OOTD - Over the knee

Monday, November 30, 2015

Over the knee booths are all the rage for fall and winter. OTK boots can be done in a chic and refined way. The tricks to making over-the-knee boots work is to find the right height and proportion to flatter your body.  I am 5'9'' so first finding booth that fit just right was a bit go a challenge. These boots are wider at the top so they seem to work well with my body proportions. Short dresses, mini skirts or skinny jeans make it easy to sale OTK boots. 











Dress; RW and co.
Purse: Kate Spade
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelete: Tory Burch
Boots: Just Fab (Similar here & here)

Chocolate Chip Oreo Brownies

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Are you ever short on time but need to come up with a delicious dessert? Well this will be your go to recipe. I m Bosnian, so we have company show up (unannounced, or with very short notice) all the time, so over years I found recipes that I can make with things I would have around the house (thank you Pinterest!) This (random) mix of treats make for a delicious brownie that is always a hit. You can serve it warm with ice cream or as is.

I originally made this with Oreos, brownie batter and chocolate chips and evolved it over time. In theory this recipe should work with any cookie but my house is always stacked with oreos so this is what I make it with. 
This time, in spirit of holidays I did half the brownies with Oreo candy cane.
Directions: layer cookie dough, Oreos, mix brownie according to direction on the box, and pour over Oreos. Bake at 375 for 15-17 minutes.

                             

                                                          What is your go to recipe?

Ultimate holiday gift guide for him

Friday, November 27, 2015

Holidays are fast approaching and there is a ton of things to do. Shopping and wrapping presents for your loved ones; baking, planning and cooking dinners. I love shopping (but we know that about me!), for others more than myself but the issue is what do you get someone? Will they love it? Hate it?
 
We have come up with few shopping ideas to help you this holiday season. The shopping lists will go live over next couple of weeks. Here is few lists you can expect: 
Ultimate holiday gift guide for him
Ultimate holiday gift guide for her
Ultimate holiday gift guide for Co-workers
Stocking Stuffer ideas 

To start things off here are few things for that special guy in your life.

Watch is the best way to make a statement; and this Jord watch does just that.

Beer of the month club. $110 (3-month subscription)
Who would want different beer from all over the delivered to their door.

Wouldn't be nice to able to call your keys or remote? Well this gadget essentially does that. I will personally want 4 of these. I loose my keys ALL the time.

Well, because we all need to be ready.

Everything he will need to be the king of the grill.

Boys will be boys. Get them this than play them and kick their butts.



Socks, silk ties and sporting event tickets are always a hit as well. What are you getting for that special guy in your life?





Blueberry role

Thursday, November 26, 2015

I love baking. I actually bake every weekend. If I had the time I would be making desserts all the time. This blueberry role is simple and easy to make on  very short notice with things most of have in our kitchens all the time. 

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
1/4 cup hot milk
1/2 cup sugar + 1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup jam warmed up
Directions:
Preheat over to 375 and grease a medium pan and line with parchment paper; have parchment go over the edges of the pan so it easier to pull the cake out.
Separate your eggs; beat egg whites with a mixer in a medium bowl until its foamy and soft.
Add 1/2 sugar to egg white mixture and mix until well mixed. Add egg yolks and mix until all ingredients are well blended.
Add eggs and flour to egg mixture and mix well with a spatula.
Pour mixture into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
On a parchment paper (size of your pan) spread the 1/4 sugar evenly.
Turn the pan so the cake falls on the sugar parchment paper.
Peel away the parchment paper on top, spread the warmed jam evenly.
Using parchment paper roll the cake (jam side inside) and cool.
I added some jam on top of the role as well, just for design.




OOTD - Royal blue holiday dress

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Holiday parties are in full swing... so is the snow making it all feel more like Christmas. I picked this dress up while back; Back than it had sleeves and it was an awkward length, so I did what everyone else would; cut it all up and made it work for me. I took the lace out at the back completely, removed the sleeves and shortened the lace. The deep V neckline gave me the opportunity to wear this awesome H&M necklace. I paired it up with matching royal blue suede shoes and vintage clutch. 






















dress: improvised
bracelet: H&M
necklace: H&M
shoes: Aldo
purse: vintage
scarf: R&W


Top 5 Gift Exchange Games


You may have noticed my dislike of Winter, I dislike being cold. However, I do like to find the brightside to any situation. The silver lining to Winter, CHRISTMAS! What better way to get into the festive mood than to check out my favourite gift exchange games.

1. Chinese Gift Exchange/ White Elephant

This game is suited to groups of any size. As a group you decide on the dollar amount of the gifts this can be anywhere from $5 to even $50. It all depends on your group. When you have all the gifts together you determine who will go first. To do this you can play rock, paper, scissors or throw dice even inny, minny, miney, mo whatever you like. Once the first person has the first gift they can open it. The second person goes and has a choice they can either choose another gift or steal the gift from the first person.If the gift is stolen then, the first person must choose a new gift. Then another person goes and they can either steal the gift from the first or second person or choose a new gift. So on and so forth. Considerations you may choose to limit the number of thefts possible, or the number of times the same gift can be stolen. As a group you can decide on the rules before you being. The game ends when everyone has a gift. The first player goes last (the perk of being first!) The first player at the end can choose to trade with any guest he or she wishes.

2. Musical Gifts

This is pretty straight forward, everyone buys a gift and brings it. As with all the other games you set a budget for how much the gift can be. Then you all sit in a circle and pass around one gift, when the music stops that person gets to keep the gift and open it. Then that person is out and you start again. This is a fast and simple game plus you get to have music! And no even though it is Christmas you do not have to play Christmas music!

