Friday, December 31, 2010

::happy:new:year!::

I didn't think I was going to be able to make a blog post today as I have been crazy busy, but here I am!
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVERYONE!!!
I really hope that everyone has a really fabulous time tonight and stay's safe {of course!} and doesn't wake up too hungover the next day. Lol!
I have been a busy bee the last few days with my boyfriend. Other then my kookoo blogging {I have been posting alot! Even my bf commented, lol.} but we have been redecorating our place. We aren't going to be staying here much longer then a year but I think it's nice to make the place that you live in a little more homey. :)
I got a little bookshelf for my bedroom that will carry all my brand new magazines and cookbooks...I have cleaned up the kitchen ALOT {and the kitchen is my baby and I like to hoard lots of foodies that are non-parishable...the amount of beans I have...wow. Hahaha.}.
We have begun to paint and decorate the entrance to our little apartment, which is turning out amazing! My bf did such a great job with painting and setting everything up. I will definitely be posting before and after pictures for all to see. :) The next place to tackle is the bathroom and then the living room.
I think the bedroom will be left as is for now...the bedroom, once comfortable in, should be left...you can do minor tweaks here and there, but I love my room and it's my safe haven, so I will leave it. :) I will clean the clutter...and the 30 mounds of fashion magazines under the bed...but other then that. It's good as is...I even like the Toronto Maple Leaf blue the bedroom is painted as. Lol. {This was my boyfriends old room when he lived at home.}
Anyways...just wanted to keep you updated on this...
Lots of changes to come and I am really looking forward to 2011 and am pretty positive that it is going to be a helluva better then 2010. :)
I will be posting alot more pictures of the place and recipes that I am trying out...right now I am trying the bacon jam.
Fingers crossed that it turns out! It smells good so far!Looooove bacon.

I hope that everything has a really great time. And I hope 2011 for you guys is filled with lots of love, health, happiness and for it to be totally stress-free. :)

Also, on another note. Just want to say thank you for all that are following so far.
I love when you guys check the blog out and leave comments, it makes my day.
I hope more followers join and comment and let me know what they want to see on the blog. Thanks so much for the support though. I have been doing this for five months and I love it!

More editorials, recipes and everything else to come in the New Year! :D <3


Angela Lindvall by Richard Burbridge for Harpers Bazaar US Dec 2010


One more thing pretties!
I know that alot of you have plans...and some of you may not...and I have been in the position before that if you don't go out that you're not "cool" enough...this is super silly.
I have come to the realization {or maybe I am getting old - just kidding :P} that I don't have to go out to clubs or house parties to have a good time.
I am more then content to ring in the New Year with loved ones, lots of food, drinks and a great movie or food network show {lol}.
Or blogging! Like I am now. :)
So if you're at home, tell us what you're doing to ring in the New Year!
And if you fall asleep before midnight...don't feel bad. I have done this as well!
I should be able to stay up for 24 hours straight...but I guess when you're 24...it just starts to go backward. Haha.
Have a lovely night! With lots of joy.


-S.*

Thursday, December 30, 2010

::another:cute:recipe::

Here is another recipe that you can share on New Year's Eve ~ not alot of people have massive dinners on this evening but like to munch on hors d'oeuvres all throughout the night.
So here is another perfect little recipe that is super simple to make for your big bash. ;)
Bon Appetit!


Prosciutto & Cheddar Puffs
These puffs are filled with prosciutto and cheese, perfect with pre-dinner drinks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 45

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 cup shredded extra-old Cheddar cheese {I will go with medium}
1/2 cup finely diced prosciutto or crumbled cooked bacon
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds {note: okay, I HATE caraway seeds, so I will sub on this one}

Directions
1. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water, butter, salt, pepper and cayenne just to boil. Remove from heat and add flour all at once; using wooden spoon, stir until dough firms ball. Return to heat; cook stirring constantly, until slightly dry and film appears on bottom of pan, about 3 minutes.
Transfer to bowl; let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in cheese, prosciutto and carraway {bleh!} seeds. Drop by scant tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheets.
3. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 400°F oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. (Make-ahead: Let cool. Store in airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in 375°F oven until warm and crisp, about 5 minutes.)


Another super-quick and easy recipe.
This one sounds super delicious. What do you guys think I should substitute the caraway seeds with?


