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Dairy Free, Entertain, Fashion, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

CREAMY COCONUT MANGO MEZCALRITAS

Friends, it feels absolutely incredible to be back today with a fresh COCKTAIL recipe! It’s been quite awhile since my last blog post — between a wonderful, 3 week workcation in the country, to making the most of some business-related travel in Edmonton (where we enjoyed a little weekend getaway!), I’ve been (safely) bouncing around all over the province like a true digital nomad this month. Although I’ve had my camera and laptop in tow and have still been creating content, keeping my socials updated (have you stopped by Instagram lately to see what I’ve been up to?) and working on some exciting projects, I couldn’t find the time to actually sit down, process and edit imagery, write long-form content and publish a blog post! Instead, I had some long overdue development tasks taken care of behind the scenes here at JustineCelina to get the site back in pristine working order (hopefully you haven’t even noticed!). Overall it’s been a very lucrative and productive month, although blog content took a back seat — so thank you for your patience and understanding! I’m thrilled to be back with this clean slate, feeling refreshed and ready to bring you tons of summer content — commencing with these Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas!

I’ve been sipping away on these jubilant, Oaxacan-inspired cocktails since Cinco de Mayo when I whipped them up for a festive night in, simply using what we had on hand — and the results were absolutely delicious! My Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas are a perfectly balanced libation that are equal parts smoky, citrusy, creamy, spicy and sweet — and are (as always!) free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. A healthy dose of hand-crafted mezcal and creamy coconut milk combine with fresh mango and lime juices, along with a splash of Cointreau, agave nectar and just a hint of red chilli before they’re shaken over ice and strained into a Himalayan pink salt and Tajín rimmed glass. Make the most of this very welcome heatwave with an inspired seasonal sip that will virtually transport you to a tranquil ocean shore from the comfort of your own home, backyard or patio! Cheers to finding new ways to bring TRAVEL into our lives this year!

July 29, 2020 by Justine

Baking, Bar, Create, Dessert & Treats, Dining Room, Dwell, Entertain, Fashion, Flowers, Food, Gluten Free, Inspiration, Local Love, Occasions, Spring, Vegan, Wine & Cocktails

A SIMPLE EASTER DINNER FOR TWO

Remember when I mentioned over the holidays that I wanted to bring more ENTERTAIN content to JustineCelina this year? Although these weren’t quite the circumstances I envisioned (now that’s an understatement!), I’m thrilled to share A Simple Easter Dinner For Two with you today! While Easter certainly looked a lot different for everyone this year given the current global situation, we decided to make the most of it and celebrate here in our home in Calgary — just the two of us. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we’d spend an Easter without the large family gatherings in the country we’ve become accustomed to over the years — but rather than mourning the loss of our cherished traditions, we resolved to stay home and create a few of our own!

In over a decade together, this was the first Easter dinner we’ve celebrated in our home — and I wanted to mark the occasion by capturing these memories to look back on. I put on a dress, ordered flowers, made some nostalgic family recipes along with my first ever carrot cake — then we popped some Prosecco and enjoyed A Simple Easter Dinner For Two (Adam was actually peeling potatoes in the kitchen to my left as I snapped these photos from my tripod!). I was reminded of my ability to find beauty in uncertainty and create amongst chaos — these are things I find very cathartic and truly bring me joy. While it wasn’t a traditional Easter, it was still a lovely weekend — gifting us with lessons in resiliency, enjoying life’s simple pleasures and doing the best you can with what you have, where you are! Whether you’ve stopped by today for details on our Easter in quarantine, are planning a more intimate Easter gathering of your own, or are visiting years in the future once this is all behind us in search of some easy Easter entertaining ideas, I’ve got you covered!

