Christmas

Holiday Gift Guide for Her – The Weird 2023 Version

December 1, 2020

These holidays will be like no other we’ve experience in my lifetime! This will be the first Christmas I’ll be spending without my parents and siblings, nieces and nephews, in-laws and extended family, thanks to COVID. This is the weird 2023 version of the holidays that we haven’t witnessed ever before.

So my husband, boys and I will celebrate this Christmas in our own little bubble at home, and I’m truly thankful for having that. We’re still going to buy gifts, decorate the house, bake Christmas desserts, and a big Christmas feast – but just for the four of us. I’m still planning on making my holiday gift wish list – because moms deserve it!

So here’s a holiday gift guide for her – the weird 2020 version – because there’s never been a weirder year than 2023.

Holiday Gift Guide for Her – The Weird 2023 Version

Sonja Morgan Holiday Dress

Nowhere to go but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up at home for Christmas Eve. Yes, it’s time to get out of those sweats and dress up a little for the holidays. I’ve been cheering on Sonja Morgan as she launched her clothing line on the Real Housewives of New York. Sonja always looks amazing, and some of the outfits she wears are from her own Sonja Morgan line. They’re chic and trendy, and the best part, affordable! I love this Leopard Robe dress, which is perfect for dressing up for your holiday party this year – at home with members of your own household, of course!

$132 Sonja by Sonja Morgan

Handmade Beaded Bracelet

This past summer, my 13-year-old son wanted to start a business. Of course, I wanted to encourage his entrepreneurial spirit and helped him launch DNNY Co, a bead bracelet company. Together, we’ve created glass bead bracelets, semi-precious gemstone bracelets, letter-name bracelets, and custom bead bracelets, as well as some polymer clay pendants. Ten percent of proceeds are being donated to Sick Kids Foundation! $10 and up DNNY (@dnny_co)

New York hat & masks

I miss travelling, and one of my favourite cities is New York. But since we can’t travel right now, I can pretend by wearing these awesome face masks and toque by Love NYC Souvenirs. For the past 10 years, the owner has hand-picked the best-selling souvenirs in New York City. The New York Night Skyline face mask is my fave! And the New York hat is warm enough for cold winter temps! $16.99 hat $9.99 mask

* M O R E G I F T I D E A S H E R E *

Nixplay Smart Photo Frame 10.1 inch (Wi-Fi)

Since we can’t all be together this holiday, we can still share photos of our loved ones. Nixplay is a smart Wi-Fi digital photo frame is a great gift for new parents, grandparents, newlyweds, college kids or families separated by distance – and Covid. You can share images to your loved ones’ smart frames and invite others to share pictures to your frame. Send unique photos or playlists to separate frames and grow your private family sharing network with smart photo storage. $179.99 Nixplay.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Mug

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a legal, cultural and feminist icon, fighting for women’s rights during the years she served as a Supreme Court justice in the U.S. Her passing this September was felt by women around the world. This is a must-have for your morning-motivation coffee or tea! $20.00 DinkusInk.com

Handmade Pottery

This year is also about buying local. So many small businesses are suffering because of lockdowns and closures, while big-box stores continue to get richer. Support a small biz like Love Your Mother Pottery, a family business based in the Toronto area that offers locally sourced, eco-forward products that cater to your everyday sustainable lifestyle. Sarah is one of the founders of Love Your Mother, and their beautiful pottery is handmade by her grandmother and glazed by her mother!

Each piece is unique and can be used in a variety of different ways. Whether you are looking for a home for your plant, a spot for your jewelry or nicer way to enjoy your tea, these porcelain beauties will brighten up your space and connect you back to the Earth. Prices vary: Love Your Mother Pottery

Stephanie Anne McKay Art

Here’s another creative who you should support, Stephanie Anne McKay, a talented fashion artist and illustrator from Montréal, Canada. Her specialty is watercolour abstract art, but she’s also known for her live sketching abilities for runway shows and events. With her instinctive approach, she can create illustrations on site in five minutes or less! Her fine art prints of cocktails, fashion, flowers, food and travel, would make a beautiful addition to your home décor.

Starting at $25 StephanieAnne.ca

Capresso Froth Select

With the winter weather comes outdoor fun and what a better way to warm up afterwards than with a hot chocolate! The Capresso froth Select makes it fun and easy to create your own custom recipes, including flavored hot chocolate, flavored steamers, matcha latte and hot apple cider. There’s a special hot chocolate function that can accommodate chocolate chips and chunks to create frothy hot chocolate.

