{Lucky Loot} Wake Up & Smell The Free Coffee!

That's right Calgs! November 15th & November 28th, enjoy a nice steamy, smooth McDonald's regular coffee for free! There is no denying it. The snow is coming. That's the price we pay for living in Calgary.  Thankfully, McDonald's wants to lower that price by giving us hot, cozy caffeine for free! Don't miss out. And yes, I will send reminders the days of!

{Lucky Bakes} Ooey Gooey Peanut Butter Ganache Cupcakes

Um... there are few flavor combos in the world that I love more than chocolate and peanut butter and Marye Audet, for Baking Delights and Blisstree.com, has turned my favo-combo into a cupcake!!!!! Just thought I'd share.  I cannot wait to bake these.  This would be great for Christmas parties and a refreshing break from the traditional gingerbread, peppermint and eggnog flavors! Get the recipe here.

{Local Love} Let's Take A Stroll Down Dairy Lane!!!

Obsession of the season.....Dairy Lane! I wish I was on their patio, under a heat lamp, coffee in hand and curled up with one of their patio blankets!!! Doesn't that sound cozy?  Not only is this place so "Towny" and comfy, but the food is DELISH and the service is top notch. The hubs and I went for breakfast and devoured our food (not the most graceful when it comes to eating).  Anyway, I had the gluten free tostada and it was so fresh and fluffy.  The veggies tasted like they were just picked and chopped and the spices were perfect.  I am also obsessed with their Fratello Coffee!  It's so organic and based right here in Calgary.  Dairy Lane prides itself on using homegrown products and remaining local and it adds to the cafe's charm.  If you want to get out of the house and still have all the comforts of home make the short trip to West Hillhurst and cruise down to DairyLane.

*Local Likes* They are now open for Lunch & Dinner and serve beer and wine as well!

{Local Love} Coo Coo For Cruffs!

Who doesn't want to indulge every now and then?  I know I do, and I'm starting to get sick of "the cupcake craze".  Not that cupcakes aren't delicioso but, every now and then I like to mix in something new.....Enter: CRUFFS.  I had never seen a bakery COMPLETELY devoted to cream puffs until the other day and, man am I excited.  CRUFFS makes their light flaky cream puffs daily so you know they are fresh.  Also, I don't know about you, but, I am a sucker for customization and CRUFFS lets you mix and match your favorite fillings making your heavenly indulgence truly yours! What a great idea! With flavors like Vanilla Rum and Banana Hazelnut, you are sure to please everyone's sweet tooth. Can't wait to share these delicate little Cruffs with my girlfriends and the fam! The greatest thing is that Cruffs is centrally located in Mission (my hood) so, If you need to sweeten up your office, bring something new to a client or make a bad mood better...come get some Cruffs!!!



Cruffs is located at:
2312A – 4th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta

{Local Eats} Cure For The Cold: Steamy Shrimp Casserole



This has been a favorite of my families for years and with the snow coming and going and soon here to stay, I thought I'd share it with you to warm up your family!  What I love about this dish is that it is delicious, easy and lasts a long time!  When I mean easy, I mean almost all of the ingredients come from a can! almost everyone I know who tries this, makes it a staple on their family dinner menu.  I know people call it lots of things but, my husband asks for it as, "The Cajun Shrimp Dish" so,  That is what I call it.

The Cajun Shrimp Dish

1 1/2c. uncooked white rice

2 lbs. uncooked, peeled, deveined shrimp

2 small cans cream of chicken soup
1 large can of Rotel or Aylmer Red Pepper Tomatoes(CA)

1 small can onion soup (remove onions)
1/2 onion diced
1/2 bell pepper diced
1 stick or 1/2 c. margarine

1. Peel shrimp

2. Line a 9X13 glass baking dish with 1lb. of shrimp,1/2 of rice, and 1/2 of the butter(place in dollops)

3. In another bowl mix tomatoes, cream of chicken, onion soup, onion and bell pepper

4. Pour mixture over the 1st layer

5. Layer the remaining lb. of shrimp, rice and butter over the mixture.
6. Smash the top layer into the bottom to make sure all shrimp are covered.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375 Fahrenheit for 30 min.

8. Stir. Replace foil covering and bake for another 30 minutes.

And Viola! I hope you enjoy!

{Local Love} Costumize Yourself At American Apparel

The great thing about AA costumes is that they consist of basics that can be used later as another costume, another layer in the winter or, a full outfit! Right now if you but a "full costume" receive 15% off your entire purchase!  You can also enter their costume contest for a chance to win a $500 (1st prize) or $100 (2nd & 3rd prizes) gift certificate to the American Apparel online store! 

I PERSONALLY bought part of my costume here today! I am going to be Katy Perry. In What outfit? The candy button dress and blue wig from the California Girls video.  I couldn't find a white tube dress anywhere in the middle of fall except for American Apparel! I'm tellin' ya....good basics!

I bought this little thing in white, to look like candy button paper:

I am going to attach Styrofoam balls to it to make it look like candy! Can't wait!!!!!

*Local Likes* When you purchase $100 of merchandise online, AA gives you a free item!

{Local Love} There's A New Armadillo In Town

 Coming from Texas,  I never expected to see an Armadillo up here in the great white north but, low and behold, there he was on 4th Street in Mission!  This place used to be Ouzo but has now transformed into Armadillo Watering Hole!  I cannot find a website but, went by this morning to snap a few pics.  I can't wait to have a new "TexiCanadian" place to bring back the southern charm of home.  Hope it's a hit. I can see many Stampeders trampling through the doors in July and...all year long!

