Cocktail Bling

Can't go wrong with any these new shades by Essie nail polish for the upcoming holiday season. Fresh on the shelf be sure to pick up one or two to make a great stocking stuffer. Boys you be better be listening! Great mix of soft pastels and winter jewel tones, no stocking is complete with out a pretty new polish.
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This n That: Currently Makin Me Smile

{New sign for my walk through closet purchased at POSHSHOP}

The past week was busy prepping for the holidays. Trying to fill a space in the new condo we I decided to put the tree up early this year. Pulling out the containers from the storage locker I was overly excited to find new decorations that were purchased on sale after Christmas of last year. I managed to cross a few more gifts off the list and purchase some holiday wrapping paper. This weeks mission will be to find some festive fabric to reuse over the years to come and getting some presents under our tree. Now that American Thanksgiving is over it is fair to say the Christmas season is in full swing and I like a fat kid on a smartie I could not be more excited.

 {Time to bring out the leather gloves}

{Candies served in a martini glass for a dinner party}

{The start of my collection for holiday wrapping paper}

{White orchids, my fav decoration in our Christmas tree}

    

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Christmas Decor

Its down to the last couple of weeks of November Movember and I now start to find myself using every excuse in the book to pull out the Christmas gear. First snowfall, boyfriend leaving town early, weekends too busy and anything else that allows any reason to decorate. Busy crossing things off my to do list I couldn't help myself but list the things I found out n about while scurrying around downtown Vancouver. Hope this helps set the mind for the upcoming transition from Movember to December. As always I welcome it with open arms.

PS The links below are to purchase the items and find them online but thought I would mention POSHSHOP in White Rock also has most of these items!! To find out where they are located check them out here.

PSS If you haven't already don't forget to like my facebook page for Vanilla & Lace. As easy as clicking the link in black and pressing the like button on the actual page. Thanks a mill xo

1. Primitves by Kathy Box Sign $16.10
2. Restoration Hardware Starry String Lights $15-$50
3. Restoration Hardware Driftwood Tree $69-$129
4. Urban Barn Glass Apple Ornament $5
5. Urban Barn Gigi Black Cushion $29
6. Pier 1 Imports Antiqued Key Ornaments $3.95
7. Urban Barn Metallic Red Mesh $13
8. Pier 1 Imports Pillars $9 $11
9. Restoration Hardware Rustic Star Garland $44
10. Pier 1 Imports Sweater Bottle Covers $8.95
11. Pier 1 Imports Glitter Berry Wreath $40
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Save or Splurge: Short Suede Booties

Patiently awaiting the big Shopbop sale event which I am hoping is to take place at the end of this month, I have the Steven Pembrooke Bootie in my cart. Once the sale is to commence, with an extra 20-30% off these lil gems are a good buy for a basic short ankle boot, with an appropriate heel. By appropriate I mean I can wear it comfortably for days. I found a very similar pair made by Rebecca Minkoff so I thought I would share the comparison. Not much of a difference except the crazy price tag, gotta love that. Hope everyone has a great weekend and happy Christmas shopping. With the first snowfall last night here in Vancouver it is time to start crossing off some things on the list. I must say I am getting too excited to take a lil visit to the storage locker and pull out some Christmas goods, that is what the first snowfall means isn't it?

          

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Turkey Chili Taco Soup

Introduced to my new favourite website skinnytaste by a good friend of mine, I knew she had hit the jackpot. Thanks Court! Delicious recipes that taste good but are low in calories are few and hard to come by. Look no longer this website is the perfect balance. I wanted something well suited for a rainy dark cold day in Vancouver and the Turkey Chili Soup recipe was exactly what I felt like. The recipe made enough to feed plenty so it looks like I will be taking some into work for leftovers for Dad and freezing some for a meal when there is no time to play in the kitchen. Double bonus!

     

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Christmas List

It is undeniable that Christmas is fastly approaching. It seems Christmas had begun before Halloween even ended this year. Which is overwhelming but I admit very exciting all at the same time. So to be organized I compiled a list of things to do over the next month in a half. A great way to embrace the Season is to have all these fun things to look forward to. As the malls start to be bombarded with busy shoppers I plan to get as much of my gift list checked off now so the the rest of the time can be spent relaxing with the ones I love.

    

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Trend: Whimsical Winter Accessories

An afternoon spent walking on Robson street in downtown Vancouver made me realize how important it is to dress weather appropriate. Windy, cold and pouring rain, it was not long before my fingers were frozen solid, my lips suddenly dry and chapped and my feet cold and wet. On my walk back home I decided to wait it out in Urban Outfitters crazy line up to pick up the biggest, softest scarf I could get my hands on. #4 is my newest purchase and I can say that this piece will save me this upcoming Winter Season. What is it that keeps you warm on a cold Winter day? All of the above are great and well assured to keep you warm so you can enjoy all of what the holiday Season has to offer when it comes to being outdoors.

