Some New Bling

A few weekends ago my mother and I were invited to attend a Spring Open House for the Fifth Avenue Collection. They are a direct sales company selling high quality, fine fashion jewellery and one of my mother's friends, Margaret is an independent jeweller for them.

I've never purchased anything from them before, but it wasn't long before I was in awe of all the stunning pieces.

Who knew that costume jewelery could be so gorgeous? It reminds me of the types of pieces that my great grandmothers used to wear.

I think that if I owned these pieces it would give me an excuse to get out and show them off. There was such an array of styles, from funky to elegant to rustic.

I fell in love with the giant cocktail rings. I need this in my life. Stat.

Mom's Infamous Macaroni and Cheese

As long as I can remember, my mother has been making this macaroni and cheese recipe. It is so infamous (and yes, that is the right word because it is devilishly good) amongst family and friends that she is often asked to bring it to events. Just last summer we were at a big backyard BBQ and all these people had brought large exotic salads, but my mother knew better and brought her mac 'n' cheese. Sure enough, I was standing in line to get some food and I overheard a couple of kids discussing what they were going to eat. Their little brother comes trotting back with a plate full of food and says "guys, don't worry, they have macaroni and cheese too". Its the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults alike. I take this to big get-togethers all the time and I'm never surprised how fast it is gone. Its also  great dish to make ahead if you have company coming.

With its crunchy, crisp crust and cheesy gooey insides, just thinking about it is making me hungry for just a wee bite (Which is next to impossible. You'll always go back for more with this stuff...if its still there)

What you'll need:
2 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Milk
2 1/4 cups Cheddar Cheese, grated
2 cups Elbow Macaroni, cooked, drained
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
Salt & Pepper
12 Ritz or similar Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup of crumbs)

Boil salted water and cook enough macaroni to make 2 cups cooked. Drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 400°F.

Grate up the cheese. I used a mix of medium and old cheddar, because thats what I had in the fridge.

Time to make a nice roux. Melt the butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add flour and whisk for a few minutes while it is cooking.

Another Day at the Office

I walked into my office today after lunch and this is what I saw...

A 13lb mutt perched on top of my desk chair. I swear he is part cat.

I don't think that most people deal with this on a regular work day.

He stayed this way even when I was working...and kept licking my ears and nuzzling his nose in my hair.

But I don't mind because he is just so gosh darn cute. Frankly, he's the best co-worker I've ever had ;)

Springtime Walk

This morning I walked out of my house to see this Forsythia shrub in full bloom and I decided to take my camera on my walk to work and see all the beautiful signs of Spring that are popping up in the city.

Green shoots and leaves with promises of something more to come.

I wonder what these will be? Does anybody know?

A beautiful blossoming tree across the street.

One of the adorable postage stamp yards that my neighbours have. Those little old Italian ladies may not have a lot of space, but they sure do know how to use it.

Sugar Plum's Apple Cinnamon Butterscotch Muffins

 

I few weeks ago I came across Emily at Sugar Plum's recipe for Apple Cinnamon Butterscotch Muffins and I just had to try them. What more could you ask for in a muffin than a moist apple center, crisp cinnamon maple top and little butterscotch chips throughout?

Conveniently enough I bought some butterscotch chips from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates back in February, and this seemed like the perfect recipe to try them in.

Mmmmm.....Butterscotch :)

The recipe was simple enough to whip up and it made 12 big muffins, at roughly 230 calories each. Perfect for pairing with some fruit salad at breakfast or for a nice afternoon treat.

Emily recommended drizzling maple syrup over the tops and sprinkling some cinnamon and sugar on top, so I gave that a try on a few of them. Holy yum!

I also left some of them plain, and they were just as good.

These muffins were fantastic and I ended up freezing some of them for lunches. I just take one out in the morning, pop it in a little container and its as good as new by afternoon snack (but I bet they would be just as good if you popped them in am microwave or toaster oven for a bit). I'll definitely be making these again! Thanks, Emily :)

Spring Fashion

Even though the weather keeps playing games with us up here in Toronto, I am excited to start wear warm weather clothes again (without fear of sudden wind/rain bouts). I love the looks that I've been seeing in stores lately, especially casual relaxed pieces mixed with more structured ones. I have a pretty neutral coloured wardrobe, so I've been trying to find many of the pieces (or similar ones) as I show below to blend in with what I already have.

