WINTER 2016 • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 2
THE
Holiday ISSUE
IN THIS ISSUE 4.
SHOP LOCAL 4. 2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Our Editor's top picks for local holiday gifts this season!
6. SPOTLIGHT ON: THE GINGER ROUTE
The Ginger Route shares gift ideas for the health and wellness enthusiast.
7. FOLKLORE CREATIVE
How a husband and wife DIY team turned their passion into a business.
FOOD & DRINK 8. GIRLS NIGHT OUT!
Brand Ambition has girls night out with Lux Limo at Wildfire Steakhouse.
10. HOLIDAY MEAL PREP
10.
Hawley Crescent shares their tips for keeping your holiday meals stress free.
12. DESSERT HACKS
Hack your holiday desserts with these easy tips from Eat My Shortbread.
13. FOR THE CHEF
Gift ideas for the chefs in your life.
14. SUGAR AND SPICE
Holiday wellness from M&R Catering.
HEALTH & WELLNESS 16. BENEFITS OF ESSENTIAL OILS
How to use essential oils to stay healthy this holiday season.
16. 2
IN THIS ISSUE
'TIS THE SEASON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Beth McCahon @bethmccahon
The holiday season is upon us and we couldn’t be happier.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lija Karklins @lijatamara
The colder air is moving in, the holiday lights are going up and Starbucks is selling gingerbread lattes. All is well!
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Madison Reesor
This issue of LAUNCH is full of inspiration to help you realize your vision for a stylish and well prepared December. In our gift guide, we’ve gathered a collection of great local gift ideas to help make your holiday shopping sweet and simple, as well as tips and tricks to avoid stress and make those holiday parties run smoothly.
PUBLISHER Brand Ambition Direct Advertising Inquiries to: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Beth McCahon marketing@brandambition.ca CONTRIBUTERS: Ashley Adams Hilary Spencer Freckle Face Jewelry Gather Keyway Designs House of Cat HouseLife Services The Ginger Route
Inevitably there’ll be a holiday disappointment or two, but we’ve done everything we can to ensure this issue of LAUNCH won’t be one of them. Dont fret! We got you covered with our Holiday issue.
Folklore Creative Lux Limo Hawley Crescent Eat My Shortbread Melissa Morrison M&R Catering Andrea Ashley
LAUNCH inspires women to discover and celebrate their own potential in all aspects of their lives. With a clever, informative take on business, beauty, lifestyle and pop culture we encourage readers to cultivate not just personal growth but pursue the success that comes with consciously creating a balanced lifestyle.
Beth McCahon marketing@brandambition.ca
THE GINGER ROUTE: PAGE 6
© 2016, LAUNCH, a divison of Brand Ambition.
CORRECTION NOTICE: In the fall issue of LAUNCH, the instagram account for The Ginger Route was incorrect and should have read @thegingerroute. We apologize for this error.
CEO, BRAND AMBITION Katie Dempsey CFO, BRAND AMBITION Kiki Carr
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
GIRLS NIGHT OUT: PAGE 8 ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPHY: unsplash.com
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2016 Holiday
GIFT GUIDE Support local this Holiday Season with our Editor's picks!
FUN & FABULOUS JEWELLERY
SAVE A CAT!
Freckle Face Jewellery frecklefacejewellery.com QUIRKY CANDLES
Unisex T-Shirts, $30 House of Cat. etsy.me/2fbhhDH
Scented Candles, Made in Canada, Gather. 51 King St. E., Bowmanville facebook.com/gathergoodthings BOHEMIAN PHONE CASE
SCARF LOVE
phone case, Keyway Designs keywaydesigns.com
phone case, Keyway Designs keywaydesigns.com
Gather. 51 King St. E., Bowmanville facebook.com/gathergoodthings
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KRAKEN 2.0
SHOP LOCAL LEATHER LOVE
Phone case, Keyway Designs keywaydesigns.com
ECO-FRIENDLY
FOR THE WINE LOVER
All Natural Litter Box Cleaning Set, $25. House of Cat etsy.me/2fcfn69
Wine Socks, Gather. 51 King St. E., Bowmanville facebook.com/gathergoodthings
BOHO BOWLS
Multi-Printed Bowls, Gather. 51 King St. E., Bowmanville facebook.com/gathergoodthings
LEATHER JEWELLERY
Freckle Face Jewellery frecklefacejewellery.com
FOR THE BUSY WOMAN HouseLife offers Personal Assistance, Household tasks, Elder Transition, Pet Care and more.
