Fashion | Gearing Up For Winter With SOREL

As a Canadian girl who loves to be outdoors and does a lot of skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter to keep active, I need boots that can keep me warm and dry and that are also durable enough to live up to my adventurous lifestyle. That's why I love SOREL.

www.sorelfootwear.ca

SOREL was founded in Canada in 1962 and it has since become popular all over the world. I think SOREL's popularity is due in large part to the fact that its products are fashion-forward while also being very practical. I've had many winter boots over the years that look nice but as soon as the snow touches them, the material gets soaking wet, causing my feet to become wet and cold. Likewise I've had rubber boots that keep the water out, but don't look very appealing. SOREL however, combines fancy materials and craftsmanship with insulated waterproof rubber or suede to create a unique boot that I can feel stylish and confident in while also staying warm and dry.

With my birthday and Christmas both soon approaching, I have a couple of SOREL products on my wish list.

I'm loving the Conquest Carly Short Boot (bonus points since it has my name!) I like how versatile this boot is. It's great for both Fall and Winter conditions. These can be worn while doing errands around town but they also have some traction so I can wear them to the slopes! The Conquest Carly comes in a number of styles and colours so there's sure to be something to suit everyone. Plus, who wouldn't want to wear the same boot as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!? Unfortunately, my choice of colour, Autumn Bronze, is sold out online. So I've been running around trying to find a store with these in stock in my size. If anyone knows where I can find these in the Toronto area pleeeeease let me know! 

Also on my wish list is the Nakiska Slide Slipper in Dark Earth Curry, or Incense. The wool lining paired with the outer suede makes these slippers perfect for staying cozy and stylish all year round. 

My boyfriend has been hinting that he needs some new slippers as well. I love the men's Falcon Ridge Slipper in Marsh or Bark. Who knows, maybe there will be a pair waiting for Matt under the tree this year! 

What's your favourite SOREL product? Will you be sporting them this winter? 

Recipes | Granola

I love breakfast! I could eat breakfast all day long. One of my favourite breakfast foods is granola. I love to mix it with yogurt, or sometimes just pour some milk over it and eat it like cereal. 

My problem though, is that I have a lot of allergies. I'm really allergic to nuts/peanuts, so that means I have a hard time finding a granola I can eat in the grocery store. That's why I usually make my own. This way I can put in it what I want and it's a much healthier alternative. 

I don't really have a set recipe that I follow. I just use whatever I want and put in as much or as little as I want. This recipe is a guideline and all measurements are approximate. 

I usually cut the recipe in half and make two batches so I can have two different flavours of granola. This time I made one with honey, cranberries, and slivered almonds and the second with maple syrup, sultanas, and almond slices. 

Sometimes I also like to add in some flax or chia seeds as well. In this case, the oatmeal I used contained oat bran, wheat bran, and flax seeds so I didn't have to add any extra.

Granola

Ingredients:

• 4 cups oats (not quick cook)
• 3 cups seeds/nuts (of your choice)
• 2/3 cup oil
• 2/3 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• a pinch or two of nutmeg 
• a pinch or two of ginger
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried fruit (of your choice)

(This makes quite a large batch - 10-12 servings. So cut the recipe in half if you want less).

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In a bowl, mix the oats and the nuts/seeds. Add in the oil and the honey/maple syrup. Stir to combine. 

Mix in the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. 

Add in the vanilla and mix well. 

Pour onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and spread out evenly. 

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. 

Make sure to stir the granola every 10 minutes so it cooks evenly and doesn't burn. 

Add in the dried fruit for the last 5-10 minutes of the baking time. 

Fashion | Isabel Marant Pour H&M

"It is about the contrast of putting things together in a way you couldn't imagine." 

The anticipation is over... 'Isabel Marant Pour H&M' hits stores today! 

Isabel Marant is a Parisian fashion designer who focuses primarily on women's fashion. However, in her collaboration with the Swedish retailer, H&M, she has included both a men's and a kid's line as well. It is this versatility that has me really excited for this collection! 

My personal style is fairly plain and simple, so I'm loving some of the basic pieces from the women's line. But it is the knitwear in the men's collection that really catches my eye! 

"Style, for me, is all about personality. I think self-confidence and being at ease with oneself is a good definition of it."

Isabel has suggested that we women shouldn't limit ourselves strictly to the feminine pieces. Since this venture into menswear is a one-off for the designer, I say you might as well explore it while you have the chance! While all the women's clothing is getting snatched up, why not make a dash for the men's section and pick up a few unique additions for your winter wardrobe? Fashion is all about experimentation; boundaries are meant to be crossed. So why not try something new? Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking the style, just wrap up the clothing and give it to your boyfriend/brother/dad for Christmas. Two birds, one stone! 

"I'd say that styling is an individual effort. Everybody can interpret things in their own way."  

Here are a few of my favourite pieces from both the women's and men's collections: 

What are your favourite pieces? Are you willing to try out the men's fashion? 

*Available in select stores and online at www.hm.com