Macaron Mania

If you follow me on Twitter then you may already know that last Friday, my Mom and I took a macaron making class. It was so awesome. And if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you already know that I love macarons and have made them before (twice).

We took the course at the Pastry Training Center of Vancouver. The school is owned and run by Pastry Chef Marco Ropke. Ropke has over 20 years of industry experience and has worked all over the world. The macaron course is offered monthly, but there are so many other wonderful classes offered - I can't wait to take more - especially the bread and fondant classes.

We learned to make 3 different macarons in the class - French, Italian & American.

The French macaron recipe that we used used an Italian meringue, as opposed to a Swiss or French (who knew??), because it retains more air.

Chef piping out his lemon macarons

Before you bake the cookies, macarons have to 'rest' to form a skin

Using a mortar & pestle to crush coffee beans for our macarons

Infusing the coffee in cream to flavour the filling

Chef piping the lavender chocolate filling onto his lemon cookies

Our finished coffee macarons

Chef's finish products

Italian macarons

American macarons

The bread in the pic above prompted this tweet

French macarons

During class we snacked on salad, brie & fresh homemade sourdough multigrain bread

I love the organization of the kitchen

Love these guys!

The front case showcasing goodies from the classes

Sample from the fondant class!!

I definitely recommend taking a class. It was super fun and really easy to follow along. And don't forget to follow Chef Ropke on Twitter: @pastrytraining

For Sale: Aldo 'Garlanda'

Black sequin Aldo pumps for sale

"Showing off a standout dégradé effect, this high-heeled, peep-toe pump's a total must."

 

Size 38 (runs small, fits like a 7)
Bought in April 2009 ($100+tax)
Worn once in May 2009

Approx heel height's 4.4" (11.2 cm)

Like new
$60

Please email me if you're interested or for shipping. If you are local, we can arrange a pickup.

Winner of Mobilicity HTC Smartphone

I've selected the winner for the contest using random.org.

Going from the oldest comment to the newest comment...

...the winner of the Mobilicity HTC Smartphone + 3 months of unlimited talk/text is...

Wendy!

Her favourite part about elementary school was being able to play games, like chess, once they had finished their work.

Congratulations Wendy - enjoy your new phone!

Thanks to Mobilicity for sponsoring this awesome giveaway! Remember to 'Like' them on Facebook to donate $1 to the S'cool Life Fund!

The Corner Suite: A PR Fiasco

Vancouverites,

I take to my blog because 140 characters on Twitter is not enough.

I'm sure that many of you are aware that The Corner Suite Bistro has abruptly closed their doors.

I recently purchased a gift certificate for the restaurant for my parents for Christmas. Upon hearing of their closure (and apparently full voice mail inbox), I decided to call Visa, to get them to remove the charge.

After speaking with Visa, and telling them that I heard the information via Twitter, I was told that in order to get the charge waived, we must attempt to contact them directly by whatever means - phone, email, Facebook, Twitter (the Visa guy actually said that - I laughed inside) to see if they will refund us the money.

If after a reasonable amount of time you do not hear back from The Corner Suite, contact Visa again and they will launch an investigation to have the charges removed.

Hope you are all able to get your money back!

Win an HTC Smartphone from Mobilicity!!

Haus of Hybrid has teamed up with Mobilicity to give you the chance to win a Smartphone from HTC!

What's included:

An HTC Smartphone
3 months free of Mobilicity's unlimited talk and text holiday plan ($35 monthly value)

HTC Snap *bluetooth not included*

To enter:

Comment on this post or on Facebook and tell me what you loved about Elementary School.

Contest ends January 6, 2011 and the winner will be selected at random.
Contest open to all Canadian residents (except Quebec) over the age of 18.

To up your odds, Mobilicity is having their own contest on their Facebook page. All you have to do is 'Like' them and fill out an entry form and you're entered! The prizes are:

Grand prize: One winner will win an Unlimited To Go Package (HTC Smartphone & 3 months of unlimited talk, text and more plan) - PLUS $1000 cash!

Runners up: Nine more winners will receive Unlimited To Go Package (HTC Smartphone & 3 months of unlimited talk, text and more plan)

In the spirit of the Holiday Season, for every 'Like' on Facebook, Mobilicity will donate $1 to the S'Cool Life Fund - a non-profit dedicated to enhancing Canadian Elementary public school programs.

Happy Holidays

Christmas has come and gone, but I would like to take the time to thanks all of my lovely readers for their support. You all are so awesome and I love being able to share with you.

All the best in the remainder of the Holiday season and of course health and happiness in 2011!

New Winner

I have decided to select a new winner for the second beauty bag since I haven't heard back from one of the winners.

Raj! You win! Congrats!

Please email me!

And the Winners Are...

I used Random.org to select the winners...

Elisse and Belle Decouverte

Congrats on winning the beauty grab bags!

Email me to claim your prize!

Thank you to everyone that entered!

Beauty Giveaway!

This is just my little way of saying Merry Christmas!

I have not one, but TWO bags of miscellaneous beauty products and samples to giveaway!

There are some pretty amazing things in these bags - makeup, hair products, perfume, lotions...


To enter, comment on this post and tell me if you were successful in your New Year's Resolution for THIS year!

Winner will be picked on Saturday, Dec 18.

Vancouver Holiday Tweetup

Christmas is just around the corner, exams are finishing up, and everyone is jolly. What better time to have a tweetup?

Dammy Og of Reach Magazine and I have joined with Charm Modern Thai to present to you:

A Holiday Tweetup!

On December 16, 2010, starting at 6pm,

come down to Charm Modern Thai in Yaletown

to enjoy the holiday season with us.

You know how you're always saying that you should meet up with people from Twitter, but you never actually make the time? No more excuses! Everyone will be in the same place at the same time!

We will also be taking cash and food donations for the

Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Tweet me and let me know you're coming! Or find me on Facebook!
See you there!