Friday, March 30, 2012

Delicious, Sweet & Trendy Cupcakes

Does anyone else love cupcakes as much as I do? I find them much more enjoyable than a piece of cake and love how lady like they are. The options are endless and they never disappoint!

If you're hosting a bridal shower this wedding season I personally think these would be a fabulous addition.

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 I adore this and would love to eat this while enjoying a glass of bubbly!
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These would be fabulous at a birthday party or some sort of celebration.


Tell me, are you a cupcake or cake person?

Have a fabulous weekend :)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Life & Friends

Today is going to be a bit nutty for me... Work is crazy and I'm hosting a Stella & Dot party tonight where I'm expecting upwards of 25 fabulous ladies! That said, a fabulous quote is all I have time for today!

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

One Year Anniversary.....

I realized yesterday my 1 year blog-versary was a few days ago. I can't believe I've been writing here for 1 full year already.

I'm so grateful for all the blogs I've come to know and love through having my own. This blog community is oh so supportive and wonderful; one I'm proud to be apart of!

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Thank you for reading and being apart of Adding The Finishing Touch!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Sweet Table Numbers

Need some inspiration for the tables at your wedding? How adorable and lovely is this sweet table number!

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What are you doing for your seat numbers at your wedding? Is this something you'd consider?

Friday, March 23, 2012

Lipstick Trends 101

Are you jazzing up your spring wardrobe with a fresh, new tube of lipstick? I never leave the house without at least two tubes of lipstick in my purse so when I saw these on Flare I couldn't help but imagine myself wearing all of them - not at once, but you know what I mean.

Here are a few of the lipstick trends that I think everyone should try out!

Bubblegum Pop


Burgundy Beat


Coral Reef


Grape Divide
Matte Rouge

Neutral Palette

Orange Soda

Petal Pink

Polished Cherry

So tell me, what would you wear, what are your favourites? I'm loving Coral Reef, Bubblegum Pop & Orange Soda.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Birks Spring Charms

Being Canadian, born and raised, means when I can, I love promoting Canadian businesses. I mean, we need to help our own, correct? Birks, a leading Canadian luxury brand of fine, stunning jewelry has pieces I'm always drooling over. Whenever I'm at Yorkdale or strolling Bloor Street I can't help myself but take a walk through the Birks store and imagine myself dripping in jewels!

If you know me you know I love pretty things. Whether it's makeup, a new pair of shoes or jewelery, I'm a girly girl and a lover of all things pretty. A couple weeks ago I received an email informing me about the new line of Birks Spring Charms and fell in love immediately. The charms are affordable, trendy and everything a girl could ask for!

Here are a few of my favourites that I think you will enjoy too.

Small Girl Silhouette Charm

This girl is adorable and a charm I'd love to have dangling from my wrist or neck.
Large Dog Silhouette Charm


Art Deco Collection

I adore everything about yellow gold and cannot wait to add this piece to my collection.

So enlighten me - which of these charms can you see dangling from your wrist or neck?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Eating Healthy

I don't know about you but I need to get my butt in gear and summer ready! I've recently been on the hunt for healthy and filling lunch options. I work long days, up at 5:30AM and I'm always starving by 11:00AM. I need to find lunch meals that will satisfy me and keep me full throughout the afternoon.

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Cucumber Ranch Salad Dressing

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Cucumber Sandwich


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Smashed Chickpea & Avocado Sandwich
Click on the images for the recipes.

What about you, are you trying to get summer ready? What do you have for lunch - something I should be eating?

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

DIY Painted Cutlery

In keeping with yesterday's spoon theme I thought I'd highlight a fun way to jazz up your cutlery. I want to do this with a few pieces of my cutlery and use it for parties. It adds a certain flare and makes your guests remember your event!

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This whole place setting is lovely!

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What do you think, is this something you'd try?

Monday, March 19, 2012

DIY Mirror

Even though it's Monday the warm weather we're having throughout Toronto and the GTA has me perkier than usual! I just hope we don't have 1 more storm to cap off the winter season.

I recently stumbled across this and thought it was very cool.

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This plastic spoon mirror was made from about 100 plastic spoons hot glued onto a framless mirror.

What do you think, something you'd try? I'd love to try it for our basement.....whenever we get around to finishing it!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Recipe Friday....Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffin

I am SO happy it's Friday! I found this recipe and it looked too good not to share.

