tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58628554819507473642024-02-20T10:33:34.718-08:00·Mangia Shut Up ·Small bites of a big lifeJULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-730926976009994172013-09-03T07:55:00.003-07:002013-09-03T09:37:49.047-07:00Itchin' for a new kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Think that title is good? You should hear me freestyle ;)</div>
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So part of what made us (mostly me) fall in love with our house was the kitchen. Exhibit A:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8NBMJPTC-IWY29_MEPog19dNP21d_yLtjE7n2cJYGC2FR7qbO8UjfwjFf4JSZFeXZYcRy9gLWD81aTRyEp2IqY3sg5q3eDA30FlW_TIzhlJBNfP35eESzFfMZYbR2A2P5sQl9LDWYaE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8NBMJPTC-IWY29_MEPog19dNP21d_yLtjE7n2cJYGC2FR7qbO8UjfwjFf4JSZFeXZYcRy9gLWD81aTRyEp2IqY3sg5q3eDA30FlW_TIzhlJBNfP35eESzFfMZYbR2A2P5sQl9LDWYaE/s640/photo.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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Wait! Just hear me out. </div>
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The kitchens in the houses we saw seemed to fall into two categories: Kitchens that needed complete overhauls or kitchens that had already been updated but not in our style; the former would cost us way too much money and the latter would cost me too much guilt: I couldn't justify renovating a perfectly decent kitchen, especially one that other people would think was just lovely. </div>
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So this one. This one was smack dab in the middle of yuck and ugly. The cupboards are decent: they just need some new paint and handles put in a spot that makes sense (what were those people thinking?). The configuration was the coveted work triangle and that window over the sink - perfection. But look more closely at the counter/backsplash...</div>
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It's 2x2 tiles. TILES! The idea of putting food or rolling dough out on those counters, getting food into those grout lines totally grossed me out (I'm sounding like Kimmie Gibbler now). The hygiene of them combined with the fact that they were just plain ugly made the decision easy: those counters had to go!</div>
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And then once that decision was made my mind, and my <a href="http://pinterest.com/juliatuer/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> button, went absolutely berserk. </div>
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I'm sure everyone has already seen this gorgeous kitchen makeover by Sarah at <a href="http://www.smittenstudioonline.com/cabin-progress-open-shelves/" target="_blank">Smitten Studio</a> after it was posted on <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">A Cup of Jo</a>, but it has my heart so I had to share. Everything about it is perfect: the butcher block counters, the subway tile, the open shelves, that apron sink! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.smittenstudioonline.com/cabin-progress-open-shelves/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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Beth's home is a great inspiration for me. She renovated her kitchen on a budget by painting her lower cabinet and then installing just new upper cabinets from IKEA. The mix of traditional and modern makes me swoon. Also, globe pendant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/10/before-after-full-home-renovation-2.html" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTTIuJqEQW9v9XTuK99L_59QeJ3qc2NqFn30bzbahJ9hbKdNtuCJTtA_sFdJX1X7iQ2-HXrXdtk7UPqPnl06BLo3-wboJIIUD-OyDFjQ-EehZFp8Xn_scb1moOi-T8W3N8C2M1vhyZa0/s1600/SFDA4716CB3A52344EE82F35C89FD45B38B_1024x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTTIuJqEQW9v9XTuK99L_59QeJ3qc2NqFn30bzbahJ9hbKdNtuCJTtA_sFdJX1X7iQ2-HXrXdtk7UPqPnl06BLo3-wboJIIUD-OyDFjQ-EehZFp8Xn_scb1moOi-T8W3N8C2M1vhyZa0/s640/SFDA4716CB3A52344EE82F35C89FD45B38B_1024x.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· via ·</td></tr>
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Oh open shelves, how I love thee. I like how these ones pick up the warmth of the countertops and bring that look upward. Again, mixing the natural material of the wood with ultra-modern high gloss is genius - love it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-natural-wood-amp-white-kitchen-192531" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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Wood floors, which cabinets, slight contrast with the white subway tiles and grout colour AND open shelves? This kitchen has it all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://manhattan-nest.com/2013/08/26/the-kitchen-the-big-reveal/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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I'm loving the high contrast tile and grout in <a href="http://manhattan-nest.com/" target="_blank">Daniel's</a> new kitchen. Not only does it look great, but it's way easier to keep clean. When my pot of tomato sauce bubbles and hits the backsplash I can be sure it won't stain the grout. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.cococozy.com/2010/06/light-filled-lake-house-in-arkansas.html" target="_blank">via</a> · </td></tr>
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We definitely won't be able to afford marble countertops, and this kitchen is a little too traditional for my liking, but it is quite the classy space. A girl can admire. </div>
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And that's that - I'll be sure to share updates on our reno soon!</div>
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xo julia<br />
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JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-83176690155776878612013-08-30T14:00:00.001-07:002013-08-30T14:01:14.036-07:00Holy Shit We Bought a House!Let's all just pretend I'm not the most inconsistent blogger on the Internet.<br />
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This summer has been a busy one. And while I usually feel like "busy" is just a terrible excuse for anything (because who <i>isn't</i> busy), I promise you, I was bu-sy.<br />
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You see, James (the husband) and I have been busy wading through the Toronto real estate market.<br />
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I'll break down how that goes:<br />
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Set budget<br />
Realize that budget won't get you much in Toronto<br />
Realize that budget won't get you anything in dream neighbourhoods/neighbourhoods you ever go to<br />
Come to terms with it<br />
Check out the 20 MLS listings sent by realtor daily<br />
Visit about 10-12 houses a week<br />
Try not to cry<br />
Find amazing home<br />
Go into 17-way bidding war (no, that is not a typo - there were 17 other offers)<br />
Come in second place<br />
Actually cry<br />
Find out other house you love didn't sell on listing day<br />
Put in offer<br />
Cry (the happy tears)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our little home - a 1926 red brick semi</td></tr>
