Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.

What about you?

Categories
Food & Drink

Best Boxed… Instant Sides

I spent the morning putting in a grocery order for my husband to pick up for me since I am still laid up from my accident and surgery. As I perused the aisles via my keyboard, I noticed I was adding a lot of “boxed” items to my cart and from that mundane experience comes this post… the second in my series of: the best boxed items.

Best Boxed Instant Sides

First Place
Kraft Dinner Extra Creamy

Second Place
Rice-A-Roni Spanish Rice Mix

Third Place
Knorr Creamy Parmesan Pasta Sidekick

Fourth Place
Betty Crocker Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Fifth Place
Idahoan Butter and Herb Mashed Potatoes

*Based on flavour, texture, ease of preparation, success & cost
*Consult labels for nutrition information and dietary concerns

Categories
Fashion

5 Best Signet Rings

Lately, I have fallen down the Instagram rabbit hole viewing and following jewellery designers, such as Bryan Anthony’s, Awe Inspired and Mejuri. A trend I am so loving right now is the signet ring. Although these rings historically were used to mark and seal documents by pressing the face which were marked with a unique family crest, into hot wax they have become all the rage now. They add sophistication to your outfit.

These are my top five favourites…

I Am Enough Signet Ring from Bryan Anthony’s
Never Lost Signet Ring from Bryan Anthony’s
Athena Signet Ring from Awe Inspired
Cleopatra Signet Ring from Awe Inspired
Slim Signet Ring from Mejuri

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.

What about you?

Categories
Food & Drink

Summertime Berry Crumble Bar Recipe

We harvested some berries from our orchard over the weekend; so I whipped up some muffins, a few loaves and my most favourite berry crumble.

Ingredients

For the base & topping
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
3 cups AP Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1 cup Margarine or Butter (unsalted)
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

For the filling
1 cup Saskatoon Berries
1 cup Raspberries
1 cup Blueberries
1 cup Strawberries
1/2 cup Rhubarb
1/2 cup Sugar
4 tsp Cornstarch
1 & 1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 & 1/2 tbsp Lime Juice

Directions

For the base & topping
1. Mix sugar, baking powder, flour and salt together in a large bowl
2. Add margarine, egg and vanilla to the dry ingredients; mix until it has the consistency of a crumbly dough
3. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan
4. Take HALF of the dough and add to the baking pan (press evenly)

For the filling
1. Mix the berries, sugar, cornstarch and juices together
2. Spread the filling over the crust in the baking pan
3. Use the remaining dough to crumble it over the filling

Bake for 40 minutes at 375F until the topping is golden brown.
*Wait until cooled before cutting
*Perhaps most importantly: SERVE WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Categories
Fashion

Bargain Hunting at…

Lululemon!

When I had my accident this summer, my favourite pair of Lululemon Align leggings had to be cut down the right leg –ruining them. So while I recuperated on the couch, I did a bit of online shopping; mainly to replace my beloved pants but I also found some great deals. These are the best NEW items, under $100.

Love Crew Short Sleeve T-Shirt
A bargain at $48 CAD
It is designed for on move, made of super soft pima cotton fabric, the fit is classic (hip length).
Comes in 11 colours

Align Short 8″ Shorts
A bargain at $58-68 CAD
It is designed for yoga, feels buttery soft and light because it is made of Nulu fabric.
Comes in 23 colours.


LA Ribbed Square Neck Tank Top
A bargain at $58 CAD
It is designed for on the move, made of soft modal fabric, the fit is tight (waist length).
Only available in black.


Perfectly Oversized Crew
A bargain at $59-79 CAD
It is designed for on the move, made of breathable cotton terry fabric, the fit is relaxed (bum covering length).
Comes in 3 colours.


Energy Bra Long Line Medium Support
A bargain at $64 CAD
It is designed for yoga & training, slick and low friction support, made of Luxtreme fabric, for B-D cups
Comes in 10 colours.

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

Writing Prompt Wednesday

I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.

What about you?

Categories
Food & Drink

Best Restaurants in YEG

For Pizza
I highly recommend Parlour Italian Kitchen + Bar!
Their website features the following quote, “Those who eat well, live well!” You most certainly will eat INCREDIBLY well at Parlour! They do offer more than pizza but I absolutely LOVE their pizza. I recently tried the Sonny Boy; it has Calabrese salami, fiore di latte, mushroom and fresh thyme –it was the prefect level of spice. I also tried the Peach + Balsamic; this uniquely flavoured pizza has honey roasted peaches, red onion, fior di latte, balsamic pearls and arugula. Other must try pizzas include: The Hangover, the Proscuitto and the Truffle pizzas!

For Vegan Cuisine
I highly recommend Copper Branch!
My best friend and I love to hit up a vegetarian or vegan restaurant at least once during our girl’s weekends. We recently tried Copper Branch because we really appreciated their mission statement which is to, “empower, energize and make people feel their best, [to] serve [the] community whole, plant based,” foods that are not only good for the consumer but the planet as well. It was very difficult to choose what to get, everything looked and sounded amazing. You can’t go wrong with the Aristotle Power Bowl (I got mine with the tempeh) and the Copper Deluxe Burger (on a potato bun)! The online ordering system was a breeze as well; so extra points! There is a lot of ability to customize!

For Fine Dining
I highly recommend Butternut Tree!
This beautiful restaurant is located adjacent to the Legislature grounds; the views are splendid. I really love the concept of Butternut Tree because it is all about Canadian cuisine. This place would be an awesome wedding/reception venue; perhaps I should convince my husband that we should do a vow renewal. From the a la carte menu choose the Pacific Steamed Mussels & Clams to start and the Green Alder-Pine Beef Striploin as the entree. To finish your dining experience, you must have the Buttermilk Panna Cotta.

For Dessert
I highly recommend Art of Cake!
This awesome cafe and bakery is also licenced so you can always opt for a mimosa while enjoying their delicious confections or sip on a craft brew while having lunch. Pre-pandemic they offered high tea! I missed out on this, so I hope I get the chance to partake in this soon. My favourite sweet treats from this establishment are numerous, but my top three include the: lemon tart, chocolate cream puff and the cinnamon bun. However, the cinnamon buns are only available on weekends. Remember to get here early before everything gets snapped up!

Categories
Food & Drink

Best Boxed… Muffin Mixes

I spent the morning putting in a grocery order for my husband to pick up for me since I am still laid up from my accident and surgery. As I perused the aisles via my keyboard, I noticed I was adding a lot of “boxed” items to my cart and from that mundane experience comes this post… the first in my series of: the best boxed items.

Best Boxed Muffin Mixes

First Place
Quaker Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix

Second Place
Betty Crocker Cornbread & Muffin Mix

Third Place
Great Value Blueberry Muffin Mix


Fourth Place
Fiore Fiore Chocolate Muffin Mix


Fifth Place
Simple Mills Grain-Free Almond Flour Baking Mix Banana Muffin

*Based on flavour, texture, ease of preparation, success & cost
*Consult labels for nutrition information and dietary concerns

Categories
Fashion

Dress Like…

…Mindy Kaling!

She is a bold force not only in her professional life but also in terms of her fashion; and I love it!

Dress: Viola Stretch Dress from Lilly Pulitzer in blue 
Shoes: Strappy Wide Heel Sandals from Zara in yellow
Jewellery: Isha Tassel Drop Earrings from Nordstroms in yellow
Purse: Chelsea Medium Wristlet Pouch from Kate Spade in currant jam