Weekend Suggestion: English Pancakes

Here's my hommage to the Royal Wedding: a quick recipe for English Pancakes. Though the husband is the main cook in the house, I'm the weekend breakfast expert! This recipe is easy to make, and very satisfying for your sweet buds - just perfect to start your Sunday morning ;)

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!



You will need:
- 180 g flour
- 2 eggs
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 200 ml milk
- 75 ml water
- 30 g melted butter
- some extra butter , for frying
- some caster sugar
- 1 lemon , halved
(and I add maple syrup for an extra sweetness!)

Begin by sieving the flour into a bowl. This will help to make the pancakes light as air. Now add the salt, sugar, eggs, milk, water and butter and whisk well into a smooth batter.

Place the frying pan over a medium to high heat and allow it to warm through. When hot, add a little of the melted butter, and then three quarters of a ladle of the batter. Move the mixture around so that the batter spreads evenly over the pan. Let it brown underneath for about 30 seconds and give it a little shake to release it from the bottom. It's very important that it doesn't stick to the pan. Also the top should look almost set.

Flip the pancake over. Don't worry if you can't do it the first time.Practise makes perfect! And you can always use a spatula! Cook it for a few seconds more and remove. Place the pancake flat on the serving plate. Repeat exactly the same process with the rest of the batter.

Place the pancakes flat on a plate. Squeeze a little lemon and sprinkle a little sugar over each one before folding in half and then half again to make a fan shape, or you can simply roll them up! Put them on a serving plate, and you can either sprinkle over more lemon and scatter over a little more sugar; or just pour a healthy serving of maple syrup all over the pancakes!

(Video and instructions taken from videojug.com)

Weekend Suggestion: English Pancakes

Spring Flats

I don't think a girl can ever have enough flats; they're fashionable, comfortable and versatile. You can wear them with jeans, skirts, dresses, khakis... flats are all about being non-discriminatory!

I especially like the John Derian / Repetto collaboration - contrary to what you might think, the NYC lifestyle brand is a perfect match for the French ballet outfit. The vintage typography and bright colored fruits and flowers make those flats the perfect ones for the sunny days ahead!

Spring Flats

Crystal Rain

After a pretty decent Easter weekend, it's suppose to rain all week , but I don't mind: it'll clean up the street and water the Spring flowers - as long as it's all done before Saturday so we can have a sunny weekend!

I just bough a new 9.99$ umbrella to handle this week's showers, and it's doing a pretty good job so far - and at that price, when I'll eventually forget it in the bus as I always do, I won't feel bad. But for a more luxurious rain protection, check out the Pasotti Ombrelli Lux Collection: limited edition umbrellas in which the fabric is encrusted with hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, and with the handle also decorated with the same crystals.

That's one umbrella you don't definitely don't want to forget on the bus!

Crystal Rain

Busy Bunny

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter long weekend, that you got to share quality time with friends & family, and that, of course, you got plenty of chocolate! ;)

The weather was much better than expected here; some rain on Saturday morning, but sunny skies for most of the weekend - perfect for some biking and pre-gardening work around the house.

I also took time to work on refreshing my Etsy shop - it's been closed for most of April and I'm planning on reopening it soon. I dedicated a full day to shoot my latest collection with Andrea - I saw her one day in a coffee shop, thought she'd be perfect as a Mizdragonfly model, asked her id she'd shoot for, and she said yes!

So here's a quick sneak peak, with much, much more to come soon - and some great new jewelry just in time for Summer!

Busy Bunny

Weekend Suggestion: Easter Cooking

Aaaaah, the Easter long weekend... finally some time to sleep in, work around the house and see the family. It was suppose to rain all weekend, but the Weather Gods were kind to us, and now it's only suppose to rain Saturday morning - that's a good thing, I was getting tired of the rainy, windy weather.

The weekend is also the perfect time to try new recipes and challenge your cooking skills. The Canadian Family website has a bunch of tasty recipes for Easter - and they're all pretty easy. Here are my three favorites:

Appetizer - Heirloom Tomatoes With Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar

- Variety of heirloom tomatoes (pick different sizes, shapes and colors)
- Good quality red wine vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

1. Choose a variety of heirloom tomatoes in different shapes, sizes and colors. Slice larger tomatoes and leave small ones whole. Arrange on a platter.

2. Splash one or two tablespoons of good quality red wine vinegar and olive oil over the tomatoes. Season with kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter a few torn basil leaves over top and serve.

Main Course - Egg-Topped Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash

- 1 sweet potato (about 1 lb), diced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 cups diced leftover turkey breast
- 1/4 cup turkey or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup 35% whipping cream
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- 4 eggs

1. Place diced sweet potatoes in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 3-5 minutes or until just tender but not cooked through.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over moderately-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper and stir until softened, 3 minutes. Add the sweet potato and turkey; cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, cream and chives; stir, scraping up any brown bits that may have formed on bottom of pan. Transfer to serving platter and keep warm.

