Mother's Day Gift Guide

~ mother's day is soon to be upon us {Sunday, May 10th} and we've been thinking about what to get the most important lady in our lives. there's something about the comfort of a mother, her knowing exactly what to say, when to give a hug and when to back away and let you figure things out for yourself. experiencing motherhood is a whole other ballgame, one that Tarah is experiencing with her 2 yr old little man. needless to say, a mother is one of the most important, if not, THE most important privilege and we thank our moms for all the love and independence they've instilled in us ~

~ when it comes to buying a gift for my mom, i always struggle. my mom is the most selfless woman i know, never wanting anything for herself but always for others. even when my brother and i gift her money to treat herself, she always comes back with something for herself. tarah and i both try to treat our moms to things they wouldn't think of getting for themselves. personally, i think that's the best way to gift: buy someone something they wouldn't treat themselves to. it's always a pleasant surprise and they'll realize how much they needed the gift in their lives ~

~ we've put together a little gift guide for you all in case you, too, are struggling for what to by your mama with clickable links for you to shop with ease.  we're covered some basics as far as jewelry, skin care, beauty and some treats as well as some quality time ideas. we love to share local love on our blog so a few of the items are by local business women in Vancouver ~

~ cheers to moms everywhere and we hope you get to spend some quality time with your mamas ~

Leah Alexandra Fling Moonstone Gold Cuff

Olive and Piper Bellflower Studs

Poppy Finch XO Necklace

Daydream Floral Passport Holder by Indigo

Stelle Audio

Happy Plugs ~ Gold

Ilia Beauty Lipstick

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence

May Lindstrom Skin The Youth Dew

Jo Malone London Perfume

Voluspa Macaron Ceramic Alta Candle

SS Print Shop ~ Love Print

Voluspa 2 Wick Candle in Tin

Anthropologie Dining Room Measuring Spoons

Royal Albert Confetti Tea Pot

Royal Albert Confetti Vintage Mug

Striped Garden Gloves by Indigo

Dauville Single Stem Bud Vase

Daydream Floral Pillow by Indigo

Holt Renfew's H Project partnered up with Burt's Bee and Canadian handbag line ela to create a clutch x burt's bees lip products with all proceeds in support of Pollinator Partnership Canada. the clutch is a perfect spring bag and Burt's Bees lip crayons are wonderful and super moisturizing!

~ we were lucky to visit Miraj Hammam last year had the most amazing body treatment of our lives. we've recommended it to our moms and friends and those that have gone in have sent rave reviews. a steam bath and a scrub down followed by a massage and relaxation is a sure way to relax with mom. treat your mom {and yourself} to an amazing Hammam & Gommage treatment at Miraj Hammam Spa.

~ a mother/daughter high tea is always a good idea and Soirette High Tea menu is a must try. a modern play on traditional high tea, Soirette's high tea menu changes seasonally and satisfies any and all cravings one might have during afternoon tea.

 ~ The Cross Design is one of our favorite places to shop for home decor and delights. Celsia Florists makes gorgeous blooms for all occasions. They've combined their decorative powers to host a 2-hour flower school on May 21st, 2015 that would be a super fun and creative way to spend some time with your mom or even grab some other girlfriends and their moms too!

Happy Mother's Day !!!

xoxo

Oz & Tarah

Happy Spring x Celebrating Traditions in Style

~ hello lovelies! Happy first day of spring!!! we are very happy winter is officially over {we feel for you if there is still snow where you live!!} we are also very excited to share with you a shoot we collaborated on with Jaleh from J.Events Planning and Design  and photographer Matthew Burditt to celebrate Persian New Year {also known as Norouz} ~

~ my {Oz} background is Persian. we celebrate Iranian New Year on the first day of spring. i wanted to share with you all the beauty of what we call a sofreh hafsin. tarah introduced me to jaleh and having another Persian collaborate with us for what we envisioned as a modern take on the traditional elements of Norouz ended up being exactly what we hoped for. we hope that you enjoy the images and are able to take away a bit of history and traditions of Norouz along with you. we wish you a prosperous year full of beauty and happiness ~

 

~ a sofreh hafsin is a traditional table setting for Norouz and includes 7 items that begin with the word sin {s} : 

