Feel-Festive Friday: that’s the Spirit!

With ONLY NINE MORE SLEEPS to go until Christmas if you’re not already in the spirit, then walking through the lobby of the Vancouver Sutton Place Hotel is the place to get it.
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It’s the most festive looking lobby I’ve seen.

But in the true spirit of the season, they are not only striking to look at as they light up the lobby, there’s a purpose behind them.
sutton1 sutton9 Every year many talented designers, stagers and retailers in the city come together with one goal – to create a mini wonderland using trees as their canvas.

The inspiring Christmas trees perfectly reflect their aesthetic and creativity. The uniquely adorned trees delight the community and raise funds for an amazing cause – PALS, a Vancouver-based innovative school for autistic children. sutton11 sutton8

When you view the trees, you are asked to vote for your favourite tree with a donation. These valuable donations go towards PALS. One of their methods for teaching uses visual cues via iPad. The funds raised will help with purchasing and replacing iPads and iPad covers.

sutton6 sutton5 You must come down and see all the incredible trees in person – they are truly the best decorated trees in the city! A stroll through the lobby to view the trees and vote for your favourite one costs only $5, with all proceeds going to PALS.
Also in the lobby: sutton4 20161203_140043

And necessary humour to enlighten us even more

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style & Beauty in a Box

Just received my Winter Box of Style. Just in time because this curated product assortment will take me (and others who purchased it) from day to night this holiday season and well into the new year.

The full winter Box of Style on display, featuring a Soia & Kyo cable-knit hat, exclusive Dylanlex Zoey necklace, Clinique Lip Color and Primer in Berry Pop, D.L. & Co. custom The Zoe Report Birch candle, Dagne Dover exclusive leather card case and Sunday Riley Tidal Enzyme Brightening Water Cream. — **The full winter Box of Style on display,** featuring a Soia & Kyo **cable-knit hat** (I chose mine in winter white out of 3 selections), exclusive Dylanlex Zoey **necklace**, Clinique **Lip Color** and Primer in Berry Pop, D.L. & Co. custom The Zoe Report Birch **candle**, Dagne Dover exclusive **leather card case** and Sunday Riley Tidal Enzyme **Brightening Water Cream**.

I started sharing contents/info about the Spring box set and so this season completes my final round of box sets for the whole year. Every 3 months I could not believe what was inside each of the boxes. The variety was always useful, stylish, current and thought given to the season. After all it is curated by stylist & editor-in-chief Rachel Zoe and her team.

This year, In a private bungalow at the storied Chateau Marmont, Rachel decided to host a glamorous dinner party specifically to celebrate her pride and joy of the season – the winter Box of Style.

Here are some of the highlights:

Flanked by ever-fashionable friends like Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie, Rachel toasted to her latest launch—which features the exclusive, Swarovski-crystal-studded Dylanlex “Zoey” necklace that several attendees donned throughout the night—and enjoyed an evening among great company.

Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe (in jumpsuit). — Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie (in middle) and Rachel Zoe (in gorgeous jumpsuit).

Because it's not a party without bubbly. — Because it’s not a party without **bubbly**.

Jessica Alba showing off her exclusive silver-plated Dylanlex Zoey necklace, which features gorgeous Swarovski crystals and has a retail value of $200. — **Jessica Alba** showing off her exclusive silver-plated **Dylanlex Zoey necklace,** which features gorgeous Swarovski crystals.

My personal favourites are:

The knit factor - Soia & Kyo Olivia Cable-Knit Beanie, Retail Value: $50 — **The knit factor** – Soia & Kyo Olivia Cable-Knit **Beanie**, Retail Value: $50

the first winter layer - Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, Retail Value: $65 — the first winter layer – **Sunday Riley** Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water **Cream**, Retail Value $65

Clinique Berry Pop Lip Color + Primer, Retail Value: $24 — **Clinique** Berry Pop **Lip Color** + Primer, Retail Value: $24

Added Bonus: purse-size Viva La Juicy fragrance in this season’s assortment.

Thank you team Zoe

Photos: Zoe Report

Food + Drink, Girl Who Would be King

Food: Bill’s Wild Food

If you recall a while back I wrote about my BFF (best foraging friend) Bill.

