hello holiday guide 2015

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www.leons.ca hello holiday A GUIDE FOR YOUR HAPPY HOLIDAY HOME BY LEON’S FURNITURE 1

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A guide for your happy holiday home. Includes home decor, DIY, and recipe inspiration to make your home and holiday a happy one.

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Page 1: HELLO HOLIDAY GUIDE 2015

www.leons.ca

hello holidayA G U I D E F O R Y O U R H A P P Y H O L I D AY H O M E

BY L E O N ’ S F U R N I T U R E

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4 HELLO TEAM

A WARM HELLO6 Holiday Wreaths

DECK THE HALLS14 A Wintery Wonderland

19 But First Coffee

20 Comfort and Joy

23 Cream. No Sugar.

25 Find Your Happy Place

26 Less House. More Home

31 Pillow Party

32 Get the Look: Loft Living

34 Holiday Mantel Styling

38 A Touch of Winter

40 Be Our Guest

46 Create Your Escape

HELLO HOLIDAY MAKER50 Festive DIY Projects

54 Wrapped with Love

56 O’Christmas Tree, No Christmas Tree

58 Small Spaces, Smart Furniture

TABLE TRIMMINGS62 Holiday Tablescapes 68 Let’s Get Together

LET’S EAT72 Brittany’s Holiday Traditions

78 Aleshia’s Appetizing Shindig

84 Festive Bites & Sips

ON THE COVERSofa: See page 20

Photography: Maya VisnyeiArt Direction: Melissa DiRenzo

Styling: Lucy Akins

hello holiday

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Home isn’t just about how it looks. Home is about how it feels and about the memories we create with those we love.

Welcome to Leon’s first ever Hello Holiday guide; your inspiration for a Happy Holiday home. We’re very proud of this guide and we hope it encourages you to be creative this holiday season. Full of handmade crafts, holiday decorating ideas, delicious recipes and more- you’ll find everything you need to deck the halls and spend some quality time creating with those you love.

Rather than showcase our furniture in a studio setting, we wanted to provide our readers with a glimpse into the lives and homes of our customers and to illustrate how, by adding your own personal touch, you can create a space that is truly your own.

Our customers are incredibly dynamic and each one brings their own unique style and approach to decorating. It is amazing to see how these talented decorators have brought our furniture to life and we’re fortunate to have been invited in their homes to celebrate this year’s holiday season.

We hope you enjoy our first ever Hello Holiday guide and are inspired to try something new.

Wishing all of you a happy and decorative holiday season!AUTUMN HACHEY • LEON’S C

REAT

IVE

MAR

KETI

NG

Autumnwww.helloyellowblog.ca

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hello teamBRITTANY •

MY

DAI

LY R

AN

DOMNESS

SABRINA • HANDS AND HUSTLE

TANYA • DANS LE LAKEHOUSE

KASSANDRA • LITTLE

DEK

ON

INGSTHALITA • THE LEARNER

OBS

ERVE

R

LYNNE • DESIG

N THE LIFE YOU WANT TO L

IVE

ALES

HIA

• L

ES

S WITH BREAD

SHAN

NO

N • A

KA DESIGNS

LUCY • CRAFTBERRY BUSH

MELISSA • THE SWEET ESC

APE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

EMILY • CHEERFULLY M

ADE

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Not all wreaths are created equal. Break free from the traditional greenery and welcome guests into your home this holiday season with a little “wow factor”. These creative (and beautiful!) wreath ideas will turn any humble abode into anything but!

a warm hello

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R USTIC GLAM AGATE WREATH by Tanya

Using a s imple wire wrapping technique,

I aff ixed eleven gleaming agate s l ices to a grapevine wreath that I spray painted gold. I love how the f inished wreath looks glam, but has an organic feel . The teal agate s l ices look l ike small , icy pools of water - perfect for seasonal, lakeside decorating!

(cl ick photo for tutorial)

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NAT URA L DRIED HERB & GREE N S WREATH

by S abrina

Store-bought wreaths are great in a pinch, but

nothing beats making your own using l ive and dried plants of your choosing. Using a store-bought wire wreath template, you can weave in any dried herb or l ive plant you l ike - and the best part is i t takes just 15 minutes to make!

