

I remember reading this story before bed when I was a little girl. Eloise is a little girl who is such a big handful, but it is a fun movie to watch.



So there you have it. There are 12 various Christmas movies that are sure to get you in the spirit!
What are some of your favourite Christmas movies? Have you seen any of these and if so, what are your thoughts? 
Let us know, by leaving a comment below!


Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,

 

Chris' favourite books!

Ever since I learned to read, I’ve been a voracious reader. I didn’t consume books, they consumed me. They swallowed me whole, and spit me out at the end, feeling like I’d been through a hurricane of emotions. The pavement is probably worn thin between my childhood home and the town library from how many times I walked back and forth. I couldn’t get enough. I still can’t. I can’t keep up with how fast I go through books. I’d be broke if I bought them all new. Even someone who consumes at least two books a week has favourites though. Below are five of mine.

My first ever favourite book was The Paperbag Princess by Robert Munsch. I had a copy of it that wasn’t much larger than a soda cracker. I was first fascinated by the size of that book. That’s what drew me in. It fit so well in my little hands. Once I read it, I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to be Princess Elizabeth with every fiber of my being. She was an amazing, badass role model, before I even knew I wanted or needed one in my life. I highly suggest getting this for any young children in your life. It can be life changing.

Charlotte’s Web was another childhood favourite that I’ve never grown out of. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve read the tale of Wilbur and friends. You can never be too old to be mesmerized by the wonder of “some pig”, and the amazing spider behind him. Your heart with grow bigger than Templeton the rats belly from reading about the love and hard work that goes into making Wilbur shine.

I first read Crabbe in the5^th or 6^th grade. It was the first “adult” book that I read. I remember being scandalized by some of the content, but also so excited to be reading something so grown up. I know a  lot of people who read it as assigned reading in high school and hated it, but I like to think that it’s because they were forced to read it. It’s an awesome tale of self preservation and coming of age that I think everyone should read at least once. It also gets bonus points for the fact that it takes place primarily in Algonquin Park, somewhere where I’ve actually been multiple times.

Just Listen was the book that first introduced me to one of my favourite authors, Sarah Dessen. I remember being intrigued by the cover, the torso of a girl holding an MP3 player. I finished all 400 pages in a day and a half. I could not get enough. I quickly devoured everything she had written before, and have kept up with everything she’s written since, and I love it all. She’s amazing at heavy topics, deftly broaching subjects such as abuse, eating disorders, and death, making you feel like it’s your best friend talking to you about it. It’s exactly what I needed at 16, and I’ll always be down to see what she writes next. This one will always be closest to my heart though.

Lastly for my top 5 is Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. I first heard about Rainbow during the hype surrounding Eleanor & Park, but this is the book that sold me on her. It could not be cuter. Lincoln is possibly my favourite literary romantic lead of all time, along with being all around one of my favourite characters. I want to live in the world of this book forever and always.

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favourites. I love talking about books, so let me know some of your favourites in the comments!

A Little Sephora Haul

If you're a fellow makeup lover, you will know that Sephora recently had their VIB sale. Naturally, I had to buy something - you can't let a chance like this go to waste! I thought it would be fun to share with you guys the few things that I bought (I love seeing people's beauty purchases!) and give a little first impressions review while we're at it. Enjoy!

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent. 

This was actually the only item I needed. If you haven't tried this powder, I highly recommend it. It finishes off your makeup beautifully and helps you achieve that flawless look we all want. I love to use this to set my under eye concealer - it completely prevents creasing and looks amazing! It's also really good to use for baking.


Too Faced Prismatic Highlighter in Blinded by the Light.

I have had my eyes on this highlighter since it came out! It's a beautiful champagne colour. It looks quite natural (still very pigmented!), but it seems like you can really build it up.

Above, is what the highlighter looks like when swatched. It's a little bit hard to see in the photo, but take my word that it's beautiful.


 Colour Pop Semi Precious Palette.

