Madewell

Amanda, Have you ever bought anything from www.madewell.com?

Leah was telling me about her cute polka dot flats she bought from there and before I knew it I was planning an entire Spring wardrobe on their site.

Look!

I'm even a sucker for the name....I know it's a marketing ploy but I feel like they've convinced me that everything is good quality.

Heard anything?

-Kate

Kate, We had a busy weekend.  My favourite kind of weekend!  Full of family, good friends and good food.  Unfortunately, that meant that house improvements were pushed to the back burner.  The mantel is still not installed but I did buy some paint and a few canvases for Peter and I to attempt some art to be hung next to it.  This may or may not turn out well but the process of painting with Pete will surely be worth it!  I'm pretty confident in his ability to come up with some abstract brilliance. (If only to his mothers eye).

I also ended up making that quinoa recipe from food52 that I blogged about a few weeks back.  It was great the first day but ho hum the second day.  I usually like to make a quinoa that lasts 2 or 3 days in the fridge.  It's still something I will definitely make again though, just in a smaller quantity.

I also filled my pretty new pale pink vase from peaks & rafters with yellow tulips.  Ahhhh, the power of flowers to brighten a home and my mood!

-Amanda

Friday night food

Kate,

We are having people over again this evening.  I have two organic roast chickens in the oven as I write and oh my goodness does it smell lovely!  Nothing like a simple roast chicken to cap off the week.  I love this Ina Garten recipe because it is so easy and tasty.  I add fingerling potatoes in with the chicken and vegetables and a little white wine.

Here's the recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-chicken-recipe.html

The following day I usually make this Thai chicken soup with the leftovers.  I also add in bok choy and rice noodles.

http://www.againstallgrain.com/2012/05/11/tom-kha-gai-thai-coconut-soup

I've opened a nice buttery Chardonnay and have already had a few sips...

Enjoy your Friday evening everyone!

-Amanda

Peaks & Rafters: Forgotten photos

Kate, I did this with Isla's room and now I did it again!  Sometimes in my excitement of getting a post out and with a lot of photos to go through, I forget a few. (Plus having Peter play/pester with Isla while I try and do a post isn't perhaps always the best idea).  I really love these 3 last pictures and I think they're worth a look at.

I personally see all of these things against a white backdrop.  Pops of colour are really attractive to me right now with this brown and grey backdrop outside.  I am craving colour against pure white walls.

Doesn't it feel energetic, happy and youthful!?

-Amanda

Goodbye North Captiva

Amanda, Our three weeks on North Captiva have come to an end. What a beautiful vacation this has been. North Captiva has felt like a Caribbean island destination with its stunning beaches, hot weather, dirt roads and relaxed way of living. It's hard to be uptight when your only forms of transportation are boat and golf cart.

Goodbye house

Goodbye sand castles

Goodbye sunsets

Goodbye pool

Goodbye fishing

-Kate

Getaway #2

Amanda, Here's another! This one is called Midcentury Modern 3 bdrm and it's in Sarasota. I was drawn to the Midcentury title and it sure doesn't disappoint. It's too small for my extended family but I like it so much that I'm trying to figure out a way I can make it down separately just to stay there.

Look!

I love the white and wood vaulted ceiling. The chalkboard wall looks awesome because of the manatee drawing. I'm greatly excited by the yellow door (I thought I was being original with mine.) More than anything though (and I know you'd appreciate this) i adore the windows....all across the house. They let in so much light and give the house such an airiness.

The decor is right up my alley. Neutrals and light wood. Stacked books, leaning art. Amazing.

Wanna come with me for a week in the summer?

Vrbo.com/318546

-Kate

Change

Kate, You know how I've been talking about changing my living room and dining room (it's open concept) for a few months now.  The living room is a work in progress with the mantel and changing the furniture and the addition of art.  That will be posted once it's finished, that is if the mantel stops sucking up paint!  Mike has primed it 3 times and painted it twice and yet it doesn't look much different.  It's very thirsty!

So now I've decided on tackling the dining room.  I always dream about open shelving in my kitchen but have accepted that's not happening for a while, so I thought why not do it in my dining room.  I'm going to sell my china hutch and move the console in it's place and do open shelving for art and china.  So bye bye china hutch!

I'm off to do the pilates I promised I would start.  Here's to endorphins!  Enjoy the day.

-Amanda

Getaway

Amanda, We've been searching for our next year rental in Florida. It's such a fun exercise... Reminds me of looking for a house obsessively on mls - checking for availability, weighing budget against priorities. Moreover, you feel like you have a window into all of these homes, albeit some tacky. Endless house tours! How amazing.

I've been limiting myself to Florida, but imagine the interior ideas once I expand to more exotic locations? There just isn't enough time in the day. www.vrbo.com

I came across this quaint cottage. I thought I'd share because it's got charm. Quintessential Florida.

