Weekend treats

Eat It: Warm Spinach Salad Recipe

This is my absolute favourite dinner for this time of year, when the weather is still chilly, but it’s distinctly springlike. Flower bulbs are just starting to poke up through the dirt, and I always start craving more green things, fresh things. I find it's still too cold to go for a wholly crisp salad dinner though, and I need something with a bit more substance and body.

this only lasted about 10 seconds after photo was taken

This is heavily inspired by a Martha Stewart recipe I came across a few months ago, but I’ve written it here as I make it. I've used sweet potato instead of baking potato to add more colour and flavour, cheddar swapped for fresh Parmesan, and balsamic vinegar because I find it's more versatile (I hate when recipes specify ingredients I'll never use again). I've also added fresh basil because I used some I had leftover this time and really liked. I can see a lot of other things blending with this well, like slices of onion or shallots, shredded carrot, or chopped mushrooms and peppers. Perfect for using up your fridge's odd bits!

The great thing about this recipe is that it's easily adapted to serve one or many—just make sure you have enough eggs on hand. I like to use free-range eggs because they're more flavourful, and this dish makes the most of every element.

Warm Spinach Salad with Sweet Potato
Serves One
Takes about 20 minutes to prepare

2 cups fresh spinach
Olive oil (roughly two tbsps)
1 medium sweet potato, cubed in dice-sized pieces
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
A few leaves of fresh basil, shredded
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
A handful of shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg

1. Heat up a tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan, and add the garlic and sweet potato. Season with salt and pepper. Put a lid on top of the pan to help the sweet potato cook faster. Cook, tossing occasionally, and add the basil after about 7 minutes. It should take about 15 minutes to cook overall.

2. To make the dressing, whisk the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard together in a small cup (I use a fork).

3. Toss the dressing with the spinach in a bowl. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheddar cheese on top of the spinach.

4. Once the sweet potato is cooked, layer it on top of the spinach and cheese. The spinach will become slightly wilted and the cheese will start to melt.

5. Fry an egg sunny-side up, so the white is set but the yolk is still runny. Place egg on top of the sweet potato.

Bon Appétit!

Stressful times

In times of stress I revert to a very OCD version of myself in order to force some order back into my life. I am currently in one of those times. When I am the busiest with school and work is when my room is clean, I am baking constantly, and washing my face regularly. (The effect of this is awesome, my skin is perfect.) Last night I did a face mask, and turned into a skeleton.

created using the animated gifs maker at MakeAGif

The following is a list of the top 10 things that you can do to decompress when you are feeling stressed.

1. Listen to Joni and Neil records. Canadian folk is very calming.

2. Paint your nails. Fingers and toes. Choose a light colour for spring! Today I used Essie's California Coral. 

3. Do laundry! There is nothing like curling up in freshly-clean sheets. Also, you are already stressed out and low on time. You don't need another reason to wear the same clothes for three days in a row.  

4. Do all those little hygiene things that you sometimes forget. Take off your makeup before bed! Floss! Brush your hair! Take the control back! I've been watching How to Be a Girl with Jane Feltes, and experimenting with eye makeup.

5. Make yourself congratulatory cups of tea when you have accomplished a task. Honey Bee from David's Tea is a great one. It doesn't have caffeine, but green maté, so it won't give you the jitters from drinking too much of it.

6. Go for a walk to clear your head. It may feel cold but it's going to be spring soon—get outside and get some fresh air. Go explore your neighbourhood! Stop thinking about all the work you have to do. You'll get it done. You might even see a cat outside and then your day will be better.

7. Eat properly. Don't go and get that Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich because you have no time. Your brain needs the right food. I would suggest oatmeal with fruit, lots of water, or even a sandwich with from fresh veggies. It is worth taking the time to make something. You will be able to think more clearly.

8. Make a list of everything that you have to do. You are probably building up all the tasks in your head. There are lots of hours in the day to get things done. By writing it down you'll stop having the responsibilities floating through your head all day.

9. If possible, get the work done somewhere where you enjoy spending time. I have a favourite coffee shop where I love to sit and work. Their Internet is always on the fritz, so I know that I can do there with writing or editing and I can get it done without checking my Twitter. They play records and make great cappuccinos. Acquaintances come in and out. After 5 hours I feel like I've accomplished something, not like I've had my soul sucked out of me.

10. Spoon someone! Cuddling really helps. If you don't have an SO than get a friend. If you don't have a friend, then a pillow will do.    

Feel free to share your stress-busting tips below! 


just read these awesome tips this morning, also very helpful

Style with Substance

Since becoming an avid vintage hunter, I've found myself less and less drawn to mass retailers like H&M. They're great for cute blouses and adorable accessories, but I don't often find myself lusting after their pieces. Their spring lines, including their new Conscious Collection, may change all of that.

All made using greener fabrics, such as Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, the collection is characterized by neutral whites and blush tones, romantic details like scallops and lace, and a huge selection of separates. I can definitely see myself living in these pieces come warmer weather.

All images via H&M's Conscious Collection press website

First their collaboration with Swedish Hasbeens, now this. H&M, what are you trying to do to my savings account?

The Conscious Collection hits H&M worldwide on April 14th, but do me a favour and wait a while to check it out. I don't need more competition at the racks.

PS. The Swedish Hasbeens drop April 20th—it's going to be a busy month.

Too busy

I am too busy for words these days! In the next two weeks I am finishing my last classes at school and many of my freelance projects are launching something new. I'll apologize now for my lack of interesting posts. Here is a spoiler of something I will write about when I have more time.

Just borrowed this book from my friend Jill and I can't wait to read it. I've already been looking at the pictures inside, and dreaming about Diana.

When I Grow Up

Personal style evolves outside of the trends Vogue deems fashionable at the moment, or beyond H&M's newest displays. The best fashion acts as a commentary on the times, a moveable artform that represents a reaction. It's unfortunate that so much of fashion (and the fashion economy) is driven by the 'necessity' of now—the latest cut, the trendiest colours, the newest shape—which I guess can be taken as a reaction to feel connected to something larger.

I find those with their own distinct style, honed from years of experimentation, the most exciting additions to style conversations. People that cultivate a look outside of the norm seem so brave to me, especially when it's paired with a sense of ease and openness. It's not necessarily about attracting attention, but it's about how a perspective can change the way you interact with the world. And that makes people with unique style, especially style that falls outside of what's expected, so inspiring.

via

In browsing through Advanced Style, a blog dedicated to stylish elders, I came across artist Victoria MacKenzie-Childs. While her technicolor hair is certainly eye-catching, what really draws me to her is her sunny disposition and warm interview—doesn't she just seem so kind?

via

I found it so interesting when she talks about first dying it, and how happy her colourful hair made everyone around her. Her response was, "This is my job now." I love the idea of sticking with a style based on enjoying what it provokes out of others. Her look encourages a sense of play, of lightness, and interaction. Her look encourages conversation, and challenges ideas of what hair should look like, and especially ideas of what old people should look like.

Maybe she was always so sweet, or maybe it's been years of delighted reactions to her hair that have made her such a confident and charming woman. When I grow up, I want to be brave and bold in my sartorial choices too. And I especially want to have laugh lines like hers, that run so deep and leave no spot unmoved when she smiles, lines that speak of a life well lived.

For more on stylish older women, watch this wonderful little video from Nowness, produced by Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style and filmmaker Lina Plioplyte, featuring stylish older women discussing style. Fearlessness! Let's embrace it girls, until we all become glamorous old dames like this crew.






Advanced Style: Age and Beauty on Nowness.com