lucky penny is no snow bunny… her expertise lies more in the après ski: lodge libations. le fin.

post-spring snowstorm, and two months after her first visit 0f 2011 (at an intimate media tasting for 10), she felt it was appropriate to revisit the drake hotel’s sky yard. the outdoor rooftop patio is *now* a heat lamp oasis where guests can snuggle fireside (with complimentary blankets), and roast homemade marshmallows.

other treats will surely warm her soul, like a boozy hot chocolate, white chocolate s’more martini (did someone say godiva chocolate liqueur?) or drake nog… maybe a gingerbread man, old-fashioned cherry candy cane or two.

***psst… the lodge shuts down at month’s end. hurry in!

lucky penny is battling a fickle mother nature… spring one day, winter the next. thank goodness for weleda’s all-natural skin care line.

especially fond of their almond soothing facial lotion, it is brilliant for her sensitive skin… perfect for morning and midday meetings… and keeps her visage at optimal dewy freshness!

celebrating 90 years in the business, weleda’s motto is one that is equally beautiful, “in harmony with nature and the human being.” all in a day’s work.

lucky penny knows there are some things she just cannot ignore… when her call display reads “m-o-m”, and a hunger-induced headache.

left to her own devices and craving funghi assoluti from terroni (her favourite salad), she donned her chef’s hat and ventured to fresh and wild for ingredients…

1 bunch of oyster mushrooms

olive oil

garlic (2 minced cloves)

bread crumbs

chopped parsley and a bit of thyme

½ cup grated parmesan

½ cup balsamic vinegar

mix cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, thyme and garlic with some olive oil. toss in mushrooms until well-coated. lay out on a baking sheet, and stick under a 400 degree broiler until crispy and brown. reduce vinegar until slightly syrupy. serve over fresh arugula. drizzle with balsamic reduction.

now if only lucky penny could duplicate their molten chocolate cake… hmmm.

lucky penny is experiencing technical difficulties… server glitches, broken laptop, and maybe a post-birthday hangover (or two). #boozybirthdaybootcamp fail.

so without further ado, the winner of her twelfth reader giveaway contest is… drum roll, please… congratulations, michelle d.!!!

michelle wins the “melody of flight” necklace by kv bijou… former bachelorette jillian harris has one, too.

one rule to enter… for more *free* giveaways, “like” lucky penny on facebook and be automatically entered to win!!!

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ever wondered why a parisienne has that je ne sais quoi? they wear lingerie… not for a man, but to feel good.

thirteenth lucky penny reader giveaway is a personal bra fitting and complimentary underpinning from tryst lingerie—$100 voucher towards a bra/underwear etc. (winner’s choice!)

shana, the lovely proprietor at tryst lingerie, believes that most women are wearing the wrong size.

lucky penny went from a 36B to a 34D or DD… cute boyfriend said he knew it all along.

standing straighter and clothes hanging better, she happily walked out with a bag full of goodies by passionata and fortnight.

the winner will be announced on monday, april 25th!!!

only facebook fans can qualify to win… so like us, svp!

lucky penny is the birthday girl. she *hearts* birthdays… be it hers, or a loved one… birthday weeks are even better.

after a delightful mani/pedi and dim sum, the mother-daughter pair strolled over to the little blue box… some innocent window shopping quickly turned into a treasure hunt. arrrr, matey!

bright, shiny and gold… a charming link clasp bracelet by tiffany & co. caught her eye (sans pirate patch). every *new* charm can simply be added by pinching a link. ta-dah! no soldering required.

this year: a golden key. next year: an initial pendant. no big deal.