Kingston has officially become a winter wonderland and from outdoor activities that embrace the snow to those that keep us inside all cozy and warm, there's a slew of fun date ideas just waiting to happen. It's that time of year where holding hands spreads warmth but also love.

While cuddling and Netflix and chill is great, it’s always a great idea to wow your bae every once in a while. Keep things interesting, mix it up a little. And I don’t mean dinner and movie - here's my top 5 picks for you to enjoy this season:

1. Discover Winter's Secrets at Lumina Borealis

Kingston's newest winter attraction is coming to Fort Henry on December 1st - this is your chance to discover winter's secrets through a magical night walk experience. Lumina Borealis is an unforgettable outdoor winter event and the only one of its kind in Ontario. Get ready to enjoy an immersive and interactive event inspired by winter childhood dreams and memories. The perfect date setting - you will be drawn into a colourful and enchanting world.

Get your tickets here.

2. Let's Join The Fun at Cirque du Soleil

3. Warm Up at a Local Coffee Shop

The city of Kingston is filled with culinary gems but we are also blessed with coffee shops that offer life's little pleasures complete with a sense of community. Whether you're a student, tourist or local, Kingston is enjoying a bit of an independent coffee revival that includes new cafes, small-batch roasters and fun artistic baristas. Perfect spot for a date, coffee shops such as Coffeeco or Juniper Cafe provide the ideal ambiance for every personality while also staying warm and lending topics of conversation to save you from awkward silences.

4. Drinks and Mingle

5. Indulge in Dessert for Two

 Bonus: Stroll around Springer Market Square

Talk about romantic - Market Square in downtown Kingston is the perfect postcard setting this holiday season. Sure it’s cold, but bundle up and grab a hot cocoa from Sipps Coffee and Dessert Bar around the corner. Better yet, take your date for a skate under the stars in the Square - one of Kingston's best winter traditions. Or stroll through the neighbourhood admiring local businesses, art galleries and more!

What are some of your favourite winter date ideas?

-xoxo

With the holiday season fast approaching, adding a bit of sparkle to your daily routine is always a blessing - especially when it involves time-saving hacks. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working or a student - we're all busy in our own way so a little extra help around the holidays is always appreciated.


Meet Minted - a fabulous company I came across when I was looking for blogger business cards. It's a design marketplace of independent artists from around the globe - amazing right?! With stunning designs, this year thanks to Minted I already have my holiday cards signed, stamped and ready to go.

Hard to believe right? Well folks I'm serious - it's November and Minted has crossed off one very important item off my list. Who doesn't love to save time and make their holiday card beautiful from the inside out with an added personal touch.


 They have a great selection of beautiful photo-cards, featuring the latest trends, and the best part - matching envelopes with the ability to have all of them addressed! Because honestly, who has time in their day to do that. Avoid the pen smudging this season!

It's as easy as exporting your contacts to excel, uploading them to your Minted account and presto - they are available to you whenever you order cards. Then you receive all your envelopes pre-printed with addresses in the design you choose! That's not it - you can also choose to order return address labels. The holidays are already jam packed with so many things to do, so I fell in love with these time-saving hacks that are a lifesaver for workaholics like myself.

This year I was inspired by the ever so popular foil pressed card with rose gold detailing. Though I knew I wanted to incorporate a little bit of added personalization and highlight the city I live in. As a locavore and a gal who loves to snap photos, picking the right image for the card was the toughest part of the entire process.

You have the ability to be as creative as you want or if you need a little extra help, the Minted service team is their to assist you from start to finish. The options are endless from foil, letterpress, luxuriously thick or fancy glossy paper, the choice is all yours.

If you have kids drawings, a family photo or whatever your heart desires, this year's holiday cards will be a breeze with Minted! 

Design your artwork now at www.minted.com

Thank you Minted for sponsoring this post!

It is a proud moment indeed for Mackinnon Brothers Brewing Company as this week a glass was risen at a quaint gathering to celebrate the release of their brand new 2016 Harvest Ale.

Why so special?


This brew was made using 100% of ingredients grown on their own family farm thanks to their unique commitment of staying local. With farm-grown ingredients of Newport and Vojvodina hops as well as AC Metcalfe barley, the taste and tradition of this new brew certainly resonates with their farm and the region. As malt for the brew was malted just a hop, skip and away in Belleville by their friends at Barn Owl Malt .

Keeping the entire operation local has successfully allowed Mackinnon Brothers to set themselves apart from others in the craft beer industry. So let's give these boys a well deserved round of applause for staying local and true to their roots but most importantly for brewing a 100% farm-sourced beer, a goal on their minds since the inception of the brewery.


In the wise words of MP Mike Bossio of Hastings-Lennox and Addington, Harvest Ale is "sustainability in a glass" and that it is! So let's cheer to a glass of locally sourced beer - it doesn't get any better than that.

The final product in all its glory - the 2016 Harvest Ale.


Where: 1915 County Rd 22, Bath, Ontario

For more information visit: www.mackinnonbrewing.com

-xoxo

Fall is one of the best times to have a leisurely stroll in and around Kingston thanks to the beautiful yellow, orange and red colours that appear for just a short time each year. Take advantage of this and head out to Jones Falls Lock Station located just off of highway 15. Don't forget to bundle up, pack a lunch and take your camera to capture picture perfect memories!

Multiple entry points along County Road 11 off of Highway 15 are available. The bottom of the locks can be accessed using Kenneys Road by Hotel Kenny where parking is available just a few feet away. Other options include taking Stone Arch Dam Lane to view the top of the lock station.