-S.*

(Source: Image and Recipe from Food Network Canada)

::appetizers::

I found two delicious appetizer recipes that you can share with your family and friends on New Year's Eve. I got these from the Food Network Canada website. I will post each separate recipe in it's own bloggie thingermabob.
First...this sounds soooooo yummy. And I am totally going to try this out. I mean, you can't go wrong with a recipe like this.
I am sure your guests will love them.
Bon Appetit!


Salsa Shrimp Melts
Yield: 4

Ingredients
4 ounces (125 g) frozen cooked salad or coctail shrimp, thawed
1/4 cup (50 mL) salsa
16 to 20 crackers or baked tortilla chips
1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded Canadian Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese

Directions
1. Drain shrimp, pat dry and cut into small pieces.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp and salsa.
3. Spoon evenly on top of crackers.
4. Place on a small baking sheet. Sprinkle cheese evenly over shrimp mixture. Back in preheated 400F (200C) oven or toaste over for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
To microwave, place 4 or 5 crackers on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on medium-high (70%) power for about 30 seconds or until cheese is melted.

Tip
A smooth salsa works best for this recipe. Some of the chunky versions may have pieces that are too big to fit on the cracker.


THAT was suuuuper simple and super fast!
Let me know if you guys try these little delicious morsels out and what you think! :)


-S.*

::photo:of:the:day::

The super-gorgeous ~ and one of my faves ~ Jessica Simpson.


-S.*

::recipe::

I know that a little while ago I posted a recipe similiar to this one. But I found this and decided to share it with you anyways.
I love seafood and I love mushrooms, so it's great when I can find recipes that combine the two! Lol. A little while ago, my Mom bought me my first cookbook. It's nothing fancy schmancy or written by the chef of the "moment". It's a great little fat book called "1000 Recipe Cookbook - Easy to Follow Recipes for all Occasions". And let me tell you, there are soooo many recipes in here. So I am grateful for my Mom getting this first cookbook for me. I will have it forever. :) It actually reminds me of some of her old Polish cookbooks that she had. Which one day I would like to steal from her. Lol.
So, as I said, this is a variation of the crab-stuffed mushrooms that I posted a little while ago. It's always nice to have a bit of variation in your recipes and I think this recipe is one of them. So I hope you enjoy!
Bon Appetit!


Salmon-filled Mushroom Cups
Serves: 6

Ingredients
200 g (7 oz ) canned salmon {you can use fresh though as well}
25g (1 oz) fine dried breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped onions {I would prefer green onion}
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
18 large fresh mushrooms, caps about 4cm in diameter
2 tablespoons red pepper, diced
Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the salmon, breadcrumbs, onion and parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Remove the stalks from the mushrooms, and wipe the mushroom caps with damp kitchen paper {I think they mean paper towel, lol}. Put in a baking tray, crown side down. Mould the salmon mixture into the caps. Put a little red pepper on top of each cup.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until tender. Serve hot.


I definitely think that anything that is stuffed into mushrooms makes an awesome appetizer. And since I also love salmon, I think this is a great alternative to crab. Of course you can use any seafood of your choice, shrimp, any kind of fish, or even small scallops sliced {I wonder how that would taste}.
If you want to add a little creaminess then add some cream cheese to your mixture as well.
Let me know if you guys try out the salmon mushroom cups and what you think. :)


-S.*

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

::tml::

Wow...sometimes when I get into the groove of things I don't know when to stop.
Sometimes I post like...nothing for 4 days and then I post 100 different things within one afternoon! Lol. I don't know. I guess some days I am inspired and others I am not.
But I also find writing is cathartic.
There are days when you write and you think to yourself "Alright! People will love this!" and then other days you think to yourself, "Alright!....No one gives a $h!t."...
But you know what? Some people may stumble upon your blog and not like it...but then there are others that do so and love reading everything that you say. I try and avoid getting too personal when I write my articles...but it's a little difficult not too. Especially when you get somewhat close to your followers.
Everyone wants to know everything about everyone!
There are a few bloggers out there that I aboslutely adore reading - two of them in particular - RogueRunway {with her gorgeous edits that she posts and her hair tips} and Deseperately Seeking Gina {she has amazing recipes that she posts on her blog and it's just a delight to read anything that she writes}.
I hope neither of them mind me writing about them on my blog!
If you haven't checked either of them out, then do! It's not hard to follow either and I suggest you do so you can be updated with amazing posts by either of them.

