::lovely:weekend:belated:birthday::

This was a pretty fabulous weekend. 

First of all, I would like to share that I have lost a total of 11lbs the past few weeks - this has been done by cutting out the vino, eating as healthy as possible {despite some pasta nights}, walks and Jillian Michael's workouts. So I am quite proud of myself. :))

Yesterday my boyfriend didn't have to go to work {he works pretty much every Saturday} so it was nice to wake up early, get ready and go out to our huge farmers market about 20  minutes outside of the city called St. Jacob's. Despite it being a bit on the cool side it was still a lot of fun and we were able to pick up a few things. 

Afterwards we hopped around from store to store and also went to the Humane Society to see the doggies and kitty cats. 

We then relaxed for the rest of the evening and watched documentaries on wolves and leopards while both falling asleep on the couch. 

Today the bf and I got up, dressed and went out for coffee {green tea for me} with a friend for a couple of hours...then hopped some more to some stores before heading back to the house and relaxing out in the sunshine and reading. 

Now {after eating some Chinese food that wasn't the greatest from the place we got it at} we are having some tea and watching The Big Bang Theory. 

It's a great show. 

I finally did my taxes {way to leave it to the last minute} and will be cutting the boyfriend's hair {his hair grows so ridiculously fast! I wish my hair grew that fast} and will email off my tribute to my precious Sky for the next Peel/Halton newsletter. 

So it was a rather busy weekend and it was great! It is also supposed to warm up this week which is awwwwesome. I love the warm weather {who doesn't}.

This week I will be studying my driver's ed book, looking at schools, maybe taking my Smart Serve license, dropping resumes off as well as blogging since I haven't blogged in a bit! 

So yea! I just wanted to share with you what happened on my lovely and eventful little weekend!

Tomorrow I hope to see my Sister who is out on a photoshoot and I can't wait to give her her birthday gift. Which reminds me even though it is belated...

Happy 24th Birthday Di!!!

Ahhh...she is growing up so fast. 

And she better like her birthday gift! 

Ps. Her birthday was on the 17th. Make sure to go to her blog www.roguerunway.blogspot.com and wish her a happy belated birthday and follow her blog! 

I hope all of you had a great weekend! I am counting down the days to my next Housewives of Vancouver episode {lol} and will share with you some recipes, more editorials and book wishlists!

Happy Sunday! :))

-S.*

{Source: Image from Google Images - Kylie Minogue}

::real:housewives:of:vancouver::

Okay, so I am watching my most current guilty pleasures of all time with regards to TV and that be "The Real Housewives of Vancouver". 

I just randomly began watching it a few weeks ago and I completely got hooked on it. 

Now, I am not into the Real Housewives shows at all...never really watched the OC ones, Atlanta, New Jersey or whatever but for some reason I am drawn to this one -- probably because it takes place in Canada. I don't know, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I guess it shows that not all the rich people live in the US and there are richies all over the world. :)

I am typing this without looking at the screen and watching my show. Lol. 

Anyways! I decided to share an article and a clip along with some images so you get the gist of the show which only airs on Slice TV on Wednesdays at 10pm EST. 

ARGH! I love this show!

A DVD BETTER be out once the season is done and they also BETTER renew it for another one! I think I am more obsessed with this show then Mob Wives. That is saying a lot. 

Lol. It's saying a lot in general as I barely watch any TV unless it's the Food Network. 

I laugh along with it and I get livid with it...what show does that for you? It's pure entertainment - that is for sure. 

Anyways, here is the article!

This article is from bcliving.ca.

{http://www.bcliving.ca/entertainment/the-real-housewives-of-vancouver-cast-revealed}

The Real Housewives of Vancouver Cast Revealed

By: Lana Mador

Real Housewives mania hits Vancouver, and here are the women who will represent Van City.

Years of yogalates, Yaletown shopping sprees and first world problems have prepared five of Vancouver's most fabulous women to star in the first Canadian instalment of the Real Housewives franchise. They join the ranks of pampered homemakers from Orange County, New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, Beverly Hills, Miami, Athens, Israel and France: all who have been featured on the hit international reality show. Being the most expensive place to live in North America, it seems fitting that Vancouver is the next stop on the series' worldwide tour of the lifestyles of the rich and not-so famous.

