Michelle's journey began in the world of fashion, where she not only created stylish designs but also championed locality and sustainability. Her creations, embraced by global retailers and celebrities alike, showcased the perfect blend of style and conscience. Beyond fashion, Michelle's passion led her to co-found and produce the transformative documentary, "Make in America: Empowering Global Fashion," and contribute insightful articles to platforms like HuffPost and Thrive Global.
Michelle is embarking on an exciting new project, "This Old House," where history meets sustainability. Through updates on social media, we will witness the revival of a 1890s home, blending ageless charm with modern eco-friendly living.
Welcome, Michelle - we look forward to following you as you inspire us on your green journey.
Follow along:
Blog: www.greenwithliving.com
Instagram: @greenwithliving
Tiktok: @greenwithliving
]]>Carl’s book, titled Santa Soaked, tells a story of adaptation and survival as Santa’s home in the North Pole is under threat of melting, along with the rest of the Arctic.
But why this story?
“The story of Santa’s life after the North Pole, an urgent call for youth empowerment, offers a fresh start for us all. For many grown-ups, the world of hope and possibility we grew up with seems distant. Now, we only hope that our worst fears for ourselves and our children aren’t realized as our abuse of nature threatens to shatter civilization. How to regain the joyful spirit from when we were young enough to believe in Santa?,” Carl ponders.
“Telling Santa’s timely tale of his spiritual rude awakening brings young and old together for a crucial conversation that is long overdue. By gathering to share our growing awareness, we can accept the challenges and get into action. That's how we find the way forward together. That's how we get back to a better tomorrow,” says Carl.
Download the Santa Soaked ebook here: https://santasoaked.net/get-your-gift
Read more about the Santa Soaked Storytelling Initiative here: https://santasoaked.net/
Follow the Initiative on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaSoaked
Follow the Initiative on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SantaSoaked
]]>You have to admit, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing your hard work and dedication pay off. And that sense of elation is exactly how we at Halo headquarters are feeling after being featured on America’s biggest shopping channel, QVC!
QVC, an acronym for “Quality, Value, Convenience” was founded in 1986 and has over 350 million viewers in over 5 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. The channel runs 24/7 and allows viewers the opportunity to make a purchase via telephone or on their website.
Our beloved Edible Flowers collection, featuring prints designed by young artist Johanna Linde, were put on display and presented by the phenomenal David Venable during his show, In The Kitchen with David. He was joined by vivacious and effervescent TV personality, Susie Hassan, who did an amazing job of showcasing our Halos to QVC customers.
We’re super excited and honored to have been featured and hope that this is the beginning of many more prospects!
]]>October is right around the corner and that means that spooky season is upon us. For many of us, Halloween represents a time where we can throw on an outfit, enjoy time with family and friends and kick off the start of party season but where exactly does one even begin?
Between costumes, decorations and food, it can feel like there just isn’t enough time to plan it all. Luckily for you, we’re here to help! In this blog post we’ll detail some handy tips and tricks to get you started on pre-planning an epic Halloween celebration. We’ve also included a helpful timeline so that you can get everything ready without the stress. Let’s get into it!
A month before the party - Pre-planning
The first thing a host should do when planning a party is give themselves enough time to plan and procure all the necessary items that they need.
2 - 4 weeks before the party - Planning the nitty-gritty
As the day of your party draws closer, it’s the perfect time to iron out any important aspects and make sure that you have all your prep work done.
One week out - Final touches
At this time, you’ll want to pay attention to the final details so that everything runs smoothly.
The day before
This is your chance to put all of your pre-planning into motion.
The day of the party
It’s D-day! This is when all your planning comes together and you get to sit back and enjoy your hard work.
And just in case you want a handy file to save and reference for next year, you can find a print-out here.