So Christmas has come and gone...and I know that a lot of you feel some sort of pressure to have to buy for everyone in your immediate family, your boyfriend and your boyfriends family {or viceversa}. But that really isn't what Christmas is about...I like to give gifts, yes...but my Mom {time and time again} tries to remind me that it has nothing to do with gifts, but just the mere fact to be able to spend that special time with family and close friends.
I never really understood this at all until this year.
I wasn't able to spend time with my family at all...I felt sort of lost and a bit alone, since there was no one really to share my traditions with.
I mean, there was my boyfriend, who is very supportive and tries to make me as happy as I can be...but it's a bit different when you are able to spend Christmas with close family.
So I finally realized what my Mom was telling me all these years.
I got my Christmas presents from my Mom and Dad already...and they are fabulous presents...but I would rather spend the time with them...have the dinner with them and spend the evenings watching Christmas movies...
I am not saying I don't love my gifts, of course I do...but I think the greatest gift during this time of year is your family.

I am very grateful that I have an amazing boyfriend.
He was there for me and offered help when I tried to make the traditional dinner {let me tell you, I was super cranky!} and when we went Christmas shopping one evening, we got everything we needed and got into the car to do some groceries and get home to finish anything that we needed to finish.
Instead, he unsuccessfully {lol} surprised me by taking me to a local hockey shop in our city and bought me an authentic Toronto Maple Leaf's jersey.
One that is blank on the back where I am able to sit and think to myself for the next few days what team players name I want on the back {it's really freakin' hard...let me tell you!}...
Now, a lot of ladies may be thinking...really??? A hockey jersey?
Yes yes yes...of course everyone wants that pair of Manolo Blahnik's that Carrie was wearing in that one or...wait, million episodes of Sex and the City...
But this gift was super thoughtful and I love it.
Not only that...but us watching hockey together has become our thing.
I hated sports...and watching them...before I met my b/f.
But I think certain things that you share with your significant other brings you closer together...and this is one of them.
Yes...yes...I subject my boyfriend to Gossip Girl marathons...he isn't pleased at first, but then he gets into them. Lol.

So...basically, what I am trying to get at is...you don't need all the fancy schmancy things...I mean, we all covet them...and HELLS YES!!! I would love a pair of McQueen leggings!!!...
But, I much rather prefer spending time with loved ones, giving the gifts, wearing my jersey and watching a hockey game at home with my love. ;)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday so far. :)

Ps. I picked #3. Dion Phaneuf.


Buy a TML Jersey @ Leafshq.com.


-S.*

::recipe::

Recently, one of my closest friends dropped by on Christmas Eve {day} and unexpectedly dropped off a gift for me. He is one of my best friends and I have known him for quite a while. We have gone through a lot together and he has always been there for me. He's the type of friend that would come and pick you up at 3am even if he is hours away doing something.
From what he said, he felt bad that I was spending my first Christmas away from home and with no family.
I mentioned before that the Christmas that had just passed was my first with no family at all.
He knows how much I adore food and especially Italian food as well.
His family is from Italy and I was born there. Even though my background doesn't reside there but in Poland, I still have an infatuation with what I call my home town - Rome.
So, he dropped off a great present that day. :)
I got the cookbook "Everyday Italian" by one of my favorite TV chefs; Giada De Laurentiis.
She makes great, simple, clean & perfect food. :)
The one reason that struck me right away to try out was the White Bean and Tuna Salad. I love tuna and I love beans. Especially after my boyfriend got me into chili hardcore. :)
I think I will definitely give this a try and decided to share with you the first recipe that I thought I would try out after checking this cookbook out.
There are a lot more recipes in there that I still have to look through, but this is the first one. :) So I just wanted to say thank you to my friend, who was very thoughtful through this time of year, and we will definitely get together for some drinks and pick a random recipe to try out really soon! :)

Bon Appetit!

Google Images
White Bean Tuna Salad
A recipe by the one and only Giada De Laurentiis {you can find more on the Food Network Canada website or her gorgeous cookbooks!}.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings



Ingredients
2 (6-ounce) cans dark meat tuna, packed in olive oil {I will probably use white meat}
2 (15-ounce) cans cannelini white beans, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup small capers, nonpareil in brine, drained and rinsed
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cups fresh arugula
6 fresh basil leaves

Directions
In a large bowl, add the tuna, reserving the olive oil in a separate small bowl. Break tuna into bite-size pieces with a large fork. Add the beans and capers. Into the bowl of olive oil, add the red wine vinegar. You should have 1 part vinegar to 2 parts oil - add more extra-virgin olive oil if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Pour dressing on the tuna, bean and caper mixture and allow the flavours to infuse while slicing the vegetables. Add the onion and tomatoes to tuna mixture and toss gently.
Place the arugula on large decorative platter and top with tuna mixture. Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and serve immediately.


