Birchbox Canada Influencer Event with Ania B at Pigeonhole Restaurant

YYC Influncers

We had a wonderful time learning about Birchbox at the event hosted by our good friend Ania B at one of our favourite restaurants Pigeonhole which was just voted Canada's best new restaurant by En Route Magazine!

The spread was AMAZING! With our favourites being Charred Cabbage, Ricotta Dumplings and the Chicken Liver Mousse.

Birchbox is a customized selection of beauty products delivered to you monthly for only $10/month + shipping. It makes the perfect Christmas gift too! Details here.

~xoB

Styleista Does the Cru Juice Cleanse

After a summer of sipping cocktails on patios, indulging in the many delicious restaurants here in Calgary and Stampeding in stead of spinning we figured we had better get our bodies back on track starting with a juice cleanse. We did the Cru Juice "Go Easy" cleanse to rest the system and flood the body with alkalizing and oxidizing nutrients. #realandraw

Go Easy

With 6 delicious, no really actually delicious,  cold pressed juices daily, that are made up of organic raw fruits and veggies and the freshest non-GMO ingredients. This 3 day cleanse is specifically chosen to aid in detoxification, hydration, increase energy and promote healthy skin + hair.

#StyleistalovesCru

Having both done cleanses that left us hangry (hungry + angry) and nervous to be too far away from a bathroom before, we were pleasantly surprised at how wonderful we felt, during and after the cleanse!

Cleanse Diary

Day 1: 

Brenna ~ "I have to admit that cheated a bit this first day; I started the morning off with a croissant and a latte that my sister-in-law so kindly brought over. I had the first juice at 11 am. I snacked on some cucumber and hummus at 1 pm and then at a BBQ that evening I had 5 bites of salad. Other than that no food just the juices, in order, finishing with the 'Dirty Lemonade' that I couldn't even drink all of because I felt more than satisfied."

Phaedra ~ "Started the day off with the first juice, '#greenjuice', and followed suit until I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in a while and cheated indulging in a vegan slice of pizza and glass of wine. But finished the rest of the day off strong, feeling great."

Day 2:

Brenna ~ "It was a much better start on day 2 for me, and an added bonus was that I lost 2.5 lbs! Had tons of energy and went to a Lagree class. I even got through an early afternoon meeting at Corbeaux Bakehouse. Although the delicious treats were so enticing, I felt so content that I did not indulge! Which is huge for me - I LOVE savoury food! I felt the best on Day 2, lots of energy, very balanced."

Phaedra ~ "Felt great on just juice until 5 pm then we had a Styleista meeting with one of our partners at Barcelona Tavern - where they had 20% off wine so Brenna and I had to indulge in a glass. And then counter that with some 'pseudo sushi' at The Coup - Oopsies!"

Day 3:

Brenna ~ "Juiced it all day feeling most satisfied after the 'Bad Boy Brown'. Aside from being so sore for my class yesterday, I felt great today. Got a little hungry after juice 3 'The OC' so I had a few slices of cucumber with hummus and coasted through the day on the rest of the juice feeling nourished and balanced.

Phaedra ~ "Realized I had lost 1.5 lbs this morning which was a nice surprise. Full on juice day, my favourite is the 'Pumped Up Kicks'. I did feet a little light headed after a super intense spin class at Union Athletica, so I had a small vegan snack. At the end of the day I feel lighter both physically and mentally."

Day 4: Post Cleanse
We both felt so great today, super hydrated and nourished. It was nice to be able to eat again but our appetites were light and we craved healthy food and even more juice. We would highly recommend this cleanse to anyone wanting to detoxify your system quick, easy and in an extremely healthy way!

Cru Juice now has 3 locations, Brigeland, Holt Renfrew (2nd level) and the new flagship off 17th Ave in Mount Royal Village that has a raw food bar.

Holt Renfrew location

Thanks Cru Juice!

~xoB

Blogger Brunch Sunday!

On Sunday, Katie Marks of Touques and Truffles hosted a beautiful homemade brunch #superblogsunday for some of the Calgary bloggers and fashion influencers in the city. Coffee and grapefruit prossecco, gluten free waffles and sage apple sausages were among the delicious offerings but the best part what the chats and laughs that we all partook in while snapping pics and posting.

The guests included: Aly Velji + Jason Krell (The Style Guys), Brittany Messner (Life, Set Sail), Melanie Morais (Born Lippy), Anneke Forbes (Anneke Forbes), Vincent Law (Binzento Vincente), Ania Boniecka (Ania B), Tyler Stalman (Ania + Tyler Stalman Photography), Chris Amat (Chris Amat Photography), Ashley Pettigrew (Lions Lace Lattes), Paul Schneider (The Youth Novels) and Sarah Tolhurst (Sassianne).

For more style and fashion pics follow us on Instagram: @phaedragodchild + @styleista_ca

~ XO, Phaedra

YYC Eats ~ My Favorite Restaurants in Calgary

Calgary's culinary scene just keeps getting better and better! While some of these are still at the top of my list, I have added a couple more favourite places to fill your tummy and get your drink on.

