Bon Weekend.

Drake da type to cha cha wearing a turtleneck.  And I'm feelin' ALL.OF.IT.

Interior stylist goddess Emily Henderson's first published book, "Styled," hit the stands the same week she welcomed a sweet baby girl in to the world!  This weekend I'm just going to go ahead and read this cover to cover novel-style.

My most favorite picture of the Trudeau family waiting and watching, watching and waiting election coverage.  It looks like they could be in their own living room, with the kids all non-matching, not done up and completely disinterested; it's perfect.

Forget boring Chris Martin, I am FEELING this woman's hair.  Alexa Chung has officially been bumped, this Annabelle Wallis is my new hair inspiration. 

I'm lusting over these gorgeous handmade earrings.

I know I'm one of many YEG food enthusiasts who will be recreating Chef Daniel Costa's recipe recently published in Western Living Magazine.

While this isn't a newly released album, I always get excited when I happen to scroll on to Stromae's "Racine Carrée."  "Alors on Dance" can always get me moving.

Anything by David Sedaris makes me smile.  Have you seen how he autographs his books, there's a whole Facebook post on his fan page dedicated to how he signs his books?

Bon Weekend.

With Thanksgiving behind us, we now have the two biggest events of the year in our household that both happen to be right around the corner: Halloween and Xavier's Birthday (respectively) just a few days apart.  These are arguably the most import events in Xavier's life right now.  Those that know us well, know that you can roll in on any given day, say July 27th, and our house will have every. single. halloween. costume/decoration/treat. pulled out and spread across the entire place.  I guess you could say we (are forced to) take Halloween rather seriously.  Admittedly, I am entirely OK with this and Xavier holds me very accountable to the success of these events **note beads of sweat have begun to form on my brow**.  This weekend is entirely devoted to costume prep and building then planning little Mister's bowling/halloween costume birthday party.  Yes, you read that correctly bowling party where everyone gets to sport their costumes one more time!  Pretty cute, non?  But for now *sigh* here are a few gems from around the inter-web.

I read Anjelica Huston's memoir "Watch Me" this past spring while on vacation in Mexico.  I don't recall sharing how amazing I thought it was, this is a perfect snuggle up read with a great glass of pinot noir.

There's a solid chance this will become my go-to "just because" cake recipe.  I cannot wait to make and devour it this weekend!

The darling Carey Mulligan shows us her New York.

The eyebrow pencil that changed it all and a quick tutorial using (similar) products you likely already have at home.

Tame Impala's new album full of synth-y beats will be on repeat all weekend.

This is the design inspiration (minus the gorgeous crib) for my bedroom makeover I've begun to tackle.

I came across this article on a friend's Facebook page and found it completely fascinating.  While Xavier is generally always up to trying new foods, it seriously got me reflecting on whether or not kids are given enough time to eat at school?

The boots I cannot live without from October through March.  And yes, the sizing chart is worth paying attention to.

Have you got Jays fever?  This article is completely fascinating.

Pub-Style Buffalo Chicken Wings with Old School Earls Parm Dip

One of my favorite adult outings is heading to the local pub for cheap beer and wings.  For my birthday this year, my request was simple: Take me to the horse races, and then treat me to wing night at the pub!  My kid also loves saucy, spicy, sticky chicken wings as much as I do which translates to a mealtime win for all but no one gets to go to the pub!  Here's the thing though, getting pub grub right at home isn't always easy, especially given that what makes it taste so good is that it's usually coming straight out of an industrial size deep-fryer.  Think potato skins, poutine, fish n' chips, and the aforementioned chicken wings.  Back in the day when I'd attempt eat-in (baked) chicken wings they'd come out soggy with rubbery skin and absolutely nothing like what I was craving from the pub of the 35 cent each variety.  Regardless of how much I played with the temperature of the oven or at what point I dressed the wings, I just couldn't get it right.  While I do have a deep-fryer, I'm rarely (translate: never) inspired to pull it out, tolerate the fryer oil odour and least of all, deal with the clean-up.  It's oven or bust.  Introduce the Alton Brown method.  The LIFE CHANGING Alton Brown method of cooking PERFECT, CRISPY, SAUCY, pub-style chicken wings.  What's so miraculous about this method, you ask?  Steam.  Essentially, you steam cook the wings in order for excess fat to melt off (if only it were that easy, amiright?) and then you're left with skin that will easily crisp up once the wing hits a high-heat oven.  Genius.  Thank you, Alton!  To take it up a notch, and why not, a remake of Earls' parmesan dip.  This people, is eat-in pub grub done right.  

For the Crispy Pub-Style Chicken Wings

Slightly adapted from Alton Brown's Buffalo Wings

Serves 4 peckishly or 2 ravenous adults + 4.75 year old

What you'll need:

• 14-16 chicken wings, doesn't matter if they're split or not
• 3 oz. melted butter
• ¼ c. Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• 1-2 cloves minced garlic (to taste preference) + 3 cloves minced for Parm Dip (I say mince all at once, no need go through this step twice)
• 1 tbps. white vinegar
• ½ tsp. kosher salt

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 425° and adjust oven racks to ensure there's one in the middle of the oven.
• Prepare a large rimmed cookie sheet and cover well with aluminum foil (I do the aluminum foil for quick clean up), then lay paper towel across the bottom of the sheet on top of the foil.
• Find the saucepan that has the steamer basket and tight-fitting lid.  Here you'll add a few inches of water to the saucepan, cover and bring this to a boil.
• While the water is coming to a boil, split your chicken wings.  I personally don't mind keeping the tips of the wings attached, but you could just as easily trim them and keep them for making stock at a later time.
• Once the water has come to a boil, working in batches, you'll want to lay your wings and drumsticks in the steamer basket.  Cover pan and steam for 10 minutes.  You don't want to overcrowd or overlap them as you'll want the steam to move well throughout the pan.  As you work in batches, be sure to check your water levels as you don't want to boil your pot dry. 
• After you've steamed off all of your chicken wings, you can either refrigerate them for up to an hour as you prepare your sides, or they can go straight into the oven.  Here you'll just want to consider when to preheat your oven.
• Replace the paper towel with parchment paper and then space out your chicken wings on the pan.  I like to give my wings a bit of space and avoid them from touching.  Pro-tip: Don't skip this step, the chicken sticks relentlessly to the foil and as the chicken is so tender, as you go to turn the pieces you'll leave all but the bone stuck to the foil.
• Roast chicken wings for 20 minutes, turn wings over and cook for another 20 minutes.
• During the second interval of cook time, you can put together the wing sauce.  
• In a large bowl whisk together the melted butter, hot sauce, minced garlic, vinegar and salt.  Set aside till wings are ready.
• Remove wings from the oven and toss them in the bowl with the prepared sauce.  Serve immediately.

