Happy Days

I have a few reasons to celebrate lately, one being this article of mine on the Toronto Standard, the other being that Dan and I are going to be moving in less than 2 months! I feel like I'm on a roll. Here is some internet goodness that is bolstering my mood.

via loveraedar

I love grey cats with yellow eyes—they already look like aliens but this just pushes that envelope a little further.

via kennedyholmes

I miss the days when it was fashionable to be a total glamazon. Versace encompassed that whole look so well.

via saltwater

Isn't this beautiful? I just want to hang out here with a coffee and a good book. I've always wanted to grow my own fruits and veggies. One day I'll live on a farm and live the dream.

via thehairpin

Cheesy spinach casserole! If I was only allowed to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be this. Or meatball subs.

via ritaliefhebber

Perfect day-to-day outfit. And check out the beatiful Rita Liefhebber jacket! Swoon!

Things I Feel Very Conflicted About

Diet Coke
It's amazing, right? I grew up drinking Diet Coke, so it tastes so familiar, so comforting compared to regular Coke, in the same way that milk just tastes better than cream. But it's really bad for you. I mean like obesity-inducing, diabetes-causing, heart-attacking bad for you. But it's also amazing, especially the trashy version with lime. CONFLICTED.

Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now"
I know he's like, the embodiment of evil. I even hate that by listening to this song, it's being tracked on Last.FM  and Youtube and somewhere, my listens are being counted as a win for this colossal asshole. His parts aren't even very good. And probably if it hadn't had such great guest verses, I could move on. But shiiit, BUSTA. How does your mouth even MOVE that fast? I'm chalking this up to a case of assholes being good artists sometimes and not letting white feminist guilt get the best of me.

Ghosts
I actually don't feel that conflicted. What I feel is irrational certainty. I hate ghosts. I hate those fuckers so damn much, and I can't protect myself from them, and I hate it. I hate that I don't believe in an afterlife and yet I believe in ghosts. I hate that oxymoron within myself, but I must accept it because it's true and I encounter that part within me at least a couple times every day.

Money
I'm so good at spending it. Too good. I am highly skilled at spending. I wish spending money on great shit could be my job, because I'd be SO GOOD, and I'd get so much great stuff for such low prices that it would be unbelievable. But the problem is I can't do that with other people's money, only my own, so I'll be broke forever. I'll just dry my tears with all my great buys, I guess.

My Evening Routine
I've started trying to do my general appearance and health a solid and a) remove my makeup nightly, b) wash and moisturize my face, and c) floss. It's a long term goal that I have to keep making short term decisions about until it becomes habit, which it feels like will never happen. It feels like I'm going to have to be like, "Ugh, again?" every time I look in the mirror after brushing my teeth and so I feel like giving up then and there. It supposedly takes up to two months of daily repetition to form habits, and I'm already like, 10 days in. Go team happy skin and gums!

Game of Thrones
There's only one thing I feel conflicted about: why is everyone so goddamn young? I saw the HBO series like everyone else, and thankfully, they aged up most of the actors. Because, really? Daenerys Taragaryen is thirteen? I'm really enjoying the first book, but those details really weird me out and make me feel like a creep, especially during my morning commute.

One thing I don't feel conflicted about?

Weekends. Enjoy yours, everyone.

Mixtape: Faux-Winter Blues

It's been a while since we've shared what we're listening to, and the first day of March is as good a day as any. It's cold out there, and kind of snowy. Are we finally getting the winter that never came? I sure hope not. Here are the songs I've been listening to while trudging through the half-snow, wearing my second-warmest winter jacket, curling up in bed, and hiding from the elements.

Faux-winter blues

photo by Dan Epstein

Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison

White Light/White Heat - The Velvet Undergorund

Stay Away - Charli XCX 

You Hit Me Where It Hurt Me - Alice Clark

Pourquoi Pas Moi - Stella

All Around and Away We Go - Twin Sister

Paradisco - Charlotte Gainsbourg

Strollin After Dark - The Shades

I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes - Slim Whitman

Taboo - Gene Summers

Life and Soul of the Party - Mally Page

Ramona - Craft Spells

A Real Hero - College (feat. Electric Youth)

Editions of You - Roxy Music

Long Distance Lover - Fanny 

DOWNLOAD HERE!!!

Left Field

I suppose if anything could unite the list of things that are inspiring me lately, it's getting the details right: pairing the right colours, the right little flourishes, achieving a harmonious balance.

This bathroom popped up on my Pinterest a couple days ago and I've been dreaming of it ever since. The seafoam and rust colour combo, the standalone soaker tub (siiiiiiigh), and the massive stag head pretty much tickle all my homey bones. And guys! Guess what! It's a real place in Ireland that you can stay! Ballyvolane House of Cork, you're pretty alright.

I've been curious to try these Ballet Beautiful videos as a supplement to my ballet classes – my favourite upper body stretch is great for loosening my shoulders but I'd like to start strengthening all my parts more regularly. Has anyone tried these? Are they as good as they look?

I know, I'm cruel. But how's a gal supposed to focus on getting in shape for her short shorts when Smitten Kitchen goes around posting things like this fried egg sandwich with bacon and blue cheese, huh? Completely unfair, that's what it is. At least it's got veggies in it, I GUESS (but, oh yeah, they're tossed in bacon fat, uh huh).

I'm obsessed with the details of the new Scout & Catalogue Rorschach scarves – all those little hidden skeletons and kitten heads and butterflies captured in a silky, silvery neutral. To top it off, the duo behind Fieldguided did a beautiful job photographing S&C's boho, beachy vibe for the lookbook. (You can see the process to create the scarves here, and more shots from the lookbook here.)

