Quinoa Salad

Post Softball game at the usual hangout the Bimini I opted for something different and ordered the Quinoa Salad. Of course, I was made fun of for pronoucing it incorrectly, that never seems to fail! Besides learning how to say Quinoa, I also learnt that I really love this grain which inspired me to give it a go at home with a lil twist of my own. Healthy, yummy and perfect for leftovers and lunch, the only complaint I heard from my man was ... where's the meat? So this one is for all you vegetarians out there! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Quinoa Salad

- 225g Quinoa Grains
- 1 cup chopped Almonds
- 1 cup chopped Feta
- 1 cup chopped Cucumber
- 1 cup chopped Grape Tomatoes

Dressing


- 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1-2 cloves minced Garlic
- Handful of fresh Parsley
- Pinch of Salt
- Pepper to taste

Cook Quinoa in rice cooker with 2 1/2 cups water.
Once cooked wait for quinoa to cool.
Add chopped almonds, feta, cucumber and grape tomatoes.
Mix the dressing and pour over Quinoa mixture.
Serve cold.

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Double the Trouble Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

These cookies are trouble! Getting through not eating the cookie dough is hard enough. A lil tip is to make sure to only cook them for tops 10 mins. When you pull them out they may not look done but once pulled off the baking sheet and allowed time to cool they become the perfect texture. Crispy on the outside and gooey good on the inside. The addition of walnuts adds a tasty crunch and these my friend are one of my go to cookie recipes. Double the chocolate and double the yum.

Double Trouble Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

- 1 Stick Butter

- 3/4 Cup Sugar

- 1/4 Tsp Salt

- 1 Tsp Vanilla

- 1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder

- 1 Large Egg

- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour

- 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

- 1 Cup Chocolate Chips

- 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the butter, sugar, salt, vanilla, cocoa, and egg together.

Add the flour, baking soda, chocolate chips and nuts and mix well.

Roll out cookie dough and flatten on an oiled cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes.

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Spring Fever

After a great long Easter weekend with beautiful weather here in Van City, I have Spring fever. I spotted #7 at the Bay and fell in love however the $375 price tag did not entice me. I'm thrilled to say I ordered them online for $190 all in! I love the aztec detail in the mid shaft and I am stoked they are leather and not suede. Spring is in full force and I am loving all the coloured denim out there. Here is two looks I put together to go with coral jeans. 

   

1. Topshop Cropped Denim Shirt $56

2. J Brand 811 Mid Rise Twill in Coral $170
3. Topshop Pleat and Scallop Crop Shell $56
4. Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses $145
5. UrbanOutfitters Paciic Drift Earring $34
6. Tory Burch Emmy Flat Thing Sandal $195
7. Cynthia Vincent Garner Bootie $325 $190.99
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Trend: Pajama Inspired Pants

Pajama inspired pants make an elegant exit straight from the bedroom. Loving the trend seen everywhere in luxe fabrics and vibrant colours. Dress them up for a night on the town with a pair of ankle booties or dress them down with some strappy sandals and a jean jacket for a comfy but chic outfit on a Spring day. These will be my go to pants this Spring and Summer. Ugh now if only it would warm up Vancouver!

1. Topshop Tailored Joggers by Boutique $130
2. Wilfred Marais Pant $125
3. Sass & Bide It Keeps Going Pants $245
4. Wilfred Lille Pant $110
5. H&M Trouser $29.95
6. Zara Trousers with Pleat Front $79.90
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Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

They say it's Spring but how can one tell when snow, hail, rain and sun all happen in one day? Here in Raincouver what started out to be a beaut of a day has long gone and the clouds have rolled in. Still getting over a cold that has been lingering for the last couple of weeks I'm craving nothing but comfort. A stand out from last weeks dinner recipes is a good old Mac n' Cheese. Baked with broccoli and topped with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese, this one is light, still tasty and comfort at it's finest.

