Went to Round 5 of the Dillon’s Cocktail cup at the Home of the Brave. Alex James won people’s choice with his “A Hip Hop, A Rhubarb Delight” while Tyler Newsome won the judges over with his “Cinnamon Toast Punch”. Stay tuned for my recreation of a different cocktail that Alex made for us that night!
Also, the buffalo cauliflower at the Home of the Brave is amazing. Probably gonna toss some roasted cauliflower with buffalo sauce tonight and eat with ranch dip. Dinner win!
I made gin and tonic popsicles and you should too!
Our cilantro has gone out of control and started growing flowers. Apparently this happens when the weather gets too hot. Guess the cilantro is feeling something that I haven’t yet this summer.
Made this cake from Sweetapolita except with strawberries for a friend’s birthday. I’ve made it before, so I knew it would be good. Used strawberries and dahlias from our balcony garden to make a simple topper. It was a hit!
Definitely going to check out Magic Mike XXL with the girls in the lab. This skit with Channing Tatum from Jimmy Fallon is hilarious.
On Friday, a couple of girls and I went to the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies event at The Monarch Tavern. My fave was probably the Belgian IPA from Indie Ale House. Surprise surprise, it was very bitter.
Made these strazzate cookies for an Italian afternoon get-together. I loved how complex their flavour was, with a moist inside and a chewy outside. It always amazes me how regional the food in Italy is. Despite there being 4 Italians there, no one had ever heard of these cookies!
On any given day, chances are I’m singing this song in my head.
And that’s the way the cookie crumbled this week! Have a great Sunday!
In thinking about where to take my life after my PhD, or rather, where life will take me after my PhD, I started thinking about what I want to do, who I am.
We all heard the question when we were kids: “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” I went through various phases including paleontologist and marine biologist. But now (arguably) I am grown up. If someone were to ask me what I am, what would my answer be? What would your answer be?
2015 is here and it promises to be a big one here. Alex and I are both planning to graduate (and you can be sure I’ll let you know the moment you can call me doctor), and neither of us knows exactly what we want to do after that. So far we have one wedding to attend in Hawaii and another in Germany.
But before I look too far ahead, I thought I would look back and see how I did on last January’s plans and allow them to inspire/educate this year’s.
These colours! As we move closer and closer to the time of year where colour and warmth are lacking, let’s look at these and be happy. No more words, just brightness.
Photo credits: Shoeless Joe from Smart Cookie. Flat white from M Square personal photo. Rustic wedding invitation from FlairNecessities.
We’ve been having such wonderful weather lately that this doesn’t seem that relevant, but scarf weather is coming and I need to know how to do something other than wrap it around twice.
Saw the Book of Mormon this week and it was awesome!
Last weekend we checked out a newly opened coffee shop near our place. It was so new they were still doing construction on it! But the flat white they served was delicious.
We also braved the mall crowds and were rewarded by onesies at The Drake General Store. Everything they have is so cool! We also purchased these amazing fox and pineapple glasses there.
Recently started watching True Detective after a friend mentioned it could compete with Breaking Bad for best series of all time. It does not disappoint.
We have an ongoing list of restaurants we want to go to. Planning on crossing a couple off today. Rasa, Thoroughbred, and Barhop are on the list.
My recent obsession: lined envelopes. Looking to make some for my dinner party invitations.
And that's the way the cookie crumbled this week. Have a delicious weekend!
Photo credits: Cinder cones at Haleakala by Rob DeCamp via FineArtAmerica. Late Summer Wedding Flowers via Snippet and Ink. Romantic Jungle via Smart Cookie
Going to Hawaii for a cousin’s wedding in April. Having a really hard time deciding where to go after! Mount Haleakala is on the list for sure.
Who knew the world of fonts was so huge?! I’m learning that a good font can make all the difference. This website lets you search for fonts similar to other fonts which is key when you have no idea what to search for.
Had a great time at An Italian Affair hosted by Dillon’s gin at Campagnolo. Most memorable though was the peach shrub and bourbon taster we got at the end of the night. Will be playing around with some shrubs of my own this weekend.
Making this blackberry mascarpone cake from Sweetapolita for my friend’s birthday tomorrow. I made it once before, but going for a simple autumn vibe on the decorations this time. Been pinning some ideas.
