Nutella Hot Cocoa!

Happy Tuesday my friends!!

So remember when I wrote up a bucket list for winter?! #5 was to make 5 different types of hot cocoa.

So naturally, I procrastinated.

Until this weekend! I finally went onto Pinterest and looked up homemade hot cocoa. I saw one Nutella flavoured, and my decision was made.

Its a super easy and quick recipe. You could probably even make it in the microwave, but I made it on the stove. Don't want to lose any of those nutrients by cooking it in the microwave, right??

SO! This is what you need to do! 

Get some milk, Nutella, and Vanilla. See! So easy!

You can use regular cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, or whatever you want. I'd like to think I'm being health conscious with this drink (Nutella has nuts = protein and almond milk = protein, right...?), but really the sugar content from the Nutella takes away any chance of being healthy. So, go with whichever milk you'd like. 

For ONE Serving:

1 cup Milk

2 tbsp Nutella 

1/2 tsp Vanilla (or more, if you like)

Set your saucepan on medium-low and add 1/4 cup of milk and Nutella. Whisk until combined. Then add the rest of the milk and heat to your preferred temperature.

Then you can have your hot cocoa as picture above, or go all out and have marshmallows and some whipped cream. Your choice. 

This was mine. Go big or go home, right?

*It's important to give yourself treats, so you don't make yourself crazy from withdrawals. 

Hope you're staying warm! Love you guys!

xoxo,

Lo

Try-It-Tuesday: Mermaid/Wavy Curls!

Hey guys!!!

Today I'm getting a little out of my comfort zone and posting a hair tutorial! I've had quite a few people ask me how I do my hair like this, and one even said I should do a video tutorial. As you wish! Luckily, I've grown up around hair. That sounded weird....What I mean by that is that my mom is a hairdresser and she has taught me her ways well. She's seriously a magician when it comes to hair (among other things)! Plus I used to have a salon in my actual house (How lucky, right!?), so I got to play around with all sorts of products and tools. It was glorious.

This is one of my favourite hairstyles. It doesn't take too long, especially once you get the hang of it, and it looks super effortless and beautiful! It's a great and easy look for parties or anything like that you'll be going to in the near future. It reminds me of being on the beach, but I feel like it can also be quite a fancy look. It all depends how you tweak it. If you hold the piece of hair longer, you'll get more of a tight curl. If you want it to look less "put together", you can hold it for not as long, and don't wrap the hair to the end of the strand! It all depends how you want it to look. But play around with it, and see how you like it! Plus, you can leave it for a few days, and just touch up a few pieces, and it'll still look good. Just grab some dry-shampoo and hairspray - BTW, did you know that dry shampoo also gives you volume?? Yeah, so great.

Here's a few examples of when I've done it!

You can also add a braid, or a twist to your bangs for an even prettier look.

This is how it turned out, after I got all fancy and put some makeup on! :p

Now you can go walk away, feeling like this:

Work it girl.  ;)

xoxo,

Lo

Best Online Boxing Day Sales on Travel!

Hey guys!! Hope you're enjoying the holiday season! I sure am. Today I wanted to give you a list of some awesome boxing day sales for all things travel! Travel can be expensive, but if you stock up from sales, it'll be much easier on your wallet. So, without further adieu, here is your list!

1. LifeProof Case for I-phone

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If you plan on travelling with your phone, it's bound to experience some wear and tear. So, to keep your phone safe and secure, this case protects from water, dirt and shock! Right now it's 25% off at REI!

2. Fuji Point and Shoot Camera

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If you want a camera that you can take on adventures and not have to worry about being super careful with, look no further than this baby! It's waterproof to 6m, shockproof, dust-proof, and freeze-proof up to 10 C (14F). The red one is on cheaper at Future Shop, but Best Buy has other colours at the same price.

3.  PSI Wristbands

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These wristbands are worn like a watch, and help to reduce motion sickness! So if you're planning on cruising, or being on the water for a while, these will come in handy! They come in a bunch of other colours and are on for $16.

4. StrikeForce Fire Starter

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This fire starter is so cool! You don't need to bring matches when camping, and you can get it wet! Just wipe the excess water off it it does, and it will work right away to produce a spark. No matches, no problem.

5.  The Best Travel Writing, Volume 10: True Stories from Around the World

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This book is so cool! It's an annual book, written about some of the greatest travel stories from around the world! Good for dreaming, or travelling on the train or plane. It's on for $15.16 at Barnes & Noble. 

6. Inflatable Travel Pillow

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This travel pillow from MEC is on for $8.50! It fills up in just two breaths, and is comfortable for waiting in airports, sleeping on planes and perfect for cross-country trips! Compact and comfortable! 

7. Digital Photo Frame

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These are actually so great! What better way to showcase your travels and adventures than by a continuos slideshow!? It's $30 off at Best Buy!

8. Globe

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I love globes, because they remind me to explore and travel. They also remind me how big the world really is, and how much there is to see! This pedestal globe is 50% off at Chapters/Indigo!

9. Scratch Map

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Kay guys, how cool is this?! I love the idea of hanging up a map and displaying which countries and cities you've been to. Each country is a different colour! It's on for $11 on Amazon!

10. International Traveler USB Card

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USB's are definitely necessary for travel. With 4GB, it can store all your travel documents plus lots of pictures and videos!

Happy Shopping!

Love,

Lo

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas!!

