#bookofthemonth Daydream by Hannah Grace

Daydream by Hannah Grace

This was a very cute, easy read. Nothing too serious mostly written on vibes and feelings.

"The third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series follows fan-favorite Henry and a bookish fellow student who come up with a plan to help them both overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year.
When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team—which he didn’t even want—Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she’s trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her.

They just need to stick to their rule book.

Oh, and not fall in love."

Easy Apple Pie Roses

Apple season is my favourite. I made these simple apple rose pies. They super simple to make, and very yummy. 

What you need:

3-4 apples

▢ 2 sheets of puffed pastries thawed

▢ 1/3 cup of water

▢ 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice

▢ cinnamon

▢ sugar

How to make it:

Remove puffed pastries from freezer and thaw according to package

Slice the apples in half, remove the core ends and then scoop out the core in the center and cut the apples into very thin slices

Fill a medium sized bowl half full of water

Squeeze the lemon juice into the water.

Place the sliced apples in the water and microwave for 3 minutes until slightly tender.

Drain the apples.

When pastries are thawed, place them flat on a floured surface.

Roll the pastries out with a rolling pin the flatten just a little more.

Cut each pastry into 6 equal slices

Place 7-9 apple slices along one half of the pastry slice.

Starting on one end, roll the pastry and apples to the other end of the pastry.

Place in a muffin tin.

Continue with the other pieces of pastries until you have 12 apple roses.

Place a pan of water on the bottom rack of oven so the bottom of pastries do not burn.

Bake at 375 for 40 -45 minutes.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar

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#bookofthemonth The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop

The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop

Every Fall I start and re-watch Gilmore Girls. I was like the 1000th person on 4 books in the library waiting in line so it becomes my turn. The book was so good and so lovely. Well written, engaging and wonderful, it's filled with details of a life well lived with a devotion to the arts. 

"Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.

Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.

Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down."

#bookofthemonth Funny Story by Emily Henry

Funny Story by Emily Henry

This has been on my to read list for so long, but I finally got it, and I loved every minute of it. It kept me drawn in and I love her writing style.

"Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?"

#bookofthemonth The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

This was one of those where it took me a minute to get into this one and I was so afraid I wouldn’t like it, but I LOVED it. I don’t know how a book with such heavy subject matter also happens to be laugh out loud funny, but I just adored every second of this and didn’t want it to end.

"It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us"

#bookofthemonth - The Holiday Cottage Sarah Morgan

The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan

This books is a perfect Holiday read, I know we are out of Holiday season but it's worth it. I love Christmas books. This one was no different. You can't help but root for Imogen through the story. A heartwarming story that had a twist in the middle that I wasn't expecting; which in, my opinion, made the book better than most Christmas stories. You should definitely read the story of Imogen and Holly Cottage

To the outside world, Imogen is a marketing dynamo. Her colleagues don’t know that while her high-achieving professional image is real, the happy childhood stories she spins are as fake as her pretend enthusiasm for Christmas. Working 24/7 has always been her solution to surviving the festive season—until burnout leads to a catastrophic blunder.

Suddenly, Imogen is handed a holiday gift she definitely doesn’t want: enforced time off work to recuperate. Then an invitation arrives from her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at her guest cottage in the Cotswolds. From the thatched roof to the cozy open fireplace, Holly Cottage is a picture-perfect haven… Can it provide the fresh start Imogen so desperately needs?

For Dorothy, helping Imogen offers a longed-for chance to make reparations for her own past. But as her daughter Sara keeps reminding her, it brings risks, too. Yet Dorothy knows that only a leap of courage will allow her family to grow and heal. And perhaps this Christmas, with Dorothy’s help, the new life that Imogen is slowly piecing together could be better than anything either of them could imagine…"

OOTD - Midi and Sweaters

 

30 Day Wellness Challenge

Ever since giving birth I have been saying I am gonna get back and focus on my health, but postpartum is HARD. Took me ten months to feel sort of like myself again. While I did managed to go back to my pre pregnancy weight almost immediately after giving birth my weight is in weight places and makes me feel uncomfortable.

My goal has always been to feel good about myself and be comfortable in clothing not so much about being skinny or losing crazy amounts of weight. So I started a 30 day challenge for myself to focus on being more healthy from inside. These are simple things, I can incorporate in my everyday.