Split wings (I don't both removing the tips). There's zero pretty about raw chicken.

Steamed wings.  There's absolutely even less pretty about steamed chicken.

Cooling wings on paper towel.

Roasted chicken pre-saucing.

Hot, steamy, saucy wing perfection! 

For the Earls (style) Parmesan Dip

This is a rough adaptation from the restaurant classic dip that is served with their chicken wings, and if you are in the know, always alongside their rosemary pan bread.  While I've looked at various recipes online, I haven't landed on anything where exact measurements have yielded anything much better than my *rough* throw together method.

What you'll need:

• ⅓ c. sour cream
• ⅓ c. mayo
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ c. grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. malt vinegar
• Pinch dried oregano
• Fresh ground pepper to taste

What to do:

• You can either throw all ingredients in a blender for a smoother dip, or mix by hand in a medium size bowl for a more textured dip.  Adjust ingredients to taste preference.  Pro-tip, when tasting dressings or dips, try and taste with whatever vessel is carrying the dip or dressing (i.e. have carrot sticks on hand or some washed lettuce), your tastebuds will interpret the flavors differently than if you just dunked your finger.

My obsession with Levi's 501s

Just try and tell me there's a sexier pair of jeans than Levi's 501s.  Seriously, just try.  I assure you, the minute you slide into a pre-loved pair, hike them up nice and fit around your natural waist and that zipper (or button fly) that seems to go on and on, you'll be forever changed.  You will have a new (old) denim allegiance.  Now, I'm officially a pusher.  After a full year's worth of frustrating trips to Value Village and the Goodwill in search of denim perfection, I finally succumbed to the fact that they've been pillaged from thrift stores to be flipped out of bigger outlets.  Fine, I have to pay $30 at a vintage boutique instead of $7, I can live with that.  Since adding a couple pairs to my wardrobe, every "What the heck do I put on today?" dilemma has been solved.  They have become my fashion salvation.  Now go forth in search of denim bliss.  

A few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect pair of vintage 501s:

• Accept that these jeans have had a life before you, you're just their next incarnation.  Embrace the fact that each of them will look and feel different and the imperfections are what make them amazing.  In my experience the faded, light blue denim is the easiest to find, and in my not-so-humble opinion are also part of the quintessential look and vibe.
• After you've scoured the rack, try on a variation of sizes.  In other words, don't trust the size label.  Inseam is inseam and can easily be altered if need be.  Getting the waist just right is the real mission here.  Go for it though, where them low and baggy, wear them high and tight, they'll look bomb either way.  There's that old tried and true trick for sizing out denim where you take the waist of the denim and wrap it around your neck, if the denim meets or overlaps at the back of your neck, they should fit, if the denim doesn't touch, they're likely too small.
• Prices will range.  In vintage boutiques I've seen them anywhere from $29 to $163.  I've looked on Etsy.com but have had a hard time committing to buying vintage jeans without being able to try them on.  Ultimately, they'll end up choosing you.

Once you've landed your perfect pair, the possibilities are endless.  Here are a few amazing looks to inspire...

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Bon Weekend: Édition Thanksgiving

This weekend we're headed to a chalet resort in Golden, B.C. for a Thanksgiving Family Reunion!  This section of my family is spread all over B.C., with us in Alberta and as far-reaching as Montréal.  It's a rare and special opportunity to be able to come together for four days.  It's also the first time that some of our new 'lil guy additions (next gen cousins) get to meet!  This weekend has warm layers, great meals, day hikes, mucho vino, hearty laughs and people soup (read: hot tubs) in store.  This Thanksgiving I am beyond grateful for the abundance of love and warmth I have in my life.  Wishing you and yours a Thanksgiving full of love and plenty.  But for now, here are a few gems from around the inter-web.

My Thanksgiving weekend uniform.

My "dressy" Thanksgiving weekend uniform.

The family reunion has each family pod responsible for a meal, naturally my Mom and I jumped at the chance to "host" the Thanksgiving dinner.  We're doing baked hams, locally made cabbage rolls (like a good Albertan should), kale + autumn fruit salad with soft and pudgy dinner rolls.  Getting back to the start of the show, the ham, a few years back I came across this honey-and-rye glaze, which how irrevocably referred to as MY ham glaze.  It's a game-changer, I tell you.  Baked ham is a game-changer.  I can't think of a simpler more gratifying meal to put together for those I love.  

You can't have ham without patates dauphinoise.  Here, Jamie nails it.

For a long road trip, I love audio books.  A while back, we'd roll with anything by David Sedaris (he's great on audio, by the way and EXTRAORDINARY live!).  These days, with the little mister in the backseat (who doesn't miss a thing), I think we'll go for the darling story of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon.  If you haven't read (or listened) it's a must, and perfect for holiday weekend quiet time.

Being shacked up in a chalet, where bathroom time is a currency, imma just go ahead and reach for my Fresh.Hair.

Current knit mood has me feeling holiday knit gifts.  I'm working on these, these and these for all my beloved!

This is the weekender bag I'm pining over.

Bon Weekend.

I love a slow transition into fall.  The chillier, almost electric mornings that lead into warm afternoons where you can still get away wearing your birks, and then finally enjoying your dinner at dusk.  This weekend is jam-packed with tasks and chores that make summer feel like a distant memory and the certainty of cold days ahead seem all too inevitable.  The good news?  There's a whole lot of beer and brats to fill the month of Oktober.  If you're looking for me this weekend, I'll be putting away the summer loungers with a slight hefeweißbier buzz on with plenty more amber bottles in the fridge should you care to drop by.  But for now, here are a few gems from around the inter-web.

Just over two weeks to go to take a position and have a voice!  "Explore how you fit in Canada's political landscape" using CBC's Vote Compass.  

Do you plant bulbs in the fall?  If you haven't, and you have the space, it's a lovely ritual for end of season gardening, all with the promise of color relatively soon after the snow melts in the spring.

Lupita Nyong'o talks braiding and friendship.

My everyday fall coat.

For whatever reason, none of my tomatoes ripened on the vine this year.  I had pounds and pounds of green tomatoes that I had to do something with.  This green tomato salsa did the trick.

Artisanal firewood, for that special someone.

Lainey, hair narcissism, and an act of love.

My current pedicure mood.

#woopfinished my Little Giants T-Shirt just in time for fall layering to commence!

The most haunted places in my neighbouring province.  This has given tourism in B.C. a whole new realm (mind the pun) of possibilities!  

"In Color", Jamie XX album that I waited and waited and waited for.  XOXO to Jamie XX for hittin' it just right.