(cl ick photo for tutorial)

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SEQUIN WREATH by Thalita

One of the most iconic symbols of the holiday

season is the wreath, and one quick Pinterest search (if that even exists) will prove that. With so many materials to choose from, size ranges and ways to add texture to a wreath, it can be refreshing to simplify and stick to just one thing. That’s where sequins come in! With a bit of sequin trim, a foam wreath and some glue, you can bring in a dose of sparkle to your home this holiday season.

(click photo for tutorial)

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EMBROIDERY HOOPWREATH

by S hannon

A simple DIY, these Merry Christmas

Embroidery Hoop Wreaths make a great addition to a Holiday gallery wall or use them to fill out a tabletop vignette.

(click photo for tutorial)

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FEATHERLY E VERGREE N WREATH

by Tanya

A peaceful walk through the woods inspired this earthy

wreath. Natural evergreen boughs are accented with real feathers, glittering “snow-dusted” faux flora, and small birds to create a wreath that brings the outdoors in.

(click photo for tutorial)11

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We’d be hard pressed to think of a better excuse to get creative with your home décor than the holidays. Whether your personal style is clean and contemporary or eclectic and textural, we believe a well decorated home is one that feels like…well…you. Use some holiday magic to transform your everyday furniture into your own festive retreat.

deck the hallsand the living room, and dining room...

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BUYME!

A WINTERY WONDERLAND

Step inside the home of decor and DIY blogger Lucy (Craftberry Bush) and you’ll be transported to a wintery wonderland. The cool white palette will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy for the winter. Soak in all the details of this anything but ordinary neutral inspired space.

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This year, I wanted our Christmas decor to be cozy and welcoming,

while conveying a little glamour and my new Astin Sofa was a great place to start for inspiration.

Having a neutral space provides a blank canvas to get creative with decor and accessories where you can easily pick a theme or colour and it will immediately pop.

I love that Leon’s affords you the flexibility to mix and match various pieces and

create a look unique to your home which I took advantage of in my dining area.

I’m a true believer that what’s most important about your home is not the decor or perfectly placed chairs, but adding unique and personal touches to your space and the people who you enjoy life with. The memories you make within those walls, the laughter and joy and most importantly, the love you share.

Click here to read more of Lucy’s tips and inspiration on holiday decorating.

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BUYME!

make it!

u

“Be it handmade items or treasures handed down from

generations, it’s these little details that evoke warm feelings

and convey a welcoming nest.”

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Where would we put our coffee without a coffee table? Where would we put our feet up after a long day and where would we keep our growing collection of remote controls? Most importantly, where would we display all our beautiful holiday accessories to show off for the unspoken Instagram coffee table styling stand-off? Quite frankly we would be lost without this piece. Find the one that works best for your day-to-day living and your style.

Monaco Table

Brisdale Table

Lakehurst Table

Sambora Table

Garcia Coffee Table

ButFirst

Coffee

Edler Coffee Table

Click items for more information19

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Comfortand Joy

Astin Sofa*

Passerina Sofa*

Tristan Sofa*

* made in Canada

Choosing the right sofa for your space is all about balancing comfort with style. We don’t take these matters sitting down. Sure, a sofa should make you and your guests feel at home, but perhaps even more importantly? You’ve got to L.O.V.E love it. Lucky for you, we’ve got the selection and sofa-pickin’ know how you need to keep everyone comfortable.

ON THECOVER

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CREAM. NO SUGAR.This seating area is sweet enough.

Did someone mention white? I’m currently perfecting the art of WHITE,

and to celebrate (you’ll all be invited, obviously) yours truly will be your bartender of white-ness. Together, we’ve got this.

My design style changed when we moved to Paris for a couple of years. Every interior space in Paris seemed to be - you guessed it, white. I was forever changed. A monochromatic decorating style with layers of white, can make a space simply fresh and beautiful. Sunny and warm. The

yin to the yang. It’s a style that I’ve splashed throughout my home and throughout the seasons.

The secret of white home decor is all about layering. Use warm whites as a base to your decor in your home, and add pops of colour for the changing seasons. Boom. Gorgeousness. During the holidays, add white twinkle lights, vintage bulbs, natural greenery and oh la la...the beauty unfolds. It’s easy to love white and the staggering simplicity it brings to a space.

