I usually blog about recipes or restaurant suggestions, but this blog post will be dedicated to gift suggestions. Seeing as Chanuka and Christmas are both right around the corner, I think it’s a good time to share five great gift ideas for a foodie.

FIVE GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR A FOODIE:

1. This practical (and pretty) muffin pan from Indigo. Just take your muffins directly out of the oven and place directly on the table. LOVE IT.

2. A Gift Card to HelloFresh. This is the perfect gift for a) anyone who is busy b)anyone who hates grocery shopping or c) anyone who has entertained a lot over the holidays and is simply tired of thinking about what to make for dinner!!

3. An electric spiralizer from Hamilton Beach. How cool? A growing trend these days is to make zucchini noodles (or sweet potato noodles) and this genius gadget will have you making healthy recipes with no effort at all. Not to mention it will grate and make ribbons too.

 

 

4. A  subscription from Try the World. Once you subscribe, you will receive a curated selection of gourmet foods—including ingredients to cook with, drinks, and snacks—from a new country every month, plus a Culture Guide to help you create an authentic culinary experience at home. This is the perfect gift for a foodie!

5. In the event you know a food blogger, this portable studio from Staples would be the ideal gift. You have no idea how tough it is to take photos past sundown. Oh the problems I have when the sun starts to go down in the winter at 4 pm. #bloggerslife

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. Hope you find the perfect gifts and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

Disclosure: Some products or services in this blog post were provided to me, however all opinions are my own

Indigo recently opened the world’s first cultural department store for booklovers at CF Sherway Gardens. It offers a fully immersive experience, including a cross-section of ‘shops-within-a-shop’ with seamless integration of books and lifestyle products, all merchandised to inspire and delight.

The store is 33,000 sqf and quite impressive!!

This magazine selection blew me away. Can’t remember the last time I saw this type of selection.

The merchandising at this particular Indigo is also brilliant. If you are looking for any gift for any occasion – this would be store you should go to.

Need a cottage gift? A hostess gift? A birthday gift? A teachers gift? There’ s no shortage of options.

While at the event I managed to muster up the courage to ask Heather Reisman for a photo.

After taking the photo with her, I noticed this amazing wall with Heather’s Picks.

One book in particular that grabbed my attention was this book. I liked the name of the book and the tag line too!!

Happy Reading!!

PS what are you reading these days?

For more information

CF Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Toronto ON

Indigo

The 2016 William Ashley Warehouse Sale is taking place April 15th to 20th and I swear this is one sale you don’t want to miss. How can you say no to 30.000 sqf of shopping? I know I can’t.

Prices and selection are nothing short of fabulous at this warehouse sale.. Therefore I was eager to grab my trolley and start shopping as I totally scored, the last time I went to this warehouse sale.

There’s plenty of home decor, china, bedding, bathroom accessories, Mother’s Day gifts, Bridal Gifts, China (of course), kitchen stuff and more!!

More proof:

In less than an hour I managed to buy two tablecloths, two napkins (of course), two sets of placements,  some serving bowls, stunning placemats and 6 gorgeous glasses. I totally scored. #LoveThisSale. Note: I really did want to buy more but I have limited storage space. (le sigh)

This is what you need to know:

William Ashley Warehouse – 111 Creditview (Hwy 400 and Langstaff) Vaughan, Ontario

Friday April 15 from 10 to 8

Saturday April 16 from 10 to 6

Sunday April 17 from 10 to 6

Monday April 18 from 10 to 8

Tuesday April 19 from 10 to 8

Wednesday April 20 from 10 to 8

Disclosure: I was provided with a gift card, however all opinions are my own.

I’ve recently discovered a few new items that I would like to share with you. Believe it or not, they are not food related items. Surprised ya, right?

These are items that can now be found in my bathroom! (still surprised, right?).

1. Tangle Teezer Blow Styling Brush (available at Sephora, Select Hudson’s Bay and Urban Outfitters)

This hair brush is pretty awesome. Its light weight and I like how it “feels” in my hand. No joke… they spent two years of research and development to develop this brush.

