Category Archives: Local

Edmontonians, these children need your help! RT, volunteer or donate! Please help @OLQPNorthRanch #YEG

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As promised on my Instagram stories, here is all the info on helping one of my favourite organizations The OLQP North Ranch. Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch Northern Alberta (OLQP North Ranch) is a registered nonprofit charity that partners with agencies throughout Edmonton area to provide a unique, enriching camp experience to thousands of children each year who require financial, emotional or social support. Contrary to the sound of their name, they are a non-religious charity and do not offer any faith based programming. Along with programming, they connect their clients with everyday necessities throughout the year: clothing, toys, household items, etc.

Find them socially on Instagram & Twitter at @OLQPNorthRanch and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OLQPNorthRanch

If you have time to give, here’s what you need to know: 

They are sending out a call for Volunteers, they need Approximately 300 volunteers for the 9th Annual Children’s Christmas Party to be a success. They are looking for Edmontonians that are willing to donate their time & talents prepping for the event or volunteering at the event itself.

The Eventbrite link for the 2nd gift wrapping event at the Ranch.
Saturday November 18th:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/olqp-ranch-christmas-gift-wrapping-2-tickets-39126981856

Secondly the Eventbrite link for the Party on Saturday November 25th, 2017
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/olqp-northern-alberta-annual-christmas-party-volunteers-tickets-39052684631

46E88BBC-7258-43E8-9A73-27CF4B4C1E68If you have monetary or item donations, here’s how you can help:

As well, you can understand the need in the city is great right now and their charity is still in desperate need of donations of:
200 pairs of brand new teen winter hats/gloves
150 winter toques for 12-16 yr old kids
New winter coats for teens
Stuffed Toy Drive – Edmontonians can drop off New & Gently Used Stuffed Animals at Welsh’s Cowtown (13715 Manning Drive – Edmonton), Eat Clean Healthy Grill & Juice Bar St. Albert (3500 Tudor Glen – St. Albert) or at the Ranch Office during business hours of 8:30am-5pm (903 153 Ave NE)

Year round they accept donations of gently used clothing for their Trading Post store. It is located at 903 153 Ave NE. The Trading Post donation hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm but please  call ahead, it is volunteer operated.  780.475.7259  (Property is gated)

If you need any additional information please contact Kathy below: Continue reading

Rocky Mountain Wine Festival || A @rockywinefood Giveaway #yeg

AAA82E62-15B9-4599-94C5-9DA7031FFA1BThe Rocky Mountain Wine Festival is coming to Edmonton! In 1997, the first annual Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival was hosted, with 30 booths and 1000 guests. It has now grow into Alberta’s largest and most anticipated wine and food events, with hundreds of booths and over 25, 000 guests each year. During the Festival, guests sample and learn about a variety of different beverages like fine wines, premium spirits and quality beers. On top of that, local chefs from the best restaurants in the province are in attendance, serving up delicious fare to pair with the wonderful assortment of beverages.

I’ve got 2 tickets to this Saturday’s event at 6pm.

 

To win simply leave a comment below telling me what wine is your favorite Or what vendor you are looking forward to. Winner will be contacted by email Thursday by 10pm MST.

Local Love || Why you should try The Rec Room || #YEG @TheRecRoomCa #partner

As you guys saw from my first ever youtube video in September, we hosted Alastair’s 4th birthday at The Rec Room in Edmonton. If you haven’t heard of The Rec Room yet, it’s over 60,000 sq. feet of games, amazing eateries and multiply forms of entertainment all packed under one roof! After my first visit I was hooked! And I’d only had the fast food take away, axe throwing and bowling to try. There are so many options in this massive complex.

rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG E0F0C2AA-3ABE-480D-B4E9-FB8977CBD56FFor Alastair’s birthday we opted for family share pizzas, salads and drinks at The Loft. We reserved a private area where we brought in a few decorations, gifts and homemade dessert. Here’s the menu we enjoyed from one of my favourite restaurants in The Rec Room:

MARGARITA: fior di latte mozzarella, tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil

SUMMER IN CALABRIA: salami calabrese, roasted tomato, calabrian chili, castelvetrano olives, fior di latte mozzarella, baby arugula

LITTLE ITALY: roasted garlic, ricotta cheese, parmesan sauce, arugula, lemon zest, sea salt

BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER: pepperoni, red onion, house ground fennel sausage, parmigiano reggiano, chili flakes

PEPPERONI: fresh mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, tomato sauce

THE BOUNTY: roasted wild mushrooms, grilled potato, spinach, ricotta cheese, parmesan sauce, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil

They also offer “Family Servings” to eat 4-6 per type of pizza ordered.

rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG After pizza and cake, we let the kids run wild in The Yard where they had arcade wristbands. They loved it! So many games to try and varying skill levels, perfect for the kids attending and the adults too. rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG rec room edmonton review better tell stories  kids party ideas YEG Thinking of booking an event? Ask their party planner here for a quote and option ideas.

