Viewing entries in
Uncategorized
Kate,
I made this pasta the other night and thought it was exceptional! I added a few handfuls of frozen rapini for colour and health benefits and also used orecchiette which was great because the beans and sausage were scooped into the pasta. Also, the recipe states that the lemon zest is optional but I think it's a must!
Here it is courtesy of Bon Appetite
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pasta-with-chorizo-and-chickpeas
-Amanda
Amanda,
You know what I love? Magazines. I especially love the moments before you open one up... When they just look glossy and exciting and you wonder if you are going to find something inspiring within.
I always wait for a special time: quiet, no kids, uninterrupted, before I even ponder opening it up. Then I relish every page and try to read everything and then sometimes wait a couple of days and look at it again with a fresh mind.
Remember yesterday when you went to the bathroom at my house and you came out with the "House and Home" magazine and pointed out the fig leaf tree ? I hadn't seen it. I just didn't even notice it. I went back and glanced through the magazine a third time because I clearly missed stuff.
So rather than purge my magazines because I despise clutter, I am going to start holding on to them, you never know what you might rediscover?
Here are some of my faves:
Kate,
The other day Michelle texted me asking me to find her a sconce for her new brick wall. I found this one from restoration hardware.
I love it! I think it's very clean in design and modern. I'm trying to picture it in my place and was thinking if we ever do a basement bathroom that maybe I could incorporate them there.
-Amanda
Kate, (and Mike)
Yesterday I bought something. Oops! Online shopping is too easy! Really it's your fault because after I saw your instagram photo of your LOVE sign I knew I had to have one just like it. So I bought JOY.
It's going to go above my mantel. The truth is I have tried a lot of things above my mantel but I have never loved anything. I think it's because I always pictured one thing above there but couldn't justify the expense. Which brings me to Snob. It's a store in Toronto that carries the piece I always pictured above my mantel. Here it is,
Kate,
I've done A LOT of waffling on I's room and surprise, surprise, I've changed my mind again! First it was a wallpaper from sissy + marley...
But it was a little too much for my budget. After several more ideas that consisted of stripes of yellow or grey and stars and polka dot decals. (Not all together) I've now settled on these star decals.
Option 1
Option 2
The wall behind I's wall will be a crisp white. The question is, which star and do I do a gold or silver stars? I'm waffling again....AHHHHHH!
Keep in mind the rest of the colours are grey and yellow and that at this moment I am leaning toward a silver star.
-Amanda
Kate,
Pantone's colour of the year is called "radiant orchid." Here it is,
I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest fan of this particular shade of purple, but I do love deeper shades. Taking inspiration from it I currently have an example of it in my home courtesy of you!
I love it for winter! I think the velvet lends to the coziness we crave in the season and the shade of purple is beautifully rich. In certain lighting it can almost look black, which I love.
Pillows are a great way to change your look for cheap and it's even better when you get them for free. So, thank you Kate for giving me those lovely pillows!
-Amanda
Kate,
My morning nursing session is when I scan through my favourite sites. I usually find several things that I want to purchase! Today I found one for the home and one for the face.
The first one is from Zara Home and I found it in the kids section.
Amanda,
I bought something pretty! It was on sale after Christmas and I couldn't resist. Now I just have to figure out where to put it when it arrives...
It begs the question, should you buy things that you love and then find them a home? Or should you have a space to fill before you go shopping?
Here it is:
-Kate
Kate,
With all my holiday entertaining I've been trying to make appetizers that do not include bread and cheese or my beloved crostini. I made this the other night and it was a hit. Tastes like a loaded baked potato but healthier and prettier!
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/endive-spears-sweet-potato-bacon.aspx
My other fav is candied bacon! Sinful but delish!
Preheat oven to 375.
Place bacon on a parchment covered baking sheet.
Bake for 10 min or so. Take out and drain the fat. Cover in maple syrup and add cayenne if you like a little heat.
Put back in oven and cook until crispy. About 20 min in my oven.
Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.
Let cool and place in the ever trendy mason jar. Voila!
Amanda,
A brand new Structube opened up in etobicoke. It's a hit and miss store: some really too contemporary items for my liking but many beautiful pieces too. Very reasonably priced.