It's a pretty simple recipe {when do I give you difficult ones! Lol.} but I want to make a note and let you guys know that I don't think that you need to throw in cannelini beans in there...maybe you can sub for white kidney...and I probably might not add tomatoes...but we will see. You can probably add whatever veggies you'd like - maybe avocado or asparagus. Let me know what you guys think and if you have any suggestions or subs for this recipe...and if you try it before any of us do, then share! Let us know what you think!


-S.*

(Source: Food Network Canada)

::beauty::

Next new thing: Lindsay Wixson.





-S.*

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

::recipe::

Haven't had these in quite a while!
Now I know with the holiday's and whatnot you are eating alot of potatoes and turkey {or whatever meat or fish}, salads and veggies and pies. Not very many people have pasta...I don't think so anyways...although I haven't heard this at all.
But anyways, I am a huge pasta lover. And if I could eat pasta everyday 3x a day, then I totally would. But we all know that it isn't very good for you...
I really and utterly throw all control, will-power and portion control techniques out the window when it comes to pasta. I could literally eat a GIMONGOUS bowl of pasta...with a tun of cheese.
I am very set in my ways with spaghetti.
I don't order it at restaurants...unless the pasta is al dente {I ask to try some before ordering, that is how picky I am}. I don't like it when other people prepare it...I probably won't eat it and I have a specific sauce that I will forever use {Hunt's to be exact} and any other sauce I do not like.
I also hate parmesan cheese that is packaged in bulk and thrown on the shelves...it has to be fresh...I will go with any cheese other then that though.
I don't know if I am so much picky as I like my pasta the way that it should be made.
You gotta agree with me here, who likes mushy pasta {bleh!}.
I am also very set in my ways with my sauces.
I can use my regular blend of sauce with my choice of spices or use a mushroom and pesto sauce...or amatriciana that my Mom makes {amazing! that lady knows how to make spaghetti!!!}...but, there is something tugging at my tummy strings {that sounds kinda gross} that wants me to try vodka sauce.
Now, vodka...in sauce? That sounds kinda gross...but I hear people praaaaising this sauce all the time; so I finally decided to give it a shot myself, which I will be doing tonight.
I am not going to make this from scratch {too expensive in case I don't like it} and bought a name brand one. I really hope it's delicious!
I looked forward to alfredo at one point and was sorely disappointed...therefore, as you can guess, I don't like alfredo.
I found this recipe though on the Food Network Canada website and decided to share with you since I am going to be trying some of this out tonight - might not be exact but it is similiar. :) Give it a shot and let me know what you think!
Also let me know if there are any other sauces out there that you loooooove with your pasta!
Bon Appetit! :)





Penne with Vodka Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis.

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 quart Simple Tomato Sauce, recipe follows, or store-bought marinara sauce, blended until smooth
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 pound penne



Directions

Simmer the tomato sauce and vodka in a heavy skillet over low heat until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir the cream into the tomato and vodka sauce. Simmer over low heat until the sauce is heated through. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat.


Simple Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 to 6 basil leaves
2 dried bay leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavor.
Pour half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.

If not using allt he sauce, allow it to cool completely and then pour 1 to 2 cup portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 6 months.


That was pretty simple, wasn't it?
Let me know what you guys think if you give this a shot. It definitely sounds absolutely delicious! I will let you know what it tastes like with the brand name one. If I like it, I will definitely make a home-made version. :)

-S.*

(Source: Recipe from Food Network Canada - Image from AllRecipes.com)

::endless:summer::

Some of us were fortunate enough {or some people see it the opposite way} of spending Christmas in a tropical area.
I know that my sister and her boyfriend just recently flew to California to visit my parents for Christmas. Although they don't have crazy high temperatures ~ it is still considerably warmer then here in Canada.
For example...we had -20C & they had +15C...don't you wish you could be me? Lol.
Anyways, alot of people are missing Summer...
I love Summer.
The warmth, the sunshine, the beaches and road trips...the bbq's and drinks on the patio. Who doesn't love Summer?? Of course it's a nice break when Winter comes along, but pretty soon we will be whining about how cold it is and how we wished Summer would fastly approach then at it's usual speed.
I decided to post up an editorial that is very beachy and very Summery.
I know that we just had Christmas and it's cold and blistery out, but this will fill your little hearts with warmth and know that even if there are big fat snowflakes bombarding your city; you always know that Summer is just around the corner.
Or a flight away. ;)

This editorial features the lovely Valentina Zeliaeva for L'Officiel - February 2008.
Here she is shot by Dan Martensen in this picturesque beach babe editorial.


