Thursday 31 October 2013

C'est L'Halloween

C'est l'Halloween, c'est l'Halloween, hey! I can't help it - that song gets stuck in my head every year.


Anywho, it's Halloween! Usually, I am excited and have a costume planned, but for whatever reason this year it sorta fell through the cracks so I'm basically over it. I think if I were young enough to trick-or-treat, I'd be singing a different tune.

Last night I was reminiscing about all my trick-or-treating memories. Forcing down dinner because I was really too excited to eat. Running from door to door and then decanting my easy-to-carry Halloween bucket (from McDonald's, obviously), into the much larger bag that my dad was carrying for me (thanks dad!), arriving home and dumping out all the candy to count and sort (and see who had the most). Ah, those were the days. I made it sound so glamorous that Nick may even attempt to trick-or-treat tonight (it wasn't very popular in England when Nick was a kid, so he doesn't remember ever doing it).

Then I brought up the part about going through and finding all the home-made stuff. You know, the Rice Krispie Square from the old lady down the street. Or the homemade candy apples. They were always from the most thoughtful people, and yet the automatic reaction was: throw it away immediately. Nick thought I was just being picky, until I explain the whole 'razor blades being hidden in the candy' scenario, at which he was shocked and speechless. Maybe there's no trick-or-treating in England for good reason: no need to check your innocent child's candy for hidden objects that are intended to harm them.

So, if you or your kiddos are out trick-or-treating tonight - enjoy! Watch out for cars and hidden razor blades.

Ps. How accommodating am I? I bought two boxes of candy. One of them is peanut free, so I can offer those allergy-ridden children some candy they can actually eat. Gold star for Emma.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Do You Like Scary Movies?

I don't. Well, not anymore anyway.

With that being said, I went through a phase in my early teens where watching scary movies was the thing to do. In the spirit of Hallowe'en, I thought I'd give you a list of my (former) favourites:

The Sixth Sense
The Poltergeist
Jaws
Child's Play
Black Christmas
When a Stranger Calls (the original)
The Exorcist
Scream
The Ring
The Shining 

Movies I can’t even bring myself to watch because I know I’ll be terrified:

Any of the Friday the 13th series - the mask alone scares me.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Any of the Saw movies
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Any of the Paranormal Activity movies

I can’t even stop to think about some of the content in these movies because it still scares me. But if you’re looking for a good scare this Hallowe'en, give them a try.

Boo.

Monday 28 October 2013

Ladies Who Lunch

This weekend I attended a bridal shower. But this wasn't your typical bridal shower. It was a beautifully planned luncheon, sans the usual games. If you’re planning a bridal shower, I encourage you to rethink the traditional, flip the shower on its head and really make it a reflection of the bride-to-be.

The bride and groom have a beautiful house with all the housewares they need, so rather than bringing them more of the same, it was a champagne shower (bride’s favourite). I've also been to a wine shower. It’s fun to help the couple stock their wine collection :).

I realize that I didn't take enough pictures (I was too busy chatting) but I managed to capture a few moments. We all sat around one large table adorned with champagne glasses filled with flowers and popcorn (obviously I was thrilled). After perusing the menu, I opted for the green salad to start and scallops for my main. I also happen to steal tastes of the lobster bisque from the MOH beside me. The MOH is quite the baker, so she took care of a beautiful sweets table, as well as the champagne flute cookie favours (seen in every picture).




It was a lovely way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of someone I have known for my entire life. Congrats again! xo

Friday 25 October 2013

It's All In The Eyes


Have you seen this quiz yet? It tests your ability to read people's emotions based on their facial expressions, specifically their eyes.

I've always thought I was pretty intuitive about people's emotions, but according to this quiz, I'm pretty darn good at reading their eyes. Maybe this can be my excuse for harassing Nick whenever I 'sense' something is the matter. I must be able to recognize it in his face.

The score to beat is 31 out of 36. How well can you read their eyes? Take the quiz and let me know how you do!