The "new" Anju

Anju is not the quiet little family run restaurant that it used to be, it is now the trendy new hot spot on the corner of 17th ave and 4th street. One thing hasn't changed and that's chef + owner Roy Oh and his amazingly delicious Korean inspired food.

must haves:

~ brussel sprout

~ crispy tofu

~ spicy salmon tacos

~ oxtail tortellini

The Nash

Chef Michael Nobel and his team lead by Dave Singleton have done it again, reviving the historic National Hotel in Inglewood. Turning it into a cozy hot spot with classic charm and tasty treats.

must haves:

~ charred octopus, avocado

~ brown butter glazed gnocchetti

~ spaghetti with lobster

~ selection of desserts

Alloy

Still a favorite, this calming, soft lit oasis tucked away in an obscure location in the cities southeast delivers a contemporary zen dinning experience that is top notch.

must haves:

~ hummus 

~ truffle gnocchi

~ crab arancini

~ beef tenderloin

Rodney's Oyster House

Rodney's has transformed this huge space that has normally housed night clubs into a 300 seat seafood lovers dream. All the seaside charm you're used to here in the prairies. 

must haves:

~ New England clam chowder

~ bison tartare

~ oyster slap jack

Cheers!

~xoB

Holiday Style

Christmas 2014 is the first time I will be cooking an all out traditional dinner with all the fixings. I do love to cook so this is not a scary undertaking but was made much easier with the help of a couple good girlfriends (E&K)!

Below are some of my favourite things for setting your tablescape with the perfect amount of holiday style. Have the happiest of holidays!

Holiday Style by phaedra-godchild 

~ XO, Phaedra

Cartagena Colombia Onsie

My travels continue to Cartagena Colombia where we are staying in the beautiful Casa San Augustin boutique hotel in the historic old town. I had one of the best dinners of my life at Carmen a Colombia Asian fusion restaurant in the walled city with a beautiful outdoor dinning space. You have to try the Pork Bahn Mi (Vietnamese style pork belly buns)

This is what I wore:

PARK SALE ~ Calgary Local & Independent Artists and Fashion Designers

Our friends at PARK are doing again, the 3rd annual PARKSALE is this Saturday + Sunday!

This year they are featuring over 75 local and independent fashion designers and artists as well as SLED ISLAND musicians and YYC Food Trucks! 

Some of our favourite designers will be there including Camp Brand Goods, Bano eeMee, and Poppy Barley. For a full list of vendors click here and 'see more'.

Head down to Victoria Park - Haultain Park, 225 13th Ave SW this weekend, June 21 + 22 to check it out. Admission is FREE!

~xoB

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Dads are the best and on Sunday, June 15th we get to celebrate them. Dads come in many shapes, sizes and personalities so we wanted to provide multiple suggestions to help you find the perfect gift to make your dad a happy guy.

The Stylish Dad:

This dad loves to look good, whether he is hosting a business meeting or going for dinner he tends to put more effort into his appearance.

Gift ideas for him include:

Seersucker Keds from Brooks Brothers

Ties from Harry Rosen

Cufflinks from Holt Renfrew

Cut & Shave from Tommy Gun’s

Seersucker Keds available at Brooks Brothers

The Practical Dad:

This dad doesn’t need or want much but of course you want to treat him to something.

 Gift ideas for him include:

Jazz, Blues, Rock (whatever his favourite) CD from HMV

250ml Lemon and Sage Olive Oil from Oil & Vinegar

Banff Weekender Bag from Roots

250ml Lemon & Sage Olive Oil available at Oil & Vinegar

The Sports Fan:

This dad loves action. He probably has a favorite team in every sport.

Gift ideas for him include:

Orr: My Story by Bobby Orr from Indigo Books

NHL Sterling Silver Money Clip or Cufflinks from Maison Birks

Polo shirt from Lacoste

Custom Hat from Smithbilt Hats

Custom Fidora Hat available at Smithbilt Hats

Happy Shopping!

~ XO, Phaedra 

Cut Copy Calgary Concert

Enjoyed celebrating my hubby's birthday with a wonderful dinner at the delicious newer restaurant Brigg's, last night with close friends. Followed by the Cut Copy concert, we were so lucky to see them in such an intimate venue. The opening act Bear Mountain was amazing as well, check them out.

Cut Copy on stage at Republik in Calgary

The lovely ladies

The dudes were styling' as well

Here is what I wore:

Ray Ban sunglasses, All Saints leather jacket, Zara tank top, Free People lace bra let, J Brand jeans, Zara shoes, Michael Kors bag

~xoB

Kauai Hawaii in Photos

I was just on the magical, relaxing yet fun filled island of Kauai,
here is our trip in photos

Poipu

J Crew top, Topshop skirt, Tory Burch clutch, Zara shoes

Kukui'ula

Billabong

Billabong

Guess shoes

Aritzia

Happy Travels!

~xoB