By Lynne

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“Why white? Because it’s simply easy on the eyes and simply beautiful.”

Click here to read more about decorating with white by Lynne

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Astin Chair*

Laurel Chair

Corrina Chair

Passerina Chair*

Hiat Chair

Nichols Chair

GETTHE

LOOK!p.40

GETTHE

LOOK!p.22

Although just an accent, these chairs are an investment. The right accent chair can

ground an eclectic space by being a perfect neutral touch, or be just the right amount of

splash a room needs to be more interesting. They’re a great

option for some extra seating in any room of your house.

Season’sSeatings

* made in Canada25

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MORE HOME.LESS HOUSE.

Even the most fast-paced, downtown living, social butterfly craves a cozy night in every once in awhile. Whether it’s movie night or hosting a festive dinner party living high in the sky doesn’t mean you can’t make your space a homey holiday retreat. Mix and match your furniture to create your own unique and trendy eclectic look. Pick your favourite colour palette, sprinkle some holiday cheer around and you’re set for a night in with your favourite celebrity crush, your main squeeze or your best buds.

GET THELOOK!p. 32

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TIP: add small personal handmade touches to make your guest feel extra special. A little Krylon gold spray paint goes a long way.

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*Available for purchase in store only.

Decorating for the holidays is all in the details. And by

that, we mean accessories! Pillows are an easy way to

add festive flare to your living space. Transform your space with a little sparkle, a dash of colour or some cozy texture

with the simple toss of a throw pillow. Or two. Or ten.

PillowParty

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Tristan Media CentreEdler Coffee Table

Brunswick Sofa

Edessa Shag Rug

Loft Lovin’GET THE LOOK:If you’re lucky enough to have a loft oozing with character you’re ahead of the game. For the rest of the condo-living loft dreamers you can still get the look with a little help from Leon’s. It’s all about mixing and matching unique and multi-functional pieces and some personal flare to create one distinctly eclectic look that’s both vintage inspired and right on trend.

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MODERN VINTAGE HOLIDAY F ORE ST MA NTEL

by Tanya

I love having a wood burning fireplace in my home. This year

I decided to go for a vintage vibe. I used different shades of aqua and teal and when I was done, I realized that the shades of teal made the trees look moonlit. Inspired, I created artwork to lean against the mantel. A trio of thrifted candle holders, spray painted a minty green echo the shape of the trees. Finally, a mid-century West German pottery floor vase, filled with lush evergreen branches, adds life to my simply styled fireplace. I love that it looks wintry and festive, with a pared back, mid-century feel that complements my home perfectly.

(click photos for more of this look)35

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WA RM A ND NEUTRA L MA NTEL DE SIGN

by Thal ita

The mantel is an essential part of Holiday decor, with

the possibilities of garlands, the warmth of a fire and a little holiday magic. Here you can see how to decorate your mantel using things you might already have at home to add texture in neutral tones, keeping your room nice and cozy.

(click here for more of this look)

TASSELS & TEXTURE

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by S abrina

On cold winter days and nights, my bedroom becomes a place I

never want to leave. Add in oodles of warm throws, soft string lighting, warm house shoes at the bedside, a great book, and a hot beverage, and leaving becomes even more of a challenge!

By making a few subtle styling changes to your existing room (see my “normal” day-to-day bedroom styling here), you too can create a cozy sanctuary to curl up in. I’m not one for adding tons of ornaments or traditional Holiday decor, rather I opt for subtle nods to the season which can almost go unnoticed when used sparingly. But by combining a bunch of these tiny elements, you can begin to weave a more Holiday-esque atmosphere, in any room.

(click here to see more of this look)

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Be Our GuestBy Emily, Photos by Sarah Evans

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I wanted to create a space our guests could linger in the

morning, or escape to if they began to feel overwhelmed by the chaos below. Maybe they’d enjoy reading a book in the late afternoon, or sitting with a morning coffee to prepare for the imminent attack of wild children that awaits them once they step foot out the bedroom door.

My Passerina chairs are the perfect complement to the blue birds on the wallpaper and add a real pop against the white bedding and linens.