HOUSELIFE houselife.ca /HouseLifeServices
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
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SPOTLIGHT ON: THE GINGER ROUTE The Ginger Route is an art and design shop promoting wellness through stationery, accessories and hand-painted prints. With kale being one of the shop's most prominent themes, you will find clever and chic designs from greeting cards to tote bags and mugs, as well as a chakra watercolour line designed specifically for the yogi.
1. Tote Bags 100% natural cotton, $10 each 2. Greeting Cards 4"x5.5" blank cards with envelopes, $5 each or special pack of 10 for $25 3. Magnets in business card size, $3 each or 2 for $5. 4. Art Prints 8"x10", $10 each
KATE CARSON
OWNER The Ginger Route - The Art of Wellness etsy.com/shop/thegingerroute @thegingerroute
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5. Hand-Painted Chakra Prints and Cards 5"x7" cards include envelopes, prints include crystals. Price Available upon request.
SHOP LOCAL
FOLKLORE CREATIVE A husband and wife team who love the DIY life, design decor and family. TEXT BY JEANNE TINDALE
My husband Ryan and I have always been avid DIYers. We’ve done several home improvement projects, from small apartments to our current home here in Durham Region. In 2014, I had my heart set on a new harvest table for our kitchen, but with 3 kids and living in a tiny basement apartment, high-end quality furniture was out of the picture. So I began researching how to build my own table. Lucky for me Ryan has exceptional carpentry skills and guided me through the process. When the table was finished, I realized just how much I loved the process, from cutting the wood to staining and distressing. After friends and family complimented the table, I thought I’d put it on a classifieds site to see if it would sell. I was overwhelmed with view and inquires and it sold in no time. I then got a message from someone asking me if I would build a table for them, and the orders just kept coming in. Folklore Creative was born! I saw this business as an opportunity to do something I really loved. If I can inspire someone this holiday season to grab Rudolph by the reins and take that drive into making their passion their reality, my holiday wish will have come true!
JEANNE TINDALE
OWNER Folklore Creative www.folklorecreative.ca @folklorecreative
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
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FOOD & DRINK
IT'S GIRLS NIGHT!
When you’re invited to have dinner, drinks and a limo ride, you say yes! On a fairly typical Wednesday afternoon, the ladies and I at Brand Ambition were hard at work. Social media this, graphic design that, when outside our office window rolls up a beautiful SUV Limo from Lux-Limo (no big deal!) to pick us up for a fun night out. Our driver John was a delight as he opened the limo door for us and asked, “Are you ladies excited?” Our answer was of course, “heck yeah we are! Can you pose for a picture? Thanks”. The limo was full of fun neon lights, fancy glassware, and poppy music; the perfect atmosphere to kick off a girls night out. As we pulled up to Wildfire Steakhouse & Wine Bar the staff met us outside and politely held open the door for us as we entered (so sweet). None of us had been there before and couldn’t believe just how beautiful it was, not to mention - THE WINE! With each individual space divided by decorated wine bottles it was hard not to be in awe. The evening included an appetizer, entree, and most importantly dessert, with gluten free and vegetarian options. With full bellies, and a couple of empty glasses of wine, we hopped back into the limo and headed home. Something about having a limo escort you to dinner somehow makes the typical dinner and drinks way more fun!