Warming Pork Curry with Perfectly Sweet Coconut Rice

My high school crush was Jamie Oliver.  Yes, I dreamed of him spotting me while I carefully selected produce at the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, being instantly drawn to me, and insisting he take me to my high school grad.  And then, obviously, whisking me off to London and have his little Jamie Oliver babies.  Clearly, this isn't how life panned out, but what I will say, is though my crush on Jamie waned, my gratitude for what his TV series and cookbooks have taught me has not.  Aside from my Mom, he was the one that made me feel cooking was an accessible skill to me.

I have eleven Jamie Oliver cookbooks, and the reason why even my oldest one (Sweet Sixteen Birthday Gift, circa 1997) remains accessible in my kitchen is because I've found comfort in the fact that his recipes are less about exactitude and more about learning and understanding a method.  My exploration with curries has been no exception, once you've got a quick method down you can play with your protein and add a variety of vegetables (or not), but there's always the promise of a wonderfully hearty and satisfying meal that can come together with very little effort (or skill).  This recipe is just that; here's a method and adjust as you please.  Further to this point, there are countless types of curries.  The term curry just refers to a combination of chilies, herbs and spices that yield a deep, intense flavor and aroma.  This recipe is a launchpad for you to explore what tones in curry flavours you enjoy (tikka, korma, thai green...).  Here, you have a one pot wonder (save the rice pot) that has layers upon layers of flavor added in an order that is totally forgiving.  If you haven't tried your hand at putting together a curry, consider this a great initiation recipe!

For the Warming Pork Curry

Adapted from Jamie Oliver's Chicken Korma recipe, in "Jamie's Food Revolution"

Serves 4-6

What you'll need:

• Anywhere from a 1¾ to 2½ lbs. pork tenderloin, chunked in inch by inch by inch pieces (essentially you just want the pieces roughly the same size)
• 2 medium onions or three small onions, sliced in half moons
• Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• Bunch of fresh cilantro, leaves picked and set aside, stalks finely chopped
• 1 green chile, seeded and chopped (I typically use a serrano chile)
• 1 x 19 oz. can of chick peas (aka garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
• ½ jar of your favorite curry paste, as Jamie does, I use Patak's
• 1 x 400 ml. can of coconut milk
• 2 handfuls of sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 handful of sliced almonds, plus extra for serving
• Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
• A few glugs of vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp. butter

What to do:

• Do not concern yourself with exact quantities here.  You'll get there, and with this combination of ingredients it's tough to disappoint.  As you continue to make curries you'll start to learn how much heat you like, the level of sweetness your palate desires, and the heartiness of dish you want.
• In a large pan warm your oil and allow the butter to melt.  Add your sliced onions, ginger, cilantro stalks, and green chile.  
• On low heat, allow the ingredients to meld together until you onions are translucent.  This will take about 10 minutes.  Careful not to burn the ginger or onions.
• Once the onion mixture has moved the translucent phase, add curry paste and meat.  Stir till meat and onion base so they are covered and slick with curry paste.
• Add can of coconut milk along with a can-ful of water, sliced almonds and shredded cocounut.  Stir and bring to a simmer.
• Allow curry to simmer for about 30 minutes uncovered.  You'll want to avoid a heavy boil as this could toughen the meat.
• After 30 minutes of simmering, give the curry a taste, here you'll want to adjust salt and pepper to your taste preference.  Too, this would be the time to add more shredded coconut if you desired a sweeter curry, keep in mind that the rice will have a sweetness to it as well.
• Add chick peas and continue to simmer uncovered.  Now move on to the rice.

For the Perfectly Sweet Coconut Rice

Adapted from Jamie Oliver's Light and Fluffy Rice recipe, in "Jamie's Food Revolution"

What you'll need:

• 1-1½ c. basmati rice or long grain white rice (1 c. for 2-4 people, 1½ c. for 4-6 people)
• 1 handful of sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ tsp. salt

What to do:

• Find the pot in your set that has the steamer basket along with a tight-fitting lid.
• To that pot, fill halfway with water and bring to a boil. 
• As the water is coming to a boil, in a fine-meshed sieve or colander rinse your rice till the water runs clear, this could take a full minute or two. 
• Add salt to boiling water then add rinsed rice, turn heat to med-high and give a few stirs.  Once you start to see the rice grains come the surface and bounce around, set your kitchen timer for 5 minutes.  Go ahead and stir the rice a few times during this 5 minute period.  
• From here, drain the rice directly into the steamer basket and rinse out pot into the steam basket to loosen any stuck pieces of rice, don't sweat this though, whatever stays on the pot washes easily.  Let basket of rice stand for about 30 seconds.  Refill pot with an inch or so of water and return to heat.
• Put steamer basket back over pot, add your handfuls of shredded coconut and secure lid.  
• Steam rice for 10 minutes.
• Remove rice from heat and put a piece of paper towel under the lid and let stand for about 10 minutes before fluffing the rice.
• Fluff rice and serve!

When I make curry, I generally have the table set with a bowl of plain yogurt, some lemon wedges, cilantro leaves and sliced almonds.  Pro-tip, if you or anyone at your table find there's too much heat to the curry, the yogurt is very cooling.  For Xavier I automatically stir a big dollop of yogurt right in to his serving.

My Survival Guide to a Little One's Sick Day

Xavier is nearly five, and though we've been through our fair share of flus, colds and rashes, seeing him throw up, run a fever or tolerate a painful cough is always completely heart-wrenching and I don't suspect it'll ever get easier.  I ache for each of his little aches and try and remember that every one of these little bugs serves a greater purpose in building up that immune system.  That's exactly where I'll stop with anything medically related.  And here's where I'll start with some of my tips and tricks to smooth the ride.

Over the years I've found that there are a few small things that can go a long way.  Now, when there's a cough creeping in or a series of complaints about belly aches I immediately default to my arsenal, my tried and true for making my wee one feel even just a bit better.

