Mardi Grazia
It’s MARDI GRAS down south y’all. And while it may not be the to-do in Canada that it is in the States, I still know of plenty of folks that are heading to Mardi Gras-esque parties this evening, or this weekend, or perhaps just in general…Mardi Gras is one of those generic, resilient themes that works for everything from a dinner party to a fundraising event to prom. So with that in mind, I scoured the (virtual) shelves and plucked out five gift ideas in the grand spirit of everyone’s favourite bash.
Beaded Necklaces – $1.99 – $49.99
Everyone knows about the Mardi Gras tradition of showing your ta-tas for some sparkle, but you can still play on that tradition with a little more class if you’re attending a New Orleans-inspired bash. Beaded necklaces are plentiful at accessory boutiques, like the ones I spotted above. Go for traditional Mardi Gras colours in green, yellow, or purple, or channel the style of the traditional Mardi Gras beads thrown off of parade floats with a double stand of icy gems or a playful blue wooden option.
Nordic Ware Platinum Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan – $39.75 @ Golda’s Kitchen
This stylish cast aluminum baking pan packs two Mardi Gras traditions into one high-performance package. The Fleur De Lis is a way-popular symbol in New Orleans, in part because of the French Quarter’s history. Of course, it also has ties to Canada’s own French-speaking population, making it a totally appropriate hostess or houseguest gift. Meanwhile, another major part of Mardi Gras is ‘King Cake’, a classic roll cake with a plastic baby tucked inside designating the next party host. Keep the tradition alive and adapt it for use with this nifty bundt cake pan!
Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella – $23 @ Plasticland
Of course New Orleans isn’t just known for Mardi Gras and French heritage – it’s also the home of voodoo and witch doctors. Channel the mysterious side of the bayou with a skull-themed antiqued paper parasol, perfect for keeping your goth-chic pal out of the sun, or as a striking decor accent when you hand it over as a thank you gift. Like many of the gifts on this list, it’s not about screaming plastic beads and cheap beer – it’s about channeling the spirit and history of the Mardi Gras festivities and the magical city that hosts them.
Hot Stuff Taster – $65+ USD @ New York Mouth
Everyone knows New Orleans is home to sweet-and-spicy cajun food, so why not bring a taste of good ol’ southern cooking to your next fete? New York Mouth is an amazing gourmand store that stocks indie products from businesses all over the world, and this Hot Stuff Taster allows spice lovers to sample away till their tastebuds lose feeling from one too many spoonfuls of Raspberry Jalapeno Jam or Chili Lime Lollipops. Buy the entire set for yourself and bring individual pieces as hostess gifts over the next few months, or gift the entire collection as an impressive birthday or thank you present. Fair warning – shipping’s on the higher side, at a $30 flat rate, so stock up kids.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette – $50 @ Sephora
Mardi Gras is all about transforming your look in a dramatic, high-impact way through the use of bright colours and major glam. The same could be said of MAKE UP FOR EVER’s bold new Technicolor Palette featuring a mixture of neutrals and brights inspired by the 1930s transformation of B&W to colour film. With two brushes to help you contour and shade your eyes until they absolutely pop with colour, this nifty set also makes my list for its inclusion of the three core Mardi Gras colours: purple, green, and the newly trendy yellow. If you’re looking for highly pigmented shadows perfect for playing around with, look no further – scoop this up for your beauty-obsessed sibling or party hostess bestie.
Hope you all have fun celebrating Mardi Gras this eve (or weekend), and if you’re getting geared up to go out, picture how amazing you’d look if you had a MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette of your own to brush up with…well, one of you will soon enough, because I’ve got one to give away! Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by February 26th with the Mardi Gras gift idea featured in this post you’d most like to give (or receive).
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 1st to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Like MAKE UP FOR EVER on Facebook and leave a comment with your thoughts on the new Technicolor Palette!
Canadian Gift Guide 
Wow! Neat finds again Brittany! The beaded necklaces are gorgeous and reasonable to boot and the Hot Stuff Taster is definitely right up my alley. Thanks for the heads up on the expensive shipping at New York Mouth, always good to know in advance…so one can stock up as you suggested.
he Hot Stuff Taster by New York Mouth sounds like a fun way to savour the tastes of Cajun.
Love the Hot stuff taster. Great way to get to serve some Cagun food. Love the cake pan also!! Would be my second choice.
The Hot Stuff Taster! I’m a big fan of cajun food 🙂
I’m interested in the Hot Stuff Taster – great idea!
The Hot Stuff Taster for me, please – I like my food spicy!
I’d love the Hot Stuff Taster!
gotta love all those colorful necklaces!!! I would pass them out to everyone so that we can all have fun
Liked Make up Forever on fb & commented
Liked & commented Make up Forever
My favourite gift to give would be the Technicolour Palette. To receive, would be the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella!
I’m interested in the Hot Stuff Taster
I love the beaded necklaces…
the beaded necklaces look like fun
I would love to receive the Hot Stuff Taster.
Liked and left a facebook comment.
The Beaded Necklaces are wonderful.
I like the beaded necklaces
makeup forever technicolor pallette
The hot stuff taster looks intriguing 😀
Ohh it is a toss up for me since I love baking and I love makeup. So the bundt pan or the eye shadow palette. I guess the Make Op Forever Palette would do it for me.
I really like the look of the Hot Stuff Taster set.
