The holidays are a time of festive cheer, delectable dishes, and special moments. One of our favourite parts are the memories of singing and dancing to the season’s classic carols!
If you’re still feeling like Scrooge, don’t fret – here is a collection of some of NKPR’s favourite songs of the season. From holiday classics to new indie covers, this playlist will have you feeling cozy and nostalgic, putting you right into the spirit of the holidays!
What’s your favourite holiday song? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!
Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry! Although it is a time of celebration, it can also be very stressful trying to pull everything together. Luckily, NKPR is here to help you to plan the perfect holiday party.
So from our family to yours, here’s a list all of the things you need to be plan the most enviable party of the season…
Mmm there is nothing that says the holidays like the smell of peppermint, apple cider and roasted nuts. Thanks to DAVIDsTEA, these wonderful holiday smells have now been bottled – well, in the form of a candle! These 100% soy wax candles (inspired by some DAVIDsTEA fan-favourites) are the perfect way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere at your holiday party. They are environmentally friendly, long-lasting and they come in adorable mason jars so they look as great as they smell. Your guests will be greeted by festive cheer the moment they step into the room!
Cooking for a large group of people can be extremely challenging, not to mention the difficulties in pleasing each of your special guests. Good thing pasta is a huge crowd pleaser and offers variety to your holiday spread! Barilla pasta has a wide selection of white, whole grain, egg and gluten-free pasta. Get creative! Offer a Farfalle with fava beans and smoked pancetta, or a Rotini pasta salad with walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, parmigiano reggiano cheese and basil – the possibilities are endless!
No need to put your health kick on hiatus for the holidays! Eat Nakd Whole Food Snack Bars inspired some delicious snacks perfect for your guests to munch on by the fireplace. This quick and easy recipe will allow your guests to indulge in those sweet holiday cravings guilt-free! Try one of Eat Nakd’s other signature flavours to create your own holiday-inspired decadent desserts.
Eat Naked Truffles with Sea Salt
1 ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ cup cream cheese
½ cup icing sugar
½ teaspoon coconut extract (optional)
5 Eat Nakd 35 g bar, roughly chopped
½ cup dark chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil
½ teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt
Beat the coconut, cream cheese, icing sugar and extract with Eat Nakd Bars until smooth. Roll into 1 ½ inch balls and place on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze for about one hour. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and coconut oil, while stirring constantly. Dip each coconut ball into the melted chocolate with a fork, covering the ball completely with chocolate, letting the excess drain through the fork tongs. Use a spoon to lightly push truffle off fork and back onto the wax paper. Spring with sea salt. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Provide your guests with that festive, warm and fuzzy feeling by serving Schloer Winter Iced Tea Cocktails, the perfect refreshment for your holiday party! The Swiss sparkling grape–based refreshment, is débuting in Canada just in time for the holiday party-hosting season. Consisting of only the very best in fruit juices from concentrate and purest waters, Shloer contains no preservatives, artificial colours, sweeteners or flavourings. Alone or mixed with your favourite spirits, it offers a wonderful, sparkling toast to the season!
Presentation of the food you’re serving is just as important as the taste. Enhance your table’s decor by adding some Zwilling ceramics and cookwares to beautifully display the dishes you’ve so carefully prepared. The Staub Ceramic Terrine combines functional design, exceptional quality and elegant presentation; a beautiful addition to your party. Take a fresh-cooked loaf straight from the oven to your table and give your guests the taste of comfort food that reminds them of being home at Mom’s for the holidays!
We all know that the best memories are made around the dinner table. It is where friends and family gather to embrace each other over delicious food and stimulating conversation, and it is important to create a beautiful setting to share these moments. Make your dining room the highlight of your party with design inspiration from interior designer Lori Morris. These elegant table setting ideas will make a statement at your party and will be guaranteed to help make the memories surrounding the table last a lifetime.
Here at NKPR we’re huge fans of winter, but we know that adjusting to the cold weather can be a daunting task. Thankfully, there are many things that we absolutely LOVE getting cozy with to keep us warm all season long!
Here are a couple NKPR favourites that keep us looking forward to winter each and every snowfall…
A hot drink is the best way to keep your mittens warm, and this season we’re crazy for DAVIDs TEA’s holiday special Egg Nog tea. This caffeine-free tea features ingredients like white chocolate, meringue and green rooibos. Without needing to leave the house, steep for 4-7 minutes at 205°F and drink on its own OR add frothed milk, sugar and voila! a homemade Egg Nog Latte! This delicious treat will keep you toasty and get you right into the holiday spirit.
