Christmas Cocoa

Although it's only November, December is approaching with rapid speed. This means everyone is gearing up for Christmas, and I must say, I am more than excited. While we have to wave goodbye to the iced coffees and blended drinks of summer to avoid being even COLDER than we are (in Vancouver, anyway), I am happy to curl up on the couch with a hot beverage. One of my favourite Holiday beverages is hot chocolate, and while it is a year 'round treat, there's nothing better than adding a seasonal twist such as eggnog, peppermint syrup & candy canes. Hey, Kahlua & Baileys is pretty darn good, too!

Below is the hot chocolate I made the other day. Although there was no eggnog, coffee liqueur or candy cane flavouring in it, I added a swirl of whipped cream & put it in my favourite candy cane mug to feel a little bit more festive!

Also, Starbucks has their Holiday drinks now, as I'm sure you all know. I was wondering when they would finally bring out those cute red cups! I have to say, the skinny peppermint mochas are delicious!

What's your favourite Starbucks holiday drink?

Note: Since writing this blog post, I purchased some light eggnog & have added it to basically everything. Needless to say, I haven't shared it with Brandon, and I have nearly made it through one litre all by myself. Yes, Holiday pounds are approaching (ha ha)!

Happiness

 

 Well, I am finally settled in my apartment. School is half way through, midterms are almost finished (retail buying on Monday & then they are all done), internship has begun, and soon a seasonal job opportunity at Holt Renfrew will begin! It has been a whirlwind of excitement for me lately, starting with my internship. I came across the opportunity from teachers at school, and soon I found myself in one of the meeting rooms on the 4th floor of Holt Renfrew's flagship store in Vancouver at the orientation. Next, I met for one on one interviews with women's wear and marketing, and the next day I got the call to become part of the marketing and events team! It has been amazing, to say the least, and the fact that I am able to network and meet others through this is going to be an incredible journey. Isn't it crazy what life throws at you sometimes?

I decided to post some pictures of what has been happening lately. From buying my first pair of Hunter boots and the view from Thursday yoga classes at school, to going back to the island & celebrating a friends birthday (and all the fun stuff in between). Last week Brandon came over to visit and move furniture over, so we went to IHOP - fun fact: it stands for International House of Pancakes. Were we late the to the party & the last to know of this?! I was amazed! I enjoyed some delicious whole wheat with walnut pancakes topped with blueberries and whipped cream. I was barely in three bites before I was full! Brandon said, "I will do anything for you if you finish those!" However, I just couldn't do it. I ate the top pancake with all the good stuff on it, then slowly picked the walnuts out of the rest. I'm sure the server appreciated the mess after I was finished - you're welcome!

I am thinking about doing a video post soon, so stay tuned for that! Hope life is beautiful for you all!

What is making you happy today?

Busy

1. Delicious yam fries
2. Equally (if not more) delicious oatmeal: cinnamon, vanilla, banana, fresh blueberries & a touch of coconut milk.
3 & 4. A gorgeous rosy pink polish.
5. Taking pictures in my car before work.
6. No, I don't enjoy brushing my hair.
7. Happy birthday to my dad (August 26th)!
8. The best parents in the world. I am truly blessed!
9. An indoor Bonsai tree! It was a gift from my team at work & I am so excited for it!
10. Quick bathroom snap shot (I knew you guys missed these) before heading for lunch + shopping with my friend Sheridan. Unpictured American Eagle skinny jeans, Joe Fresh navy blue tank, Smart Set striped cardigan & gifted scarf.

I apologize for not posting that often. My life has been consumed with working & trying to catch up with people and pack my things before I head off to Vancouver. When is that happening? This weekend. My last day of work is tomorrow & I'll have a few days off before I go to the big city. I am nervous, excited, hopeful and ready, all at the same time.

Victoria Fun

Unleashing my inner tourist & snapping pictures downtown Victoria.

Cheeseballs!

Last Friday Brandon & I went to Victoria. Our plans were to find a sweet pair of running shoes for me (or rather, that was my own personal plan & boy are they ever awesome!), have some lunch & browse around the stores. This is how things actually panned out: we got lost on the way to the running store (my internal GPS system was a little off), I spent too much money & ate until I had a small food baby harboring in my belly, and I spent too much money. Brandon is clearly the practical one here - although he did eat until he was stuffed too, so I wasn't alone there! On the way home we stopped at Old Navy (I should probably take pictures of the things I purchased), and thanks to my internal GPS AGAIN - we ended up on a half hour detour & then were fortunate enough to sit in traffic for another half hour. Yahoo! Oh the adventures...

What is new & exciting with YOU!?

A Date With: My Sister

 Dress by Costa Blanca, sandals by Spring Shoes, purse by Kensie Girl (not that you can see it!)

Patio seating at The Cactus Club! Perfect spot to dine in the sunshine!

My lovely sister, Sarah.

Yes, I take weird pictures in public too. What a treat for my family/friends/Brandon.

No dinner is complete without a dessert. For us, it meant Starbucks! I also bought Sarah a double chocolate chunk cookie, because she's the bomb dot com.

I am so lucky to live in a place near the ocean. I mean, what a beautiful sight while driving home from a delicious dinner in the sun! It was a wonderful day!

Mama's Day

Whole wheat maple peach pancakes in the beginning stages...

Pretty flowers from my parents' 20th anniversary!

To mom, love Sarah

Veggie seeds sprouting!

The finished product. SO DELICIOUS and filling! Or maybe that's because I had seven. Yes, friends, SEVEN pancakes. At least they were healthy and small!

Petite Pink (and messy)

In addition to breakfast, I also made dinner for Mother's Day - chicken parmesan, caesar salad, roasted broccoli & garlic toast. It was SO good!

Snuggle time before Dairy Queen time. I ended the night with a chocolate fudge cookie dough blizzard with brownie pieces in the mix. Luckily I worked it off during my long run this morning!

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day. I love my mom to pieces. She has been for me through thick and thin and never ceases to amaze me. She makes me smile every single day and feel so, so loved. 

Love you mom!