I love the relaxed yet chic look of this lightweight cotton tunic ($65) paired with pink twill capris ($59) and cork wedges ($99), and I could definitely see myself wearing this on both weekends and to work. These pieces are from the newly launched L.L. Bean Signature line with designer Alex Carleton. When asked about the collection, Carleton says: "These pieces are rooted in classic American sportswear, and can be interpreted in many ways. There are great basics, plus unique items that work in a broad range of closets. So I think it's for people who lead versatile lifestyles. It's not just town, it's not just country. It can be both...We looked for archive items that seemed especially relevant today. Our initial approach was to reinterpret those items - putting new twists on vintage ideas. From there it grew into creating brand-new products, but we're always using the archives for inspiration, even when we're making things that are new". Definitely a step up from their chinos and plaid shirts (which still have a place in my heart too), I'm looking forward to seeing what else they bring into this new line

Here is another simple, classic, yet versatile look from the new L.L. Bean Signature line. The comfort and luxury of a navy cashmere cardigan ($139) gets an upgrade with chain link gold brooches ($55) and slim leg stretch denim jeans ($65). And the bonus is that you can wear the sweater all year long, layering it will a nice fitted shirts in the colder months.

How fantastic is the simplicity and classic cut of this white shift dress ($130) from Banana Republic? The feminine ruffle jacket ($130), studded belt ($50) and knockout heels really complete the outfit.

What I really like about this shift dress is that you can also transition it into Summer with a light colourful scarf. I'm not one of those people who throws clothes out often (Grade A Pack Rat), so I always have to look for pieces that are versatile for all season, and are going to hold up to more than one year.

Although I usually don't shop at American Eagle, I'm a huge fan of the boho look and it looks like they have embraced it this year. I've been on the hunt for the perfect embroidered peasant shirt this year, and after seeing this on their website, I may have to go try this one out. And I love how they keep the look relaxed by pairing the shirt ($20) with super comfy slouchy skinny jeans ($50) and a worn brown leather belt ($30) and braided brown leather flip flips ($30).

What looks have you been digging this Spring?

Happy Earth Day!

I saw this cute video on Carrots 'n' Cake this morning and I just had to share it with all of you.

Who can resist a pug? Especially one who is eco-conscious. What did you do for the planet today?

Happy Earth Day folks!

Lunchtime!

Lately I've been on a real salad kick for lunches. There is so much great produce at the store these days and I just get mesmerized by all the bright colours. I can't wait for the local farmers market to start up next month.

 

Today I had a real medley of veggies from the fridge - red pepper, carrot, cucumber, celery, brocolli, baby spinach and I threw in 1/2 cup of beans for some protein. I didn't take a picture of the dressing I used, but I tend to go for just balsamic vinegar or maybe a low fat Kraft dressing (Cream Cucumber is my fav). If I have some feta in the fridge, I'll toss a bit in with some red onion. It brings back memories of my trip to Greece last spring (they sure know how to make a salad over there). This salad is a nutrition power house with 6.5 servings of veggies, super filing (3.5 cups) and is just 238 calories (not including dressing)

Its easy to eat healthy, but it isn't always easy to chop up all those veggies in the morning, so I tend to chop up all the veggies I'm going to need for about 3 days and divide them up into individual salads using these great Ziploc Twist and Lock containers. All I need to do in the morning is grab my container of salad, a few pieces of fruit for a snack, maybe a muffin and I'm good to go.

My other favorite thing to have for lunch is SOUP! I love soup, and the more flavourful the better. I try to make it as often as possible from scratch to boost the nutrition and lower the sodium and fat levels. To save time, I make a big batch and freeze into 3 day portions in the Ziploc Twist and Lock containers (I seriously love these things). Here are a few of my favourite homemade soup recipes that I've posted here on SHBS:

Irish Carrot Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Puree

Oven-Roasted Mushroom Soup

Low Fat Leek and Potato Soup

Lentil Soup

What do you like to pack for lunch?

Life with Elizabeth

With her dimpled smile and perfect comedic timing, Betty White has always been one of my favorite television actresses. It is fantastic to see her having another career revival following her appearance in last year's The Proposal, her hilarious superbowl commercial and now an upcoming hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live.