 
I was really excited to hear that Sephora was going to start carrying ColourPop. I've heard such good things about their products. Good payoff and an affordable price? Hell yes! This palette is beautiful and I'm really excited to play around with it. The shadows seem to be quite pigmented and easily blendable. I kind of wish that this palette had a jewel green - I think it would've completed it. The red shade (3rd down in photo) is the one that got me really excited!

Here are swatches of the shadows with no primer used. 
Left image, top to bottom: Celestial, Beam Me Up, Easy Go, Up & Atom.
Right image, top to bottom: West Star, Bashful, Upon a Star, The Game.


Tarte Tarteist Lip Wardrobe Volume II in Rosé and Fomo.  

Even though I have a whole drawer of lipstick, I can never get enough! I guess my "compromise" was to get this cute pack of mini liquid lipsticks. The colours are beautiful and the payoff is amazing. They dry down to a nice matte - the darker one feels a bit thicker and even more matte (maybe it's just mine?). They feel nice on the lips, but I can't comment on how'd they be throughout the day. I think they would have decent wear time - they were stubborn and didn't want to come off!

Sorry for the bad swatch, but here are the lipsticks swatched. I like the set comes with a nude colour and something a bit more intense. These lipsticks are perfect for Autumn and Winter!









Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black.
  

Lastly, I got this roller ball perfume. I love roller balls because they're easy to throw into your bag and carry around. It smells delicious. It's a warm, sexy smell that has notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla - which makes it the perfect scent for winter!






 


So there you have it! I was pretty good and didn't go too crazy :) Keep your eyes peeled for these items in future posts!
Did you purchase anything during the sale? Have you tried any of these items? If so, let me know in the comments below.

Until next time,

 

How to keep your sense of style at the office

When I started working at an office last year, I had no clue how to dress. I came from Walmart, a world of blue polyester vests and black pants and t-shirts. I was completely out of touch with how to dress for an office, so I went too far with it. I dressed fancier than was called for, and completely lost touch with myself and how I actually wanted to dress.

Slowly, I found a balance between what was appropriate for work and what I felt comfortable in, making use of sales racks all over the city, and it's been working pretty great for me. I finally feel like myself when I head into work every day! Below is a look at some of my favourite work outfits!

On Mondays, I want nothing more than to be comfortable while slogging through the work that awaits me, and nothing is better for that than a snuggly sweater and stretchy dress pants. My favourite part about this sweater though, is the pattern. It's cute and funky, and shows everyone that I'm not afraid to dress out of the norm. Pair it with a massive bag full of all your work day essentials and you're good to go!

Tuesdays are perfect for a cute shirt dress with a flannel shirt over top. The flannel is actually a men's one from West 49, but you'd never know! My favourite thing to pair it with is my leopard print flats. I routinely work 9.5 hours a day, so as I said for Monday, comfort is always key. Anything without a waistline is a winner! The adorable colour is just a bonus.

On Wednesdays, I like to go for something a little more professional. Dressing professionally helps me feel motivated to work during the midweek slump. A classic stripped top in white and navy is perfect for that, along with cropped pants. Chunky black platforms help inject some fun! I wouldn't be myself if I didn't wear something quirky with every outfit!

Thursdays for me are all about just getting through, which is why this sweater, that is basically a blanket, is perfect. This is also one of my favourite dresses, with a cute flowery pattern, and it's made of super stretchy fabric. It's fun and perfect for getting through the back half of the week!

Fridays are my favourite. We don't really have a lot of rules, clothing wise on Fridays, so as long as there's nothing vulgar written on your top, your shoulders are covered, and you're not wearing leggings, you're pretty much good to go. My end of week go to is a graphic top and jeans, paired with sneakers. It gives me a chance to show off my personal style while not going too crazy, and being super comfortable!

I hope I've managed to give some helpful work style inspiration to anyone struggling with what to wear, or needs to mix their style up! Some of my favourite places to shop for work are Forever 21, Old Navy, The Gap and H&M. Let me know in the comments where your work fashion go to is, and I'll check them out!