Rudsak’s Anouk Parka will do more than keep you looking stylish this season; it’ll keep you ridiculously warm in even the coldest snowstorms (and what’s more important than looking good in a snowstorm?). Decorated with edgy leather accents and a genuine raccoon fur hood, the Anouk Parka will have you looking forward to getting bundled and heading out into the cold!
Snowed in? You’ll be thanking Mother Nature in no time as you snuggle up to the fire with a good book, some hot cocoa and a Sears Whole Homestyle Factory Essential Plush Throw. Softer than a brand new puppy, this throw is the perfect thing to cuddle up to, keeping you cozy all winter long.
Don’t let any amount of snow keep you from enjoying the outdoors this winter. Hi-Tec’s Thomas Boot is perfect for all snow lovers, offering warm but stylish comfort. Lined with a thick insulated layer that retains body heat while still allowing moisture to escape, the Thomas boots are made for the snowy, Canadian winters that we know and love. Forecast calling for 15 feet of snow? Bring it on!
Filling yourself up with healthy, protein filled snacks is the best and simplest way to prepare your body for a long winter. Eat Nakd Wholefood Bars are packed with healthy, natural ingredients that provide you with all of the nutrients that you need to keep warm and energized when out-and-about this winter. Take a couple onto the ski slopes or out for a winter picnic – no amount of fun-filled winter activities will tire you out!
Keeping warm in the winter is essential not only for you, but also for your skin. The Lady S by Racinne is an at-home spa device that uses heat to rejuvenate your skin, brighten your complexion and reduce signs of aging. While winter’s dryness and harsh winds are in effect, your Lady S will keep you, and your skin, glowing all season.
If staying indoors is more your style, enjoy a view of the snowfall while sipping on a festive cocktail from Montecito. Up The Stairs is a seasonal favorite, made with brandy, pear liqueur, mint, lime and house-made apple cider, combined to create a pleasantly homey winter feeling. Montecito’s warm, inviting interiors paired with a couple ounces of brandy will keep you feeling cozy while embracing the season!
What’s your favourite way to keep warm this season? Tweet us at @natashankpr!
When witches go riding and black cats are seen…the moon laughs and whispers, “ti’s near Halloween!
It’s that spooky time of year again…when witches casually walk down the hallway, ghosts nonchalantly fly by on streetcars, and chocolate is available in the masses. Inside NKPR, our favourite part of Halloween isn’t always the trendy new costumes…instead it’s often the hilarity of looking back at past Halloween costumes.
Whether it was the last-minute thrown-together-with-your-mother’s-jewelry kind, or a seriously thought-out I-had-this-planned-since-last-year kind of costume, we can’t get enough laughs out of our old costumes. In honour of the big day tomorrow, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite TBT Halloween costumes…
Best princess costume ever from RebeccaNatasha as fabulous as ever as a gypsyOlena ready to boogie down at the discoLauren as the most adorable princess everTry to resist Corinne as Candy LandMeow, Meg makes the perfect CatwomanTory shows us his best bird impressionAshton’s become a lady bugBeautiful Denise as a princessNathan as Super GroverDon’t wake Kristin as Snow White
Oh Toronto Fashion Week…that glorious time of year when the city dives deep into the fashion world and comes out a little more polished and way more fab! As usual NKPR was wrapped up in fashion all week long, whether in the audience at Christopher Bates, backstage with Mikhael Kaleor on the runway with Rudsak. Even though Toronto Fashion Week is over, we’ve still got the fashion fever!
We’ve rounded up some of our top looks from our favourite designers that rocked the runway last week at David Pecault Square…
Christopher Bates
Contemporary menswear designer, Christopher Bates, showcased his Spring/Summer 2015 collection on the runway at the Fashion Week last Wednesday. Pulling inspiration from The English Patient, the collection featured whites, khakis and sand hues reminiscent of the desert landscapes seen in the film. The collection is bright yet sophisticated and edgy, capturing a safari-resort vibe that will no doubt have people planning their next retreat down south.
Rudsak
Rudsak unveiled it’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection, the new era of cool, last week at Toronto Fashion Week. Entering it’s 21st year, Rudsak paired the brand’s notorious rocker leather pieces with sport chic-inspired street-wear, creating an innovative and edgy look, perfectly embodying all that is cool. The collection, comprised primarily of Rudsak’s traditional black pieces, featured accents of oranges, reds and whites that, along with the athletic accessories, perfectly brought the collection together.
Mikhael Kale
As one of the most highly-anticipated shows at Toronto Fashion Week, Mikhael Kale’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection was nothing short of amazing. The unique, dynamic collection featured pieces with provocative cutouts, hand-dyed organza, crystal beading and clear latex showcasing Kale’s unique ability to highlight the female form. Kale’s inventive and inspiring designs wrapped up Fashion Week on the ultimate high note and we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
What was your favourite runway show from Toronto Fashion Week? Tweet us your thoughts at @natashakpr!
