My parents are visiting for a month. So we thought it would be fun to stay downtown in a hotel. It gives the boys a chance to play in the pool and a chance to become a tourist in our own town.
Over the next few weeks I will be providing reviews of any restaurants or fun family events that we attend.
I have to tell you about the Mill St. Brew Pub.
This place has it all and is a MUST stop if you are in Ottawa.
It's difficult to say what is the best part about this place, because its all great.
The location is historic and picturesque.
The staff are so friendly and accommodating. Thanks to Jeff the bartender for making my favorite drink.
The food is fabulous. Large portions. Even the children menu items are huge.
Then theres the beer. That's my dads department, and he says they have some winners. Strong and flavourful, especially a pint of Palomar with hints of chipotle.
It's very family friendly and spacious enough for large crowds.
I can't say enough about this place. I was super impressed by everything and unfortunately that doesn't happen often.
Not that I am hard to please, but I am particular when it comes to a night out.
Stop by the next time you are in Ottawa.
I think you'll love it too!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Summer Beauty Faves
I have found a few products lately to be my favorites.
My absolute favorite product is by Juice Beauty and it's their CC cream in Natural Glow. It is a 12 in 1 beauty product. It claims to repair damage, even tone, reduces fine lines, create radiance and and lots more and has SPF 30. I love this! I use it all over my face and I do feel radiant they were right!
Then I lightly dust MakeUp Forever's HD High Definition Power, just over my nose, eyelids and forehead.
Next is Nars blush. Love Nars products. Love! The Nars blush I currently use is Deep Throat, but I also use Orgasm. Wouldn't be my first choice in names, but hey, works for them!
I use inexpensive eye pencils from the drugstore. I find if my lids are primed well the pencils stay in place. I am currently using Annabelle Kohl pencil #156 Rhone.
Eyebrow...I have never paid any attention to my eyebrows before. Now that I do, I realize what a mistake that was all those years. It is true what they say, that eyebrows really do frame your face.
My issue too is in the summer my hair, including eyebrows go very blonde. So I have found a great pencil just to enhance them a little. It is also by Annabelle #010 taupe. I find it is a great blonde and I don't end up looking like Groucho Marx!
Nars lipgloss has to be my secret obsession. Love love love. I can't rave about it enough. My favorite for the summer is always Greek Holiday. Its light, with a bit of gold, it's shimmery, sparkly and yummy and full of gorgeousness!
As for eyelashes, I have short little stubby ones so I am always looking. I think I have tried them all from Dior to Covergirl. Right now, Covergirl wins with their Lashblast Volume mascara.
Seriously considering lash extensions but since they only last 2-4 weeks I am not sure I can justify the cost. Knowing I will soon become addicted!
Last but not least, High Beam by Benefit. This is a wonderful highlighter. Just brush on cheeks and brow bones and be prepared to be tranformed. They call it 'Supermodel in a bottle'. I would agree with this statement. You certainly end up a radiant, dewy glow.
I will post links for all products later, but for now I must run. My son needs to show me how great his Pokemon is doing.
Being a mom can be so hard!
Have a great day lovelies!
As promised, here are the links for my beauty "hits", as of today anyway. ;-)
http://www.murale.ca/1447-NARS_Lip-Gloss.aspx
www.murale.ca/9504-Juice-Beauty_Stem-Cellular-Repair-CC-Cream.aspx
www.murale.ca/5249-Nars_NARS-Blush.aspx
www.murale.ca/5732-Benefit-Cosmetics_high-beam.aspx
www.sephora.com/hd-microfinish-powder-P210400?skuId=1510247
www.covergirl.com/eye-makeup/mascara/lashblast-volumizing-mascara
www.annabelle.ca/en/kohl-eyeliner/
www.annabelle.ca/en/products/eyes/eyebrow-liner?gclid=CIew9v7K17gCFaZaMgodllEASw
Sunday, July 28, 2013
What's a girl to do?
So a few weeks back I found myself on my own. Probably the first time in, well, forever.
So I ask you...what's else was I supposed to do except eat all the things I shouldn't.
First because no one was around to ask me "mom, is that on your diet?"
Second, because I didn't have to share (coz mama didn't raise no fool!)
So I baked MYSELF a chocolate cake and I watched TV the entire weekend. It was fabulous.
For those who don't know me. I don't watch TV. Well, I watch about 3 shows, but that's it! This was a treat.
Me and the Lazyboy were well acquainted by Sunday.
So first on the list was the chocolate cake.
Since January I have been following a strict diet of no dairy, no sugar, no gluten, and no processed foods.
I found this recipe on Pinterest (of course) and it comes close to being perfect except the sugar in the chocolate ....but, oh well....into everyone's life a little sugar must fall!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Recipe courtesy of http://eat-love-and-be-happy.com
8 eggs
11 oz chocolate (at least 50% cocoa, I used 75%)
1 tbsp vanilla/2 tbsp rum (I used rum)
1/4 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 F)
Melt chocolate and salt over a bain marie
Separate egg whites from yolks. Beat yolks, then add slightly cooled melted chocolate, rum or vanilla and stir.