There are four settings to choose from: cold froth, hot froth, hot milk or hot chocolate. The Capresso comes with two frothing disks and one heating disk, so you can choose and vary milk texture for your cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate, chai lattes, and more. Visit capressoblog.com for recipes too! $99 Capresso.

Everlasting Evergreen Holiday Gift Set by Dr.’s REMEDY

Add a little sparkle to your self-care routine with this Everlasting Evergreen Holiday Gift Set by Dr.’s REMEDY.
Dr.’s REMEDY is a doctor-formulated vegan nail polish infused with organic, naturally healing ingredients.

Gift set includes:

Empowering Evergreen – a deep forest green
Reliable Rustic Red – an earthy crimson
Sincere Snow – sheer white with a dusting of shimmer
Basic Base Coat – enriches nail health and decreases nail discoloration
Calming Clear-Gel Performing Finish – a high shine top coat with a gel-like finish
Caress Cuticle Oil – hydrates & revives dry, cracked cuticles and can treat fungal infections
Enriched Nail Polish Remover – acetone free and infused with vitamins and proteins
2-Pack Face Masks – breathable and comfortable with a double ply poly fabric

Only $75 RemedyNails.com

Paint by Shadows Art Kits

Not an artist but wanna be? Paint by Shadows Art Kits come with everything you need to paint your version of these beautiful licensed original works of art! There are 24 tubes of quality acrylic paint, three paint brushes, and a woven polyester canvas “shadow” art along with accompanying guide art images and painting instructions. Perfect gift idea for the creative type to do on a snow day.

$45 Paint by Shadows Art Kits.

The Karma Collection

The Karma Collection includes personally handmade items for the whole family. Every product is consciously created with love & the intention to support you on a spiritual-emotional level. Karma Herbs – a taste of the Mediterranean, Karma Spice – a taste of India, Karma Chai – a luscious blend of spices & black tea for the kitchen. Mala Bracelets – made with stones that have been blessed & cleansed & Crystal Wrapped Necklaces for males & females of all ages. Lots of variety to choose from or custom made options available for the same price. KarmaLifestyle.com

Fleece Leggings by Baleaf

Loungewear for the win. Love these brushed micro-grid Fleece lining leggings. They’re comfortable with a side and hidden pocket, 4-way stretch. Pair with the fleece full-zip bodyfit pocketed track jacket with thumbholes and you’re good to go. Only $29.99 each – what a deal! At Baleaf.

Fila Watch

Since we seem to now have a lot of extra time on our hands… pun intended… this unisex Fila watch is perfect for the minimalist athleisure-wear enthusiast. Since we’re all pretty much keeping things low-key, the subtle accents of colour make this watch pop. A classic watch to compliment your joggers and hoodie ensemble! On sale $65 OGWatches.

Desalu Skincare

Desalu Naturals is an all-natural skincare brand of natural oils and body butters sourced from all over Africa, including Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. Desalu prides itself on being able to give back to these communities.

The All Natural Shea Butter With Avocado Oil, Almond Oil & Coconut Oil is made with pure, unrefined shea butter. $12.99 Desalu.

Lucite Tray by SmithHonig

Lucite Trays are the perfect accent piece for a coffee table, entryway, or nightstand, and come in a variety of patterns and colours with a global flair. SmithHonig is a wanderlust-inspired home décor brand founded by designer and colorist, Kellie Smith and Melanie Hönig, a visual artist and photographer. Find unique pieces for your home, including pillows, tabletop linens, hardware, fabrics, tassels, wallpaper, and more in joyful combinations of color, culture, and pattern. $48 each.

“Flavorbomb” by Bob Blumer

For the home chef intent on taking their cooking to the next level, Flavorbomb, the new cookbook by Canada’s famed “gastronaut” and Food Network star Bob Blumer, is the perfect rogue guide to help food reach its maximum flavor potential. More than just a collection of recipes, this magnificent hardcover is filled with decades worth of tips, techniques and strategies to help give the reader the courage and confidence to up their game by caramelizing, seasoning with abandon, tasting and adjusting on the fly, while adding finishing touches that make a difference.