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All in all though, it wasn't half bad. We'd heard stories of buyers hunting for months and months looking for the "perfect" home, losing out on several bidding wars and then finally finding "The One" 8 months after first shaking their realtor's hand.<br />
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Us? We met our realtor and signed over the offer within 1 month. And agreed to a 1 month closing date.<br />
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Yep - that's us. When we decided we want something we do it/get it right away. Our first home took a short 2 months to become ours, and we couldn't be happier. Our house is just the right size for us, in a neighbourhood that's quite close to the action (I can still bike to work, restaurants, friends' pads), had a garage (major bonus) and enough of a yard to host summer dinner parties al fresco.<br />
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We're doing a few renovations here and there - nothing major. Ok, a little major will be going on in the kitchen. All of it should be done within the next couple of weeks, so I'll be sharing little snippets of what we've done along the way.<br />
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Now, I'm off to Home Depot for the 127th time.<br />
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xxo jJULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-54586599704758462122013-04-10T13:56:00.000-07:002013-04-10T13:56:55.460-07:00Thieves and Bandits<br />
You know what? I'm terrible at sticking to a schedule.<br />
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I'm 3 <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" target="_blank">Joy Juices</a> behind and I'm getting thirsty.<br />
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BUT, I'm not going to feel bad about it - because the sweet little P.S. at the bottom of my past email told me not to fret if I fall behind or need to skip a couple. Which left me feeling relieved and a little bit <i>how does she know?!</i><br />
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No seriously. How?<br />
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Now, let's pick up where I left off last.<br />
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Here's my question:<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>What can I do in my current situation to be more joyful? To fully engage in my life just as it is?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Is it giving back? Is it pushing a boundary? Is it immersing myself in my creativity? Is it practicing self-love?</b></span><br />
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So, I thought about this for about 90 seconds before the siren call of the internet distracted me and I started clicking around the web again. I have the attention span of a goldfish. A goldfish with an iPhone. So I was clicking around some blogs and found this quotation that so perfectly speaks to me it's like my own mother said it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.bridgesandballoons.com/comparison-is-the-thief-of-joy/" target="_blank">via</a> ·<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I read the quote an immediately thought "oh Eleanor Roosevelt - you're so wise. Always with the quotables." And then I read it again and realized, <i>not</i> Eleanor. Nope. That <i>other</i> Roosevelt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But this quote so perfectly illustrates the root of any of my unhappiness: COMPARISON. This, my friends, is my "C word." Every time I feel great my inner other "C word" pipes up to compare me or my situation to someone else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If I look great in an outfit I imagine someone else looking better in it. If I have a big win in work, I imagine the people I went to school with having bigger, more glamourous wins at their agencies. I think of how I did it better last time, how she looked better before, how somewhere, someplace, someone else is doing something else better than me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And of course they are. And of course someone else would look better in this outfit that I'm sporting as I sit here and write this. But <i>who the fuck cares? </i>There's only one me, there's only one now, and to compare myself to anything or anyone else does nothing to help anyone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I need to appreciate what I have, practice gratitude and tell that bitch in my head to zip it because <i>I'm </i>talking and I've got some pretty nice things to say. </span></div>
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JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-84569904016039704692013-04-02T08:23:00.001-07:002013-04-02T08:23:33.616-07:00Busy BeeI'm a couple of days late on my <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" target="_blank">Joy Juice</a> post, but I promise it was for a very-super-important, life or death reason: I was getting my tan on.<br />
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My parents participate in the second-largest human migration on the planet: Canadian retirees escaping to Florida during winter. I miss them tons while they're gone, but visiting them is a huuuuuuge perk!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· Clearwater Point · poolside bliss · oysters we gathered that morning · tanned toes ·<br />
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Now that I'm back home in Toronto and shivering, I can focus my attention back on this blog. </div>
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Ok so this Joy Juice is about being busy and reminding me that being busy isn't the same as being on track. </div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>What does my schedule say that I care about? Is that true? Am I avoiding any big decisions or dream-chasing by saying "I'm just too busy?"</b></span></div>
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I enjoy being busy. In fact, I kind of need it. Once I stop for too long, I get antsy - I feel guilty about wasting the day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/inevavae/6619482063/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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My schedule mostly consists of working, cooking, seeing friends and family and yoga. My schedule says I care about relationships and that is 100% truth. </div>
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My big questions are those big life decisions one is faced with when at my age. Should I get bangs? And how/where/and when do we buy a house? My schedule isn't stopping me from this at all, but there is one thing I've noticed:</div>
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I tend to do things for fear of "missing out."</div>
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This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I go on trips because I don't want to miss out on seeing the world, I take risks because I don't want to miss out on reaping the rewards, I see my parents because I don't want to miss out making memories with them that I'll cherish forever. BUT, I think I need to learn to save time for myself. I'll say "yes" to drinks with friends, or a coffee date when sometimes all I want to do is stay home and watch a terrible chick flick. But I say "yes" because I feel guilty about staying home and doing nothing.<br />
