Dynamite Fashion Insider

I've had the honor of becoming a Dynamite Fashion insider, this is a great way to be in the know of all the new upcoming fashion trends and taking advantage of all promotions!

With becoming an insider I've gotten the opportunity to be a tester of Dynamite's new app. The app itself still has some glitches to get through- a lot of time the pictures don't match up with the titles… But that's what these tests are for right!

Being part of this team I've gotten the opportunity to take advantage of some amazing deals! The biggest one so far has been $50 off any one purchase!! With that I grabbed myself a new dress and blazer for an event that evening!

Some of the other deal's that I have full plans to take advantage of are 10% off just for making a profile... Sweet!

I've also gotten $10 off which I just ordered some work clothes with!

Ransacked the sale rack on the site and grabbed new mesh leggings (which make my legs look AWESOME) and a lace accented sweater.

I'm really enjoying being part of this site, they continuously do forums, surveys and focus panels to keep you involved! Apparently the next activity is going to be a monthly subscription run, where you get the choice of clothes every month. Details are vague right now but I'm hoping there will be free shipping and VIP discounts!

Here are a few other shots of the new app!

Rainbow Birthday Cake

I wanted my mother's birthday cake to be special this year- to add to the special party that we threw for her!
It was a wild success overall! Although my video camera stopped working we got some good shots to remember the day.


It started off with a surprise private state with all the family that could be pulled in! A couple coudn't participate due to bad timing (of being pregnant or recently having a concussion) but it was great to have everyone in the room! Even if you couldn't skate!

I for one hadn't skated in.... 15 odd years? Maybe longer? Surprisingly I help up strong! Didn't fall once ;)

The evening continued with more food then you could ever imagine and this cake. 3 tiers chocolate on the bottom tier and vanilla for the top. Equipped with rainbow sprinkles and fondant roses. I originally wanted a flamingo topper however the pink bird was a solid choice.

It was an amazing day of fun and family- I was thrilled that it went so well. Started the plans in August- for the party beginning of December. A lot threatened to stop the excitement but we got through it all and had an amazing day!!

New Years Resolutions 2017

And yes they are all cliches this year.

De clutter
Be healthy
Feel like I never work another day in my life

I set them up on the chalkboard to remind me what I'm working towards


The de-cluttering has actually been a little fun! I feel like I've given myself the OK to purge and it's so nice opening drawers and going into rooms once they've been cleaned. It's a very stress relieving sight.


Behold my bathroom drawer! Once a place of mystery and junk, now it's possible to see everything! I reduced the makeup collection by quite a bit as well, as I've gotten older I've realized the basics are plenty... Plus half of it was expired anyways!

Memories came through while purging the bathroom, and I couldn't bring myself to throwing out my hair accessories from past proms, so these can be found in a keepsake box now.


Being healthy I know I will have more of a challenge with- working 8 years in a grocery store I took for granted how easy it was to pick up groceries on the fly. Nowadays it's more of a challenge to keep the house stocked of all the good things that make healthy eating so enjoyable- but I got this. Just a little grocery commitment is all we need!

Lastly... The hardest one.... Full disclosure I know I have a great job and I am certainly grateful for it- however I've always dreamed of a life where I can make it by doing what I love- and with the internet I know it could actually be possible! I am looking forward to continuing to work towards it even though I know the odds are thin. There's no chance if you don't try though!

Cheers to 2017 and new hopes and dreams!

National Cupcake Day February 29th 2016

National Cupcake day has come once again!! Last year I raised over $400 in 4 hours, I'm hoping to double my contribution this year!
It's the sweetest time of year!! ‪#‎nationalcupcakeday‬ baking cupcakes to save the lives of thousands of furbabies alike! Support me in my online bakery by searching Nicole Hubley at www.nationalcupcakeday.ca

I was so fortunate last year to get so much support!! Friends took time out of their day to make extra cupcakes and coworkers went the extra mile to make sure the fundraiser went above and beyond.

February 2015

Paying it Forward Campaigne

I'm participating in a "Pay it Forward" initiative: The first five people on my facebook who commented on my status with "I'm in", will receive a surprise from me at some point during 2015 - anything from a book, a ticket, a postcard, etc.
I will give no warning, and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer on their Facebook statuses. Once my first five have commented with "I'm in," I forwarded this message to them privately, so that they can copy and paste it and put it on your status. (Don't share it.). 

Then we can form a connection of kindness. Let's do more nice and loving things in the coming year without any other reason than to make each other smile and show that we think of each other. Here's to a more enjoyable, friendly, and love-filled year!