LUX LIMO The Largest Limo Company in Durham Region and the GTA www.lux-limo.com @luxlimoservices
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
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holiday
MEAL PREP
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year! It shouldn’t be stressful to plan and excute your meal. Here are our 7 tips to make life a little easier this holiday season. TEXT BY ROGER AND SUE SEARLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILARY SPENCER
Less is more. Plan for 5-6 items on your holiday menu that you can do really well and easily. We recommend one meat, two starches, two vegetables and dessert .
• Stuffing • Gravy • Cranberry Sauce • Roasted Potato or Mashed Potato • Roasted Vegetables • Butternut Squash or Green Beans • Dessert Tray $35 per person
Put effort into a good gravy! It makes everything taste extra wonderful.
Prep as much as you can before the holiday itself. It is safe to prep your dishes the day before and pop them into the oven day of to cook and serve.
4.
Play with flavour! Don’t be afraid to try something new. Follow your instincts and your tastebuds.
5.
Make dishes plentiful so that they can be turned into another fabulous meal the next day. For example your turkey can be made into salad, soups, or gourmet sandwiches.
6.
Always be prepared for guests, or to be a guest! Make sure to have extra bottles of wine and homemade treats ready at hand to grab and go.
7.
If you don’t want to do the cooking yourself (and there is nothing wrong with that at all) you can always contact us and have us cater the meal. Heck we don’t care if you say you did it yourself!
HAWLEY CRESCENT Catering & Culinary Services www.hawleycrescent.ca @hawleycrescentculinary
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• Turkey or 1/2 Turkey 1/2 Ham/lamb
• Dinner Rolls
1.
2. 3.
Hawley Crescents Holiday Meal Includes:
Pick up Dec 24th by 5:00pm Register Early! Deadline for orders is December 19th
FOOD & DRINK
HOLIDAY RUM PUNCH Yields 3L of punch
INGREDIENTS
simple syrup (3 cups sugar + 3 cups water) juice from 6 freshly squeezed limes 1 750ml bottle of amber rum 1 375ml bottle of spiced rum. 1 L water 20 shakes of Angustora bitters pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon to finish
DIRECTIONS 1. Prepare simple syrup (1 to 1 ratio of sugar to water) over medium heat on stove then remove from heat to cool. 2. Squeeze 6 limes into larger mixing bowl. Add the two rums, 1L of the water plus the simple syrup to the bowl. Shake bitters and pinch of nutmeg & cinnamon to liquid. Whisk to blend together. Pour punch into a bowl and serve. Enjoy responsibly!
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
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DESSERT HACKS Fool even the best baker with these holiday dessert hacks! TEXT BY TRISHA BOWER
It’s event season, don’t be caught unprepared for that holiday party, engagement party or new years event. Eat My Shortbread has a foolproof plan to make you look like a rockstar this holiday season with 3 dessert hacks that’ll fool even the best baker!
1. 2.
Grind up some buttercrunch toffee shortbread and sprinkle over ice cream or frozen yogurt, top with real whipped cream.
Mix up your favourite brownie recipe (from a box or not). Layer half of it in your baking pan, sprinkle shortbread crumbs creating another layer, then place remaining batter on top. Bake at required temperature, reducing the baking time by 5 mins as to not overbake.
3.
Our Salted Caramel Brownies are to die for and make an amazing addition to any sweet table, but when mixed with cream cheese and heavy cream they create a heavenly confection that is a whole new level of desserting!
EAT MY SHORTBREAD Baking our way into your hearts for over 20 years! www.eatmyshortbread.com @eatmyshortbreadcompany
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FOOD & DRINK
2. make your holiday entertaining absolutely effortless - and beautiful.!
1.
3.
perfect for aspiring chefs
FOR THE CHEF Pampered Chef's Melissa Morrison gives us her top 5 gifts for those who love to cook. TEXT BY MELIISSA MORRISON
2. Kids' Cooking Set, $125, Pampered Chef goo.gl/c8CCLP
a must-have for any foodie or entertainer!