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<i>ermagerd i think I'm making a revelation here...</i><br />
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My schedule says I don't care enough about myself.<br />
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<i>holy shit</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I don't give myself enough alone time. And I <i>love</i> alone time. I lived alone for 3 years and adored <i>every single minute of it.</i> I got to know myself so well. Being alone is how I got myself here - to a place where I'm really really happy.<br />
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Ok, so here it is. I need to spend more time with me. I need to set aside more time to go to yoga all by my lonesome even if it means giving up on going out for that post-work drink. I also need to enjoy those nights my husband has to work late and spend them doing "me" things.<br />
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I'm my best company, and I can keep myself busy working on me <i>thankyouverymuch. </i>JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-80016316423230206512013-03-28T12:09:00.001-07:002013-03-28T12:09:06.186-07:00Awesome, opossum* <i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #999999;">Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" style="color: #999999; font-family: futura, 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joy Juice</a> journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i>
Ok, folks. This one's the hardest yet.<br />
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I'm supposed to reflect on what makes me awesome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOb0EPQv1B95BpYBmgEmCOcHpC2X9Vr4FYDkqUwi3z0KYuT5kZHQWGnHiaIKZHZ9IhdafZP3tsCcBUQ39rxhuX51xpBZfgdy_H8RZUwuWC2W5HjGTHP3q3EL4CCg4mnL9IUJMT_xnPuo/s1600/I-Am-Awesome-Close-Up-e1346147344621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOb0EPQv1B95BpYBmgEmCOcHpC2X9Vr4FYDkqUwi3z0KYuT5kZHQWGnHiaIKZHZ9IhdafZP3tsCcBUQ39rxhuX51xpBZfgdy_H8RZUwuWC2W5HjGTHP3q3EL4CCg4mnL9IUJMT_xnPuo/s400/I-Am-Awesome-Close-Up-e1346147344621.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://www.shirtsayings.net/updates/which-look/" target="_blank">via</a> · </td></tr>
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Seriously?! Could I please answer what makes me not awesome? Because that's a lot easier, amIright?<br />
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Why <i>is</i> pointing out what makes you so great so hard? I feel like when I was 8 this would have been so easy:<br />
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I'm awesome at: singing, dancing, making a house out of a cardboard box, following along to The Little Mermaid word by word, making friends, decorating hats, exploring the forest behind my house.<br />
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When I was 8, I was capitol "A" awesome. The shit, some might say. But then something happened.<br />
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We learn somewhere that celebrating ourselves isn't polite. True, we need to learn humility (because no one likes a brag), but it shouldn't be at the cost of our sincerest pride. We learn that it's ok to flaunt our faults, but wearing our awesome right on our chest makes us the Hester Prynne of the 6th grade. "Don't talk to <i>her</i>, she's awesome."<br />
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So here, now, I will shout my awesome loud and clear.<br />
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...<br />
...<br />
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ummm...I'm really good at winging my eyeliner? (you <i>know</i> that's an awesome skill to master.)<br />
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Uhhhh...gosh this is hard.<br />
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Ok. I'm a great cook. I can bake too. Like, seriously. I'm confident in the kitchen and if you give my ingredients, I can whip them into something pretty great. Exhibit A (for awesome, obv) and B (bitch, please):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk6LQGr34JUCUA3v7MjEHV02n1Be3kHtoEoxcjTQpZPbqzzvNFrJdhvjy9_2AHTCBo-9OmyPnKYVqma2eMcEsuf7ONkgkpAoRZfz0_KZMeZoiA8KBfaDugDYq0IJ1sG6azpJAhhZ89Fs/s1600/food2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk6LQGr34JUCUA3v7MjEHV02n1Be3kHtoEoxcjTQpZPbqzzvNFrJdhvjy9_2AHTCBo-9OmyPnKYVqma2eMcEsuf7ONkgkpAoRZfz0_KZMeZoiA8KBfaDugDYq0IJ1sG6azpJAhhZ89Fs/s640/food2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Those were some tasty tasty foods, says I. You can believe me.<br />
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Ok, but I must be great at more than just kitchen-y things.<br />
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<strike>I think </strike>I'm great at listening to my friends. I'm great at lending an ear if they have something they need to talk through. I give good insight and I try my best to not push my opinion on how they should handle the situation on them and let them do what they'd like with my advice.<br />
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I'm great at feeling things. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm angry, I'll vent. If I'm happy, you'll know it. This may not seem like an awesome quality, but when the flip side is holding it all in, I think this is the better option. For me.<br />
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So how do I remind myself about how awesome I am when I forget? This one's easy: talk to my husband. He's my biggest fan and always holds me accountable. And he's always there to remind me I'm awesome even when I don't believe it at all.<br />
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Then he asks me to go bake him some cookies.<br />
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So, what's <i>one thing</i> that makes you awesome? And if you're less than stellar at winged eyeliner, check out <a href="http://www.keikolynn.com/2010/11/makeup-monday-how-to-classic-winged.html" target="_blank">Keiko's how to</a>. <br />
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*An oppossum is NOT a possum, guys! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possum" target="_blank">Possums</a> are Australian. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum" target="_blank">Oppossums</a> are North American. Basically an oppossum is to possums as alligators are to crocodiles. (I'm also awesome at knowing all the answerst.)JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-13554639690403863202013-03-27T06:55:00.000-07:002013-03-27T07:09:24.384-07:00No Bonnet Required<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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Truth be told, Easter isn't my favourite holiday. It's not my favourite anything really. It doesn't have the pumpkin-pie-comfort that comes along with Thanksgiving, no one gives me gifts like at Christmas (except for white chocolate bunnies*), and dressing up like one of the X-men really only works at Halloween.<br />
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But, Easter does have one thing going for it - the promise of warmer weather. And this year, that promise is truer than ever since the husband and I are hopping on a plane Friday morning and heading down to Florida to visit my parents.<br />
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Guess what? It's 25 (that celcius, friends) and sunny. It's alright to be jealous. <br />
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If I could run out right now and buy a brand new outfit to wear to Easter dinner, this is <i>exactly</i> what I'd pick up. Complete with the <a href="http://www.dearcreatures.com/" target="_blank">Dear Creatures</a> dress and <a href="http://www.swedishhasbeens.com/" target="_blank">Swedish Hasbeens</a> I've been coveting. (See? This is also why I dislike Easter...coveting is frowned upon).<br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/no_bonnet_required/set?.embedder=6125112&.svc=blogger&id=76869306" target="_blank"><img alt="No Bonnet Required" border="0" force="1" height="600" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/CSRbf2wm1h7EVz9SvRQ/cid/76869306/id/zQV2MMYKRW2SjS7Fa48rZw/size/c600x600.jpg" title="No Bonnet Required" width="600" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/no_bonnet_required/set?.embedder=6125112&.svc=blogger&id=76869306" target="_blank">· shopping deets ·</a></small><br />
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What are your feelings about Easter? Are you a fan, or can the bunnies keep it?</div>
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<i>*Whoever told my aunt that I love white chocolate, could you please fix this? It's gross and not actually chocolate at all.</i></div>
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JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-92220481847697080362013-03-25T06:58:00.001-07:002013-03-25T06:58:07.590-07:00The Best Intentions<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #999999;">Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" style="color: #999999; font-family: futura, 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Joy Juice</a> journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></i>
This one's about intentions.<br />
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<b>Intention</b>: an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.<br />
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Like, I <i>intended </i>to do laundry this weekend but I realized I had 2 more thongs tucked in back of my sock drawer so really, why bother?<br />
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Or, I i<i>ntend</i> to go to the party and only have 2 manhattans. (hahahahaha, right)<br />
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But no, not like those at all. The intention I'm talking about here is less "quantifiable." It's more a long-term goal. A "putting it out there" vibe, if you will.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/181199584978187768/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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From what I understand of it (read: what Google tells me), setting an intention is basically assuming the outcome of something. In laylady's terms: you reap what you sow.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What is my intention for this year?</span></b><br />
I'm not making goals here. If I were, my goal this year would be "buy an adorable house." My intention is something completely different.<br />
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My intention is to think more positively. To let the negative thoughts roll off my back, leaving room for only the positive. This is sure to create a domino effect, right? Like one where I give people the benefit of the doubt? Where I figure people think I'm great unless otherwise explicitly stated? It must.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">How can I practice setting intentions in my day-today and remind myself of my practice gently?</span></b><br />
Here's what I'm going to each morning: Tell myself "I'm going to have a great day"<br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">How can I encourage others to share their intentions?</span></b><br />
By being awesomely happy.<br />
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BUT, I could also encourage others to share their intentions here. If anyone's even reading! So, what are <i>your</i> intentions?JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-90630718649295536812013-03-22T06:46:00.001-07:002013-03-22T06:46:37.326-07:00Talk ain't cheap, sister<i><span style="color: #999999;">Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" target="_blank">Joy Juice</a> journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. At least, that's my intention ;) </span></i><br />
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Ok, so this one's about self-talk. When I was doing my undergrad (in kinesiology, which is hilarious to anyone who knows me because I'm not "sporty" in the least. I just think muscles are super cool), I did a paper on the effects of self-talk and varsity level athletes. I'll spare you the nitty-gritty details (and footnotes) and cut to the chase - athletes who self-talk their way through their sport perform better than those who don't.<br />
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So why am I even telling you this? Well, for one, I got an 87% on that paper and I like bringing that up. Also, it does segway into today's Joy Juice, as the words we say to ourselves every day can truly affect how we see the world and how the world sees us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR6IodTyzo9XTu5t8bgv5qTDDvEJ1Cq-goqmLRtUhhcTlIF2zSSKJQ7OoWbpGB5t3fbnIVpnvn2Aol5gF_XwpFdhQIU1G3ZVzzjerU9koR9Ls7aO3I0JOOY7SZc5fp53V_VgCI79h2Sw/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR6IodTyzo9XTu5t8bgv5qTDDvEJ1Cq-goqmLRtUhhcTlIF2zSSKJQ7OoWbpGB5t3fbnIVpnvn2Aol5gF_XwpFdhQIU1G3ZVzzjerU9koR9Ls7aO3I0JOOY7SZc5fp53V_VgCI79h2Sw/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/364228688583598286/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Where am I practicing self-sabotage my talking about myself negatively?</b></span><br />
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This one's tricky for me. First off, I do this in my head<i> </i>often - back to the too's from <a href="http://mangiashutup.blogspot.ca/2013/03/joy-juice.html" target="_blank">the other day's post</a>. I tell myself I've got awful legs, or by butt looks terrible, or I said something idiotic. I level myself far too often instead of pumping myself up. But what's worse, is I often say these things out loud to my husband. He's my biggest fan and all I'm doing is chipping away at his fandom one little comment at a time. Yikes.<br />
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BUT, I have a question: does self-deprecating humour count as talking negatively about yourself? Because if I have to stop making fun of myself for my downfalls, my whole comedy schtick* is blown.<br />
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*I make friends or family members chuckle now and then. Not to be confused with a full-blown comedy schtick.<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>What do I complain and whine about the most?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
