Sorelle & Co.

If you travel to Vaughan, a town just north of the city, and search out a petite, white, historic house with pastel blue awnings, you will find yourself immersed in a glamorous, golden, confectionery- loving world that offers the most delectable treats, light fare, and pantry goods for those with dietary restrictions, food allergies, and those who just want to indulge in a a healthier way.

Brownie, Chocolate Crispy Bar

Sorelle & Co. is the newest bake shoppe and café to open up in the area that offers gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, nut-free and preservative-free ingredients. As soon as I saw their Instagram feed-- pastel and pastry filled-- I knew I had to get there as soon as possible! While the exterior is dreamy and picturesque, the interior is even more swoon worthy. Two levels of white marble tables, upholstered arm chairs fit for a queen, gold accents (including a golden staircase), and all the treats you can imagine await you.

Motivated by a family with food allergies, Sorelle & Co. was dreamed up as a safe haven, as a place where you don't have to worry about what you're eating. Not only did I leave with such a warm and sophisticated experience, I also left feeling good about what I ate!

I went on a lady date to Sorelle & Co. with my mom. We ordered the Caprese Panini and Quinoa Tabouleh Salad to start, but really we couldn't wait until after the food arrived to dive into the Crinkle Chocolate Cookie. The girls at the shop proudly announced that cookie as a top seller so we knew we had to try it! It was more than what you would expect from a regular chocolate cookie. So moist, so fudge-y, so much flavour and oh-so delicious! A definite favourite from the day.

The food arrived shortly after we devoured our cookies, but really all I could think about was the other sweets! Gluten free bread and vegan cheese, and you really wouldn't have known. Food was partially consumed and it was back to the showstopping sweets.

Nanaimo Bar, Snickerdoodle, Chocolate 

Next up were the cupcakes. A Double Chocolate, and a Snickerdoodle. Again, extremely moist and full of flavour (the chocolate more so than the Snickerdoodle). The icing was light, fluffy and exactly what you want to top your cupcake.

Next up we try the Nanaimo Bar. The ladies at Sorelle & Co. identified this as their most popular treat right now, a constant sell-out, so we were excited. My mom loves Nanaimo Bars, and she was ready for it! This sweet was seriously divine! A chocolate/coconut base, a "cheesecake" centre (made with rice milk), and a chocolate top. So delicious. I can see why it's a top seller! While we did sample a few of their specialties, that have taken the bakers months to perfect, there are so many other goodies I need to get back to try. There's the Ginger Molasses Cookie, the Doughnuts, Cinnamon Buns, and Protein Balls! Just take a peak at there menu.

The Nananimo Bar

Sorelle & Co. also has a selection of pantry items to take home. Loaves of bread, roasted red pepper hummus, pesto, power seed cookies, biscotti, and more! They also offer two granolas--  Chia and Raisin, and Chocolate Chip and Banana. I was lucky enough to take home both and I have become slightly addicted to them! I don't want the bags to end.  This is partially because they are totally different styles of granola than what I have been making as of late. Their granola doesn't contain oats or nuts, and has ingredients such as buckwheat, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, raisins, brown rice crisps. It's a lighter and subtly sweet change-up from my nut and oat heavy recipe.

Crinkle Chocolate Cookie

I can't say enough positive things about my experience at Sorelle & Co. The sweets are amazing, the Kombucha is local, and the decor is stunning. They truly have created a fantasy land for not only those with food allergies and sensitivities, but for anyone who loves an indulgence. Make a trip out of it and stop in to try out all the goodness for yourself. They also make custom cakes, and have a large room upstairs which would make the perfect afternoon tea birthday or bridal party!

Sorelle & Co. is located at 1050 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, Ontario. While this post was not sponsored, a selection of the above mentioned items were given to me to try out and review. All opinions are my own, and those shared by my mother! Now, go visit!

Summer Highlighter: Save or Splurge

If you can believe it, highlighter is something I got into just this year! I'm so proud of myself for becoming less and less intimidated from trying out new make up and I have to say I have developed quite an obsession with beauty products! I've gotten to the point where I am scoping out Sephora regularly, asking my best friend (and beauty guru) what I need to be on the look for, and following along beauty various babes on Snapchat and Youtube. I even have been making trips to check out Ulta (a one-stop beauty shop) across the border just to pick up certain products that aren't available in Canada (like this amazing CC cream!).

