I am a Wanderer

I love this print! I am a wanderer and it is certainly one of my favourite things. I am happy to get lost and meander, focusing on the journey rather than the destination. Everything doesn't have to have a purpose or an intended outcome. We can get so caught up in the day to day that we can miss the accidental, happy discoveries.

I saw it on this new (to me) blog that I think is going to be a favourite!

Paper Doll Illustrations

I love these brilliant illustrations by Kyle Hilton. I saw them here and was giddy right away. Breaking Bad paper dolls?! This woman is a genius. And of course, who wouldn't want to undress Ryan Gosling?

It's Oscar Night!

It's the big night! Time to ogle the rich and famous and salivate over the dresses and jewels! I am sure Michelle Williams will look as adorable as always, can't wait to see what all my other favourites will be wearing.

I am having a potluck Oscars party so that there is less stress and more time for heckling the stars. One of the guests is bringing these lovely popcorn tubs, elevating our snacks to a new level. There will be Oscar themed Pictionary with prizes in a room filled with highly competitive guests, so the stakes are going to be high. Fun times!

Colourful Raindrops

It looks like it is going to be another grey day today. Yesterday involved chunks of slush falling from the sky and it is looking like another gloomy one out there. Seems like the perfect time to get inspired by Smoking Lily's colourful rainclouds and drops that they had on display in their Vancouver window this winter. I love their creativity and their clothes - they are unbearably cute. Now I am tempted to steal their lovely idea and make myself a cheery raindrop mobile to chase the clouds away. Of course, if I had the adorable Marta top covered in ants the day would be instantly brighter.

Cupcake Time

The other day I was meeting with a friend and her two wee ones. I decided to make cupcakes, figuring that the three year old would have fun decorating them and when the kids were all hopped up on sugar I could quietly take my leave. I tried to think of what could be kid and adult friendly and found this heavenly recipe for chocolate cupcakes with a cream cheese and orange frosting. Chocolate and orange are always a delightful pair and a cream cheese frosting never disappoints. You can smear cream cheese frosting on an old shoe and it will be delicious. The super wee one was smeared with cupcake and kept screaming for "upcakes", while the three year old spent a lot of time digging holes in the icing before sticking a giant spoonful of it in his mouth. I later witnessed his mom doing the exact same thing (not the digging part, the spooning the icing into her mouth part). Kid and mom approved. Success!

Because I am a bit of a pom pom addict, I decorated a few cupcakes with coloured toothpicks topped with mini pompoms but not necessarily the best adornment with young children around...

Best Book Bag Ever

This tote had me giggling right away. I dare you to not have that Sir Mix-A-Lot song going through your head all day.

Minestrone Soup

I had a craving for hearty, soothing, stick to your ribs kind of soup. I saw this recipe for Minestrone soup in Vegetarian Times and it sounded heavenly. I love the addition of sun-dried tomatoes. They make anything better in my book and give things a wee kick in the pants. This soup is a hands down winner and is gluten and dairy free, although I have to admit that a little grated Parmesan would go nicely on top.

The Language of Love

Happy Valentine's Day! Hear "I love you" in various languages on the streets of London in this adorable video.

Video found here.

Hearts Abound!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and there are hearts everywhere. Luckily I am a fan. I am particularly smitten with the delightful heart projects I have been seeing on various blogs. Love love love this heart sweater DIY project! I can't wait to transform an old ratty shirt, and then maybe if I want to overdo it I will felt some heart elbow patches as well. You can't really have too many hearts on Valentine's Day.

Not Your Typical Salad

I had an urge for something light and crunchy. It felt like a salad kind of day. I didn't feel like a run of the mill, head of romaine kind of salad, however. I was looking for something a little more inspiring. I saw a recipe for Martha Stewart's fennel, red onion and parsley salad and was intrigued. That didn't sound run of the mill at all and it certainly promised some crunch.

I was a little suspicious of the raw red onion. The recipe promised that if I soaked everything in an ice bath for 10 minutes it would calm down the onion and give it less of a bite. Martha didn't lie. The onion was mild and the salad was fresh and clean tasting. Just what I needed before I head off to eat popcorn while I watch a film at Doc Soup tonight.

Easy Valentine's Day Craft

Valentine's day is exactly a week away and even if it is a Hallmark holiday/florist shop conspiracy, I can't help but get in the mood for some hearts, flowers and of course, chocolate. I saw this super easy idea on Martha Stewart for personalizing a teabag with a homemade heart bearing a romantic message. She recommends using a heart shaped punch but I think going freestyle and just cutting out a heart by hand is sufficient. So cute!

Happy World Nutella Day

Sunday, February 5th is World Nutella Day, the day to raise your spoon and honour this most noble of spreads. I am nuts about Nutella. My favourite is a classic Nutella crepe. Heaven. I am willing to expand my horizons, however, and the wise organizers of this auspicious day have amassed a roundup of Nutella recipes (700 of them!). Time to celebrate and get chocolatey!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Thank you dear Wiarton Willie. That lovable hairball didn't see his shadow today which means spring is just around the corner! Wiarton Willie wouldn't lie. Soon it will be time for long bike rides, picnics and flimsy frocks. Hurray!