Apart from eating too many carbs and feeling bloaty? Probably something someone did to offend me. And then it usually turns out to be a misunderstanding. If everyone would just say what they mean (and feel) I think this complaint would disappear (like the carbs on my plate).<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>What would it looks like if I made the conscious effort to talk (and think) about those things in a positive way?</b></span><br />
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Back to the first question: I'd probably feel more confidence, right? If I just shut up and let myself be? And as for getting upset over misunderstandings; I probably need to just give people the benefit of the doubt (which is so so difficult for me to do, but I'll try!). And as for the bloating? I doubt thinking positively about my gas will make it go away - so I just made a doctor's appointment to talk about it ;)<br />
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So what would it look like if I was more positive with my self-talk?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiDvumHXoxThQJWhlKyrnIuyI0k_D2Qxy03SI497BPtfDxcDJdUAtv20_xS6oXZSJusBfNAChPwzw2RM1pp8MkuE9AsqYm69XB50CXiormv0WLtOT5sfFTOQtKER60Dx9yWe-mtqNo0U/s1600/vansparade007jpg13ed7757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiDvumHXoxThQJWhlKyrnIuyI0k_D2Qxy03SI497BPtfDxcDJdUAtv20_xS6oXZSJusBfNAChPwzw2RM1pp8MkuE9AsqYm69XB50CXiormv0WLtOT5sfFTOQtKER60Dx9yWe-mtqNo0U/s1600/vansparade007jpg13ed7757.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">· via the talented <a href="http://maxwanger.com/lifestyle" target="_blank">Max Wanger</a> ·</td></tr>
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So, what are <i>you</i> saying about you?JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-37167634843382412872013-03-20T06:20:00.002-07:002013-03-20T06:28:58.841-07:00Joy Juice<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going through a change of life right now. No, not <i>that</i> change of life! Being newlyweds, my husband and I are all starry-eyed about buying our first home together. BUT, Toronto is notoriously </span>unfriendly to first-time buyers (It's super pricey here. Unless you don't mind living in a shoebox). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We're on our way, but to speed up the process we've moved in with my in-laws so we can pad our downpayment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">My in-laws are fabulous - so kind and generous, but this is tough for me. I'm so used to living on my own (read: walking around in my undies), so used to doing things my own way (read: spending 3 hours trying a new recipe and eating dinner at 9 as a consequence) that this change is throwing me off-kilter. I don't hate it, it just doesn't feel like home yet. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I think through every major transition, it's important to take inventory - a little self-reflection is good for the soul and great to get you back on track to being you. So, when I came across <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/" target="_blank">Stratejoy</a> and the <a href="http://www.stratejoy.com/joy-juice/" target="_blank">Joy Juice</a> journaling prompts, I new I had to give it a try!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In a nutshell - Joy Juice emails you a prompt every 3 days. Journal it, blog it, talk it out with a gal pal - however you want to get your juices going is up to you. Each month is based on a theme and by month 12, you'll love yourself so damn much and be on your way to taking over the world. Basically I expect to have the confidence of <a href="http://www.gq.com/women/photos/201301/beyonce-cover-story-photos-gq-february-2013" target="_blank">Beyonce</a> when I'm through with this. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Check out <a href="http://stratejoy.com/" target="_blank">Stratejoy</a> for more info. And follow me along my lovefest/journey of self-discovery. A word to the wise though: shit's about to get <i>real. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9dlb8q2e2lNLPgGNWw2Tej9ELme4S49XKKFdwZplOHFq7PpoPATlFpIIk59xI7dO0JW0oLm81laUjGtFWf3GdCaXYl__lgl0VyssJGWc0LmpHbxwGpjbcmoO9euqvQ7u3tLmIZKvd3g/s1600/1ac1a6e1aa8c901b1a48473edebfc20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9dlb8q2e2lNLPgGNWw2Tej9ELme4S49XKKFdwZplOHFq7PpoPATlFpIIk59xI7dO0JW0oLm81laUjGtFWf3GdCaXYl__lgl0VyssJGWc0LmpHbxwGpjbcmoO9euqvQ7u3tLmIZKvd3g/s640/1ac1a6e1aa8c901b1a48473edebfc20c.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Because who doesn't feel happy when they seen a bunch of HUGE balloons? <br />· <a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/originals/1a/c1/a6/1ac1a6e1aa8c901b1a48473edebfc20c.jpg" target="_blank">via</a> ·</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit;">How am I spending my days right now? <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I spend most of the day,<i> most of my days</i>, sitting in front of
a computer screen. I’m a copywriter, so that time in front of the computer is
60% writing and 40% clicking around the Internet reading blogs and looking up
recipes. Ok, it’s 60-40 the other way and I’m looking at more recipes than
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I’m not working though, I usually pack a ton into my
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="background-color: white;">What activities feel like they are holding me back? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is something I spend a lot of time doing that doesn’t
do anything to propel me forward. I spend a lot of time criticizing myself. I’m
too lazy (wait…did I not just write all that busy-ness above?!), too fat, too
sensitive, too bossy. Too this. Too that. I compare myself to others ALL THE
TIME and it does nothing but contribute to unhappiness. I’m a confident person;
or at least, I used to be. But all this “too” is wearing me down. I don’t think
I’m alone here either – I think a lot of us gals are our own worst enemies,
spending too much time on the too’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="background-color: white;">Which ones are giving me energy and strength? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the risk of sounding like a lulu-wearing, mat-toting yogi,
I do have to proclaim my love for yoga. It’s a new love, so yoga and I are
still in that can’t-get-enough-of-each-other, does-no-wrong stage, but I hope
it lasts. I HATE working out. But when I’m sedentary, I feel fat. When I feel
fat, I’m unkind to myself. And when I’m unkind to myself, I’m not happy. It’s
an easy cycle to recognize, and so so easy to break out of through yoga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">How can I start right this very moment </span><span style="background: white;">to spend more time on the sweet spot activities?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ok, so back to that cycle above. I’ve found that if I can get
to the yoga studio at least 3 times a week, I feel great. I feel relaxed, yet
energized, and I don’t feel like I need to beat myself up over enjoying a bit
of something sweet. <i>But I think I need a
goal</i>. So, here it is: through thrice-weekly practice, I’d like to be able
to do a perfect downward dog. (There should probably be a time specified here,