I’ve liked Makeup Forever and left a comment.
love the beaded necklaces
Wow, colour
The hot stuff taster sounds exceptional
Either the Hot Stuff Taster or the MUFE palette!
The hot stuff taster for sure!! My husband would really love that lol
The beaded necklaces are the BEST. I’m attracted to beads, no matter what form!!
I would love to give my daughter the Make Up Forever Technicolor Palette. She would love it.
Liked and commented on FB
FB name Suzanne Giroux
i love the beaded necklaces
Love the make up forever! LD Thank you!
Would like to try the hot stuff taster might clear my sinuses. Liked and commented. 🙂
I think the MAKE UP FOR EVER’ Palette would be perfect for my granddaughter.
I would love to receive the Nordic Ware Platinum Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan.
I liked MAKE UP FOR EVER on Facebook and left a comment.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette is my favorite.
I would love to receive the Nordic Ware Platinum Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan,,because I dont own a bundt pan! 🙂
I Like MAKE UP FOR EVER on Facebook and commented (Karla Sceviour)
I’d love to receive MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette.
Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella is my favourite item
I love the Umbrella!
I liked the Make Up Ever on Facebook.
Loved, liked, and would be fantastic to win!
Love the beaded necklaces…esp the purple one.
wow .. super hard choice here, I personally LOVE the purple beaded necklace – since half my wardrobe is purple … I would wear it well !! BUT .. I would have to say the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella is absolutely kick ass !!
left a comment on this post https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=474878862576806&set=a.109955419069154.14430.108973955833967&type=1&comment_id=1393517&offset=0&total_comments=4
I love the Hot Stuff Taster.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette. I love MAKEUP FOREVER!
I would love the Technicolor Makeup Forever palette, beautiful colors!
hah , i would like to get a beaded necklace
I really love the Nordic Ware Platinum Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan
love the makeup forever
I would love the makeup palette.
I’d love the hot stuff taster!
I’d love to get my husband the Hot Stuff Taster.
Liked Makeup For Ever and commented as Angela Mitchell
My sister would go nuts over this! : Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella – $23 @ Plasticland 🙂
I personally like it all! lol
I like the MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette the best. Love the colors!
I’d like the Technicolour Palette – those are creative colours!
I’d like the hot stuff taster
Oh my gosh, I love the parasol… and the Hot Stuff Taster sounds right up my alley. All these new monthly subscription boxes popping up are so cool.
I already liked Makeup Forever..and commented as Dayna Corriveau-Wilson 🙂
I like the hot stuff taster pack
I would go for one of the beaded necklaces! The make-up forever is lovely as well though!
The hot stuff taster!! such a cool idea
I’d love to receive the Hot Stuff Taster.
Thanks.
I’d love to receive the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella
itotally love the beaded necklace in green and cqua featured on modcloth, it’s in my wish list already!!!!!!! like and left a comment on Make up for ever
I love the Make up Forever Palette!!!
i’d like to receive the bundt pan.
I would love to give MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette
Hot Stuff Taster is a great idea.
I’d love to receive the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella! Thanks
This one is easy–love them all but the Hot Stuff Taster comes in first!
MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette by far!!! Beautiful.
make up for ever technicolor
The make up for ever technicolor palette!
Liked makeup forever on facebook, but didn’t give me an option to post on their wall?
The MUFE palette for sure!
BOTH Hot Stuff Taster & MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette would be awesome!!! 🙂
I’m interested in the Hot Stuff Taster, my husband would love it.
Damask Skull Parasol is very cool! Also I liked Make Up Forever on FB.
hot stuff taster
I looove the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella!
rebthecatsitter at gmail dot com
I like MUFE on Facebook and I really love bright colours, so I think the new palette is great!
I want the Damask Skull Unbrella !! How cool 🙂
I’d love to get the NordicWare bundt pan.
I like the damask skull parasol umbrella! looks so cool
Love-Love-Love the Damask Skull Parasol umbrella! I have one in red covered with tattoo designs but this one is just gorgeous!
I’m a huge fan of New Orleans! Hubby & I went there on our honeymoon for Halloween in 2006 & we’ve been back 10 times since. We have 2 trips already planned for this year! One in April/May & one for Halloween!
if you haven’t been you need to go!!
The Damask Skull parasol umbrella is so unique, I would love that!
Liked and commented on their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MAKEUPFOREVERCANADA?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/MAKEUPFOREVERCANADA/posts/499830803396797?comment_id=76039746&offset=0&total_comments=1 sarah perry
The MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor Palette looks AWESOME!!!
The Hot Stuff Taster is my choice. For fun and for spice lovers 🙂
golden_sprite at yahoo dot com
I love the beaded necklaces. Commented on the Make Up for Ever site also.
The Mardi Gras gift idea featured in this post I’d most like to receive would be the “Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella – $23 @ Plasticland”. Thanks
Definitely the palette, followed by the Bundt pan! I have just started to get more interested in baking so a bundt cake would be fun to bake.
The necklaces look awesome and so much fun!!
I would like to give the Damask Skull Parasol Umbrella to my sister! She would LOVE it!
I like the bunt pan the most. I would have to buy it for myself – I wouldn’t be able to part with it.
I would choose the purple necklace!
Thanks =D
Definitely the “Hot Stuff Taster”!
i like the hot stuff taster also liked and commented on facebook!!!!