Last week, I was inspired to step up my packaging game. I read an article written by a former UPS employee detailing why some packages arrive damaged or get lost in the mail system. One tip they offered was to make your packaging pretty or unique to give the handler reason to treat it just a little bit better than the thousands of others being tossed about. Taking this tip to heart, I designed a simple logo and commissioned a custom stamp from the amazing Meagan Lewis at Brown Pigeon, it was finished on Friday and is currently in the mail. This week’s goal is to source some eco-friendly boxes to brand and decorate with the new logo stamp, instead of using recycled boxes that have lost their charm. I also hope to use the new stamp on the Kraft paper bubble envelopes I’ve recently switched to.
Author: Melissa Harrison
Annual Hard Cider Review 2013
Last autumn, I tasted every cider I could get my get my lips around, which turned out to be an exhaustive 13 ciders from Canada, America, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and the United Kingdom. This year, I aimed to try every cider that was either new to the market or just new to my area of Southern Ontario.
The autumn of 2013 produced some of the best ciders I have ever had in Pommies Dry Cider and Tempt No. 9 Cider. I’m also happy to say that unlike last year, no ciders have failed my review, the lowest ranking cider (I’m looking at you Somersby Blackberry Cider) scored an adequate 6/10.
Canadian Cider
Pommies Dry Cider
Made in Ontario, Canada
By Southern Cliff Brands
- $12.95 for 4 355mL bottles
- 5.0% alcohol/volume
This is my all-time favourite cider. Not only does it come in a lovely bottle with minimalist design that shows off it’s nearly clear colour, topped with a cute red cap, it also presents the most beautiful, sophisticated and delicate dry cider flavour. The soft, elegant carbonation bubbles glide over your tongue and leave you with a taste as clean and simple as the design on the bottle. Pommies Dry Cider is the champagne of ciders. I rate it a 10/10. Continue reading
How to Make a Hair Bow
Hair bows are a good beginner project, with straight lines both cut and sewn, the hardest part is not gluing the bow to your hand at the end!
The Classic Gin Martini
The Martinis used in the photoshoot for the new Red Sequin Table Runner are, sadly, fakes – just boring, wistful, watery imposters. (It was 11:30 am and all I had in my tummy was a bowl of Froot Loops… it didn’t feel like a two-martini-lunch kind of day.)
However, I do make a mean dirty martini: Continue reading