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend my friends!

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Conversations


The scene: I pulled out my (pricey) round brush since I just got my hair cut, only to notice some white fuzz in it.

Me: Babe - you know the other day, when you were brushing the dog?

Nick: {makes a bit of a cringe face} Ya?

M: Did you use my round brush??

N: {super cringe face} Ya...I thought it would work well for his tail!

M: Babe!

N: I didn't think you used it anymore!

M: Well I do - I pulled it out to use! I can't believe you used it on the dog.

N: You could use anything of mine on the dog. We're family.

Monday 21 October 2013

Pumpkin Follow-Up

After Friday's rant about pumpkins, my friend Bonnie tracked down this movie trailer for me. It seems I'm not alone in my pumpkin-frustration this year. This looks like a good one to watch on Halloween ;)



Happy Monday (blergh)

Friday 18 October 2013

Enough Pumpkin Already


I've noticed something in the online world. Lately, everything is pumpkin related. Hey, I realize it's Fall and pumpkins are in season and there's nothing I like more than eating seasonal produce, but let's take a break from everything pumpkin. I'm not kidding. My Pinterest feed is pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin pasta, roasted pumpkin and bacon, pumpkin blondies, pumpkin soups, carved pumpkins, painted pumpkins, pumpkins as planters. NO MORE. I'm pumpkined out. I love this season, but there's more to it than just pumpkins, people.

Last year I bought one can of pumpkin puree and it just kept going. I ended up making three different things with it and I had to throw out the rest because I simply ran out of pumpkin enthusiasm. I'm now boycotting this squash.

How many times can I fit 'pumpkin' into one blog post? The word has lost all meaning to me.

Have a great weekend! and if you do anything pumpkin related, do me a favour, keep it to yourself :)

Thursday 17 October 2013

Donut Cake


What do you do, when it's your guy's birthday and you're not baking him his favourite cake until the weekend? Why, you assemble a donut cake, of course. I'm glad I opted for a half-dozen...not sure we'd be able to say no to donuts and I really didn't want to eat six to myself (for the record, I've only had one so far).

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Super Easy DIY Fall Garland

This weekend I realized that I should probably do something with the grocery bag of pine cones I collected earlier this season. The first thing that came to mind? A fall-themed garland. This was the easiest thing I've ever made.

You need: Pine Cones, Twine, Scissors, Tacks (for hanging)

All you have to do is cut the twine about one and a half times the length of your mantle (or space you want to hang it on), then make a loop with the twine, tie it around the spiny things, leave your desired length between each pine cone, repeat.








Hang it up - I put it on my mantle, but before we moved into this place (and we had no mantle), I would just hang garlands on the wall.

Ps. Wanna know something gross? See the jar of acorns on the mantle? I had them drying out on a tray for a few weeks. When I scooped them up to put in the jar, I noticed some little things left behind on the tray. Larvae (or grubs or some other creepy bug) were left squirming around! They were living IN the acorns. I probably touched them. Barf. Barf barf barf.

Friday 11 October 2013

Thanksgiving Weekend


Happy Thanksgiving weekend to my fellow Canadians!

What do you normally to do celebrate Thanksgiving?

We always have a family dinner and I usually try to get in some outdoor activity. Going for a hike to check out the changing leaves is my favourite. While this holiday isn’t quite as ‘big’ as American Thanksgiving, it’s a really lovely way to kick-off the fall season. This year, I’m just looking forward to spending quality time with my family and enjoying the deliciousness that is my mom’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Enjoy the little things this weekend.

Thursday 10 October 2013

Chips

This week I've been spending some time with my American colleagues. One thing that came to light in our conversations was potato chips.