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Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffin Knock-Offs of Whole Food’s 6 Dollar per 4 Chocolate Chunk VitaTop Muffins
Ingredients:
1 3/4 c oats
  • 3 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or regular plain low fat yogurt)
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar (or 1-1/2 Tbsp. vinegar)
  • 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup sugar substitute (like Splenda granular) OR 1/4 cup + 2 tbs stevia
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or use white chocolate or peanut butter chips!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with foil cupcake liners, or spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a blender, (or food processor), mix all of the ingredients together, except for the chocolate chips. Blend until oats are ground and mixture is smooth.
Place mixture in a bowl and gently stir in 1/2 of the chocolate chips (set the rest aside). Scoop mixture into prepared muffin pans.
Place muffins tins in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove muffins from the oven (but don’t shut oven off), and distribute the other half of the chocolate chips on top of each muffin.
Place the muffins back into the oven and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. *Note, you could skip this step by putting all of the chips in the batter, and baking the muffins for 12-15 min straight, but this method gives the muffins the traditional ‘VitaTop Muffin’ look with the chocolate chips on top!Cool muffins before removing from pan. ENJOY!!!
Servings: 12 Big Muffins or 24 Smaller Muffins
Calories: 116 Calories Per Muffin

Thursday, March 15, 2012

What I'm Loving This Week!

I don't know about you, but this week just won't end! Work has been nuts and my mind has been on over-drive.

I've decided to make today's post about nothing specific and just feature some pictures I've seen on Pinterest that have brightened my day.

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I adore this invitation. The style and wording is perfect!

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This is stunning and something I'm dying to try at home.

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I'm on the hunt for fabulous plates to hang on a wall in our kitchen and these are perfect!

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This one just makes me happy!

What picture has brightened your day the most?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

St. Patrick's Day Irish Coffee

Are you a fan of specialty coffees? I most certainly am! We have one of those fancy cappucino machines (Michael has a cappucino or espresso daily - he's very Italian!) and sometimes I get Michael to make me a cappucino with Baileys.

Being that St.Patrick's day is only a few days away I thought I'd share this Irish Coffee recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 cups strong hot coffee
  • 4 ounces Irish whiskey, such as Knappogue Castle

Directions

  1. Whisk cream and sugar together in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Divide coffee and whiskey among 4 coffee cups, then top each with 1/2 cup whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Fancy Place Card Holders

Recently tablescaping has been a big passion of mine. When you're hosting dinner parties weekly you're constantly trying to find ways to make your table memorable and entertaining.

I'm currently on the hunt for multiple Scrabble games so I can use the letter and wooden boards as a unique place card holder.




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What do you think, is this something you'd try? Do you already use place cards and if so, what's your card holder of choice?


Friday, March 9, 2012

Statement Pieces

Are you a chunky jewelery type of gal? I'm a big fan of big earrings and no necklace myself, but the ladies that can pull off stunning necklaces win over my heart every time!

I want to incorporate some fun arm candy into my day to day life but haven't found pieces to layer nicely. I'm hoping to find some tomorrow while I'm out and about in the city.



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What type of jewelery gal are you? Would you wear any of these pieces?


Thursday, March 8, 2012

Crack Open A Cold One

Are you a beer drinker? I'm not, I'm more of wine or martini gal BUT the idea of using old beer bottles and caps is interesting to me.


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 I love the beer cufflinks more than I should. They're adorable and perfect for your man's birthday!

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 This is so lady like you almost don't realize the vase is a beer bottle!
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 How about these fabulous wine charms. I'm a big fan of the Keep Calm And Carry On line and these are just adorable!

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So, what do you think? Will you be incorporating any of these into your next event?



Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Easter Themed Stations

The fact that Easter is a month away has me giddy with excitment. Easter means spring is coming and who doesn't love that!

I came across these sweet Easter themed stations and fell in love. They're so bright, warm and filled with the anticipation of spring.

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 I love the use of green and pink in the first two photos. Who doesn't love an Easter egg banner, right!


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Could you see yourself doing something like this?

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Girl Crush ~ Olivia Palermo

I have a serious girl crush on Olivia Palermo. From her fabulous wardrobe, amazing hairstyle and taste in jewellery, I just can't get enough. I don't think there's an outfit of her's I don't like. She's very trendy and always classy - something I try and aspire to. She's a risk taker with her outfits and in my opinion they all pay off!


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What's your favourite look? Is Olivia a style icon you look up to also?