Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Back to School...


I am literally in full out panic mode right now... typing as fast as I can. My flight leaves in 2 hours and I still have to get to the airport..

I am just popping in to say, yes I am leaving again.... this time I am headed to a Student Chef Competition at Yale University in Connecticut. Unfortunately I am not partaking in the competition, I am merely there to take photos, tweet, blog, and cook up samples of the secret ingredient... mushrooms.

I'll be back Friday... hopefully I can get in at least one relaxing weekend!

See you all soon!

{via 1}
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Sunday, February 19, 2012

My Top 7: On the Road Edition

1. At my first meeting, I had to opportunity to take part in a team building exercise while in San Antonio at the Culinary Institute of America. I love food & cooking so this was right up my alley... I was in charge of making Mushroom Crab Cakes with a Chipotle Aioli.


2. Lunch at La Gloria in San Antonio. Such amazing Mexican food.... which I don't see to often in Canada... On that note, anyone know of any really good Mexican restaurants in KW-Toronto? I know I'll be craving it for weeks!


3. Congrats to Terminal A at Houston Airport... you have the most disgusting, unkept washrooms I have ever been in, in my entire life. Worse than the women's washroom in a bar after last call.

4. Delay's suck. My flight out of Houston was delayed 1 hour, which caused me to miss my connection in Calgary to Vancouver, which also happened to be the last flight of the day. Air Canada put me up in a hotel for the night, and on the first flight out in the morning. I think I got a combined total of 4 hours of sleep that night.


5. Catching up with old friends who live in the cities I am traveling to. A few years ago when I was in Calgary for work I caught up with my friend Jo... this time I got to catch up with my friend Dustyn in Vancouver... A night out on the town after a long day at the show was just what I needed.

6. I had my first visit to Whole Food Market in Vancouver. I grabbed some bananas, healthy walnut banana bread, broccoli salad, salsa and chips... set me back $20.


7. I've discovered some great apps, equipment, and techniques for blogging on the road. I'll cover this in a separate post next week... but let me just leave you with this, this whole post was written in my hotel room in Vancouver on my iPad. Does it look much different than my regular posts?


Well kids, after working all weekend I am catching an early flight back to Toronto tomorrow morning... so it's off to bed for me. I honestly cannot wait to get home, sleep in my own bed, and see "J."

~~~~~
Did you have a good week?
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Monday, February 13, 2012

She Travels...

I never thought I would have this many opportunities presented to me when I started my own business.... so over the next 2 months I will be travelling... a lot.

My first 1 week stint goes something like this...

And it all starts.... now.

See you in a week :)

{via 1 ~ 2 ~ 3}
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Sunday, February 12, 2012

My Top 7

1. Valentine's Day came early for me... "J' surprised me with roses & chocolates, a nice dinner at Wildcraft, and a movie... since I am going to be away for our first V-Day.... I know, terrible!


2. If you have the chance, go see Chronicle... it was really good.

3. Long flights = lots of reading! I am looking forward to reading the new books I bought on my iPad... as well as the magazines I got from Blogpodium and the Blogger's Meet-Up.


4. Listening to this, this and this. RIP Whitney.

5.I tried the new Tim Horton's Caramel Latte because they are on for $1.... errr, they're not that great...


6. Is it just me, or are the rates for using your cell phone while travelling astronomical?!

7. I think I'm all packed for my travels... I had to cram a weeks worth of stuff into a carry on, so we'll see how that goes... I know I am going to forget something!

So, I hate to say it, but you might not hear from me for the week... but I hope you guys will continue to stick around, and I will see ya when I get back!

~~~~~
Since I might not make it around to your blogs, what are your plans for this week?
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Friday, February 10, 2012

Valentine's Week: Date Night Outfit

{1~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7}
So here's a confession... I will actually be out of town on the 14th, so my first Valentine's Day with "J" will likely have to happen over email... he is more upset by it than I am... I know, worst girlfriend ever! lol

If we were going out for a night on the town... and Valentine's Day didn't happen in the cold of February... I would for sure wear a cute little outfit like this....

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Do you get all dolled up for Valentine's Day, or do you like to keep it casual?

Linked up with My Friday's Fancies {long distance loving}.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Valentine's Week: Love-ly Manicure

You may be very surprised to know that I have never, ever, had a professional manicure or pedicure. Yes, this may seem a little crazy to some, but wait until you learn that I have never had a professional massage either... What? I'm pretty low maintenance.

