Each week I try to cook with a new ingredient that I haven't used before in my home cooking: this week's was Eggplant. I was inspired by this recipe for Eggplant Parmesan (there's a photo there, too), so make it, i did! I skipped out on the mozza and used double parmesan on top, tho. It turned out quite nice!!! I love eggplant, so I really enjoyed this dish.
I heated up some more tonight for dinner, and this time put it on rice.. it was much better this way! Next time I make it while entertaining I think I will serve them together. (I'll admit the cheese+rice combo was a little weird... maybe serve it with pasta? And chopped eggplant? who knows...:)
I'll post a photo of mine next week, along with a few more pictures of the last little while in my life. This blog is lacking real life photos, hey?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Holiday Strategies
I am an avid fan of Martha Stewart's website, and came across this fantastic article/slidehow of strategies for a stress-free holiday season. There's little ideas that are fantastic that are often overlooked. Check it out!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Green Weddings
I am overjoyed that the fake couple for my wedding planning project is eco-friendly! This is a big part of what they want their wedding to be and researching the ways to make a wedding green is soo fun. Let me list some amazing ideas I've come across:
Stationery: There is a company called Botanical Paperworks which makes plantable paper. This paper is beautiful and has wildflower seeds built-in, which grow the most beautiful flowers (pictured on their website). I love this idea for invitations or as confetti, for aisles or for tossing during the precession!
Air Travel Emissions: Air Canada and Westjet have recently added an option for offsetting the carbon emissions for each flight booked. For out-of-town wedding guests or honeymoon flights this is a great option, and is surprisingly inexpensive! (Round-trip offset costs for roundtrip travel from Toronto-Vancouver is only $11.20- a small price to pay for helping our environment.) Ultimately the money is given to companies to use wind and solar power, reducing the need for more fossil fuels. Check out the calculatore at Zerofootprint.
Dress: My jaw is on the floor in amazement for how beautiful some of the hemp and natural material wedding gowns are that I have seen tonight! A favourite is this Organic Linen Dress by Deborah Lindquist- it looks more coture than most I have seen in magazines. The bustier top and oversized rosettes on the bottom are to-die-for!! There are many other dress options, such as purchsing 2nd hand/consignment, renting a dress or buying a new one with the intent to sell or give it away after.
With other ideas like recycled-gold rings, re-plantable flowers (like the beautiful arrangements at this Joshua Tree wedding), serving food that is local, seasonal or organic.... and the list goes on!
Stationery: There is a company called Botanical Paperworks which makes plantable paper. This paper is beautiful and has wildflower seeds built-in, which grow the most beautiful flowers (pictured on their website). I love this idea for invitations or as confetti, for aisles or for tossing during the precession!
Air Travel Emissions: Air Canada and Westjet have recently added an option for offsetting the carbon emissions for each flight booked. For out-of-town wedding guests or honeymoon flights this is a great option, and is surprisingly inexpensive! (Round-trip offset costs for roundtrip travel from Toronto-Vancouver is only $11.20- a small price to pay for helping our environment.) Ultimately the money is given to companies to use wind and solar power, reducing the need for more fossil fuels. Check out the calculatore at Zerofootprint.
Dress: My jaw is on the floor in amazement for how beautiful some of the hemp and natural material wedding gowns are that I have seen tonight! A favourite is this Organic Linen Dress by Deborah Lindquist- it looks more coture than most I have seen in magazines. The bustier top and oversized rosettes on the bottom are to-die-for!! There are many other dress options, such as purchsing 2nd hand/consignment, renting a dress or buying a new one with the intent to sell or give it away after.
With other ideas like recycled-gold rings, re-plantable flowers (like the beautiful arrangements at this Joshua Tree wedding), serving food that is local, seasonal or organic.... and the list goes on!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Final Project Progress
I have just over one week to complete my final project for Wedding Planning. I am full of ideas and inspiration but do not know where to start! So, tonight I made two inspiration boards to help speed up the process... and start turning the wheels.
This first one is made up of photos of my aunt Imi's backyard (all but the 2nd from top left)... where the 'wedding' will take place. Isn't it beautiful?
The top left image is of a wooden staircase that leads from the garden and up three stories to the balcony (with an ocean view). The stairs lead down through a wooden gate and to a slight curve in the cement tile, in front of the pond (top right)- making the perfect aisle.