Swoon Skin cleansing kit

The I Heart You Cleansing Kit is a better solution for super sensitive skin and a better option for those looking for the convenience of a disposable makeup wipe without the waste. This kit features everything you need to cleanse your skin, gently exfoliate and remove ALL makeup (even long wearing) using only water! It’s reusable, 100% nontoxic & chemical-free and perfect for at home or on-the-go. It includes three of our signature ultra-plush heart shaped makeup remover pads, as well as a spa headband and mesh laundry bag for easy washing. And, at under $25 for the kit, it makes a wonderful gift for the beauty lover or eco-enthusiast on your list!

H.E.A.L’s Self Care Kit

2020 has been the year for self-care considering everything going on in the world. So this year, promote the gift of self-care, sleep and relaxation with the H.E.A.L’s Self Care Kit . Enjoy a bath or foot soak with OSI Magnesium Bath Flakes For any achy muscles spray the Magnesium Oil directly onto the areas and massage the area gently while soaking. Bodytox Lavender Sleep Patches are a relaxing product designed with organic ingredients to help you relax and ease into a night of rest that is free from disturbances and discomfort. Breath a few more breaths of H.E.A.L’s Lavender Essential Oil. Slip into bed and enjoy your good night’s sleep.

H.E.A.L’s Self Care Kit includes magnesium bath flakes, magnesium oil, lavender sleep patches and lavender essential oil, all for only $21.69.

The Lumi Charge

For the techy gal in your life, the Lumi Charge is a smart LED desk lamp that has multi-functions – a lamp, phone charger, speaker and organizer. It features a built-in LED screen that displays helpful information like the time, date and temperature to keep you on time and prepared for most anything. It also is a wireless phone charger for phones with wireless charging capability. With the built-in motion sensor you never have to worry about running into anything in the dark again. When you enter a dark room a motion sensor will light up to show you the keys to turn on the Lumicharge. $79.99 LumiCharge

Voila Hair Mist

Hair perfume is so popular right now! And no, you can’t use regular perfume in your hair because they’re loaded with alcohol, which can dry your tresses. Voila Hair Mist is seductive and elegant hair fragrances by famed French perfumer Paul Emilien that captures the essence of femininity with healthy ingredients. Voilà signature hair fragrances are designed specifically for the hair and contain nourishing Vitamin E and Castor Oil that don’t dry out the hair. The five different scents contain nearly 50% less alcohol in every scent as compared to your traditional body perfumes.

Soleil Levant | Sunrise is a lively and floral quintessential flavor fused with an enticing fruity zest is perfect for the free-spirit. Chaleur d’Eté Summer Heat is another popular scent, as is Soir d’ Hiver Winter Night, a floral evening scent. $56.00 Voila Luxe Beauty.

Cashmere Sweater

A cashmere sweater is always a good idea. This Cyprie Cashmere Sweater by Wilfred is kitten-soft and luxurious. It has a slouchy silhouette, drop shoulders and a subtle mock neck. Most importantly, it’s made with made with 100% cashmere from Italy. Grazie! $168 Aritzia.

Meebak skincare

Meebak’s products are made with cica, short for Centella Asiatica, a plant that can restore vitality to skin has made it a leader in skincare trends. Cica can soothe and heal dry, irritated, and damaged skin, but is compatible with all skin types. It can help smoothen skin texture, correct fine lines and wrinkles, and locks in nourishing ingredients with a moisture barrier.

Meebak’s cica cream is a rich anti-aging cream that calms, smooths, and moisturizes with cica’s healing and soothing properties. This brightening serum with cica restores the moisture barrier in dry, irritated skin and infuses essential nutrients deep into its layers. $19.97 each, Meebak.com

Evil Eye Earrings

I love jewelry with the evil eye. Wearing this protective symbol is for good luck, but also serves as protection from the power of the negative energy. These minimal evil eye earrings are 14k gold plated on 925 Sterling Silver, 925 Sterling Silver, Cubic Zirconia, and in either silver or gold. Bonus – they are sold by a local shop on Etsy. $21 Etsy.

Crystal Bath Salts Zennboxx

I also love crystals and bath salts, so the crystal-bath therapy by Zennboxx is the perfect metaphysical addition to your self-care regimen. Relax and unwind while tapping into a higher vibration with these herb-infused crystal bath salts. Each formula is infused with organic herb botanicals, therapeutic-grade essential oils and ultra-nourishing sea salts. The company also smudges their batches to ensure that their products are energetically clean! $40 Zennboxx.