April 18, 2020 by Justine

Entertain, Flowers, Giveaways, Local Love, Pantone, Spring, Wine & Cocktails

HONEYED SASKATOON CHERRY GIMLET

After what has undoubtedly been the longest month of my life, I know one thing for sure… I need a stiff drink! Who’s with me?! Each March, I eagerly await Spring Equinox and typically celebrate its arrival with the publication of a fresh, seasonally inspired cocktail — but March 2020’s events really threw my editorial calendar for a loop. Although this recipe is publishing a bit later than I had originally intended, I can assure you it’s been tested to perfection — in fact, there was rarely an evening that passed this month when I didn’t find myself shaking up a Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet (if you follow along with my Instagram Stories, you can attest to this!). This cocktail highlights Eau Claire Distillery’s recently re-released Saskatoon Honey Gin — and I’ve teamed up with them give away a full sized bottle (along with a few other goodies!) to one of my Canadian friends to help lift your spirits and keep your home bars stocked!

Gin lovers, I’m thrilled to share my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet recipe with you today — a refreshingly spirited, 4 ingredient spring cocktail inspired by doing the best you can with what you have, where you are. The best part? If you have a well-stocked bar, you likely already have all of the ingredients on hand (and if not, I’ve included links to where you can purchase them to help support local businesses during this challenging time)! This simple but perfectly balanced craft cocktail combines Saskatoon Honey Gin with Honey Simple Syrup, cherry bitters and freshly squeezed lime juice shaken over ice — and can be prepared with ease by home bar beginners and skilled mixologists alike. Bring the cocktail bar to the comfort of your own home this spring with my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet — a quintessentially Albertan twist on a classic gin cocktail! Cheers, friends — and best of luck to those entering the giveaway!

March 30, 2020 by Justine

40+ PINK VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS | free valentines day background | free valentines day wallpaper | valentines day gift ideas | galentines ideas | Galentine’s party | Valentine’s Day recipes | Valentine’s day menu | Valentine’s day 2020 | Blogger’s favourite Valentine’s Day Ideas | Pink Valentine’s Day Recipes | Pink Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas | Valentine’s Day Entertaining Ideas | Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas | The Best Pink Valentine’s Day Lipsticks // JustineCelina.com

Baking, Beauty, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Digital Blooms, Entertain, Fashion, Flowers, Food, Fragrance, Makeup, Occasions, Roundups, Smoothies & Juices, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

40+ VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS

Year after year as we approach Valentine’s Day, I find myself seeing through proverbial rose-coloured glasses and craving all things pink! And during the almost 6 years I’ve been blogging here at JustineCelina, I’ve created a plethora of dreamy, pink themed content. To celebrate love day this year, I’m sharing mega dose of all things pink, feminine and romantic in my 40+ Valentine’s Day Ideas roundup — featuring a collection of my favourite love day inspired things across categories. From what I wear, to the beauty products and fragrances I chose, to the flowers I bring into my home (or to my screen!), to what I eat and drink to how I entertain and practice self care, I love to incorporate February’s quintessential hue into Valentine’s Day — no matter what I’m up to!

Whether you’re in search of Valentine’s Day outfit ideas, the perfect rose toned lipstick, gift ideas for your significant other, pretty cocktails, seductive fragrances, plant-based pink recipes, flower arranging tips and education, self care ideas, or Galentine’s Day entertaining inspiration, I’ve got you covered! Plan yourself the best Valentine’s Day yet whether you’re single or attached, no matter how you celebrate by fixing yourself a delicious pink cocktail (may I suggest a Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz?) and cozing up with me tonight for some fun, attainable and creative ways to infuse a festive touch into your to your love day!

February 14, 2020 by Justine

Dining Room, Dwell, Entertain, Music, Occasions, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

DECEMBER 2019 SOUNDTRACK + BONUS 2019 SOUNDTRACK

It’s the last day of the decade — and after a very restful, unplugged week in the country celebrating the holidays, I’m back with the final Monthly Soundtrack of 2019! My December 2019 Soundtrack is a short n’ sweet, 20 track playlist that’s equal parts festive and relaxed — with a few hip-hop curveballs thrown in for good measure! It you’re looking for some great tunes to decorate your NYE plans as we get ready to ring in 2020, this playlist is for you!

This month I had a few modern holiday playlists on repeat, including, Indie Christmas 2019 and Modern Holiday — but also discovered a few standout tracks of my own during December! Bien’s The Best is yet To Come, Flughand and steichi’s fyrsta, lōland’s linus, Mtbrd’s Those Eyes, Tycho’s Stress, Regina Spector’s My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) and LOYAL’s Light Up For You were some of my most played tracks. If you’re in need of even more fresh tunes, check out my Spotify-generated 2019 Soundtrack, featuring my 100 most played songs from 2019! No matter what your plans are tonight, I hope you all have a fun, safe and happy New Years Eve! Thank you for spending a little bit of the last day of 2019 with me and for your continued support here at JustineCelina — it truly means the world to me. Wishing you all the happiest new year and fabulous decade ahead!

December 31, 2019 by Justine

Bar, Caffeinated, Create, Dining Room, DIY, Dwell, Entertain, Fashion, Gluten Free, Inspiration, Occasions, Sponsored, Vegan, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

EASY HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING IDEAS

With the holidays just around the corner and the height of entertaining season upon us, I’m elated to share my go-to Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas in my first dedicated ENTERTAIN post in… gulp… 3 years! The absence of entertaining content here at JustineCelina in recent years has happened authentically, as we’ve scaled back on entertaining in general — simply because life is busy (I’m sure you can relate, especially at this time of year!). Although we love to have an apartment full of company eating, drinking and be merry during the holidays, I’m all about making this festive time of year as fun, stress free and healthy as possible — and that’s what this post is all about! Whether you’ve been with me for years or are new to my cozy little corner of the internet (welcome!), you’ll know I also love to incorporate better-for-you food and drink whenever we’re hosting or attending a party — because I believe in balance and mindful choices in every season of life.

Earlier this month as I pulled out our festive decor and entertaining essentials I discovered Kombrewcha — a delicious, 4.4% ABV hard kombucha made from organic ingredients. As a plant based eater with a sensitive stomach thanks to numerous food intolerances, I’ve long enjoyed kombucha as a way to help keep my digestion on track — especially during the holidays! I also love to mix this effervescent, probiotic-rich, fermented tea into my COCKTAILS (if you follow along with my Instagram Stories, you’ll know I’ve been developing kombucha cocktails since last summer!). This holiday season, I was absolutely delighted to find a better-for-you beverage that incorporates all of my libation must-haves (made from incredible ingredients and free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar!) in a convenient, ready-to-enjoy format. Tonight I’ve partnered with this new to Alberta brand to host a casual holiday dinner party and share my tried and true Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas — complete with my best decor, styling, hosting, food and drink, fashion and beauty tips to create a festive and memorable evening. Cheers to a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season!

December 20, 2019 by Justine

Entertain, Fall, Flowers, Summer, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

VIOLETTE NOIR BERRY SANGRIA

Just ahead of the holiday season, I’m thrilled to bring my sixth sangria recipe to JustineCelina today (if you’re new here, why yes, I adore sangria!). In years past, I’ve shared my tried and true recipes created with wine and spirits you would traditionally associate with sangria — but over the years as I honed my mixology skills I’ve also become just as passionate about craft cocktails. Now that I have a well-rounded baseline of sangria and cocktail recipes to work from, I find myself drawn to more creative and interesting ingredient combinations and flavour profiles — and that’s exactly how the idea for my Violette Noir Berry Sangria was born! Although I have a Classic Winter Citrus Red Sangria (my original sangria recipe that inspired all the others!), I’d always wanted to develop a berry-forward sangria using less conventional grapes and liqueurs. So this summer, I got to work using some of the more elusive ingredients in our bar — and today I’m finally sharing the recipe, after 6 months of extensive testing!

My Violette Noir Berry Sangria is a dramatic, berry-infused libation where bold, luscious flavours of raspberry-laden Chambord, floral Crème de Violette, juicy blackberry and a fresh kiss of citrus intertwine over an elegant Pinot Noir backdrop. This sophisticated, Parisian-inspired spin on traditional red sangria is as intricate as it is accessible — seducing both wine lovers and skeptics with each delicious, antioxidant-rich sip. It’s the ideal accompaniment to festive cocktail parties, formal occasions, holiday dinners or anytime you’re craving a refined, wine-based bracer to delight and surprise even the most discerning of palettes! As always, my Violette Noir Berry Sangria brimming with fresh, better-for-you ingredients and is free of added sugars — because I believe in balance in all areas of life. Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season!

November 12, 2019 by Justine

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