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Holidays 2017: Bacardi Party Bus with Luis Fonsi in Toronto


Thanks to my college years in Houston, I have a special fondness for Latin music, so when the Bacardi team invited me to a holiday party hosted by Luis Fonsi, I replied as quickly as I could type. And while most people probably know him as the Despacito singer, my love for Fonsi’s music goes back to 2003 and his fifth album Abrazar La Vida (give Quien Te Dijo Eso a listen if you like heart-wrenching ballads in Spanish), so I was super excited about this event.

The pre-party was held at Baro with plenty of delicious Bacardi Holiday Mojitos and Latin-inspired nibbles. Food and drinks kept on coming even after we boarded the party bus – decked out with fun Christmas decorations and stocked with yummy Coquito cocktails served in coconuts. Once Luis Fonsi joined us on the bus, the party really kicked off – people were dancing, taking photos with the Despacito singer, belting out Christmas songs, all while enjoying their cocktails and touring Toronto’s most famous landmarks. It was a little surreal to be sure – I mean how often do you find yourself sitting next to an award-winning singer on a bus?! He did seem to enjoy himself – sipping on Bacardi cocktails and singing along to *NSYNC’s Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays song (fun fact: Fonsi and Joey Fatone used to be in a musical group together back in high school).

Eventually we had to let Fonsi go, but not before one last dance with the iconic Andrea Bolley. What a fun way to celebrate the holiday season! And while we can’t have Luis Fonsi partying with us every day, we sure can make those delicious cocktails and infuse some warmth into the freezing December nights. Find the Bacardi holiday recipes after the jump (my fave is Coquito – it’s creamy and sweet, while the Holiday Mojito is nice and refreshing), and impress all of your friends with delicious cocktails at your next holiday party. Feliz Navidad!





Bacardi Holiday Recipes and more photos after the jump!
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What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic


I love picnics! I would picnic all the time in the summer, but I am way too lazy to put together a basket of provisions, blankets, utensils, drinks, and a million other things you need for an outdoorsy meal. Well, earlier this summer Grey Goose made my most exquisite picnic dreams come true and more!

The brand’s annual summer party was held at a Bridle Path mansion, its backyard set up with chic blue blankets and picnic baskets stuffed with a delicious meal prepared by Chef Justin Kent, along with an iced bucket of Grey Goose Rouge au Vin cocktail at the ready. With three lovely blanketmates, I enjoyed every moment of our picnic, sipping those refreshing cocktails, and devouring the incredible Poulet au Moutard, and other French-inspired nibbles.


After dinner, the guests spread around the grounds to enjoy the rest of the fun activations like a game of petanque, live music, a dove/goose balloon release, and Grey Goose Esspresso Martinis. There was even an artist on hand to sketch everyone’s stylish outfits! As afternoon stretched into late evening, the backyard was still abuzz with excitement – people dancing, mingling, and enjoying the free-flowing Grey Goose cocktails. And if that’s not a sign of a great summer party, then I don’t know what is.


If you’re planning on hosting your own al fresco soiree this summer, I highly recommend the Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktail collection – these delicious concoctions will impress even the pickiest guest, and require only a few ingredients to whip up. I am also including Chef Kent’s recipe for Poulet au Moutard, because it was just too good not to recreate.

Happy picnicking!


More photos and recipes after the jump!
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Style Blog Travels: 5 Things To Do in Vegas


Going to Vegas but not sure what to do other than gamble and walk the strip? Here are some of my fave things to do and see in Las Vegas from my March trip with Expedia Canada as part of the #BigWorldExplorer program.

1. Get Down at the Backstreet Boys Concert

Let me get to the chase…if you were relatively young (or perhaps young at heart) back in the 90’s, then you MUST GO TO THE BACKSTREET BOYS CONCERT IN LAS VEGAS while you still can…or be forever incomplete. Sorry (not sorry) for yelling, but as someone who was obsessed with this iconic boyband back in the day, I have to say that this concert will be in the highlight reel of the best days of my life…and probably more than that.

