I love pancakes but after reading that they are the 'black hole of breakfast food' once in a magazine, I was slightly turned off.  Not that I can't indulge every now and again (I have been known to indulge far too often to begin with!) but that phrase (sadly) really stuck with me.  

I found a healthier way to make pancakes and have been pretty obsessed with them ever since.  I tweaked the recipe which also called for some sugar and salt, by completely removing them, and it's fine (and healthier).  Whenever I have fresh fruit, I love to throw that in too.  

Happy weekend!

You will need:
1 Cup Whole wheat flour
1 Cup Milk 
1 Egg
1 tbsp. Baking Powder
Strawberries (as many as you'd like, I used half a pint) 

How to:
1.  Mix the first four ingredients
2.  Once blended, add the strawberries
3.  Heat frying pan and throw in some butter so the 'cakes won't stick
4.  Pour pancake mix into pan (I like making 3 at a time)
5.  Flip when the bottom is browned or the top starts to bubble a bit
6.  When both sides are browned, they are ready
7.  Serve with real maple syrup

Regular (left) & Whole wheat (right)

 This little munchkin has been staying with us for a week and while she's a little mischief maker (examples: tipping over garbage pails, lots of barking when she wants to get up on and off the bed, constantly looking for treats to sneak, etc.) she's such a cutie and I love her so much.  Peanut will however be going back to her home (aka my parent's house) this weekend and while it's always sad to see her go, it'll be nice to get my side of the bed back.


* Husband recently started calling her, 'Grams' because 
of her old age (she's 11) and her difficulty of jumping up on the bed.  
Other nicknames include: Doctor Pretty Paws, Peaner & Peanut-Moose
Lisa Curran  |  Garage  |  Joe Fresh  |  Joe Fresh

 There are a few articles of clothing that when they fit just so, shouldn't be passed up, those include jeans, formal dresses and of course bikinis.  It's not everyday you find one that fits perfect with a great price, so when it does happen, I tend to take advantage.  And that's exactly what I did last week over the course of three mini-shopping trips.  Some may say it's too early to be shopping for a bikini, and while I'm not going away this winter, it's never too early.  

While I didn't like the matching bottoms for the Joe Fresh bikini tops, I do already have some bottoms that will work (and I like to mix-n-match too).  I was specifically thinking of this pair of red bottoms with small white polka dots (so nautical!).

See last year's bikini purchase here.

I went away last weekend with my family to attend my Uncle's birthday.  I didn't take too many photos but did capture some of the food including the miniature cinammon buns that I couldn't get enough of.  While standing around with my sister and her boyfriend, our conversation went a little like this:

Me:  Do either of you want to split a mini cinnamon bum with me?
Them:  No.
Me:  ...But I don't want to eat the whole thing myself.

...And then I ate three.
 Jacob dress, Urban Original faux fur shrug, Sirens leggings, Ardene necklace & Forever 21 bracelet

This is the dress I bought on Boxing Day from Jacob.  I was so excited about it and it was my most expensive purchase of the day at $50 (it was 50% off).  It's made from silk and was a great tunic length, loose fitting but still skimmed the body and was just overall chic.  You know what's not chic?  When your dress rips up the back (oh, that sounds familiar) within the first hour of wearing it.  Awesome.  Not.  Yeah and we had already left the house when my dress split about 6 inches at the top.  Fortunately the fur shrug covered it until we got home, and good thing because when I leaned across the dinner table, rrrrrrriiiiiippppppp, the little-hole-that-could got even bigger.

I went home, steamed the dress (why?  I don't know...), grabbed the tag and receipt and headed back to the store feeling defeated.  I knew it was the only one they had in my size so the chances of getting another one were slim (but would I want another one anyways considering what happened?).  When I pulled the dress out, before even showing the girl what was going on in the back, she jumped in and said, 'Did it split up the back?'  Why yes, yes it did, and she swiftly grabbed another dress, just like mine, that someone had returned earlier with the exact-same-problem.  Oh well.  Not meant to be.  I'll buy something for spring with my $50 in-store credit.  And hey, at least I got these fab outfit photos out of it.



When I was in Toronto in November, the bff and I went to Fresh, a restaurant originally discovered by our mutual friend Ka.  It's a gourmet vegetarian / vegan restaurant, and while I love meat, this was a great change for a night.  I ordered the Warrior Bowl and devoured it.  

About a month ago I attempted this dish, without instruction (strictly memory and imagination), and it turned out quite nice (keep in mind it's not really a Warrior Bowl, but we'll call it A.Co's version).  Tonight I was craving it (especially since I knew I had a fresh blueberry pie waiting for me for dessert!) and wanted something healthy.  Here's the how-to:

You will need:
Spinach
Chickpeas (I used kidney beans last time in a pinch)
Brown rice
Peanut Sauce

How to:
1.  Cook your rice (I used about 1 cup)
2.  When the rice is almost ready, saute the spinach (I used 4 big handfuls) and chickpeas (1 can) in a wok
3.  Spoon in 2-3 heaping spoonfuls of peanut sauce into the wok
4.  Mix in the rice
5.  Add pepper to taste (I also added curry powder - be creative!) & enjoy

I only had about a large spoonful of peanut sauce so I improvised 
and added two large spoonfuls of peanut butter - it works!
 Joe Fresh jacket, Stitches top (last seen here), Bongo pants (last seen here), Promise heels (last seen here), 
Emily Elizabeth necklace, Swatch watch & Aldo ring

I asked hubs to snap my photo with this outfit (as I've been totally slacking on outfit photos as of late, did you notice?  I know you did.  And it's not because I don't want to capture my outfits, it's just been bad timing lately) and handed him the camera.  The rest of the conversation went like this:

Hubs:  Uh oh... change battery pack.
Me:  What?!
Hubs:  Change battery pack.
Me:  No.  You're kidding.  It doesn't say that.
Hubs:  (showing me the camera screen) Yes, it says 'change battery pack'.
Me:  Well, we gotta capture this apple-green-ness that's happening here.  Let's use your iPhone.