Starting weight: 90.8KG

In 30 days I m gonna focus on 5 things:

drink 3L of water

drink green gut glow

get 10,000 steps in

getting two movements in a week (yoga or gym or something)

journaling 

My baby is very active so I had to be mindful of things I can actually accomplish and set myself up for success. This 30 days are more of a health from within kind of focus - things that will help me be healthier not necessarily skinnier. 

So follow along here and on instagram. 

OOTD - Perfect Holiday Dress

A long black dress that is perfect for any occasion - holiday part? Check. Wedding guest? Check.

This dress is great because its lose and comfortable but also has a mid length sleeve.

shop all my look ob LKT

5 Things You Should Do Before the End of the Year

Setting yourself up for a successful new year requires a mix of reflection, preparation, and intention. Here are five things you should do before the end of the year to set yourself up for your best new year yet:

1. Reflect on the Past Year

Assess your growth: Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what worked well, and what didn’t. Review your goals and achievements, both personal and professional. Celebrate your wins and learn from your challenges.

Journal or make a gratitude list: Writing down key lessons from the past year helps you gain perspective and shows you how far you've come. It’s a great way to foster a positive mindset for the year ahead.

2. Set Clear, Intentional Goals for the New Year

Create SMART goals: Identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for the year ahead. Whether it's in your career, health, or personal life, setting clear intentions will keep you motivated and focused.

Break them down: Don't just think about big yearly goals—break them down into smaller monthly or weekly tasks. This makes them more achievable and provides momentum.

3. Declutter Your Environment 

Clean your space: Start the new year with a fresh, organized environment. Clean out your workspace, home, and digital space (emails, files, etc.). A clutter-free space promotes mental clarity and productivity.

Purge unnecessary things: Get rid of items that no longer serve you—whether it’s physical clutter, old habits, or toxic relationships. Free up space for new opportunities.

4. Create a Financial Plan

Review your finances: Take stock of your financial health by reviewing your budget, savings, and investments. Assess any debt and make a plan for how to manage or pay it off in the new year.

Set a financial goal: Whether it’s building an emergency fund, saving for a large purchase, or investing, having a clear financial goal will help guide your decisions throughout the year.

5. Prioritize Self-Care & Wellness

Assess your health: Make sure you’re taking care of both your physical and mental health. Schedule any necessary doctor visits or check-ups. Make a plan to adopt healthier habits, like regular exercise, eating well, or practicing mindfulness.

Create a self-care routine: Start the new year with practices that recharge you. Whether it's meditation, journaling, reading, or spending time with loved ones, having consistent self-care rituals will help you manage stress and stay balanced throughout the year.

By doing these five things before the end of the year, you'll not only close out this year on a positive note but also set the foundation for a successful, fulfilling new year.

#bookofthemonth The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft

This was the perfect book for the season. Her books always deliver and this one was perfect for the festive season. An easy read with good characters and it just flowed along. 

" secret romance was just the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar—an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey—until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she'd thought it was…"

Simple Focaccia Bread

Everyone was making bread during the early stages of the pandemic, and i stack with it, Focaccia is one of my FAVOURITES. Easy, homemade and the best Focaccia with garlic, rosemary and tomatoes is my go to but your toppings can change. This focaccia bread recipe is soft, fluffy and great as an appetizer. 

What you need:

5-6 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon instant yeast 

1 teaspoon sea salt flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoons chopped rosemary

5-6 tomatoes cut in half

Green onions

How to make it:

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9" x 13" pan.

Combine water, olive oil, salt, flour and yeast ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds.

Scoop the sticky batter into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 60 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Gently poke the dough all over with your index finger.

Drizzle it lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, minced garlic, rosemary and tomatoes.

Bake the bread until it's golden brown, 30 minutes. 

Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack and cut into pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

#bookofthemonth The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

This book was simply the perfect festive book I loved every second of it. It was a perfect read for the holiday season. I loved the story lines, the character development, the sweet friendships and most of all the setting

"With its historic charm and picture-perfect library, the Maple Sugar Inn is considered the winter destination. As the holidays approach, the inn is fully booked with guests looking for their dream vacation. But widowed far too young, and exhausted from juggling the hotel with being a dedicated single mom, Hattie Coleman dreams only of making it through the festive season.

