11.20.2012

Oxblood Lips



I’ve been obsessed with everything in oxblood for quite some time now, and this fixation has bleed over to my lips (pun intended). Oxblood lips are extremely bold, sexy, and an updated twist to the classic red. You definitely need confidence to pull off this look. Keep the rest of your makeup natural and to a minimum -- your lips are the statement here. For something this bold, I prefer to use a lip brush so that you can layer on the colour as much or as little as you want. You can also use your fingers to dab it on for a more subtle look, or apply directly from the tube for something more dramatic. I used Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme in Black Cherry 447, which you can find here.

Lip prep: moisturize before applying any lipstick

Using a lip brush provides precise coverage

Layer on colour to your liking

11.16.2012

Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi

 
This post is long overdue. I had originally planned this as part of my Hawaiian themed week a while back, but life got a little crazy so I am posting this now. The first time we tried mahi mahi (a Hawaiian fish) was on our last night at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. Flaky and tender, this beautiful fish was so juicy and had a macadamia crust that was to die for. It was quite simply the best meal to end our wonderful trip. The boyfriend then made this dish for me on my last birthday and we decided to recreate it for our Kauai themed weekend. It was just as perfect (if not better) than I remembered. Beautifully golden on top, the crust had amazing crunch, texture, and was packed full of flavour. We had this along with the mango, pineapple and papaya salsa we made here and the entire meal was truly a Hawaiian delight and brought us right back to our favourite place on earth. This is such a simple, yet beautiful and sophisticated dish that’s perfect for any special occasion. 

We adjusted the cooking time for the mahi mahi. Use this as a guideline: for every inch of mahi mahi, bake for 10 minutes. Ours were slightly thicker than 1 inch so we cooked it for approxmiately 13 minutes, then broiled it for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to ensure the crust didn't burn.




11.06.2012

Fall Trend: Floral


Who says florals are only reserved for spring? This fall, the floral trend is surprisingly in full bloom with a darker, edgier and moodier tone. Mixed with different patterns, fabrics and a darker colour palette, fall florals are more intricate and textured, creating a luxurious and splendor feel. It has a deeper, broodier romantic element seeping through and I love that it can still be feminine and fun.


 

10.31.2012

Pumpkin Donut Holes




For Halloween, I knew I wanted to bake something with pumpkin. Since we didn't have any plans to dress up and go out, a celebratory night (or two) of stuffing our faces with sweet delights seemed more than appropriate. I made these pumpkin donut holes or timbits as I like to call them (for all my fellow Canadians) here, and it was blissful. Pillowy little bites of pure pumpkin pie flavour made complete with a light sugary coating -- it was like fall in a morsel. And there's something extremely comforting about the intoxicating aroma wafting from the oven. The recipe uses a mini muffin pan, but since we don’t have one, I rolled them into little balls with my hands and baked them on a baking sheet.
  



 Happy Halloween!


10.30.2012

Inspired by: Mikhael Kale SS 2013

Last week, I attended my very first Fashion Week show in Toronto. Needless to say, I was more than ecstatic (and stressed) about planning everything down to the tee. I saw Toronto designer Mikhael Kale’s Spring/Summer 2013 presentation, and was instantly enamored with his stunning designs. I left the show feeling energized and invigorated for the first signs of spring so I decided to create an outfit inspired by Mikhael’s collection, tailored to the current fall season.

For a full review, check out my post on Coco & Cowe here. I am now a guest blogger for the fabulous site so be sure to stop by and see what I’m up to!

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs ID Bow Bracelet 2. Alice + Olivia Bryant Sequin Top 3. Burberry Prorsum Ruffled Crepe Pencil Skirt 4. Jil Sander Metallic Leather Pouch 5. L.K. Bennett Ankle Booties


10.05.2012

Mango, Pineapple & Papaya Salsa

One of the many things we constantly miss from Kauai was the abundance of fresh tropical fruits readily available. They are far fresher and more succulent that you will ever find here. Mangoes, pineapples, and papayas are easily three of our favourite fruits and we simply couldn’t devour enough of them in Kauai. If you’ve never had a Hawaiian papaya, I strongly urge you to try it -- it will change your life. I’m not a fan of the Mexican papayas you find here, but the Hawaiian kinds are so different -- they are insanely sweet and flavourful. If you live in Toronto, you can find them at Pusateri’s. They are a bit pricey but worth every juicy bite.