1. Laundry fresh pyjamas.  When we're at home sick, our days are spent in our pyjamas.  Generally, when a little one wakes up feeling unwell, they've been uncomfortable, sweating or have been sick overnight.  The first thing I like to do is strip off last night's pyjamas, give my little guy a once over with a warm facecloth and change him into fresh-out-of-the-dryer pyjamas.  Nothing beats cuddling your little one who smells of fresh laundry.  It certainly doesn't hurt to do the same for yourself either.
2. Often, appetites can come and go when a little one's under the weather and for me, there is nothing I find more upsetting than when Xavier doesn't eat.  Deep down I know he won't let himself go hungry, but for someone who takes great pride in seeing her four year old match her bite for bite during most meals, this is completely unnerving.  To make him (and me) feel better I'll make batches of popsicles.  Yes.  Popsicles.  Years ago I discovered the Zoku IcePop Maker and since then I have come to believe it is absolutely worth its weight in gold.  **Pro-tip, it's also great for taking care of all those nearly-turned berries I buy by the truckload throughout the season.
3. A fresh batch of The Best Ever Playdough.  Always and forever playdough.  I posted this recipe a while back, and can say in all honesty, this recipe cannot be improved upon.  This can be made as a team or it's something that you can whip up in five minutes.  
4. A couple tested and approved cleaning tips.  But seriously, blue gatorade vomit is not easy to get out of a wool rug.
5. Our all-time family favorite movie: "Fantastic Mr. Fox."  Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox," that is.  This is a win-win, I love watching it as much as Xavier does.
6. A generous pour of your favorite wine to wind down the day once there's another set of adult hands ready to take the next shift.

At the very least, out of these days will come a hours filled with cuddles, kisses and closeness which suits me just fine.  If you have any sick day pro-tips of your own, I'd love for you to share in the "Comments" section!

Bon Weekend. Édition First of Summer.

I've been MIA and I'm back just in time to sign off for the weekend!  This is absolutely, without a doubt my summer mentality.  Every day needs to buzz like a Saturday day, every night needs to linger like a Friday night, every meal needs to be savoured as a Sunday lunch. The garden's in, summer projects are in full swing and the calendar's filling up with all sorts of fun get togethers with friends and family.  For me, the surest sign of feeling like summer's really here is the need to go blonde.  That, and I want to throw just about every food on the grill.  What's your first-of-summer ritual?  For now, here are a few gems from around the inter-web.

So this blonde isn't going to just take care of itself.  This amazing leave-in conditioner spray has completely changed my relationship to getting my hair combed through, it actually happens now.  Next, heat protection and environment protection.  This stuff is like liquid gold for hair.  I've been using it now for a couple years and will never, ever give it up.  You can find Young.Again on pretty much every Must-Have list for hair care.  Praise.

Seu Jorge- The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions album is what I have on high rotation.  Yes, this is the Brazilian musician that serenades us all over the Belafonte.  And has most recently been serenading me while I plant my gardens.

I'm not going to let a potential global shortage of Prosecco ruin my summer, I'll just move on to Cava.

My current knit project from Wool and the Gang.  I think this'll be the perfect bag for pool days and farmer's market trips.  #knitwiththegang

This dessert tastes like the best of summer to me.  It's a simple, quick, throw together that is perfectly suited to a backyard bbq.  A store bought angel food cake does the trick here while toasting it gives homemade warmth and flavor. 

YEG made National Geographic's list of Best Summer Trips for 2015!  Related: If you haven't grabbed your tickets for FIFA Women's World Cup 2015, there's still time!  These women have got it going on.

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake, I'm almost afraid to make you.  

Yes, I did go YouTube searching for tutorials on the best way to cut high-waisted jeans into shorts.  And yes, I found some helpful tips to get the cut I wanted to achieve.  I'll save you the pain of this entire vid and just mark the pointers: 3:30, the half-circle cut in the front.  4:17, no booty shorts, 4:51 "So unless, you're like, the Jesus of high-waisted shorts...," 5:00, no booty shorts, 5:23, the home stretch, 6:04, stop watching.

Edmonton's gone sans fire.  Get the word out, friends.

Bon Weekend: Édition Year of the Sheep.

For those of you out there celebrating the Chinese New Year, I wish you health, luck and prosperity. The year of the Sheep is upon us and my authority on the matter is Lainey's mother, The Squawking Chicken.  According to her, we're in for a gentler year as compared to last, which was the year of the Horse.  Where last year felt competitive and intense, this year is about taking care of one another, togetherness, and valuing creative enlightenment over monetary growth.  Me, I'm not washing my hair till Sunday (that's Wednesday to Sunday.  A hair evolution from a blow-out, to a headband, then a braid, next to top knot, then finally to a hat.  And I'm not sweeping my floors either, you don't want to wash or sweep away any of the luck that may have found you, would you?  Again, in the opinion of the Squawking Chicken, just to be on the safe side, make a dentist appointment or get your cholesterol checked to keep bad luck at bay.  But for now, here are some little gems from around the inter-web.

What's in store for you the Year of the Sheep?  Steve Jobs, Mick Jagger and Kris Jenner are all born the Year of the Sheep.  

My homegirl Lainey picked up another gig at Flare Magazine and is talking "selfies."

I fully intend to read Thomas Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd" before I see the beautiful Carey Mulligan in the film adaptation.

This roasted broccoli recipe is a go-to lunch or late night snack I find comforting.  Often, I'll make a quick yogurt dip with some minced garlic, a good squeeze of lemon juice, lots of salt and pepper and go to town on this dish (paired with a nicely chilled glass of viognier, what could be better?).  I also love how blogger Luisa Weiss titled it "From the Trenches," maybe therein lies the comfort? 

I absolutely love waking up to a tidy kitchen, it's just all the stuff you have to do at night that messes with my steez.

Time to start scouring the house for all my favorite vessels and vases.  I'm absolutely ready to start getting my indoor bulbs planted.

Alexa Chung shows you how to do the perfect cat eye.  Can't say I'd buy the Eyeko pen again (it dried out really quickly) but I've had great luck with Superslick liner from MAC.

Bar none, hands down, without a doubt, I am most excited to see Rosamund Pike walk the red carpet at the Oscars.  I am completely obsessed with her style.  While others hated, I LOVED her black rosebud Dior dress for the SAG awards.

P'tits Chou DIY for Slime and the Best Ever Playdough

A couple weeks back it was frigid and unwelcomely cold outside.  Even the beagle could barely stand to go out for a pee let alone Xavier or I lasting more than five minutes at the toboggan hill.  Needless to say, the days felt a little long and we were coming down with a bout of cabin fever.  We built, modified and rebuilt our favorite Lego sets, we did laundry, we read, we tidied, we did puzzles, and we indulged in a little too much Netflix.  Then comes the time where we need to liven things up, the outcome is always the same: we make a batch or two of our most favorite, tried and true, delicious smelling Best Ever Playdough.  And then we hit the internet looking for the next best thing to create, build, or eat (which is mostly for me).