but how long does one need to downward dog like a pro? Damned if I know!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that’s it! Joy Juice #1. How are you spending your days?</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-29691589324689945602013-03-14T18:08:00.000-07:002013-03-20T06:29:17.223-07:00Life's Tough Decisions <span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been silent lately. Which is maybe jumping the gun just a bit, seeing as I've done a whopping 3 (three!) posts so far, but hey. I've been juggling a lot lately - a big move, settling into the new place, work stuff and a fork in the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I've come to face the question almost every female faces at some point in her life. One that cannot be answered with a simple yes or not, but rather requires a committee of girlfriends and sisters, dozens of reference points and, of course, a pin board.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Yes, I'm struggling with that question: Should I get bangs?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
This is one of the struggles for modern women. Pre-Birkin era women didn't need to mull over bangs, they didn't know any better. But us post-Birken babes, we're confronted with full-on fringe every couple of years. It's a vicious cycle - cut bangs, grow out, get bored, cut again. And with It Girls like Zooey Deschanel, Rose Byrne and Michelle Obama stepping out with a blunt cut and big smile, resisting the temptation to trim is even harder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
So, to make it harder on you, and to help myself step just a little closer to the stylist's chair, here are a few fabulously-fringed femmes to inspire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJeg-bw2OPtYqyyu7EUjDmV-xgnxTSSvLOWiu1GlV9-EF2PRLhrY187t_n9STp2flq5BlwfcJsG_X8LEfAaacFEhFoZk1xMHF96xxbXUz9KynK3-Ba_G7TXT4evukWOSoFyjXaQOPH4E/s400/109-zooey-deschanel.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="313" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">· <a href="http://swedishconnection.wordpress.com/tag/zooey-deschanel/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A post about bangs can't happen without Zooey. Her heavy fringe has inspired quirky girls the world over to make the cut. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyagkZMTkHziI5Nhb9s9jLkLEFJNrj4-AqgeCJTowgikv3j0ffweFLntnNEo4VpYf_E_OcXE1Ho7QEdSfbwOxNFa41iFbPqriHRHxKDNDW3kZuBtRfgoLOX7Lmp3ilhi_ZwURtt2Ze3o/s1600/2578758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyagkZMTkHziI5Nhb9s9jLkLEFJNrj4-AqgeCJTowgikv3j0ffweFLntnNEo4VpYf_E_OcXE1Ho7QEdSfbwOxNFa41iFbPqriHRHxKDNDW3kZuBtRfgoLOX7Lmp3ilhi_ZwURtt2Ze3o/s400/2578758.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">· <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/best-celebrity-bangs-slideshow/alexa-chung-photo-2578758-182500150.html" target="_blank">via</a> ·</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexa. This is the heavier, fuller version of her curtain bang. I used to think full bangs needed to fully cover the forehead, but the gentle sweep of hers proves otherwise. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDcI0OuATm4pLsUPlsnK2A9wg82vgXqbpPRCKLwN6dUfEcNrsu0-kUiTjo7C0sA59sa2AfmSSFPyviDpduZqC3IUXHBYSBx9UD1wuAOts2SrlAS_Qc8H8FTCTeMFKeMWeUO0w9qPgK6E/s1600/theory-salon-blog-25-pic-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDcI0OuATm4pLsUPlsnK2A9wg82vgXqbpPRCKLwN6dUfEcNrsu0-kUiTjo7C0sA59sa2AfmSSFPyviDpduZqC3IUXHBYSBx9UD1wuAOts2SrlAS_Qc8H8FTCTeMFKeMWeUO0w9qPgK6E/s400/theory-salon-blog-25-pic-3.jpeg" width="290" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">· <a href="http://theoryhairsalon.com/blog/tag/bangs-haircuts/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brigitte and her bombshell bangs. Her are the quintessential curtain bang; they're full and part near the centre, kind of like window curtains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYXPhxgwfcL4MC9fwrRHP2hYVqO4qetdLA8GP3qVvCzAwxJ7I382f75oxILQmRTdOsWaY1FvIF0v4CzXE1LgraxRojGLlU6mNEzQzSKw947t2oziFuDfz6a_ag9t0AWLj5qiBL5zArF0/s1600/young%252Bjane%252Bbirkin%252Bstyle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYXPhxgwfcL4MC9fwrRHP2hYVqO4qetdLA8GP3qVvCzAwxJ7I382f75oxILQmRTdOsWaY1FvIF0v4CzXE1LgraxRojGLlU6mNEzQzSKw947t2oziFuDfz6a_ag9t0AWLj5qiBL5zArF0/s400/young%252Bjane%252Bbirkin%252Bstyle.jpeg" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">· <a href="http://insearchofsadie.com/category/jane-birkin/" target="_blank">via</a> ·</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the original - Jane Birkin - in all her effortless perfection.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-68683989845350083822013-02-20T19:53:00.003-08:002013-02-20T19:53:52.017-08:00Mangia This · Chinese Pork Dumplings
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have
you ever gone out for dim sum? It’s fabulous! Servers flit around with cart
after cart of steaming dumplings, spicy bok choy and, my favourite, sesame
balls. The food just keeps coming and coming until you say stop or fall asleep.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s
only one problem. I have NO freaking clue how to order dim sum so that I know exactly
what I’m getting. It’s not that I’m a picky eater – I just need to know what’s
in my food. If I expect pork and bite into shrimp, the meal’s ruined. And so, I
only go for dim sum when an experienced friend can come along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A
couple weekends ago it was Chinese New Year’s. I A) knew my dim sum friend was
busy and B) new all the great dim sum restaurants in Chinatown were packed, so
I decided to make my own dumplings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This
recipe may look a bit lengthy and complicated, but I promise you it’s not. This
is a perfect recipe for a weekend in, with a bunch of friends and your list of
resolutions from that other New Year’s Day that you can start breaking all over
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Makes 40 dumplings<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<b style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt;">Filling </b><span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt;">(Adapted from <a href="http://www.steamykitchen.com/5849-chinese-boiled-pork-dumplings.html" target="_blank">Steamy Kitchen</a>)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12 ounces cabbage leaves, roughly chopped (I used savoy cabbage)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon kosher salt <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup minced green onions (white and green parts)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2/3 pound ground pork<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (I used dry sherry)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 teaspoons sesame oil</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoons Chinese 5-spice<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>·····</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Put the cabbage in a
food processor and process until cabbage is finely minced. You could do this
with a chef’s knife – just put on some good tunes because it’ll take you a
while!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Transfer minced
cabbage to a large bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Let cabbage sit for 10