Oh Toronto Fashion Week…that glorious time of year when the city dives deep into the fashion world and comes out a little more polished and way more fab! As usual NKPR was wrapped up in fashion all week long, whether in the audience at Christopher Bates, backstage with Mikhael Kaleor on the runway with Rudsak. Even though Toronto Fashion Week is over, we’ve still got the fashion fever!
We’ve rounded up some of our top looks from our favourite designers that rocked the runway last week at David Pecault Square…
Christopher Bates
Contemporary menswear designer, Christopher Bates, showcased his Spring/Summer 2015 collection on the runway at the Fashion Week last Wednesday. Pulling inspiration from The English Patient, the collection featured whites, khakis and sand hues reminiscent of the desert landscapes seen in the film. The collection is bright yet sophisticated and edgy, capturing a safari-resort vibe that will no doubt have people planning their next retreat down south.
Rudsak
Rudsak unveiled it’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection, the new era of cool, last week at Toronto Fashion Week. Entering it’s 21st year, Rudsak paired the brand’s notorious rocker leather pieces with sport chic-inspired street-wear, creating an innovative and edgy look, perfectly embodying all that is cool. The collection, comprised primarily of Rudsak’s traditional black pieces, featured accents of oranges, reds and whites that, along with the athletic accessories, perfectly brought the collection together.
Mikhael Kale
As one of the most highly-anticipated shows at Toronto Fashion Week, Mikhael Kale’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection was nothing short of amazing. The unique, dynamic collection featured pieces with provocative cutouts, hand-dyed organza, crystal beading and clear latex showcasing Kale’s unique ability to highlight the female form. Kale’s inventive and inspiring designs wrapped up Fashion Week on the ultimate high note and we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
What was your favourite runway show from Toronto Fashion Week? Tweet us your thoughts at @natashakpr!
If there’s one good thing that comes from the cold, grey months of fall-winter, it’s the delicious comfort-foods filled with rich, hearty ingredients that bring us back to our childhoods with warm fireplaces and bustling dinner tables.
There’s no secret about it… pasta is absolutely an NKPR favourite. In honour of the Italian staple, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite recipes from a variety of restaurants around Toronto featuring different types of Barilla pasta.
Orecchiette with Sausage and Rapini – Recipe by Chef Saverio Macri
150g Barilla Orecchiette Pasta
Rapini – ½ a bunch
1 Whole Spicy Sausage
50g Fontina Cheese
2 cloves Garlic
Extra Virgin olive oil to taste
Parmesan & Fontina Cheese
– Put pasta in boiling water for 10-12 minutes and the rapini for 5-7 minutes (until fork tender)
– In the meantime, get a pan and add olive oil and brown some sausage. – Next, throw in the garlic and let brown together. – Toss in the cooked Orecchiette and rapini, and finish it with parmesan and fontina cheese. Serves 2
Did you know? “Orecchiette” means little ears in Italian – and that’s because the pasta is shaped like little ears.
Federico Fellini Farfalle alla Bolognese – Recipe by Chef Eron Novalski
500 g Barilla Farfalle Pasta
2.5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1.5 tbsp butter
1/2 carrot, finely, diced
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/2 rib celery, finely diced
1/2 pound veal, ground
1/2 pound fresh pork sausage
1/4 pound pancetta or slab bacon, ground
1/2 tube tomato paste
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for grating
– In a 6 to 8-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots and sweat over medium heat until the vegetables are translucent and soft but not browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. – Add the veal, pork, and pancetta and stir into the vegetables. – Add the meat over high heat, stirring to keep the meat from sticking together until browned.
– Add the tomato paste, milk, and wine and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. – Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat. – When ready to use, the cooked Barilla Farfalle pasta should be added to a saucepan with the appropriate amount of hot ragu Bolognese, and tossed so that the pasta is evenly coated by the ragu.
Serves 4
Rigatoni “Alla Carbonara” – Recipe by Chef Giacomo Pasquini
1lb Rigatoni Barilla Pasta
2 egg yolks
1 whole egg
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Black pepper
1 cup guanciale (pancetta) cut in lardons
Pregiato Black Truffle
– Cook the Guanciale in a fry pan with the oil until crispy and set aside
– Mix the egg, yolks, pecorino and the black pepper together in a bowl and set aside
– Cook the pasta. When it is nice and al “dente” drain it and pour it in the fry pan with the crispy guanciale. – Turn the heat on, add some pasta water and leave it a bit moist than usual. Turn heat off. Add the eggs and cheese mix, sauté off heat until nice and smooth. – Add extra black pepper and truffle Serves 6 – 8
**NKPR Tip: We recommend our favourite Zwilling cookwares to prepare this dish. Pasta cooks beautifully in the Zwilling Prime pots while offering guests parmesan cheese in these ramekins.