When looking for fresh and stimulating ideas for play I have three criteria that must be met: 1) Xavier must be able to participate in the process, 2) It has to keep him busy for at least double the time it took to put together and, 3) The project must unreservedly be quick to clean up.  Our absolute best discovery during the deep freeze was SLIME!  While all my criteria was met, one problem ensued.  I couldn't stop playing with the slime.  It was everything I could have hoped for and more when it comes to tactile play.  There was no mess (save a few dishes) and it stores and keeps easily (we're going on three weeks now for two of our batches).  We made yet another batch today and I got to thinking how much fun it would be to give all the measured ingredients, packaged as a little kit, as a gift?  We have a birthday party this weekend for a little buddy and we're going to do just this!  I'll be sure to post pictures to my Instagram page of how the gift comes together!

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Slime aka Squish (Xavier's name for this stuff)

I can't say enough how much fun this simple project is.  Sensory play meets SCIENCE!  It's like a two for one except I have no idea what the science is.  If there's someone out there that knows, please feel free to enlighten me.

What you'll need:

• Food colouring (the Club House brand makes really awesome neon food colouring which we used)
• 4 oz. bottle of white craft glue (we used the Dollar Store brand and it worked like a charm.  Some recipes call for Elmer's brand, I say I like spending only a dollar)
• One medium sized glass bowl and one smaller glass bowl
• A tablespoon (your regular flatware works just fine here, no panic)
• 1 ½ c. water
• 1 tsp. Borax (this is widely available in Canada, I bought mine at Safeway.  If you've never bought this, don't panic at the size of the box if you go out to purchase exclusively for this DIY, I love using the stuff in my laundry)
• 1 medium or large size zip lock baggie for storage (just use whatever you've got)
• An eager little helper that can stay focused (or not) for five minutes
• Optional, a glass of white wine for the adult participant.  This could be a reward of sorts for feeling like parent of the year for making this mind-blown-awesome DIY

What to do:

• In the smaller glass bowl measure 1 tsp. of Borax and add ½ cup of warm water.  Stir till dissolved.  Set aside.  Don't use the same spoon in the following step.  
• Pour the 4 oz. bottle of craft glue into the larger glass bowl.  Add 8-10 drops of food colouring to the glue.  Mix till the color is evenly blended with the glue.  Add 1 cup of warm water.  Mix thoroughly.  Take a full minute with this step to ensure everything is evenly mixed.  You shouldn't see streaks of the glue or color.  If you do, keep mixing.  This is where the little helper comes in handy.
• Add the Borax mixture to the glue mixture including the undissolved little bits at the bottom of the bowl.  Count to ten with your little helper to let it set up for a sec.
• You'll see the slime starting to form.  Using a spoon, pull the liquid from around the edges of the slime in to the center of the bowl.  You'll know what I mean as you're doing it.  In my experience of making four whole batches, the more you work the slime here the better it'll come together/turn out.  Once you've got a good mound going in your bowl, make a claw with your hand and really work it, massage it, knead it.  As soon as it seems the slime isn't puling in anymore water it's ready.  Pour excess water away.
• Et voilà, Slime!  Now start the process all over again so you have your own batch to play with.

Water added to glue and food colouring.

Borax mixture added to glue mixture.  Here's where you give it a sec to set up on its own.  You'll see it starts to pull itself together.

The claw.  In this batch there was no excess of water.  In my prior three batches there was some excess water in the bowl that I just drained.  I think using the warmer water made the difference; the Borax mixture dissolved better as did the glue mixture.

Little hands are big helpers.

It spreads...

And then it sets up... It's Slime!

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For the Best Ever Playdough

This playdough is full on sensory play.  It smells fantastic and has a squishy feel that doesn't leave your hands mega gritty from the salt.  If this playdough is kept in an airtight container and stored quickly after play, I've managed to keep it around for about two weeks.  

This playdough + cookie cutters + kids craft scissors + a butter knife = A solid half hour of great, creative play (aka just enough time to get caught up on Lainey Gossip).

What you'll need:

• Medium sized pot
• Wooden spoon
• 1 package of your favorite Kool Aid 6 g. Drink Mix packet
• 1 c. flour
• 2 tsp. Cream of Tartar (this can be a needle in a haystack to find in the spice aisle at your grocery store, and 8 out of 10 employees will have no clue what you're talking about.  I don't use Cream of Tartar on a regular (never) basis in my cooking, it's used exclusively for this playdough recipe.  So be forewarned, the cost of this stuff will make you gag)
• ⅓ c. table salt
• 1 c. tepid water
• 1 tbsp. cooking oil (I use canola, vegetable or sunflower oil here)
• Piece of parchment paper to work the playdough
• Airtight container to store the playdough (this is what I love to use and looks adorable on Xavier's little desk)

What to do:

• Into the pot go all ingredients except for the water and oil.  Give a stir just so you start to see the colored specks of the Kool Aid evenly mixed throughout.
• Add water and oil to the flour mixture.  Turn on stove top to med-high heat and stir.  
• Stir till the playdough forms a ball and is pulling away from the pot, this usually takes a full minute or two.  Once you've got your ball formed in the pot, remove from heat immediately.
• Transfer the ball to your parchment lined surface and give it a good knead.  You'll feel the playdough becoming softer and more uniform in texture.  Careful, it'll be hot and definitely too hot for little fingers to help out here.
• Once the playdough is worked and cooled, pass it along to the sweet one(s) patiently waiting.

Bon Weekend. Édition Valentine's Day 2015.

Hopefully I still have readership after bombarding my blog with all sorts of Valentine's Day gaudiness.  In one of this week's posts on how to paint red hearts on your nails, you were warned: I love this stuff.  This year, however, as Valentine's Day weekend (yes, I've devoted a whole weekend to the holiday) is competing with Family Day here in Alberta it means we're headed up to the cabin.  Every year Family Day weekend is filled with ice fishing, fur hats, and snow-chilled Jägermeister straight from the bottle.  There will likely be an open fire and some homemade Humboldt sausage (Humboldt sausage deserves a blog post of its own, we'll save that for another day) smeared with yellow mustard.  I will smell like wood smoke and fish and will be wearing competing fur accessories, and when I least expect it, my Valentine will sweetly whisper in my ear "Happy Valentine's Day, mon amour."  With Jäger-laced breath, I'll lean in and lovingly say it back.  But for now, here are some little gems from around the inter-web.

Do you remember the tingles and butterflies when you undressed your partner or they undressed you for the first time?  

Traditionally, this is what I make for dessert for a romantic stay-in dinner with Joel for Valentine's Day.  Plus it's a great excuse to buy a heart shaped mould.

Say I were home this weekend, this is absolutely what I'd insist doing for a date night.  Since this is just a hypothetical, this is what I'd want to wear.

We all know the book was dog sh*t but this is what Lainey has to say about the movie Fifty Shades of Grey.

If this album isn't currently on your "Romance" playlist, you're missing out.

