keep learning and keep loving

Posted by kait / June 25, 2012

I can’t say enough great things about Alt Design Summit. January’s conference taught me SO much and I met so many amazing bloggers and some of the best and brightest in the business. The cool think about Alt is that they are committed to educating all year round – not just for a weekend in January. Since the conference ended they have been providing fantastic courses available online on just about any subject related to blogging and the experts teaching it to boot.

They didn’t just stop there. They created ALT x NYC – a one day version of the conference held in New York City at pretty much the mecca of all things GOOD. Yes, the conference is going to be held at Martha Stewart Living HQ. In New York City. Did I mention I am going?!

I am beyond excited and its going to be a crazy two months until we head out east for that. Another very good thing is that BING – the search engine – is a big sponsor of this event. They are literally making it all possible for Alt to host another event before January 2013. So thank you, BING! You are kind of a big deal.

Oh and double the thanks to BING because for the month of July they are allowing bloggers to register for two free classes through the Alt Summit Channel! Sign up for the Alt newsletter and get the deets ASAP!

Here are some of the great classes I have taken already:

#1 Bringing Home the Bacon When Your Blog Isn’t Huge: Melanie from YouAreMyFave is just so darn cute and I found this course super informative about how to do more than just blogging to keep the income rolling in!

#2 Perfecting the Pitch: How To Win Over Your Dream Sponsor: Erin Loechner of Design for All Mankind is just the best. Her course all about pitching to your dream sponsors is such a great course and I definitely want to take it again!

#3 Getting Started With Advertising for Bloggers: This was a great intro course to advertising on your blog. I totally recommend it to people who are curious about monetizing their blog.

I am so excited about taking these classes this summer:

#1 The Organized Blogger: Tips and Tricks for Blogging Success
#2 Growing Readership

I totally need some tips on keeping organized and planning ahead with yuppielove. I saw someone else on twitter say it will be the summer of doing and I totally agree. Can’t wait! I hope you can join in on some classes too!

happy friday!

Posted by kait / June 22, 2012

Our city has gone wild this weekend. Sled Island is happening and it is wonderful. I’ve got my wristband and I’ve got my Artist Lounge pass to the top of the Calgary tower where some wonderful people are deejaying and there is cheap libations.

If you are in town – check out my Sled Island Survival Kit and let me know what shows you are going to!

Have a great weekend!

I also write for Vitamin Daily. Here are my posts for last week:

Check out my beauty must-haves while you traipse all over Calgary for Sled Island.

Ignite Your Night! Pivot Glenbow had a Summer Solstice Block Party last night!

New store + market coming soon to 4th Street!

Let’s try to eat healthier and organically! Check out the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Farmer’s Markets on Wednesdays.

I blogged about the Anthropologie x UPPERCASE magazine party!

Can we talk about fashion road trips? J.Crew is now open in Edmonton. How much longer until a Calgary store?

Three words: Surfer Girl Hair.

Get your bike shined up for 10 days of Cyclepalooza!

design love // spicebox whisky

Posted by kait / June 21, 2012

The branding of Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky is just so perfect. Inspired by the prohibition – the design is classic. And tasty too!

thirsty // the whiskey blue

Posted by kait / June 21, 2012

Oh gosh, this quite possibly could be the most delicious thing you will drink all summer. The WHISKEY BLUE is a delight! I recently picked up some Spicebox Whiskey – a small batch company out of Montreal, Quebec – based solely on their beautiful logo and packaging. I have to say before now I have never been a whiskey drinker but with this fruity concoction I am kinda sold on the whole idea.

get it together:

2 shots of Spicebox Spiced Whiskey
1.5 cups Pomegranate Juice
0.25 cup Blueberry Syrup (I made mine by cooking blueberries with a dash of honey + water over low heat)
Scoop of Pomegranate Seeds
Lots of Ice
A Blender

blend it:

Mix all ingredients in blender to create the ultimate slush cup for adults. Pour into glasses of your choice and sprinkle some pomegranate seeds for a little somethin’ extra. Slurp away your summer afternoon.

