Monday, February 28, 2011

red carpet at the oscars

happy monday everyone!

i have to be honest, this year oscar dresses just didn't do it for me. i feel like everyone went for the same trend this year, pretty & feminine, which don't get me wrong is lovely on, but aren't oscar dresses are all about dramatic colors, fabrics, low cuts, long trails and interesting details? it seemed like everyone opted for the safe look, and i guess i can't say i blame them. with that being said i did manage to find a few favorites:



on a more positive fashion note, i spent my yesterday in saskatoon buying at a trade show for work, and oh my god. fashion next fall is going to be ah-mazing. i cant wait, cardis and sweaters at no end, silk and tapered button-ups, camel and creams everywhere. yesterday felt like i christmas morning, except i have to wait til august to actually own my christmas presents!

*cA

Sunday, February 27, 2011

more tofino bliss..

highlights included: gorgeous sunshine on the day we arrived, couples massage, yummy food(including these oatmeal chocolate chip cookie muffins), a whole lot of relaxing, beach and forest walks and the best company :)


[i heart tide pools]






































we had a snowy drive home but made it safe.
--m

tofino getaway..



[the beach]

















[food]

*only downside to the weekend away: my camera decided not to work so these pictures are taken from our phones. more coming soon!
--m

Thursday, February 24, 2011

off to the westcoast...

a previous westcoast trip..



can't wait!! off to tofino tomorrow morning.
hope everyone has a great weekend.
--m

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

repeat:snow day..

[home]


[home]

this is a rare occurrence here.. but it happened again.

--m

a good day.

February 22:

highlights included: derek's birthday of course! his gift from me was a trip to the westcoast which starts friday- can't wait. we enjoyed a lovely dinner(and leftovers for lunch-yes!) and chocolate cupcakes that I whipped up yesterday(his request)
spin class- maybe the completion of spin class was more of a highlight :) my legs were already sore from a moksha flow yoga class on monday so it was a bit of a challenge. she added in a few of my favourite songs to the spin playlist though so that was a lovely surprise and I swear made it easier to get through.
and also! something I have been really looking forward to.. release of the album 21 by adele. so far I am really enjoying it and I'm sure it will continue to grow on me! favourite songs so far: I'll be waiting, someone like you and rolling in the deep. love love love her.

happy wednesday!
--m

PS. reading break rocks. that is all.

Monday, February 21, 2011

monday afternoon...

reading break day 1: my afternoon included catching up on blog reading, tea, new magazine, knitting and my book. reading my book was last on my list but once I got there I started reading.. and reading.. and reading.. and an hour and a half later put my book down. I'm really enjoying it(room by emma donoghue). it is seriously wonderful to relax and read(not a textbook) finished off my day with a moksha flow yoga class. also, I can't lie... I did do homework for 2 hours this morning. but an afternoon without homework is such a blessing. I am looking forward to a few more :)
I also made some more of these.. so easy and I already had all the ingredients at home. derek really enjoyed these last time so I also thought it was fitting to make some for him as a pre-birthday treat. birthday celebrations begin tomorrow!

hope everyone has a great week!
--m

Sunday, February 20, 2011

sunday love..






























sunday breakfast- fresh baked muffins with yogurt and berries. so wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed a sunday without homework(it has been a while). also displaying my favourite bowl- love it!(thanks ange)

we also went to the waterfront for a nice walk- chilly! but nice.







--m

Friday, February 18, 2011

what I'm loving now..

*my parents being home.


*derek's valentines card- he loved it! check out dawn correspondence on etsy- her cards are the best.

[if we were ants, I'd walk in the front of the line to protect you from getting smooshed]


*my laptop case- also ordered off etsy.


*reading break! can't wait to relax finally- after 5 midterms, a presentation, and 2 lab reports over the past two weeks I am definitely ready for a break.

*derek- we had a great valentines day. I made these for breakfast and we made a delicious dinner together. he surprised me with a couples massage next weekend when we head to tofino. what a sweet pea.



hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.
--m

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

springing into spring

this melting, slushy weather lately is making me happy for one reason only: spring is just around the corner! and the best part about spring is new spring collections! working at a clothing store i have become obsessed with reading spring look books and anxiously awaiting weekly shipments. here are a few of my spring must-haves:


feathers are so popular for spring this year in headbands, hairclips, rings, necklaces...everywhere! this particular one is from headmistress, a company based out of vancouver, that has great adorable & affordable spring pieces.


this sheer bohemian style beach cover-up is cute and best of all so versatile. wear it over your bathing suit to the beach, over a tank and leggings to go shopping in, and then add heals and some pretty jewelry for night time. this one is available at topshop's online store.


sandle wedges are so hot for spring this year, perfect for the beach and nights out. this adorable brown leather pair are available at forever 21's online shop.


don't know about everyone else, but for me, the snow CANNOT melt faster!!
*cA

Monday, February 14, 2011

cute little valentine

had to share this picture, isn't he the cutest??



happy valentine's day everyone!

