Thursday, April 30, 2015

wanderlust wednesday



With the short bursts of summer-like weather we've had lately, my mind has been dreaming of suntanning on docks and swimming in lakes. One of my favorite HGTV designers Sarah Richardson recently renovated a cottage on Georgian Bay and it's now up for rent! It's light and airy and looks like it would be so beautifully serene. It would be the perfect sanctuary to completely unwind for a week this summer.











If you're interested in checking on availability, click here for more information.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

a place to entertain


We plan on staying in our current home for a little while longer and one of the things I wish we had most was a dining table. D and I both love to cook and entertain but stray away from having friends over for meals, simply due to the fact that we would all have to huddle around our small little table. It's perfect for everyday meals but having the ability to entertain would really help round out the 'pros' list for our current place. We have a fairly generous amount of space to accommodate a table and I'm thinking that a narrow rectangle table with a bench and then we could use our current acrylic chairs would work best in the space. It's sort of a filler table, so we don't want to break the bank, but still get something that we can enjoy and host wonderful meals with friends and family. Here are a few that I've been checking out... 




Monday, April 27, 2015

music monday

I downloaded some new music at the end of last week and had it playing over the speaker in the house all weekend. There's something so wonderfully comforting about songs you can sing along to every word, but I also love enjoying new songs and learning to enjoy the uniqueness that each tune has. Here are a few of the songs on repeat lately if you care to listen...






Friday, April 24, 2015

have a great weekend

{ a pop of color in the kitchen }

What fun do you have planned for the weekend? I have a massage booked for tomorrow morning and I cannot wait for an hour of total relaxation. Then on Sunday D's mom is in town and we're gathering with family. It's been since Christmas since we saw her, so I'm so looking forward to a nice visit. 

...Also, how nuts has this weather been over the past week!!? We had sunshine and warmth and then yesterday it was snowing! I have my fingers crossed that we might have some consistent spring-like temperatures ahead of us. 

Enjoy your weekend! xx

+ + + + + 

Here are a few fun links from around the web...

Do you have a work uniform (made perfect sense when compared to the male alternative)

Tips for how to rock the casual sandal

I've been a DiorShow faithful, but I'm looking for something new


A few easy arrangements to brighten up your home



This recipe might just need to be taste-tested this weekend

{ weeknight made better by boyfriend made pasta }

{ celebratory dinner for one of my best (and super smart) friends :) }

Thursday, April 23, 2015

just because



I've been swooning over these heels for weeks, they'd be just as perfect with a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt as with a simple summer dress.

a blog worth bookmarking


I don't know about you but I have a long list of blogs book marked in my iPhone safari, some that I faithfully return to daily, some that are perfect when I'm in need of a fashion fix, a few that always fulfill my need for culinary inspiration  and a rare few that I check back in with simply because the blogger is such an engaging writer. My latest find, Ooh Nikita, Don't Call It A Mom Blog.
Similar to a couple of the other mommy/lifestyle blogs I read, even though I don't have a bebe of my own, I feel so at home in their space. Nikita is energetic and witty and I find her writing style so enjoyable. Her posts are relevant and relatable, and inspiring for any girl looking for some wisdom and inspiration. A new mom worth envying, she stays true to herself as she navigates and embraces 'mommydom'.

Next time you're looking to get lost in a blog, head over to Ooh Nikita.  And if her writing style doesn't get you hooked, her adorably cute baby Beau is sure to keep you coming back for more. 

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

abc carpet and home


Have you ever heard of ABC Carpet and Home? It's a design store in the states, and it has the greatest and most beautiful home decor pieces - couches, rugs, furniture, bedding, cushions, serving ware  - you name it, they have it. Only slight roadblock to it all being mine, price tags are a tad hefty. Their website is one of my favorites to browse and imagine what a dream house might look like one day... Here are some of my favorite lust worthy pieces.







{ softline gray swivel curved chair }





Monday, April 20, 2015

lemon blueberry cake


I think when it comes to D's family, I've been formally appointed as the dessert maker. A title I am happy to accept as it's a good excuse to try different recipes. A girlfriend had recently sent me this recipe and seeing as we were celebrating two birthdays and a belated Easter a lemon cake with fresh blueberries felt like a perfect spring treat. For convenience, I baked the cake the night before and frosted it in the morning. The frosting was surprisingly light for having cream cheese in it, a recipe worth saving for repeated use. The cake was delicious with a tang from the lemons and the juicy blueberries burst in your mouth with each bite. I left feeling confident that the taste testers had thoroughly enjoyed. 










Best part, the extra batter meant leftovers for later...


Friday, April 17, 2015

cheers

{ a cute card for my cousin's baby charlie }

Hello weekend, how I lovingly accept and welcome you with arms wide open. It's been a tough, long week. But you know what - a lot of other people had hard weeks too, and me complaining about mine isn't going to help anything! It's the weekend, time to unwind with friends and enjoy ourselves! A positive outlook and attitude can change everything. 

What do you have planned for this weekend? We were out with friends tonight and spent the night laughing over drinks. Tomorrow I'm going to a wedding show (with a bride-to-be friend), having a lobster lunch and then D's dad is in town overnight. A packed full, busy weekend - but always enjoyable when spent with people you love. 

Whether you have relaxation or fun ahead of you this weekend, enjoy yourself! xx

{ is this not the sweetest little dude in time out, or what? }

{ changing up my brushing routine with all natural toothpaste }

Here are a few fun links from around the web...

I really want to see this movie

The coolest table top ipad holder

Seasonal phone cases, who's with me? I'd love this one for summer

This book seems like a kitchen necessity

A bookmark-worthy beauty DIY


Picked up these napkins for a summer bridal shower I'm hosting, aren't they pretty?

The cutest spring espadrilles

An easy craft to book mark for a rainy day

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

a fancy ball skirt



We have a girlfriends wedding in the fall and I have to admit I'm already shopping around for what I want to wear. I noticed some beautiful ball skirts in the Anthropologie catalogue last week and feel the wedding would be a fun opportunity to dress up. I love the colorful options but think I'm pretty set on the Alfred Sung dress - I can't wait to dance the night away in it. Bonus: I tried it on recently, and it has pockets!










gnocchi with arctic char


We have a terrific fish store down the street from our house and it's great having fresh fish at our fingertips and getting to try new types and learning to prepare them in different ways. We recently picked up arctic char, and prepackaged gnocchi that they sell in store. Convenience paired with affordable fresh fish made for a delicious dinner. If you have any dinner parties coming up this would make an impressive meal to serve family style for friends too. Continue reading for cooking instructions...













How to Make: Gnocchi with Arctic Char

Ingredients
large fillet of fish (we used arctic char)
package of gnocchi
4-6 mini portobello mushrooms, caps sliced
large bunch of kale, sliced thinly
4-6 garlic cloves, diced
1 lemon
3 tbsp heavy cream
1/4 cup of white wine
olive oil, butter

1. Heat frying pan on medium heat and steam fish until cooked.
2. Boil and cook gnocchi until 'al dente'.
3. In separate deep frying pan, sauté garlic in olive oil and butter until softened.
4. Stir in kale, softening. Adding in mushrooms.
5. Add in white wine and let simmer off, reducing slightly. 
6. Flake steamed fish into pan, spoon in cooked gnocchi. Add in heavy cream and stir.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve and enjoy!


{ As I've said before, I'm pretty comfortable in the kitchen and sometimes might not provide as much detail in my recipes as needed. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! }