We bought a bunch of tropical fruits over our Kauai weekend, used some to make a smoothie and saved the rest in this fruit salsa. It is super easy to make and was the perfect accompaniment to our Hawaiian dish, which I will be posting the recipe for next week.

Fresh coconut water

We made a smoothie with dragon fruit. Check out this recipe here

Hawaiian papaya


Mango, Pineapple & Papaya Salsa

Ingredients:

1/2 pineapple
3 mangoes
1 Hawaiian papaya (or Mexican if you like)
1/2 red onion
1 lime
A good handful of cilantro and mint (you can omit either if you like but the combination of the two makes it extra fresh)
Salt + pepper
 
Directions:

1. Chop the pineapple, mangoes, and papaya into small cubes.
2. Dice the red onion finely.
3. Roughly chop the cilantro and mint.
4. Place all ingredients in a bowl, squeeze in a lime, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and mix together.  

10.04.2012

Aloha Kauai


My favourite sunset at Tunnels Beach




As some of you may already know, the boyfriend and I took our first trip to the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii this time last year. We fell in love with everything the island had to offer and since our return, we have been dreaming of the day we can revisit and relive the most magical experience. To commemorate this anniversary, we decided to bring Kauai to us and have a fun-filled weekend with Hawaiian food and drinks, music, hikes, and watching surfing documentaries and The Descendants (the movie was filmed in Kauai and Oahu but who needs an excuse to watch George Clooney?) Over the next few weeks, I will be dedicating my posts to all things Hawaiian inspired so be sure to check back often. For now, here's a glimpse of what our extraordinary trip consisted of.

Aloha! 

Boat Tour to the Na Pali Coast

Taro fields in Hanalei Valley (the quaint town we stayed in)
One of the best dinners we've made: grilled opah with mango/pineapple/papaya salsa
Gorgeous view of Na Pali Coast

A Jurassic Park view on our hike

Poke: A raw fish salad that is a traditional and delicious Hawaiian dish 
The boyfriend and I at Waimea Canyon (The Grand Canyon of the Pacific)


Dining at the Grand Hyatt on our last night

Doors Off Helicopter Tour -- one of the most surreal experiences

Cotton candy clouds








9.19.2012

Colour Trend: Oxblood


This fall, one of the most stunning colour trends is also the most horrid sounding: oxblood. Despite its gag-inducing name, this deeply rich colour (a slightly moodier burgundy but with an edge) is not only sexy, luxurious and sophisticated, but is incredibly versatile and looks beautiful against any skin tone. I've been finding many leather pieces in oxblood, and the combination of the two is purely magnetic. This is definitely a favourite colour obsession right now and I am already on the prowl for some beloved pieces.


1.  Topshop Oxblood Pleated Dip Hem Skirt 2. McQ by Alexander McQueen Burlesque Pumps 3. Essie 'Skirting the Issue' 4. AllSaints Wasson Pullover 5. Tory Burch Ballerina Ciliegia 6. H&M Dress 7. AllSaints Oxblood Biker Jacket 8. Victoria Beckham Leather Leggings 9. Sandro Oxblood Leather Belt 10. Cambridge Oxblood Patent Satchel 11. McQ by Alexander McQueen Leather Mini Skirt

9.12.2012

White Washed




I have never abided by the rule of “No White After Labour Day." Some fashion rules are just begging to be broken and this old adage is definitely one of them. White is not only appropriate any time of the year, but as fall is nearly upon us, it's a chic, refreshing welcome to the season's cooler climate. I don’t usually do head-to-toe black, but there’s something about an all-white outfit that’s crisp, sophisticated and simply sexy. 



