Friday, 27 May 2011

Summer Fashion Ideas

I love fashion and coming into summer gets me so excited because I can pull out my much loved summer dresses and sandals. I feel like I can play around with my clothes and be so much more creative when its warm out. I find with being a mother now, I often will look in my closet for the outfit that is comfy, easy to chase a 15 month old around in, stain resistant(or aleast last me till noon) and of course mummy cute.
I love New Zealand fashion, I feel like in Canada we are a few steps behind. BUT I am excited to see some new styles making its way to our stores here in Saskatoon.  I still feel like I am playing it risky when I sport these funky fashions,  because most Canadians are still stuck in their short shorts, bunnyhugs, and skate shoes. But we are getting there, I just think maybe my risk taking might inspire someone else to step out and try something new. 

Fashions change so quickly that is why I like to make the most of what is out each year, just means lots of dumps to Plato's Closet to get out with the old and in with the new. 
Its so fun being woman, (I know most men reading this blog will be shaking there heads). 

Little advice for married women out there, to every 3 things you buy= 1 thing for husband. Then all will be happy!! 

Check out a few of my favourites for this summer... 


Shorts with button up shirt tucked in with cute little belt
Cute Jean Jacket to put overtop summer dress's

Shorts romper ( super comfy)

Cute Summer Dresses

Funky Sandals
Off the shoulder shirt
Adds a splash of color and effortless- lots and lots.


Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Buffalo Chicken Fingers Recipe

When we go out to eat and it is cheap wing night, Dave will always order the Buffalo Chicken wings with a side of Ranch dipping sauce. They are his favourite Canadian meal, so I took the liberty of finding a good Buffalo Chicken Fingers recipe. I have tried a few, but this one I felt knocked his socks off. We had them in whole wheat wraps, with cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch sauce. YUM!

Heres the recipe, super easy and delish!

ngredients

1/4 cup hot sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons tomato catsup
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
1 1/2 cups dried bread crumbs, seasoned or plain and 1 1/2 tsp paprika
Vegetable oil cooking spray

Method

Stir together hot sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, and catsup in a wide, shallow dish to make a marinade. Add chicken, turn to coat, cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes, or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove chicken from marinade and gently press it into the bread crumbs and paprika, rolling well to evenly coat chicken all over. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil and arrange chicken on top, being careful not to overlap them. Spray chicken all over with vegetable oil and bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

Sweet Sweet Sunshine

FINALLY... after a long cold, random, snowy winter we are coming out of hibernation and into beautiful sunshine. Something my body has been craving for the last 6 months, but thank goodness for Vitamin D pills which I call my happy pills for the winter.  I can't get enough of this sun, I am excited to wake up every morning and open my blinds and feel the warmth. I am finally able to meet all my neighbours now as everyone is out and about nurturing their yards, and walking dogs. I feel like my soul has come alive again..  thank you Mr.Sun.

I can't keep Eva inside anymore, the girl would live outside if she could. Eating sticks and leaves whenever she got hungry. Walking up every driveway or footpath she could find and waving at every person that walks by. I am so glad she loves it tho, because I can't wait to go on little exploring adventures together, and collecting items to then go home and make crafts with! This might be the first summer where I can actually see my tan reach its full potential. (fingers crossed)

We just went for our first bike ride ever as a family last weekend, Eva was strapped in on the back of Daddy's bike hanging on for dear life. She loved every moment of it tho, waving at people as we biked on past. I think once she starts talking we won't be getting anywhere to fast, she is going to be our Miss. Social.



I am trying to get creative on how I can keep Eva happy by getting outside everyday but also getting things I need to get done. Last week we walked to the grocery store in the stroller, got groceries and walked back. We made it back right before it started to rain, but what a beautiful and successful grocery shop that was. She was happy as and I was fully stocked up for the week!! 
Two birds with one stone... cha ching! 


I am cherishing every moment of being home with my little munchkin. I know that with 4 words, "wanna go out outside?" she will drop whatever she is doing and run to the door and start banging. I can't wait for the memories yet to be built this first active summer we have together. 

Sunday, 17 April 2011

K.I.S.S


         





I had to post this video of Eva's first time playing with bubbles, because it reminded me of a statement my Grade 7 teacher used to always write on the chalkboard. "K.I.S.S".... meaning "Keep It Super Simple"(my variation). Sometimes its the simplest things in life that may seem silly or ridiculous turn out to be the most fun! Having Eva has brought me back to the basic's, the simplicity of life. That everyday is an adventure and there is always something to be learnt or discovered. Life is all about what you make of it, so keep it super simple and fun by not allowing yourself to feel too "Grown up" in the midst of it.  I want to nurture Eva's childlikeness and if I don't bring mine out how will she grow in discovering hers.  I love how we can learn from each other, what a beautiful relationship parents and children share.