And he’s still my only foraging friend. He gathers, smokes (not cigarettes or cigars), condenses, dries, dehydrates, bakes, liquifies, juices, turns fruit into leather and fills jars full of delectable delights of things you will most likely never find anywhere else. At least not done with the same amount of know-how, zest and love for foraging from start to finish.

It began as a hobby (Bill is a Foodie and a superb cook) but now his stuff is in demand in Vancouver Island local markets and other food suppliers. Not surprising since everything is made from scratch, in small batches and with the utmost attention to detail.

He was going to collaborate with monthly posts on this blog sharing stories of adventures from the wild world of foraging. Instead he’s just been way too busy picking, harvesting and filling orders, etc. so we’ll have to wait. But in the meantime to whet your appetite or curiosity I’ll share a few things I recently purchased after having tasted them.We might as well refer to it as Bill’s Wild West Coast

Sampling:

Descriptions by Bill

Saanich Peninsula Medlar Jelly – a rare and delicious jelly produced from Medlar’s planted in the 40’s and 50’s in North Saanich, BC.

Wallace Road Sloe Berry Jelly -these fall berries are members of the plum family and produce a tart jelly, great for serving with turkey, bbq chicken and the like.

Willis Point Arbutus Berry Jam -I only recently discovered that those pretty red berries on magnificent Arbutus are edible. I harvested those within reach and wished I could get higher for more.

Fernwood *Goumi berry Jam – this super-food Asian berry was growing in a hedge in town. A forager friend called me… I answered her call.

Oldfield Road Kiwi Jam – I had never seen Kiwi Fruit growing before and I had never heard of Kiwi Jam. I was given access to these super sweet ones in January and it is a really great interesting jam. Mosi (a fantastic bakery) used it in their Danish pastries for a few months.

Okanagan Syrah Grape Jelly – A friend from my time in the wine industry gave me access to Syrah Grapes in the Le Vieux Pin Vineyard. It is a delicious jelly that is less sweet, with a touch of that pepperiness that is characteristic of Syrah wine.

Wild Red Huckleberry Jam – These are tasty little explosions of flavor wonderful sweetness… but they are really small and take hours to pick! These are from the new growth areas between Shirley and Jordan River.

Elderberry Jam (or jelly – the writing was blurry) soaked in single malt scotch.

Willis Point Road Rosehip Jelly – Rosehips are very plentiful around here but they are a lot of work to process. This jelly was viewed as a golden treasure by some of my Instagram forager friends back East.

Oregon Grape Jelly with Lavender – Before I moved to the coast I had never heard of these tangy berries. I harvested these near Munn Road before the effects of the drought dries them up. This is very good with cheeses and cold cuts.

Oldfield Road Italian Plum Jam -This is a very good jam on toast, but also served with cheeses.

Oldfield Road Brandied Cherries – I was given access to several cherry trees with both dark red and golden varieties, some of which I have had soaking in fine cognac since June. $15.00 per 500ml jar

Cowichan Bay Sweet Cherry Chutney – I had access to so many cherries, and they were ripening so fast… I found this recipe for sweet cherry chutney and gave it a whirl. $14.00 per 500 ml jar

Including:

Winter Chanterelle Powder $ 20.00 per 25 mg.

Dried Golden Chanterelles $ 8.00 per packet (13 to 15 g)

Dried Lobster Mushrooms $ 18.00 per packet (30 to 35 g)

Dried Hickory Plums, Dried Hickory Pears & Dried Cherries $6.00 – $ 8.00 (per 75g package)

Hawthorn Hazelnut Candy $3.00 (sold out)

Hickory Syrup (sold out – also great as a glaze for salmon).

Spruce Tip Infused Honey – $5.00 per 125 ml jar

General Prices for jams and jellies (depending on demand) runs anywhere from $5.00 – $7.50 per 125 ml jar up to $12.50 per 250 ml jar

*Darn; I thought he said gummy berries! I would definitely be out there foraging for gummies.

It was so hard to choose from because everything was so good…..so I bought them all!

Food + Drink, Girl Who Would be King

Entertainment/Food: Encore

Everybody appreciates a good ENCORE

Yes please!