Through-the window shot.  not the best but, you get the idea. They are set to open toward the end of this month.  I live right down the street from the Armadillo so a review will be coming soon!

{Local Love} More RAVES about Waves

Umm... Not only have I formed a Waves specific craving in the mornings but, I am now addicted to their customer service.  This morning my friend Andi and I went into waves and ordered 3 lattes.  They informed us that the debit/credit machine was down and of course, as always, we had no cash.  We asked where the closest ATM was and the girl at the counter said, "Oh no need, my boss said that if anyone comes in with no cash to give them their order for free."  We were floored! Talk about good business practice! 

If the cravings weren't enough, now we are even more inclined to keep coming back to Waves again and again. Both women at the counter apologized again for "the inconvenience"....If you can call it that.  Above is a very happy me with my free deliciousness.  I don't know how they do it but, the creaminess is TO DIE!

Thanks Waves, for another great morning!

{Don't Miss This} Waves Coffee House is turning 5 and to celebrate they are pouring up cups of free 10 oz. brewed coffee for all of their customers at their Hastings & Richards location. Stop by November 9 for your free creamy cup of goodness!

#205 - 400 5th Ave. SW

Calgary, AB T2P 0L6

403.930.1009

Open 6 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday 



{Lucky In Love} Birds Of A Feather...Marry Together

Modern Wedding Designs by Amber Tyler

My childhood friend, Amber Tyler, is getting married and I could not be more excited for her! Not only is she beautiful and smart but, SUPER creative too.  Amber & Cole's Austin Wedding will be based around a bird cage theme and I am obsessed with the idea.  Above you will see one of her modern, yet whimsical designs.  I cannot wait to see more designs from Amber and....wedding pictures of course! I was so excited to see what this wedding might look like that I put together a little vintage birdcage inspiration board! Congrats Amber & Cole, and thanks for sharing!

Above photos:From top left- Style Me Pretty, Perfectbound, Brown Turtleneck Sweater, Ruffled, Wedding Wire and Rock My Wedding.

This Inspiration board comes from my other blog Posh Paper Prints!



{Lucky Loot} Just a Short Blurb About... Blurb!

Ok....I have been obsessed with Blurb for about the last 3 years and I just have to share this deal.  First of all, in my opinion, Blurb turns out some of the best quality books I have ever seen and...they are priced SO WELL! Right now they have a great deal going on.  If you make any kind of book (cook book, travel book, wedding album, portfolio) before November 2, 2010 you will receive 25%0ff of their already great price! I made a blurb book for my 1st trip to Canada as well as me and my husband's first vacation in Playa Del Carmen and I treasure those things.  Blurb gives you a free software to keep on your desktop which allows the book to be 100% customizable so,  all you digital scrapbookers and graphic design divas, don't delay!


*Local Likes* That Canadians only have to pay $7.99 shipping on 1-3 books! That's a deal!

{Local Loves} Petite Restaurant - Big Flavor

I was lucky enough to enjoy the fantastic Rocky Mountain Food & Wine Festival in Calgary this past Weekend and man....was I ever impressed! We had the opportunity to sample the Calgary restaurant industry's up & comers and heavy hitters and I was so impressed with this city's culinary genius!
However, some stood out above the rest.  Petite was serving mushroom ravioli and mini bison burgers with horseradish sauce and every bite literally melted in my mouth!  It was fantastic.  I received a buy-one get-one entree 50% off coupon and will definitely be visiting them to taste more of their super indulgent menu!  The space may be petite but the flavor is énorme!


*Don't Miss This*  Wednesday October 27, 2010
Thursday October 28. 2010

Truffle Dinner at Petite featuring the wines of Beni Di Batasiolo Winery

Tickets are $225.00 in advance please phone 403-452-5350
or email info@petiterestaurant.ca to reserve your ticket.
There are limited seats for this event.

{Parties} Gouhlish Glam Halloween Decor

Kim at The Tom Kat Studio has such a fabulous mind! Not only does she write a super creative blog but, she creates such fabulous paper products as well. Check out this glitzy Halloween table scape! Of course most of the paper products are made by Kim and can be found here in her Etsy Shop !  I love how she mixed classy prints, like damask with fun funky textures and colors!  To view the entire post on Kim's amazing blog CLICK HERE

{Parties} How To Plan An All-Star Event!

I've got a party in the works!!! That's right.. I am cookin' up some ideas for a super sioree! This is the way I "plan" or you could say draw up a party! It helps me to brainstorm, be clear and make lists of all the supplies I will need!  How do you plan? Any Ideas? Stay tuned for pics of this little gem!

{Local Love} New Wave Coffe Shop Rolls Into Town

Waves Coffe House has just opened their new location on 17th ave! Not only are their coffee and tea mixtures some of the frothiest and smoothest I have ever had in Calgary, but the new space is just as amazing.  This coffee house is more like a coffee main office with a full meeting room, (flat screen and fireplace included) tons of seating and a wrap around porch.  Not to mention, their catch phrase is,”a place to connect” so don’t worry about paying for wireless. These web waves are 100% free. Not a coffee drinker? No problem.  Try the Rooibos Symphony….un-be-lievable.  It’s basically 2 shots of African Rooibos tea and a scoop of white chocolate chips melted into velvety steamed milk! So….heaven in a to-go-cup.

They are currently offering $1 off their new Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte so catch the Wave today!

*Local Likes* The “sweetener” syrup at the condiment bar.  Though it is still made with Splenda, it mixes much better and does not seem to have such a “fake sugar-y” aftertaste.

1019 17th Avenue SW

Calgary, AB T2T 0A6