What 'Im Wearing

I'm a total sucker for black. In fact I worry that a 'What Not to Wear' intervention will punctuate my forties - my crime would be wearing black everywhere- always. Some women can make it their signature (Vera Wang always makes it stylish) but it can often look lazy. 

YOU MUST ENSURE that an all black outfit has interest through DETAIL and TEXTURE!

Here I added a vest, a tote and hat to elevate my otherwise black uniform (leggings and slouchy sweater).

Tote, H&M

Boots, Walmart

Sweater, Laura 

Vest, Diesel 

Hat, H&M

Devonian Gardens - A Hidden Rainforest

How often does one find a hidden rain forest right in the middle of the city, on the top floor of a shopping mall?? Not often - but we did! The Devonian Gardens is on the fourth floor of the TD Centre in the CORE and it is BEAUTIFUL. Tropical birds fly among the treetops, Koi swim happily in a pristine pond, and the flowers and plants thrive in the warm, 'sunny' greenehouse. There are bistro tables scattered throughtout, and a food court not too far away, so its naturally a favorite lunch spot for downtown workers.

What I'm Wearing

So yesterday, I wanted something flirty- but not OTT - So I chose this bright aqua lace peplum top, and put it with simple DARK wash jeans and platform booties. You could wear a camisole under yours - but I think the candy color of the top and my braided blonde hair made the risk of my bra showing TOTALLY okay. My hair was pulled to the side in a simple loose braid, and my make up was light w. kate moss #101 lipstick (super light pink)

 Top, Bluenotes

Jeans, Joe Fresh

Booties, Kohls

I topped my look with this black wool tweed motorcycle jacket (which i LOVE) and a grey leather clutch.

Tweed Jacket, Forever21

This is my daytime look today, I started with my fave little H&M tshirt dress and tights... then added a knee high sock...

Then a light navy knit sweater, and finished with accessories (not pictured). I wore a simple bib necklace, knee high boots, and a pair of aviators.

Im loving the versatility of the light knit this sweater has - makes it easy to wear OVER something else, or as its own casual statement, It also has gold lurex running through it, to make it more than JUST a blue sweater!

Here it is with casual jeans and a scarf - great for a weekend look (as long as each peice has interesting detail!)

 Heres that Loose braid - super simple. Just pull hair to the side and braid starting at the ear. Use bobby pins to secure runaway sections at the back. I secured mine with a small ribbon at the bottom - adorable girly detail!

Whats for Dinner - Sesame Chicken (Lettuce) Wraps

These Wraps are SUPER tasty and are ready in under 20 minutes! Tastes like take out - with half the calories, and NONE of the cost! 

YOU WILL NEED:

-Ground Chicken (1 package - or you can use finely chopped chicken breast)

- a couple of handfuls baby carrots

- Green onions

- 5-10 Mushrooms

- You can add extra 'asian stlye' veggies here too eg: water chestnuts, enoki mushrooms

- BOSTON lettuce (for wrapping) OR tortillas

-Sweet Chili Sauce (or plum sauce for dipping/drizzling)

-Dark Sesame oil

-1/2 cup chicken broth

-2 tablespoons soy sauce

-1 tablespoon sugar

-1 tablespoon cornstarch

1. Heat skillet on Medium/high. Chop carrots into teency sticks (julienne), mushrooms coarsley and green onion finely.

2. Cook chicken until its no longer pink *season with S&P* - add all veggies to the pan

3. While the veggies cook, mix cornstarch, broth, sugar and soy sauce into a slurry - and add to skillet

4. Cook until sauce begins to thicken and coat everything.

5. Spoon mixture into lettuce/tortilla wraps and garnish with fresh green onion and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce!

ENJOY!!!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

What's For Dinner- TOAD IN THE HOLE w/ Roasted Veggies and Onion Gravy

This year Ive been really inspired to cook. And not just to cook- but to produce fresh, well rounded and adventurous meals *trying to limit frozen and packaged foods*! I really enjoy the process now, and LOVE serving my food to an enthusiastic and hungry table. Don't get me wrong, there have been disasters and let downs, but worst case scenario is ordering a pizza and learning something - that ain't bad.

For inspiration, the Food Network, and awesome recipe books help a great deal. If you dont want to commit, hit the library! One of the first things I did when I arrived in Calgary was get my library card - Its only a block away and is a great place to spend an hour, reading and learning. I bring home a few cook books, and try a few recipes that look plausible!

