November 2011

This is everything in my WIAW. A lot...a lot of snacky things. Looking at this made me realize what I had only half noticed otherwise: I'm in a really snacky mood lately. You know how sometimes it takes writing down what you do every day to notice behavioural patterns? I am now noticing how, this past week especially, I've been eating a lot of snacks and fewer large meals. As I'm not in the States, I can't blame this on the aftermath of stuffing myself silly on Thanksgiving. It might just be that with weather getting cooler, I feel like I need to be eating more often (do you like how I just justified that?). Or maybe with all the Christmas goodies floating around I realized - subconsciously, of course! - that if I eat smaller meals I can fit in more treats :). Either way, thanks to Jenn as always for hosting and let's get this party started...!

Have you seen those big ginger molasses cookies in Starbucks, and drooled? I have drooled, I'm almost certain. They are so big and perfectly coated in sugar crystals, and look so warm and inviting and like such a great accompaniment to a hot drink like, oh, I don't know...a gingerbread latte maybe? Or an eggnog latte? (*Update! Thanks to the coincidental timing of the universe, Chocolate-Covered Katie posted a recipe for a healthier, homemade Gingerbread Spice Latte on her blog today - check it out here - it's the perfect complement to one of these cookies!) The problem is, I give in, I have one, and I feel gross. Maybe some of you lucky ducks don't have this problem but with the sugar in them (41 grams! Wow. 41 grams = sugar high, and an inevitable - and bad - sugar LOW), the high calories (430! In ONE COOKIE! That's a whole dinner!) and the high fat content (12g baby), that cookie isn't looking so good anymore. But still - they LOOK so irresistible. And smell even better.

Well, Christmas is coming up, so I figure that's a good time for gift-giving, no? And it has been a few weeks since my last, so I think it's time for another giveaway! I was originally going to do this post as a vlog - I've seen some fellow bloggers putting up vlogs lately and I always love being able to see the person behind the blog. I often say to them, as if it's some great surprise, "Wow, you're a real person!". Well, I went so far as to even start filming the vlog for this post. I was talking about the Sahale Snacks I was sent and what I thought of them. The packet of mixed nuts I was talking about was sitting next to me on the desk. Then, halfway through what I'm sure was a fascinating monologue about the sweetness and saltiness working so well together, the package fell off the desk, startling me so that I could only say: "Oh no, my nuts fell off." At that point I cracked up and ended the filming, deciding that maybe vlogs aren't my forte. Anyway, for now, let's talk some more about those nuts, shall we?

Source Holiday season is upon us! Parties, soirees, get-togethers, family time...it all offers the opportunity to play dress up. C'mon, we all know that at this time of year we have way more license to sparkle! There can never be too much sparkle at Christmas time :). In the spirit of pushing our own fashion boundaries and dressing up to the nines, I've put together three looks for you to try out this winter. They're all made up from affordable, easily available pieces but I'm sure you can find similar versions at your local mall if you prefer! I went with black as the main theme partly because it's majorly in trend this season, but also so that one or two items can pop with colour (and it doesn't hurt that it's universally flattering, just in case - you know - you ate a bit much at Thanksgiving ;)). If you want to showcase a different colour, go ahead!