They just opened a Denny’s next door. Why can’t it be like this one in New York?
Working overtime on little sleep makes me wear my glasses more often. The proper makeup is key.
Planning my next dinner party. Gives me something to look forward to after this overload of work stress. Loving this colour palette for it.
Dinner tonight: squash, mushroom, and smoked turkey pot pie with mashed potatoes.
And that’s the way the cookie crumbled this week. Have a fantabulous weekend!
Whenever September comes I always want new notebooks and planners, even though there is no “back to school” for grad students. Love this gold polka dot number from Kate Spade.
It’s amazing what a couple of green things on a concrete balcony can do. It feels like my little oasis in the middle of the city. I sit and read, do a crossword, watch the people walk by…
Way back in January, when I wrote about the things I would like to focus on this year, I mentioned starting a balcony garden. Although Canada has been less than cooperative with the weather this year, it is finally warm enough to plant some things outside!
Day 0: here we go!
I love the new year. Even if my life isn’t changing drastically, I always feel like the new year is a clean slate. The beginning of the year gives us an opportunity to assess ourselves and our lives that we don’t often give ourselves otherwise.
So I spent a little time thinking about what I want from this year and this is what I came up with.
As I walked home in the snow, the cold wind slapping at my face and my breath coming out in clouds, I dreamed of the beaches and palm trees of San Diego again.
Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine November weather could be like this. Not a cloud in the blue blue sky.
It all started when I bought the Dinner Party Issue of Bon Appétit magazine about a month ago. I was mesmerized by beautiful tablescapes and delicious recipes. Plus, a whole how-to section for hosting a Friday night dinner party. I immediately wanted to be the kind of person that hosted dinner parties. I glanced over at my dining table, covered in cake stands, dishes, pantry items, and a slew of other things that just didn’t seem to fit anywhere else. This was a problem.
We took last weekend for ourselves. All the craziness from the week, all the stresses and worries and responsibilities, we put all those aside and headed out to Jordan, Ontario. Right in the middle of Niagara wine country.
Hey guys! Things are crazy around here! It feels like every weekend is full to the brim with events. Mostly because one of my favourite people is getting MARRIED soon! There might be an inappropriate dessert in the works for a bachelorette party. I will not be posting this... But I bought a dress for the wedding! (Ignore my weird legs)
I think you can see a common theme in these pictures. Just a hint of all the good times had in Strasbourg. A really beautiful town on the border of France and Germany. More details and (hopefully) some Alsatian recipes to come! (Picture from Cafe de L’Opera)
La Corde a Linge
Hotel wine and cheese party (in our room)
Au Petit Bois Vert
Le Pied de Mammouth
Terre a Vins
Taverne Kohler Rehm
Landed in Boston for Alex’s birthday trip on Friday evening. The first thing we needed to do was find somewhere to eat. Among the crowded, tourist-filled bars of Quincy Market and area we managed to find a small Belgian food restaurant called Saus. With a long list of craft beers, expertly prepared Belgian frites, and a free waffle with salted caramel sauce for sitting at the “chef’s table”, this was by far the best choice.
I just came back from Boston on Sunday. I was attending the Society for Biomaterials conference at the Hynes convention center. We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel. We walked down Boylston street. We met several people who were staying after the conference was over to watch the marathon. They were really excited.
I was planning on posting all about my Boston adventures with some bubbly pictures of Pinkberry, but that seems inappropriate now. Instead, I will share some thoughts on these tragic events.
I find myself asking this question way too many times throughout the week. Sometimes, you just have no inspiration. Asking your significant other results in answers like “fish... or pork” (or is that just me??). So today I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to get inspired to cook dinner! Plus you get to feel good about yourself for not ordering that Chinese take-out or demolishing an entire bag of chips for dinner...
This week has been crazy! I’ve been at work more than I’ve been at home, and I haven’t stepped foot in the kitchen in days.
Last weekend was a long weekend, and knowing that I was about to embark on this week of craziness I relaxed to the max. I made the best coconut soup ever and discovered that galangal juice stings if it gets you in the eye. I shared some blackberry and white chocolate pavlova with you.
It's almost Valentine's day again! To be honest, hubby and I haven't really gone all out for Valentine's day in a long time. This is not because we don't love each other, but rather because we show our love everyday through the little things. Sooo cheesy, I know, but true.