H&M top | Mango jeans (similar ones here) | Aldo shoes | Zara belt | Armani sunglasses | Club Monaco necklace | Nine West bag

9.06.2012

Shrimp, Tomato & Avocado Baguette



I love avocado toast. Crunchy from the thick bread, creamy and buttery from the avocado, this luscious gem is so ridiculously easy to make and is easily one of my favourite breakfast, brunch, or snack foods. Over the Labour Day weekend, we decided to take this tasty little treat and turn it up a notch by adding a tomato and green onion salsa and topping it with paprika shrimp and basil. Each bite was so succulent and full of fresh flavour -- it made for an incredibly satisfying meal. We used a multigrain baguette (love the texture) and had a bit of leftover shrimp, salsa and an extra avocado, so we toasted a few slices of bread and happily devoured it for brunch the next day.

Pablo, our first basil plant. Yes, we named it.





Shrimp,Tomato and Avocado Baguette (serves 2 as a main or 4 as an appetizer)

Ingredients:

1 multigrain baguette
2 ripe avocados (firm with a slight give)
1 lb fresh or frozen large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tomatoes of any kind, diced (we used tomatoes-on-the-vine)
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves (1 minced; 1 whole, cut in half)
1 lime or lemon
1 tsp smoked paprika
Olive oil
Sea salt + pepper
A handful of basil, ripped into small pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Tomato + Green Onion Salsa
1. Dice the tomatoes into small chunks and chop the green onions thinly. Mix them in a bowl and set aside. 

Baguette
1. Slice the baguette lengthwise and cut into 5-6 inch slices (3-4 inches for smaller pieces).
2. Place on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil, and lightly brush each slice with olive oil.
3. Toast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown on top. 
4. Remove from oven and while still hot, rub a clove of garlic (cut side) on each piece. This gives the bread a hint of garlic flavour without being overpowering.

Shrimp
1. If using frozen shrimp, let it thaw out first. Heat a large pan on medium low heat. 
2. When the pan is hot, drizzle a good amount of olive oil in and add the minced garlic clove and smoked paprika. 
3. Stir it into the oil for about a minute, then turn up the heat to medium high and add the shrimp. 
4. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute, then flip them over and cook for another minute until shrimp is pink. Be sure to not overcook the shrimp! 
5. Transfer to a plate and squeeze half a lime or lemon over them.

Avocado
1. In a bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until smooth and creamy. 
2. Squeeze half a lime or lemon in and mix. 
3. Spread a nice, thick layer on the bread, and drizzle a bit of olive oil over it. Sprinkle some sea salt and black pepper on top.

Scoop the tomato and green onion mixture on the avocado baguette, then top with shrimp and basil.

8.23.2012

Summer Scarves


Scarves aren’t just used to bundle up in those cold, winter months; in summer, they make for a great accessory that can be used in a multitude of ways. Now the last thing I want to be wearing in the sweltering summer heat is an extra layer hung around my neck. However, because of its lightweight fabric, it's ideal for this transition period from summer to fall, for those days that are chillier in the mornings and nights. They look effortless draped loosely around the neck, but it can be worn tied around your waist, on your bag, or as a chic headscarf (my favourite image of this is Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's when she's sitting on her windowsill singing Moon River as seen here).

8.02.2012

Homemade Strawberry Jam




I haven’t had strawberry jam since I was a kid and I forgot how good it is simply slathered on a piece of toast. With the abundance of strawberries we got when we went strawberry picking recently, we decided this jam would be the perfect way to make use of this sweet summer fruit. It's surprisingly simple to make and has a thick, velvety consistency that is fresher and more insanely sweet than the store bought kinds. I can't wait to make more with other fruits in season.





7.26.2012

Summer Stroll



This outfit kind of reminds me like I’m attending the Kentucky Derby (minus the outrageously huge hat with an equally ginormous flower), but while I may not be watching a horse race, I was exploring the quaint areas of the boyfriend's hometown in Markham. This flirty floral dress is ideal for summer with it’s lightweight fabric, and the cute tiered ruffles at the hem make me want to spirl (spin + twirl) in it all day long. Plus it has pockets and I'm a sucker for any dress that has pockets.



Guess dress | Le Chateau hat | Aldo shoes | H&M bracelets | China Glaze 'Sun-Kissed' nails