Sunday 22 December 2013

This weeks food highlights - Week 1

Happy Sunday! 

3 days till Christmas - I can't wait! My siblings all arrived from B.C. yesterday so we will be having lots of fun family time over the next week. Fun with my family always involves delicious food…we have lots of yummy dinners planned including an appy dinner tonight, homemade sushi tomorrow and then of course Christmas turkey feasts with both my family and Kevin's family. Yummm! 

I have decided to start a series called 'This weeks food highlights' where I will post my favorite food pics from the week. This will most often include food I have made at home but I will also include meals at friends/families houses or food from restaurants.  I hope you enjoy looking at pictures of food as much as I do! I will try to included links to recipes and some details of my homemade recipes. Please comment if you have questions about any of the recipes.
Top Left: Homemade Sushi - We were practicing for the sushi dinner we are making for my family tomorrow night!
Rolls included: 1) Avocado, Cucumber & Green Onion 2) Salmon, Avocado, Cucumber & Green Onion served with Spicy Chili Garlic Mayo, Wasabi and Soya Sauce
Top Right: Christmas Baking - White Chocolate Ginger Buttons & Biscotti (I put my own spin on this Biscotti recipe from Canadian Living and made 2 kinds - Hazlenut and Chocolate & Fig, Pecan and Parmesan Cheese)
Bottom Left: Lean Green Power Salad - So yummy! We had leftovers for 2 days and the kale stayed so nice and crunchy. Such a healthy, hearty salad.
Bottom Right: Healthy dinner we had one night this week - Lean Green Power Salad, Healthy Sweet Potato Skins (I adapted this recipe - I excluded the chickpeas and mozzarella cheese and added some cayenne pepper for a little kick! Roasted Beets with Fresh Dill, Salt, Pepper and Balsamic Vinegar
Happy Holidays Everyone!Danielle

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Simple Outfit with Statement Necklace

I am LOVING statement necklaces lately! I was a little nervous to wear them a few months ago as I felt they were to fancy for my life at the lake! However I have recently had a change of heart and now I feel like they go with any outfit including a simple jeans and t-shirt combo.

It is up to you whether you want the necklace to be the focal point of a basic outfit or if you want the necklace to add to an already fancy outfit!  

You will definitely be seeing many statement necklaces appearing in my posts over this holiday season!




This is the first time I've had Kevin take outfit pictures of me...Hence the face! 


Sweater - Joe Fresh via Superstore
White shirt - H & M (old)
Jeans - Buffalo (old) 
Booties - Old Navy
Necklace - Joe Fresh via Superstore
Purse - Matt & Nat (old) 
Bow Ring - Madewell

Danielle

Sunday 15 December 2013

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Last weekend I made biscotti for the first time! It took a while as there are many steps but the finished product was worth the effort.  

I shared them with family and was told I have to make more for Christmas time beverages so I will be experimenting with other fillings soon!































































Check out that bad boy! So delicious dipped in coffee or tea.


Double-Chocolate Biscotti (Recipe from Canadian Living - December 2013)

1 batch biscotti dough
1 cup - semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup - white chocolate chips
1 - egg white
6 squares - white chocolate, melted
Half square - semisweet chocolate, shaved

Stir together dough, semisweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips until combined.  Divide dough in half.

On a lightly floured surface, shape each half into a 12-inch long log.  Place 2 inches apart, on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; press to flatten slightly.  Stir egg white with 1 tsp water; brush generously over top of logs.

Bake in 325°F oven just until light golden and firm to the touch, about 35 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack for 10 minutes.

Transfer logs to cutting board.  Using a sharp chef's knife, cut diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Stand slices upright, about 1/2 inch apart, on baking sheet.  Bake in 300°F oven until almost dry, about 35 minutes.  Transfer to rack; let cool completely.

Dip 1 end of each biscotti in white chocolate, letting excess drip off.  Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; sprinkle shaved chocolate over white chocolate.  Refrigerate until white chocolate is set, about 20 minutes.

Make-ahead, later between waxed paper in aright container and store for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Biscotti Dough

1/2 cup - butter, softened
1 cup - granulated sugar
2 - eggs
1 tsp - vanilla
2 1/2 cups - all purpose flour
2 tsp - baking powder
1/4 tsp - salt

In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time.  Beat in vanilla.  Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture, in 2 additions, just until combined.

Enjoy!


Danielle

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Cape Sweater & Purple Pants

The dilemma of where to take outfits photos when it's -30 outside….In front of the Christmas tree seemed like as good of a spot as any!



This sweater is so cozy…however it is as the title suggests a cape which can make wearing it kind of challenging due to its graphic pattern. It is definitely the statement piece in any outfit so I try to keep my top and pants as simple as possible.

I am loving gold right now along with millions of other women! I couldn't resist this bow ring I stumbled upon when online shopping... I mean Christmas shopping the other day ;)


These black booties are everything to me….so versatile and comfortable!

Sweater - Mad About Style (last season)
Jeggings & T-shirt - Garage Clothing  
Necklace - Stella & Dot
Bow Ring - Madewell

Danielle

Sunday 8 December 2013

Winter Fashion

Well it officially feels like winter time here in Manitoba! We woke up to -28 on the thermometer this morning.  Thankfully I took these photos outside last week when it was a little warmer.  Kevin's off playing at an outdoor hockey tournament today…can you say burrr? I'm content to be at home by my warm fire today: blogging, organizing my house, listening to Christmas music, baking, cooking and watching too many episodes of 'Suits' on Netflix.

Here is my first attempt at an outdoor Manitoba winter outfit post.  I could use a tripod and a remote shutter release for Christmas to make my life a little easier.





























Jacket (old) - Vero Moda 
Headband - Target 
Necklace - Joe Fresh
Belt - Target


Danielle


Thursday 5 December 2013

I'm Back & Goals

I'm back! Back from a long blog hiatus…. I am re-energized and ready to share with you: things that inspire me, outfits, fashion tips, recipes, food inspirations, random photos, travel stories and other things that are important to me!

Blog Goals

1. Better Photos
I am trying to get better at taking pictures with my DSLR (Canon Rebel) meaning not just using the auto setting. I am especially focusing on getting better at my food photography so I'm taking the Food Photography E-Course by +Minimalist Baker because the food photos on that blog are just amazing! I also use my iPhone 5s for food and other photos to post on Instagram of course.

Green Smoothie - Taken with iPhone 5s
Kale - Taken with iPhone 5s


2. Stay inspired to post meaningful and exciting content

3. Take outfits posts in a variety of beautiful outdoor & indoor settings



















































Danielle