Groot Gingerbread Cookies

My favourite cookies are gingerbread cookies and I always make them at Christmas.  Because I liked "Guardians of the Galaxy" so much, I decided to make the cookies look like dancing Baby Groots!!  

I used the gingerbread cookie recipe from my Betty Crocker Baking Basics cookbook and I found the stencil here.  

Merry Christmas everyone!!!
xoxo M

The Nutcracker

I have loved ballet ever since I was a little girl.  The first ballet I ever saw was The Nutcracker when I was 8 years old.  It is such a beautiful story with the most wonderful music.  Tchaikovsky is my favourite composer.  Last week, after exams, I decided to treat myself to a performance of The Nutcracker.  

I went to the box office of the Four Season Centre for the Performing Arts (where the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company perform) and bought a rush ticket.  I was lucky enough to get an orchestra seat for only one third of the price!!  

If you arrive 45 minutes before the show, there is a story time for the audience.  An adult Marie and her brother Misha (in the National Ballet of Canada's version, both Marie and Misha go on an adventure with the nutcracker) reminisce about their adventures and explain some of the ballet choreography.  I thought that this was really helpful for children (and adults) who were new to the story and/or the ballet.   

I can never decide what my favourite part is of The Nutcracker.  I love the dance of the snow maidens, the dance of the flowers, and the duet with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker.  I also really like how The Nutcracker incorporates the little dancers from the ballet school - I especially love the little lambs!

The Nutcracker is great for children or those who are new to the ballet.  It is beautiful and has lots of little funny scenes.  Every ballet company has their own unique spin on the story.  The National Ballet of Canada choose to set their production in Imperial Russia.  This makes for incredible costumes and scenery - the Sugar Plum Fairy lives in a Fabergé egg!

The Nutcracker ballet is always so dear to my heart and I treasure both times I have seen the ballet.

Have you ever seen The Nutcracker Ballet?
xoxo M

Fifteen Festive Favourites

This tag was created by Tom Fletcher

What is your favourite..?

1. Festive food - Christmas pudding (my Aunt Nancy makes an amazing one!)

2. Reindeer - Olive (the other reindeer); of Santa's 8 reindeer, I like Dancer

3. Day of Christmas (as in "The Twelve Days of Christmas") - the thought of 10 Lords-a-leaping always makes me laugh

4. Christmas Song - there are so many I love so I'll tell you my top 5: "Last Christmas", "Christmas Lights", "Christmases When You Were Mine", "Baby It's Cold Outside", "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

5. Christmas Present - my dad made me a beautiful doll cradle when I was little 

6. Christmas Film - "It's a Wonderful Life"

7. Christmas Cracker Toy - I once got round dice in my cracker... 

8. Christmas Cracker Joke - "Why does Santa have 3 gardens?" "So he can 'ho, ho, ho'!"

9. Decoration - My acrylic ballerina ornament

10. Candle scent - any that smell like Christmas trees

11. Christmas advert - I like this one from Tim Hortons and this one from Sainsbury's (both make me cry)

12. Festive Tradition - Decorating the Christmas tree with my mom while we listen to our Christmas CDs (we always listen to the Celtic Christmas albums)

13. Place to Spend Christmas - wherever my family is

14. Festive Fact - there is a species of snail named Ba humbugi named after the line in A Christmas Carol
15. Snowman accessory - carrot nose

Let me know if you do this tag in the comments!
xoxo M

Toronto Christmas Market

Every year for a few weeks in December, the Toronto Christmas Market is held in the Distillery District.  The European inspired market is filled with unique booths selling everything from British candy to Matryoshka nesting dolls.  On stage, there are performances such as storytellings and sing-alongs.  The market is very festive and great for people of all ages.

I recommend that you should visit the Christmas Market at Night.  The crowds are a lot smaller and the hanging lights are lit.  