The latest concept in entertainment/club dining is at Rogers Arena. I was lucky to be a guest last Friday night for Stevie Nicks, the legendary Fairy Godmother of ROCK on her

24 KARAT GOLD TOUR stop in Vancouver.

I knew I was invited to the show but never expected the space to be so impressive. And it’s a really good thing I didn’t have dinner beforehand because they said there would be food but…they never mentioned there would be so much. The new large room suite is only one month old. It is a complete renovation, redesign and upgrade of the former “Centre Ice Grill” with premium service and all the fine touches exclusive membership has to offer. Such as:

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Picture this – you’re sitting in the comfort of a wide-back chair with a plate of food and a glass of wine in front of you while watching and listening to the best entertainment to pass through Vancouver, B.C. It really doesn’t get much better!

The area has comfy leather sofas to lounge on, walled fireplaces, tables overlooking the arena and four chef attended stations offering an abundance of mouth-watering dishes. The club is open for monthly/yearly membership and included in the exclusive fee package is fresh & exquisite rotating menus. Wine & Liquor is extra.

Oh wait…as an added bonus to an otherwise perfect evening the Pretenders opened up for Stevie Nicks. I forgot about how many great songs they have. And Chrissie Hynde’s voice is a good as ever – love her voice!

Come again? Encore is the perfect name for the watering hole because once you come here you definitely want to repeat the experience. It’s the rock concert equivalent of flying First Class. Once you experience it you cannot ~~don’t want to~~ ever go back.

The thing about music is that it evokes so many memories and the thing about all the other stuff is:

Now I’m ruined for all other concerts.

Her ENCORE (following Rhiannon) is one of my favourite songs “LANDSLIDE“. And she, as beautiful as ever. (If you want to see a video clip please visit my Instagram feed @ https://www.instagram.com/girlwhowouldbeking/

Girl Who Would be King, THINKAboutit

Inspiring Cooks

Last night I was in a room full of intriguing people to celebrate a season of sharing, hope and inspiration at *Inspire Health’s inaugural gala. Everyone was there to support those living with Cancer.
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The perfect evening marked an important milestone with the launch of a gorgeous cookbook entitled “Inspired Cooking” featuring 21 of Canada’s finest chefs. Four of the featured chefs were on hand to take everyone on an amazing culinary experience, as we sipped on some of the best wines BC has to offer from the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Association. inspiregala2

While guests perused the desirable silent auction items during reception, servers were floating around the room with the most delicious canapés from local Meinhardt (one of the sponsors).

There was live entertainment along with some moving testimonies of patients who have contributed their stories to the book, with the hopes that it will inspire change for others.

Each of the four courses were excellent in taste and presentation but my two standouts were:
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Entrée: Slow Cooked salmon, ginger scented sweet potato, black garlic, tomato and shitake dashi Chef Warren Barr, The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn Tofino Paired with Church and State – Coyote Bowl Syrah inspiregala3

Dessert: (picture did not serve it justice) Frozen lemon, turmeric pudding with coconut cream and chia seeds *As featured in Inspired Cooking Baker Jackie Kai Ellis, Beaucoup Bakery & Café, Vancouver. Paired with Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery – Dry Rock Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay

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Some of the live auction items were amazing. Here’s a sample of something I wanted to bid on but unfortunately someone else beat me to it.

A weekend to Tofino in 5-star luxury Flights for two to spectacular Tofino compliments of Orca Air, with two nights at the Wickaninnish Inn in a deluxe suite, with fireplace, soaker tub and balcony offering a forested beach view looking out at the ocean. Then enjoy a 3-course dinner at the Point Restaurant, home of refined west coast cuisine, where Chef Warren Bar and his culinary team offer to you their most innovative creations.
inspiregala1

*Inspire Health was founded by two medical doctors in 1997 with the intention of providing person-centred care to support health and well-being for people living with cancer and their families. They provide patients with knowledge, tools and services to support their overall health, during and after standard cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and medications. All of their recommendations and programs are safely integrated with a person’s standard treatments.