I often do my nails myself... usually just a one coat of something neutral like grey or pink.... but since it's Valentine's Week, I thought that I would fancy it up a bit...

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How often do you get your nails done?
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Valentine's Week: Rice Crispy Treats


Who doesn't like Rice Crispy Treats?

Who doesn't like Rice Crispy Treats all wrapped up for Valentine's Day?

I thought so....

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What's your favourite Valentine's Day treat? Convo hearts? Cinnamon hearts?
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Valentine's Week: Romantic Lasagna Dinner


Everyone knows the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right? So cook him something delicious, romantic, and homemade for Valentine's Day... like this Meatless Lasagna... well it's almost completely homemade... but he'll never know ;)

Ingredients
1/2 lb crimini mushrooms, finely diced in the food processor
1 tbsp olive oil
1 jar four cheese pasta sauce
1/2 container low-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
1 package premade, fresh lasagna sheets
1/2 cup grated marble cheese
1/4 Parmesan cheese

Method
1. Preheat oven to 350C.
2. Dice mushrooms in food processor until finely diced, about the consistency of ground beef. Heat oil in pan on medium-high. Saute mushrooms until most of their moisture has evaporated.
3. Add jar of pasta sauce and heat through.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta with spinach.
5. Spray a large lasagna pan with non-stick spray. Layer in ingredients, starting with mushroom sauce mixture on bottom, followed by lasagna sheet, ricotta spinach mixture, then sauce. Repeat until you reach the last sheet, then top with sauce, grated cheese and Parmesan.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

TIP: If you like it spicy, add ½ tsp crushed red chili flakes to the sauce mixture.

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Do you plan on eating out on Valentine's Day, or cooking up a storm at home?
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Monday, February 6, 2012

Valentine's Week: Let's Celebrate - Printable Party


I remember when I was little, there was such excitement around Valentine's Day. All the kids in my class frantically finishing their Valentine's Day card box; decorated in hearts, cupid and other valentine's paraphernalia... Butterflies would fill my stomach when I walked past my grade-school crushes Valentine's Box, and dropped my little handwritten card in... Aww, young love...

With Valentine's day approaching {next week already, if you can believe it!}, I wanted to put together a little package that everyone could use, young & old, to show their love and appreciation to their significant other {or grade-school crush} on Valentine's Day....

A Printable Valentine's Day Party Package
{as pictured above... without the goodies of course!}
• Blank Valentine's Day Cards
• Cupcake Toppers
• Puffy Gift Box
• Sweet Treats Labels
• Bag Topper

You can download the free Valentine's Day Printable Party Package here.

~~~~~
What's your favourite Valentine's Day memory?
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Friday, February 3, 2012

My Top 7

1. My budget friendly decor idea was featured on the Style At Home website! So exciting! It's all about my love of antiques and re-purposing them into decor items. I featured my antique door project from last fall... to get the whole scoop, head on over the the Style at Home....


2. Thanks to everyone who showed me love yesterday! My ear surgery went fine yesterday... it's a bit clogged & achy... but hopefully it heals up nicely.

Waiting-room humour (as told by J)... So "J" is the waiting room... waiting... and out comes an elderly gentleman noticeably groggy from his procedure. He heads towards his wife, and the first thing he says to her is "So I guess this means you don't have dinner ready?".... "J" said he had to pull it together, and try his hardest not to burst out laughing... he also said that guy was his hero.

3. If you haven't heard... my Valentine's Week is starting on Monday! I gave you a little teaser the other day, but here is a little bit more to spark your curiosity...


4. I've got three big business trips coming up in the month of February... three! That's insane! I need to go to San Antonio, Texas for a board meeting... then over to Vancouver for the Wellness Show... then back home... and then to Connecticut for an event at Yale University... hopefully I can keep up with my blogging using.......... drumroll please..........

5. My new iPad!!!! I don't think words are necessary to describe how I feel... happy dance!


6. I am laughing at this & this, listening to this, drooling over this, and thinking about this...

7. Last Sunday, "J" and I built my new IKEA bookcase for my office... Now all I need is a big-ass cork board & some curtains... any suggestions?

~~~~~
What are you up to this weekend? Anything special?
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