And so we did.  Hence the semi-blurry photos, but I'll take 'em (hopefully you will too?  Ha, you have no choice I suppose).

On a clothing note, I was told by about 5 people how 'springy' I looked when wearing this jacket and while there is still tons of snow on the ground and spring seems years away, I can dream... and dress for it.

So I'm back home from my weekend away.  The party was fun and it was great to see family.  Lots of driving though (about 5 hours each way) but fortunately my Dad did all the driving and we hitched a ride.  Feels like I barely got a weekend because there was so much traveling!  I guess this coming weekend can't come soon enough (look at me, wishing the days away - oops).

I was totally inspired by Kinsey's post I decided to do my own. 
I've never...

...eaten oysters
 
...re-soled a pair of shoes

...been to Europe

...owned a designer handbag

...had thick hair

...not been into clothes

...done a tequila shot (oh wait, yes I have)

...paid more than $50 for a bikini

...had a tattoo

...been into white wine but am a fan of red




PS - Just wanted to address how I used the word 'retard' in this post.  
I know some of you didn't like that very much, and I do feel bad that it was something that made you speak up.  
I certainly didn't mean it in a demeaning way, but alas it seems to have come across that way.  
I'll be more considerate next time :)


We are out of town this weekend for my Uncle's 60th birthday.  We are back at the hotel now and I had to snap some shots of this place.  We always stay here and were expecting the usual low-budget digs (aka floral everything) - turns out, they've totally revamped the place and it looks awesome.  Super modern and chic, and the rooms are no different.

On our way here, we were ahead of schedule (which was great considering we left at 6:45am) so we were able to stop at (my fave) H&M.  I picked up several things (I'll show you those later) but it was a mad dash.  I had 45 minutes to shop the massive store, try on (30 items) and pay - it was very rushed, but I'm so grateful I got to go.  We then checked into our hotel and headed to the party.  Great people, spread and afternoon.  After the party today, we went out to eat with the whole fam to Tuckers Marketplace.  I ate so much, my jeans are very snug, however, so worth it - what a great meal. Tomorrow we head back home and I'm excited to get home, but we've got a long drive ahead of us.

 
It's been snowing like crazy here.  All day, all night yesterday.  Kind of reminds me of this day last year.  I got home from work and there at least a foot of snow to shovel. Fortunately, hubs had already started and was a good portion of the way through, but still (and yes, the second picture is of our front lawn, pile about five feet high).  

I'm just glad to be home, safe and sound as the driving was terrible today.  Not only that, but even people who drive in snow seven months of the year can be retarded.  This woman this morning decided to cross over four lanes of traffic at the last minute and totally cut me off, I came super close to sliding into her despite going around 40km/h - what an idiot.  With snow, comes idiots... but then again, they say that also when it rains.


Photos taken with iPhone, modified with Instagram

My sister is one of my best friends.   I couldn't nor wouldn't want to make it through my days without her as she is (1) so much fun, and (2) is an amazing support system.  I met the girl when I was just 3 years old and while she used to annoy me, a lot, we are now closer than ever.  

Now that's not to say we haven't had our fair share of disagreements; her copy-cat tendencies, my dependency on her to play with me (that's what sisters are for, right?), and everyone being convinced that she was the perfect child (I mean, she did used ask if she could go to bed when she was tired... who does that?  Don't even get me started on that fact that she used to 'tell' on herself when she did something bad)... and I was not.  

However, there have been many great things about being sisters; me knowing exactly how she's feeling and being able to speak for her for several years when we were younger, 'No, she doesn't need to go to the bathroom, Mom', having someone to dress up in ridiculous costumes with on random days, and of course, in the later years, party with, laugh with, and share secrets with.  

Sister, you're amazing and I love you and I'm so lucky to have the best sister in the world that is you.

 

I forgot my blog's birthday.  There, I said it.  A.Co est. 1984 turned one on the weekend and I forgot.  What did I do to celebrate you ask?  Nothing - hello, I forgot.  Are you going to keep rubbing it in my face?  Sheesh.

Oh well, happy birthday little blog.  You have become a great passion of mine over the past year and I'm so happy we are doing this thing called blogging together.

 

Lately I've been using my iPhone to snap various pictures of styles I'm feeling in magazines.  It's a great go-to when I'm feeling less than inspired and also makes me feel less guilty about chucking my magazines (I have a sick collection, literally sickening as I need to get rid of it, that has amassed over the past decade or so).  I love being able to refer to the photos when putting outfits together or planning a shopping trip.  These are my most recent favourite looks.

 



Guess who's S|S 2010 collection just hit the web?  Yeah, Aldo's.  I'm already drooling over these patent nude wedges and guess what?  Sold out in my size already.  Gah.



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