3. Twas The Night Before Christmas Story

First you sit everyone in a circle with a present in everyones hand. Instruct the participants that you are going to read a Christmas story and when you say the words “Left” or “Right” they should pass their gifts to the person on the left or right depending on the word you say. Read the story pictured below.
Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas
when RIGHT through the house
Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse—
The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there
The children were nestled RIGHT snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced Right around in their heads
And mama LEFT in her kerchief, and I LEFT in my cap
had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter’s nap,
When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang RIGHT from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the RIGHT window I LEFT like a flash;
Tore open the RIGHT shutters and threw up the LEFT sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
LEFT the luster of mid-day to objects RIGHT below
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick;
I knew RIGHT in a moment it must be St. Nick
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came;
And he whistled and shouted, and called them RIGHT by name:
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!
To the RIGHT top of the porch! To the LEFT top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash RIGHT away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet RIGHT with an obstacle,
mount RIGHT up to the sky,
So RIGHT up to the housetop the coursers they LEFT flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas, too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard RIGHT on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little RIGHT and LEFT hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the LEFT side of the chimney St. Nicholas
came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur,
RIGHT from his head to his LEFT foot,
And his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he flung RIGHT on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His RIGHT and LEFT eyes, oh how they twinkled!
His dimples? Oh how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was LEFT drawn up like a bow!
And the beard LEFT on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT in his teeth,
and the smoke– it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was RIGHT chubby and plump,
a RIGHT, RIGHT jolly old elf,
And I was LEFT laughing when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his LEFT eye and a LEFT twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing LEFT to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; LEFT to RIGHT,
then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose,
And giving a nod, he LEFT… Up the chimney he rose.
He sprang RIGHT to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all LEFT like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he LEFT—out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all—to all a good night!”

4. December Dice Game

This game works like the rest of the games. As a group you set a price limit for the gifts, and then everyone buys one and brings it wrapped to the party. For this game you will need two six- sided dice. Everyone sits in a circle with their gifts in their lap. You hand the dice to one person and they roll the dice and follow the instructions according to the number they have rolled. For example if someone rolls a 10 you switch with the person on your left, roll an 11 and you can switch with anyone; for a full list of the rules see below. Go around the circle allowing everyone to roll the dice two times (or however many you choose). During the second round before someone rolls, if they have not yet unwrapped their gift have them unwrap it so all of the gifts are unwrapped by the end of the second round. Once the dice have gone around the circle twice, your guests will keep the gift in their hands.

5. Secret Santa

This is one of my favourites! This has to be done with a group of people, it's easier if you all know each other well. Everyone gets assigned a person, there are many apps out now that make this much easier like Elfster, and DrawNames.Once everyone has a secret santa you can set a budget for the gifts. To make the gift buying easier everyone can submit a wish list. The apps allow everyone to have their own list that everyone can see. Then everyone gets together and exchanges gifts. You bring your gift in a black garbage bag so no one sees what your gift looks like. You put the recipients name on the gift and put from secret santa on there. Then everyone opens their gifts, and you guess who you think your secret santa is. So much fun!

What are your favourite gift exchange games? 

Beauty Favorites Find: Moodstruck3D Fiber Lashes+ Mascara

Tuesday, November 24, 2015


As many girls, I am always on a lookout for new beauty products that will work and do everything I  want. Mascara is one of those products I can’t seem to get just right… if it lengthens,than my lashes aren’t thick enough or other way around; or its clumpy to  etc. I got a chance to try the Younique's Moodstruck3D Fiber Lashes+ mascara. Right from the start it was different since there is two bottles and all you have to do is follow a simple three step process to get amazing lashes. 
One of those is not the same as others? 

product c/o Younique. 


How to Apply...
 o First, apply an even coat of the Transplanting Gel to the lashes
 o Immediately apply a layer of Fibers over the Transplanting Gel
 o Seal the deal by applying the Transplanting Gel over the Fibers and get ready to bat your lovely, long lashes!

Have you ever tried their products? I am in love with my fake lash look I get from using this mascara.

Travel Guide: Jasper National Park

Not everyone is lucky enough to live hours away from one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am one of those lucky people and try to visit Jasper as often as possible. I've been a few time in the last 5 years and will share my list of favourite things to check out. Hopefully this list can help make your visit even better! 
Walking and Hiking - It's absolutely insane the amount of breathtaking places to see in Jasper. I'm sure we have only just grazed the opportunities. Maligne Canyon is a must see. There are falls and canyons. Stunning. It doesn't have to be super strenuous either. Looking for a bit of a challenge? Sulpher Ridge up at the hot springs has some fantastic look outs too.
Attractions - The Glacier Skywalk is one of the newest things to go see. It's a bit of a drive from the city but totally worth it. Not just for the actual skywalk but for the drive peppered with places to stop and see on the way including two separate falls (Sunwapta and Athabasca). Miette Hot Springs. 4 pools at different temperatures at the top of some beautiful winding roads. Hot pools nestled in the mountains. What else do I need to say?
Food - SO MANY OPTIONS. One for the lover of great sandwiches and keeping some cash in your pocket. As Jasper tends to be on the pricey side. Patricia's Deli. A.MAZE.ING. A local restaurant with great, fresh options and wicked service. Next is Evil Dave's Grill. Great menu selection and always great service. 
Sleep - I've stayed multiple places in Jasper and so far my favourite has to be Pine Bungalows. Adorable log cabins, some with fireplaces, steps from the Athabasca River, and minutes from the city. Whistlers Inn has been one of the most fun hotels to stay at because of one thing: ROOF TOP HOT TUBS. In the middle of the city, walking distance to everything, and ROOF TOP HOT TUBS. 
Honestly, there could be a whole post on hiking and walking alone but we'll save that for another day when we've added a few more to the list. What are your favourite things to see and do in Jasper?


DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS