Fall Colours

I love this time of year. Although cooler, it's still bright and full of unique colours everywhere you look. Nature has such an amazing way of putting colours together that you may not think really go together and making it work.

This is the inspiration behind our "Oaks and Acorns" design. The purple and green colour scheme pops on the light natural apron but still remains soft and pretty. 

Our friend Sarah, the gourmet goddess

We hope this apron encourages the "gourmet goddess" in you to do some cooking with the rich and vibrant root vegetables that are in season.

Or, if you prefer the sweeter side and are more of a "baking beauty", go apple picking and try out this apple yogurt cake with a cinnamon sugar streak from The Kitchn. I made it last week...it lasted for 3 days...Yikes!

Enjoy.
xo

Hanging onto Summer

As we try to ward-off the inevitable season change, there is a way to keep a little summer with us all year round...preserving!

Join the vast growing preserving community. It's fun, easy and healthy and, you always have something delicious on hand. While you do have to set aside a bit of time to do the actual preserving, why not get a friend or two together and do it as a group thing? Host a "make and share" party!

Here's an easy recipe to make your own peach jam from pickyourown.org, a website that provides local listings of pick your own farms in numerous countries including Canada, United States, Australia and South Africa. They have great tips and you can always check to see what is growing seasonally in your area.

Of course while you are making your own preserves for yourself or as lovely gifts for all your friends and family, you have to look good doing it. We have a stunning apron called "Jars of Love" designed for the canner in you. It also has the cheeky message "well preserved" to be taken any which way you like :)

Enjoy!

 

Dads ROCK!

I was listening to a Freakonomics podcast the other day and they were discussing how women are not men, for better or worse.  The gender gap is closing in the way of income, education and certain fields of work. Happily, it’s not in things such as crime, alcoholism and oddly, being struck by lightning…men still out do women.

While it’s always good to remind us of the great strides women have come towards equality, it also got me to thinking of things in the reverse. Where women were the pioneers and men are just catching up. A number of professions and certain social skills come to mind.

There is also one gender gap where women have been in the forefront, celebrating the women in our lives…namely mothers. Mother’s Day has been recognized in North America since the early 1900’s. Father’s Day on the other hand, did not get the same level of acceptance. It took a number of tries to get the day recognized. The third Sunday in June was finally officially designated as a permanent holiday to honour fathers in 1972.

Domistyle knows that Dads ROCK and we would like to show appreciation to all the father-figures in all of our lives. Celebrate Father's Day and get 15% off any men’s apron using the coupon code LOVEAPRONS2013 when you buy online. Order by June 9th to make sure you get your purchase by June 16th.

A Domistyle apron is the perfect gift. All are one size fit's most, functional and easy to care for. These are not any plain old apron. All are MADE IN CANADA, our designs are original and our embroidered messages are funny and witty. There is a style to suit every dad!


xo
penny and lee

Order Online by End of Day Tomorrow...

 

There is a Domistyle apron to suit everyone on your list. The gal who will cook for shoes, the baking beauty, the grill god and even the kid who thinks they are the boss :)

Buy more than one and get a deal! Check out our gifts sets and save as you leisurely shop online while sipping hot chocolate and avoid the mall madness.

Order online by end of day tomorrow (Wednesday December 12th, 2012) to make sure your gifts reach their destination (**within Canada)by December 24th.

You can also find our aprons and accessories at select stores across Canada and a few in the U.S. too. Email us to find out if there is a retailer near you.

Happy Shopping!
xo
penny and lee

Aprons for the Undergrad

Do you know a student heading off to the wide world of academia? It is exhilarating to be embarking on a fresh chapter in life with shiny new textbooks, lectures and new friends. If you know a new student who will be entering dorm life or perhaps, gulp, their first apartment away from home, make the transition more stylish with a Domistyle apron. Frat boys can look cheeky in a Will Cook For Beer apron and ramen noodles will seem more special when served by a Microwave Maven. Add a few easy favourite recipes along with the apron and your budding academic will be inspired to consume more than just Kraft Dinner and beer!

Whirlwind Times Call for Kale!

Wowsers! It has been crazy around here with the CGTA show in Toronto. Now I have one day off before heading to New York for more show craziness at NYIGF. My head is spinning but in a good way. It is always great to meet people and hear feedback about our work. Sometimes it can feel like I am working in a little apron bubble and laughing at my own jokes. It can leave a girl wondering if her new pithy taglines on her aprons are actually amusing or if she is just descending into apron overload madness. From the postive feedback I think I am still sane. Phew!

To keep me sane I decided to make a pickled kale salad. I have been eager to make it for a while and today seemed like the right day to do it. It is chock full of nutrition, just what I need before I am back to the crazy trade show diet that always seems to slide towards too much sugar.

photo: blog.recreativeworks.com

Sweet and Spicy Black Beans

You can never have enough easy bean recipes and variations of chili. This one is simple and delicious. Even a Microwave Maven who would rather open a can of pre-made chili can handle this one. (by the way, our Microwave Maven aprons are 15% off right now!) Grab your apron, serve these beans with with some brown rice and coleslaw or just a loaf of crusty bread and you are set. Yummy!

Procrastination Options

Oh procrastination. The bane of my existence. I have a couple of shows coming up in August that require a bunch of prep and I have other apron related things to attend to, but sometimes it is just easier to avoid everything and putter isn't it? I am amazed at how much time I can lose on the internet. It just so happens that while I was surfing the net, procrastinating, I came across a list of one hundred things to do instead of procrastination on the internet.They all sound delightful. If I am going to continue to procrastinate (and let's face it, sometimes we need days like that) I may as well mix it up a little, should I?

Canadian Aprons for Canada Day

Canada Day is fast approaching and what better way to show some Canadian pride than by donning a Domistyle apron? Our aprons are a truly Canadian product from concept to finish, setting them apart from other aprons on the market. We are involved in the entire process and have made a conscious decision to support local suppliers. A Domistyle apron is as Canadian as hockey, toques and back bacon.

Speaking of bacon, did you know Peameal bacon originated in Canada? One more thing for us to be proud of as Canadians. Anyone who has gobbled up a signature Peameal bacon on a bun at Toronto's St. Lawerence Market can vouch for its addictive deliciousness. Our Feel Like Bacon Love apron couldn't be more appropriate for this holiday long weekend: Canadian made, red and white colours just like our flag and hailing the all mighty bacon.

This Canada day wear your true north pride loud and proud with a Canadian made Domistyle apron.

Last Minute Idea for Dad

 (photo Martha Stewart)

Father's Day is tomorrow! We are sure that you have his Domistyle men's apron all wrapped up by now, ensuring that you will remain his favourite offspring. If you want to make his gift even more special you can always add a little extra something something. I love Martha Stewart's quick clip art labels for Father's Day that you can find here. If dad is a Grill God, personalize his favourite barbeque sauce or marinade and nestle it is his apron. If he Will Cook For Beer you can get him a few bottles with personalized labels so he doesn't have to share his brews. Such a cute idea and so easy!

Bacon Overload

Is nothing and no one immune to the salty allure of bacon? I know hardcore vegetarians who still wax nostalgic about bacon. I know people who can't imagine their pancakes without having bacon to dip in their maple syrup. There is a lot of bacon love out there. Naturally I had to add a bacon themed apron to our men's collection and contribute to the smoky adoration.

I just saw that Burger King in the U.S. has introduced a bacon sundae to their summer menu: ice cream with fudge and caramel sauce topped with bacon. I don't know whether to be impressed or appalled. I have a feeling there will be a few road trips across the border for some diehard bacon fans this summer.

Don't Disappoint Dad!

You're not still hemming and hawing about what to get dear old dad are you? There's not a lot of hawing time left! Today is the last day to guarantee delivery of our fabulous men's aprons in time for Father's Day, (you have until Wednesday if you live in the GTA). How are you going to feel when dad gets a giant smear of barbecue sauce all over his Sunday best and you know that you could have prevented it, if only you'd ordered him an apron in time. Don't let dad be a Messy Marvin. Order him an apron for Father's Day. He'll thank you and so will your mom.

An Apron Shout Out!

Awww, Sweet Cheap Toronto included our men's aprons in their Father's Day gift round up today! We couldn't agree more that our aprons are a swell way to keep dad looking funky and splatter free!

Stop Aftershave Abuse!

Let us confirm what we all know is a universal truth: DAD DOES NOT WANT MORE AFTERSHAVE! Sure he'll be charming when he receives yet another tie, and he'll fake a smile as he tucks that aftershave next to his collection of other unwanted items. Dad's are gracious like that. This Father's Day wouldn't you rather treat dad to something he'll use and actually enjoy? What could be better than a Domistyle men's apron? Let dad show off his culinary prowess with style. Our men's aprons are cheeky and fun, just like dad! They have a wider cut and adjustable straps ensuring a perfect fit for all of the men in your life. With a variety of styles to choose from you will be sure to find one that will be just right for dear old dad. Retire those tired old ties and give dad a gift he'll actually use this year. Hurry though, Father's Day is only a week and a half away!

There's Not a Moment to Lose!

Today is the last day that we can guarantee that our lovely aprons will arrive in time for your well deserving mom! After all she's done for you, do you really want to disappoint her? Our fun and funky aprons are a delightful gift for the stylish moms and substitute moms on your list.

Now scoot! Order yours and make your momma proud!

Countdown to Momma's Day!

Aw shucks, we got a mention on Sweet Cheap Toronto's blog today in their Mother's Day gift guide. It's true, our aprons are sweet and cheap (especially with some of our fave styles reduced by 15%). They would be a perfect way to deck out mom in style. Hurry though, tomorrow is the last day we can guarantee delivery in time for Mother's Day!

Who Loves Your Momma?

Domistyle loves moms!  Mother's Day is May 13th. Show mom how much you love her by getting her a fun and modern Domistyle apron. Will she cook for shoes? Is she a baking beauty? Or is she a mircowave maven? We have something for every momma.

The best part is that many of your fave styles are now on SALE! Orders must be in by May 8th to get to mom for the big day!

Tiny Food Art

It is probably apparent by now that I am fond of food: cooking it, eating it, thinking of fun captions about food and cooking to put on my aprons. Basically anything involving food is guaranteed to make me happy. Imagine my joy then, when I saw these remarkable tiny food sculptures by artist Shay Aaron (found here). They fit on the tip of your finger! So brilliant, so painstakingly delicate and detailed. This is obviously an artist after my own foodie heart.

Everyone Loves Bacon!

I am so thrilled that everyone is loving our new men's aprons. I have been hearing a lot of snorts from people when they see our Will Cook For Beer, and Feel like Bacon Love aprons, and everyone has been commenting how crazy their guys are about bacon. It is easy to amuse myself when I am thinking of new quotes for my aprons but sometimes I worry that not everyone will find me as funny as I find myself. Turns out that they do! Hurray for bacon and beer jokes!

Men's Aprons Are Online!

You demanded it, we delivered! People have been asking us why we don't have aprons for men and we started ask ourselves, why not indeed? We know a lot of grill gods and brawny bakers with Y chromosomes. Who are we to deny them a funky fresh Domistyle apron? We put on our thinking caps and came up with some fun manly designs. Our kitchen brothers don't need to look like messy cavemen with food splattered all over them anymore! We are happy to announce that just in time for grilling season we have gorgeous men's aprons available. We will be showing them off at the One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale in Toronto from March 28th until April 1st. We now also have our men's collection available online so you can fire up the grill and make an order whenever the mood strikes your fancy.