take a tacky Christmas Sweater, add a cupcake, and voila!

It took a while to crank out 60 of these bad boys, but it was worth every minute of it.

Presenting Tacky Christmas Sweater Cupcakes:

artistic shots.

the tacky bunch

almost too cute to eat... almost.

Tis' the season to panic at the mall

Christmas came faster then you expected this year, and now there's only 4 days left to get those last-minute gifts.  This means one thing, and it's the one thing that everybody dreads: going to the mall.

2 Weeks ago, the mall was full of smiles and pleasantries!  The selection was great, the sizes were a plenty, and the line ups were non-existant.  There were no screaming children, anxiously waiting to see Mall Santa - only to burst into tears because, let's face it, no one wants to get that close to Mall Santa and he always smelt like moth balls.

yikes.

Fast forward to 4 days before Christmas, and you have something that resembles modern day Gladiator.  Every man for himself, caged in a giant concrete arena where the battles are not with lions, but with frustrated and aggressive shoppers.  Mariah Carey Christmas becomes your new soundtrack, you regret buying the heaviest item first and not lugging it back to your car that's parked at the McDonalds across the street.  You want to grab a coffee and a bite to eat but don't want to be the 24th person in line at Starbucks with debit.  Someone cracks a joke about how their credit card is going to melt. Such is Christmas at the mall.
It's something to see, when you actually have a moment to look at anything other then a cash register.  For the most part, people are understanding.  But for that other margin of people - it can take customer service to a whole different level.  Today I watched a man, well over his refund period, try and return an item with 3 different associates.  With each rejection, his shade of red went deeper and deeper.  He was over the time limit, but that was not stopping him.  Just when I thought his head might explode, a manager came over and authorized the refund.
 "Make a stink and yee shall receive"  
That should be every department stores return policy. 

Something else that I've noticed this year is 'pausing in the flow of traffic'.  We should all be working together to make this dreadful experience as enjoyable as it can be, and when you pause suddenly while walking forward - or pause to text message someone in  the middle of an aisle - anyone around you is going to hate you.  Plain and simple.  They may even tell you so or, in not so many words, make a face that would be the definition of  "if looks could kill".  

My advice: embrace it.  It only happens once and year and at least it brings us all together.  Just make sure you don't cut in front of me in line or so help me....

Merry Christmas!!

Before & After & Published

This was me. Key word: WAS



Miserable and full of brownies, the 237lb Candice was a hot mess.  Err-- I suppose hot is not the right word.  No one in my family mentioned my weight gain until it reached this height.  I had to do something, and going to McDonald's was not on that list.  I knew it would be hard, and I knew it would take forever, but it had to be done.  So I worked out, I stopped eating everything I loved.  I ran up and down the stairs in my apartment building, because I didn't want to run in public.  And then this happened...

I met Tommy Europe and got to be on The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp.  After that, I present to you, new Candice.  Happy, confident and able to use my old clothes as blankets.  Now, as if that wasn't good enough, I had the chance to contribute to a weight loss book by Tommy Europe, that will be published in 2011.  I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to be able to potentially help or inspire other people all over the world.  Big thanks to Tommy, big thanks to Harper Collins and a big thank you to....well...me.

Couldn't have done it without you!

Literally :)

Hands down, the cutest christmas kitten you will ever see.

Told You.

Epicure: mix, eat and love.

If you haven't heard of Epicure, you are truly missing out.

I was invited to an "Epicure Tasting Party" this summer, not unlike most "Fantasia" and "Tupperware" parties.  The main difference with Epicure though, is that at this party you get to eat like a Queen (without awkwardly having to pass around unmentionables and sandwich containers)  The Epicure tasting party allows the guests to try out a large assortment of Epicure's top-sellers. This included an AMAZING cheesedip, seasoned chicken, salad dressing, jellies, and many more flavourful creations.  Everyone at the party crowded the table, stuffed their faces, and then got straight down to ordering.  The products are perfect if you are trying to limit your sodium and MSG intake, as most of their mixes have little to none of either.  Whether you are entertaining guests, or just preparing a regular meal for yourself or family - adding a bit of Epicure will definitely help to enhance the presentation and overall taste!

Healthy, yummy chicken rub

Seasoned Beef, on the grill

The best part about Victorian Epicure Inc, is that it's 100% Canadian, run by women, and focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle without losing what's most important: TASTE.
I could carry on about how yummy everything is, but you really have to try it for yourself too see what the fuss is all about.  On their website, you can browse products, order them and you have the option to book your own "Epicure Tasting Party".  They are also available on Twitter: @homeofepicure

My personal recommendations would have to be the Montreal Chicken Rub, Cheese Chive and Bacon Dip Mix and the Classic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Mix (that also doubles as the most addicting bread dip I've ever had).