3. Carefully wipe out pan with paper towel and return to medium-high heat. Spray pan with oil and fry the eggs sunny-side up, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and place eggs on top of hash. Serve immediately.

Dessert - Meringue With Spring Berries

- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups berries
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate sauce

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. In bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until stiff glossy peaks form. Continue to beat for two minutes so sugar dissolves completely. Beat in cornstarch and vinegar; fold in vanilla.

3. Spoon meringue onto a paper-lined baking sheet. Spread out with back of spoon, forming a 10" circle shaped like a shallow nest. With the back of the spoon, create peaks around edges to help prevent cracking while baking.

4. Bake in centre of oven until crisp outside but still soft inside, about 1 hour. Reduce heat if browning quickly. Turn off oven and let cool in oven for 1 hour. Transfer meringue onto flat serving plate.

5. Spoon whipped cream into meringue nest. Arrange berries on cream. Top with chocolate sauce. To serve, cut with serrated knife.


I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

Weekend Suggestion: Easter Cooking

Full Moon

What would you do if you were stuck on the Moon for three years as the only employee of a mining lunar base? Think you could keep it together for 1095 straight days with no live communications to Earth?

Last Sunday, I watched Moon, a 2009 movie by Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie); the story follows Sam Bell, who's at the end of his three year contract and is very much looking forward to his return to his wife and daughter on Earth. But his last few weeks on the Moon base will make him re-think who he actually is...

I thought it was a great movie, and I think that even if you're not a sci-fi fan (I certainly don`t consider myself one), you can easily enjoy the movie - it's more about ethics and the perseverance of the human soul than aliens and monsters (of which there are none). And Sam Rockwell pulls in an amazing performance - except for short videos and flashbacks, he's the only actor in the movie and he does a fantastic job.

I'll give it four and half craters out of five.

Full Moon

One Tough Bride

Once in a while, there are some stories that just choke you up... but in a good way! And here's one: after a car crash in 2008 left her paralyzed from the waist down, Jennifer Darmon got married last weekend - she was determined to walk down the aisle at her own wedding, and not even a spinal cord injury could stop her.

It just shows that when you put your mind to it, anything's possible! I certainly admire her efforts on making it to the altar - I walked down that aisle, it was one of the best moments of my life, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world! And I'm sure that Jennifer being Canadian surely helped - we're a tough bunch up here ;)

You can read the whole story on ABC News.

One Tough Bride

Desert Envy

While the Coachella crowd was able to see the biggest names in music (hello Arcade Fire, Kanye West, The Strokes, etc etc etc.) under sunny skies and perfect temperatures in the Californian desert, I was stuck in Ottawa with cold, rainy and windy weather...

Their weekend:

(pics via pitchfork.com)

My weekend:

Sometimes, life's just a b*#%$ !!!

One thing's for sure, it's not because you're in the middle of the desert that you can't be stylish, whether it's on the field...

(I want that palm tree!)

(Kate Bosworth feeling patriotic)

(hello stud shorts!)

(love the bright orange dress and the flower crowns)

... or in the VIP area.

(Nicole Richie + animal prints = raaawr!)

(pics via Refinery29)

Hey, there's always next year... (feels like I say this EVERY April!)

Desert Envy

Weekend Suggestion: Nine Types of Light

Three years after their 2008 album Dear Science, TV on the Radio has released it latest offering this week, titled Nine Types of Light.

After a short break to work on individual projects, the TVOTR guys are back with a sound that's more mellow, more melodic than their past efforts; maybe it's because they're a bit older, and the mid-30s have slowed them down a bit. They might've sacrificed raw power and left the loud guitars in the closet, their music and lyrics are as beautiful as ever on this fifth album.

Watching the video for the first single, Will Do, makes me wonder if, with all the technology surrounding us, that's where we are (unfortunately) heading to...


Visit www.tvontheradio.com for all the info.

Weekend Suggestion: Nine Types of Light

Cool Shoes, Great Cause

Mat and Chris started the Jojo Project in 2008, and it goes a little bit like this: first, choose the color and size of your sneakers - made in China, in natural cotton, the range is produced in conditions that respect both the workers and the environment.

Then, act by supporting one of two causes - Tree-Nation or The Water Project. One pair of Jojos = 1 tree planted in Niger or 1 year of drinking water for one person in Africa.

And finally, enjoy your new shoes and follow the progress of the projects. It's a nice way to be fashionable and give a little bit back at the same time! :)

Choose your own pair at www.jojoproject.com.