Have you ever been to a Christmas Market?
xoxo M

"You're the One that I Want" -- Book Review

I had read a sample of Giovanna Fletcher's "You're the One that I Want" on iBooks and I was quite intrigued by the storyline.  Sadly my local library did not have it and it never seemed to be on the shelves in the bookstore.  As I was doing my Christmas shopping yesterday, I wandered in to Indigo (the big bookstore chain in Canada) to have a look around.  I walked past the adult fiction section and I decided to check to see if "You're the One that I Want" was in stock. Lo and behold it was!  I started reading it last night and I was instantly hooked.  I finished it today on my train ride home.  I honestly don't remember the last time I read a book this fast.  

Ben, Maddy, and Rob have been friends since childhood.  As they grow up, they realize that their relationships change.  Maddy discovers to find herself in the midst of a love triangle with both of her best friends in love with her.  Who will she choose?  

The chronology of "You're the One that I Want" spans about 15-20 years with the narration being split between Ben's and Maddy's voices.  I found this book to be funny and charming with plenty of raw, emotional moments.  The characters were beautifully described and I instantly became attached to them.  I found the ending to be incredibly surprising and bittersweet -- I had to fight back a few tears!  "You're the One that I Want" is definitely a page-turner and will keep the reader on their toes.     

I would recommend that people over the age of 16 read this book.  It contains some language and some adult scenes.  

I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to read Giovanna's other book "Billy and Me"!

I hope you enjoyed this book review!  What books have you been reading recently?

xoxo M

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in any way.  All of the products mentioned have been bought by me or given as gifts by family.  All opinions are my own.

Exciting Times Ahead

Hello everyone!!
It's been an awfully long time since I've last posted but I have been so busy with exams and essays that I haven't had time to think of much else.  I only have one exam left and then I will be home!

As a little holiday treat for you, I am planning on blogging everyday during my winter break (December 20th to January 4th)!!  I have so many exciting things planned for this and I can't wait to share them with you.

I will see you on the 20th for the first post!!
xoxo M

My Travel Bucket List

Photos from my past travels

As you've seen from my "Past Travels" post, I have definitely been bitten by the travel bug.  Here is a (growing) list of all the places I would like to go someday.

1. Iceland
2. Yosemite
3. Big Sur
4. Los Angeles
5. New York (I've already been but I want to go again!!)
6. Hawaii
7. Boston
8. Disney World/Universal Studios
9. Argentina
10. New Zealand (return)
11. Paris
12. Colmar, France
13. Mont Saint-Michel, France
14. Germany
15. United Kingdom
16. Russia
17. Amsterdam
18. Morocco
19. South Africa
20. Egypt
21. Israel
22. Mount Everest (just Base Camp)
23. Ireland
24. India
25. Spain
26. Greece
27. Australia (return)
28. Austria
29. Monaco
30. Sweden
31. All the other provinces I haven't been to yet in Canada
32. North Carolina
33. Louisiana

What's on your travel bucket list?
xoxo M

My Past Travels

Malta (2011)

I was four the first time I travelled outside the country.  I guess you could say I bit the travel bug early.  There is something about travel that is incredibly thrilling.  Maybe it's the unknown, the wonder, the novelty of it all.  It could be that riveting rush you get in your stomach at takeoff.  Perhaps it's the culture shock when you try something new.  Maybe it's seeing the world in all it's glory.  Whatever it is, I love it. 

Here is a list of all the places I travelled:
-Malta (1996, 2011) 
-New Zealand (2001)
-Australia (2001)
-Cleveland (2009)
-New York (2010)
-Italy (2011)
-England (2011)
-Chicago (2012)

I have also visited Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.

These voyages have opened up my eyes to some of the wonders of the world.  Hopefully, I will get more opportunities to travel in the future!!

Where have you travelled?
xoxo M

*Note: upcoming blog posts may be a bit sporadic.  I've been really busy with final projects and preparing for exams. Hopefully next month, things should settle down a bit.

Shake It Off

Last Thursday, my school had its annual Halloween Pub Night.  I love dressing up for Halloween and I always make my own costume.  This year, I decided to be a cheerleader and I based my costume after Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" music video.

I bought a white crop top from Aritzia, a blue skater skirt from Forever 21, and white tennis shoes from Old Navy.  I wore a blue hair bow from Claire's that I bought last year in my hair.  To finish off the look, I cut letters out of blue and gold felt and pinned them on my top.

