Cathy's Archive

Throwing a holiday party and still stuck on the table centerpiece?  Try this easy and inexpensive DIY Cookie Tree as a table accent.

What you'll need:

3 or 4 long twigs (approximately 2 feet tall)
6 full leaves
red spray paint
mini ornaments
A clear bowl.  Pictured here is a Pampered Chef Trifle Bowl.
12-15 Cookies with holes in the center
Ribbon

What to do:

Step 1: Take your twigs and coat...

It's hard to miss the classic Holiday films constantly playing on TV this month.  While we will forever love Home Alone and White Christmas, we highly suggest these sometimes overlooked, but always hilarious Holiday Comedies:



Scrooged:  In this hilarious adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a selfish and cynical TV executive who gets haunted by three spirits...

Some excellent books published this year hit my must-read list.  Grab a cup of hot chocolate, add as many marshmallows as your mug can fit, and curl up on the coach with one of these page-turners.

Chick Lit: Cocktails for Three by Sophie Kinsella as Madeleine Wickham

Roxanne, Maggie and Candice meet once a month for cocktails and gossip.  All smart and successful women working in the...

If you wear no other piece of jewelry this season, invest in a statement cuff bracelet for guaranteed glamour.  Unlike statement necklaces, cuffs aren't as in-your-face (literally) so you can wear them again and again!

We like big stones, delicate and artsy designs, and brightly coloured cuffs to add edgy elegance to your favourite LBD:

Bold Stones
(clockwise from top left) BCBG Hinged Stone...

After trying these Scottish Whipped Shortbreads years ago at a friend's party, my mother promptly fell in love and snagged the recipe.  Now a family favourite that she makes every holiday season, I thought I'd help her out this year and make a batch (plus I was craving shortbread).

It's a super simple recipe.  Here's what you do:

1 lb softened butter
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup...

Drawing inspiration from 60s hair icons Twiggy and Edie Sedgewick, the newest It-hairstyle is the polished and pretty pixie cut.


The beauty of a pixie cut is that it won't make you a slave to styling products, gizmos and gadgets.  You can add volume or create a piecey look by simply using your fingers.  Use a bit of styling wax to hold in place and you're all set!

Some of our...

A far cry from the closets of Superman and Wonder Woman, warm capes are a stylish alternative to coats this Fall.

Here's a roundup of 10 capes we love:

Zara Studio Woollen Cape C$179, TOP SHOP Ultimate Military Cape US$190, Alice + Olivia Emory Cape with Embellished Shoulders US$347

For evening, go for a clean shape.  We love the adornments on the shoulders of this Alice + Olivia cape, but...

Clink glasses on All Hallows Eve with a festively creepy cocktail!

The lurid colour of the Harvest Green Punch is spooktacular (sorry, we couldn't help ourselves...)
1 part Midori Melon Liqueur
1 part Dark Rum
1 part Light Rum
2 part White Cranberry Juice
1 part Unfiltered Apple Juice
1 part Simple Syrup
Juice of one lemon
Add all ingredients and mix well.  Garnish with fresh fruits like apple...

Red, itchy skin can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing.  If you suffer from irritated or eczema prone skin, your main skin care goal is to avoid irritating ingredients.  Potentially irritating ingredients may include fragrance, dyes, sodium, parabens and lanolin.

Wash with gentle facial cleansing creams, oils and gels; they are less drying than cleansers.  Here are our top picks: