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Wine & Cocktails

Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | A 4 ingredient craft cocktail made with Eau Claire Distillery’s Saskatoon Honey Gin | Refined Sugar Free Gin Cocktail | A simple gimlet made with artisanal gin, Saskatoon berries, Alberta honey, Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters and fresh lime juice | The Best Easy Gin Cocktails | Simple Spring Gin Cocktail | Pink gin cocktails in gold rimmed coupe glasses garnished with Saskatoon berries and pink roses | Calgary Cocktail and Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
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!

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February 2020 Soundtrack | Chill Spring Playlist | Eclectic Spring Playlist Spotify | Smiling brunette woman enjoying a glass of wine in her bright and airy mid century modern living room | JustineCelina’s Inner City Calgary bohemian, mid-century modern apartment | How to Style Pampas Grass | Calgary Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Dwell, Living Room, Music, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

FEBRUARY 2020 SOUNDTRACK


In search of some fresh tunes as we transition into spring? I’m back with another Monthly Soundtrack for your listening pleasure today — featuring my usual eclectic melange of genres and artists with a chill, easy-listening vibe. Much like love month, my February 2020 Soundtrack is short n’ sweet with just shy of a hour and a half of my most recent musical discoveries. There was a lot of behind the scenes work happening here at JustineCelina this month as I got back into a content creation rhythm after vacation — and this 23 track playlist is what kept me feeling inspired and motivated!

Because of the curated nature of this month’s soundtrack, nearly ever song featured this month has been on heavy rotation. That said, blackbear’s me & ur ghost, Lane 8’s Just, Tim Legend’s Late Pickup Station, everything from Tycho’s Outer Sunset, Attom & Frye’s Way You Move, Austeria’s The Shimmering, SUMif’s Collide, Billie Eilish’s No Time To Die, Arizona Zervas ROXANNE and Bombay Bicycle Club’s Eat Sleep Wake (Nothing But You) were on repeat for days! Whether you stream my February 2020 Soundtrack directly from the embedded player in this post or come join me on Spotify, I hope you enjoy it!

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Flowers, Travel, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITAS


Happy Saturday, cocktail lovers! I’m back this weekend with my first recipe of 2020, inspired by our recent trip to Mexico and the height of citrus season here in Canada — Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! Have you ever tried mezcal? I discovered mezcal during our first trip to Oaxaca back in 2012 and it’s my spirit of choice whenever we’re in Huatulco. This traditional Mexican liquor is closely related to tequila (both are distilled from agave — mezcal can be made from any of several dozen species, while tequila must be made from blue agave) and originated in Oaxaca, which is still the largest producer of mezcal globally. Each time we visit we discover new artisinal varieties — and bring as much as we possibly can home to help ease our Canadian winters with spirited memories!

If you’re looking for an inventive libation that celebrates citrus season and the vibrancy of Mexican culture, you’ll find it in my Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! This jubilant craft cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and loaded with better-for-you ingredients, antioxidants and a healthy dose of vitamin C. Inspired by Mexican Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea concentrate combines with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices, Joven Mezcal, Cointreau and a splash of agave syrup shaken over ice and strained into a pink hibiscus salt rimmed glass. Transport yourself to the healing, pristine waters of the Mexican south pacific with this modernized, seasonal spin on the traditional mezcalrita!

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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!

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Resort 2020 Lookbook: Rainbow Stripes | Tropical Vacation Outfit Ideas | Cute Beach Vacation Outfits 2020 | Mexico Vacation Outfit Ideas | What to Wear on Vacation 2020 | Luxury Resort Fashion | How to Style Stripes 2020 | Colourful Stripe Dress Outfit Ideas | Spring 2020 Colour Trends | The Best Dresses for Tropical Vacations | Rainbow Stripe Wrap Dress | Brunette woman wearing a colourful striped wrap dress amongst tropical foliage | Camino Real Zaashila, Huatulco Review | Camino Real Resort Huatulco 2020 | Tangolunda Bay, Huatulco | Calgary Fashion & Travel Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fashion, Food, Goals, Lookbooks, Pantone, Travel, Wellness, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

RESORT 2020 LOOKBOOK


¡Buenos días!, amigas! After a wonderfully rejuvenating vacation and some time back on Canadian soil reflecting on all things JustineCelina, I’m back today with a dramatic change of scenery in my impromptu RESORT 2020 LOOKBOOK! As I mentioned in my last post, approaching our vacation I was unsure how much I’d want to share. It was first time in 6 years we’ve taken a week long, unplugged vacation outside of Canada — and I was desperately in need of time offline to decompress, refocus and reconnect. I decided to pack my professional camera last minute to capture images as I felt inspired, but completely relieved myself of content creation pressure. There’s an incredible duality to blogging — and as much as I wanted to capture, create and share content because it’s what I truly love to do, I also wanted to ensure I was actually resting and enjoying my vacation, rather than sharing every experience and working the entire time. While these blurred lines between life and work allow me to live and work in a way that nurtures my passions (one of the main reasons I started this blog in the first place!), they also make lifestyle blogging as a career incredibly tricky to navigate and can inevitably lead to burnout.  

I’m happy to report that by our third day, I was itching to bust out my camera and capture content! This trip was incredibly refreshing — we completely lived in the moment and only captured things when we felt inspired to do so. Surprisingly, I actually have quite a few photos and videos from our travels! It was such a valuable experience to let go of my regular content creation routines and just take things as they came — a lesson I’m carrying into my workflow in 2020. So although I would have loved to shoot outfits everyday, today I’m sharing 3 looks (rather than the 6 you’re accustomed to!) we captured in Huatulco — featuring a colourful dose of free spirited, Mexican-inspired fashion, along with a handful of of my vacation essentials! My first LOOKBOOK of the decade fuses TRAVEL and STYLE (as well as some Pantone 2020 Colour of the Year inspiration) for those of those of you jetsetting to a tropical destination this winter. If you’re curious about what I wore on vacation or learning a bit about Huatulco and where we stayed, whip up a mezcalrita and come along to the pristine southern shores of Oaxaca, Mexico digitally!  

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JustineCelina December 2019 Soundtrack + Bonus 2019 Soundtrack | Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas | Chill Winter Playlist | Chill Holiday Playlist | Relaxing Winter Playlist | Music for Entertaining Holiday Cocktail Party | Easy Christmas Party Ideas | Simple Mid Century Modern Holiday Dinner Party | JustineCelina’s Mid Century Modern Bohemian Dining Room | Simple Festive Tablescape with Winter Greenery, Pampas Grass, Candles and Champagne | Calgary Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
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!

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Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas | Holiday Entertaining at Home | Stress Free Entertaining Tips | Holiday Cocktail Party | Easy Christmas Party Ideas | Simple Mid Century Modern Holiday Dinner Party | JustineCelina’s Mid Century Modern Bohemian Dining Room & Bar | Brunette Woman Sitting on a Festive Dining Table Enjoying Berry Hibiscus Kombrewcha in a Champagne Flute | Kombrewcha available in Alberta | Kombrewca Review | Calgary Home Decor & Entertaining Blogger // JustineCelina.com
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! 

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