etsy: mother's day gift idea

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12-- about two weeks away! Wouldn't this print make the most wonderful gift? It's from one of my fav etsy shops, oh my deer, and is also available as a card and poster.

I love the verse's timeless, poignant message. Although I'm not religious, it appeals to my spiritual side.

What do you think?

p.s. I also like this card and this sweet vase.

loving... emerson's emerald dress

I've had a crush on the fashions from Emerson Fry (formerly Emerson Made) for some time now, but this emerald green dress trumps them all. Effortless, chic and easily worn with flat sandals or a pair of strappy heels, I'd like to bring it (and these) on my summer trip to Charleston - which by the way, procrastinator me hasn't even booked yet - surprise surprise (:

Hope you're having a fantastic week!

Dajana

style: my new fav tshirt

Y'all! I'd like to introduce you to my new fav tshirt. It's fantastic - soft material, doesn't hug your tummy and is made in Austin, Texas by the lovely Kacie from mamacase prints on etsy. I love this shirt and put it on soon as I got it in the mail - it's loose and comfy but still has a flattering fit.

Kacie specializes in original screen printed baby and kid shirts (love this one!) but also does custom adult orders. Make sure to check out her shop!

Happy Thursday!

p.s. Wondering why a Canadian girl has such an affinity for y'all? Well, it became one of my fav sayings after I visited Dallas in 1998. I had won a free trip to see Ricky Martin in concert.  Don’t judge (:  That's also the same time I tried my first ever deep fried Monte Cristo sandwich, served with a side of jelly. So good and yet so bad!

lucy's 7. and as sweet as ever.

Just look at that face! Is it any wonder that we couldn't resist welcoming her into our lives seven years ago?

She may have added 65 pounds to her frame, but she's just as lovable now as she was then.

Happy birthday sweet Lucy! You're going to the dog park today, birthday girl (:

p.s. I wasn't always keen on being a dog owner. Remember this post?

hello birthday!

I'm turning 38 today! And you know what? It feels pretty dang good (I seriously always thought old people just said that to feel better about life, but no, it's really true!). I’ve enjoyed each year of my thirties - even the challenging ones. I think it’s because I feel more settled in who I am and am more confident, secure, and creative than I ever was in my twenties. There are still plenty of things to figure out in your thirties, but it seems like there is less uncertainty and turmoil. And who doesn’t like that?

So how am I celebrating today? I took the day off from work, am getting my hair done (someone else shampooing your hair is the best gift!), will probably visit this place for a wee bit (ha!), and then I’m off to dinner at Sabor Divino with some of my favourite peeps. Choco-cayenne mousse, here I come!

I'm also looking forward to having lunch with my mom. Thanks to a great idea from my fav blog, A Cup of Joe, I'm bringing her flowers. She deserves it. After all, it was a life changing day for her, too.

Here's to another great year of thirties bliss! I have to make these last two count, y'know (:

p.s. Happy Easter weekend, friends!

loving... zara's online shopping

Did you hear the collective squeal of delight across Canada last week when Zara introduced online shopping? That was the sound of a bunch of very happy Canadians! And frankly, it's about time. There isn’t anything more annoying than finding something you really like online only to realize that shipping to Canada isn’t an option (this happens far too often, I think).

I've always loved Zara and am most excited about being able to buy shoes online (I already have a couple of pairs & couldn't be happier with how comfy & chic they are). I'm also not a huge fan of shopping in store. The larger shoe sizes always seem to fly off the shelves first and is it only me, or are their change rooms mini-sized?

Here are some of the things that made it into my first shopping cart:










If you haven't already heard, the prices are the same as in stores, there's free delivery if you spend $50+ (with eco-friendly packaging, no less) and you can make returns within a month at local stores or, and this is so cool, have them picked up from your digs at no charge. Plus, there’s a new app, too, so shopping on your smartphone or tablet is even more streamlined.

Have you shopped online with Zara yet? What did you think?

p.s. Happy weekend!!

holiday photos: banff & canmore

Sometimes a lady needs to leave the city for a short jaunt to the mountains with her husband. And really, who doesn't enjoy a jaunt that feels far-flung but actually doesn't require a plane ticket?

So, off we went last weekend on a three-day mini-getaway/road trip to Canmore and Banff. It was exactly what we needed (‘cause last week was a doozy, friends). The fresh mountain air was refreshing and revitalizing, and that never ending list of should, could & must dos from home instantly disappeared from my mind.

We rented a condo at the Falcoln Crest Lodge - explored Canmore and Banff, took long walks, rode the gondola at Sulphur Mountain (so fun!), ate good food, snuggled by the fire and relished in our time together... away from it all.

Here are a few photos of our trip, if you'd like to see...



The majestic scenery takes your breath away, doesn't it? We love this part of Alberta and can't wait to come back. During our trip, I secretly pretended we lived there. I'm such a dreamer (and a nerd).

Have you ever visited Canmore? Or Banff? Either way, here are some suggestions...

