FOOD & DRINK
Equator Coffee – Freakin’ Good Coffee Blend
Over the last few months, I’ve been enjoying more regular drip coffee when I can over using my Nespresso machine. Something about saying “I’m going to put a pot of coffee on,” or smelling that faint glorious scent of freshly brewed coffee is one thing that I get pretty hyped about. Recently, I visited Almonte, ON (about a 40 minute drive from where I live) where I had heard many great things about a local coffee shop and roastery called Equator Coffee Roasters. I treated myself to buying a bag of their Freakin’ Good Coffee blend, which they had roasted on site and ground for me upon asking, and by golly… it really was freakin’ good. So good, that I’m already sad I didn’t buy a second bag when I had the chance! Not only is the coffee sustainably harvested, but they are also a Certified B Corp in 2019 meaning they meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability with their business. We love to see it, and I will definitely be trying a few more of their blends when I can.
Gourmanity Fleur De Sel De Guerande
You know you’re nearing 30 when you get absolutely fired up about being in your flaky salt era. A few friends in my life have gifted me several varieties of flaky salt in my life including black diamond, himalayan pink, smoked salt, pyramid crystals, and this beauty brand linked above. Salt is obviously one of the most important ingredients when cooking because it’s the sole reason why our taste buds go crazy for food. Salt acts as a flavour enhancer and allows us to taste all the different notes that food offers us — savouriness, umami, sweetness and even sour. I’ve learned that even though it seems like common sense, investing in quality salt as a home cook or a chef is absolutely worth it.
By far one of my favourite finds from Homesense in a while 😂. Although the idea of mixing such a savoury flavour like truffle with the quintessential spiciness of a hot sauce does not make sense at first, when I tasted this back in March at my brother and his partner’s house, I was gobsmacked. Such a unique flavour for hot sauce — tangy, but much milder. Rich, but acidic at the same time. Although this is an American brand – if you’re willing to splurge a bit, the hotsauce can be bought on Amazon at an over-priced amount… but hey, to be real with you, I’m not gonna be the one to judge what you spend your money on in the kitchen 👀 (see flaky salt appreciation above).
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vines VQA
Henry!!!! Yes, I do in fact call this wine by its first name and I do so without shame. This VQA Ontario wine gets a standing ovation from LG,BE this year… matter of fact, make that basically every Henry of Pelham wine I’ve sipped on this year. Now before you say what’s the big deals, I need to differentiate that this Old Vines Baco Noir is special for good reason; the vines of this winery date back to the 1980s and as a result creates this beautifully robust red with such depth that it was consistently bought time and time again for special occasions, as gifts, and to enjoy on some really great evenings with family and friends. I highly suggest picking one up at the LCBO during this holiday season!!
IN THE KITCHEN
My first private chef event!
I was honoured to treat some mutual friends this September and challenged myself to come up with a menu that was bold and daring, yet familiar and comforting. I created a menu that took my guests on a 7-course meal around the Mediterranean. Using spices, techniques, and ingredients from various cuisines such as Greek, Lebanese, Spanish and even a hint of Northern African. I also decided to choose dishes that were not just new to me, but that radiated memories tied to certain flavours and dishes I have enjoyed throughout the years.
The entire night was m a g i c a l to say the least & I may need to consider offering this more regularly 😂.
and I mean!!!!! 😜🔥
I’m at that age in life now where I realized quite quickly you can actually start investing in expensive things that make sense for you and your lifestyle. For some, it could be fashion. For others, perhaps really incredibly travel. For me? My kitchen is usually where I don’t tend to hold back on upgrades. I recently bought my first stainless steel pan this year and although it scared the shiitake out of me to be cooking with something that seemed so NOT home-cook friendly, I told myself there’s nothing that a little research and testing can’t address. For someone who doesn’t own a grill and who gets a little giddy about a hard sear on certain ingredients (beef & fish especially), the stainless steel pan made sense. It was an opportunity to really test my own culinary knowledge and slowly and surely over time, I got more confident with using the pan! Woooo!
BEAUTY
Maybelline Super Stay Up To 24H Skin Tint Foundation
Not only does this product feel weightless and glide on like butter, but I find that it performed shockingly good even in very humid weather and really didn’t need to be set with an extra powder whatsoever. It actually made my skin look glowy, and if you’re anything like the ultra dry skin girl I am, you know that we love to look a little shinier instead of matte! It’s also quite affordable compared to other foundations since it can be bought at the drugstore and it pairs well with other cream products such as liquid blush or bronzer products. I honestly can’t imagine another foundation I’d want to put on my face unless it will give me the exact same end result as this one does.
Normally I am not one to specifically purchase what has now been claimed as ‘clean beauty’ products, however it never hurts to find one-of-a-kind product that is better not only for your body, but also performs well above luxury brands. I’ve bounced around different mascara products the past few years and continuously had the issue of black transferring to my under eyes. I’ve tried Lancôme, Tower 28, even a waterproof Essence drug store brand to try and compensate for this problem. Over the 4 months, I would say that this ILIA product has definitely been my go-to option for precisely the reason I wanted — no smudging, no transferring, and a very light formula for my lashes. Although it can be pricier to buy clean beauty products, I think this one is worth the price considering how happy I’ve been using it consistently.