My equally BSB-obsessed friend Karen and I were super lucky to score front spots in the GA pit (thanks to the Amex pre-sale Platinum “Beat the Line” tickets!) at their concert in March, and it was LARGER THAN LIFE. They sang (really well), they danced (dad moves aplenty), they wore silver boots and sparkly jackets, they brought Lance Bass up on stage to serenade him…and they gave it their all (they had to give). Kevin sang to me for a full minute, making me super uncomfortable (yet excited at the same time)…I got to touch Brian’s hand twice and AJ’s once…and it will all be forever seared into my brain (and the shape of my heart?). Yes, I am a thirty-something who lined up for a few hours to ensure that I had a front and centre spot, squealed like a teenager when the “boys” were near our side of the pit, and sang every lyric to every song (except for one) at the top of my lungs…and I just want you to know that I regret NOTHING. Forget about other Vegas performances and go see BSB at Planet Hollywood…your inner 90’s teen wants it that way.

2. Visit The Neon Museum

I’ve been to Vegas a couple of times before, but for whatever reason I haven’t visited The Neon Museum until this year…and I highly recommend you make the trek. Full of cool signs and marquees, and with a knowledgeable guide at our side, this tour was fun, educational, and perfect for Instagram. Buy your tickets online (spots tend to sell out quickly), wear sunscreen and a hat as you’ll be in full sun for most of the tour, and pay a few extra bucks to visit the Neon Boneyard North Gallery at your own pace and see even more rescued signs.

3. Drive Out to Seven Magic Mountains

Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains has become one of Vegas’ most-instagrammed locations, and with good reason – seven towers of (highly-photogenic) colourful boulders in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains, and open to the public free of charge – I ended up going twice! The installation is located 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas and will be on view until 2018, so if you’d like to visit Nevada’s own Stonehenge, then you have a year to do so. Word of advice – if you don’t want a bunch of strangers in the background of every photo you take, then going at the crack of dawn Mon-Thurs is your best bet. Any other time, expect crowds.

More after the jump!
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Travel: 5 Things To Do in Lisbon


As I am starting to plan my travels for 2017, I look back on our most memorable trip of 2016 to Portugal. To tell you the truth, I went with low expectations, but at the end of the day, I ended up falling in love with the beautiful country, its people, food, and crafts. Compared to a lot of other European countries, Portugal is still very affordable, so if you are looking for a new place to visit this year, I suggest you add Portugal to your itinerary. Today’s post is about beautiful Lisbon and some of the places you can visit while there. A post about my Algarve faves is coming soon.

1. Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favourite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travellers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.


For creative sushi, make sure to stop by Sushic (original or at Palacio Chiado). We ate there twice, trying various chef’s platters, gorging on buttery tuna tataki, and other delicious seafood. Just make sure to avoid the Tom Yum soup – it’s overpriced and totally not worth it. There are other options to try at Palacio Chiado (more hit and miss), but I’d recommend it for a quick casual lunchtime stop.

Fabulas is another great lunch spot with a charming patio, and a menu full of freshly-prepared Portuguese specialties like the super delicate codfish cakes. Despite its central location, this place is definitely not a tourist trap. Also, once they run out of a certain dish, they won’t make more, so go early.

As much as we wanted to make it to Pasteis de Belem to try their iconic pastries, we weren’t able to make it there this time, but we did make up for it at Manteigaria. Obviously, we can’t compare the two, but out of all the pasteis de nata that we’ve tried on this trip, the flaky, freshly baked custard tarts from Manteigaria were by far the yummiest.


If you’re craving a sweet cold treat, whatever you do, do not go to Amorino – it’s just not worth the calories. Go to Mu or Santini instead – their gelato is so much better! Also, paletas from PizPireto are incredible! We randomly found their amazing paletas at a gourmet store near A Cevicheria, but apparently they also have a shop just outside of central Lisbon.

