Let's Picnic

Swanky Chic Fete

I just feel like a picnic.  You?

J xx

Source Unknown

Make Your Own Bubbles

I was delighted to be invited to the Canadian launch of Sodastream's Kraft flavours at Second Floor Events in Toronto's west end.  The eco-concious event was hosted by Canadian filmmaker and environmental activist Rob Stewart - best known for directing Sharkwater and most recently, Revolution.  The night's take-home message was to reduce plastic bottle waste by ending personal consumption of soda bottles and embracing the enviro-friendly Sodastream drink maker.  Fortunate am I to have received a super chic Sodastream Source Starter Kit as a parting gift!

Not only is my Sodastream drink maker a fine piece of cordless machinery, it's just plain cool.  And because it's cordless, it makes the perfect accessory for a bar cart.  Plus, it's really narrow and doesn't take up much counter space so you can put it almost anywhere.  And you have to love its glossy, white quilted stylish design. But aside from its obvious good looks, it's very easy to use and super convenient.  Now I can make sparkling lemon water in seconds; a bonus for those of us who like to entertain - and I can make as many bottles as I want! It's the ultimate party buddy.  Whether fresh fruit sparkling water or bubbly alcoholic 'bevies' are your thing, it's whatever and whenever you want.  I do however have one piece of cautionary advice: opt for making healthier carbonated drinks instead of the usual sugary offenders; it is THAT convenient after all. 

J xx

Balzac's

I'm all about a good experience, and if you throw in a delicious, freshly brewed coffee - life is good.  Such has been my experience at Balzac's in the Distillery District; the loveliest café in Toronto! I've also visited Balzac's in Stratford which is also highly delightful.  But the Distillery location is the most beautiful with its grey brick walls, haunting chandelier and vintage coffee paraphernalia.    This skull poster is 1 of 7 prints commemorating each of the Balzac's café locations in Ontario. The illustrator is Alayna Paquette of Rhode Island - check out her website, idrawdogs.com.  It only took seeing her skull poster a handful of times until I caved and purchased a 10"x14" print for my kitchen. Edgy? Yes, but more clever than anything as a dedication to Stratford's internationally-recognized Shakespeare Festival.  If you're a Hamlet fan, then you can appreciate this little nod to Act 1, Scene 5 of the play. Brilliant!  

Beautiful Chandelier

Vintage Coffee Paraphernalia

Yummy Pastries

Alas, it is mine!

J xx

Smitten with Deb

Last night I met Deb Perelman - the cutest cook and author of the world famous Smitten Kitchen blog and now - cookbook!  The Cookbook Store hosted a book signing last night to celebrate the launch of Deb's long awaited book.  I'm happy to report that Deb is the most adorable person!  It was fun to hear her speak about her success as a blogger, her hits and misses along the way, and her experiences in creating her first cookbook.  She was so real and witty, and confessed to not being the biggest fan of eating fish.  I love that Deb is a self-proclaimed picky eater and yet, is respected as a first-rate cook and admired by her 5 million monthly blog readers for her delicious and unique recipes.  

During the Q&A, Deb was asked how she comes up with so many new recipes, and her answer was amusing. She said she often thinks of recipe ideas while running errands, like the other day when she was in her car and suddenly thought about how much she loves eating rye bread with her eggs, and wondered why English muffins weren't made of rye.  Such a simple idea, but proof that sometimes the simple ideas can be the best ones.  For the record - I also prefer rye bread with my eggs!

All that said, I'm happy to own a hardbound collection of Deb's unique (easy!) recipes.  I'm excited to try her cheddar swirl breakfast buns, tomato scallion shortcakes with whipped goat cheese, and her popcorn cookies, to name just a few.  And despite her success as a famous blogger and author, wife and mom - all pale in comparison to perhaps her greatest accomplishment yet - getting me to cook!  Well done, Deb. Well done.

J xx

At long last!

My friend Jenn and I - happy campers to meet Deb!

Isn't she the cutest?!

Deb, signing my book!

Get Your Peaches!

My friend needed only to mention peach crisp to get my mouth watering.  'Tis the season for peaches, so I got myself a basket and whipped up some fresh baked peach crisp. Check out this quick and easy recipe I used from allrecipes.com.  Delicious!

