Thursday 22 May 2014

Summer Reads

I don't want to jinx it, but I think summer might finally be here. Bring on the weekends and evenings spent outside with a glass of wine and a good book! My requirement for summer books is that they're quick, light reads. Here are a few of my favorites:





These two are full on tear jerkers, but they're too good not to include. The Art of Racing in the Rain might be my favorite book of all time.


I also loved reading B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey's books. They're perfect for picking up and putting down throughout the summer.

Do you have recommendations? I'm half way through two books right now (The Boys in the Boat and Frog Music), but I can't seem to get through either.

Friday 16 May 2014

The Birkenstock Trend

Of all the shoes I brought on our honeymoon (and there were a lot), these are the ones I walked Italy's cobblestone streets in.

Those paper thin soles weren't particularly supportive and by the time we reached Cinque Terre (2 weeks into the trip) I needed something new. I'd seen a few girls on the train sporting Birkenstocks and thought- for the first time ever- that they looked kind of cute, so I grabbed this pair on our way to dinner.

I sort of assumed when we got home that they'd be weekend, lounging about type shoes, but now I see that they're becoming quite trendy!
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What do you think? If nothing else, they're insanely comfortable!

Happy long weekend!

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Mini Reno

Being over 100 years old, our house has a few quirks- one of which is the kitchen bathroom (picture fridge-wall-bathroom door). When we originally looked at our place I figured it would be the first thing to go, but now I've grown fond of its convenience. We do plan to fully reno it one day, but it's on a pretty large to-do list. Until we get around to tearing out its wood paneled walls and leveling it's half grouted floors, I decided to give it a bit of a sprucing up.

After a fresh coat of white paint, I bought paintable (and easy to remove) wallpaper from Home Depot for the backs of the cupboards. I had planned to leave it all white, but once the wallpaper was on, it turned out to be more beige and only increased the already 70's cottage vibe. I painted the wallpaper in Behr's 'Elf Hat' and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.


All renos need wine. Especially when wallpaper is involved.




Now to tackle the deck, floors, siding, windows...etc., etc. :)

Monday 5 May 2014

Black Bean Dip

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here's a Mexican inspired snack to pair with your margaritas today.


Black Bean Dip
1 yellow onion, diced
3 roasted red peppers, diced
6 slices of bacon, chopped
3 14 oz. cans of blacks beans, one drained
2-3 canned chipotle peppers
1 c. salsa
chopped cilantro, queso fresco for garnish

Cook bacon in a large pot until lightly browned. Add diced onions and red peppers. Cook until the onions are translucent. Remove half of the mixture and set aside. Add 2 cans of black beans and their liquid to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. In a food processor, purée the mixture from the pot and the chipotles. Once smooth, put it back in the pot and stir in the remaining ingredients. Once cooled, garnish with chopped cilantro.

And a margarita recipe, just in case ;)

Friday 2 May 2014

Around Calgary- Sled Island & Folk Fest

Both Sled Island and the Calgary Folk Music Festival have released their full lineups and it's looking like it's going to be a good summer for music! We picked up tickets for Neko Case and Blitzen Trapper at Sled Island, the 5-day music/film/art festival that takes place in several venues throughout the city. As for Folk Fest, I'm looking forward to seeing Jason Isbell, the Lone Bellow, St. Paul and the Broken Bones and Trampled by Turtles. I love spending the evenings listening to music in Prince's Island Park. Let's hope for good weather!

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