1. sabzi:  wheatgrass/lentil sprouts that represent rebirth

2. samanu: sweet pudding representing affluence

3. senjed: dried oleaster wild olive fruit representing love

4. seer: garlic representing medicine

5. seeb: apple symbolizing health and beauty

6. somäq: sumac fruit symbolizing the color of sunrise

7. serkeh: vinegar symbolizing old age and patience

~ along with these traditional elements, we also place a mirrors, hyacinths or tulips, colored eggs as well as gold coins, sweets and the book of Hafiz {a book of poetry by the mystical poet Hafiz}~

 

 

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Valentine's Dinner {For Her}

~ valentine's day is a special day for a lot of couples. a day to celebrate their love for each other. whether you're a romantic person throughout the year or not, the day itself brings out everyone's romantic side. for us, a special dinner made by our love is one of the most romantic gestures we can imagine. with our help, you can put together a simple, Parisian-insipred dinner for your lady that will wow her ~

~while cooking might not be the strength of every guy out there, the menu we've put together here is quite easy to do. as long as boiling water is something you are comfortable with, you'll be gold ~

~ decor is simple, some champagne flutes, candles, a gorgeous bouquet and these super pretty stone hearts. a simple white tablecloth, soft pink linens and gold cutlery is all you need for a romantic table for two. don't over-complicate it, that's not how the Parisian's do it ;-) ~

~ for an appetizer you'll both love, a beautiful roasted beet and pear salad topped with goat cheese, slivered almonds and a balsamic dressing will be sure to impress your lady love. it involves a bit of prep work with the beets but is otherwise super easy. appertizers and dinner is served with a delicious prosecco that is sure to pair well with the meal~

*recipe for Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese with Balsamic Reduction*

2 large beets

1 Bartlett pear

slivered almonds

balsamic dressing {reduced on low temperature until it becomes thick and syrupy or store bought}

herbed goat cheese {as much as you like!}

1 handful candied pecans {chopped coarsely}

~ roast beets wrapped in aluminum foil topped with a bit of olive oil for no less than 30-45 minutes, set aside to cool

~ peel beets {the external skin needs to come off before slicing thru. remember, beets can stain your fingers so use some disposable gloves or whatever you have and work on a plastic cutting board, not wooden}

~ slice beets about 3 cm in thickness {they can be slippery so do your best to get nice, even slices}

~ slice the pear in half and then in wedges of similar thickness

~ begin arranging your plate: start with 4 slices of beet, topped with 5/6 slices of pear

~ scoop out some goat cheese from its packaging and simply form a small ball of deliciousness and place atop the beets and pears

~ sprinkle some pecan pieces around the salad

~ drizzle with a delicious balsamic reduction

~ dinner is simple: a beautiful pesto spaghettini topped with a delicate quail egg {once cracked, cooks within the heat of the pasta and becomes like a carbonara, creamy and delicious}. shave some parmesan on top and this dinner is a perfect way to feed each other while staring dreamily in each others eyes {if that's your sorta thing ;-) }

~ for dessert, impress your lady with delicious heart shaped berry hand pies. you'll need no magic tricks here, some pie crust, mixed frozen fruit, heart shaped cookie cutter and the love you have for your gal ~

* Heart-Shaped Handpies recipe *

1 store-bought pie crust thawed

1 package frozen mixed berries

1 cup sugar

heart-shaped cookie cutter

flour

~ in a pot on your stove top, pour in 2 cups of frozen berries and 1 cup of sugar and let them marinate over medium temperature. keep your eyes on it as you aren't trying to make a syrup, more a chunky sauce

~ once reduced, turn off temperature and let it cool a bit {and thicken up slightly}

~ roll out your pie crust on a floured counter so it is approximately 2 cm in thickness

~ punch out 4 heart shapes

~ spoon in some fruit into the middle of the heart, avoiding a 1 cm edge {to avoid spillage}

~ top with the second heart crust and using a fork, pinch the edges down to keep all the yumminess inside

~ bake for 10/15 minutes {or packaging directions} and serve warm with extra berry sauce

*All Photography by Matthew Burditt *

Valentine's Dinner {For Him}

~ national love day, also known as Valentine's day is celebrated tomorrow. restaurants of all kinds put out special menus, are completely booked with reservations and champagne bubbles grace every table top. but sometimes all you want to do is spend a romantic evening with your loved one in the comfort of your own home. we've put together a super easy three-course meal for you to follow for a special night in with your significant other ~