 

MY TWO FAVE RECIPE BOOKS - NO FAIL BUYS!

Claire Robinson's "5 Ingredient Fix"

ONLY 5 ingredients means EASY and CHEAP everytime!

 

 Gwenyth Paltrow's "My Fathers Daughter"

Great recipes with healthy, vegetarian and vegan adjustments too!

*IM OBSESSED w/ GWENNY, check out goop.com*

 

 

 

Todays recipe is traditional British Fare. First time Ive ever made it and it turned

out amazing!!  Would be awesome and unexpected at a potluck :)
 

TOAD IN THE HOLE

Prep: 5 Mins  Cook: 30 Mins

 

 

HERE WE GO - OVEN @ 400

YOU WILL NEED:

Sausages (Your favorite kind)

3/4 Cup All purpose Flour

1 1/4 cup Milk

2 Eggs

S&P

Parsley

*Fresh Veg for roasting (I used roughly chopped orange pepper, coloured mini potatoes, and broccoli)

Gravy :

1 small chopped onion

Splash of milk

Generous Squirt of Mustard

2 Boullion Cubes (beef), 1 cup boiling water + 3 tablespoons flour (blended)

Big glug of white wine *not for you, silly*

 

 

 

1. Sausages into the oven in lasagna dish for 10 Minutes/ until they are starting to brown. (Drain any fat and SAVE)

2. Meanwhile - Throw chopped veg in a separate tray, and heat a skillet on medium heat - add onion w/ white wine to pan

 

3. In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, S&P and parsley. Create a well in the middle, add2 eggs and a splash of 1 1/4 cup milk.

4.Stir -and as it begins to combine, add the rest of the milk and switch to a whisk. Whisk well, add parsley and put in freezer while we wait for sausages.

 

-almost there-

 

5. Pour batter over sausages - return to oven w/ veggie tray for an additional 15 minutes (until batter rises and browns)

6.  GRAVY - when onions and wine have sweat down and become limp and sweet, add boullion/water/flour slurry to skillet - Whisk

7. Whisk in any fat you reserved from the sausages, a squirt of mustard and a splash of milk. Gravy should thicken up (if not add a little corn starch slurry, or whisk in a touch more flour)

8. Remove all from oven.

9. Slice Toad, and serve w/ veg and gravy on top!!

 

*These coloured potatoes would be perfect at a party as a substitute for sweet potatoes in my homemade chip recipe (CHECK superbowl snackeroos post)*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I'm Wearing

Today was warm, but a little breezy- Spring with a bite. Mario and I are feeling slightly under the weather- but I'd never miss an opportunity to get dressed- so I threw on my toastiest scarf, black wedges and ran some errands feelin confident and warm. A gnarly wedge bootie will make you forget a runny nose like no ones business. It's a fact - look it up.

During the day I wore this - casual and simple but the hat and wedge booties added a little boho slant. I think its important when wearing a very simple outfit, to add interest through texture and detail. In this case, my leggings have leather down the sides, my scarf is an extrasoft luxurious knit and what seems like a plain white tee is actually speckled with color (like rainbow cake -mm).  This ensures that your outfit remains stylish and simple, as opposed to sloppy and PLAIN.

Leather leggings, Ardene

Speckled Tee, Burgundy hat, H&M

Booties, Kohls

Scarf, BCBG

Jacket, Old Navy

On my Travels today I grabbed these odd leggings on sale at H&M ($8) and thought they were a wicked alternative to a plain black. What looks like camo is actually a horse print up close. I love shades of green with neutrals (white, beige, black and grey) but one of my faves is Navy blue - Ill be hunting for a navy sweater to go with these bad boys.

Heres some looks I played with when I got home, and what Im wearing now!

White Linen Long sleeve, Zara

'Camo' Print Leggings, H&M

Black Leather & Suede Tote, H&M 

Watch, Vintage

*Totes are going to be big this summer, promise. Simple in structure, and just about the easiest to wear. This DOES not mean use your old beach tote as a purse. This seasons trend lies in the ease and class of luxe materials and lively colour as an UPDATED classic*

Beige SUUUPER soft sweater, Fairweather (Too cheap to be true)

I do love a sloouchy sweater!! 

*Always pair with an opposing silhouette to avoid unnecessary bulk* 

Same Pants, scarf, and bag - Hair UP + Oversize Glasses.

Sweater, Laura

Booties, ALDO