The second one here is a collection of images from different wedding blogs that I have found over the past couple of weeks that help me convey the eco-friendly DIY theme I need for this event. The small whisps of wildflowers fit the (tiny!) budget perfectly, as well as finding stones from the beach (see photo, mid-right) to use as escort cards.. eco-friendly in the sense that they can be turned over and used in the garden later! or even painted with images for a garden display. (I'll also note that the beach photo is taken by my aunt at the beach near her house... isn't it stunning?)
I am so in love with the idea of a wedding here- hopefully one of my sisters will someday want to have their wedding here! (And all of the other details incorporated too)... it's just too perfect!
This first one is made up of photos of my aunt Imi's backyard (all but the 2nd from top left)... where the 'wedding' will take place. Isn't it beautiful?
The top left image is of a wooden staircase that leads from the garden and up three stories to the balcony (with an ocean view). The stairs lead down through a wooden gate and to a slight curve in the cement tile, in front of the pond (top right)- making the perfect aisle.
The second one here is a collection of images from different wedding blogs that I have found over the past couple of weeks that help me convey the eco-friendly DIY theme I need for this event. The small whisps of wildflowers fit the (tiny!) budget perfectly, as well as finding stones from the beach (see photo, mid-right) to use as escort cards.. eco-friendly in the sense that they can be turned over and used in the garden later! or even painted with images for a garden display. (I'll also note that the beach photo is taken by my aunt at the beach near her house... isn't it stunning?)
I am so in love with the idea of a wedding here- hopefully one of my sisters will someday want to have their wedding here! (And all of the other details incorporated too)... it's just too perfect!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thrifting Week
Earlier this week Anna and I ventured into a little thrift store here in Richmond. Originally we were searching for a white tennis-style skirt which I need for a costume party next weekend, but you would never have guess that by what we came out with!
Anna found three records to add to her collection: Corey Hart, Lionel Ritchie and and 80's compilation featuring Bryan Adams, Tears for Fears and more... At $1 a piece, total steal! I ended up leaving with white and coloured mini lights, some back issues of Martha Stewart Living and a bowl-ful of crystallized tiny pears. (i am sooo excited to use those in centerpieces!!!)
Today, I got a coffee and went on a walk looking at all the beautiful fall leaves, and stopped into another thrift store nearby- this time leaving with amaaaazing finds. An old Victorian photo album, an assortment of one-off vintage Christmas cards (which I can't wait to send out!!!), and a few more Christmas decorating supplies. I am excited to get a head start on my two Christmas favourites: decorating and gift wrapping! Oh the joys...:)
Anna found three records to add to her collection: Corey Hart, Lionel Ritchie and and 80's compilation featuring Bryan Adams, Tears for Fears and more... At $1 a piece, total steal! I ended up leaving with white and coloured mini lights, some back issues of Martha Stewart Living and a bowl-ful of crystallized tiny pears. (i am sooo excited to use those in centerpieces!!!)
Today, I got a coffee and went on a walk looking at all the beautiful fall leaves, and stopped into another thrift store nearby- this time leaving with amaaaazing finds. An old Victorian photo album, an assortment of one-off vintage Christmas cards (which I can't wait to send out!!!), and a few more Christmas decorating supplies. I am excited to get a head start on my two Christmas favourites: decorating and gift wrapping! Oh the joys...:)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chantelle
Tonight I was beginning to work on my fabulous final project for Wedding Planning class due in five weeks, and only a few minutes into it I came across a photograph that was so beautiful and sooo Chantelle. It became impossible to do anything else at that point than create this story board.. inspired by her classic, yet whimsical, timeless style and beauty.
Credits: Suthi Picotte, Jose Villa (4), Millie Holloman, Byron Hoffman and Lasting Images
Friday, October 9, 2009
Vintage-Glam Board
This is an inspiration board which I created in inspiration for a Paris-Vintage-Glam theme event...
I made it over on Style Me Pretty. Enjoy!
I made it over on Style Me Pretty. Enjoy!
Credits: Orchard Cove Photography, Kristin Vining Photography, James Abel Events (2), Eddye McLucas, Casey Cunningham, Flowergirls, Gourmet Invitations, Jenne Hohn
Credits: James Abel Events
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