Cut Ziti with Arugula Pesto *Vegetarian – Recipe by Chef Paolo Marabello,
400 g Cut Ziti Barilla Pasta
1 cup Basil leaves
2 cup Arugula salad
1/2 cup Pinenuts
1 Garlic clove
1/2 cup of Pecorino Chese
1/3 cup of Parmesan
1 cup cherry tomatoes – cut in half
1/2 cup of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
– Put basil, arugula, garlic, pinenuts, pecorino cheese and extra virgin olive oil in the mixer and blend well for a one minute.
Meanwhile: – cook the pasta until al dente – Sauté cherry tomatoes with a little olive oil – Drain Pasta, but keep 2 spoonfuls of cooking water. – Mix the pasta with cherry tomatoes and pesto sauce. Add the 2 spoonfuls of cooking water. – Serve with shaved parmesan cheese and buon appetite! Serves 4 people
What’s your favourite pasta dish? Tell us at @NatashaNKPR!
Here at NKPR, Toronto Fashion Week is one of our favourite times of year. From the exceptional runways to the impeccable street style, it’s a time of sartorial inspirations and ultimate fashion moments.
As the kick-off approaches, we’ve rounded up a list of our must-have items to help you not only survive, but thrive in and out of the tents…
This portable kit fits perfectly into your purse and includes five of Saje Natural Wellness’ therapeutic roll-on remedies – Peppermint Halo, Stress Release, Pain Release, Immune and Eater’s Digest.
Never miss a show with Immune which helps fight germs & viruses, while a few applications of Pain Release will help those sore feet and keep you dancing until dawn.
Sophisticated nail shades are the perfect accessory for Fashion Week. As Essie Weingarten says, “fabulous colour is always in style.”
Rita Remark, essie Canada’s lead nail artist, will be specially designing nail art for the models in shows like Rudsak and Michael Kale using a variety of essie’s iconic shades and nail care products.
To prep for the show, try a few coats of essie’s Blanc or add a pop of colour with Butler, Please and you’ll look like you should be the one walking the runway.
With a photo-opp around every corner, it’s important to make sure you keep your luscious locks looking, well, luscious. Unfortunately, the endless amounts of styling, teasing and highlighting takes a toll on your hair.
OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Healing Oil is just what you need to stay camera-ready all day long and well into the night. Just a few spritzes of this nourishing formula instantly restores moisture and heals any split-ends.
After one application, hair feels healthy, looks shiny and leaves you ready for your close-up! (Inside scoop: now available online at Walmart Canada)
Tweezerman’s Mini Brow Rescue Kit is a no brainer – everything you need for on-the-go eyebrow maintenance, perfectly packaged into a convenient travel-size case.
This kit includes Tweezerman’s Mini Slant, Mini Browmousse, Mini Brow Brush and Mini eyehance Brow Highlighter and fits into any makeup bag. Perfect for quick touch-ups anytime, anywhere. Cara Delevingne, eat your heart out!
Staying hydrated during Fashion Week is essential. For a delicious thirst quencher, try bottlegreen’s Cranberry & Orange Sparkling Pressé.
This delightfully refreshing drink is made with cold pressed ingredients blended with spring water sourced from the Cotswolds in England. It comes in an elegant glass bottle that suits any high-profile Fashion Week occasion.
Long days and late nights can leave you not looking your best, which is why Racinne’s Contour Brightening Eye Care should be in your purse at all times during Fashion Week.
This lightweight cream contains natural antioxidants and renewal properties to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. It instantly hydrates the skin for a firmer and visibly brighter look, keeping you fresh, well-rested!
Eating healthy is crucial to surviving during fashion week, but can be a tad difficult when you’re on the go. Luckily, Eat Nākd barspack all of the protein, nutrients and natural ingredients that you need to tide you over until your next meal.
Eat Nākd bars are made from a cold-pressed mix of fruits and nuts and are available in four flavours – Cocoa Orange, Cashew Cookie, Cocoa Delight and Berry Delight. On top of that, they are wheat-, dairy-, and gluten-free and contain no added sugars. So while you’re running around during fashion week, remember to Eat Nākd…you’re stomach will thank you.
Ever wonder how those models keep their skin looking so fresh and bright? We’ll let you in on a little secret…it takes some serious moisture power!