If this album isn't currently on your "Get Down" playlist, you are definitely missing out.  The album cover says it all, non?

I am counting down the weeks to a sunny, beach-y vacation with the boys.  Ordering a custom bathing suit (or two) is absolutely the best way to add to the anticipation!  I'll skip the Valentine's Day lingerie any day for a well made, beautifully cut bathing suit.

Since the extent of my and Joel's romantic interludes will be shivering around a hole in the middle of the lake, Monday night dinner will be the make-up.  I will absolutely report back if this is "Probably the Best Chicken Recipe of All Time."  I've got a Farmer's Market chicken in the freezer just waiting for this treatment.

How to give yourself the perfect salon blow-out.

I guarantee a flawless chocolate-dipped strawberry won't go overlooked by your special someone(s).

Le Bargain: More Valentine's Kitsch

I have two things to say: 1) I'm still on a high from seeing Prince (in all his orange sequined glory) present at the Grammy's and 2) These sunglasses are the best thing I've ever found at the Dollar Store and clearly deserve their very own ode on my blog.  I am utterly in love with this $2.50 purchase.  Where have these sunglasses been since I journeyed into my thirties?  Oh, I know, in the GapKids accessories section where they were intended for seven year olds.  While I tend not to gravitate towards enfantalized fashion choices, these sunglasses were meant for me to sport every day this Valentine's week.  

This fabulousness is too good not to be shared.  Go, get them now, the Dollar Store had hoards of them (and I think I may have even seen pink ones).  I assure you they'll make you smile.

DIY "Petits Coeurs" Valentine's Nails

I'm an absolute sucker for Valentine's Day.  Not so much the romance theme, but the actual stuff, the things.  The Valentine's schtick, I heart it.  Having a four year old, I now officially have an excuse to buy the boxes of Valentine's cards, the Sweethearts candies, the cinnamon hearts, and I love it, I love it all.  I was "that Mom" who filled Xavier's classmate's cubbies with loads of dyed, glucose riddled junk along with a Transformers Valentine card and tattoo that I personalized on Xavier's behalf (because I just couldn't help myself).  Then there's Valentine's fashion; all this translates to, for me, is wearing pink and red together.  While none of what I just described is necessarily subtle this little DIY manicure is.  Sweet and subtle.  Unlike my beautiful girlfriend Lane, I do not have hand model hands.  I have the opposite and I can use all the help I can get.  

What you'll need:

• A base coat and/or top coat nail polish (just use what you've got).  I used both OPI Top Coat.
• A bright, over the top red nail polish.  I'd let you off the hook with an obnoxious pink (again, use what you've got).  After going over my inventory of red nail polishes I chose OPI "The Thrill of Brazil."
• Anything with a rounded tip (think top of a push pin, an empty ball point pen, a dull pencil tip, I used the tip of a plastic paintbrush).
• A piece of parchment paper, waxed paper or plastic wrap.  Essentially you just need something for you to dab your red nail polish on to.

What to do:

• Brush on a base coat.  Let it dry.
• Dab some of your red nail polish onto your parchment as you would for a painting pallet.  The directions in the following step are the "how" of creating the heart but I found it better to practice on the parchment before moving on to my nails to get a sense of how much nail polish to use and to steady my hand for the tiny stroke movements.
• Take your nail art tool and make a small round then gently pull a tiny stroke inwards and down for one half of the heart.  Do the same on the opposite side to create the heart shape.  Gently touch up and fill in any space with additional polish as needed.  While I'm right handed and assumed I'd end up with a glorious left hand of painted hearts, the opposite happened.  Go figure.
• After the red hearts dry, brush on your top coat, sit back, relax with your iPad and get caught up on some online celebrity gossip rag (you know how I love to plug for my homegirl Lainey Lui).  I think Lainey would approve of this manicure.
• Note: I found that the dabbed red nail polish on the parchment became tacky quite quickly.  I only got two nails per dab of red nail polish.  The hearts were much easier to apply with "fresh" polish.

This is where you ignore my cuticles and go give this flirty little DIY a try.  And no, I didn't let Xavier have a go on my index finger, that's my very own Van Gogh version of a heart.  

Bon Weekend.

It's our family's first weekend post Christmas break and I can't wait to have my little trio back together.  While I appreciated falling back in to our regular routine this week, I desperately missed our lazy days spent together over the holiday.  In our household, we've coined a term called "The Sunday Sads."  It's that feeling you get that usually rolls around on a Sunday afternoon where you still have enough of the day ahead to appreciate what's left of the weekend, but are becoming increasingly aware that it's back to the grind tomorrow.  I feel like I've had a touch of the Sunday Sads all week long so I've devised a cure: plan a warm, beach-y getaway.  This is exactly what I intend to do!  But for now, here are some little gems from around the inter-web.

Un Deux Trois is on Instagram!

It's the new year and resolutions are on the mind.  I believe in the power of writing down my SMART Goals: this is how and here is why.

A DIY glow-in-the-dark-table.  I fully intend on tackling this project come spring.  Who knows where I can find some photoluminescent powder?

My Mom gave Joel this set of dominoes for Christmas and it is absolutely our new favourite way to spend time after Xavier goes to sleep at night.  Fireplace lit, a brown liquor on ice, me counting on my fingers and toes to multiples of 5..... Ro'manic.

Beautiful homes set against a familiar white backdrop.

I've totally abused the part of my brain that's responsible for food cravings by watching back-to-back-to-back episodes of Mind of a Chef on Netflix.  I'm now completely obsessed with ramen.  

I'm so excited to complete another Wool and the Gang knitting project!

I have a confession to make: I never wash my face before bed.  This heavenly scented face polish is how I plan to incent a change in this dirty little habit of mine.

One artist's interpretation of historical world leaders as hipsters.  I swear I have the hat Mao Zedong is wearing and the bralet that Margaret Thatcher has on.  How often do you get to say that in a sentence?

To celebrate my girlfriend's (Hi Heather!) fortieth birthday, though not for a while yet, we're absolutely going to Burning Man and this is why.  

I love a "just because" cake and here's the one I plan to bake this weekend.  This cake has been made twice before with varied success but I think it's a recipe that absolutely belongs in the repetoire.

One of the many skills I have yet to master in the kitchen is how to perfectly poach an egg.  This little life hack tutorial has brought me closer than ever before.  Tested.  Approved.  Re-tested.  Approved.  

I remember being taught to use the Oxford comma but I've let it slip.  I'm bringing it back. #SavetheOxfordcomma 

"Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You: A Lively Tour Through the Dark Side of the Natural World" by Dan Riskin is next on my reading list.