For traditional Portuguese steak and chips, a couple of locals highly recommended Solar Dos Presuntos. And while I loved my steak, this place got mixed reviews from the rest of our group (they found it too pricey and not particularly memorable), so read other reviews before you go. Honestly though, I don’t think we had a bad food experience in Lisbon (apart from terrible gelato at Amorino and mediocre pastries at A Padaria Portuguesa).
More after the jump!
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Club Monaco Bloor Street Market 2016

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I’m a bit late with this post, but better late than never! Club Monaco Bloor Street Market has officially re-opened for the second summer in a row, adding a much-needed slice of greenery and good eats to the busy intersection of Bloor and Avenue. The market will stay open until the end of summer, and will house some of Toronto’s finest vendors. You can pick up the loveliest blooms from the Sweet Woodruff stall, grab a healthy and yummy lunch from Delica Kitchen, and for dessert, I highly recommend pastries from the Bake Shoppe (those pop-tarts are TDF!); there’s also frozen treats from The Pop Stand to get you through those hot summer days. If that’s not enough, you will also find Evolution Food Co cold-pressed juices, and Sam James Coffee Bar at the market.

This year, the market is definitely bigger and better – with more seating, more food options, and same “oasis-in-the-city” vibes. I’ve already stopped by a handful of times, and plan on having a few coffee dates at this lovely spot. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a visit…and don’t forget to grab a pop-tart or two!

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More photos after the jump!
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Travel: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. Over the years, I’ve been to many beach resorts, but Hawaii, with its volcanoes, hula skirts, and luaus, remained a dream. There were many excuses – the distance, the cost, never enough vacation days. But last year, I finally decided that it was time, and so le bf and I packed our suitcases and set off on a Hawaiian adventure.

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After doing a bit of research, we decided on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach – a beautiful stretch of waterfront a stone’s throw away from Lahaina Town, Whalers Village, and Black Rock. After reading reviews for several properties, we decided on Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and what an awesome choice it was!

We arrived at our hotel at night, jet-lagged and sleep-deprived, but from the moment we stepped inside, we knew we were going to have a great stay. Check-in was a breeze, and once we got our keys, we took a stroll through the beautiful open-air courtyard, with twinkly lights everywhere, and headed to our room. The room itself was well-appointed and very spacious. But we didn’t really appreciate its awesomeness until the next morning, when I opened the blinds and was greeted with a spectacular view of the ocean, palm trees, and the resort. The view did not get old the entire stay – each and every morning and evening I walked out on our balcony feeling grateful and in awe of the beauty we were surrounded by.

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More after the jump!
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Travel: Hotel Sahrai in Fez, Morocco

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After experiencing a few nights at an authentic riad in Marrakech, le bf and I were eager to check out the promised luxury of Hotel Sahrai in Fez. While our riad in Marrakech was quite lovely, and we felt safe and welcome at all times, we were growing weary of the paper-thin walls and lack of hotel amenities – spoiled travelers that we are.

Once we got to Hotel Sahrai, we literally had nothing to complain about. From the minute we stepped through those glass doors, we were ushered into the luxurious oasis in the middle of the bustling city. From smooth and welcoming check-in, to our stunning suite, to the abundant daily breakfast buffet, we felt like royalty at all times.

Little extras went a long way – swanky Acqua di Parma toiletries perched on the side of our glass-enclosed black marble bathtub, complimentary bottled water delivered with turn-down service every night, delectable fruit and local desserts to welcome us on our first day – all of these things made our stay feel more special.

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And those amenities we were starting miss? Well, at Hotel Sahrai, we had access to a couple of breathtaking outdoor pools, state-of-the-art gym, 2 amazing restaurants and a roof-top bar, as well as an indoor pool at the Givenchy Spa. Speaking of Givenchy Spa…it was transformative…and surprisingly affordable. Even if you weren’t planning a stay at Hotel Sahrai (and why not?!), Givenchy Spa is a must-visit while in Fez.

The day we arrived, I booked an in-room blow-out which set me back all of $20, and lasted me our entire stay! Le bf and I also tried hammam treatments, which were ridiculously affordable (around $40!!!) – in Toronto, the same treatment would set you back at least $150. Also, the scrub-down that we received at Givenchy Spa was not only more vigorous, it felt a lot more like a massage than the similar treatments I’ve gotten in Canada. My only regret is that I didn’t visit the spa more often. The staff were lovely, helpful, and tried very hard to make sure that we received top-notch service.