They caught a glimpse of a vending machine and the chips in it. They came back to me and asked 'What are All-Dressed chips?' I could NOT believe my ears. They don't have all-dressed chips in the US?! At least not where my colleagues are from. Then I attempted to explain what that flavour is. Not an easy task my friends. Try it right now. The closest I got was salt & vinegar crossed with BBQ. I mentioned that they had a hint of ketchup chips flavour. It started all over again. They don't have ketchup chips either! What kind of a place is that??

I really blew their minds when I told them they have shrimp cocktail chips in the UK.

Image Source

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Colour Moment: Navy

Navy


I've always had a thing for blue. This season, I feel like I wear navy several times a week. It's such a pretty twist on basic black and I think it flatters every one. I have navy skirts, a navy suit,a navy dress and navy sweaters. All that's left for me to grab is some shoes. It's such a classic colour and I can't get enough of it.

Monday 7 October 2013

Lately on Instagram

Here's how September looked according to my Instagrams.
reminder of Scotland / pre-wedding toast / 3rd anniversary
travel scratch-map / sisters! / casual Friday
coffee and footie / dad's birthday at the supercrawl / 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target
cooking / mail with an added 90's touch / foggy mornings
wine time / coffee on the dock / our path turned yellow-brick-road
a snuggly pup / lunch break on a park bench / being domestic

Friday 4 October 2013

Fashion Friday: Fall Wish List

Fall Wish List


I'm a pretty frugal girl. I love to shop, but I don't go crazy each new season. I fill my closet with basics and then add to it each season. Here are the pieces I'm planning to add to my closet this season:
+ Chunky Knit Turtleneck (I'm really digging the cream one above)
+ Plaid trousers
+ Black Skinny Jeans
+ Extra Thick Scarf (cross the red plaid with the size of the mustard one, and I'm sold)
+ Grey Beanie
+ Block-Heeled Boots (I like the versatility of the black ones above)
Plus I already snapped up a couple things from the Phillip Lim x Target collab. What's on your fall shopping list?

Have a fun fall weekend!

Thursday 3 October 2013

She's Just Being Miley

There has been a lot of focus on Miley Cyrus in the media lately. Part of it has to do with her 'controversial' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Part of it has to do with her new music video for Wrecking Ball. I think the criticism is overkill, to say the least.


People seem to have trouble with Miley's transition from the cutesy child star, Hannah Montana. Let's be realistic, friends. Miley is no longer a child. She was never going to be Hannah Montana forever. She's been transitioning from her child-star persona for years, and it seems that she's finally at the place where she wants to be. And actually, I think her new music is her best yet. As with every pop star, she's going to continue to reinvent herself, so let's not waste too much time criticizing the nude bikini and punk haircut. Remember, swinging naked on a wrecking ball is no big deal compared some pop stars of the past, cough - Madonna - cough. The girl isn't stupid, she clearly knows that she's pushing the envelope. It's part of being an entertainer.

Let's all give Miley a break today; she's just being Miley after all (and doing a great job of it).

Image via Billboard

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Potato & Corn Chowder

I've really been on a soup making kick lately. I feel like I've figured out how to make soup without really following a recipe. So for an easy Saturday night supper, when Nick requested potato soup, I opted for a good ol' corn chowder.











Here's how to make it:

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Restaurant Review: Brunch at Plank Restobar

Over the weekend we met up with friends at Plank Restobar for brunch. None of us had been there before, but we had heard it was a great place to go, so we gave it a try. The atmosphere is fantastic; casual vibe, open kitchen, totally relaxed. We found out after we arrived that on the last Sunday of every month, you can wear your pajamas to breakfast/brunch and get a discount. We were probably some of the only people in normal clothes. It's truly a neighbourhood spot; you can just tell that it's a local favourite. The menu boasts quite a variety...you'll see from the pictures, three out of four of us opted for eggs. My only regret? That no one got the chicken and waffles. I think it would be a great spot to try out for dinner, too.



{it's not brunch unless someone gets a caesar}


{regular eggs benny...they also have a braised pork version}



{don't be fooled, under that egg is french toast stuffed with ham}


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