Introducing the Real Housewives of Vancouver

So who are the new faces of the city? The show delves into the glamorous lives of jetsetter Christina Kiesel, entrepreneur Jody Claman, former Miss Ohio Mary Zilba, martial arts enthusiast Reiko MacKenzie and social butterfly Ronnie Seterdahl as they live large on the West Coast. Of course these one percenters love getting dolled up for a good party, but living in the lap of luxury isn't all diamond-studded cupcakes and designer duds. A former pop singer, Mary is looking to reignite her music career, while Jody (who describes herself as "Martha Stewart on crack") runs her own catering company and high-end clothing boutique. 

On the flip side, Christina figured out the true secret to financial success early on: "My primary source of income is two divorces - full stop."

All of the women except for Christina are mothers, and although their social calendars are hectic, they're always up for an adventure. From Reiko's prized exotic car collection to Ronnie's private jet and Napa Valley vineyard, they never seem to run out of ways to deal with all that pesky extra cash that seems to be lying around. 

They may love their luxury toys, but can these divas really play nice with each other? Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Content at Shaw Media, assures us that there will be plenty of Canadian catfights. 

"The Real Housewives of Vancouver is packed with all of the juiciest story lines, drama, power, wealth and glamour that viewers love about the huge, international hit franchise," she says. "Every episode will leave people wanting more."

That may seem like a far cry from the city's usual laid-back beach bum reputation, but if anything, giving the world a glimpse of the ever-stylish middle-ages frenemies in "real" Vancouver could really help the city ditch its "third-worst dressed city in the world" title. 

And there you have it! Just a little bit of a background on the show for you guys if you haven't seen it and I am sure you all seem quite intrigued now. :) 

Now I am going to give a little background on each of the gals from my point of view. 

It goes in order of my favourite to my least favourite. 

PS. I don't have too too much to say as I just started to watch the show. I am just going to give you my first impression of the gals. 

1. Christina Kiesel

Sweet

Bombshell

Sultry

Soft-spoken

Body confident {um...I would be if I had her body}

Passive aggressive 

2. Mary Zilba

Kind

Sweet

Creative {singing career and a scarf line out}

Best-dressed

Nurturer

Passive aggresive in a way too

Bad judge of character {she was friends with Ronnie for 17 years, enough said}

3. Reiko MacKenzie

Tough

Assertive

Physically fit {she boxes/fights}

Adrenaline junkie {owns like...a lot of fast exotic cars}

The voice of reason

4. Jody Claman

Hard working

Entrepreneur

Overprotective / Loyal

Methodical 

Tries to start shit for no reason sometimes

Likes to belittle some of the other housewives

5. Ronnie Seterdahl

Aggressive

Over-indulgent {happy hour 24/7 anyone?}

Starts shit for no reason

Has a thing against Mary...maybe jealous? 

Hospitable

Okay...so I feel bad judging these women on a couple of episodes, but this is how the show portrays them. I really didn't think that Ronnie was going to be my least favourite, I honestly thought that Jody would be. But after seeing the last few episodes where Ronnie is pretty much drunk all the time and starts fights with Mary {even though they made up the day before} just looks plain bad on her. 

The way the list goes sort of shows you the two different sides and as I called Reiko "the voice of reason". Mary and Christina really are sweet and it just seems like Jody and Ronnie are jealous because they keep nitpicking and belittling them all the time. 

This is just the way it has come across so far. 

Either way, anything could happen in the season...everyone is jealous of Christina because she is the youngest {and a bombshell}, Mary is the prettiest out of all the older housewives, Reiko is badass, Jody knows how to get under your skin and is intimidating and Ronnie is the richest and lives lavishly. 

Whatever. 

I still like the show. :P

Can't wait for the next episode!!

-S.*

{Source: Images from Google Images}

::chicken:tostadas::

A new recipe for you guys...this one is for Kev. Something different for you to try for dinner if you feel so inclined. ;) AND it is from the new issue of Everyday Food {May 2012}!