  


                                     


-S.*

(Source: Minus1 @ TFS)

::nefarious:enchantment::

Hmm...a little disappointed.
I was writing a bit of a bloggeroo and it disappeared. How...I really don't know. I saved it in the beginning because Blogger wouldn't allow me to upload photo's, so I hit post anyways...and gone...it went into cyberspace.
It basically was a segue into another editorial that I was going to post up...but as I was surfing the internet I stumbled onto, what I can safely say, is my photographer of the moment. We all have our photographers...but man oh man...this guy is genius.
The editorials are melancholic and yet pop with outrageous colours and somnolent models.
Each one of his editorials tell a story - you can seriously put whatever story you would like to his photographs.
The photographer that I am talking about is Baldovino Barani.
My gawwwwwwd. The images on his website are extraordinary and seriously breath-taking.
I don't have a complete little blurb on Barani but I plan on doing that. It's seriously something worth checking out.


 


   
 


-S.*

(Source: All Images from TFS or Google Images)

::after:Christmas::

Ahhhhhh...
I am sooooo lazy today. And I mean, for serious lazy.
I guess I am just completely wiped out from all the Christmas hype, shopping and cooking. There was ALOT of eating, alot of drinking and alot of not moving anywhere unless it was to the fridge. But alas, this is once a year.
I know that alot of people let themselves go on Christmas...and although you shouldn't go completely ballistic - you should definitely indulge every once in a while.
I went a little overboard and now I am kicking myself in the butt for it.
But Christmas is done and it's back to daily routine. Other then the fact that New Year's is coming up. I don't usually do much of anything on New Year's Eve...I am unsure of whether or not I will do anything this year either...maybe have a quiet get together of some sort but I definitely won't go kookoobanana's at some club. That really isn't my scene.
What do you guys like to do on New Year's?
I think 2011 is going to be a great year with lots to do. My boyfriend and I are going to do a list of 30 things we have to do before the year 2012.
One of the things that I would like to do is make my place where I live more homey. The place wasn't totally done when we moved in and we didn't bother painting or anything, but have begun doing so. Yesterday we painted the hallway a lovely moss misty green colour that looks fabulous. I am just looking forward to making the place I live in my home away from home, a complete comfort zone, a place where I can run away too and be left alone {if you know what I mean}. My family lives rather far away {California/Europe/Toronto} so it's hard to move into your first place - or even second place - and feel like it's actually home. So that is what I am going to work on this year, along with working on myself, my health and fitness. So there are many things to look forward to! I also want to start looking into getting my first house and travel around alot more {starting with Italy - where I was born}.
These are just a few things that are on my mind at the moment that I thought I would share.
I also have my little kitty here on kitty vacation {my sister is taking care of him for me} and he made Christmas feel a bit more like Christmas since this was my first year spending it with no family since I couldn't get to travel anywhere on time.
Anyways, I have a whole gorgeous week off all to myself and I will blog as often as possible. There are a bunch of fantastic articles that I have read the last few days and have stumbled across amazing recipes and gorgeous edits.
Let me know how your Christmas went and what your plans are for New Year's and what your goals {not resolutions!} are for 2011. :)


  



-S.*

(Source: Unknown {Model: Anja Rubik} {Magazine: Harpers Bazaar US February 2009} {Photographer: Peter Lindbergh}

Friday, December 24, 2010

::merry:christmas::

Woohoo!
Tis Christmas time!
I hope everyone is in a very festive mood and are bustling about with wrapping their last minute presents and cooking away a storm.
I know that I definitely have some last minute shopping to do and quite a bit of cooking ~ have to keep up with tradition. :)
Tonight I will make my Polish nomnom's and we will be opening Christmas gifts.
I already got my boyfriend a gift ~ which happened to be a Burberry cologne that smells amaaaazing and he got me an absolutely fabulous gift as well...a real Toronto Maple Leaf's jersey!!! I am sooo happy with this since I love the team. I just have to decide on a name that they will stitch on the back. I think I will decide to go with one of the players on the team.
I got incredible gifts from my family as well that I absolutely adore.
Thank you everyone!!! <3 :)
Anywho...I hope everything is having an awesome start to their day.
Don't drink too much eggnog and you can indulge, but remember not to go ballistic. ;)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE BLOGGERS OUT THERE AND FOLLOWERS!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!


