Rainy Day Cookies

Last weekend it was soggy, wet and gross. It pretty much rained non-stop all weekend long. Being couped up in the house, I decided to make some cookies on the condition that they be healthy.

These are the only ingredients – simple and healthy.

The cookies were easy to make except for grating of the apples. It took a bit of grunt work and wasn’t as quick an activity as I thought it would be. The recipe also requires you to use a sieve to get rid of the liquid from the grated apples. It took me a minute to realize that what I was draining was actually pure, fresh apple juice! So I quickly grabbed a glass to collect the goodness. Drinking that juice felt like a reward for my labours.

Back to the cookies. After the apples were ready, it was clear sailing. I just had to mix everything together and lay it out on a baking pan. 

The only thing left to do was enjoy. I may have burnt them a little bit but they were still so so good!

Check out the recipe for these Chewy Sultana Cookies here.

Until next time…

Art Musings I

One of my main loves is art.  I really enjoy looking at and studying art, finding new works and discovering interesting artists. Here are some artists’ works that I am coveting right now.

Maya Hayuk

I actually discovered this artist’s work while reading about her lawsuit against Starbucks. Her work is bold, colourfully vibrant, and visually inviting. I just want to stare at her work forever.

Gateway 4754, 2014 Acrylic on panel, 48″ x 36″

Gateway 4751, 2014, Acrylic on panel, 48″ x 36″

Big Exes, 2010, 24″ x 36″, Acrylic on birch panel

Kites, 2011

Alice Gallery, 2013 work in progress 12′ x 20′

Images sourced from/more information:
http://mayahayuk.com
http://coopercolegallery.com/

Anna Ullman, AEU Studio

I first stumbled across this painter/printmaking on Instagram and every time I would see one of her abstract creations, I would think: I want that in my house right now! I like the simplicity and monochromatic palette of her work, though if you really study them, the compositions are much more layered and complex. I can see myself buying a print in the future.

Black, Turquoise, Mustard Abstract 1, 22″ x 30″, Monoprint on paper

Green Abstract, 18″ x 24″, Acrylic on canvas

Where’s the Exit, 11″ x 15″, Monoprint on paper

Images sourced from/more information:
http://www.annaullman.com
https://instagram.com/aeustudio/ 

Alea Toussaint

This artist/designer started a project of creating one print/pattern a day. The results are really fascinating. Everything she creates is inventive and refreshing. She describes the project as a challenge to explore different mediums outside of her graphic design job.

Bobby Pins

Floral Leaves

Tea Ombré

Images sourced from/more information:
http://aleatoussaint.com
https://instagram.com/aleatoussaint/

I love sharing these finds. Will likely do so on a regular basis.

Until next time…

That Time I Went to the Dominican

I went to the Dominican Republic for the first time back in March 2015. It was the most chill vacation I’ve ever been on. Nothing but beach and sand and food and drinks… lots of drinks. It was also my first all-inclusive experience. I didn’t know quite what to do with myself but I quickly got into relaxation mode. When we got to the resort my first thought, as it always is on any tropical island, was where’s the beach? I love the ocean. I need the ocean. It is my happy place.

The resort was amazing. There were cabana beds and pools galore and plenty of entertainment. You were never bored.

But the beach is where I enjoyed myself and will always enjoy myself the most. I did not once go into the pools. They just weren’t appealing to me when you have the ocean right there. I couldn’t get enough of lounging by the water, playing in the waves, swimming, and trying to get my non-swimmer boyfriend into deeper water ..haha. It was the best time!

Until next time..

New Condo Adventure

My good friend Julia recently moved into a new condo. …So new that construction is still being done all around the place. We visited her on the day she moved in. The pictures below are from the antics that ensued. 

How does one get stuck in a parking garage? Where is the damn exit?! 

Dazed and Confused.

Which way, which way?

Real exit? False exit? Get us out of here!

Going crazy in the parking garage.

Exit for real now?

??

We finally made it out of the parking garage and into the large common area, still under construction. Fits of laughter started…

Julia, imagine this was your actual condo space.

Then we hit the space age hallway and immediately transported ourselves into a sci-fi movie. 

Those lights, those lights!

Fits of laughter! Fits of laughter!

Finally we made it into the actual condo unit and quenched our thirst with some bubbly. I think it’s safe to say that we really deserved it. 

Someone is overly excited for the champs.

That cork popped like no other. It was quite impressive!

Then it was time for some food. But first, someone felt it necessary to change for the occasion. 

Julia, I want your outfit. For reals. (Please don’t make me remove this photo..haha).

Breakfast for dinner. Nom nom nom.

The End. 

Beauty Haul

Lately I’ve been more and more interested in beauty products. I usually wear makeup everyday but in years past have not really paid too much attention to what I was doing unless it was for a special occasion. Instead I’ve mainly applied makeup absentmindedly, only focused on achieving a generic end result of some powder on my face for good measure, a quick swipe of eye shadow and mascara, perhaps some blush and if I remembered some lip gloss or lip balm. In fact, there have been times when some of this makeup has been applied without a mirror!