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More after the jump!
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Foodie: Easter-Inspired High Tea at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

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Last weekend, I took my mom to the Shangri-La Toronto to try the hotel’s latest Easter-inspired High Tea menu. Having already experienced the regular High Tea at Shangri-La last June, I had high expectations for the revamped menu. As we arrived at the Lobby Lounge, live piano music playing softly in the background, we settled into the comfy couch overlooking a fireplace, and took our time selecting our teas. Once our tea selections were made, we impatiently waited for the delicious tower to arrive. The menu promised a selection of the usual mouthwatering staples like Atlantic lobster brioche roll, honey baked ham with caramelized onion on sourdough bread, Pacific smoked salmon on dark rye, and warm English scones, with Easter-inspired additions of spiced hot cross buns, tropical Easter egg (coconut cream, mango curd and crispy meringue), and the religieuse profiterole (baked choux pastry with white chocolate orange blossom cream and lemon glaze). It all sounded and looked amazing.

I let my mom judge each plate, her enthusiasm growing with each bite. It was her first time experiencing the Shangri-La High Tea, and she was loving every minute of it. With our scones, we were served caramelized white chocolate jam, strawberry preserves and Cornish clotted cream, and I have to tell you that caramelized white chocolate jam was divine. I am not even embarrassed to share that we totally polished off the entire ramekin…with a spoon. Delicious!

By the time we got to the last plate – the prettiest of them all, we were almost hesitant to cut into the exquisite-looking desserts…almost! Of the four desserts, my favourite was the tropical Easter egg, which looked like a fried egg, but was instead a combination of delicate coconut cream, tangy mango curd, and crispy meringue. It was so good! Obviously the milk chocolate and raspberry verrine, Simnel fruit cake, and the religieuse profiterole were delicious as well. With the last dessert finished, we settled back into our comfy couch, chatting, sipping our White Rose tea, and enjoying the rest of our perfect afternoon at Shangri-La.

If you would like to try some of the limited-time offerings served at the Easter-inspired High Tea, it will be available until April 6 and is priced at CAD$42 per person or CAD$25 per child, served daily from 2-5 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge. And if that’s not enough, with the purchase of a chocolate Easter Egg ( the “Golden Egg” or “Toy Egg”) or the Easter-inspired High Tea, guests will receive a complimentary petite milk chocolate egg with the chance of receiving one of five winning ”red tickets” placed among the petite milk chocolate eggs. One winning petite chocolate egg will be revealed every other day throughout the Easter promotion period from 28 March to 6 April, 2015. “Red tickets” will signify that the person who received the petite egg has won the prize. The prize includes a tour of the pastry kitchen at Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto with pastry chef Kate Seigel for one person (the prize winner) and complimentary High Tea for a year in the Lobby Lounge of Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto for the winner and a guest (two people) once a month for twelve months (May 2015 – April 2016). Free High Tea for a year?! May the odds be ever in your favour!

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More after the jump!
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What I Wore: Warm Spell

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This past weekend, Torontonians got a momentary respite from the snow and frigid cold, and it felt wonderful. With temperatures hitting above zero, Canadians wasted no time shedding their winter layers, walking around in light coats, and swapping those scary winter boots for the cuter fall versions. I joined in on the fun, by wearing my coat open, with light but warm layers underneath. I felt so free!

Le bf and I took a stroll aroung Yonge and Lawrence, finally making our way to Bobette and Belle for a little afternoon treat, and we loved it! The place is inviting and oh-so-very-stylish, with yummy hot drinks, and even better desserts. I’m definitely going to be back!

By the end of the day, the weather had turned, and as we were making our way home, I had to button up, pull my coat’s collar up in order to avoid the wet snow from creeping inside my coat. I guess winter’s back, but we did get a little taste of spring, even if for a day.

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More after the jump!
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Style Days of Christmas: Starbucks Giveaway

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As you probably know already, I am not a fan of winters, but seeing those red Starbucks cups for the first time each season, makes me super giddy. It may sound funny, but for me, the arrival of the red cups signals the arrival of the holiday season. And since those Starbucks line-ups are always long, I know I’m not the only one. Which is why I’m super excited to be giving away a whopping $200 Starbucks gift card to my amazing readers. This should provide you with at least a few months’ supply of energizing and yummy drinks, or if you’re still on the hunt for holiday gifts, you can purchase some of those fun mugs from the Dot Collection! Either way, I know you won’t have any problems figuring out how to use that gift card this winter. Sounds good? Enter below!

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Details after the jump!

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WHAT I WORE

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