It's called 'Old Naples Royal Palm Cottage'. Visit at vrbo.com/3508685ha

-Kate

Patisserie 27

Kate,

I know I've told you about this place but I don't think you've ever been.  I've been contemplating this post for a little while because it's not the kind of place that has a ton of everything.  They make small quantities of everything and if you don't make it there early you are probably out of luck with their insanely delicious danishes.  I am talking light, flaky, beautifully delicate and delicious.  Mike always says "someone was paying attention in pastry school!"

They also make great desserts.  Beautiful lemon tarts, eclairs, macaroons.  On top of that they make savoury danishes and croissants.  I found out about this place through my uncle Wies who I always trust when it comes to food and I've heard from a different source that the coffee is also great.  This is worth the drive to Jane and Annette. (It's next to the coffee place on the corner of Jane and Annette.  North/East corner).

It's worth the drive.  Trust me!  But, please please please leave me one mixed berry and chocolate chip danish!

-Amanda

Modern Camper

Amanda, Meg started a new blog. It's pretty, just like her! check it out: www.moderncamper.squarespace.com

Here is a sneak peek. Some Meighann originals. She has such an incredible eye and beautiful taste. She has been a real inspiration since the moment I met her. Love this girl!

-Kate

Food52

Kate, Ahhhhh, chicken marbella, one of my favourites as well!   An oldie but a goodie.  Staying in the food genre, I thought I would share a new food website I was lucky enough to hear about through my cousin (thanks Ari!).  You can find it here -  http://food52.com/

I'm pretty excited about it.  It spans healthy and interesting recipes like a one pot kale and quinoa (there's goat cheese and pine nuts in it.  Right up my alley), to interesting articles and things to shop for, like what to drink with pizza and a new coffee brewing system and making your own alcoholic ginger beer!  Can you feel my excitement!

Here are some of my preliminary recipe finds,

http://food52.com/recipes/2434-one-pot-kale-and-quinoa-pilaf

Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches!

http://food52.com/recipes/26837-grilled-chocolate-sandwiches

An easy and "really good" Bolognese

http://food52.com/recipes/26984-nigel-slater-s-really-good-spaghetti-bolognese

This radicchio, egg and avocado toast is calling my name and making me think of a light and healthy summer lunch or dinner.

http://food52.com/recipes/26877-bagna-cauda-toasts-with-radicchio-egg-and-avocado

I love finding an interesting and healthy food website.  Feels like Christmas morning for me....or almost.

Anyways, I will try and make the quinoa today, if not tomorrow and will post pictures and a review.  I'm having people over for dinner tonight and am making the sausage and chickpea pasta I posted about a while ago.  Comforting, healthy and yummy!

http://kateandamanda.com/2014/01/12/yummy-pasta/

I know it's only the morning but open a bottle of good wine and enjoy your Friday evening everyone!

-Amanda

I'm Back

Kate, I got back yesterday and attempted a post but I was a bit delirious with having to catch a 7 am flight and nursing Isla through the night which equaled about 3 1/2 hours of sleep.  I literally couldn't complete sentences and kept staring off into space which led to Mike asking me if the kids were safe with me for the remainder of the day!  I wanted to post about the beautiful weather yesterday.  It was sunny and warm here and it was a lovely surprise to walk out of the airport and not be freezing.  Well...that was yesterday and today the weather gods have decided to switch it up and give us some more snow but this post is going to focus on the positives of being home and things I am grateful for, like my bed!

I am that person that always feels a sense of excitement when returning from a trip.  I love Toronto and am grateful to live in such a great city.  So, despite the snow and cold (seriously, enough already) I am going to focus on the positive.  To making new non self sabotaging routines i.e, no more nightly wine and ice cream and more pilates and running! (Mike word for word said to me "Nice belly!  I like it.  It reminds me of you being pregnant.) ahhhhh, pardon moi!?  Seriously, reformer here I come.  To be thankful for my husband, family and friends.  To things I love about my home like my new plant and Laguna poster and tray.

And to progress!  This is a picture of the herringbone subway tile that Mike is using for the inside of our new mantel.

Enjoy your last week of sun but looking forward to your return!

-Amanda

Sun and sand

Amanda, Today was a beautiful day. There was sun and there was sand. We were at the pool and on the beach. We had breakfast for dinner and then watched dolphins dance in the surf. Then finished the day with ice cream.

Here are some pics. I need to start taking more...

-Kate

Best pizza sauce

Amanda,

Chris and I were in charge of dinner tonight. I had seen a recipe for homemade pizza sauce in House and Home magazine this month and thought we'd try it out. The sauce was lovely. I think it can be used as a simple pasta sauce for tomorrow too.