They’re sophisticated without being overly serious. Basically everything I aspire to be.

SEE THEBEFORE!

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TIP: I can NOT stress this enough. If you ever decide to wallpaper a ceiling, do NOT

do it alone. Also, do NOT do it with your husband or partner

or mom or dad. Do it with your very best friend in the whole

wide world. You know. The one who can find the humour in back breaking work for the sake of home decorating. The

one who you can bribe with post-wallpaper cocktails.

BUYME!

(Opposite: Wall art by Melissa DiRenzo)

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When our teen son moved down to the basement, our

daughter was set to take over his old bedroom. But first it needed a makeover to take it from a rough and tumble boy’s room to a beautiful teen girl’s room. Using a neutral mushroom colored bedroom set and existing pink linens as the starting point, this room is now totally ready for it’s new occupant.

(click here to see more of this look)

A DD A WORK ZONE:

Chris Desk

ROOM TO GROW

BUYME!

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Maya Dresser

Yorkville Chest

Winston Chest

DazzleDenim

Olive Grove

Bird ofParadise

Bianco Feather

SummerSavory

CoconutSugar

Humberstone

Tahitian Pearl

QuarryStreak

SummerSavory

Sonic Buzz

ButterflyJasmine

DazzleDenim

FurbyFuzz

Guava

Polar Quartz

Orchid Mist

Jo JoWhitewash

Before you settle in for your long winter’s nap, it’s important you create the perfect setting with some bedroom essentials. Whether you’re dreaming of a matching set, or want to create your own vision by mixing things up and create your own bedroom escape.

*just addpaintu

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Tis the season to create. Forget the mall, it’s more about making than buying for the crafty ones. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a craft rookie, the holiday season is the perfect time to steal some time for yourself or a little QT with the fam to create something totally unique for your home or to gift to someone special. It’s time to channel your inner Martha and create some handmade holiday goodness.

holiday makerhello

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( left) A TOUC H OF C OZY by S hannon

This easy to make felt wreath pillow is the

perfect home craft to make for beginners! And it makes a pretty addition to Christmas decorating in any room.

(click on photo for tutorial)

(opposite) FA LA OOH LA LA by Kassandra

Marquee signs are the ‘it’ thing around here.

There’s no denying that they are beyond fun, festive and the perfect way to bring that sparkle into your home, especially for the holiday season. Bold letters with bright LED lights accent the textured wood backdrop, bringing the perfect amount of quirky and cozy into your decor. Sit back and relax with a hot cup of cocoa, this DIY Marquee sign is sure to bring on the holiday cheer!

(click on photo for tutorial)

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(r ight) TRIM THE TREE WI TH A PER SONA L TOUC H by Thal ita

Using air-dry clay and a few materials

from your kitchen, you can make some cute and fun ornaments this holiday season. This craft is great to try with kids as well, and the clay can be painted or left as-is once dry.

(click on photo for tutorial)

(below) SOY INVI TING by Tanya

Making poured soy candles is surprisingly

easy! By carefully choosing unique vessels, you can make beautiful, one of a kind gifts - or complement your holiday decor perfectly.

(click on photo for tutorial)

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PAPER ORNAME NT by Mel issa

The biggest piece of holiday decor in your

home will likely be your tree so you want to make it a show stopper and changing your theme or colour palette can get really pricey, really quickly. Instead, invest in some great neutrals and then have fun making some of your own in different styles each year like this great paper ornment. The colour options are endless and it’s an easy one!

(click on photo for tutorial)

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Ok, ok, so we all love a good pressie, but everyone knows that holidays are all about giving. Whether the gift is big or small, sentimental or just for fun, show your friends and family how special they really are by adding a personal touch to the packaging. A few easy to find supplies and some kraft paper goes a long way. Here’s some of our favourite kraft paper gifting ideas to make your gifts look so great it will be (almost) impossible to unwrap.

Wrappedwith Love

GIFTS YOU WON’T WANT TO UNWRAP

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( left)

POTTED MINI PINE TREE

by Brittany

Small spaces come in many shapes and

sizes. Whether it be a petite condo or cottage, or a cozy corner in a room, adding function and decor to these spaces can sometimes be a challenge during the holidays. Since the kitchen is a room where guests often convene, opting for holiday decor that doesn’t overwhelm the space or create obstacles for your guests is always smart. Sometimes less is more... and it can be just as beautiful!

