mac·a·ron noun: a small round cake with a meringue-like consistency, made with egg whites, sugar, and powdered almonds and consisting of two halves sandwiching a creamy filling. OLLIA MACARONS & TEA When it comes to the elusive french macaron, the popular Calgary based confectionery, Ollia Macarons & Tea, is a master. A dynamic French-Canadian duo, […]
Author: AmyButterfield
Folk, Flavour and Fringe: A Local’s Guide to Summer Activities in Edmonton, Alberta
“You take delight not in a city’s seven or seventy wonders, but in the answer it gives to a question of yours.” – Italo Calvino – Edmonton, Alberta, isn’t your average capital. It is a destination that beats to its own unique rhythm on a drum of cultural diversity. Home to roughly 1 million residents, […]
Finish Lines, Fenway and the Freedom Trail: A Family Guide to Exploring Boston, Massachusetts
“Boston isn’t a city, it’s a family.” -Chad Finn- We have an affinity for historical cities. There is something captivating about the architecture, character and deep rooted pride of a destination that carries with it the vibrancy of the past. Boston, Massachusetts, is a culmination of curves and clean lines, as a 19th century church […]
Patriot Place, Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots: Kicking our NFL Bucket List Through the Uprights
“The thing about football – the most important thing about football – is that it is not just about football.” – Terry Pratchett – Football. A game of yards and 4th downs, interceptions and intensity. It’s the power behind a defensive tackle, the beauty of a perfect spiral and the heartbreak of a field goal […]
Luxury, Location and Long Bars: A Stay at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” -Coco Chanel- I imagine this is how Alice felt, unsure which parts of her lavishly dramatic world were a dream and which parts still held footing in reality. Swirls of brilliance and magical mirrors, deep rose reds and ornate door handles that surely lead to worlds […]
Horsing Around: A Night of Thoroughbred Racing in Edmonton, Alberta
“There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man.” -Winston Churchill- There is something nostalgic about walking the grounds of a stable, the earthy mixture of dirt and hay, manes and tails. It is the sound of hooves, the neighs and the nickers. A blow of […]
Notes from the Hill: The Edmonton Folk Music Festival
“Music is one way for young people to connect to themselves, but is also a bridge for connecting with others. Through music, we can introduce children to the richness and diversity of the human family and to the myriad rhythms of life.” -Daniel A. Carp- For nearly four decades, music lovers have been staking a claim […]
Adventures in the Air: The Snow Valley Aerial Park, Edmonton, Alberta
“It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you are about to do something really, really brave.” -Mandy Hale- THE AERIAL EXPERIENCE Those first unsure footsteps, shaking hands, a nervous but determined face, gentle words of encouragement…. and a zip-wire so fun it needs to be crossed half a dozen times before moving on. A […]
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald: A Mother-Daughter Weekend in the Fairytale Castle of Edmonton
“Whether for business or pleasure, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has the attentive staff and luxurious accommodations to make your stay a graceful complement to the fun that abounds just outside our doors.” -Fairmont Hotel Macdonald- From the Edmonton River Valley it looms, a majestic combination of copper and limestone, radiating a romantic elegance in a tale that weaves […]
Tree Houses Hotel: Sleeping in the Canopy of Costa Rica
“Tree houses are the ultimate return to nature.” -Pete Nelson- There is something synonymous about children and building forts. Pulling out the meticulously folded sheets and strategically draping them over couches and chairs. Adding a magical glow with string lights and sleeping on a floor of popcorn and pillows. The motivated gathering of boards and […]