There is something so magical about the Eiffel Tower and the Parisian world it represents… As a lover of languages and culture, I have a special place in my heart for French. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised on a recent trip to Chapters Indigo, when I found an abundance of cute Parisian influenced items, […]
As I sit here writing this in the middle of a heat wave in Toronto, I can’t help but think of the refreshing “Mediterraneo” (Mediterranean Sea). As some of you may know, August is vacation time in Italy. As the cities become unbearably hot, many locals flock to the seasides or mountains for some relief. […]
The third instalment in the Viva la Dolce language series expresses one of my all-time favourite quotes! This is just one of many inspiring quotes by Italian author, Giuseppe Donadei. I love the rawness of this quote. It blankly states the hard-to-swallow, ultimate truth, that life isn’t easy. However, Donadei nicely juxtaposes this idea with the uplifting thought that, […]
Annnnd we’re back! After an incredibly busy month of June and far too much time away from Viva la Dolce, I am happy to return to my desk and write. While dealing with a hectic schedule, I was inspired to come up with a list of time-saving tips. Here are my top 10 time savers to […]
Happy Italian Heritage Month! Since 2010, the Province of Ontario has recognized June as, “Italian Heritage Month.” This declaration by the province was decided in order to honour the significant contributions made by the Italian Canadian community in Ontario. As a result, this time of year you can find a multitude of festivities honouring Italian […]
When identifying Canada’s #1 coffee brand, individuals will almost undoubtedly mention Tim Hortons. Although other brands have entered the market, there is something special about ‘Timmys’ coffee that keeps customers coming back cup after cup. What’s more, their tasty treats, which include the most recently added Nutella infused snacks, deliciously satisfy one’s sweet tooth. It is no surprise then that Marwan […]
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you may be wondering what to get for that special woman in your life. Luckily, I have rounded up a few ideas! Check them out below… 1 Chloe Rollarball Trio ~ These fit nicely into a clutch or handbag. Perfect for a mom on-the-go! 2 The MightyPurse Wristlet by […]
The second instalment in Viva la Dolce Italian language series, is a proverb which many of us can relate to. “Il buongiorno si vede dal mattino” literally means, a good day is foreseen from the morning; figuratively, this phrase means, you can usually tell how something will end, good or bad, by the which in which […]
I recently had the chance to catch up with the incredibly talented makeup artist, Terena Hyma. After years of working for renowned beauty brand, MAC Cosmetics, Terena has now launched her own business, Terena Hyma Makeup Artistry. Having personally worked with her for my own wedding, I can definitely attest that her makeup expertise and professionalism […]
As you may have figured out by now, I love Italian culture! Being of Italian descent, I have grown up surrounded by not only the culture but the language as well. Through exposure to the language at home and formal study of it at school, my passion and fascination of the language have grown over […]
What’s better than indulging in scrumptious treats? Knowing that you are doing a good deed with every bite! Thanks to owner of Baked for Good, Tracy Aznar, we can have our cake and donate too! Baked for Good, a small business launched and operated by Tracy, specializes in cupcakes, custom and edible image sugar cookies […]
As the warmer weather approaches with the new season just around the corner, it is only fitting that we prepare to usher Spring in with style! I have collected a few items below that I think will help do just that. These bold coloured pieces will help keep you on trend for Spring 2015 […]
As the sunny weather approaches and temperatures warm up, one of my favourite treats comes to mind…Lemon Crostata! “Crostata” is the Italian term for “tart” or “pie,” and can be made with any fruit flavouring of your choice. As you will see below, this recipe is fairly easy to make and requires little ingredients. Best of […]
(Image Source) A little while ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with fashion expert, Erica Wark. I met up with Erica at women’s fashion retailer, Reitmans, where she was hosting a “Shop n’ Style Party,” as part of a collaborative project with the brand. The fashion maven, who can often be found talking about the latest […]
After months of cold, bitter weather, it’s no surprise most are looking forward to the arrival of spring … myself included! The promise of sunshine, warmth and beautiful flowers is a beacon of hope during the constant “extreme cold weather alerts” we have been dealing with recently. I decided to indulge in a little […]
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! For many, today holds plans of romantic dates with lovers, gift exchanges of chocolates and roses, or perhaps a night out on the town with friends. Regardless of how you spend your Valentine’s Day, one thing is for sure, today is a big day for love in North America. Can the […]
Growing up in an Italian household, Nutella was never very far out of reach. It was a staple in our pantry and inventory was taken seriously. My earliest memory of eating Nutella is as a child while on vacation in Italy. My cousins and I waited patiently around the kitchen table as my grandmother evenly distributed […]
Living in Canada, one becomes accustomed to dealing with snowy weather. However, every once in a while, Mother Nature decides to test our limits and send us a curve ball – or should I say a gigantic snow ball! Today, is one of those days. As Toronto battles #TorontoStorm2015, most are staying off the roads and close […]