They’re an amazing group of people. Each year they support a minimum of 3,000 new patients, conduct 2,000 classes and provide over 25,000 clinical visits.

The support of the evening will allow Inspire Health to continue to offer evidence-based, patient centered supportive cancer care.

They certainly inspire me to do better. Plus I cannot wait to attempt some of the recipes (including nearly 60 whole food ones) found in the book.

“Cooking is an art and patience a virtue... Careful shopping, fresh ingredients and an unhurried approach are nearly all you need. There is one more thing – love. Love for food and love for those you invite to your table. With a combination of these things you can be an artist – not perhaps in the representational style of a Dutch master, but rather more like Gauguin, the naïve, or Van Gogh, the impressionist. Plates or pictures of sunshine taste of happiness and love. – Keith Floyd, ‘A Feast of Floyd’

Photos: d. king

beauty, Girl Who Would be King

Beauty: Narcissiststick

Essentially speaking….

sometimes we need a little help attaining a perfect complexion. Sometimes even a lot of work. We can take a few shortcuts to looking flawless by using mineral powder or liquid foundation (both good) to even out our skintone but for simplicity sake I say….STICK IT! foundation1

What’s New? Well….

NARCISSIST FOUNDATION STICK

If you’re like me you want minimalist makeup with instant gratification.

W3LL PEOPLE is an uncommon beauty dream team founded by an elite makeup artist, cosmetic dermatologist and tree hugging entrepreneur, passionate about making positive choices in life, particularly when it comes to self care.

Skin, our largest organ, absorbs about 80% of what we put on it. This crucial fact drives their mission to create super premium quality cosmetics without the use of potentially harmful artificial chemicals found in most conventional makeup. A modern approach built on simplicity, authenticity and performance.

State-of-the-art, all-natural formulas effortlessly deliver flawless coverage and soothing protection that’s unbelievably light. foundation2

This feel good, creamy foundation instantly melts into skin giving it a fresh, healthy glow. The modern stick design is ideal for portability and mess-proof application on the go. The New breakthrough formula delivers a weightless, satin, soft-focus finish while balancing skin tone and diminishing imperfections. Made with pure, natural and organic ingredients, so there’s no film, no grease, no crease just diva-friendly perfection.

SOLD!!

Key ingredients: organic sunflower oil, castor seed oil, organic beeswax, silica, mica, safflower seed oil, aloe extract, vitamin E, organic green tea essential oil, organic chamomile essential oil

http://w3llpeople.com/

Price: $28.99 USD

Girl Who Would be King, STYLE

Style: Lingerie, the French way

American women wear underwear. French women wear lingerie.

French women seem inherently more confident in their bodies, able to embrace the sensuality of life and love. What’s their secret?

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Lingerie

I may not be of French descent and I don’t know if growing up in Montreal had anything to do with it, but I have embraced beautiful lingerie for as long as I can remember. And that’s why I was so excited to discover a feminine unique brand native to South America which I brought back to sell in Canada for several years.

Yet, even though I tend to wear t-shirt bras, running bras and even yoga bras when need be, nothing shouts “I’m a sexy woman” more than when I put on a lacy, silky undergarment. We don’t even know if men really appreciate it but just the fact that we have something sensuous underneath our outerwear that makes us feel special is good enough.

Did you see the parade of young, sexy women with perfect bodies strutting the Runway for the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show the other night? It was the first time I’ve watched it and it was amazing! It was filmed in Paris with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars as guests and the backdrop was pure fantasy and the girls were seamless in their not necessarily seamless undergarments. These chosen few are really top-notch in their category and the ones who exhibit more personality will surely go on to excel in the magic model kingdom. But it is not reality as we know it, and on a more somber note it’s probably why many young women become anorexic or bulimic in comparison. These girls work out non-stop just so you know. angels1 But moving right along….

A Toronto native by the name of Kathryn Kemp-Griffin is the author of a new book entitled “Paris Undressed.” She moved to Paris with her husband in the 90’s and now also runs lingerie-themed tours of Paris. She found that in North America comfort was an excuse for a lack of aesthetics. angels2

She realized that after moving to Paris, that lingerie could be something more. The idea is lingerie should be about activating the senses, not fixing perceived flaws.