I’ve made slush cocktails on the go before with a Strawberry Slurpee and Sir Perry’s Pear Cider. Totally delicious. What is your favourite slushy drink?

work it out // lole love

Posted by kait / June 20, 2012

Loving the lookbook spreads by LOLE, the lovely Canadian maker of pretty workout gear. If pictures could honestly motivate a person to get outside – these certainly would. x

hungry // five-berry yogurt pops

Posted by kait / June 19, 2012

I don’t think there is anything better in the summertime than an icy cold popsicle or a delicious scoop of ice cream or fro-yo. Really – there is nothing else that can bring greater satisfaction than something as yummy on a stick or in a cone. Unfortunately, the desire to obtain a frozen treat is often deterred by summer-time laziness. This easy recipe for Five-Berry Yogurt Pops is super simple and your trips to the freezer will be frequent.

make it:

jars
blueberries
blackberries
strawberries
raspberries
cherries
Greek Yogurt 0%
Blueberry syrup (I made my own just by stewing blueberries on the stove with honey + refrigerating it)

pull it together:

This is honestly one of the simplest recipes to make – there is really only three steps to pull it together.

One – Blend all berries + 1/3 cup of water in food processor or blender. Pour equal amounts into your clean jars and place in freezer.

Two – Remove jars from freezer and top with Greek yogurt. Smooth tops and place popsicle sticks or paper straws in center. Place back into freezer for 2 hours.

Three – Drizzle your blueberry syrup (you can use juice too!) over the top of the Greek yogurt and freeze overnight.

There ya go – easy as pie – you’ve got delicious healthy fruit yogurt pops. Enjoy!

What is your favourite summertime treat? I used to love Freezies + Fudgsicles like nobody’s business but now I am more of a fro-yo gal.

happy monday

Posted by kait / June 18, 2012

A great weekend of full of friends, family and FOOD! We went out for a fabulous dinner with our friend Lucky for her birthday at The Coup (yum) and then to a screening of Moonrise Kingdom which actually turned out to be our second viewing of it. Yes, it was that good. Saturday farmer’s markets and night bike rides leading into Sunday’s Fathers Day celebrations. I cooked for dear old Dad and made Sundried Tomato Goat Cheese Potato Gnocchi with a heavenly Oregano Mushroom Butter Sauce and a side of Swiss Chard. Also, baked up a delicious five-berry pie with a clove spiced crust. I love my Dad!

Looking forward to a very busy week of Sled Island – can’t wait to discover some new-to-me bands! Are you checking out any bands this week?

I also write for Vitamin Daily. Here are my posts for last week:

Big Star Bakery makes the best gluten-free baked goods.

Best of the Fest: my Sled Island picks!

Start the Canada Day Countdown with these stunning HBC pieces.

Take a summer soak with this delicious foaming bath bubbly.

I spotted an awesome young Canadian artist at Gibson Fine Art!

in love with moonrise kingdom

Posted by kait / June 14, 2012

Moonrise Kingdom: the type of film that makes you laugh at kids acting like adults and makes you wish you could go back and act more like an adult as a kid. Because the real adults are just idiots.

What a lovely lovely film. Go see it now. x

thirsty // lazy day park punch

Posted by kait / June 14, 2012

I love summer. Summer + parks. Summer + parks + friends. Summer + parks + friends + drinks. The other day the weather was just so perfect – it was like the sun was calling me to the park to meet my friend for an afternoon catch-up. Not one to leave the house empty handed, I packed up a picnic blanket and concocted something I’d like to call Lazy Day Park Punch. There can definitely be many variations on the Lazy Day Park Punch but in this case it had a synonym of Lavender Champagne Gin Punch – on ice.

What you need:

crushed ice
one thermos (like mine here)
2 cups of champagne or prosecco
1 bottle of DRY Lavender Soda
3 shots of gin (yes, we live dangerously)

What to do:

Starting with the ice, mix all ingredients into thermos. No need to stir or shake – your walk to the park will do that for you. Serve up in cups once at the park.

Cheers + enjoy!

Hey, what do you drink in the park? Are you a wino? A brown-paper-bagger? A Baileys-in-the-coffee type?

work it out // greys + oranges

Posted by kait / June 13, 2012

Sometimes on even the rainiest spring days you need to add a bit of colour into your workout wardobe. I am just loving grey and orange together right now – a neutral with a near-neon just seems to make working out a little more fun.

cropped sweatpants // gym gear // sneaks // wiffle ball