Order some - trust me. You won't regret it.  And if you can host a party, I highly suggest it for the tasting alone.  Once you go epicure, you won't want to go anywhere else!

Craftie Cookie Bookie Giveaway

I was given a copy of this book last Christmas, and I just LOVE all the wonderful tips, techniques,  and recipes. I thought, what a better holiday themed giveaway then having your own copy?! Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer have incorporated a how-to for all things Christmas cookie related in "Cookie Craft Christmas", along with some amazing photographs and delicious looking treats!  It's an easy-to-follow must have for any Christmas baker - beginner or pro!  It even shows you how to ship your cookies -- do I smell Christmas presents!?! Mmmm....edible presents.....*drool*

            

Rules: Contest will run until Dec.15th, 2010 (so it can arrive in time to bake for the holidays!) 11:59:59pm pst and one entry per person please :)  

All I want to know is: where are you headed for the holidays this year? 

Please post below and a winner will be chosen at random.  The winner will be notified by noon Dec.16th, 2010

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! FA LA LA LA LA - LA - LA - LA - LAAAAA!! Good Luck!

*UPDATE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - Congrats!! The winner has been contacted! Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!*

Les Faux Bourgeois: Oh you fancy, huh?

Location:

663 East 15 Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5T 2R6
(604) 873-9733

On my quest to try every restaurant in Vancouver, it was with great delight et la faime pure that we visited Les Faux Bourgeois for dinner.  I can't even tell you how many times I have passed the corner of Fraser and Kingsway and never noticed this place!  Incroyable...

We didn't realize how popular Les Faux Bourgeois was, and in turn walked in expecting a table.  Once we entered, we realized, a) jeans were probably not the best fashion choice, and b) this was going to be worth the 30 minute wait.  We left our phone number, and were promised a callback when there was an opening.  Time to play in the park, that is conveniently located 30 seconds from the front door.  There's swings there, so that's about all you need to know.

walk in the park photo op!

 There was a buzz in the air -- almost like the people inside were all in on a crazy secret that only the people who walked in the door were privy too.  There was a table having a sing-song birthday celebration, not annoyingly, but lovingly.  There were couples who looked like their love was being heightened by the fine wine selections and romantic, stylish lighting.  Our server even had a very convincing french accent and acted like he owned the place (because he was the french owner :)

Our experience began with fresh french bread 'n' butter and continued with the 'magical tarte' (at least that's the name I came with up for them).  Fresh pastry with ricotta, caramelized onions, bacon, etc etc etc.  Etc refers to words 'en francias' that I can't define or remember, so let's go with 'just trust me' and 'order it'.  For main dishes, The hanger steak (that you didn't have to chew) and the Coq au Vin (homecookin' but better) were both equally scrumptious.  We exchanged a forkful of each, and next time we visit - that steak is ALL mine.


Dinner for two, with romance and a cute bathroom, runs around $80-100 (w/ drinks) But you could definitely spend less by sharing some appy's.  I can see what all the fuss is about, and even though the name translates to "the fake upper-class", there was nothing fake about our dining experience. 


recommandation: essayer d'obtenir une table, tabourets de bar ne sont pas aussi confortables (translation: tables outweigh barstools)

28th birthday already?! What the?!

Take a look at this crooked-banged little person, cup in hand...  

The cup was half full.  She had nothing more on her mind then 'where was Barbie's other heel?', and 'what channel was CareBears on?'  Skinny, worry free and full of energy, this little child was ready to take on the world.  She didn't know about grey hairs, what they were or how she'd have to dye them every 4-6wks by the time she was in her 20's.  Big dreams, big plans and in love with heart-covered chiffon sleeves (Project Runway, eat your heart out).   She wanted to be a doctor, an artist, a tugboat captain, a professional fisherman, a wife and a mommy, all by the time she was 30.   

Flash forward to today, many full cups (of wine) later, and you have me - nearing 30. This chick hasn't done anything that little girl wanted to do, but I can say that it wasn't for lack of trying.  The whole doctor thing was ambitious, especially since I'm the last person you'd want around if you had an accident (panic attack! panic attack!).  At 20, I thought I had it all in the bag.  Well, I must have lost that bag because I had another one full at age 23.  Wouldn't you know it? I misplaced that one too.  At 25, I was 100% positive that after losing 2 bags, I was sure as hell not going to lose the next one - the clocks were ticking, biological AND the one on the wall.

Now I'm 27, looking back on all the things that I wanted/had/lost/needed to do by 30 and thinking - What was  the rush?  I can still have all those things that little girl wanted and I also have many (many) more stylish bags to fill!
If turning 28 means I still have everything in life to look forward too, then I'd like to turn 28 every year...

...can someone arrange that, please?