To copy Taylor's signature cat eye and red lip, I used the L'Oreal Infallible Super Slim liner and the Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss lipstick in the shade 01. 

I had so much fun getting ready with my friends!! Andrea dressed up as a peacock and Danielle made an amazing Pocahontas. 

What are your Halloween plans?

xoxo M

A Few of My Favourite Things Tag

This tag was created by Victoria from In The Frow.  She has great, honest reviews and her content is very high quality! I highly recommend you check out her blog and her YouTube channel.

The 20 Categories (for each category you must list 3 of your favourite things)

1. Products -- Mac Book Pro, leather jacket, Kobo

2. Foods -- mashed potatoes, bread, chocolate

3. Places -- Newfoundland, England, the Distillery District in Toronto

4.Things you'd miss -- family, friends, my pets

5. Things you do when you're bored -- draw, play piano, bake

6. Things you enjoy when it's sunny -- go for a walk, read outside, have a barbecue

7. Films -- Once, the Harry Potter movies, the recent Star Trek movies

8. Songs -- Drops of Jupiter (Train), The Last Time (Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody), All of the Stars (Ed Sheeran)

9. Brands -- Apple, MAC, The Body Shop

10. Outdoor things that you like -- changing leaves, the stars, water (oceans, lakes, etc.)

11. Events -- Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving

12. Cartoons -- Aladdin, Tangled, Frozen

13. Buildings -- the Grand Theatre (in London, Ontario), Navy Pier in Chicago (I know this is more of place than a building), Buckingham Palace

14. Anything in everyday life -- cats, music, cosy blankets

15. Traits in any person, not just partners -- honesty, humour, kindness

16. Influences -- Kate Middleton, Taylor Swift, Zooey Deschanel

17. Drinks -- peppermint hot chocolate, lemonade, hot apple cider

18. Experiences -- being in school musicals, travelling, fun times with friends (there are too many to name one)

19. Things to Watch -- Doctor Who, Modern Family, Downton Abbey

20. YouTubers -- Zoella, Sprinkleofglitter, ItsWayPastMyBedtime

Let me know if you do this tag!!
xoxo M

Tanya Burr Lip Glosses

Last May, I ordered 4 lip glosses from the Tanya Burr Cosmetic range off of the Feel Unique website.   I was really impressed with glosses.  They are highly pigmented and have incredible staying power.  I love how personal the collection is -- Tanya named each shade after her favourite things!!  The lip glosses smell like strawberry candy -- yum!! The range is very affordable ($11.60 each) and I will definitely be buying more in the future.  

"Aurora" is shimmery, rosy colour.  I love this colour for everyday as it is a very natural colour.

"Afternoon Tea" is a shimmery, pink toned nude.  This is the perfect nude lip gloss for me.  It cancels out the natural pigmentation of my lips but does not make me look dead.  

"Picnic in the Park" is a creamy bright pink.  It has coral undertones to it making this colour perfect for spring and summer.

"Vampire Kiss" is a creamy deep red.  It is absolutely gorgeous and probably my favourite shade because I have never seen anything quite like it.  I love when Tanya uses this colour in her Lily Collins makeup tutorial.

I want also want to try the shades "Chic" and "Exotic Island".  Sadly the nail polishes do not ship to Canada but hopefully I will get to try them someday!! I especially want to try "Little Duck", "Bright and Early", "Mini Marshmallows", and "Mischief Managed". 

Have you tried any of the Tanya Burr Cosmetics?
xoxo M

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in any way.  All of the products mentioned have been bought by me or given as gifts by family.  All opinions are my own.

My Happy Place

Whenever I feel stressed or anxious, I try my best to go to my happy place and reflect.  The Distillery District in Toronto allows me to escape from reality and transports me back to the 19th century.  The Distillery District is a collection of Victorian Industrial buildings that have been transformed into galleries, shops, cafes, and more.  The architecture is simply stunning.  I first stumbled across this place in December 2013 when I went to the Toronto Christmas Market.  When I go to my happy place, I feel like I can do anything, that the possibilities are infinite.  Instead of feeling trapped, I feel free.

What is your happy place?
xoxo M