Here's to Keeping It Super Simple......
Dave crawling on the floor with Eva, chasing each other with toys hanging out of their mouths. Simple, yet became hours of entertainment.

Watching morning cartoons together, has so quickly become a ritual we enjoy together. I could sit there for hours just watching her, intently watch the TV screen. 

Blocks are so much more fun with Daddy, he builds it tall and Eva knocks it over. Then the whole procedure starts again. 

Saturday, 9 April 2011

Freedom to Create - (finished and up & coming projects)

A friend of mine passed through some cute little craft ideas to do for Eva's Bedroom. Things that would keep me busy during the evenings while Eva is in bed, and Dave is studying.  So over the last couple of weeks I have been playing around with my creative side. Thought I would share the finished results. 

Butterfly Mobile

This was the project Desiree and I got into one afternoon. 

This is the next project I would like to get started on, gotta love butterflies!! 

I love being creative, I think we limit our ability to be crafty by not stretching ourselves. I think we all have a creative side, it just will be expressed through different forms of art. I think if God has a creative nature then my ability to be create, dream, and produce must be endless!! 
  I can't wait till Eva gets older and we can do crafts together. I am going to be one of those mums with her kids crafts posted all over her house, I want them to be proud of themselves and never ashamed by what they come up with. There should be such freedom and in being creative, what is simple to one person may be majestic to another.  I am so thankful that my parents encouraged and praised my artwork when I was little.. because those words still bring me motivation to try new things. 

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Play hard, Knock out harder...

My little girl makes me laugh, she's a go-getter for sure!! She is like the energizer bunny, just keeps going and going and going.  One day this week, she must of had an upset tummy because I was finding patches of throw up in random places in the house. But do you think that would stop her, or that she would fuzz and let me know she wasn't feeling well.. umm NO! To much to do!!

Here are some photos of the last week adventures....

 Eva learning to feed herself.. results in... food on clothes, face, highchair, floor and walls!!!! Fun for Eva but more cleaning for Mum.
 Any toy that isn't a baby toy, is actually a EVA TOY.. running through the house with belt in hand and  between her legs.


Big Girl Eva enjoying Daddy's jam toast, after already having her own breakfast about 15 minutes prior.
 Just discovered her new found love for frozen blueberries, even though they stain everything they come in contact with.
Knocking out hard with daddy.. or maybe it was Daddy knocked out hard with Eva. Oh well.. all I know was it was quiet....

Saturday, 26 March 2011

Dave's Childhood Favorite- Jam Tart

Dave has been bugging me since we got married to make him this infamous Jam Tart that his mum used to always make for them when they were kids. Through numerous testing and searching.. I have found it!!
He loved it, just about finished the whole tart himself... so I thought I would share this super easy recipe and see what you others(kiwis) think of it!

Jam Tart Recipe
9 tablespoons (110g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (100g) sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups (190g) flour
1/2 cup (70g) stone-ground cornmeal or polenta
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)
1 3/4 cups (450g) apricot, raspberry or other jam
coarse raw sugar; known as cassonade, turbinado, or demerara sugar, for finishing the tart
1. Beat together butter and sugar until well-combined. Mix in the egg, egg yolk and almond extract.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients, just until the mixture just comes together.
3. Measure out 11 ounces (300g), which is about 2/3rd of the dough if you don’t have a scale, pat it into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and chill it. Take the remaining dough and roll it into a log about 2-inches (5cm) in diameter, wrap it and chill it, too
4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow to room temperature slightly. With the heel of your hand, press the dough into the bottom and sides of an unbuttered removable bottom tart pan (one that’s 9″ or 10″, 24cm), or springform pan, patting it evenly.
5. Spread the jam evenly over the dough.
6. Remove the log of dough from the refrigerator and slice in cookie-sized disks, then lay them over the jam. Top very generously with lots of coarse raw sugar, at least 2 tablespoons.
7. Bake until the pastry is golden brown. (If you don’t trust yourself, or your oven, Luisa’s recipe says 20-25 minutes.) Let cool before serving, and serve at room temperature.
I would insert a picture here of what mine looked like, but I took it out of the oven and when I came back to check on it, it was already being devoured. 
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