As a woman who works in the film industry, one of the aspects of her career that I have always admired was her work on the 1950s television show Life with Elizabeth. At the time she was one of the only women in television to have full creative control in front of and behind the camera, by not only starring in the show but also creating and producing it. In 1952 the show earned Betty her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

The show follows Elizabeth and Alvin (played by Del Moore), a married couple who live an ordinary suburban life. Each episode is divided into three short stories or "incidents" as they are refered to on the show. The following clip is one of my favorite, where Alvin is trying to catch the paper boy tossing their paper into the birdbath.

If you like the show, be sure to catch more clips on YouTube and at archive.org. Here is the first part of the first episodes, with links below for more. Enjoy!

Episode One - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four
Episode Two - Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Episode Three
Episode Four
Episode Six

Back on Campus

Last month when I was in Kingston working for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and visiting my sister, I took the time to go for a little stroll through my old alma mater - Queen's University.

It was a little bizzare to be there and see all the students heading to class. That was me just three short years ago.

Despite the ridiculously cold weather here in the winter, I really loved this campus with its big old limestone buildings.

I used to go here to study in Douglas Library. On the third floor there is a big study hall that looks like something right out of Harry Potter.

The high vaulted ceilings, large stain glass windows and dark wood tables and chairs really added to the ambience. I can't tell you how many hours I spent in this room....doozing off while trying to read my textbooks.

And this building brings back lots of memories of racing up those stairs to get to class on time. Sometimes I even made it ;)

Not all of the buildings are limestone, but they still have great architectual features. Walking through campus always gave me a real sense of history and the people who came to learn here before us.

Chess Pie

While surfing the web a few months ago I came across a recipe for Chess Pie on Homesick Texan and I tucked it away to make some day. I've always heard about it when I've been travelling through the South, but I'd never been fortunate enough to try one. Well, with all of these lemons laying around my apartment these days, I decided to put one to good use and give it a try.

I'm hooked!

The lemony custardy filling is creamy smooth and made from simple ingredients. I used my own pie crust recipe (passed down from my great grandmother), because it works for me and I love it.

For the Pie Crust:
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Shortening
1/2 pinch of Salt
3-4 tablespoons of Cold Water

For the Filling:
3 Eggs
1 stick of Butter
1 cup of Sugar
1 tablespoon of Yellow Corn Meal
1 teaspoon of Vanilla
The juice from 1 and 1/2 Lemons (about 1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon of Lemon Zest

Sift flour and salt together.

Using two knifes, or a pastry cutter, cut the shortening into the flour until they crumble and resemble small peas.

Stir in the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it can just stick together.

Boston!

This weekend I had the pleasure of heading to Boston with USECTOR, a group of supporters of the Toronto Football Club, to catch the TFC vs. New England game. I had never been to Boston and its always been on my list of American cities for visit, so I was really excited to head down there. We weren`t down there long enough to really see much, but I`ll definitely being heading back for another visit.

We ended up staying in a beautiful area of Boston called Brookline. The little shops had so much New England charm.

And the residential streets were lined with big beautiful manors that would make any small apartment owner (i.e. - me) jealous.

But while many people were out walking the beautiful tree lined streets and enjoying the spring flowers...

Glee-ful

I've been a little wiped since I've gotten back from Boston, so I haven't had a chance to load up the pictures yet, but I'm hoping to do so tonight while I'm watching the new episode of....GLEE!!!!!

 It took me a few episodes to get into it, but once I did, I fell in love with this show. The characters, the musical numbers and of course Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester!

 Every "Sue-ism" that comes out of her mouth is gold.

I'm all about empowerment. I empower my Cheerios to live in a state of constant fear by creating an environment of irrational, random terror.

You'll be adding revenge to the long list of things you're no good at -- right next to being married, running a high school glee club and finding a hairstyle that doesn't make you look like a lesbian.

We're dealing with children, they need to be terrified, it's like mothers milk to them - without it their bones won't grow properly.

Your delusions of persecution are a telltale sign of early stage paranoid schizophrenia.

That was the most offensive thing I've seen in 20 years of teaching, and that includes an elementary-school production of 'Hair.'

I don't trust a man with curly hair. I can't help, but picturing birds laying sulfurous eggs in there and I find it disgusting.

I'm about to projectile express myself all over your Hush Puppies. 

You know Q, when I first laid eyes on you, I was reminded of a young Sue Sylvester, though you don't have my bone structure.

This year, I got myself a bit of an eye-lift. While they were there, I told them to tear out my tear ducts. Wasn't using them.

 You just gotta love a villain who rocks an Adidas tracksuit and a megaphone.