Cool Shoes, Great Cause

Nailing It

When I go to the museum, looking at some abstract art I sometime think 'I could've done that'; there are some art forms though that are much harder to replicate.

British artist Marcus Levine creates images of the human body using only a hammer and lots and lots of nails. From designtaxi.com: To attain the tone and texture he needs to represent the human body, Levine hammers nails in at varying heights and distances, all done free-hand and without any tracing.

Can you imagine the patience and the meticulousness required to do that? I'd spend more time picking up the nails I'd drop on the floor than actually nailing them on the canvas!

See his unique creations at www.levine-art.co.uk.

(yes, these are all nails on a canvas...)

(just incredible!)

Nailing It

Complete Relaxation

The weekend came, and the weekend went. Between cleaning up around the house, starting to do some yard work, dinner at my parents, and shopping for home accessories, Saturday and Sunday, as usual, are gone in a flash.

I could definitely use a secret hideout to disconnect from my day-to-day grind, but the next best thing would be to buy the Shell Flotation Tank.

Seriously... a giant clam where you hop in, close the lid and float in Epsom salt water... I could be in there for HOURS! If someone would come around to feed me every few hours, I think I could spend entire weekends clammed up!

Reading the list of benefits, it sounds like it's the best thing since sliced bread (I think it's MUCH better than sliced bread): alleviates mental and physical tensions, helps blood circulation, raises mental concentration, stimulates creativity... and looks to cure just about every disease known to mankind.

Next time I have 50K lying around doing nothing, I know where I'm spending it! ;)

Complete Relaxation

Weekend Suggestion: ABBA

Much to my husband's chagrin, I'm a big ABBA fan - they're greatest hits CD gets regular airplay around the house and in the car. 30 years after their breakup, the Swedish quartet's music is still very popular on all continents.

(seriously, where can I get a skirt like that!!)

(what's with the 70s and all whites?)

With the Mamma Mia! musical and then the 2008 movie, the past decade has seen some sort of ABBA revival. There's no denying that they were a big influence on the music scene in the 70's: can you believe that they've sold over 375 million albums worldwide - that's crazy!

The music might be cheesy, but it's catchy and easy to listen to - perfect for weekend chores around the house or for a jewelry creation blitz in the studio. Of course, I have to make sure that the husband isn't around when blasting Dancing Queen through the speakers!

Weekend Suggestion: ABBA

How Small Can You Go?

Meet Felice Cohen - she's an author and artist living in a 90 sq. ft. micro studio on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. The upside? She lives in the heart of the Big Apple, and her rent is only 700$/month - compared to the 3,600$/month average in the area.

The downside? She lives in a space that's smaller than my bathroom! I've seen closets bigger than that, not to mention the fact that she also doesn't have a kitchen. And how are you suppose to get hot and steamy with your SO when the ceiling's less than two feet above your bed?

Watching the video, the whole time I was thinking 'This is cool, and it's true there's a lot of stuff I don't need/could throw away... but I would NEVER live there!' Oh one other upside - cleaning her whole apartment takes less than 5 minutes!

How Small Can You Go?

Hi, I'm Cascais

The 2011 BCBGMaxAzria Resort collection is inspired by cities and islands from around the world. Beach-friendly accessories, sparkling jewelry, flirty cocktail dresses - it's a fun mix of summer temptations!

There are a lot of nice stuff in all these looks (Barbados and St Barts especially), but it's the Cascais combo that caught my eye - maybe because it's the most laid back, summer-like look... and I'm in desperate need of a nice, long vacation by the beach!

So, what exotic destination best suits your look?

Hi, I'm Cascais

Fancy Hoot

Watches and owls are two of my favorite things, so combine the two, add luxury and diamonds, and you definitely have my attention!

Case in point - this amazing owl watch by Chopard. 18K rose gold, baguette-cut rubies (3.68 carats), baguette-cut diamonds (1.67 carats), and brilliant-cut diamonds (7.52 carats)... oh yeah, it also gives you the time! Actually, it gives you two times - two dials, two time settings.

What a statement piece - it's so be-hoot-iful! ;)

Fancy Hoot

Food, Beers and Dancing

After a long week at work, Friday was all about food, drinks and good music! We went to Ceylonta, a Sri Lankan restaurant in Ottawa - it was our first time there, but definitely not our last.

Mutton rolls (3/4 eaten!), ulunthu vadai (made from sri lankan black beans call urid dhal), and kadali vantai (spicy lentils and urid dhal).

Eating deviled chicken - soooo good!

Traditional thali - six different dishes of curried vegetables with rice.

Then we went to see Radio Radio at Barrymore's, a group from Eastern Canada singing in Chiac, which is half French / half English. It was a fun show, good crowd with lots of energy!

Unfortunately, weekend's already over - time to go back to work :/

Food, Beers and Dancing