Thanks for reading this! Since it is a holiday, I'm flattered that you're willing to sit and read this, when you should be hanging out with the fam! ;) Don't feel too bad, this one's a quickie. I usually post my favourite five things each Wednesday, but since today is Christmas (insert loud clapping and cheering here!!), I have just one favourite thing to share with you. 

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And that thing is Christmas!! Today's the day when we gather with our friends and family, wait in anticipation to open our presents, are eager to see others reactions to the gifts we gave them, and eat a delicious turkey! 

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But I'd like to quickly remind you of the true reason for Christmas. It's to celebrate Christ's birth - not only that, but His life and the example He set for us. Christ gave His life for each and every one of us and showed us how to live perfectly and show charity and love for others. This Christmas season, I challenge you to do at least one kind anonymous act for someone. It could be something as simple as doing the dishes after dinner (without being asked), so your mom - who worked ridiculously hard to make it - doesn't have to. You could also go visit someone lonely in the hospital. The possibilities are endless! Just do something to help another person. You could even just tell someone you love them and give them a hug. That is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Here's a great little video that you should watch! You'll love it.

So, enjoy your gifts and the time you spend with your family, but also remember to be kind and loving. Celebrate CHRISTmas!

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With love,

Lo

Christmas Eve & Try-It-Tuesday!

Happy Christmas Eve friends!! Hope you are all enjoying your holidays. Tomorrow is Christmas!! It's finally almost here! I feel like it's come so fast, and I haven't had enough time to do everything I've wanted to! But I'm really looking forward to seeing all my family and our friends, and spending time with them all. :)

Today for Try-It-Tuesday, I decided to try a new Christmas nail design!

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Super cute, right?! Unfortunately I couldn't find a tutorial, but it didn't seem that hard so I grabbed a few polishes, some supplies, and got to it!

This is what you'll need:

Step 1: Apply a base coat to all of your nails. Paint your nails with two coats of white nail polish

Step 2: Take a wooden stick with a pointed end (or really anything with a point), drop paint on a spot on a paper towel, and dip the point. Draw a line on each nail. *Wipe the paint off the stick after each colour.

Step 3: Drop the red polish on the paper towel and dip. Dot your nails a few times with this colour to your liking.

Step 4: Repeat step 3, but with the green polish.

Step 5: Finish off with a top coat, and clean the sides with a Q-Tip dipped in nail polish remover.

And voila!! Christmas Light Nails!

Step 6: Get someone else to help you with the second side! ;)

I ended up doing my right hand myself, so it's not quite as nice, but really, it never is. So, I'm not too worried.

Happy Christmas All!! :)

Love, 

Lo

Try-It-Tuesday - Cookies on Cookies on Cookies!

Today I felt like some Christmas baking. I was searching on Pinterest and came across this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction! It sounded amazing, so I figured I had no choice but to make it. 

Take a look at her website. Seriously! How tasty does that look?!

So I turned on some Christmas music, put on my holiday apron, and got to work.

   Christmas from pascsylvester on 8tracks Radio.                           Christmas from softshinythings on 8tracks Radio.

I was intrigued by her secret ingredient in the dough. She uses cornstarch because it makes the cookies soft and chewy. Let me tell you, homegirl was not lying. These cookies are crazy good. And then you add cookie dough to the center. My goodness, I could've eaten so many. But these aren't even for me (#39 on my Bucket List), so I resisted. 

One really great thing about the cookie dough for the filling, is that it has no eggs in it, so you won't get an upset tummy. Who wants that around Christmas?! That's right, no one.

So here's what you'll need:

*Plus flour

For le Cookies:

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cornstarch (aka cornflour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar)

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips

For the Icing:

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 (60ml) cup milk or cream

1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips

Directions

For the Cookies: In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy.

 Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. Mix in egg and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. 

On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick. 

Add the chocolate chips and mix for about 5 seconds until evenly disbursed. I used 1/2 cup each of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and milk chocolate chipits. Personally I love the taste of milk chocolate.

 Cover dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (2+ hours preferred for thicker cookies) and up to 2 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I chilled mine for 2 hours.

For the Icing: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. 

Switch the mixer to medium speed and add the brown sugar. Beat until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. On low speed, add the vanilla, flour, and salt. 

Beat until everything is mixed; the dough will be thick and heavy*. 

* I was a little worried when the batter was supposed to be "thick and heavy", because I didn't think the photo on the right looked that way. But don't worry, it turns out great after adding the milk!

Add the milk and beat on low for 30 seconds to fairly mix it in. Then switch to high and beat for at least 2 minutes until combined and very creamy. 

See! Beauty!

Gently fold in chocolate chips. Set aside at room temperature until ready to use.

Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside. *Sally says that silicone mats are better, because the grippy surface prevents the cookies from spreading out too much! That's what I personally used, but parchment paper would still work. 

Once chilled, the dough will be slightly crumbly, but will come together if you work the dough with your hands as you roll into individual balls. Roll balls of dough, about 1 Tablespoon of dough each, into balls. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. They will look extremely soft when you remove them from the oven.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet. If the cookies are too puffy, try gently pressing down on them with the back of a spoon. They will slightly deflate as you let them cool. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely before sandwiching.

Sandwich dollops of cookie dough frosting between two cooled cookies, creating sandwiches.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Baked cookies (without frosting between them) freeze well - up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well - up to three months. The frosting can be made 1 day in advance - cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.

I had one and it was dannnng tasty! So if you feel like a sweet treat, give these babies a try! (And try not to eat the whole batch). They won't disappoint! :) 

Happy Tuesday!

Love,

Lo