One Last Thing...

Just a cute picture of our snow loving dog....(At least someone is enjoying it)

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Merry Christmas

This will be my last post until after the holidays, so I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Please be safe, take care of yourself and relax! I know I'm going to try my best and then look out 2009!
I want everyone to forget about all of the despair that is thrown in our faces in the everyday media and just enjoy what you have right now, life! I was once told there are only two things that are certain and that will never happen again...Today and You!

Enjoy every bit of the holiday season and we will see you next year!

Tchau, Tricia

Cachaca is the New Tequila

Oi!

Just because it has been snowing and blowing and freezing for the past 2 weeks, I have decided to talk about fun, refreshing, summery drinks! It's the only thing that will keep me from going absolutely crazy right now, dreaming of patios, green grass and the hot sun...If any of you know me, you know I hate winter, yes hate is a strong word and I know I should be used to it by now living in Canada all of my life, however I will say it again: I HATE WINTER!

This is where I am, in my mind, right now...Cabo Frio, Brazil

Okay, now onto chatting about a wonderful drink that can be consumed throughout winter and summer. Turn up the heat, put on the bikini and close your eyes...enjoy!

Cachaca is THE cane spirit of Brazil, like other Caribbean and tropical countries, Brazil adopted the idea of using sugar cane to make the local "hooch." Often made in very primitive conditions and considered the drink of the slaves and the very poor, Cachaca was never a drink of choice to Non-Brazilians.

However, Cachaca is becoming the new Tequila in North America. Like Tequila, Cachaca was never the high end spirit that was ordered in trendy lounges and bars. However, it is now rising to the table with wonderful and expensive concoctions much like tequila has over the past couple of years. The wild herbal and smoky flavours that come from Cachaca give Caipirinha, the National Drink of Brazil, the smooth and refreshing flavours that we have come to know. Caipirinha is popping up on drink menus throughout North America now, the citrus squeeze of lime, the sweetness of sugar and the wild edge of the Cachaca, make this the new "Cosmo."

So now that you know a little more about the Brazilian Cane Spirit, try this recipe below and instead of reaching for the Rum and Egg Nog this Christmas, try a Caipirinha and be whisked away to warmer locals.

Caipirinha

• One lime (For 2 drinks)


• 2 ounces (or more if you like it strong) of Cachaca or Vodka (hopefully you can find a wonderful Cachaca at one of your finer liquor stores, but if you can't vodka works well too)


• 2 or so tablespoons of sugar


• Lots of ice

-Cut limes into 8th's and cut off the whites on the inside of the lime (takes away the bitterness, I learned this from my wonderful Brazilian Father, thanks Armando!)

-Put limes and sugar into container or glass and use pestle to 'mash' limes and sugar together to make a sugary liquid

-Add Cachaca to mixture and stir

-Add lots of ice and stir

-Spoon limes, ice and liquid into glasses

-Add a mini umbrella and enjoy

Warning it's nice and strong!!

Tchau,

Tricia

Ho,Ho,Holiday Travel Tips

Merry Christmas!

We have all been there, haven't we? Travelling over the holidays can be the worst experience in the world...with everybody and their dogs lining up at the check in counters, security lines, parking lots, bathrooms etc. So much for that relaxing Christmas right? Well, now that this will be my third Christmas in a row travelling, thought I would offer up a few tips on how to deal with the madness!

1) Stay Away from the Christmas Cheer until you get there! (Or else you end up looking like me)Now the first thing I usually would recommend is a few glasses of my favourite Christmas treat (Rum and Egg Nog or Try Irish Cream and Egg Nog even better). However when flying, the treats of the alcoholic kind do not help with the stress that can overcome you in the air. Which leads me to the next point...

2) Drink lots of water before, during and after your flight. Rehydrate and prepare yourselves for the loads of parties, drinks and dancing that you will be doing during your trip.