Paris Undressed goes behind the seams, combining cultural references, expertise, and practical advice to inspire every woman to reconsider her underwear drawer.

It’s good to know that North American women are already embracing this!

http://houseofanansi.com/products/paris-undressed

Art & Culture

Edible Art: the BENTO redesigned

Thinking inside the Bento Box

Made with lunch meats, cheese, cucumbers, and mayonnaise. Courtesy of Amorette Dye — Made with lunch meats, cheese, cucumbers, and mayo (wasabi-mayo maybe?)

Like many aspects of Japanese culture, particularly contemporary fads (anime, Hello Kitty, harajuku girls), the bento has become extremely popular here in North America.

Frappucino: Chicken salad with toasted almonds, wheat crackers, tangerine wedges, cucumbers, cauliflower, rice, bits of Fruit Roll-Ups, and fondant over Okinawa sweet potato (naturally that purple!) Other food coloring used is vegetable-based colorants. — Frappucino: Chicken salad with toasted almonds, wheat crackers, tangerine wedges, cucumbers, cauliflower, rice, bits of Fruit Roll-Ups, and fondant over Okinawa sweet potato (naturally that purple!)

A single-portion meal, a Japanese bento typically contains rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables. It’s pretty much on every Japanese restaurant menu or outside billboard (with the more casual places) as a fundamental lunch staple. A little variety of favourites in a partitioned decorative wooden box good for times you’re craving Japanese but you can’t make up your mind exactly what you want to eat, you’re hungry and don’t want to pay a fortune. Usually it’s the expected Western preferences like California roll (boooring), chicken or beef teriyaki over rice, tempura and the tiniest bit of salad. Sometimes miso soup on the side.

Recently I’ve come across some restaurants that offer a bit more creativity to the familiar boxed bento. You can pick and choose your add-ons from a variety of delicacies (usually from looking at photos on the menu). A design your own box lunch. After all Bento (弁当 or べんとう) really means the art of arranging one’s lunch. This is perfect for me.

Canadian Geese. Yellow pear tomato, rice, portobello mushrooms, sesame seeds (as eyes), couscous, pear puree, green beans, and soba noodles. — Canadian Geese: Yellow pear tomato, rice (made with vegetable food-grade dye), portobello mushrooms, sesame seeds (as eyes), couscous, pear puree, green beans, and soba noodles.

Anyway, for fun I wanted to share a few of these brilliant or at least cute looking bento boxes and lunch plates. I mean if they can create coffee art, why not this?

Above photos courtesy of Amorette Dye

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And finally a sophisticated French dessert — And who cannot resist **a perfect happy ending**

It brings new meaning to you are what you eat but are you willing to disturb the presentation?

Art & Culture

ART/Culture: Where the Universe Sings

The nice thing about ART is that it’s universal.

Isolation Peak, Rocky Mountains. 1930. Oil on canvas. Hart House Permanent Collection, University of Toronto. Purchased by the Art Committee with income from the Harold and Murray Wrong Memorial Fund, 1946. (Lawren Harris). — **Isolation Peak, Rocky Mountains**. 1930. Oil on canvas. Hart House Permanent Collection, University of Toronto. (Lawren Harris).

And a necessary distraction. You can be anyone from anywhere and of any economic background or situation and appreciate what you see the same way (or not) as the next person. This is why ART is so appealing and inspiring. But aside from the recognized and renowned artists such as Picasso or Van Gogh (love them or not) it’s good to expand your knowledge of other well respected but maybe not so widely famous artists from other countries. I’m having a Canadian moment here. Those of you living in the U.S. might not have heard of the Group of Seven. Comic book characters they’re not.

In the early decades of the twentieth century, circumstances brought together several artists who were committed to exploring, through art, the unique character of the Canadian landscape. Collectively they agreed: Canada’s rugged wilderness regions needed to be recorded in a distinctive painting style. This style would break from European tradition and reflect an increasingly nationalistic sentiment. Today, these men (and one woman, Emily Carr) are among Canada’s most famous artists. For many, their works have come to symbolize what is the distinctly Canadian identity.