~ even if you aren't the most chef-saavy person, the menu we've put together is fool-proof. even the table top styling we've done is simplistic but makes a statement ~

~for him, we've put together a rustic table top with a decadent three-course menu that he is sure to love : 

 ~ we wanted to evoke the feeling of being in a log cabin, sitting around the fire with your special someone. some candles, a bit of nature, tree trunk plate chargers {a DIY btw!} and some heart-shaped stones are all the decor you need. we loved the idea of putting the table together on a plaid tablecloth with a some copper mugs and gold cutlery. it was the perfect amount of romantic rustic-ness ~

~ for a delicious appetizer that you will both love, put together a simple, melted brie in an oven-safe brie baker topped with some caramelized onion jam and slivered almonds. some sliced baguette and a delicious  and refreshing moscow mule bevvy is the perfect way to start a decadent meal ~

*recipe for baked brie*

1 brie of your choice {make sure it is small enough to fit in your brie dish and the more creamy {triple cream for example} the longer it will stay melted}

1 large onion

a few tablespoons of sugar

salt and pepper to taste

slivered almonds {can be omitted}

~ slice the onion into thin slices {not too thin otherwise they will burn quickly}

~ heat a non-stick pan with olive oil before placing the onions in the pan {make sure your pan is big enough to fit all the onions otherwise you'll have to do two batches}

~ with the temperature on medium-low, cook the onions down until translucent

~ add salt and pepper and some sugar to speed up the caramelizing process

~ turn down the temperature to low to cook down the onions until they're perfectly sweet {slow and low will give your the sweetest, most perfect caramelized onions}

~ once cooked, let them cool down {they will get warm again once atop the melted brie}

~ for the brie, simply cut the top rind to allow an air pocket {and bubbly brie to seep out}

~ place it in your brie dish and bake for at least 20 minutes for perfectly melted brie

~ top with caramelized onions and slivered almonds and enjoy with baguette wedges

 

~ for dinner, treat yourselves to a delicious meal of steak and potatoes with some veggies. We kept it simple: seared steak topped with herbed roasted garlic butter, fluffy mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus ~

*recipe for herbed roasted garlic butter*

1/2 cup butter at room temperature

1/2 garlic head {or 5 cloves of garlic }

herb of your choice chopped finely {we loved parsley for ours}

salt & pepper

saran wrap

~ roast garlic by placing garlic cloves in aluminum foil, topping with olive oil and salt & pepper. wrap tightly and roast for at least 45 minutes. you'll be able to smell the garlic scent waft through the kitchen 

~ while waiting, chop parsley finely

~ once out and cool enough to touch, soft your butter with a fork for easy working

~ squeeze out the roasted garlic into the butter,  add parsley and salt and pepper and mix together

~ tear a piece of saran wrap and place your flavored butter in the center

~ wrap the saran around the butter and roll the package until it is cylindrical in shape 

~ twist the ends tightly and place in freezer {if making ahead of time} or fridge for it to get cold

~ slice off a delicious piece and place it atop your steak while still hot. it will create a delicious sauce and flavor

~for dessert: skillet brownie with some creamy vanilla bean ice cream and slivered almonds. we switched up our bevvy to some sweet white wine garnished with mint leaves that paired well with dessert ~

*all Photography by Matthew Burditt*

The Best Boxing Week Sales in Vancouver

~ at Style x Beauty Department, we love a good sale and no other sale throughout the year matches the excitement of boxing week sales. So in the spirit of sharing we have rounded up our favorite Vancouver and lower mainland sales in store and online, check them out below and happy shopping!

Holt Renfrew brings you up to 60% off all designer styles, from handbags and accessories to clothing and shoes nothing beats a sale at Holts. Check them for that perfect indulgence item.

737 Dunsmuir St Vancouver
Instagram @holtsvancouver
Twitter: @holtsvancouver

Privilege Clothing Boutique serves the lower mainland with a dose of casual and dressy designer goods.  From lounge wear to denim, sunglasses and watches check them out at their Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam and Surrey locations for lines such as Tom Ford and Diesel at up to 80% off this boxing week. 