My Christmas Tree @ home in California
Mamma did a great job decorating! xo


-S.*

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

::tis:the:season::

Tis the season...to stay warm!
Bundle up in chunky knits and oversized sweaters like Hana S. is wearing below. ;)
I am hoping to do a blog article in the future dedicated to huge sweaters.
My loves. :)




-S.*

::little:christmas:spirit::

The model in this editorial is unknown but the spread is absolutely gorgeous and should put you in a bit of a holiday-esque mood. :)
The photographer is Giampaolo Sgura for Vogue Italia December 2010.
I love the photography, the colours and the setting of this edit.
You don't usually see alot of editorials in magazines that have a somewhat Christmasy theme to them so I knew I had to post this for all to see. :)




-S.*

(Source: Tentalicious @ TFS)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

::recipe::

Foooooood.
Okay ~ so I am the type of girl that thinks it's wrong to mix fruit into a salad like I think instant potatoes are wrong...{yes, you Kevin! Lol.}.
But you know, if it were so bad, then why do people praise salads like these? The salads that have raspberries in them, apples, citrus fruits and the like. I gotta be honest. I have never tried any of the above in my salad because I am just too afraid.
I'm not so much afraid of nuts in my salads but am skeptical of it as well. I always used to just eat my salads with veggies ~ that's it.
But I think I may have to try a salad out at some point with some fruit in it...
Who know's maybe I will love it...and then I will have a new culinary obsession. But something is telling me that my tastebuds may be a bit put off.
But what the heck, lets give it a go.
The other day I was at the LCBO {Liquor Control Board of Ontario} to grab some wine and vodka {vodka for my drunken tomatoes - they are marinating now} and the LCBO always has a seasonal "Food & Wine" magazine that comes out with some great recipes and great wine recommendations and how to pair the two together.
They also have these little cards in the store with a lovely picture and on the back a recipe that pertain's to the image on the other side.
So...I found a recipe that kinda intrigued me so I think that I may give this a shot on the week off that I have for the Christmas holidays.
If you guys try it before me then let me know what you think!
And let me know in general what you guys think of the whole veggie and fruits mixed together craze in "salads".
Bon Appetit!


Chicory Salad with Ontario Pear, Walnut and Maple Vinaigrette

{This recipe can be found on the LCBO website and is by Marilyn Bentz-Crowley. They have a printer friendly version on the site.}

The slight sweetness of the maple syrup and earthiness of the walnuts contribute to the uniqueness of this salad.
Serves 6 to 8.


Ingredients
1/2 cup (125 mL) walnuts
3 tbsp (45 mL) cider vinegar
3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 crisp ripe peaer
12 cups (3 L) torn mixed chicory, such as curly endive, Belgium endive and radicchio

Directions
1. Preaheat over to 350ºF (180ºC).

2. Coarseley chop walnuts; spread on a baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes. Stir. Continue baking another 3 to 5 minutes or until walnuts are lightly browned and fragrant. Cool.

3. To make vinaigrette, whisk vinegar with olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.

4. Core and slice pear. Place chicory and pear in a large salad bowl. Toss with vinaigrette until leaves are shiny. Scatter with walnuts; serve right away.

Make-Ahead Tip
Toast walnuts and store airtight in the refrigerator for a week or more. Make vinaigrette and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Bring to room temperature and whisk again before tossing salad. Wash chicory and spin dry. Wrap in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Store in regrigerator for 2 to 3 days.