Beat egg whites then, carefully incorporate them in the chocolate mixture
Line a cake pan with baking paper (I used a spring form pan so not necessary, but did spray with cooking spray just in case)
Pour in mixture and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cake's surface is firm to touch but still soft.
After cooling, place in the fridge for several hours.
Serve drizzled with warm caramel and whipped coconut cream!
Perfect for a girl's night in.
Oh and I had my cake and ate it too as I sat and watched Under the Tuscan Sun. One of my favorites.
Dreaming of one day stumbling upon a Tuscan villa, while eating chocolate cake, what's not to love.
My first weekend without my kids turned out to be not so bad afterall.
Mom's need a little indulgence every once in awhile.
So I ask you...what's else was I supposed to do except eat all the things I shouldn't.
First because no one was around to ask me "mom, is that on your diet?"
Second, because I didn't have to share (coz mama didn't raise no fool!)
So I baked MYSELF a chocolate cake and I watched TV the entire weekend. It was fabulous.
For those who don't know me. I don't watch TV. Well, I watch about 3 shows, but that's it! This was a treat.
Me and the Lazyboy were well acquainted by Sunday.
So first on the list was the chocolate cake.
Since January I have been following a strict diet of no dairy, no sugar, no gluten, and no processed foods.
I found this recipe on Pinterest (of course) and it comes close to being perfect except the sugar in the chocolate ....but, oh well....into everyone's life a little sugar must fall!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Recipe courtesy of http://eat-love-and-be-happy.com
8 eggs
11 oz chocolate (at least 50% cocoa, I used 75%)
1 tbsp vanilla/2 tbsp rum (I used rum)
1/4 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 F)
Melt chocolate and salt over a bain marie
Separate egg whites from yolks. Beat yolks, then add slightly cooled melted chocolate, rum or vanilla and stir.
Beat egg whites then, carefully incorporate them in the chocolate mixture
Line a cake pan with baking paper (I used a spring form pan so not necessary, but did spray with cooking spray just in case)
Pour in mixture and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cake's surface is firm to touch but still soft.
After cooling, place in the fridge for several hours.
Serve drizzled with warm caramel and whipped coconut cream!
Perfect for a girl's night in.
Dreaming of one day stumbling upon a Tuscan villa, while eating chocolate cake, what's not to love.
My first weekend without my kids turned out to be not so bad afterall.
Mom's need a little indulgence every once in awhile.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
It's been so long...
It's been so long, where do I start. How about I just skip the past 2 years and start today. Start fresh, start again. I like that idea. A sense of renewal, a new beginning. In fact that just about sums up my life completely at the moment...a new beginning.
Without getting deep, sentimental sad and perhaps a bit boring, I will just say that I have spent the last 2 years finding myself. Recreating myself and coming to a lot of decisions. Decisions that today, I can say I am very proud of and really happy with. I have found myself again and I couldn't be happier.
On that note, there a few things in life that just make me so happy, and one of those things is Coconut. The smell of coconut just make me think that I am on a beach, somewhere tropical.
The sun is shining in Ottawa right now, but I can't be on a beach somewhere tropical today, so I will bring the tropics here.
This is a wonderful recipe I found on Pinterest for Coconut Raspberry Ice Cream.
Go on, have it for breakfast, it's healthy and I won't tell a soul!
Coconut Raspberry Ice Cream
Recipe courtesy of http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vegan-coconut-raspberry-ice-cream/
2 cans of chilled Coconut Milk
3/4 cup of sugar (I would use less next time)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup of raspberries (fresh or frozen)
*Place the cans of coconut milk in the fridge the night before.
Place coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla in a blender. Blend until combined.
Churn in an ice cream maker.
In the last few minutes of churning add the raspberries.
Serve immediately or freeze the leftovers (ha!) for later.
P.S. It's good to be back!
Without getting deep, sentimental sad and perhaps a bit boring, I will just say that I have spent the last 2 years finding myself. Recreating myself and coming to a lot of decisions. Decisions that today, I can say I am very proud of and really happy with. I have found myself again and I couldn't be happier.
On that note, there a few things in life that just make me so happy, and one of those things is Coconut. The smell of coconut just make me think that I am on a beach, somewhere tropical.
The sun is shining in Ottawa right now, but I can't be on a beach somewhere tropical today, so I will bring the tropics here.
This is a wonderful recipe I found on Pinterest for Coconut Raspberry Ice Cream.
Go on, have it for breakfast, it's healthy and I won't tell a soul!
Coconut Raspberry Ice Cream
Recipe courtesy of http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vegan-coconut-raspberry-ice-cream/
2 cans of chilled Coconut Milk
3/4 cup of sugar (I would use less next time)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup of raspberries (fresh or frozen)
*Place the cans of coconut milk in the fridge the night before.
Place coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla in a blender. Blend until combined.
Churn in an ice cream maker.
In the last few minutes of churning add the raspberries.
Serve immediately or freeze the leftovers (ha!) for later.
P.S. It's good to be back!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
P!nk - Glitter In The Air (GRAMMYs on CBS)
I have posted this before, but felt inspired to do it again tonight.
Enjoy!
Monday, March 14, 2011
I love this!!!
Get yours today.
It's a free download at Becky Higgins
3 colours to choose from and several sizes.
Too cute!
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