Disclaimer: This post WAS NOT paid by The Rec Room. But promotional services were provided for review. 

Laser Spa Treatments || A Q&A on my recent experience. #AD

I’ll be the first one to admit, taking care of myself has fallen a bit to the wayside in the past 4 years. Since having kids I’ve struggled to find time for myself. This season  I made a goal to start the transition into a healthy balance of self care. It is so important, in hopes it’ll help me be an even better mommy. If I’m healthy, mentally rested and cared for… I will be able to give more of myself to these precious little guys. My best self is what my goal is all about.

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This week I got a sitter for two hours and headed off to Lipstick Empire for some me time. I shared my experience on my IG stories, I was overwhelmed by the response. So many of you feel the same way; it’s hard to get away for to the spa, a hair appointment, even a coffee alone! So thankful for the positive support of this me time movement. I know it was only two hours away but I needed it. So many of you had questions about the treatments, so I thought I’d try to answer them all in one place, welcome to my Laser Spa Q&A:

05CEDE35-F9F1-41D9-8690-FB227021212CWhy Lipstick Empire?

Lipstick Empire LaserSpa is a full service med-spa that offers everything from facials, makeup applications to advanced laser treatments as well as Botox and Filler treatments.

All of their Medical Aestheticians and Laser Technicians are highly trained in the field of Medical Cosmetics with experience ranging between 5-10 plus years in the industry.

The devices and the technology used at Lipstick Empire have been handpicked to deliver unparalleled results with little to no downtime required.
Not all machines are created equally so please ensure that you do your research: not only on the machines being used in your service but your technicians skill level to ensure your safety and to ensure you receive the most effective/efficient treatment possible. I have had very bad Groupon experiences years ago, one was a laser hair removal nightmare, burns from a laser facial and a lash extension horror story. I really wanted to speak to this point, it is important to have treatments done by people who actually know what they are doing! Learn from my painful mistakes and find a reputable spa using machines that work and techs that know what they are doing. These machines can have amazing results but they are powerful, so in the wrong hands you can do damage to your skin. If you aren’t local, read through reviews from multiply source sites. Call and ask questions. Go in for a consult to check the place out yourself.

What did I have done?

I had GentleMax Pro Laser Hair Removal with a laser by Syneroncandela Canada.
The GentleMax Pro delivers fast and efficient results for laser hair removal. It has a dual wavelength which is great for ALL skin types. It does not work on blonde or grey hair but they have a treatment called Dermablading that takes care of that.

How many treatments do I need and does it hurt?


Typically most people need 6-8 treatments per area to removal the hair. Treatments are done at 4-6 week intervals to target the hair when it is in the growing stage. It did hurt in some spots more compared to others. But it is over in seconds. I wasn’t red or swollen by the evening. I would say waxing hurts just as much for me, but this will solve my problem while regular waxing appointments will not.

How much is it?  Continue reading

Fall Cocktail Recipe || The simplest apple cider you’ll ever make and tasty too!

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Happy Friday! With thanksgiving just around the corner, I teamed up with my blogging bestie Diana of 204 Park to share a simple and easy apple cider recipe. Make it as a mocktail for everyone to enjoy and add a splash of alcohol for the adults. This mulled cider is a crowd pleaser and so easy to make. I love how it fills the house with those amazing fall smells, it’s the perfect addition to any gathering you may be hosting this season.

apple cider simple easy recipe william sonoma fresh apples thanksgiving cocktail DIY

What you'll need...

4 litres of apple cider

3-4 tbsp Mulling Spices

1-2 apples

Optional – dark rum or brandy

What you'll need to do...

The simplest low maintenance way to make this cider is with a crock pot (although if you don’t have one, stove top will work if you’re at home to supervise a full day of low and slow heating).

Pour the cider, mulling spices and a few chopped apples (optional) into your crockpot and leave on low for about 4 hours. I found my mulling spices at Williams Sonoma but there are plenty of great options out there. I like to have a mason jar on hand to collection my mulling spices after, as they can be used several times if stored properly.

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Once your cider has heated and mulled away serve it up just as is or add a bit of dark rum for those grown ups at the party.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends! I’m so grateful to have friends like Diana that support my blog, cheer on my life and are there for me no matter what. I’m grateful for my online community, my readers and my followers… without you I couldn’t do blogging as my career and be at home with my little ones. Thank you for that! Continue reading