]]>The traditional Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays on the Muslim calendar. Though both holidays are often referred to as Eid, there are a few major differences between the two. Eid al-Fitr comes first and takes place in the 10th month of the Muslim calendar. In contrast, Eid al-Adha is celebrated in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, taking place 70 days after the first holiday. Besides the fact that they fall on different dates, different dishes are enjoyed during each holiday. Eid al-Fitr is known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast and has culturally gained the monikers “Sweet Eid” and “Festival of Sweets”, due to the sweet treats enjoyed during this time.
This three-day festival sees Muslims across the world unite to enjoy an elaborate array of exquisitely prepared dishes as they feast in each other’s company. In celebration of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, here is a small selection of the best foods enjoyed around the world, sweet or otherwise.
South Africa: Samoosas
We start our journey in familiar territory - our home base of South Africa. Known as the “Rainbow Nation”, South Africa is a melting pot of culinary delights and this can certainly be seen in the foods we choose to consume during religious holidays. Drawing from Indian and Malay heritage, samoosas have become a staple on the Eid table and it’s easy to see why. Packed with delicious filling and folded into bite-sized triangles, these tasty snacks are often enjoyed with a side of dipping sauce and are simply satisfying!
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: Sheer Khurma
Made of toasted vermicelli-esque noodles known as seviyan, this milky dish is sometimes topped with almonds or dried dates and is sometimes known as shemai. This dessert is akin to a sweet noodle soup and can be served both hot or cold, depending on personal preference.
UK: Biryani
In the United Kingdom, one of the most popular Eid dishes is easily a classic biryani, which combines meat and rice in a highly flavourful, heavily spiced dish. While chicken is the usual go-to, the whole spectrum of meats can be used in an Eid biryani. This dish is usually served with a traditional raita (cucumber, mint and yoghurt dip), salad and pickles on the side.
Afghanistan: Bolani
One of the most traditional Afghan dishes enjoyed during Eid is bolani - a traditional flatbread stuffed with either leafy greens, such as spinach, potatoes, pumpkin or lentils. Bolani is usually cooked on a round iron griddle called a tawah and served with a tangy yoghurt sauce.
Morocco: Laasida and Tagine
Moroccans kick off the day with laasida, a dish that is similar to rice pudding but consists of couscous, better, honey and seasoning. Although this simple, yet sweet dish may start the day, it is the tagine that ends it. Popular throughout North Africa, tagines most commonly use chicken, although it’s not uncommon to see mutton tagines with dried fruit instead.
Indonesia: Lapis Legit
Influenced by the country’s Dutch colonisation, Muslims across Indonesia often tuck into this delicious spice cake to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Known as lapis legit, this dish remains popular in The Netherlands and is perhaps one of the most time-consuming Eid dishes, with each layer having to be made from poured and broiled batter, before being assembled into the final product.
Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq: Butter Cookies
They’re known by different names in different countries, but their closest English equivalent is butter cookies. In Palestine, they’re known as ghraybeh and include either pine nuts or almonds, while in Syria and Lebanon, they’re referred to as maamoul and typically feature walnuts or dates. Iraq knows them as klaicha and in Egypt, they’re called kahk and are filled with a honey-based stuffing.
China: You Xiang
Often served with rice or soup, this is a simple fried, flour-based snack that translates as “oil fragrance”. It is marked with multiple rituals surrounding its preparation and consumption, although this is dependent on location.
Yemen: Aseeda
Sometimes known as aseed, this Yemen dessert looks similar to a Mexican flan and is also enjoyed in Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Libya. Made primarily from wheat and honey and is typically served piping hot and devoured fast!
Malaysia: Rendang
While Eid al-Fitr is known as Hari Raya in Indonesia, there are still plenty of traditional dishes associated with the celebration, the most notable of which is rendang. This spicy coconut curry often includes beef as the main ingredient and is also enjoyed in Indonesia and the rest of the Malay diaspora.
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No matter how long you’ve been with your significant other, Valentine’s Day can put stress on your relationship. Between restaurant reservations and scouring the mall looking for the perfect gift, going the traditional Valentine’s route can be, well, boring.