If you want to start a "pay it forward" initiative here's the status to copy and paste!

"I'm participating in a "Pay it Forward" initiative: The first five people who comment on this status with "I'm in", will receive a surprise from me at some point during 2015 - anything from a book, a ticket, a postcard, etc. I will give no warning, and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer on their Facebook statuses. Once my first five have commented with "I'm in," I will forward this message to you privately, so that you can copy and paste it and put it on your status. (Don't share it.). Then we can form a connection of kindness. Let's do more nice and loving things in the coming year without any other reason than to make each other smile and show that we think of each other. Here's to a more enjoyable, friendly, and love-filled year! Thank you, and don't forget to leave the "I'm in" comment."

My First Gift

These were the creepiest things when they were completed... But it's the thought that counts right?

My Second Gift

So I ended up going a little beyond just a postcard for the girls- this was a necklace that I'd worn to a work Christmas party. One of my coworkers absolutely loves elephants so it was only perfect to pass this on to her!

Third and unfortunately final gift

A crystal ornament that I'd gotten from work.

And that is it I'm afraid! I offered to pay it forward to 5 people but unfortunately only 3 people took on the challenge... But at least I put some thought into what I paid forward to everyone and everything was very well received. I don't know if any of them have paid it forward yet themselves... and we're coming close to the end of the year.. Oh well I did my part and I feel good about it! I think I got quite a few smiles out of the project and that's really what it's all about. It's so easy to get wrapped up in a busy lifestyle that you forget to step back and take it all in. I'm lucky that I'm in a place where I can go that extra mile for people right now and it makes me feel really great!

A part of me is tempted to try again in the new year- I have many new friends that might be willing to give it a try and we can continue the good vibes into 2016!

Black Chocolate Cupcakes

I decided to take on a last minute project to help a wedding party that was obviously in a bit of a jam. 24 hours before the bride was due down the aisle I was prompted to do 100 cupcakes plus a 6" deco cake for their wedding. At first I was hesitant- afterall holding down a full time job which I was due at both Friday and Saturday meant that to make these bad boys a reality I'd have to sacrifice a lot of sleep! Which anyone who knows me knows that's a bit of a big deal... I love sleep probably to an unhealthy extent... I've been known to comfortably call it a night at 8:30 before.
But what's life without a bit of thrill! Things have been pretty tame the last couple of months so it was time to shake things up!
I was prompted with the job at 9:30pm Thursday night, a pretty straight forward order- 100 chocolate cupcakes with chocolate flavored icing coloured black with gold accents along with a 6" styrofoam cake as decoration for the top.
Things started off a little rocky- Friday was a very long winded day at work; lots getting changed over so I was physically exhausted when quitting time finally rolled around- however I made the best of it! Sat down for about 2 hours after work, took a pain killer for the incredibly annoying headache that decided to sneak in past the guards then got straight to work!

About 50 cupcakes in... I ran out of flour... and eggs.... Like seriously who does that? Me apparently... People always compliment me on the fact that I've kept up my baking and decorating skills even though I'm not industry anymore and I almost always respond "it's like riding a bicycle" apparently keeping decent inventory on basic baking needs however is not.. Like riding a bicycle... Heh...
Anyways after a rush trip to the grocery store (Thank you 24 hour grocery stores) we were back in business!! I think it was 1:30-2am when I put the finishing touches on all the cupcakes and I have to say I was very satisfied with the turnout!!

I've done hundreds of cake orders in my young life however none that were this far down to the wire. I completed the project at 2am Saturday morning and had them delivered by 9am (seriously needed a nap before delivery)
As simple as the design was I really think it's among my best work, there was no disasters, no mistakes and minimal extra expense for this project. I was very very happy.

To see more of my work go to my facebook page! Caeks By Nicole

I'm Back Baby!

So my blogging habits have been terrible this summer! The worst part of is just the fact that it hasn't been an eventful summer at all! Nothing to even talk about really! At least nothing positive...

Life is about to get super tight for this chick... At the same time that my car is going to need around $1200 in repairs, a leaky pipe went unnoticed for a couple of weeks creating some EXTENSIVE damage to my floors and walls....... I am now starting to see why single 24 year old girls don't buy houses....

SO I should be blogging a lot more from now on! Mainly because I'm not going to have any money to do anything else! Plus it'll be nice to vent my renovation frustrations out somewhere!

Happy Internetting!