Before I go on...I just want to say that if it is possible for you to get corn tortilla's instead of flour than DO IT!! Ugh. I tried corn tortilla's for the first time in California {fish tacos, yum} and the flavour of it is SO much better! No joke. 

I will have to be on the lookout at Zehr's to see if they sell corn tortilla's there; if not, I will have to check out some other stores {or Mexican specialty stores} but it is very much worth it and you will be glad you did!

If you live in California {Ma & Pa} then you will totally find corn tortilla's there...everywhere. :) Anyways...in the spirit of a California-esque Summer dish that us Canadian's {or anyone that is still feeling the wrath of Mother Nature and her deciding that Winter isn't over yet} can try. :) 

PS. I know that this may not be a Mexican inspired dish per se and that it calls for tostada's but use your imagination, try different ingredients or add whatever you want to it yourself. 

Bon Appetit!

King Ranch Chicken Tostadas

Serves: 4 :: Active Time: 20 min :: Total Time: 20 min

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices

10 ounces mushrooms, such as button or cremini, trimmed and sliced

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 can {15 ounces} diced tomatoes with green chiles, such as Ro-Tel, drained

8 tostada shells

3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken {about 3/4 pound}

Shredded romaine lettuce, shredded Monteray Jack or crumbled Cotija cheese, and sour cream for serving

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and mushrooms are golden brown, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes with chiles and cook, stirring, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. 

2. Spread tomato mixture on tostada shells. Top with chicken, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. 

Nutrition Per Serv {without lettuce, cheese, sour cream}: 395 cal; 16g fat {3g sat fat}; 31g protein; 29g carb; 3g fibre.

Whoop!

There you go. Like I said, go crazy with the recipe, you don't have to follow it to a T. Add whatever you want, and even if you can't find canned tomatoes with chile's just make your own tomato and chile mixture. :) 

Either way! Hope you enjoy. More recipes to come in the next few days!

-S.*

{Source: Everyday Food Magazine; May 2012 - PG. 82/83 / Image from Everyday Food Website}

::phase:one:&:Robert:Kennedy::

Alright!

So I did phase 1 - workout 1 yesterday {Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution}, it was a bit difficult, but it was more fun than expected. Probably because I didn't expect a lot of the exercises and there weren't a lot of stupid jumping jacks {which I dislike very much}. I definitely did break a sweat, so that is a good thing. Mind you I gained 2lbs from Sunday but I have a feeling that a lot of it is water weight. 

Anyways!

There is more snow here in Canada...even though it ain't stickin'...it definitely feels like it is Fall and that Winter is around the corner. 

I posted quite a few editorials yesterday but I know that I have to get my butt in gear and post more different things. 

I do want to share interviews that I have read in some magazines or online...particularly one with Tosca Reno. 

She recently lost her husband, Robert Kennedy, founder of Robert Kennedy publishing who is a huge part of my favourite magazine; Oxygen. He died from lung cancer on the 12th of April, I believe. 

Here is a little YouTube video of him below.

He was seriously loved by all in the fitness world and he took the time to write to his readers/subscribers of his mags...he even wrote to me once when I desperately emailed him asking what I need to do, what I need to change to become the best version of myself that I can be. He told me simply {and quite effectively} to eat clean and then hit the iron. 

He told me if I don't do this that I will gain more and become even more unhappy, it took me a while before I actually realized what he meant...but I do know now. 

He was very sweet in his email to me. 

Regardless, may he rest in peace. 

The new issue of Oxygen with Elaine Goodlad on the cover was to come out last Tuesday but for some reason didn't hit newsstands. I am wondering if they are going to do a tribute issue {which I think would be a good idea} and re-release the issue today {fingers crossed}.

Definitely should have been out when they say because the mag is published in Ontario where Bob and Tosca live. 

I wonder if Tosca will stay in Ontario or move. 

I hope her and her family are getting all the support they can get through this difficult time in their lives. It must be devastating. Bob was the one that helped Tosca with her rise to fame. I am glad though that he got recognized and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Arnold Classic this past year. 

Anyways, I am going to blog some more later and of course post recipes as I have mentioned, for now I gotta get my ass up, eat something and do a workout. 