2. Makeup Eraser (available at Sephora)
Say good bye to those eye remover products. All you need is this amazing product and some water. Bingo – my make up is now removed. This product was given to me as a gift and indeed it was the perfect gift for me. I’m now packing this magical product on all future trips.

True Story: I left it at a hotel en route to New York and on the way back I returned to the hotel to pick it up. That’s how much I like this product.

3. Kinky-Curl
My sister (who also has curly hair) is a curly-hair-product– maven. I really do trust her when she says “buy this”. So I bought it (as did my cousin who was visiting from overseas) and let’s just say that my curls are very very happy. The conditioner does magical things with my knots and the custard keeps my curls ..curly without frizziness or feeling stiff. Hope that makes sense. If you have curly hair you will know exactly what I mean.

4. ELABLOOM

ELABLOOM was founded in 2011 by two partners that recognized the need to develop quality, affordable personal care products in the marketplace. So they created a lineup of unique products for your face and body. Lately I’ve been using a few of their facial products and I like how they smell and I like how they feel on my face too.

Have you discovered any great beauty product these days? Do share.

Disclosure: some of these products were provided to me, however all these opinions are my own.

 

 

 

The One of A Kind Show is celebrating their 40th Anniversary and there’s a good reason for their success. This years’ show features over 800 vendors and I guarantee that you won’t walk away empty handed.

Last week I attended the media preview and decided to take a quick walk and within 5 minutes I had purchased this bracelet. I just couldn’t resist. Don’t forget – I’m a foodie so for me to buy a piece of jewellery is a big deal!!

These items caught my attention as well.

These wooden bows called BO. Kind of neat, non?

Loved these pillow cases too! I think the pillow that says ” Get Up” has my name written all over it!

There’s something for everyone at this show. I still proudly display a unique wall hanging that i purchased in the early 1990’s. (here’s the blog post).

Please note; Tonight (Thursday Dec 4th) there’s FREE PARKING and LATE NIGHT SHOPPING till 11 pm. I took advantage of this last year and loved it. It wasn’t as crowded and I’m always happy to save $$ on parking.

For more information:

Website: www.oneofakindshow.com

Hours: Monday to Saturday 10AM – 9PM, Sunday 10AM – 6PM

Location: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place

Tickets: Buy your tickets online! Click here

My Dad lives in Ottawa so I will be visiting next week  in order to celebrate Father’s Day with him.

BUT if he was in Toronto,  this is what I would be doing with him!

1. We would head to Yorkdale Shopping Centre to visit L’OCCITANE En Provence so my dad could have one of those old-school shaves. (errr…hot towel, shaving cream, brush, etc). I know he would love it.  They are actually offering this service for FREE this coming weekend. Make sure you call (416) 782-0005 to RSVP. PS saw on their facebook page that there’s mini facials for women too!!

This service is being offered: Friday, June 7^th, 7-9pm, Saturday  June 8th 1-5 pm, and Sunday June 9th 1-5 pm!!

While you are in the store, take a peek at their selection of gift sets for Father’s Day in the Cade and Verdon lines! #justsayin’

1. We would also head to Montreal Deli & Greek Grill (115 York Blvd, Unit #7, Richmond Hill, ON) for a freakin’ unbelievable (yes – Freakin’ UNBELIEVABLE) smoked meat sandwich. I’ve just discovered this restaurant (thanks M!) and I was blown away. I even asked for a tape measure to measure this sandwich. PS I submitted this photo to Gastropost as they are hosting a Fathers Day Mission and my dad taught me all about good smoked meat!!

3.  We would end the day with a trip to Holy Chuck (1450 Yonge St)  to try one of their epic milkshakes. We both like flavour and unusual combinations so I know he would love the milkshakes here.

Can you tell my Dad is a bit of a foodie and a shopper too? I am so lucky to have a Dad like him. I’m sure we will find foodie adventures in Ottawa too. Stay tuned!!

What have you planned for Father’s Day?

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!!