But when Erica, Claudia and Anna—lifelong friends who seem to have it all—check in for a girlfriends’ book club holiday, it changes everything. Their close friendship and shared love of books have carried them through life's ups and downs. But Hattie can see they're also packing some major emotional baggage, and nothing prepares her for how deeply her own story is about to become entwined in theirs. In the span of a week over the most enchanting time of the year, can these four women come together to improve each other’s lives and make this the start of a whole new chapter?"

The Best White Hot Chocolate

Colder weather means delicious warm drinks. I am one of those people who put her Christmas tree two hours after Halloween is over. Holiday season means hot chocolate. This has to be my favorite hot chocolate and its so delicious.

What you need:

500ml Half and half

ground cardamom

125 grams white chocolate

mini marshmallows 

How to make it:

Heat up half and half with 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom in a medium sauce pan until steaming (about 5 minutes).

Stir in 125 grams of white chocolate chips until melted.

Pout into 2 mugs and top of with mini marshmallows and more cardamom.

Enjoy!

Ultimate Gift Guide - Something for Everyone on Your List - From Small Business and Independent Creators - Part I

It's just about that time where we all start thinking about what to get our loved ones this Holiday season. Today I am going to share with you a list of small business to shop this holiday season and encourage you to make your purchases count by shopping small and independent business, because your purchase actually makes a difference in someones lives and not a big conglomerate. They say when you make a purchase at a small business someone does a little happy dance - so we wanna make people dance this holiday season.

Shop: Alice: Revenge of the Queen by McLeod Jeremy

 It’s a fresh twist on Alice’s adventures, packed with mystery and an epic showdown that’ll keep readers turning pages. It would be a unique and thrilling choice for fans of fantasy and adventure. Written by one of the local Alberta business owners.

Shop: Rockstar Jewelry 

The mission of Rockstar Jewelry is to give every woman a little sparkle in their life and make them feel like a rockstar. Each piece is hand crafted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada using semiprecious gemstones that are sourced from all over the world and set in sterling silver and gold.

Shop: MWartworkNet

Your one stop shop featuring fine art on family-friendly decor and accessories. There's something for everyone - from cosy ECO-FRIENDLY throw blankets to FAMILY & PET friendly pillows and fleece blankets. Not to mention sophisticated JEWELRY BOXES and luxurious SILK SCARVES, all featuring ORIGINAL ARTWORK...

Shop: Massive

Missive creates stylish letterpress stationery for the modern paper lover.

Shop: Emadam

Emadam - Art & Design was founded by the artist and designer Franziska D. Kühne. Hand-painted illustrations of floral components, patterns, whimsical elements and analog experiments with pen and paper are the beginning of every product.

Shop: MK Southern Creations

Discover the Art of Personalization with handmade, trendy and customizable products for creating memorable experiences. Elevate every moment with Instagram-worthy items.

Shop: Banaza Hair Accessories

Hair accessories and customized accessories, quality products at an affordable price. Use DM for order 

Shop: Rainbow Babe & co

Here to provide comfortable and stylish baby and toddler clothing at an unbeatable price. Our styles are carefully chosen by timeless trends and eco-friendly materials

Shop: Canvas & Charms

Embrace the magic of celestial energy with our small-batch, hand-assembled crystal and stainless steel jewelry. Connect deeper with tarot cards and astrology symbols.

Shop: Mirove

Get fun t-shirt designs.

Shop: Grace and Grain Des Co

Give gifts in a meaningful way. Shop gifts that are well made, and can personalized to your recipient.

Shop: Hot Girl Apparel 

Hot Girl Apparel: Where Style and Humor Collide! At Hot Girl Apparel, we're not just a clothing brand – we're a movement that embraces the sizzle of style and the power of humor.

Shop: AnneStan Designs

Handcrafted Gifts from the Pacific Northwest

Shop: Breclaimed Chicago

Shop one-of-a-kind furniture and artworks for your home! Our goal is to bring you unique pieces that complete your environment and mean something to you, raw and powerful artworks that speak to your heart and carry a message and a story! 

Shop: Cotton Works

Shop gadgets that simplify your life.

This is for part one - more to come. Thank you for support small, indeptendat business this year.