3) Again, if flying especially to other countries, get to the airport early! My husband bugs me all of the time because I get so worried about missing the plane. Even though they will page you a couple of times before they leave you behind (Insert Husband's voice here), it's still a good idea to be there when they tell you to. To eliminate the stress of waiting in line at customs, security, baggage drop etc. just do it, you can always walk around the airport, read, have a coffee etc. At least you are there, says my neurotic self! I just make it part of the holiday experience and realize that it will be the last alone time with my husband, before we spend a week with the family!

4) I jumped right into the airport stress, but one really, really important point that I forgot about is packing your carry on! I am infamous for stuffing a big bag full of everything that I think I'm going to need; 3 Books (because I can't decide ahead of time which one to read), 3 magazines (in case I get bored of the books), DVD player (in case there is no movie or TV's and because I don't feel like reading!), DVD's (obvious reasons), Laptop (yeah, like I'm going to do work), a extra sweater, travel pillow, and the list goes on and on. I'm telling you (and myself) DON'T DO THIS. Makes a really heavy bag to carry around and typically you can't get anything out of it when it's shoved in under the seat anyways. I am vowing to take my own advice this time. One book, One Magazine and my purse. That way I can save room to bring home fragile presents (I'm expecting lots!)

5) Okay, this is my last piece of advice...My husband and I seem to ALWAYS forget our headphones, not sure what it is, but we now have about 50 pairs of Airplane headphones around the house due to our forgetfulness. I have come up with a solution, put 2 pairs of headphones (or any other little thing that you always forget) with your travel documents. I have them sitting right beside my passport now in its special hiding spot. The one thing I hope you never forget is your passport...believe me, another thing that I panic about every single time I travel. (Maybe I should ask for one of those passport holders for Christmas?!hmmm)

Well, I hope some of these little tips help you out with your Holiday Travel this year!

Happy Ho, Ho, Holidays!

Tchau, Tricia

Accessorizing Your Bikini & Your Tan!

Hi everyone,

I have delayed on a new posting the past week as I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to read about Rip Currents, I truly hope everyone had a chance to read it!

Today, I am posting my most recent endeavour and my very first press release! Take a read to find out what Belo Sol has been up to!

Two Prominent Airdrie Women Launch “HOT” Business Relationship!

Tricia Andres McDonald, Owner of Belo Sol Swimwear & Joey Magas, Owner of Tan Lines Tanning Studios are pairing up to offer ladies a HOT opportunity. New and Existing clients of Tan Lines and Belo Sol Swimwear will now Accessorize Their Tans and Their Bikinis with this exciting new promotional relationship.
Tricia and Joey believe that women deserve to be comfortable and confident while on their sunny vacations. By taking advantage of this collaboration, women will see how Belo Sol can take the FEAR out of swimwear shopping and how important a base tan is before heading to hot, sunny locals. Ladies know that the two things that can ruin a vacation are a poorly fitted bathing suit or a terrible skin damaging sunburn. Tricia and Joey want to see that they have a relaxing and wonderful trip, that’s why they believe it is important to provide these comfortable and convenient services to women in Airdrie.
Tricia says thousands of women have been surveyed and 90% of them said “that they would rather get a root canal then go swimwear shopping!”
Ladies will not have to fear the swimwear shopping experience anymore; by tanning at Tan Lines for that winter vacation they have the opportunity to find that perfectly fitted bathing suit in the comfort of their own home.
And alternatively, Belo Sol clients will have the opportunity to get that fabulous golden base at a great value.
Joey says “The number one complaint of vacationers is that they get stuck in their hotel rooms with a blistering, painful sunburn or heat stroke. By getting a base tan, sun seekers will decrease the probability of a terrible sunburn ruining their holiday.”
This exciting new collaboration will be launched this holiday season, just in time for ladies to “Heat Up” their Christmas/Winter vacations!
Interested ladies can stop by either Tan Lines Studios to check out Belo Sol’s Featured Bathing Suit of the week or Book a Private Appointment/Group Party with Belo Sol to receive their fabulous Tan Lines discount.

Will be back on Tuesday with some Christmas Travel Tips!

Tchau, Tricia