5. 4.
1. Stoneware Entertaining Set, $182, Pampered Chef goo.gl/7ZA0xX
3. Whipped Cream Maker, $137.50, Pampered Chef goo.gl/tykywi 4. Wine Essential Tools, $84.50, Pampered Chef goo.gl/diWQxB
MELISSA MORRISON Pampered Chef Consultant www.pamperedchef.ca/pws/thefoodiemom @thefoodiemompamperedchef
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
5. Ash Wood & Slate Cheese Serving Set, $74.50, Pampered Chef goo.gl/jEh1vM
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Sugar and
spice Holiday Wellness from M&R Catering and Cooking School TEXT BY HILARY DEVENYI
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FOOD & DRINK
You may know the feeling well - sitting back to enjoy a plate of baked treats, holiday programming on the television, and the feeling of exhaustion creeping in after scrambling to finish holiday shopping. Tis the season; while bringing great joy and happiness, wintertime also brings forth unplanned stressors and anxiety, marking a difficult time for some. Marjorie Steenson of M&R Catering knows the world of mental health well, teaching others how to achieve self-regulation through culinary strategies and food awareness to rebuild a sense of self worth. Steenson left France when she was five years old, moving to Canada when her father accepted a teaching opportunity at Brock University. Years later, she would obtain her bachelor of arts at the same institution, then studying at Niagara and later St. Nicholas College of London, completing her Montessori teaching diploma. The part-time professor at Durham College’s School of Business holds a wealth of teaching and entrepreneurial experiences that were inspired by her early years. As the owner of M&R Catering and Cooking School, Steenson has first-hand knowledge about the business world she wishes to pass on to her students, having taught at a Whitby private school for five years. In 2013, Steenson decided to leave the private school and open her culinary endeavor with her daughter Rachel. Since starting her business, Steenson has also founded SelfRegulation Mental Health and Wellness, a mental health and wellness program formulated to teach social workers, healthcare professionals and educators how to achieve aforementioned selfregulation in individuals suffering from stress, anxiety and depression by using therapy techniques, purposefully designed culinary strategies, as well as vitamins, minerals and food awareness. The hands-on techniques encourage children, youth and adults to regain the ability to express themselves and rebuild a sense of self-worth.
MARJORIE STEENSON Owner of M&R Catering mandrcatering.com @mandrcatering
LAUNCH • FALL 2016
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
THE BENEFITS OF
essential oils How to use essential oils to stay healthy this holiday season. TEXT BY ANDREA ASHLEY
The holiday season is upon us and the last thing we need is to get sick (who has time for that?) You may have noticed that social media has been flooded with different ways to live a healthier life using essential oils which has become a huge lifestyle trend. However many of you are still not quite sure what essential oils do or how to use them. That's ok, I got you. Benefits of Essential Oils: Essential oils have so many wonderful properties and have been used in blends or diffusion for many things such as: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Aiding in relaxation Releasing stress Calming nerves Easing pain Disinfecting Balancing Uplifting Coughs, colds Bruises Aiding digestion Skin care Headaches
Essential Tips for Oils: • The more you open a bottle or leave it open the greater the chance of oxidation.
• Keep oils tightly sealed in a dark Amber bottle and out of heat and light for the best self life. • If you notice they smell rancid or become cloudy it's time to throw them out!
• If you are using essential oils to make body oils, massage oils or face oils please be aware that once an oil has been diluted in a carrier oil the aroma and therapeutic properties will deteriorate leaving the blend to last about 3-6 months if stored properly (dark bottle, out of heat or light). Some carrier oils may extend this self life slightly.
The list really goes on! Each individual essential oil carries its own unique list of healthy benefits that can be a wonderful additive to your holistic toolbox!
ANDREA ASHLEY
OWNER Andrea Ashley andreaashley.ca @andrea_ashley_aromatherapy
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"Beautiful minds inspire others"