{TRAVEL} SHORT PRESENTS TAKES NEW YORK DAY 1

Hey hey lovely blog readers ! Hope you're off to a great week. If you follow me on social media you know that right now I'm in New York (aka concrete jungle where dreams are made of). So you might see a little delay in posting over the next week, but I promise my social media accounts (@shortpresents) will be chock full of NYC adventures. Make sure you're keeping up with us on Instagram and snapchat , as that's where I'll probably be posting the most. 

{EVENTS} #MYMCLOBSTER

An East Coast classic, the McLobster is back! Celebrating its 25th year in the maritimes the Scotia Square McDonald's was bump-in' this afternoon with live music, McLobsters a plenty, and even some delicious fresh brewed Mccafe coffee. You could kind of say it was an East Coast Kitchen Party!

{CONTEST} SMALL TOWNS EQUAL BIG LOVE FOR MUSIC

Last week I chatted about the influence of music on my style (read post here) and having grown up in a small town I know the struggle of attracting A-list musicians is definitely real.  While road trips are fun, and traveling to another near by city gives us something new to explore it would be nice to not have to make the arrangements or take the time to have to go somewhere else (or incur the cost).  I think there's also something to be said about sharing the experience with people you know.

In my experience small towns can be the most lively and accepting bunch. Because it happens so infrequently that when it does happen that a big name musician stops by we kind of go bananas which is why I am SO excited about the AIR MILES DETOUR music program.

{EVENT RECAP} LISE WATIER HYDRAFORCE LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS

Recently I attended the Lise Watier Hydraforce launch at Shoppers Drug Mart, and it was so great to get to know the Lise Watier team and brand. Did you know Lise Watier is a Canadian brand? From makeovers to a super clever app that instantly detects your hydration levels see more photos from the super fun event here.

LISE WATIER HYDRAFORCE & DETECT APP REVIEW + EVENT INFO

A hydrating skincare line that comes with its own technology? Now this is something I gotta try.

#FEEDITFORWARD

With the rising cost of food and coming off the tail end of the holidays, managing budgets this time of year can be a struggle at best. Growing up I saw this struggle first hand and it motivated me as a young adult to spearhead breakfast programs, clothing drives, and fundraisers you name it. Find out how I'm giving back now, and how you can too!

A NOTE ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Remember how excited you used to get when you would be sitting on the bus on your way home from school with a personally decorated brown bag of valentines on your lab, and belly full of candy? When we were kids we didn't feel left out, or unloved when it came to valentine's day. Your teacher handed out a list to your parents, or guardians and then you gave a Valentine to everyone in your class. I mean you definitely did hand select which ones went to whom, and your best friend always got the prettiest one, and your crush always got the most neutrally expressive or least lovey dovey card in lot.

HS STUDIO #BOOKOFBRAIDS BRUNCH

It was a lovely afternoon of mimosas, macarons, and expert hair braiding. It was like one giant sleepover with the whos who of the fashion and beauty community in Halifax. Recently the Kerastase brand launched a beautiful book of braids, and thanks to HS Studio we got a chance to soak up all of the action.  Check out our visual diary from the event!

A COMICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL W/ RHYS BEVAN JOHN

Are you looking for a laugh out loud hysterical time? Whether you're looking to bring a date, or your entire family, this year's Off The Leash production of Dicken's 'A Christmas Carol' running from Dec 19-26th at The Neptune Theatre Studio is intimately hilarious and brilliantly inclusive. 

PC HOLIDAY PARTY

Recently I was invited to the PC Holiday Celebration held at the Superstore located out in Sackville. A group of us influencers gathered together to learn all about the new holiday collection from President's Choice, as well as try some delicious recipes prepared by Chef Cathy Jollimore. Here's a recap from the event.

MATRIX TOTAL RESULTS

I never was one to purchase professional hair care products. I almost exclusively used to buy whatever was on sale, and usually under the $5 mark. However there is something to be said about having a great foundation and I really think it has a lot to do with what you use to cleanse your hair.

MALICE STRIKES THE KEITH'S BREWERY

'In the recesses of an ironstone tavern, Alice Arden is trapped in a life that she longs to escape. Deciding to murder her husband and free herself, she engages an unlikely pack of oddballs to do the deed. But despite the best efforts of her greedy lover, a nervous servant, a mysterious painter, and a vicious cutthroat, Thomas Arden’s luck seems to be holding out – for now. Join the Villains for our new, site-specific adaptation of Arden of Faversham', 

If you follow me (shortpresents) on snapchat you're probably wondering what I was doing strolling through some dark cobblestone hallways a couple weeks back. Well I was actually catching the last showing of The Villian's Theatre production of "Arden" catch the review below.