(click image for more details)

(opposite)

MODERN PAINTED TREE

by Tanya

If you dream of a house full of modern

design then this project is for you. Why complicate things with a whole tree you have to light and decorate when you can have this beautifully simple piece of art instead?

(click image for this and more great DIY’s from Tanya)

BECAUSE LUGGING A BIG OLE TREE INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM ONCE A YEAR ISN’T FOR EVERYONE.

O’CHRISTMASTREE,NO CHRISTMASTREE

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Thanks to our love-hate relationship with Pinterest, the bar has been set pretty high when

it comes to hosting a party. But you can do it. We know you can. After all, wasn’t it your mother who said you were “born to entertain”? Making your guests feel special is as simple as adding a few personal and handmade touches and we’ve

got just the inspiration you need.

TrimmingsTable

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by Kassandra

Lush greenery, neutral colours and textures, mixed with wood

elements create a cozy and modern woodland tablescape - it’s like having a picnic in the forest. Tree seedlings planted in recycled soup cans, wrapped with vintage book pages and jute, create a personal handmade gift for your guests. Take these babies home, plant and watch them grow! This tablescape is all about enjoying the beauty of nature from the great outdoors.

(click here for this tabletop tutorial)

PINIT!

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GE T THE LOOK:

YOU MAY A LSO LIKE:

by S hannon

A rustic, industrial dining room decorated for the

holidays. Try birch logs, rattan chargers and wooden signs for that rustic look.

(click here to see more of this look)

A CLASSICCHRISTMAS TABLE

Urban Splendor Table

Urban Splendor Server65

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SHARE YOUR STYLE WITH US ON INSTAGRAM

I’D DOUBLETAP THAT.

@LeonsFurniture

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G

RAN D P R I Z E

#leonshelloholidayPIN TO WIN!

$1000

GRAND PRIZE: A $1000 Shopping Spree at Leon’s 10 Runner ups wi l l WIN $100 Leon’s Gift Cards. Winner wi l l be drawn on December 21 , 2015.

HAVE A FAVOURITE DIY FROM OUR GUIDE? WHAT ABOUT A HOLIDAY HOME TOUR OR A MOUTH-WATERING RECIPE? PIN YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURES FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $1000 LEON’S GIFT CARD!

HOW TO ENTER:PIN your favourite Hol iday story. (You can enter as many t imes as you l ike! Each pin counts as one entry!) There are three ways to PIN: 1 Pin direct ly from the magazine using the Cl ip feature 2 Pin from our blog at www.hel loyel lowblog.ca 3 REPIN from our #LeonsHelloHoliday Pinterest board

Be sure to add the hashtag #LeonsHelloHoliday to your Pin descript ion!

Page 68: HELLO HOLIDAY GUIDE 2015

More than anything the holidays are about gathering with family and friends, and spending time together. Often eating. Set the stage for entertaining with the right furniture pieces. We have ready-to-impress complete sets, as well as mix and match pieces for creating a space that’s uniquely perfect for you and your guests. Can’t decide on your favourite? Have your cake and eat it too by mixing your top picks to make your own look.

GetLet’sTogether

Stanton Pub Table

Claira Table

Tremont Table

Allison Pine Table Urban Splendor Table

Stockton Round Table

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Is there any greater excuse to indulge than the holidays? Warm dishes, cool cocktails, appetizers, sweet treats and let’s not forget sweet treats! Like no other time of year, during the holidays, food equals love. And boy, do we looooove food.

Let’s Eat!

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Brittany’sHoliday Traditions

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BUYME!

BUYME!

by Brittany

Holidays are for getting together with friends, enjoying the company of family, and meeting new faces. Holidays are for spending the day on the slopes, nights by the warm fire, and stuffing yourself to the brim with delicious food!

There isn’t a single thing I dislike about the holidays. The hustle, the bustle, I love it all! One thing I look forward to every year is preparing a gourmet meal for my family of twenty.

