I’m back with a full glass of wine and an invitation for you, dear reader, to join me on another journey to a beautiful, far away land, from the comfort of wherever you and your internet reside. This time, we’ll be venturing to one of the most renowned and diverse wine regions in the world, the Loire Valley in France. About Loire Valley Stunning landscapes, medieval castles and daunting fortresses all come together to create the beautifully intriguing Loire Valley. The history of the region spans nearly 2000 years, and hosts a variety of different climates, soils, and geographical…
Author: Nadia Elkharadly
I was always a voracious reader but lately have found it challenging to sit down and actually READ. That was, until I discovered audiobooks. For someone like me who can barely focus or sit still, audiobooks are the perfect way to indulge my craving for reading in a new and more accessible way. And Audible has been a great gateway for my new audiobook addiction. And Black Friday is a great time to get into Audible because they’ve got some fantastic deals going on! This holiday season, you can surprise your friends and loved ones with thousands of titles at…
For a long time, Canadians yearningly looked on as our neighbours down south indulged their deepest shopping desires every year on Black Friday. Some would venture to the U.S. to brave the crowds and find the deals, while others would wait for Cyber Monday, a shopping holiday not bound by borders or travel time. But now Black Friday has come to Canada, and Canadians can enjoy extreme savings far closer to home. I want to highlight one homegrown brand doing Black Friday in style this year: la Vie en Rose. From loungewear to lingerie, la Vie en Rose has been…
Up until this fall, I lived in the same home for over 10 years. That also meant sleeping in the same bed, and on the same mattress, for the same amount of time. For years I shamefully neglected my sleep, both the quality and duration of it. I could be heard callously saying “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”. In truth, I didn’t know what I was missing. So when I moved into my new home just a couple of months ago, I decided it was time for a new bed as well. And, as it turns out, all I needed…
A few years ago I made the unwelcome discovery that I was allergic to just about everything. A reaction to a food I’d had many times in the past, lead me to the discovery that I had several allergies, from animal to seasonal to gastronomical. And while taking a pill a day can keep the symptoms at bay, I’m always looking for ways to manage my dust, pet dander and seasonal allergies, especially at home. I often joke that I live in a petting zoo, and with 2 cats and a dog, it’s not a huge exaggeration. I’d already been…
The older I get, the more I find myself embracing simple, classic and comfortable fashion choices. Looking fabulous while secretly feeling like I’m in loungewear is the ultimate goal. I recently discovered a brand that has that vibe on lock: meet Smash+Tess. A homegrown Canadian company, Smash + Tess was created by Vancouver-based mother-daughter-bestie trio, Ashley and Teresa Freeborn and Mercedes Laporte. Their mission is to create clothing that is designed with integrity, timeless style and and the ability to be worn in multiple environments, helping to reduce overall amount of garments in a wardrobe and in circulation. Their signature…
We’re heading back to Spain (through our wine glasses at least) to learn more about the Rueda Designation of Origin and its signature Verdejo grape. I’ll also be sharing a way for you to enjoy your very own Spanish wine and food experience without leaving your home. Located a couple of hours north of Madrid, the Rueda wine appellation is 2,850 feet (approximately 870 m2) above sea level, nestled in a verdant hollow carved out by the Duero River. D.O. Rueda is the only Spanish wine region that specializes in white wine production, specifically from the Verdejo grape. This grape…
Pride month may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t show our support all year round. And Somersby Canada agrees with us. The Canadian division of the world renowned cider brand has partnered with Get REAL, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to fighting discrimination, racism and bullying, to launch 2 new initiatives to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community. For their first initiative, Somersby Canada and Get REAL are teaming up to inspire students across Canadian universities to initiate positive changes in their local communities through their University Chapter Program. This program has been developed to help students to build new…