Holiday Weekend Food!!

Today I have been busy in the kitchen making all sorts of treats for memorial day weekend.

First I made some yummy butter-cream cupcakes



Then I made cheese scones for Matt and his friend. They are going to drink beer and watch Dead Snow this afternoon while I go shopping. I love 3 day weekends.

Munchie Mondays

I am going to start posting recipes every Monday and call it Munchie Mondays. Enjoy!

This is one of my favorite recipes to make for lunch. it is so easy and makes lots of extras for leftovers!

Pasta e Fagioli
1 (16oz.) can Italian style crushed tomatoes
1 (19oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
¾ cup dry ditalini pasta
3 cups water

place all ingredients in a sauce pan
simmer until past is cooked through
store over night in refrigerator to blend flavors
reheat and sprinkle with mozzarella

My favorite things during pregnancy

I am now in my 31st week of pregnancy and i don't think i could have made it this far without the things compiled in the list below. i highly recommend them to anyone who is pregnant or maybe just needs a gift idea for a baby shower. enjoy!



Silver Needle Tea from Teavana

this tea not only tastes great when infused with fruit, it is also super healthy for you and baby



Buffy Body Bar from Lush

I use this bar every time i shower on my growing belly . it makes my skin smooth and eliminates any itchiness



Therapy Massage Bar from Lush

I rub this bar on after i shower to help with elasticity. It also helps minimize scars so i plan to use it after the baby arrives to eliminate any stretch marks i may develop.



Ribbed Back Open Cardigan

I wear this cardigan all the time. I love that it is not maternity so i can wear it after i deliver, but since it doesn't button, i can get as big as i want and still fit into it.



Maternity Ruched Tank Dress

An empire waist dress is a must for me. whether it's maternity or not i can wear this simple closet staple for any occasion.



I eat Greek Salad like no bodies business these days. low fat and filling, you can't go wrong!

Greek Salad:

INGREDIENTS

4 tomatoes

1 cucumber

1 capsicum greens

1 onion

200 grams of black olives

300 grams of feta (The Greek cheese of goat)

100 grams of yogurt

oregano, marjoram, oil, salt and pepper.

PREPARATION:

To cut to segments the tomatoes, to cut to slices of cucumbers, to cut slices of capsicum and slices of feta; to arrange the vegetables in a flat with the olives and a pinch of oregano. To add to the yogurt, salt, pepper, marjoram and to mix, therefore to dilute the sauce with 4 oil spoons and to pour it on the salad.



Low Fat Chocolate Cat Cookies from Trader Joe's

i LOVE dipping these cookies into low fat peanut butter for a high protein low fat snack. mmmmmmmm.



Mad Men Season 3

Betty Draper is pregnant this season so i can relate to her aches and pains while drooling over Don



Birth Announcements from TinyPrints.com

I love the birth announcements on this website, and a great feature they offer is pre shipped envelope, so you can address them before the baby is born and life is chaotic. Just order the cards after the baby arrives, stuff them, and mail!

Snail Mail

I am a lady who enjoys a handwritten letter. I enjoy it even more when nit is on nice stationary. I'm always on the look out for nice paper goods because i have so many people that i write to. Here are some of my favorites:



Hello Bike Card




Retro Inspired New Airmail Envelopes




Recycled topographical map envelopes



Cherry Blossoms Stationery Set

It's finally getting cold.....

It's officially FALL!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite fall fashions and items. enjoy.












and here is one of my favorite dishes to make on a cool fall day:


Butter Chicken



This dish is rich in flavour. It tastes great when served as a main course with some fresh rice.

* Serves 4
* Preparation Time 15 mins
* Cooking Time 30 mins

Ingredients

Marinade:

* 450g diced chicken
* 2 tbsp Patak's Tandoori Curry Paste
* 2 tbsp thick plain yogurt
* 2 tsp garlic, crushed
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce:

* 2 tbsp vegetable oil
* 100g onions, diced
* 300g chopped tomatoes
* 100ml cream
* 2 tsp sugar
* 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
* 100ml water
* 2 tbsp butter
* 2 tbsp Patak's Tikka Masala Curry Paste
* salt, to taste


Cooking Instructions

First marinate the chicken:-

1. In a bowl mix together the yogurt, Patak's Tandoori Curry Paste, vegetable oil and garlic. Add the diced chicken, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours (overnight would be ideal).
2. Cook the chicken in a preheated oven 200°C / 400°F / gas 6 for 25-30 mins or until cooked. Turn the chicken throughout cooking.

For the Sauce:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy based pan and fry the diced onions for 5 minutes. Add the Patak's Tikka Masala Curry Paste and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes. Sprinkle in some water if the paste begins to stick.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes and butter. Add the water and sugar, cover and allow to cook for 20 minutes.
3. Add the cooked chicken to this sauce and cook for a few more minutes until the chicken is well coated in the sauce and warmed through. Stir in the cream and check the seasoning.
4. Garnish with fresh coriander.

Shopping Challenge

My friend Angeline approached me this week and asked me to accessorize her dress to her brothers wedding, these are the outfits i came up with.

First Look:


For short hair one of the classiest options is a nice headband like this one and it doesn't take to much time to go from everyday to dressy


a pashmina always makes an outfit look more dressy







when you already have a hair accessory and a pashmina you need to jewelry simple, i like these vintage pieces from etsy

for this look, liquid eyeliner would look great



My Favorite Look:



this cardigan is great for a fall wedding and really adds something different to the little black dress



these are some of the classiest earrings i can find and they are only 3 dollars!



the more i post for this look the more i want it for myself! these shoes would be a great compliment to this outfit.



the hair for this outfit should be up and simple, a side bun would like nice, like this one:



top it off with a shimmery eye lid and a sheer plum gloss and your ready to be in a fall wedding!

Another Look:



This pink cardigan is dressy and unique



this necklace matches perfectly and really makes this outfit



simple mid heel shoes compliment the other accessories



i would also suggest a casual updo for this look, a little bit of a smokey eye and a pale pink lip

Last Look:








this aqua color would look great on my friend

Weird Relations:christmas gifts

For those of you who know me, you know i start christmas shopping in january. thats right i christmas shop all year. but there are those few odd relations that i wait until the fall to start contemplating what the best gift would be. here some of my ideas:

For your Sister in Laws Fiance that you have met 5 times total:



fleece hoodie from old navy, every guy needs a good hoodie



a monogrammed mug for their coffee

For your not really related to you Grandmother:



pretty stationary, to write to you of course!



whipped soap in pure romance ( for dry skin)

For a child that you dont know that well:



felt number magnets



crayons that are a hybrid of crayola and oil pastels

For anyone else you may be struggling with....



bbq spice rub kit



blue opal earrings