minutes.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YKZgikbUHW1COUZozd_26lUljHJt1jDVXA1jQbP4nbllp6S9no9LfO9SlzcGxOiCbGtBWuFilOmk6QjFE30GTaGXej_m2gVhX_LuNOMEIjMzZuwfJgJIp2nn5bqJynEOA72WID0JaOU/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YKZgikbUHW1COUZozd_26lUljHJt1jDVXA1jQbP4nbllp6S9no9LfO9SlzcGxOiCbGtBWuFilOmk6QjFE30GTaGXej_m2gVhX_LuNOMEIjMzZuwfJgJIp2nn5bqJynEOA72WID0JaOU/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">In the meantime, add
add the ginger, chives, pork, pepper, soy sauce, rice wine, Chinese 5-spice and
sesame oil to the now empty food processor bowl. Pulse 5 or 6 times to mix the
ingredients well. Set aside.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqg2W0py5y_gV1pCqUveJzf-tQoeS13Ij7c2lU1guXXn0mkTJqge0BzWmE5wzkDWXb9VXuQZ2SI4EAdkTufw5n1cIsYWWhqaQi9C18zVZJn4qzsbKeKQz9nhACFL4qn-fDiH40GQRwv0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqg2W0py5y_gV1pCqUveJzf-tQoeS13Ij7c2lU1guXXn0mkTJqge0BzWmE5wzkDWXb9VXuQZ2SI4EAdkTufw5n1cIsYWWhqaQi9C18zVZJn4qzsbKeKQz9nhACFL4qn-fDiH40GQRwv0/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used <a href="http://www.pc.ca/blacklabel/product_details.jsp?productId=prod1390259" target="_blank">PC Black Label Chinese 5-Spice</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Using your hands, grab
a handful of the cabbage and squeeze the excess moisture out into the sink. <i>Don’t
skip this step or your dumplings will be super soggy!</i> Place the dry cabbage
back into the large bowl and fold the pork mixture in until combined.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wrappers </b>(From<a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2013/02/chinese-new-year-dumpling-recipe.html" target="_blank"> Bon Appetit</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="background: white;">2 cups all-purpose flour </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">1 cup water</span><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">·····</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">Place the flour in a large bowl. Stir in 1/2
cup of the water, working the water into the flour with your hands. Slowly add
more water, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly so the water is fully
incorporated before adding more. Stop when the dough is springy and soft, not
too dry but not slippery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Transfer
to a clean surface and knead for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and
let sit for at least 10 minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIQhoaMmoWiQxU1vf-0kBghHCqesrZnVlZ9DfZv9pFZ_VXrh6eUTpUJfP1AIvou-G4Iwfe1OdVokY2-50SceUORdDgfI5NA28weym483HhpPRXEFirTi3R1afblKMwKq840Hth3JT3KQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIQhoaMmoWiQxU1vf-0kBghHCqesrZnVlZ9DfZv9pFZ_VXrh6eUTpUJfP1AIvou-G4Iwfe1OdVokY2-50SceUORdDgfI5NA28weym483HhpPRXEFirTi3R1afblKMwKq840Hth3JT3KQ/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Divide the dough into three equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a long rope, about 3/4 inch in diameter.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 <span style="background-color: white;">Slice the ropes into 1-inch-long pieces. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I8Pbghp3_SRSnr5TDgsQLQWT9OKV3U-HVnk9s0WW-IhmiM8-mX3e2gT5BoPmF39DC1kKsTNdm3UJsDN502xrmWSYMZzcEn5bsDPnW1XC-KKcgGRhzlq3DTlBG-07p8x-OGzAXHYfSd8/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I8Pbghp3_SRSnr5TDgsQLQWT9OKV3U-HVnk9s0WW-IhmiM8-mX3e2gT5BoPmF39DC1kKsTNdm3UJsDN502xrmWSYMZzcEn5bsDPnW1XC-KKcgGRhzlq3DTlBG-07p8x-OGzAXHYfSd8/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 <span style="background-color: white;">Lightly sprinkle the pieces with flour, and roll
them with one hand on the counter to form balls. Squash each ball with the
center of your palm to flatten it like a silver dollar – a reference most
people born after ’90 don’t get at all, but still, we'll keep using it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">7 <span style="background-color: white;">Give a flour shower (aka sprinkle some flour) to the dough
and work surface. Using a rolling pin and one piece of dough at a time, start
from the center of the dough and roll outward, then roll back to the center.
Turn the dough a few degrees and roll again. Continue rolling, turning the
dough in the same direction, until you have made a full turn of the dance floor.
The dumpling skin should be flat and round and slightly bigger than your palm.
It probably won't be a perfect circle the first time you try - or the second - but your technique will improve as you go along (or you'll stop caring it's not perfect). </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5mTDI9R_Nl2EvouwshVD3XmZct45m67iRZq9qASxo6gQNdZJ-T5rr7hnA8Ul4u_PhKchQaqZdpwbta73awRD1U6SGtubxM232a8PZ4vMtfd-3vK0F5L1lViw8FSKz9IysoiYLsL5S0/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5mTDI9R_Nl2EvouwshVD3XmZct45m67iRZq9qASxo6gQNdZJ-T5rr7hnA8Ul4u_PhKchQaqZdpwbta73awRD1U6SGtubxM232a8PZ4vMtfd-3vK0F5L1lViw8FSKz9IysoiYLsL5S0/s640/photo+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 <span style="background-color: white;">Now here’s where things got real. I stacked my
wrappers one on top of the other as I made them. BIG mistake. By the time I got
to filling them, everything after wrapper #10 was one huge congealed mess. SO –
next time, I’ll make a wrapper, fill a wrapper. Alternatively, you could do
stacks of 5. If they’re going to hang out for a while, just cover them with a
damp cloth so they don’t dry out. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZZu1n7nazNkNAgBN369TqKOexbb2HVe927x70IXj4HQfuM0iwahSk00gP3U-35cSO0GBV0D0vyHANAq7nhzzyxIr_Y1flKNVT2yhpM46mFwqIVrGm5jvaZBRWDPAP4ZFkUSym9HKRtg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZZu1n7nazNkNAgBN369TqKOexbb2HVe927x70IXj4HQfuM0iwahSk00gP3U-35cSO0GBV0D0vyHANAq7nhzzyxIr_Y1flKNVT2yhpM46mFwqIVrGm5jvaZBRWDPAP4ZFkUSym9HKRtg/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stack of horror</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Assembly</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt;">Take one dumpling wrapper in the palm of your hand, spoon 1
tablespoon of the pork mixture onto the middle of the wrapper.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIN_-HH5L5iV-7sD-kHlCrjqI1L7B2O9USOXkgjHw00gDcFWt1Xe61ISv6_Q-05A1A12hXGlk5V9gHQ2WljMM5RH34J-31enFxlXqtKpO5CZfzefBVdvICWoV-AeWVVTKQWBZyo6Hal4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIN_-HH5L5iV-7sD-kHlCrjqI1L7B2O9USOXkgjHw00gDcFWt1Xe61ISv6_Q-05A1A12hXGlk5V9gHQ2WljMM5RH34J-31enFxlXqtKpO5CZfzefBVdvICWoV-AeWVVTKQWBZyo6Hal4/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351; font-family: inherit; line-height: 12.75pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring up the bottom side of the wrapper, fold up into a
semi-circle and pinch the top. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Starting at one end, pinch the dough into pleats until the
filling is completely encased. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hU0n2SwBp5uxxuvTHKOnE6kkmWpR65p_k_RZ_AOnshOXbp1BsI2NGECiNplDK0WGxi5cZwBx5jyXp8iiPzZasH_ut_HVQ5e0PoTe6amxc-P-A_x1U9jcjfEL7LkHOmmp2CBEk_Oq2F0/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hU0n2SwBp5uxxuvTHKOnE6kkmWpR65p_k_RZ_AOnshOXbp1BsI2NGECiNplDK0WGxi5cZwBx5jyXp8iiPzZasH_ut_HVQ5e0PoTe6amxc-P-A_x1U9jcjfEL7LkHOmmp2CBEk_Oq2F0/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.25pt;">
