Winter Activities:
Horses and Hot Chocolate: Fort Edmonton Park offers a great way for you to spend some time with a big group of friends. They’re offering horse-drawn wagon rides around the park (hot chocolate included) until the end of February. You can book the entire wagon for 40 minutes. Cost and other details here.
Cross Country Skiing: My girlfriends and I had a big cross-country ski date planned for tomorrow, but it looks like most of the city trails are closed due to insufficient ice pack. (No complaints about the warm weather here!) We all know there’s more snow coming at some point, so if you do want to plan a ski around the city, here’s the list of groomed trails. You can also pre-pay to reserve rentals at MEC. One day (pick up in the evening, ski the next day, return the day after) is around $20 for boots and skis. Not bad!
Ice Castles: Something this spectacular is worth seeing at least once. Head down to the Ice Castles at Hawrelak Park, open now until the beginning of March. Tickets are a few bucks cheaper if you buy them online instead of on-site. Leave your strollers at home and go with toboggan transport for the kiddos. Way easier. Tickets and hour info here.
Ice on Whyte: Stunning sculptures, ice carving lessons, and an ice bar (!!) – just a few of the features at the 16th Annual Ice on Whyte Festival. It runs next weekend (January 25-28) and February 1-4. All the details here.
DIY Hanging Nightstand: I created a hanging nightstand a while ago for The Edmonton Fall Home Show’s Notable Nightstands Challenge, in support of Habitat for Humanity. Here’s how you can do it yourself for around $20! The Edmonton Renovation Show is on next weekend January 26 – 28. Watch my Instagram Stories next Monday evening (January 22) for a chance to win a VIP meet and greet with HGTV Host Bryan Baeumler!
Plant-Based Place: Another new vegan and vegetarian restaurant has opened up in Edmonton, this time on the southside. Find Good Stock Restaurant and Catering at 11409 40 Ave.
Lucy the Elephant Shirts: Yeg&Co is out with a new print, celebrating our city’s favourite pachyderm. ‘I Love Lucy’ t-shirts are available for babies and moms. They also offer several other hilarious “Edmonton” shirts. Shop here.
Shop Changes: There’s been some boutique shuffling at Southgate Mall. You can now find Poppy Barley right beside Crate and Barrel, and Shop the Skinny is on the other side of the building outside of Sears and The Gap (off entrance eight). The Refinery Clothing six-month pop up has now wrapped up. You can still shop their stuff at their main location – 14263 23 Ave.
Creation Space: You likely know by now how much we adore this art studio on Whyte Ave. We just popped into their every-Thursday open studio yesterday (photo below) and heard about a really cool workshop they have coming up. Sign up your kids for Little Tykes, Paint, Push Toys and Bikes. Your little one can bring a push toy or trike and paint with the wheels, and explore sensory bins and coloured soaps in the bike wash. Prepare to get messy!
Floral sweaters: I’m all about floral sweaters right now. It’s a nice way to bring in some colour to the sea of winter neutrals. Check out my favourite floral sweaters (as low as $25!) here.
Photo Session for a Cause: There are still a few dates for the unique portrait sessions hosted by local brand photographer Lauren Dary. The shoots are intended to honour the women that have helped us become who we are today. All photo sessions are by donation, with proceeds going to the Canadian Women’s Foundation. The sessions are being held at several locations across the city. Get all the details here.
Follow Friday: Certain things in life, I like to leave to the professionals. Makeup is one of those things. I’m terrible at applying my own. So, I love following Kassie Harvey’s Instagram feed – Tall White Latte. She offers video tutorials and tips on where to shop the best stuff. Give her a follow here!
Know of any hidden gems, cool local products or unique events happening in the Edmonton area? I would love to hear from you! Email kari@kariskelton.com.
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