J xx

Ingredients

• 6 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and grease an 8 inch square baking dish.
2. Place the peaches in the bottom of the baking dish, and sprinkle them with almond extract.
3. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
4. Sprinkle the flour mixture in an even layer over the top of the peaches, and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, until the peaches are bubbling and the topping is browned.

Pain Perdu

Smitten Kitchen

Last night I learned that French is among the Romantic languages in part because their words in most cases do not have literal meaning to us English speaking 'non-romantics'. My friend's very French fiancé Christophe schooled us on the French language having grown up in a small town somewhere outside of Lyon, France. He also schooled us on how to be funny... but I digress.

What I'm trying to say here is that French translations are mostly metaphoric in nature. Case in point - 'pain perdu' which in English means 'French toast'. 'Perdu' translated in English means 'lost' - so apparently to French folk - changing the physical state of an ordinary piece of bread (soaked in egg and fried) has caused such distress to the bread that it can only be described as 'lost'. Well, I can assure you the next time I eat French toast I'm going to gobble up every last crumb of it; at least it'll have a good home.  All that French toast talk last night has got me craving it this morning in a really big way. Check out this recipe I found at Smitten Kitchen for Crème Brûlée French Toast.  Mmmmmm!

Who is that guy in the photo you ask? That's the charismatic Frenchman himself, Christophe. He and my girl Lindsey live in this chic condo. I thought I'd take this opportunity to give you a peak at their lovely abode.

Perhaps my favourite part of their condo are the antique yardsticks mounted on the wall.  Definitely a conversation piece, but they plan on marking off the day, month and year on the yardsticks respectively to signify their wedding date.  Romantic right? Now, about that French toast...

J xx

Iced Flowers & Fruits

The Medestrian

Jonathan Fong Style

The Culinary Tribune

J xx

Too Good to Eat

Henna inspired cakes. Wow.

Dessert Girl

Panda bear sushi = amazing.

Pinterest

Baked from the heart. So pretty!

Wanelo

Owl Cookies. Hootilicious!

The Berry

Sheep cupcakes!

Martha Stewart

J xx

Lemon Lovely

Sunday Suppers

What Kate Ate

Heartbeatoz

Pinterest

Lou, Boos and Shoes

J xx

Shanghai Cowgirl: Legendary Grilled Cheese

When I think sinfully delicious food - I think Shanghai Cowgirl's grilled cheese sandwich with a side of slim-cut sweet potato fries.  The rock n' roll diner is a Queen West hot spot in downtown Toronto open late all week long.  I suggest you make every effort to go and order the havarti, jalepeno and avocado grilled cheese sandwich with garlic butter and tomato.  Don't forget the wasabi mayo for dipping.  You'll thank me big time!

J xx

Sprinkles are Sweet

 

Deborah Lippmann, 'Candy Shop' Nail Lacquer' 

How Sweet It Is, Cake Batter Martini

The Glitter Guide, White Chocolate Confetti Popcorn

J xx

From Hockey to Groceries

Maple Leaf Gardens, home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the National Hockey League from 1931-1999 was recently converted into a Loblaws supermarket. The faint hope for the revival of the treasured hockey arena is dead, but not without tribute.  Arena chairs were given to past season ticket holders as a souvenir, and an art installation in the form of a maple leaf made from arena chairs hangs on the entrance wall of the supermarket. Plus, center ice will live on in the condiments isle marked by a red dot on the floor.

I miss the arena, but I love the new supermarket - it's gorgeous! They have the largest assortment of food brands and products you can imagine. And there's a bakery, cheese wall, sushi bar, deli and patisserie, to name just a few. You could really spend an afternoon here and consider it time well spent.

J xx

Whoopie!

Wow!  These Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies make me giddy like a school girl.  The twirly sprinkle tops with fluffy cream filling make me want to devour them and rid the world of yet another sinfully delectable temptation.  These pies look phenomenal; I can only imagine how good they must taste.  Lucky for us, Heather from Sprinkle Bakes has shared her recipe on her blog.  It took Heather 10 batches to finally get the pie shells just right, so consider yourself extremely fortunate... You've just scored yourself a free pass to Whoopie heaven!

J xx