Rouge Dior Forever Liquid: 999 Forever Dior
Look no further for your quintessential red lip for Christmas; and yes, it’s going to last throughout your whole day. I can’t recall if my fellow makeup-lover friend or if a social media influencer told me about this product, but once I saw the transfer proof capability for such a BOLD colour, as well as it’s finer- doe-foot applicator, it was an immediate purchase. I have worn this colour time and time again when I’m in the mood for a solid red statement lip and have received consistent commentary on how in tact it looks despite drinking wine, indulging at Christmas dinner, and yapping all day as we do during the holidays. I recommend that you be patient with this liquid-lip formula as you apply it because it does need to set first before you can smack your lips together as you would normally do with a regular stick lipstick. I will also say that a lip liner will be your best-friend to help direct the applicator easily.
Bring it for minor touchups? Yes. Do you need a really good cleansing balm for removal? YES.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
What a pretty and elegant scent this cologne offers – a bit of a crisp apple mixed in with light floral notes and perfect for an everyday scent. I find that Jo Malone fragrances typically have very unique and uncommon pairings that they release and I’ve enjoyed smelling a few of them over the past few months. This one will be on my list to pick up a travel size next time I’m out of my current travel fragrance.
WELLNESS
The Ordinary – Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
Most would say you need to add plenty of special ingredients into your skincare if you really want it to have long-lasting effects. For me, I’ve learned that my sensitive skin typically requires more moisture retaining products than anything else. Enter my favourite products: serums and hyaluronic acid. This one by The Ordinary is very basic – clearly in packaging and ingredients. It becomes pretty crucial to layer these types of products underneath any moisturizer you use, and with winter coming up, I always have a backup of this in my vanity.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Lip Balm
Dry lip season is upon us, ughhhh. Did you know that the majority of our lips hydration levels rely primarily on topical treatment more so than being directly linked to the amount of water one drinks. Therefore, lip balm is bible. I’ve tried a few different kinds throughout this year, but I will say I’ve been enjoying this one from First Aid Beauty. I absolutely love the surface area on this product as opposed to treatments that have that sloped surface applicator. It’s also a great size to throw into your purse, work backpack, or even when travelling.
Would you believe me if I said that I’ve gifted 5 oodies to people in my life and have recommended it to at least 3 others in the past year? ‘Cause that’s the honest to god truth. To add fuel to that fire? I’m also now on the Oodie VIP subscribers list for their email 😂. If you do not know what to get a friend … for literally any occasion or reason, I’m here to tell you that an Oodie is an acceptable gift.
1. It is extremely cozy and warm. 2. It comes in the best patterns that add to the ridiculousness of this product. 3. You look hilarious as hell when you wear it, but then everybody gets jealous when you’re wearing it and they suddenly want to know what the hubbub is! So here’s the PSA: buy the damn thing and you won’t regret it.
ENTERTAINMENT
Music
Okay so I just need to break down that music has been an extremely healing thing for me this past year and there was no way I could write about the things I’m loving without mentioning these next few artists.
I love me a good pop princess like the next late-20s female, but this year especially has been exceptionally groundbreaking for pop music icons, and more specifically, for the QUEENS of the pop music industry. I would say hands down that the discovery of Chappell Roan back in early April, not to mention what she supports and stands for within her community, has been one of the best unprecedented things about this year. I have listened to her album the Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess sOOO often🤠👑, that I think Apple Music has really begun to think I’ve been hypnotized by the midwest drag princess herself.
Aside from Chappell, miss Sabrina Carpenter really made some great waves for me with her album Short ‘n’ Sweet✨. Not only did she produce such a killer burn book soundtrack to dating and incompetent men, but she managed to bring this incredible shift into people assuming that celebrities are such untouchable individuals. In all truth, the 25 year old artist (I regretfully had to Google it, but yes, she is 25 for crying out loud) is just out here trying to embrace her inherent sexual awakening and some of the best years of her dang life. And honestly? it’s so relatable!!! 😂
Next up, we have my tried and true number one artist year after year since 2020–Dua Lipa. The level of excitement I had when she announced new music drops for May 2024 was extremely high!!! And boy did she deliver. Not only did I get to see the early access releases to some of her album content (thank youuuu promo subscription text services), but the entire album was focused on the the rise and fall of a relationship and navigating love. It was extremely relatable to me this past year and every song I listen to with such admiration – and then when I feel like groovin out or need something more transitional when listening, her extended version of Radical Optimism is stellar. 🌊💓
Last queen I want to present an honourable mention to needs to be Zara Larsson🐬. Almost everyone who knew I was seeing her in concert had no re-collection to any of her previous popular singles until I played them. I remember finding Zara songs around 2015-2019 (my university years) and then was re-introduced to her when one of my best friends also mentioned he was a massive fan and was anticipating that one day she would return to North America for a tour. Well, in February 2024 she released her new album Venus and then shortly her tour dates in Toronto… queue freak out. Tickets bought, Zara’s live vocals stole the show, and I’ve never been so happy to give an artist my money to go see her. Overall, a great year of music endorsed by LG,BE!!
Little Girl, Big Eats 