Why not take the non-conventional path and try something different that your honey will love? Whether you want to channel your inner child or spice things up (in the kitchen, of course 😉), here are some date ideas that will have you both feeling the love without emptying your pockets in the process.
If you and your bae are fans of nature, then this is the perfect date for you! Pack your favourite treats into a picnic basket and head into the great outdoors for some much-needed R&R. Make sure to pack in your Halos to prevent bugs from getting into your food!
For those in a colder climate, why not bring the outdoors in with an indoor picnic? Simply crack open your favourite bottle of wine and prepare a delicious cheese board. Get the fire burning and enjoy some romantic time with your person!
Nothing says “I love you” quite like indulging your lover’s sweet tooth! And what better way to get the job done than with some decadent pancakes?
From trusted cinnamon sugar to silky red velvet, pancakes are a sweet breakfast staple and are so simple to make, that you can even prep them beforehand. Simply make your batter the night before, pop it into a bowl and cover with a Halo so that it’s ready as soon as you wake up the next morning. Top with maple syrup, fresh strawberries or whatever else your heart desires.
Break the routine and plan something interactive by creating a nacho bar. This DIY bar is the ideal way to bond with your sweetheart and indulge their love of all things spicy in the process.
Simply add some tortilla chips to a plate and place on a counter or table along with your fave toppings. Some good suggestions include jalapenos, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, black beans, fried beef mince and shredded chicken. You can utilise your Halos to cover your prepared dishes until you and your lover are ready to dig in.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be about relationships. You can catch your own arrow and dedicate the day of love to yourself! And honestly, why wouldn’t you? Enjoy not having to share your food or having your movie interrupted by treating yourself to a self-care day at home.
Start by cooking yourself a feast of your fave foods and follow this up with a DIY spa treatment from the comfort of your own couch. Or line up your favourite movies or series and make a day of it! Either way, you deserve it, so treat yourself.
Whether you’re celebrating indoors or choosing to head out, these affordable DIY Valentine’s Day date ideas are sure to make your time with your loved one an unforgettable experience.
]]>While it may seem impossible to find a gift worthy enough for the besties who mean so much to you, we’ve got just the inspiration to make the gift of giving feel even more sentimental this year.
Whether they’re a seasoned entertainer or brand new to the hosting game, we all know someone who loves to bring loved ones together through the love of food. Make sure they have the essentials for the job with our beautiful range of large sets and XXL dish covers.
Each large set of three comes complete with a medium, large and extra-large dish cover - perfect for hosting and entertaining. Salads and side dishes can be kept fresh and protected with the large and extra-large covers, while the medium covers are great for guarding prepared dishes against flies and other unwanted guests.
Our XXL dish covers are perfect for those hosts and hostesses who enjoy making dishes in bulk and are made to efficiently cover giant dishes and platters. The cover takes the shape of the dish, making it a versatile option that can be used on a variety of different bowls.
They also make beautiful additions to table decor, turning minimal settings into gorgeous spreads.
Shop our Entertainer's Gift Guide here>
If making delicious baked goods is more of their thing, then we have just what they need to take their creations to the next level. Introducing our Squares and Rectangles dish covers.
Perfect for brownies and tray bakes, our rectangle dish covers are made to stretch over various sizes and are breathable, which means limited sweating while freshly-baked treats are cooling down.
Our square covers do an amazing job of protecting baked desserts, ensuring that their prized goodies make it to the dining table safe and sound.
Shop our Baker's Gift Guide here>
Not everyone has the gift of foresight but this friend is constantly thinking ahead. If they’re not making plans for the next few months, they’re prepping meals and making reservations. This is someone our Set of Smalls was made for.
Each set comes with a jug cover, an extra small and a small cover and are a spectacular addition to any food prepper’s arsenal of utensils.
Whether they’re preparing tonight’s meal, tomorrow’s lunch or a delicious cocktail for the weekend, the fruits of their labour will be kept cool and ready for when needed.
Available in various prints and colours.
Shop our Planner's Gift Guide here>
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