When I lived in Toronto I had not paid too much attention to this Group of Seven but then I went to an exhibit at the McMichael Gallery to see what all the fuss was about and it changed me. Just like the saying goes “if you love to travel, explore your own country first” (or something like that), the same goes for art. So I did, and I learned something and appreciated what I saw – mostly the beautiful expansive and diverse landscape of my own country. Which, by the way I did explore in full since then. So I can admit that Art did influence me in another respect.

This year at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) I looked forward to watching a documentary about one of the most influential Group of Seven artists – Lawren Harris.

A founding member of the Group of Seven and a major figure in the history of twentieth-century Canadian art, Lawren Harris (1885-1970) remains largely unknown in the United States. This year the AGO partnered with the Hammer Museum to introduce Harris’s iconic landscapes to audiences in Los Angeles and Boston. The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris was the first major solo exhibition of his work to be shown in the United States.

Around this time I was watching CBC (a former employer of mine while living in Toronto) and saw comedian (author and artist himself) Steve Martin talking about his love of Lawren Harris’ work with news anchor Wendy Mesley. It was very interesting.

Steve Martin was Michael's guide for a tour of a new exhibition of Harris's work at the Art Gallery of Ontario. (Art Gallery of Ontario) — **Steve Martin** was Michael’s guide for a tour of the exhibition of Harris’s work at the Art Gallery of Ontario. (AGO).

The exhibition The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris was curated by comedian, musician, actor and writer Steve Martin in collaboration with Cynthia Burlingham, Deputy Director, Curatorial Affairs at the Hammer Museum, and Andrew Hunter, Fredrik S. Eaton Curator of Canadian Art at the AGO.

Yes, I too believe that while anyone can put brush to canvas, true artists are not created equal. Sorry, but that’s what I really think. The ones who really move you are guided by some other outside force.

An intimate portrait of the life and art of Lawren Harris, a founding member of the legendary Group of Seven, and the expansive landscapes that inspired him below.

WHERE THE UNIVERSE SINGS: The Spiritual Journey of Lawren Harris (trailer):

https://vimeo.com/192636801

And while writing this I decided that I’m going to attempt to create a painting of my very own.. on a whim with some friends….and some expert guidance….and some wine. It’s not until the end of this month. It’s kind of on my revised bucket list and believe me, I’m not expecting to create something of “worth”…just somethin…somethin….do something that scares you….well….this is it. I’m expecting that whatever it is, it will turn out to be pretty scary. However, according to my personal horoscope this month I have all of the cosmic mojo I need to accomplish—nay, excel at—anything I put my mind to. A possible masterpiece?? You’ve got to believe!

How about you? Do you have a desire to paint?

FUN, Girl Who Would be King

Feel-good Friday: let the parties begin

Wow…can you believe we’re into December already? There’s something festive in the air as we get ready for Christmas and the New Year.

It’s PARTY SEASON!

Santa Paws at Tisol, Vancouver. Jia Jia was good all year. Me; not so much! — **Santa Paws** at Tisol, Vancouver. Jia Jia was good all year. *Me; not so much!*

Jia Jia with friend Tammy Preast from — Jia Jia with friend **Tammy Preast** from “**Love on a Leash**” trusted dog care services – Vancouver. **Photo: Malcolm Perry**

I love this Phyllis Diller (remember her?) quote. “What I don’t like about office parties is looking for a job the next day.” Good thing I don’t have a job!

Office parties are starting as early as November now as restaurants get booked up fast. I started celebrating ~~a month ago~~ last night when six on my building council got together for a ~~rowdy~~ celebratory non-silent night for dinner and live jazz. And ~~this time~~ everyone behaved! And there’s only more to follow including back-to-back get togethers with friends and neighbours, dance parties and another fundraising gala (more on that later). Oh, and Stevie Nicks. Okay, it’s not a dinner but she’s amazing…still.

It’s a time to be especially nice to people you otherwise ignore the rest of the year. But all kidding aside, it can be a lonely time too for people without family, or the homeless, etc. And it’s a time to put aside rifts and nonsense and look at the good in people (because nobody is perfect). It’s time to spread the CHEER! lit1

I hope you have a Happy Holiday Season! XO