1. Club Monaco Penelope Hat $70
2. Hunter Adley Lace Up Boots $250
3. Hunter Boots Long Cuff Welly Socks $65
4. Urban Outfitters Staring at Stars Eternity Knit Scarf $38
5. H&M Earmuffs $4.95
6. Club Monaco Olga Snood $150
7. Club Monaco Faux Fur Scarf $99
8. Wilfred Plaid Scarf $70
9. Club Monaco Serena Driving Gloves $69
10. T. Bataton Ultra Soft Cashmere Wool Circle Scarf $80
11. Club Monaco Faux Fur Trapper Hat $69
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Sugar Cookies

As ashamed as I am, I do admit I love eating raw cookie dough. No cookie, cake or piece of pie can beat the satisfying taste. When I think back to the days as a little girl baking with my Mom in the kitchen with my little apron on (yes she still has it hanging up in the pantry) I can recall sneaking bits of dough when she wasn't looking. By the time the cookies were baked I had already had my sweet fix, to me nothing tastes better then the dough especially sugar cookies. I share with you my new favourite sugar cookie recipe. A must for the holiday season however I baked these for my Granny's birthday party last weekend. Seemed to me everyone enjoyed the cookies as much as I enjoyed the dough.

    

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7 For All Mankind Black Skinny Jeans - Gwenevere Gummy

My love for a good pair of black skinnies is like no other. They are the perfect pant to wear pretty much anywhere casual or dressy and always flattering. When I was introduced to Gwenevere Gummy Leggings by 7 For All Mankind I knew I had to scope out the details. Yes they are as good as they sound, who wouldn't want a pair of gummy leggings? The fabric is a perfect blend of tight and stretchy and the colour is as black as black can get. I have yet to try a pair on but found some Celebs online who are currently rocking out in these black skinnies. Everyone has their go to black pant, currently mine is J Brand Jean Leggings in Pitch but I must say these caught my eye. What is your go to black skinny?

    

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This n That: Currently Makin Me Smile

{Vancouver Fashion Week}

What a beautiful weekend here in Vancouver. Even though the air is crisp and cool, might I mention 3 degrees, I still managed to take advantage of the sunshine, despite the cold I have been fighting. Thanks to my big brother who lent us his bikes for the day I was able to enjoy a long bike ride around town with my Man. Finishing the weekend off with an invite to Vancouver Fashion Week was a nice treat from a girlfriend. Hopefully the sun continues to shine throughout the week, here are the things currently makin me smile.

{Happiness is: a cup of coffee with baileys, my ultimate weekend treat}

{New cozy oversized knit sweater}

{Love this "Live Large" pillow: purchased at Poshshop}

                             

{View from our new south facing patio on a beautiful day in the City}

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Trend: Bright Jewelled Jewellery

Inspired by my newly acquired ring seen here (recently passed down from my grandmother to my mother to myself), I could not help but notice all the brightly coloured jewels available everywhere. From rubies to sapphires and any gem in between the bright colours are sure to add a nice pop to any outfit. As Summer now seems far far away so does my once loved tan. It sure helps make the days seem brighter when you are accessorized in something beautiful.

1. Forever 21 Faceted Metallic Jewel Bead Bracelet $5.80
2. Juliet & Company Confettis Ring $45
3. Aldo Corrow Ring $15
4. Iosselliani Shaded Fringe Agate Bracelet $460
5. Aldo Cates Ring $8
6. Dannijo Esme Earrings $260
7. Marc by Marc Jacob Claude Cording Ring $118
8. Aldo Chango Choker $30
9. Aldo Mcguffin Bracelet $18
10. Forever 21 Faceted Stretch Bracelet $9.80
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Jambalaya Rice Bowl

My love for Cactus Clubs Jambalaya Rice Bowl over took my kitchen this week. I have been trying to master their recipe for awhile now and last nights dinner is the closest I have come yet. Tweaking the ingredients and sauce has been hard to find a perfect match and although it wasn't quite the same as Cactus it came pretty dam close. 

My recipe is to fry chopped up red onion, yellow/red peppers, celery, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil used from jar of sun-dried tomatoes. Once sauteed add cut up chorizo and shrimp to the mix. (I sometimes add chicken as well) Steam broccoli separately. Once steamed add to the mix and add corn. For a lil spice and flavour I mixed sour cream and hot chili sauce together. Once rice is cooked, add veggies/meat, dabble a bit of sauce and garnish with green onion. 

  

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Vanilla Lovin'

Call me crazy, call me obsessed I do not care I'll admit my guilty pleasure for anything that smells or resembles anything Vanilla. I realize this addiction as I settle into my new place, I look around me and realize everything I adore so much is this blissful scent. Vanilla Passion is what you will smell when you enter my front door and nothing changes when you enter my vehicle. My new found love for Davines hairspray is simple perfection, I can't seem to induce enough. The Ecoya Candle was gifted to me from a special friend and I admit I have already sourced out where I can purchase a new one when mine runs out. The sweet aroma is pure vanilla love and I just can't seem to get enough.

1. Air Wick Vanilla Passion Air Freshner
2. Victoria Secret Vanilla Lace Body Mist
3. Kashi Organic Island Vanilla Cereal
4. Ecoya Vanilla Bean Candle
5. Davines Hairspray Vanilla Cupcake
6. Air Wick Vanilla Car Air Freshner
7. Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Conditioner
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