The pizzas were yummy but no one made it to the table on time. Some were barbecuing fish that they caught, others were tending to our broken boat and the kids had already eaten their own personal pizzas. Island living...

-Kate

Lovely Pins: Florida inspired

Amanda, I just love Florida. I know part of it is because I associate it with vacationing so naturally it evokes feelings of relaxation and rest. (This is our eighth year.) But there is something about Florida that goes beyond that - it has a culture of it's own. A vibe. I think it's the palm trees and all the pastel.

Here are my picks this week.... Florida inspired:

#1. Florida design. This Florida pool in Vero beach is how I want our backyard to feel come summertime.

#2. Florida art.... A good excuse to bring in a Flamingo or two.

#3. Florida Interiors. Fabulous beach house using Florida colour scheme.

-Kate

Flats

Kate, You know how it is, you're on vacation and suddenly it gives you license to shop!?  You wouldn't be shopping if you were at home but the second you get on a plane and land somewhere else it's open season.  Well, some things never change for me and shopping on vacation is one of them. I'm happy to say though that I've found some good deals, one of which, are these shoes.

I've been loving Jenni Kayne flats for spring.  If you can afford them you should buy some because they are super cute.

I found an imitation that were leopard and a quarter of the price on mikkatmarket.com 6 months ago but alas, they did not have my size and have never restocked (sad face).  Then I went to Marshalls and low and behold I found the black version for $24.99!  That's right $24.99.

Which begs the question, why do I have to come all the way to Florida to go to Marshalls?  Is it just as good in Toronto?

-Amanda

Pretty package

Kate, Sometimes I'm a sucker for a pretty package!

I don't buy nail polish often and I know there are cheaper products out there but I like to look at a well designed product.  butter London also is free of the 3 nasty chemicals in many nail polishes. The colour above is called Fruit Machine and I think it's pretty fun for summer.

I also bought their base and top coat and a nail polish remover that promised to smell like baby powder. (Really it smells like a less offensive version of remover with baby powder added to it but hey, we do what we have to to make the nail polish removal less painful to the senses).

I love having my nails painted but what I don't really enjoy (gasp!) is getting the actual process done.  I know, crazy right!?  I don't like the smell and I hate getting my cuticles cut but sometimes you just have to get it done by a professional.  I also don't have the time to go get them done on a regular basis so I've decided I am going to invest in a good product, in a pretty package and just do it myself the majority of the time.

Next colour may just be a bright yellow!

-Amanda

Oscar picks 2014

Amanda, Here are my best and worst dressed picks.

Best dressed: Lupito Nyong'o

Her dress is elegant and feminine and a tiny bit sexy. I love that she doesn't have fake boobs and is proud of it. I love the light blue against her dark skin and her accessories are a perfect compliment to her dress. Generally, I base my opinions on fashion on whether I would wear an item and I would looooove to wear this dress.

Worst dressed: Anna Kendrick

She is my worst dressed pick because she's normally so cute and I really like her and her outfit is a total disappointment. I hate the asymmetrical top and the weird dark red flowered waist line and I have always disliked that see through material.

Your picks?

-Kate

Oscars continued

Kate, I completely agree with you!  Lupita is ridiculously beautiful in the first place.  I cannot get over her cheekbones, jawline, lips and her voice, then you add that dress and perfection!  She has actually been perfectly dressed this whole awards season.  Kudos to her stylist.  Worst dressed I also think was Anna Kendrick- just so unflattering!  However, in the spirit of picking people different from you, my picks are the following.

Best dressed: Kate Hudson

There weren't a lot of WHOA moments for me last night but she knocked it out of the park!  I love the cape and the way it just glided down her body.  Her hair and make up were spectacular as well.  Just glowing!

Worst dressed: Penelope Cruz

This pained me because I think she is one of the most gorgeous women out there.  It's not that she looked the worst really, it's that I was sooooo disappointed!  I was really looking forward to seeing what she wore and the dress, hair and makeup did not live up to how beautiful she is and can look.  It was pretty blah for me.

Btw, am I the only one that now loves Jared Leto?!  I can honestly say that I never got the whole Jared Leto thing but I definitely do now!  Mike always says I am a smitten kitten when I have a crush and I am crushing right now.  Maybe it was the speech and the way he loves his mom.  Or maybe it's just because he's hot!

-Amanda

Speedo

Amanda, Remember Speedo? I have vivid memories of coveting a speedo bathing suit when I was a kid. I begged my mom. Thought I had arrived when I finally got one. And I thought I looked amazing. But I didn't.

So imagine my nostalgia when I came across speedo bathing suits for women and kids at Target! They look the exact same. Tacky designs and unflattering cuts. But that little kid in me almost wants one.

-Kate