Nicole

Cuba 2015- Day 7

So it finally happened... I got the staff here sick. Yuri, one of the beach staff/ evening dancers came to work with a nasty cold... I gave him the rest of my Tylenol Flu pills and some soft Kleenex (because frankly the Cuban kleenex are NASTY.
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Within 45 minutes of giving Yuri the rest of my flu pills I won a bottle of rum at the poolside lottery!! I am such a fan of paying it forward, good things will happen!!

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Tonight is Cuban night! I guess this celebration happens once a month so it is wonderful luck that we got to see it!

Although the resort was very well decorated and there was loads of energy, the music was exactly the same as we had been listening to for the entire week.... However there were some new twists that hadn't been done before!

There were these little characters! ... People covered in sheets? Not 100%  sure if there is a history behind these characters  or if they were just having fun messing with us!

All the matching dancers! There was actually some american music intertwined with theyr Cuban classics!

Some amazing bikers!

There was so much dancing at this event! They really take their dancing seriously!

Cuba 2015- Day 6

So we're coming into the home stretch so I've been reviewing the week that we've had. We stayed at the Iberostar Playa Alameda Resort in Veradero. The staff has been remarkable, from waiters to cleaners to entertainers- everyone here is so energetic and happy! Five stars for staff here!!

A lot of the people in this picture performing also man the beaches in the morning. I'm pretty sure some of these guys work 16 hour days! Everyday! And days off don't come excessively often it seems!

This waiter was awesome, he would remember your drinks from the night before and have it ready before you sat down! I discovered Banana Daiquiri's while down here,.. Essentially banana rum and lemonade but mmm it was good!

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General maintenance on the resort however gets maybe 2 stars.... The A/C in our room doesn't really work very well which made the nights a little warm (again expecially coming from our lovely NS winter). I am unfortunately already having a hard enough time sleeping with my wonderful cough! The key card slot on our hotel door actually has begun wearing out the card before the week is up, it's like playing roulette every time I have to pee!
Whenever I need to use the washroom I return to the room because all of the public washrooms (excluding the lobby one) are a horror story!! ZERO maintenance! Obviously no one is assigned to maintain these washrooms! One toilet was overflowing and flooded the entire washroom (aaand of course I was only wearing flipflops...)I tried using the same washroom 2 days later and it was still completely flooded... The second one near the beach was in decent repair however maintaining the toilet paper was something else that was neglected... If I had my purse I was fine ! I am always packin' tissues- especially this time of year.. But if I was just running in from the beach I was screwed. It didn't take long to realize it was worth running back to the room.

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So I missed the show AGAIN tonight.... We dined at The Romantico International Restaurant tonight... Well now that won't be happening again anytime soon. I got hit with a lovely wave of food poisoning. It hit me like a dart of shooting pain and I couldn't run fast enough!

Cuba 2015- Day 5

I spent most of the day today in the ocean, which made for an insane amount of sand attached to my body!!

Myself and the younger brother... I don't call him my little brother anymore for obvious reasons!

I had a very early night last night, I think the heat is starting to get to me (considering the NS winter has been extended this season) I unfortunately had to miss the circus show last night.. I bet it was swell!
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I did however hit the tropical show tonight!

It was a quick show- about 30 minutes in length but it was very well done. The dancers were very talented and the costume changes were flawless.

Cuba 2015- Day 4

My cough is getting attention! An older gentleman from Paris came and chatted me up today, concerned for my health of course... Or I was annoying the crap out of him.... My goodness subtlety is not something Europeans practice... He was a very large man... In a very small speedo.

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We went on a catamaran trip today, free on the resort- a man took us out on the water for 30 minutes. It was very enjoyable, the air was nice and fresh! The boat navigator couldn't really speak English so he was pretty quiet however we chatted up the couple that sailed with us. They were from Lower Sackville ! What are the odds!

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Tonight's show was The Lion King, it was very cute. Filled with lots of comedy! At one point one of the actors lost the top of their costume, it was definitely a good laugh! It amazes me how hard some of the staff here work. The same people who played characters in the play where the people watching the beach first thing in the morning! Dear god I hope they get paid by the hour.
Anyways back to the Lion King! I am hopeful the movie comes up on the Disney Movie Club soon ! I now have a craving to re-watch it!

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We had dinner at one of the finer restaurants tonight- Their Seafood Restaurant. The main course was very good, I just had fish- nice and safe! (I don't do well with seafood). When the dessert came I was ... surprised. I had ordered the creme brulee... And I was given pudding.... with a fruit sauce. I guess Cuban creme brulee isn't ... Bruleed....