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Swim Wear 2012

You ask and you shall receive. My girlfriend Care at Fun n' Finance requested a swimsuit post last night and voila. Well to be honest I was already ahead of the game and this post was already in the works. I purchased a new swimsuit last October from Victoria Secret and another one in February from Vix. If you looked in my swimsuit drawer you might think I have a swimsuit fetish :) I used to stock up with swim suits galore from Victoria Secret with their online sales however now I am lusting over the overly priced Vix Swimwear. After finding their swimsuits on sale at 6pm.com which some are 68% off I could not resist and of course for those of you interested I had to share my online deal :) Now that Spring Break is here Summer is soon to follow and that makes me one happy camper!

1. H&M Floral Bandeau Bra $17.95 & Tanga Bottom $14.95

2. Victoria Secret Pushup Bandeau Top $42 & Foldover Low Rise Bottom $32

3. Topshop Laguna Strip Bandeau Bikini $55

4. H&M Floral Bandeau Bra $17.95 & Tie Tanga Bottom $14.95

5. Vix Odette Bia Tube Top $55.99 & Bia Tube Bottom $55.99

6. Topshop Aztec Bandeau Bikini $52

7. Victoria Secret Abbie Triangle Top $ 20 & Double String Bottom $18

8. Zara Crossed Band Bikini Top $25.90 & Gathered Bikini Briefs $25.90

9. Vix Bia Logo Tube Bikini Top $52.99 & Bia Logo Tube Full Bottom $52.99

10. H&M Halterneck Bra $17.95 & Tie Tanga Bottom $14.95

    

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Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes

Hands down my new favourite cupcake combination - Oreos and Cheesecake. I used this recipe and the results were amazing. A new twist on Cupcakes. Though I'm not the biggest fan of cheesecake, these completely changed my mind. The chunky Oreo chunks mixed into the cheesecake made it not too rich and the perfect texture. Inexpensive and easy to make. Yum yum yum, I will definitely be making these again.

     

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Barre Fitness

Image One Source http://www.barrefitness.com Image Two Source http://www.lululemon.com

The best part of living in Van City is having an assortment of workouts to choose from. The endless options of Yoga, Pilates, Dance, Cross Fit, Boot Camp, are every where and having such a wide variety allows to find something that works with any schedule. If you have not heard of it before I introduce to you Barre Fitness in Yaletown. The Ballet barre based workout is a one hour invigorating class that will tone and shape your body. I have taken two classes so far and reserved a spot for the Sat am class. My dream of finding a challenging yet exciting class that caters to the female body by lengthening, toning, and lifting to awesome music (of course) is closer to reality! Check out the link above to get more info. For all you dancers out there this class brings it all back home to the ballet barre where we were first acquainted with a love for movement.

Have you done it before? Did you like it? Or been anywhere similar? Feel free to drop me a line or comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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This n That: Currently Makin Me Smile

{My ideal Saturday morning: online shopping and coffee and bailey's}

Marching into March with no hangovers makes the days seem longer and more productive. This past week was spent with lots of family time. It was great to have a relaxing weekend getting up early enjoying walks on the seawall and getting organized at home. Now that March is here I feel more energetic as I anticipate brighter, longer, sunnier days ahead. Here's a few things that are currently making me smile. Hope you all have a wonderful week better yet month; atlas Spring is soon upon us. 

{V-Day Orchids my favourite flower}

{New sign for the living room wall purchased at Urban Barn}

{Getting my closet prep'd for Spring}

{Delicious fruity shots that taste like candy}

   

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Trend: Pretty in Pastel

Over Winter? Me too! Regardless of a lil snow here and there it's March 1st and I must admit I am anxiously awaiting Spring. Making the wait for warm weather seem a lil less painful I compiled a list of pretty pastels that pleasantly await brighter days. Seeing alot of floral prints in stores done in a soft colour palette: washed down pastels and sorbet hues are pretty yet suddle. Looking forward to layering down with lighter airier pieces and soaking up longer lighter days.

1. TNA Boracay Shorts in Batik Floral $45
2. TNA Kadavu T Shirt $45
3. Free People Milenium Cropped Coloured Skinny Jeans $88
4. Topshop Stripe Burnout Midi Dress $
5. Rag & Bone Vintage Legging in Biscay $210
6. Tahula Kent Blazer in Floral Bouquet $95
7. Urban Outfitters Zig Zag Bead Bracelet $24 Tweet