The only reason I will be watching the Golden Globe Awards this Sunday is because of Amy and Tina.  My dying wish would be to have a slumber party with these two..... Amy braiding my hair, me painting Tina's toenails...  Check out some of last year's Golden Globes highlights.

Chunky, Nutty, Homemade Granola

You'll feel like Woman/Man/Parent/Partner of the Year if you knock out this ridiculously easy and delicious granola recipe.  It's tasty, filling, nutty, toasty, and not too sweet.  This granola is awesome scattered over plain yogurt (full fat, please) or to grab by the fistful when you need a quick snack.  

One of the biggest beefs I have with my wonderful husband is that I worry he doesn't eat enough throughout the day.  Despite my darling husband having a wife that is perfectly content and arguably proficient in the kitchen, at times, his eating habits can be questionable.  HE LIKA DE JUNKA FOODE!  But... *pause for emphasis*, when I throw together this infinitely modifiable granola he becomes a Breakfast Person and a smart snacker, hence the reference to _________ of the Year.  I'll take that title any day for ten minutes of mindless work.

As I mentioned, this recipe is really just a base, a starting point for you to play with endless variations.  Think almond & apricot, pecan & blueberry, walnut & cherry... mix 'em up, go wild.  What you'll want to keep the same, however, is the quantities of ingredients.  Change up the nuts, the dried fruit or even the sweeteners.  If you're looking for a larger quantity of total yield, go ahead and double everything except the egg.  Even with this recipe doubled, the beaten egg white stretches far enough to coat everything.

Adapted from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

Yield: Roughly 3.5 cups granola

What you'll need:

• 1 ½ c. rolled oats (I use large flaked oats)
• ¼ c. wheat germ
• ½ c. walnut, chunked
• ¾ c. shredded or flaked coconut
• ¼ - ½ tsp. ground cinnamon (taste to preference)
• ¼ tsp. flaked salt (or coarse salt)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ¼ c. maple syrup or liquid honey
• 2 tbsp. golden syrup or malt syrup (a corn syrup of sorts, essentially the most evil of syrups, omit if you'd prefer)
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ¾ c. dried cranberries or other dried fruit, if using larger dried fruit, just chunk it up

What to do:

Preheat oven to 300° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  With the exception of the egg white and dried fruit, using a spatula combine all ingredients in a large bowl till evenly mixed.  In a small bowl give the egg white a good whisk until white and frothy, once frothy blend in the vanilla extract.  Add the egg white + vanilla to the bowl of granola.  Fold it over and over until it appears to be well combined.  When you push a portion of the granola mixture to the side of the bowl, does it stick a little/hold together a wee bit?  Good.  If so carry on.  If not, blend/work it a little bit more.  Spread the granola mixture on the lined baking sheet.  Lightly press down the granola but don't feel the need to totally compact it.  The warm air from the oven needs to circulate the crevices of the granola to really dry it out.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Reduce heat to 275° and bake for another 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and dry to the touch.  Once the granola has cooled completely, find yourself a lovely old mason jar or any airtight container and layer the baked granola with your dried fruit.

All ingredients minus egg white and dried fruit.

Handy little trick: I use an AeroLatte to give a quick froth to an egg white.

Blended granola mixture.

Make sure you're not pressing too firmly.  Once baked, you can crack up the granola into chunks.

This goodness is easily left on the counter (so long as it's in an airtight container) for up to two weeks, but trust, it'll have disappeared before then.  Baked, this granola freezes well, just mix in the dried fruit once the granola has thawed.  In a sweet jar this makes a gorgeous gift (think hostess, new Mama, get-well-soon, cause I hate your eating habits.... ).

Bon Weekend. Édition 2014.

Happy New Year!  I sincerely hope you and your families celebrated just as you'd wished.  Typically, for us, New Year's Eve celebrations are pretty relaxed and always highlighted with a long meal, great wine, and popping off a couple of fireworks (Not us, though.  Um, right, not us.  The neighbours that live in that house, close-ish to ours.).  This year was no exception.  One set of my parents joined us for Chinese-style hot pot and a swiss roll from Hong Kong bakery downtown.  While this felt like the first Christmas where Xavier was non-stop-over-the-moon-excited-blitzed-out-on-all-things-Merry-and-Jolly, it has been wholly centred around family and dear friends.  We had family that destined far away (Panama to be exact) and family from afar that were near.  Every day this holiday season has been marked by time meaningfully spent with those we love and cherish the most.  This Christmas and New Year's, in all its bounty and love, has grounded my family in a way.  2015, here we come, and as always, better together.  For now, here are some gems from around the inter-web along with some of 2014's best and worst!

Not that I have a ton of run-ins with the law.  But still, this could prove useful for my "neighbour" with a fondness for fireworks.  

Most exciting teaser trailer of 2014.  We are now officially LESS than a year away and this is what our family will be doing Christmas day 2015!

Pantone names Marsala the color of the year.  True story: I'd been in search of the perfect not-too-blueish-more-orangey-rusty-browinsh-undertones red lipstick.  And I found it, "Retro" lipstick from M.A.C.  Très chic.  This color is now officially my go-to for my naturally ghostly white lips.

Best thing I sipped (or guzzled, whatevs) in 2014: I fully credit this blissful concoction to my holiday 5 (lbs that is).  Go.  Make this now.  Trust.  Add booze too if you need a (midday?) pick-me-up!

Sienna Miller is my Spirit Animal and I'm thrilled to be kicking off a new year of Vogue with her.  Celebrities, we're just like them.

Okay, I have two sprit animals.  Deb Perelman is my other one.  My most visited website of 2014: Smitten Kitchen.  I owe this woman 57% of the success I have in my kitchen.  I love you.  You complete me.

Kanye never disappoints.  Blog Un Deux Trois awards Him the Best Worst music video of 2014. 

IKEA killed it in advertising in 2014.  I'd like to give a high-five and a hug to everyone that had a hand in this creation: Bookbook™.

Fine, I have three spirit animals.  Canadian celebrity gossip blogger, ETalk correspondent, and The Social co-host, Lainey Lui wrote and published her first book, "Listen to the Squawking Chicken."  This hilarious, lovable book was my absolute favourite read of the year.  

Runner up read of 2014: "She's Come Undone," by Wally Lamb.  I have no clue why I hadn't read this gloriously, profoundly beautiful book before this summer, but I savoured every moment of it.

Most disappointing read of 2014 was absolutely, without a doubt "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.  Seriously people, I bought the hype and ended up with a lemon.

Last, but certainly not least, I give you the best thing I ever found on Instagram in 2014: goatsofanarchy.  