A mini travelogue:

• Ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola. It offers insane & exhilirating views of six mountain ranges.
• Eat at Bella Crusta. This Canmore eatery makes THE best focaccia chicken salad sandwiches.
• Try the smoked sweet potato cheesecake at Iron Goat in Canmore. Smoky sweet & delish!
• Have a beaver tail pastry smothered in nutella at Beaver Tails in Banff. So dang good.
• Visit Bow Falls. Just don't walk out onto the ice like I did. Poor Scott kept calling me back.  
• The gorgeous Banff Springs Hotel is definitely worth a look. Even if you're not staying there.  
• Keep your eyes open for wildlife. The deer, elk, birds and rabbits are all around you!
• Got a sweet tooth? Stop by the Banff Sweet Shoppe for all sorts of candies & fudge.
• Go dog sledding! Our tour was cancelled because of avalanche blasting. Drat! But we'll be back.
• Hike the Grassi Lakes Trail. An easy 4 km hike that leads to two stunning aquamarine lakes.
• And if you're in the mood for sharing, try Canmore's Tapas Restaurant. It's delicious & romantic (; 

eat: peanut butter & jam muffins

Peanut buttery muffins topped with sweet jam. This classic combo pretty much equals baked goods bliss in my brain. Seriously, this is grab-and-go breakfast at its finest (although I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!).

I made these tasty gems three times last week 'cause I’m kind of crazy like that. My family and friends loved them! And I'm pretty sure you and your family will too. The pb flavour isn’t overpowering at all - for those of you who aren't huge fans of the stuff.

This recipe hails from Rose Reisman's book, Family Favourites, just like the mini lasagna rolls I made here. Rose's cookbook has quickly become my new favourite. Highly recommend!

Here’s what you need to make them…

3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large ripe banana (about 1/2 cup)
3 Tbsp smooth natural peanut butter (I used Adam's)
1 large egg
2/3 cup low-fat sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp raspberry jam or jelly (I used a local raspberry/blackberry jam)

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Using a whisk or electric beaters, combine the oil, sugar, banana, peanut butter, egg, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat until smooth.
• In another bowl, combine both flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt with a wooden spoon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually and stir until the dry ingredients are just moistened.
• Divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Press gently in the center of each muffin to make an indent and place a small amount of the jam inside. And enjoy!

Hope you're having a great Friday, friends! And if not, I promise these muffins will cheer you right up (:

p.s. Are you a pb lover? Check out this fancy stuff.

wanderlust: charleston, sc

The winter months always have me feeling wanderlust. I'm seriously craving some adventure, peeps. I think it's that springtime is teasingly close. Plus, it's been four months since our trip to New York and I have the insatiable urge to go somewhere. Somewhere with heaps of good food, cool little neighbourhoods and interesting architecture. An ocean or sea nearby wouldn’t hurt either.

But I'm going to have to wait. You see, we're bypassing our winter holiday this year (last year's trip was amazing). First world problem, I know. There are two reasons why: 1) we surprised my parents with a trip to Jamaica for their 40th anniversary and 2) we're saving in order to renovate our 1950s kitchen (so happy about this!).

Thankfully, this temporary travelling sabbatical hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about how I'd like to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in June. Scott and I have thrown around the idea of going back to New York (which we LOVED!) and San Francisco (where we celebrated our 5th anniversary), but the main contender may just be Charleston, South Carolina. Yep, the South is calling my name, y’all.

While researching Charleston, I happily discovered that it’s the No. 1 tourist destination not only in the U.S., but it's also the top travel city on the planet, according to these guys. The eating is damn good there, too. I'm especially looking forward to super fresh seafood and lowcountry classics. The menu items at this charming local spot are already calling my name (in particular the fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, succulent fried chicken, gooey macaroni and cheese & squash casserole). And I’m not leaving Charleston without trying the famous 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake at the Peninsula Grill, which, apparently, has become the cake-of-choice for Charleston brides and Martha Stewart.

While we’re in that neck of the woods, we thought we might pop on over to Georgia and visit the quaint beach town of Tybee Island. I learned about Tybee while watching HGTV's House Hunters International one day (love that show!). A funky young New York couple bought a summer home in Tybee and now, just like them, I'm completely smitten with the place and its chill seaside vibe.

So, the nerd in me will continue to research  and dream of a southern summer getaway.

And if you’ve been to either of these places, please let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Thursday, friends! So happy the weekend is almost here (:

Dajana

Images from here, here and here.

eat: banoffee pie

The English love their banoffee pie. It's one of the most popular desserts in the UK and now it's one of mine, too.

As you may have already guessed, banoffee is a combo of bananas + toffee (dulce de leche). These two ingredients pile onto a cookie crust under a blanket of whipped cream. Sometimes it's topped with dark chocolate shavings. Sometimes not. Personally, I think the chocolate is a necessity (:

After making it myself, I really think the Brits are on to something. This luscious pie is delicious and oh-so-easy to make.

Here's what you need to make it...

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuit crumbs)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup dulce de leche (dulce de leche is a Latin American caramelized milk confection & is available at many grocery and specialty food stores. You can also use Eagle Brand dulce de leche flavoured condensed milk)
3 ripe bananas (cut into 1 cm slices)
1 1/4 cups of whipping cream
Dark chocolate shavings (I used Bakers dark choco)

• Combine the crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press the mixture with a spoon on the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate with a removable bottom. Bake in a 350 F oven until firm, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on rack.
• Spread dulce de leche on cooled tart. Arrange bananas over top. 
• In a large bowl, whip the cream (you can add a spoonful of sugar) until it peaks. Spread over the bananas and top with the grated chocolate.
• Cover and refrigerate for two hours before serving. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 12 hours.) Once cut, the edges may be a little crumbly, but that's the charm of banoffee pie. Serve chilled to very happy people.

See, it really is the easiest pie ever! Don't be surprised if I bring this to your next potluck.

Happy Saturday, peeps!

Dajana