SPLURGE

But back to the highlighters. When I first saw the limited edition Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette my chin dropped. It features "Champagne Pop" her famous white/pinky highlighter, and a new one called "Prosecco Pop", which actually looks like pure gold. The palette also includes one shimmery blush shade, "Rose Spritz", (anything that has the word rose in, I am all for), and two matte blushes, "Amaretto" (neutral), and "Pamplemousse" (pinky).  I can't tell you how perfect these shades are. They highlight the cheekbone so perfectly and the enriched pearls add a touch of shimmer to get that summer glow. I feel so luxe and radiant when I wear these shades and they last all day! You can customize your glow, add a touch of rose and even add a touch to your lips, eye shadow, or really anywhere for that shimmer effect. 

I usually prep my lips with this MOR Lip Macaron, in Peach Nectar, because it is so hydrating (contains vitamin E). Then I top off this look with Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Bitch Perfect. 

Becca and Jaclyn Hill extended the limited edition collection and you can still get a bunch of the shades here. 

SAVE

Next up we have the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter. It's a prime example of why you can't judge a beauty product by it's price point or where it sits on the shelf. I hadn't heard much about Essence before trying this out and I was shocked at the results! It's my go-to for a quicky application because the results are flawless, subtle shimmer that blends so well. It's not overly concentrated and the colour is a delightful rose gold shade, which I am loving.  I brush this on my cheekbones, brow bone, in the inner corner of my eyes, and atop my cupid's bow (upper lip). It applies so naturally, and stays on all day, which was amazing to see! For the price point, I can't say enough good things about this highlighter, and it's great to leave in your bag when you need a quick fix. You'll want to head to your nearest Shoppers to give this a go.

I pair it with the Essence XXXL Nude Lipgloss in "Taste the Sweets", which also left me pleasantly surprised. As someone who hated lip glosses for the longest time, this non-sticky, ultra hydrating, light pinky-nude gloss boasts just the right amount of colour and shine to enhance the summer glow from the highlighter. Check it out too! Sometimes I dab a bit of powder on top, to mattify and press the gloss. 

Are you as into highlighters as I am as of late? Will you save or splurge on any of these?

Black Slit Sunday

Black, white, lace, a high slit…this outfit just screams drama (feel free to call me Angelina! After all, my middle name is Angela!) But seriously,  an outfit like this can only be fit for celebrating some big news! READY FOR IT…... 

After how many years, Brandon and I are finally moving in together! The discussion to move in together has been happening for a while now, but the opportunity to actually make the move came quick and everything just fell into place. While the house isn't technically "ours-ours", it's still a place we can call our own and start this next chapter of our lives. I've been so, so busy trying to get everything together, but wanted to finally share the exciting news! You've probably already started seeing some decor related Instagrams and Snapchats and will definitely be seeing more posts centered on interior design, so it was time to share why! 

No exciting news is complete without a celebration, and no celebration is complete without a fancy outfit. I am loving the high slit maxi skirts as of late. They are a nice change from all the mini dresses I've been sporting for summer. You still get that openness with the slit, but they provide a totally different vibe to the outfit, and still one that you can take from day to night. You saw my striped maxi day time look here, but with a few change ups this maxi is ready to take on the town, and a glass of bubbly! 

Once again, I'm acting as queen of the multi dimensional closet, and am sporting a romper underneath my skirt. I can't recommend doing this enough! First off, you totally re-purpose your pieces, you get so much more out of your wardrobe, and in the end you may just save money. You're buying less new pieces as you get more function out of your older ones! Or in my case it will just leave you with more to spend on things like pots and pans (how fun....)

What do you guys think of my second sassy little slit maxi? Enough mood for you? And let me know if you'd like to see more decor related posts. I can't wait for this design process and definitely want to take you along!

What I'm Wearing

c/o Tobi Still Love You Maxi Skirt

The Store on Queen romper (similar via Tobi)

Zara Thick Ankle Strap Heel (identical)

Tory Burch Britten Clutch

Check out Tobi for their great selection maxi skirts, rompers, and accessories!