AFW'S REAL MVP: ANTHONY EL-CID

Every now and then a designer comes along and blows everyone else out of the water. A designer that gets you in the feels. A designer that makes the hair on your arms and the back of your neck stand up and brings every style blogger in the room to her feet upon its completion. A designer who ignites a fire in your heart for all things creative, fashion, and design. A designer who brings you to a place you didn't think you could even go.

Images c/o Brent McCombs/ Alter Ego

HALIFAX EVENTS: #SHOPTHEHOOD

Are you busy this weekend? Because there's a really great event happening right here in our city that you should DEFINITELY check out. I am super excited to announce that I've partnered with Shop The Neighborhood a small business initiative with Yellow Pages to help support our local businesses! This Saturday Nov 28 I'll be taking over ‪#‎shopthehood‬ and I couldn't be more excited to explore the city and be the first to represent Halifax!! 

#MYPARMNIGHT

In honor of celebrating Parm Night, I decided to make a gluten free sharp cheddar mac and cheese served with the delicious parm crisps recipe from Sobeys as a garnish, and of course some vino.  I mean the cheese is Italian, so it's only right there's wine.

If you're a little late the party, here's a post to help you get caught up! The cliffnotes version is that parm night is basically a sweet online party for cheese nerds like me, and a super fun way for you to win a $250 gift basket from Sobeys. FIY if you like cheese you best go read that post, so you don't miss out. And make sure to use the hashtag #myparmnight when posting your recipes.

BEST OF #WMCFW SS 2016 + SPRING TREND PREDICTIONS

I debated waiting to post this closer to spring, but with the temps dropping already I figured you might like a little pick me up and a heads up of what's to come! Here are some of my favorite pieces, and collections from World Master Card Fashion Week Spring Summer 2016, and what trends you can look forward to (or cringe about) for coming year!

TORONTO FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

Wondering where I stayed, ate, and hung out in Toronto during fashion week? Here's all the behind the scenes..

COLD SHOULDER

Arguably one of summer's hottest trends was the "off the shoulder" or "cold shoulder" shirt, and naturally like EVERY one else on the planet I fell victim to its charm. As well my obsession for fringe black bags continues to gain momentum...

DSW COMES TO ATLANTIC CANADA

Truth be told we like shoes! I know personally I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pair, but finding them (especially for me) narrow enough, or wide enough, or supportive enough can prove to be difficult. Cue DSW, with a store on this grand a scale I promise you that you can't walk out empty handed.

If you follow me on my social media accounts (@shortpresents) you know that I recently attended the grand opening of DSW in Moncton with my blogging babe Mo (lion-hunter.com). It was a beautiful day, and we had an even more beautiful car for the trip. Thanks to Ford Canada we rolled up to Moncton in a yellow convertible mustang.  Ladies if you're ever looking for a man might we suggest a yellow mustang? We attracted more men than honey attracts flies. It was pretty funny to be honest every time we stopped for gas, or for coffee the car was a topic of conversation to ANY man that was around, so if you're in the market haha it might not be a bad investment. 

Attracting flocks of men aside the event was REALLY fun, and I know Mo and I were super happy to be a part of it. The store is enormous, and perfectly laid out. DSW carries a plethora of different brands, both men and woman's shoes, and a variety of different styles. From causal to formal there's certainly plenty to choose from.

Would you like a tour for yourself? Shoe lovers beware because you're about to hit the mother load.

SHORT PRESENTS TAKES MONTREAL: TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS AND TIPS

From the architecture to the food Montreal is truly great! I absolutely loved my time there, and wish I could have stayed longer. Truth be told I'd been to Montreal when I was younger, but to be honest my memory was a little hazy. 

I traveled to Quebec City, and Montreal in the same week, so often times I would confuse the two, as I'd not remember which place I did what. It was funny though because it didn't take long for me to realize that I'd been to some of these places before, and it instantly brought back so many memories. I will add though traveling to Montreal as a grown up, and not on a supervised school trip IS WAY MORE FUN! 

From where to eat, and shop, and what to do here are some of my highlights from my recent trip to Montreal. May or may not include over sharing.