DIY Sweet Marbled Jewelry Trays

I'm always looking for quick, simple and fun DIY crafts for the home and, ideally, to share as gifts.  This year I came across the idea of marbled jewelry trays made from craft polymer clay.  Ultimately, this DIY solved two problems: 1) What the hell do I do with all this newly acquired stacking jewelry that I keep misplacing? and 2) What's a useful/awesome/homemade-y gift I can give my girlfriends for Christmas this season (they're all used to getting homemade jars of pickles or antipasto)?

What you'll need:

• About 30 minutes of active time (per set of 3 or 4).
• Polymer Clay (I used CraftSmart brand from Michaels, which is the less expensive version of Sculpey or Fimo) in various colors.  I used white as my base color and therefore purchased a larger quantity of white clay.  Your accent colors will be used, roughly, in equal parts.  I added metallics (silver and gold) to highlight.  Optional, small amounts of black clay to contrast.  
• Liquid gold gilding (readily available at craft stores, I purchased at Michaels) and a small/fine paintbrush for application.
• An exacto knife or craft knife.
• Oven safe dishes to use as moulds.
• A rolling device (I used a rounded glass jar, a rolling pin would work but I didn't want the clay to stain or get stuck on my wooden rolling pin).
• Something to protect your work surface like a crafting mat or a cutting board.  
• Baking sheet (I recommend lining it with parchment just to keep the baking sheet food safe).

What to do:

1.  With DIY, I heavily rely on liquid courage (a.k.a. whatever wine happens to be open) and Ferrero Rocher.  Pour yourself a glass and raid your kitchen for a sweet treat.

2.  Get organized.  It's easier to notice if your four year old takes off with the exacto knife. 

1.  It's critical to stay hydrated and fuelled.

2.  Note all dishes are oven safe.

3.  Cut off your sections of clay.  Largest pieces used are your base color, in this case white.  Two smaller pieces of contrast colors along with the metallic accent (shown gold).  The smallest piece for contrast (shown black).

3.  By having a variety of dish sizes, you'll get a handle for what quantities of clay you'll require.

4.  Roll out each piece of clay to roughly the same length (about 6 inches, don't be too fussy here, it won't really matter as far as your finished product goes).

5.  Twist the pieces of clay together until you have a rope that has doubled in length from the original lengths you started with.

4.  No matter if the clay pieces aren't the exact same length.

5.  Roll against the mat to create length to your rope and blend the clay.

6.  Fold your twisted-clay-rope in half and twist those pieces.

6.  Doubled clay rope.

7.  Rolling the clay in your palms, form a ball then flatten to a thick disc.  From here you'll want to use your rolling pin (or in my case a rounded glass jar) to flatten your disc.  Roll in various directions until you get your desired marbled effect.  If you aren't satisfied with the marbling and feel the colors could blend more, just repeat this step.  You'll want to roll to roughly a 1/4 inch thickness.

8.  Once you've rolled your clay, select your dish according to size and trim the edges.  Keep the scraps as you might be able to blend them later with other clay pieces.  Lightly press the clay to the inside of the dish to concave it slightly and then gently press around the interior edges.  Make sure the clay is sticking to the inside edges of the dish.

7.  I used a rounded glass jar to roll out my clay.  I found it easier to watch for my desired marbled effect.  Too, because I didn't want to stain my wooden (cooking) rolling pin.

8. After a little trial and error, I wound up putting a sheet of parchment over my craft mat as I found the clay was sticking a little. The parchment did the trick.

9.  Bake your clay inside the dishes to the temperature and time noted on the packaging.  CraftSmart was 275° for 15 minutes per quarter inch of thickness.  

10.  Once your dishes are cooled, remove them from the moulds (mine all came out easily).  Paint the edges with the liquid gold gilding.  One coat does the trick.  Note: I tried with two coats and the gilding became really sticky to the touch.

9.  Baked and cooled.

10.  I walked the aisles of Michaels for a half an hour for this stuff.  As it turns out it was stocked alongside the adhesives. 

These little dishes feel more rubbery than they do like a ceramic, but I'm perfectly content given their intended purpose.

I can't say enough how pleased I am with how these sweet little trays have turned out and gifting them will be an absolute delight.  Be sure to let me know what brilliant color combinations you come up with or if you land on some neat ways to repurpose them!

Bon Weekend.

In Edmonton, the first few snowfalls of the season rarely stay on the ground for long, but then there's that day that rolls along where you just know we're in this for the long haul.  Being so close to Christmas, I actually wish there was MORE snow!  This year, I settled into the season by experimenting with the hot toddy, working on a very, very long wool scarf, making one-pot slow cooked meals, and starting my Christmas holiday planning well in advance (I'm certain this is the year I'll get it right! **update, as of post date, I am 95% done shopping, 0% done wrapping).  How are you settling into the winter chill?  For now, here are some little gems from around the inter-web.

This is the hot toddy and other libations made with Fireball whiskey.

Here is the scarf that could keep me and seven other people warm at the same time.

For my weekend soundtrack: A beautiful video for a beautiful track.  

I've almost exclusively decorated my home with poinsettias this holiday season.  Keeping them alive is an altogether different challenge.

How to use an apostrophe.  Even after reading and re-reading this, I know I'll still get it wrong.

I love my small boobs and Keira Knightley's too.

I know I'm getting a copy of Thug Kitchen for Christmas, but I'm always looking for fun ways to dress up veg.

These beautiful Icelandic twin girls are being documented for six years.

The nail polish I can't live without.

Always and forever my favourite Christmas album.  You can buy it here and here (where they also happen to offer it on audio cassette, cray).

Hello.

Today marks the very first post on Un Deux Trois. 

Un Deux Trois is a project I've thought about for a very long time.  It didn't come without fear and apprehension.  And today's the day.  

This is a space I've been looking to build, founded within a personal goal, and based on supportive (and constructive) feedback I've received from friends, family and, in some cases, even strangers.  I'm passionate about my family, homemaking, cooking, DIY'ing, design and (ahem) even a little 'creative' writing.

My intention:

To build a collection of inspirations.  

I will disclose cross-sections and intersections of myself, home, friendships and family (ideally with their permission).

To foster connections far and wide.

To celebrate and learn from those on similar journeys of creating creating.

I'm not always going to get it right.  I do know the difference between their, they're, there and thurr, I tend to embrace the run-on sentence and I can be very liberal with the use of commas.  And I do start sentences with "And."

I might use emoji from time to time.  Don't hate.

Today I'm doing something that really scares me.  You know what?  It's thrilling.

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The image above is of my husband and I.  I selected this picture for my first entry as I think it really does look like we're introducing ourselves.  Too, because I dedicate this little venture of mine to him.  My best friend, my greatest supporter, my heart.  Je t'aime, Joël.

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