In the past I never paid much attention to how much of an impact appliances had on the preparation of my feast. Sure my fridge space was limited, my stove never seemed to cook evenly, and my dishwasher often left stuck-on food well intact, but that was to be expected on such a busy day, right? It wasn’t until I upgraded my kitchen appliances to LG’s stainless steel line did I realize what I was missing. Christmas dinner will never be the same!

BRITTANY’S KITCHEN

SEEKITCHEN

MAKE-OVER!

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CAPRESE BITES (cl ick photo for recipe)

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MULLED TEA (cl ick photo for recipe)

BRITTANY’S KITCHEN

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CHEDDAR, CHIVE & BACON MASHED POTATOES (cl ick photo for recipe)

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NO BAKE MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE

(cl ick photo for recipe)

BRITTANY’S KITCHEN

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ALESHIA’S APPETIZING SHINDIG

ALESHIA’S KITCHEN

by Aleshia

Holiday season is packed with gatherings, dinners and a ton of parties.

With the snow falling outside, it’s the perfect time to gather friends and family all under one roof to enjoy some good food. One of the most fun ways to indulge during the holiday season is to host a casual party with a variety of finger foods and seasonal appetizers. With no worry about place cards and fancy table settings, a relaxed buffet style filled with small bites is the most laid-back way to entertain.

The best way to ensure you’re doing hosting the stress-free way is to plan ahead and include easy to make, smaller appetizers that can be prepped in advance and stored in your fridge, then conveniently popped in the oven at the last minute. The Whirlpool Black Ice Collection fridge and stove will definitely make hosting easier over the holidays.

All of these dishes include easy to find ingredients - you won’t have to trek to any specialty stores, which will leave you plenty of time to relax before mingling with your guests.

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SWEET & SPICY MIXED NUTS (cl ick photo for recipe)

PINIT!

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NONNA’S RICOTTA MEATBALLS

& MARINARA(cl ick photo

for recipe)

ALESHIA’S KITCHEN

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WHITE CHOCOLATE, PISTACHIO COATED AND CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES(cl ick photo for recipe)

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FIG, WALNUT & RICOTTA TARTINE(cl ick photo for recipe)

ALESHIA’S KITCHEN

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HERBA L LOO SE LEAF TEA

by S abrina

In the winter months, my inner-tea-fiend

comes out and I can easily tuck away 3-6 mugs a day. But sometimes, I don’t want all of the caffeine that comes with many teas, and I also crave some variety, so I opt for making my own herbal loose leaf teas -- which is both easy and oodles more affordable than buying loose leaf teas!

(click photo for recipe)

A HUG IN A CUP

PINIT!

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RASPBERRY MINT MOC KTAIL

by Thal ita

With the Holidays come the cocktails, but if you or

some of your guests would prefer something non-alcoholic this season, try a festive and delicious red and green beverage. This mix of raspberry, cranberry and mint is the perfect drink to celebrate with!

(click photo for recipe)

HOW SWEET IT IS

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AMA R TE TTO SHOR TBREA D C OOKIE S

by Aleshia

The classic holiday shortbread gets

a festive twist from cranberries and a hint of amaretto this season. Drizzled in creamy white chocolate to add some extra sweetness, they are perfect for a holiday potluck or a beautiful homemade gift.

(click photo for recipe)

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GINGERBREA D BA R S WI TH C REAM C HEE SE FRO STING

by Aleshia

Chewy and sweet, with a dark molasses

kick, the classic gingerbread man gets transformed into a decadent brownie. The familiar warm gingerbread spice is paired with a super fluffy cream cheese frosting for the perfect Christmas indulgence.

(click photo for recipe)

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OH C HRI STMAS TREEby Autumn

When it comes to anything in the kitchen, for me.. Simple

is best. If a recipe has three steps or less-COUNT ME IN. After several Pinterest searches I was finally inspired to create these waffle cone Christmas trees- aren’t they the cutest? A great conversation starter, these Christmas tree “cookies” might make you pretty popular at your next holiday party!

(click photo for recipe)

PINIT!

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A LMOND SN OW C OOKIE S

by Melissa

What it lacks in bells and whistles it makes

up for in the subtle but delicious nutty almond flavour. Sprinkled with icing powder they make for the perfect snowy addition to your holiday sweet table.

(click photo for recipe)

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