Happy Friday everyone! I hope you've all had a good week - it's been a busy work week here, so I'm glad it's over! (And, I finally have a fully potty-trained toddler - woo hoo, so it hasn't been all bad!)
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The Butcher Shop Girl and 111 Places in Calgary were received as review copies - this post contains affiliate links
I've been focusing a lot this year on shopping and supporting local (if you missed my huge Shop Local YYC post make sure you check it out!) But, what I didn't feature any local authors and I felt like that was really important - I've been reading like crazy this year and I think when we consider shopping local, there will be books by local authors/photographers/chefs that you can find for anyone on your list! (Plus, sometimes local authors books come signed and I think that is amazing and such a great touch for a gift - 2 of these books are signed!) Also, if you can support a local indie bookstore while you are at it, that would be perfect!
Some of the local books by Albertans I would suggest are:
- Dirty Food by Julie Van Rosendaal ~ I'm a big fan of Julie and she always talks food on the radio program that I listen too - she makes food and recipes really approachable, with lots of options and substitutions. She is also a huge advocate for food programming for youth in the city of Calgary as well as supporting and promoting local businesses! When you buy the book from her website, shipping is free and it will come signed!
- 111 Places in Calgary You Must Not Miss (photographs by Christina Ryan) ~ The photographer is a local Calgary photographer and the author is Canadian - I love that this book is described as a "guidebook for locals" and that's what makes it a perfect gift - I had so much fun going through and seeing where I've already been, what is on my to-do list, and what this book had me add on to list of places I'd like to go! It had landmarks, shops a few unusual places!
- The Butcher Shop Girl: A Memoir for Misfits and Mavericks by Carmen Kissel-Verrier ~ This is a true story about abuse, resilience and finding yourself. The author writes about her experiences as a world-travelling entertainer, her interactions with organized crime and finding her way home! She lives in a small town in Northern Alberta and this sounds like a great book to gift a girlfriend!
- A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout ~ This is an older book published in 2013, but an incredible one and Amanda has carried on her humanitarian work since then. Amanda is from Red Deer, Alberta and she was taken hostage in 2008 and held captive for 460 days - this is a difficult read; however, it is a worthwhile read and for those on your list that like true stories of resilience and a family that will stop at nothing, this is a great read.
- Under Shifting Stars by Alexandra Latos ~ This is a described as a heartfelt novel that follows twins Audrey and Clare as they deal with their brother's death and their changing relationships, with each other and themselves. I picked this up at Owl's Nest Bookstore and got a signed copy! This was actually a really hyped up YA novel this year, so this would be perfect for a younger or young-at-heart reader (trust me, I'm in my 30s and still love YA books!)
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I got a little early Christmas present from my Mom and my Step-dad - I requested a little family scrabble sign be made for us and I love it! We have an upstairs family room with all of games out and it suits the room so well! I love it!
THREE
Pantone just announced their 2021 Colour of the Year and it's a dual year - Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray! It's described now as "A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting." I happen to like both of these colours and I think this is a great message! What do you think of these colours?
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I just got a Simons order and I picked up some really cute clothes! I picked up a Twik Ultra Soft Open Cardigan, a Twik Box-Pleat Midi Skirt, an Icone Swiss dot T-shirt, and an Icone x Francesca Robustelli Illustrated Characters Organic Cotton Tee. I like them all - I should be pretty stocked on new clothing for a while, so I'm going to stop ordering for at least a few months!
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And, a little bit of a fun surprise for me this week - I won a Laneige instagram giveaway so I got this awesome Laniege Dewy Dream Team Set - it comes with a full size moisturizer, and a travel size Cica Night Cream and Essence! Good win!
I hope you all have a great weekend!
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