Feather Cuff

Isabelle Grace Jewelry is all about accessories that are timeless and unique. Each earring, necklace and bracelet is made by hand in their New Bedford, MA studio. There’s no assembly line, no mass production; their designs are made of the best materials and expertly crafted by people who love making beautiful things.

Make a bold statement with this unique feather pattern cuff in brass. $38 Isabelle Grace.

Holiday Gift Guide - Isabelle Grace Feather Cuff

M.A.C Lipstick Set

Love this Sleigh All Day Lipstick Trio from Hudson’s Bay – a $72 value for only $32. Colours are Lady Danger, Velvet Teddy and Chili. Hudson’s Bay exclusive.

Happy Shopping!

MORE GIFT IDEAS HERE

Food

My Mom’s Tried and True Recipe for Greek Authentic Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο)

November 19, 2020

Nothing says a rich dish like a Greek Moussaka or authentic Pastitsio or Παστίτσιο in Greek. Pastitsio is an authentic Greek baked pasta dish with layers of a savory ground meat sauce, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce, and then baked to perfection. It’s like a Greek lasagna but with béchamel sauce and thick spaghetti.

The origins of pastitsio are not entirely clear, but it is believed that the dish has been a part of Greek cuisine for centuries. Some culinary historians speculate that pastitsio may have originated in the Middle East, as a similar dish known as “macaroni béchamel” is found in Lebanese cuisine. Others believe that pastitsio was brought to Greece by the Venetians during their rule over the country, as the dish bears some resemblance to Venetian pasta dishes.

Regardless of its origins, authentic pastitsio is a beloved and iconic dish in Greek cuisine, and is often served at family gatherings and festive occasions. It is also commonly found on the menus of Greek restaurants around the world.

Authentic “pastichio” or Pastitsio has layers of pasta, minced beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce which are baked together to create a rich, velvety dish. This is my mom’s tried and true recipe for rich, authentic Greek Pastisio. Make sure to watch the video below as well!

Greek Authentic Pastitsio Recipe (Παστίτσιο)

Ingredients

2 packages of thick, long pasta such as bucatini, or if you can find Greek brand Misko Pastitsio No. 2 or Spaghetti No. 3 at your local Greek bakery

1 – 1½ cups of Kefalotyri, Kefalograviera, Mizithra or parmesan cheese, finely grated

1 cup milk (2%)

Beef Mixture

1/2 kg ground beef (1 1/2 pounds of beef is ideal)

1 large onion, finely chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil (if meat is extra lean)

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Half a cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

3-4 cloves

1/2 cup white wine

1 cup tomato purée, or 3 medium tomatoes, shredded

1/2 cup water

Béchamel

3 cups of milk

6 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons butter, softened (or Nea Fytini, which can be found at your local Greek bakery)

4 eggs

Salt and pepper

Watch my mom make the recipe!

Method:

Sauté the ground beef, onion and garlic in ¼ cup of butter until browned.

Add salt, pepper, parsley and stir for a few minutes.

Add tomato and stir for a few minutes, then the wine.

Cook on medium heat for about an hour, or until sauce is thick and no water remains. When the sauce is cooked, add a a handful of the shredded cheese to the mixture and stir.

At the same time, in a separate pot, boil the water for the pasta with a little salt.

At the same time, prepare the béchamel. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter and flour, salt and pepper until a nice consistency.

Add 3 cups of milk to sauce pan and cook on low heat. Slowly add the flour/butter mixture and stir to remove clumps. Then, add eggs, one by one, stirring well after each addition. Keep stirring on low heat until the sauce thickens.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain and place back into pot. Add the remaining ¼ cup of butter and mix with the pasta, along with 1 cup of milk, and a handful of the grated cheese.

Once the sauce is cooked, remove the bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves. Add a handful of the grated cheese and stir.

In a large round roasting pan, add half of the pasta. Then, add a layer of the beef mixture. Add the remaining pasta on top. Then, add the béchamel sauce to the top. Add a little more cheese, and a few pats of butter to the top.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until brown.

Yield: Large Roasting Pan

My Mom's Tried and True Recipe for Rich Greek Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο)

Pastitsio is an authentic Greek baked pasta dish with ground meat and béchamel sauce. It's like a Greek lasagna but with béchamel sauce and thick spaghetti.

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 2 hours