The 24 Hour Face Cream from OURS is meticulously designed to last all day and is safe to use from head to toe. This gentle moisturizer is free of parabens, fragrance and most common allergens so your skin looks healthy, silky and dewy.
Plus, if you’ve ever seen Cheryl Hickey, you know the girl’s got some seriously enviable skin…
What must-have survival item gets you through Fashion Week? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!
Here at NKPR, Toronto Fashion Week is one of our favourite times of year. From the exceptional runways to the impeccable street style, it’s a time of sartorial inspirations and ultimate fashion moments.
As the kick-off approaches, we’ve rounded up a list of our must-have items to help you not only survive, but thrive in and out of the tents…
This portable kit fits perfectly into your purse and includes five of Saje Natural Wellness’ therapeutic roll-on remedies – Peppermint Halo, Stress Release, Pain Release, Immune and Eater’s Digest.
Never miss a show with Immune which helps fight germs & viruses, while a few applications of Pain Release will help those sore feet and keep you dancing until dawn.
Sophisticated nail shades are the perfect accessory for Fashion Week. As Essie Weingarten says, “fabulous colour is always in style.”
Rita Remark, essie Canada’s lead nail artist, will be specially designing nail art for the models in shows like Rudsak and Michael Kale using a variety of essie’s iconic shades and nail care products.
To prep for the show, try a few coats of essie’s Blanc or add a pop of colour with Butler, Please and you’ll look like you should be the one walking the runway.
With a photo-opp around every corner, it’s important to make sure you keep your luscious locks looking, well, luscious. Unfortunately, the endless amounts of styling, teasing and highlighting takes a toll on your hair.
OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Healing Oil is just what you need to stay camera-ready all day long and well into the night. Just a few spritzes of this nourishing formula instantly restores moisture and heals any split-ends.
After one application, hair feels healthy, looks shiny and leaves you ready for your close-up! (Inside scoop: now available online at Walmart Canada)
Tweezerman’s Mini Brow Rescue Kit is a no brainer – everything you need for on-the-go eyebrow maintenance, perfectly packaged into a convenient travel-size case.
This kit includes Tweezerman’s Mini Slant, Mini Browmousse, Mini Brow Brush and Mini eyehance Brow Highlighter and fits into any makeup bag. Perfect for quick touch-ups anytime, anywhere. Cara Delevingne, eat your heart out!
Staying hydrated during Fashion Week is essential. For a delicious thirst quencher, try bottlegreen’s Cranberry & Orange Sparkling Pressé.
This delightfully refreshing drink is made with cold pressed ingredients blended with spring water sourced from the Cotswolds in England. It comes in an elegant glass bottle that suits any high-profile Fashion Week occasion.
Long days and late nights can leave you not looking your best, which is why Racinne’s Contour Brightening Eye Care should be in your purse at all times during Fashion Week.
This lightweight cream contains natural antioxidants and renewal properties to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. It instantly hydrates the skin for a firmer and visibly brighter look, keeping you fresh, well-rested!
Eating healthy is crucial to surviving during fashion week, but can be a tad difficult when you’re on the go. Luckily, Eat Nākd barspack all of the protein, nutrients and natural ingredients that you need to tide you over until your next meal.
Eat Nākd bars are made from a cold-pressed mix of fruits and nuts and are available in four flavours – Cocoa Orange, Cashew Cookie, Cocoa Delight and Berry Delight. On top of that, they are wheat-, dairy-, and gluten-free and contain no added sugars. So while you’re running around during fashion week, remember to Eat Nākd…you’re stomach will thank you.
Ever wonder how those models keep their skin looking so fresh and bright? We’ll let you in on a little secret…it takes some serious moisture power!
The 24 Hour Face Cream from OURS is meticulously designed to last all day and is safe to use from head to toe. This gentle moisturizer is free of parabens, fragrance and most common allergens so your skin looks healthy, silky and dewy.
Plus, if you’ve ever seen Cheryl Hickey, you know the girl’s got some seriously enviable skin…
What must-have survival item gets you through Fashion Week? Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!
As we say goodbye to summer’s colourful sundresses and flowy skirts, we welcome the return of fall and most importantly… jacket weather! Jackets and coats are an accessorizer’s dream, from bold prints to traditional neutrals we’re loving this season’s take on old classics.
One of our favourites: The Camel Coat. No longer just your grandmother’s go-to, this classic staple is a fall fashion must-have.
We break down this season’s hottest trend with help from Jones New York taking this look runway to realway. Introducing The Great Camel Comeback…
Tell us how you’d style your Camel Coat…tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!
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