Langley: 19368 Fraser Hwy
Surrey: 10355 152 St in Guildford Town Center
Coquitlam: 2929 Barnet Hwy in Coquitlam Center
Abbotsford: 3122 Mount Lehman Rd at High Street Shopping Center

Instagram: @styleforthepriv

WishList Boutique can be found online and just outside of Vancouver on West Broadway.  This Style x Beauty Department favorite is based in organic beauty products and accessories and founded by a mother daughter duo in 2009. Find brands such as RMS Beauty, Butter London, Principessa, Voluspa, Dogeared Jewelry, Cake for Breakfast, Gorjana Jewelry and many others.

2811 West Broadway Vancouver
Instagram @wishlist_boutique
Twitter @wishlistboutique
Pinterest /wishlistboutique

Timeline Boutique is one of the cities best high end designer consignment stores and what better sale than a consignment store sale? This week take up to 50% off the entire store and up to 20% off all designer handbags!

594 Davie St Vancouver
Instagram @timelinestyle
Twitter @timelinestyle

The Cross Decor and Design is an SBD Girl MECCA for all things decor related.  To say we love The Cross is a complete understatement, we LIVE The Cross! Check them out in store and online TODAY ONLY for up to 75% off all the gorgeousness you could possible fill your space with. Jewels by Stephanie Vogler, and Leah Alexandra make this store a one stop shop for everything a girl could want.

1198 Homer St Vancouver
Instagram @thecrossdesign
Twitter @thecrossdesign
Pinterest /thecrossdesign

Barefoot Conntessa Boutique has such a gorgeous collection of off beat clothing, shoes and accessories perfect for the vintage girl at heart. Check them out in their multiple Vancouver locations or online for fantastic deals.

Main Street: 3715 Main St Vancouver
Commercial Drive: 1928 Commercial Dr Vancouver

Instagram @bfcboutique
Twitter @bfcboutique
Pinterest /bfcboutique


happy shopping kiddos!

Flash Back Friday: A Party at The Cross

A Party at The Cross

All things pretty, sparkly and fabulous culminated at an amazing party for Leah Alexandra jewelry and the launch of Party Skirts by Skot Apparel at The Cross Design last Wednesday. 

We were fortunate enough to be invited to this soiree, and while we were familiar with the FUN that comes with wearing a Party Skirt, we had not had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Leah Alexandra.  Check out the highlights below! 

If you have never been to The Cross Design (1198 Homer St, Vancouver) it is an SBDGirls FAVORITE place to just BE! So essentially it's a treasure trove of unique and gorgeous housewares, clothing, dishware, jewelry, books and did I mention they offer interior design services? Needless to say, it's THE best place for a party. 

Photographed by The Collective You with treats provided in part by Ferrero Rocher, we were warmly welcomed by staff from The Cross Design  and guided into all the girly excitement.  The girls from Party Skirts were our first stop, Lauren and Mariel Armstrong started Skot Apparel due to a need of something fun in their own closets.  Once friends and family took notice so did the fashion world, now their designs are carried online (skotapparel.com or shopbop.com) and across Canada at Rebecca Bree, Blu Bird, and all Holt Renfrew locations, just to name a few.  Recently featured in Teen Vogue, the sky is the limit for these two entrepreneurs and I for one can't wait to get my hands on their new shade of party skirt this holiday season!

Once we picked out our party skirts, various birthday cards, lusted after candles, tea cups and justified shopping for little ones as well (yes they have a baby section!) we made our way to all the glittery things.  Now, like any woman, we have a serious weakness for anything that sparkles, and Leah Alexandra's jewelry line satisfies all those necessities.

A modern esthetic with a little freedom and whimsy thrown in for good measure, we are sufficiently hooked!  The Ear Climbers were a particular favorite, as were the dainty rings and feather weight Y-chain necklaces. Now, while we didn't win their Instagram contest (sigh..) that didn't stop us from picking up a few baubles for ourselves. 

Vancouver based, Leah's collection is available at The Cross Design, Blue Ruby and Beauty Bar, her line consists of sterling silver, 14 karat gold fill, 24 karat gold vermiel, gemstones and fresh water pearls and is inspired by summers sent in Cape Cod. Celebrity clients include Jessica Alba and Reese Witherspoon and are all handmade here in Vancouver.