Mother’s Day is around the corner!! If you haven’t bought a gift yet, here’ a few ideas.

1. FOR THE MOM WHO…….Who Loves To Be Pampered.

A getaway to Ste. Anne’s Spa is the answer! Please take a peek at their amazing website which now offers auctions (which I think is a really cool idea). I’ve never been there for an overnight however a day trip certainly does the trick for me!!

2. FOR THE MOM…Who Loves Yoga

Buy her the B Mat. Why? Because  its exceptionally grippy texture, its eco-friendly and its durable. Not to mention it’s NEW, NEW, NEW…it recently launched in February 2014!!

3. FOR THE MOM…Who Runs!!

The Samsung Gear Fit is the perfect gift.

Oh what a treat for someone who loves technology and running. I’m now the proud owner of this watch and can’t wait to get off the dreadmill and use it. I’ve already signed up for a one on one lesson with Telus to learn every possible feature about this watch.

4. FOR THE MOM…Who Has Everything

Head to the AGO Gift Store. I swear you will find SOMETHING. This store really does carry unique (and beautiful) products.

5. FOR THE MOM….Who Loves to Entertain.

I promise you will find something for her at Loblaws!. Once again,  President’s Choice has a STUNNING SPRING line! ps I’ve already bought the napkins (on the left) for my paper napkin collection. Yes – that’s right – I have a paper napkin. (yes..I’m normal)

6. FOR THE MOM…Who Loves Tea

Consider buying Tea from Lemon Lily which offers a beautiful range of organic teas!

7. FOR THE MOM….Who LOVES Handmade Creations.

Head over to ETSY.  Seriously.

8.FOR THE MOM…Who Loves to Read.

I would suggest buying her a Kobo. I’ve been a proud owner of a Kobo since 2010 and can’t say enough about their customer service.

9. FOR THE MOM…Who’s FOODIE

OMG..this is a hard one for me to answer!! In fact I don’t know where to start. A cookbook? a certificate to her favorite restaurant? a cheese box from Taste of Cheese? a cooking class? 18 kg gold chocolate bar from Baroness Chocolates? a food crawl to all her favorite spots? a fresh truffle?

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day!!

Disclosure: A variety of these companies provided me with product, however all opinions are my own.

 

This blog post might be a little late but I know a good chunk of you are still out there buying Christmas gifts or hostess gifts. So here’s a few ideas if you are looking to buy a “foodie” the perfect gift!!

Twelve Ounce Ladles: This ladle ensures your host/hostess isn’t double dipping all the time as he/she serves soups to their guests. Put a bow around it and you are set to go. It’s brilliant and my friends still thank me to this day for this gift. Head to Nella Cucina (876 Bathurst  St) for these ladles.

Sloane Teas: This line of tea is outstanding. The packaging and the varieties will impress your foodie friends. Available at numerous fine food stores.

A Chocolate iPhone Case: This is perfect for the foodie that loves their iPhone and loves chocolate. I spotted these at All the Best Fine Foods (1101 Yonge St).

A Cutting Board: This is perfect for foodies. I spotted this in Yorkville at the paper store called Paper Things (99 Yorkville Ave)

Candles:  The Gap is selling candles in a variety of interesting scents: (repeat – INTERESTING)  Black Pepper, Tomato, Grapefruit, and more. $29

Samba Days: An amazing concept! You simply buy a Samba Days Gourmet Getaway card and the recipient of this card gets to choose from a variety of amazing gourmet getaway packages. I love this idea.

Anything from the Good Egg store!! (267 Augusta Avenue). Seriously, it’s hard to go into this store and come out empty handed.

Taste of the Month from Taste of Cheese. The recipient of this gift will receive a box of  5 unique cheeses once a month. This is a cheese lovers dream!!

Laura Slack chocolates. Not your average chocolates. She is a true artist.  Please Please…visit her website.

So have I provided you with enough ideas? I hope so.

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays too!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all know that spring is around the corner, despite the rain, the snow and the freezing rain that we have had over the weekend!! I’m pleased to announce that Taste of Cheese has offered to sponsor my next contest to get us ready for Spring!!

I’m thrilled…as CHEESE is a huge part of my life. I can pass an ice cream store, I can pass a chocolate store but I simply can’t pass a cheese store. I have even gone to  cheese classes!! (beer and cheese always being a fav. class)  and checked out a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches in Toronto.

Now let’s talk about Taste of Cheese!

Taste of Cheese is awesome for any cheese lover . Each month, they select 5 exciting and unique cheeses that are included in a Monthly Taster Box. Plus you will receive cheese descriptions and tasting notes! All this gets delivered right to your doorstep. Isn’t that the best?

When I saw that Taste of Cheese participated in Wagjag– I bought two coupons immediately.  This type of coupon will certainly come in handy as a birthday present for some friends I have who love cheese.

Please take a peek at their website by clicking here: Taste of Cheese. They have an awesome blog and you can read more about their fantastic corporate gift boxes, charcuterie, and more.  You can also follow them on twitter: @tasteofcheese.

Here’s the Contest Rules:

a) The contest is simple. All you have to do is answer the following question: what is your favorite cheese?

b) The winner will receive a custom designed taster box, which has 3 cheeses, a box of crackers and fig spread. YUM. (app. value..$50)

c) The contest will run from March 6th and will close at midnite on March 20th, 2011.  This contest is open to any Canadian resident and one lucky winner will be selected using www.random.org.

d) The winner has one week to reply to me with their complete name/address. If I don’t hear from the winner, another winner will be selected.

Hope this contest helps the next two weeks go by …till its actually Spring. Can’t wait.

My luck, I had two events in the same building on the same evening. How awesome is that?

Originally I had planned on just going to the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo. But then, I found out I had won a ticket to go see Jamie Oliver!! How sweet is that? I was a happy camper. (thanks to @mybindi)

I have attended the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo for YEARS. (this doesn’t come as a surprise to you, does it?). Every year, I promise myself that Im going to try try new wines and every year I end up drinking beer!!  This year, was a little different. I had THREE  samples of beers and ONE  sample of wine. (I’m a big time drinker, can you tell?).

I discovered a gluten free beer from Nickelbrook brewery, that will soon be on the shelves of your local LCBO. This is exciting news.

I also stopped by to say hi (and to drink beer)  at the Creemore booth and the Beaus booth.

As for the wine: I did infact have a glass at the Muskoka Lakes Winery booth. That was the only glass of wine that I sampled. What is wrong with me?…(don’t answer that question).

As for the food: I had a wonderful cheese platter from Taste of Cheese. It was  a perfect combination and I was happy that I found them. What’s a gourmet food show, without a cheese platter?

All in all it was a great night. I enjoyed beer, wine, cheese AND meeting lots of twitter friends. Here’s the list: @pronosher @foodie411 @zoltanszabo @SaraBHood @M3Foods @CdnFoodieGirl @JenniferBlylok @kalaofagas @MirandaAK @strub_pickleman @sweetescapes.

NEXT EVENT: Jamie Oliver.

I must admit, I only went for about 45 minutes. I missed the introduction and only went for the question and answer period and watched his cooking demonstration.

The hall was packed with 3,000 people. Clearly Jamie Oliver is a celebrity chef!!!

He is definitely entertaining, passionate about food, committed to local food, and charming too!!

But I was still hungry and thirsty, so I returned back to the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo. Me Bad.!!!

Four hours flew by!!! A fun evening – that’s for sure.