*cA

Sunday, February 13, 2011

all things pink.

happy valentine's day everyone!

although my valentine's day will be spent spent with my crutches and icepack, i'll still be thinking pink all day, and maybe even get some standing strength long enough to whip up a vday treat! and of course enjoy it with more ice on my fractured leg :(


mmmm...

yummy...

yummier...

yummiest!



hope everyone has an extra special day*

*cA

v-day love.

hope everyone had a great weekend. mine was very busy but I got some time in to visit with some great friends. (happy birthday court) check out this birthday pie brooke made for the celebration: pineapple cheese pie it was DELICIOUS! I can't wait to try to make it myself. other yummy food included veggie lasagna, salmon, prawns, artichoke dip, wings and the list goes on! we really enjoy eating :)
this was part of my contribution: king arthur flour fudge brownies and blueberry yogurt muffins

wrapped up the brownies as a little valentines treat for each couple:


happy valentines day!
love, m.

Friday, February 11, 2011

what a week.

thank goodness it's friday. what a week- so happy it is the weekend. although I will be devoting the majority of my weekend to school work.

on thursday after a rough day at school(too much lab work/studying/presentation prep for my brain to handle) I returned home to check the mail and unwrap a parcel to find this...


then I open it...

and finally...




let's just say my day went from really bad to awesome quite quickly. nothing a little chocolate and candy can't fix. carissa and I have had a valentines tradition for a few years and I always look forward to my valentines treat from her :) she is the best.

tonight after a crazy week I attended a "karma class" at my local moksha yoga studio which is a class with a minimum donation and all the proceeds go to charity. this week I made sure to attend because the charity of choice was the cove guardians from our local area that are going to Taiji, Japan in March to document the dolphin slaughter that occurs there annually. (if you haven't seen the cove- it is a fantastic documentary.) needless to say, I enjoyed supporting the cause and got to see some of my fabulous girlfriends as well.

of course, I had to devote some of my time to the kitchen. this is what resulted:


blueberry yogurt muffins- yum yum! check it out- so easy and delicious.

hope everyone has a great weekend!
--m

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

hoodies and hot chocolate.



I just received this hoodie in the mail and I love it to death!! it is so funky and amazingly comfortable. and even better- D bought it for me :) check out this shop on etsy- she has amazing products.

another treat- nutella hot chocolate. enough said- I heart nutella. can't wait to make some other nutella treats soon- I stocked up and bought a huge jar this weekend. I found several great recipes on other blogs due to last saturday being world nutella day! how fantastic. now I can make the treats just in time for valentines day.

hope everyone has a great week.
--m

Sunday, February 6, 2011

good eats.

a totally new thing for me- cauliflower fried rice. I tried the recipe today and was pleasantly surprised! I first heard about it last semester in one of my courses when we watched a video on a group of participants that tried out the atkins diet for a few months. Cauliflower fried rice was one of their staples and a popular one! I mentioned it to derek today and he was far from enthused but I decided to make it for myself anyways. And it was great!(D even had a few bites)

here is the recipe I used:
  • 1/2 head raw cauliflower, (grated to make 3 1/2 cups)
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • Olive Oil
  • Cooked Chicken, Beef, Pork, Shrimp, Ham, Turkey, etc.
    — Any mixture, your choice.

In a wok or large flat skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom. Fry minced garlic (or garlic powder) with finely diced white part of onions for approximately 1 minute. Add grated cauliflower and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy, ginger, diced green onion tops, and pre-cooked cubed meat or baby shrimp. Stir to mix well and brown a bit. Push mixture to one side of pan. Add more oil if necessary and scramble eggs in empty side of pan until done but still moist. Stir eggs into "rice" mix and remove from heat.

*I didn't add any meat- just kept it simple. there are so many different recipes available for this dish. I will definitely try to add some extra delicious-ness next time!

[recipe from low carb luxury website]

enjoy-I highly recommend trying this!

on another note: our fabulous friends brought some scrumptious treats to our place on saturday night. we had a great time grazing on snacks and catching up. treats included: lemon cream cheese cupcakes, cheddar wafers, triple layer mint s'mores brownies and a chocolate fondue with fruit :) so wonderful

hope everyone has a great week!
--m


Friday, February 4, 2011

friday kitchen adventures.

after 3 and a half hours in the kitchen here is what I have to report:

*my first time using a shallot was successful(I know it isn't that exotic but I thought it was worth noting!) I made these meatballs- and they turned out great! I used ground chicken instead of turkey and instead of making the tomato sauce I just used my own pasta sauce with a load of veggies. whipped up some pasta, garlic bread and salad- deeeelicious.



*next, after doing the dinner dishes- I started the brownies. triple layer mint s'more brownies. your mouth watering yet? unfortunately, this resulted in more dishes. oh well. totally worth it!

[beginning of brownie goodness]
[brownies cooling]



*finally- I used up a leftover tortilla from our enchilada dinner to make a little treat. simple- just cut up tortilla, spread some butter, cinnamon and brown sugar on top and bake until golden. enjoy!


wishing everyone a great weekend.
--m