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

-S.*

::changes:&:love:in:central:park::

It has really been a while since I last posted much of anything, let alone wrote anything about what was going on. A lot has been happening in 2012 so far. I am still looking for a job {one that I actually like! I am not going to just pick something random-o} and I am keeping busy and finally feel like I am embarking on a new chapter in my life. I know that may sound a little too new-agey or corny for some of you...but seriously, it is true. 

I had to do a lot of thinking the last little while...and even though I thought and thought and thought...well, I never really put into work what I was set out to do initially. But now that story has changed. Even though I am still in bed right now {at 9:30am}. Lol. That isn't the point. The point is, that there are changes happening, finally, and it isn't as scary as I initially thought. Of course I get super lazy at times and would rather do absolutely nothing then be productive but it isn't like I am sleeping all day like some people I know *wink* so I don't feel that bad. :P

Well, Spring has finally sprung!

Or has it? 

We are supposed to get rain and snow today here in Canada and that is just plain ridiculous when my ears hear this because on Friday it was above +20C and now it is only +4C??? I didn't even factor the wind chill in there. 

I have been out and about, walking as often as possible around my neighborhood, cooking up a storm, cleaning and tidying and figuring out the next few steps BUT taking it one day at a time. 

I would like to head back to the gym but the boyfriend is very tired after work and sometimes can't be bothered, which I know isn't an excuse, therefore I will begin workouts in my living room as well from ZWOW's {Zuzana's Workout of the Week - co-founder of Bodyrock.Tv}, Bodyrock.Tv {even though I am not a huge fan of Lisa's new boobage and long hair - now beginning to remind me of a Z replacement, but whatever} and the help of Jillian Michaels' new Body Revolution workouts {which I hear KICK ASS}, Tracy Anderson, BodyBuilding.com and my fitness and health magazines. So I have an arsenal of tactics - I just need to start applying them to day to day life. I know that I didn't last week {long story} but it is totally time to step up my game here. 

To be honest, I have lost about 8lbs-ish since leaving for California and coming back...but I am waaaay more optimistic that the pounds will start dropping even faster now as well. 

I have read so many books the last little while...some of which were amazing...I so highly recommend Gail Simmon's "Talking With My Mouth Full" if I haven't already. Dean Koontz' book "What The Night Know's"  and some other ones here and there...there are lots, trust me. Lol. 

The only problem here, is that I am reading them so fast that it will be time to purchase some newbies...need to figure out which ones though and read the reviews on some of 'em...but will keep you posted in the future. 

Other then that, I will talk more about what has been going on the past month or so within the next few posts...share with you awesomely amazing recipes from some new cookbooks that I have and mucccch more!

I am getting into makeup a lot more too so I will be posting some reviews on some recently purchased products that I find are needed in anyones makeup bag. 

And I am not talking about ridiculously expensive type makeup {I ain't made of money}, I am talking about your drug store finds, which anyone can buy. 

Anyways, enough rambling. Here are some editorials! I am off to make a healthy salad with some yummy tuna and catch an episode of some sort of show before doing my workout today! 

Hope everyone is having a lovely Monday! :) 

A cute little love story.

Alessandra Ambrosio & Rodrigo Santoro by Eric Guillemain for Vogue Brazil December 2011.

-S.*

::crap!::

Holy crap!!!

I haven't posted on here since the 14th!?!! What is wrong with me!?! Omg. I am so sorry peoples. I am going to be back - and with a vengeance to boot. So make sure to stay tuned to lots of editorial posts, recipes, reviews and such. 

Sorry that I have disappeared. Lots has been going on since I got back. 

Btw, thanks to all the new followers! If you want me to check out your blog and follow please let me know!!! It'll be easier if you comment to this post so I can directly go to your web address as I can't keep track of who follows and when. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Mine has been quiet but splendid! Now I am off to make some dinner and will be back to begin posting. :) 

Talk soon!

Ps. In the meantime, check out my Tumblr account - www.sugar-jar.tumblr.com.

-S.*

::style:hits::

Some of this month's style hits!

-S.*

{Source: People StyleWatch}