As usual, the Purl Bee knocks one out of the park with this two-tone crocheted cowl. Once I finish the shawl that shall not end, this'll likely be the next thing I cast on. (Is it still called casting on when it's crochet? "Playing hooky?")

Being known as someone who's fairly fearless about wearing crazy nails means you get lots of nail tutorials passed your way. My favourite of late is this one from Refinery 29, based on a print from Rag & Bone 'cause it looks like knitting (thanks for the tip-off, Kim!) But dear lord, is it ever hard to do! I tried it, then ended up starting over and doing this beach blanket/licorice allsorts mani instead, because I was watching Khloe & Lamar and why complicate life further, you know? And then I animated it. Why? Seche Vite fumes, that's why.

As always, you can see what I'm digging in realtime on Pinterest.

Thrifting in Detroit

As you already know, I LOVE my Michigan shopping, especially when you can spend the afternoon in a handful of second-hand shops and flea markets and emerge with everything your heart desired for under $10. EXCEPT, one thing I had to leave behind was a piece that I know I've seen before but I barely have words to describe. Anyone who can help me with this gets 5 points. Picture like a balaclava but with the whole face uncovered, and a circle of faux fur around the top. I tried looking it up online but I'm having no luck, especially because I'm searching for a fashion balaclava with fur. Any recommendations? The closest thing I can find is this, but it was nicer, I swear.

via the loveship

On to my real finds, I got some great printed pants, and an anorak/rain jacket very similar to the one that I gave away last year.

These are so so soft, highwaisted, and less shapeless when I'm wearing them.

These are just like DUNGAREES! Workin' pants, you know? 

A little baggier, these pants have the most gorgeous print. 

Here's the print. 

I feel like I'd buy anything Misty Harbor. I love the plaid on the inside. 

And I also scored this beauty from Target, after falling in love with it online.

Also comes with a belt so it doesn't just look like a chic pillowcase. 

You know what else I got? This:

First time somoa eater here! They were caramelly and coconutty and delicious. They were everything.

And this:

Which is wonderful and never loses its flavour. All together it was a very successful trip south of the border.

Eat It: Taco Pizza

Remember last year, with the butter chicken poutine? How I nearly lost my damn mind? Well, it happened again. And it happened with butter chicken again, although this time it was PIZZA and it was so so so good. My friend Morrison made it and I swear, I reached nirvana. It really opened my eyes to the glorious versatility of the pizza crust. 

Well, this is not a butter chicken pizza recipe (although the jist of that is: butter chicken sauce instead of regular tomato. YOU’RE WELCOME). This is a taco pizza recipe, because I thought, “hey! A pizza crust is just like a big ol’ soft plate of nachos!” And guys, I might never go back. This might beat out real tacos for me, and that sounds like crazytalk, but it’s only crazytalk to someone who hasn’t tried taco pizza. Come on now – it’s time to become a believer.

I remembered to take a picture only after we had attacked –
the draw of the taco pizza was too strong.

Taco Pizza 

Serves three normal people or two hungry people 

From countertop to tabletop: 20 minutes 

Ingredients:
1 package of ground meat (I used turkey, but beef or soy would be equally delicious)
1 package of taco seasoning
1 pizza crust (my grocery stuff was out of fresh dough, so I used a pre-made crust)
At least 2 cups of shredded mozzarella (I used a little cheddar too)
1 quarter of a green pepper, diced
3 green onions, chopped

For Garnish:
Salsa
Sour cream
Avocado or guacamole
Fresh cilantro, chopped


1. If you’re using fresh pizza dough*, sprinkle down a little flour and roll it out. This is no time for thin crust, so go thick because your loaded pizza will need a solid base. A little cornmeal on the underside of the crust would probably just knock your socks off (but if you don’t have cornmeal, there’s no need to go hogwild and buy it – a little flour’ll do). I used a premade crust, so I just stuck it on the pan. Trust me, if this is your only option, just go for it anyway – the effect will still be amazing.

2. Brown your ground turkey, drain any excess grease, and follow the taco seasoning instructions. Usually they’re something like, “add a half cup of water and seasoning, then let simmer for 5 minutes.” Just do that. We’re not reinventing the wheel here. The only thing I’d recommend is not too let it get too dry – you want the meat to still be a saucy in the end.

3. Sprinkle a thin layer cheese on your crust to help keep this delicious mess together. When the taco turkey is ready, spread it thickly overtop, leaving only your crust for grabbin’ clear. Layer your veggies on top – I used green pepper and green onions, but hey! You might like to put diced tomato or corn or black beans or olives or jalapenos, if that’s your kinda thing. Listen to your heart and the contents of your pantry!

4. Sprinkle a thick layer of cheese overtop, then pop that baby in an oven preheated to 400°F. It should start looking good after about 5 minutes, then turn it up to broil for the last minute or two, so the top gets nice and browned.
* If you're using fresh dough, baking will take longer. Your oven should be turned up to about 450°F, and it'll probably take closer to 10–15 minutes.

5. Once your pizza’s baked and you’ve taken it out of the oven comes the hardest part – WAITING. Give it a couple minutes to cool down and stiffen up, so you won’t be trying to eat a burning, messy slice of goo. You’ve waited a few minutes? Okay, slice that pie up.

6. This is the step that took this pizza out of mere good territory and into the realm of greatness – THE TOPPINGS. I spooned a little salsa onto each slice, a couple small dollops of sour cream, a handful of fresh cilantro and a few slices of fresh avocado. Now dig in, you patient thing you – you’ve waited long enough. Eat it like a slice of pizza and bask in the deliciousness.

Bon appetit!