So there you have it. Let me know what you guys think of it and if I should try it. Haha. No, I will definitely have this in my recipe queue. I am nervous about trying it, but will nonetheless. :)


-S.*

Sunday, December 19, 2010

::holiday:healing::

I really love sharing some of the things that I read in great books or magazines; and as I have told you before {I think} there are many diffferent magazines that I read and anticipate the arrival for on a monthly basis {sometimes weekly, lol}.
Before I go on, I just want to say that I watched the movie "Little Women" the other day and as often as I have seen the movie or read the book I think that is definitely one of my staple movies to watch during the holiday season. It's such a great movie.
If you haven't seen it, then check it out. It is really good...I wouldn't watch it with your boyfriend or hubby ~ they may begin to cry from boredom...it really is a girly movie without it being the quintessential girly movie; if you know what I mean.
Anyways, this article I found in the December 2010 issue of Prevention. It's a great little magazine with tunz of tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Not only to eat healthily but how to take care of our bodies and there are medical tips in there as well. I know the target audience for this magazine is for women over 40 {it's true} but this little 24-year-old {me} really loves this magazine and I pick it up every month that it comes out and this little gem contains a load of wisdom for any woman of any age.
Think of this article as a present to yourself {after all the image in the magazine is a Christmas present that says "To: Me; From: Me}.
Make sure to take care of yourself in the new year, no one is as important as you are. :)


Give Yourself the Gift of Holiday Healing

Put happiness and health, joy and inspiration on your calendar every day of December, with our delightful to-dos of fun, food, friendship and more.

{Globetrotter Note: Sorry guys, I know this is a December thing and we are almost done December! BUT, it is still motivational as well as inspirational and you can tweak this and do this in January if you wish. Or just do it whenever your little heart pleases. :)}

DEC 1
Seek Icy Thrills.
Winter activities such as skiing, ice-skating, sledding and tubing aren't just great calorie burners, they're exhilarating. "The speed and fresh air give you a sense of elation that you just don't get with may other workouts," says Robyn McKay, PhD, a positive-psychology researcher at Arizona State University.

DEC 2
Belt Out "Santa Baby".
Singing is linked to stress reduction. Even better, join a choir. One study revealed that on average, choral singers rate their satisfaction with life higher then the general public does - even when the actual problems the singers face are more substantial than those of the rest of us.

DEC 3
Enjoy a Candy Cane.
Studies show that just the menthol smell alone will pep you up to enjoy the holiday festivities. It's also yummy for your tummy, helping to calm an upset stomach.

DEC 4
Munch Meringues.
These cookies have fewer then 20 calories a pop - and zero fat - so you can eat a handful without breaking the calorie bank.

DEC 5
Add 27 Dresses to your Netflix Queue.
Even the expectation of watching a favorite comedy ups mood-boosting endorphins by 27%, shows new research.

DEC 6
Skip the Baubles.
Instead of requesting jewelry, ask your husband to take you dancing. People are happier when they have life experiences instead of receiving material items, experts say.

DEC 7
Tap Into the Power of Flowers.
People feel better and perkier when they see a bouquet first thing in the morning, and the energy boost lasts throughout the day, reports Havard researcher Nancy Etcoff, PhD.

DEC 8
Get a Helper's High.
A recent study shows that people who were asked to perform a different kind act every day - small courtesies such as helping a neighbor shovel her walk - reported a marked increase in happiness after 10 days. Whether you do it with money or time, giving is good for you. "Helping others increases your own level of gratefulness and positive emotions," says Sheela Raja, PhD, a psychologist and stress researcher at the University of Illinois.

DEC 9
Send Your Own Pillow Packing.
To wake up feeling your best, you need a comfy headrest. If your pillow doesn't quickly spring back after you fold it in half, it's time for a new one.

DEC 10
Hold Hands with Your Sweetie.
When couples were more affectionate for a month, researchers saw a dip in their stress hormones and blood pressure and an increase in a hormone thought to calm and counter stress.

DEC 11
Make Friends with Hot Cocoa.
Just holding a warm beverage makes us more generous and friendly, fine Yale University researchers. Turns out warm hands are linked to warm hearts by way of a part of the brain called the insula, which helps process both physical temperature and emotions.

DEC 12
Stargaze.
"Concentrating is very meditative," says Boston-based psychologist Alice Domar, PhD. "And you really have to focus to see things in the sky - the Milky Way doesn't have a sign on it!"

DEC 13
Become a Softie.
Dry, flaky skin is a downer. Keep your skin baby soft by switching to a superhydrating body cleanser. Two that leave you silky smooth: Dove Winter Care Beauty Bar ($7 for six bars; drugstores) and Melvita Extra-Rich Shower Cream ($17; melvita.com).

DEC 14
Sit By a Cracklin Fire.
Tuning in to the sounds of nature - listening to tweeting birds or rain on the roof also qualifies - quickly reduced stress in one study.