Now I’m exploring, discovering and learning more about different products and having a lot of fun with it. Here are some recent purchases:

Clockwise from top left: AC Almond Bar Soap; Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner; BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss; Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner; Body Shop Body Scrub in Coconut; Neutrogena UltraSheer Face Sunscreen; Say Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes; Sephora Formula X; Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Coverage Foundation; Body Shop Body Scrub in Shea; Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

AC Almond Bar Soap with Pure Tuscan Olive Oil
I picked this lovely bar of soap up at Winners just this weekend. I love buying new soaps to use in addition to my usual Dove bar and this one smells amazing. Almond soap is always a good idea.

Say Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes
I’ve used these before and they are probably my favourite out all facial clothes because they are so gentle. The price point is kind of high though and I basically purchased the travel version for an upcoming cottage weekend.

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Trail Blazer
I am quite enjoying this lipgloss. I’ve been wanting to explore more nude shades and this one has a hint of gold. It’s sheer to medium coverage so it’s not too overwhelming which is what I’m looking for in a nude shade.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 in Deep Sand
These two purchases were purely influenced by beauty vlogs that I’ve been watching lately. I actually was not “in need” of a new foundation but I was curious to try something new. The deep sand shade both matched and blended into my skin so flawlessly I basically decided that I could not, not get it.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Jet Black
I knew this was a cult favourite and I’ve been curious about trying the winged liner technique with a liquid liner. In fact when I went to my local Sephora, only 3 of these were left on the shelf. I have yet to try the winged technique but I’m absolutely loving the look of this liquid liner. It also stays on really well, even after a gym class.

Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Naturally Glamorous
This was a bit of a random purchase from one of those beauty stalls at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). I’ve visited these stalls on previous occasion usually purchasing some odd nail polish shades with regret. However, I’ve wanted to try out some eye shadows in a nude palette so I thought I would explore with a fairly inexpensive option. This one cost me only $4!

Body Shop Body Scrub in Coconut and Shea
I purchased the travel size of these to first test them out. So far I’ve only tried the coconut one but it is delightful! A nice change from some other rather abrasive body sugars that I’ve purchased in the past. I think I’m going to be using these up rather quickly.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Face Sunscreen in SPF 45
I have been using sunscreen from purchased from a dermatologist for a couple of years but they no longer carry the particular brand and my last bottle recently expired. I’ve been in desperate need of something new. I decided to try Neutrogena which is usually pretty good for sensitive skin types. The application of this sunscreen is so amazingly smooth and works very well under makeup. I wear sunscreen almost religiously everyday and I’m really loving this one so far.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Lilac You and Sephora Formula X in Standout 
I absolutely love, love, love these two shades and both nail polish brands have great durability. I wore the Formula X all long weekend and could not stop showing off my nails to anyone who would pay attention. Just tonight I switched to Sally Hansen, which is a perfect yet fun neutral for the work week ahead. These shades are my conscious move away from more shimmery colours that I’m used to wearing. I’m hoping to continue wearing these spring/summer shades well into the fall.

That about sums it up. Can’t wait to do this again with some new purchases in the future.

Until next time.

 

 

When Your BF is a Jokester

Took me a second to realize what was really going on…

Ha! 

The Return to Spin

I’ve been spinning a lot lately. I’ve worked it into my schedule to attend spin class at least once a week, sometimes twice. Last night’s spin class was pretty amazing. I was on point! I pushed myself hard. I got into the music and climbed all the hills and raced all the flat roads. It was great.

These guys are not sweating enough!

And then this song came on and I emptied the tank until fatigue!

We cooled down soon afterwards and when I put my leg up on the handle bars to stretch, a leg SPASM began. Oooh it was so painful! I paused for a moment trying not to panic. I even thought I would just continue stretching but then I realized how insane that would be and quickly dropped my leg like a ton of bricks. I’m sure it had something to do with lactic acid build up or something. Crazy way to end an intense workout. Hopefully next time (i.e.: tomorrow), I don’t end up with the same nasty surprise.

Until next time…

Oh yeah…

I forgot I had a blog.
Someone mentioned to me the other day that I should start it up again.

Here are some other blogs I’ve been enjoying during my hiatus:

Healthy Living/Fitness

Run Eat Repeat – She’s always running and is obsessed with watermelon.
Tone It Up – These girls always keep me in check.
TrulyJess – Check out her YouTube channel. Uber motivational and super positive.

All Things Home

Apartment Therapy – A necessity.
desire to inspire  – Pure eye candy.
My Scandinavian Home – A personal fave.

Fashion/Beauty

Sincerely Jules – Love her style!
The Beauty Department – Always full of useful information.
The Backseat Styles – They always have their finger on the pulse.

See you next time!

Tiki Made Me Do It

This morning I got up, went outside and RAN. I haven’t run outside for a long while but someone inspired me…

Tiki Gelana, the 2012 women’s olympic marathon winner.

Frankly I cannot imagine how these olympians can run for over 2 hours at such a fast pace. So crazy. So if they can do that, then I can run around my neighbourhood several times!

Plus the temperature dropped 10 degrees today so I really had no excuse.

Really?!