DEC 15
Bask in a Nutcracker Ballet Performance.
Haven't seen Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy twirl and leap since you were a little girl youreslf? Get tickets to a local community performance. New research shows that people who regularly attend cultural events feel healthier and more vital then those who don't participate.

DEC 16
Grin as you Greet the Cashier.
Having a cheery attitude during the holiday season increases that chances that those around
you will feel warm and fuzzy too, according to one study.

DEC 17
Treat Yourself to a Salon Facial.
"I love facials for a relaxing experience and a temporary glow," says New Orleans dermatologist and Prevention advisor Mary Lupo, MD. Schedule it a day away from any big event, so the pinkness has time to fade.

DEC 18
Make Holiday Cards Gratitude Cards.
Instead of signing your cards with a generic "Hope all is well," take time to express to friends and family what they really mean to you. Studies find that showing gratitude increases your own happiness by as much as 25%.

DEC 19
Savor Your Sunday.
Pick any Sunday this month and make it an errand-free day. Better yet, fill it with as many pleasurable activities as possible. Research shows that people have better attitudes, more energy, and fewer aches and pains on the weekends - a benefit that comes from having more control over your schedule and being able to spend time with loved ones.

DEC 20
Dive Into a Good Book
"Reading can have a tranquilizing effect," says Timothy Shanahan, PhD, a professor of urban education and reading at the University of Illinois in Chicago. "I usually read before going to bed - it stops my mind from racing and allows me to get away from myself for a few moments, which helps me relax and sleep well."

DEC 21
Get on a Roll.
A foam roller, that is. This hot fitness tool also has more pleasurable use: rolling on it to massage tight glutes, deltoids, triceps, and hamstrings (about $25; sporting goods stores). "It's the next-best thing to a professional massage," says Michele Stanten, Prevention fitness director.

DEC 22
Hit the Snooze Button.
Sleeping for 7-1/2 hours a night for 3 straight nights guarentees you'll get through at least five full sleep cycles a night, garnering the full benefits of stage-4 sleep (the most nourishing and restful) - and bolstering your immunity.

DEC 23
Pamper Your Peds.
Give shopped-out feet a well-deserved time-out with a 10-minute soak in the spearmint-, rosemary-, and eucalyptus-infused Aromafloria For Feet's Sake Perfectly Soft Spa Foot Soak ($10.50; aromafloria.com). Or, for instant relieft, spritz them with Freeman Bare Foot Cooling Foot Mist ($4; freemanbeauty.com).

DEC 24
Cut Down Your Own Tree.
Being in the great outdoors reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts hapiness, reports Eeva Karjalainen, PhD, of the Finnish Forest Research Institute. It may also strengthen your immune system by increasing the number and activity of cancer-destroying cells. For a feel-good feeling to the season, be sure to "treecycle".

DEC 25
Window-Shop.
The same brain chemicals that make sex so pleasurable rise sharply when you're window-shopping. (No wonder Sex and the City had such a winning forumla!) To avoid overspending, peek through the glass when stores are closed or you've left your wallet at home.

DEC 26
Buy a New Lipstick.
The daily pick-me-up you'll get from it will be more satisfying than clothes or accessories, which you'll only wear every once in a while, finds new research.

DEC 27
Go For a Moonlight Walk.
Two-thirds of British women recently confessed to being bored by their daily routine. You too? Then shake things up: Eat breakfast for dinner, reroute your commute, or take a new exercise class.

DEC 28
Mellow Out to Mozart.
(even if you're usually a Lady Gaga fan). After three 28-minute sessions of listening to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, people felt more peaceful, more relaxed, and less stressed than those who tuned in to other music; they also felt higher levels of awe, wonder, and mystery.

DEC 29
Make a Date with You College Roommate.
Simply spending time with a favorite friend increases levels of the hormone progesterone, which can lower feelings of anxiety and stress, finds a recent University of Michigan study.

DEC 30
Peel Yourself a Clementine.
When researchers mapped the moods created by certain fragrances, they found the scent of this sweet, juicy fruit more likely to boost joy. Not only will a whiff of one help keep you happy, the vitamin C, calcium, and potassium in it will help keep you healthy too.

DEC 31
Plan Your Next Vacation.
Looking forward to a trip can boost your mood for as long as 16 weeks prior to the departure date, finds Dutch Research.


Phew! That was quite the doozey! But I hope you learned something from this little article and make sure to take care of yourself during the holiday season! And of course, all year round. :)


-S.*

(Images: Google Canada)