<span style="color: #575351;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Set dumpling aside - but make sure that the dumplings do not
touch each other! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>To Cook Dumplings</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="background: white;">While you are wrapping, fill a large pot with
water and bring it to a boil over high heat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add the
dumplings in batches of 20, and when the water returns to a boil, cook for 5
minutes. Drain and serve immediately with sauces below.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hDpZdexQfkl7JQXLFu7Efgm1Puim022VuZLZxUhJoVbg27z2wai4fS3PWYhzboUNJT54zv-1zMyCmF57FIQAtZzki6-DW7565PJELpavVqCrlViyYAEusbTd7jGaL9Cq0xF2XcskkLY/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hDpZdexQfkl7JQXLFu7Efgm1Puim022VuZLZxUhJoVbg27z2wai4fS3PWYhzboUNJT54zv-1zMyCmF57FIQAtZzki6-DW7565PJELpavVqCrlViyYAEusbTd7jGaL9Cq0xF2XcskkLY/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beware: They're slippery little buggers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chili Oil</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>·····</b></span></div>
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In a small, heatproof bowl, place 2 tsp chili flakes, one minced garlic clove and 2 pinches of salt</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heat 1/4 cup of chili in a frying pan until fragrant and oil appears to be rippling. Carefully pour warm oil into small bowl and let sit for at least 10 minutes for flavours to meld. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rice Vinegar</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>·····</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This one's easy. Pour some seasoned rice vinegar into a small bowl. Dip dumplings. Marvel at how this simple vinegar dip changes everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd love to hear if you tried this recipe!</span>
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<!--EndFragment-->JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-47143088447550250882013-02-15T12:25:00.001-08:002013-02-15T12:25:37.647-08:00DaydreamingI can get lost in my own head.<br />
<br />
It's exactly like that time I got lost in a department store when I was four - all around me there were clothes and shoes and housewares that I wandered through in awe as a yelled "mom! mom! mom!"<br />
<br />
Well, it's mostly like the time I got lost in a department store when I was four. The only difference is now I'm not yelling "mom!" (usually), and instead of being scared I'm totally excited about the potential things I could do with all the beautiful stuff around me.<br />
<br />
And so, today's daydream takes me to the cutest little kitchen where I can live out my fantasy of being a 1950s housewife. Only in 2013 - when opportunities are better, TVs come with remotes, and BB cream made its way to North America.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGJy-SeZMl-5Bt_XU623Ls0FTiwIF87eCCTmiLhBmD-D2K7d-YKIUZ4AdMZhddWOWpuI-mx-dRhmnvH638HDo2pN-Uq2znfZx1pz9Lzl1wqwdiDnUTCW_tf7t45NmUe-vU_o8TgdkrM/s1600/daydreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGJy-SeZMl-5Bt_XU623Ls0FTiwIF87eCCTmiLhBmD-D2K7d-YKIUZ4AdMZhddWOWpuI-mx-dRhmnvH638HDo2pN-Uq2znfZx1pz9Lzl1wqwdiDnUTCW_tf7t45NmUe-vU_o8TgdkrM/s1600/daydreaming.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shelterness.com/17-retro-kitchen-designs-that-inspire/pictures/7597/" target="_blank">Kitchen</a> / <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshows/2009/04/cake_slideshow#slide=1" target="_blank">Cake</a> / <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-linens/25126236.jsp" target="_blank">Apron</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cooke-Best-Gram-Vinyl-REMASTERED/dp/B0056ZUGMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360955237&sr=8-1&keywords=best+of+sam+cooke+vinyl" target="_blank">Album</a></div>
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JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-15932099034331961842013-02-07T18:08:00.001-08:002013-02-07T18:08:18.849-08:00The Lady<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
Around our place, there's often music playing in the background. Motown, funk and 60's soul are in heavy rotation - there's always room for Sam Cooke at our dinner table. Throw back hip hop gets significant air time, and indie fills in the spaces in between. Top 40 and pop almost never gets a chance to sing at our place, which is why what I'm about to say is a big shock to those who know me well.<br />
<br />
I'm going to a Lady Gaga concert tomorrow night. And I am <i>pumped</i> about it!<br />
<br />
I don't care that as everyone sings along I'll only know "Ra ra ra-ha-aha" because I'll be dancing along to one fantastic spectacle!<br />
<br />
I haven't been to a huge show in years. Not since 2000 when I saw The Backstreet Boys and they came flying over the audience from harnesses hitched to the ceilings and I cried when Nick was so close to me I could almost touch him. Since then, my live shows have included small bars, lawn festivals, heavy guitar rock and karaoke nights.<br />
<br />
This. This will be something entirely different. And so, naturally I'm asking myself: What does one wear to a Lady Gaga concert?<br />
<br />
And then I realize I'm over-thinking it: you can wear just about <i>anything</i> to a Lady Gaga show. Everything but a dress of meat, because just as one does not wear white to a wedding, one does not wear meat to a Gaga show.<br />
<br />
And so, knowing I could wear whatever I like, here's a little peek at what I might have put together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/untitled/set?.embedder=6125112&.svc=blogger&id=71610572" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled #2" border="0" force="1" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/BjeMZAqqExEPe2XWm4aLbQ/cid/71610572/id/JvthFyc7QgebRKmCptlD7A/size/c600x491.jpg" title="Untitled #2" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
So, what's the last concert you went to?</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862855481950747364.post-10087864375738493702013-02-06T19:16:00.000-08:002013-02-15T12:27:34.301-08:00Valentime's Gift Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a kid, I always though Valentine's Day was Valen<i>time's</i> Day. Cute, I know. But when you're 6 and you also confuse ice for iske, ambulance for amblance and marshmallows for mushrooms, your classmates get a good chuckle out of you. On the plus side, they never ask to trade snacks with you because who wants a mushroom granola bar?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I grew up, but Valentime's Day stuck. Call me crazy, call me nostalgic...just call me - it's Valentime's Day for goodness sake!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You don't need fancy schmancy gifts to celebrate your love. You don't even need to go out for dinner. In fact, please don't take me out for dinner on <i>'time's - </i>all those starry-eyed, sit-on-the-same-side-of-the-booth couples feeding each other off their forks. No thanks. </div>
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Let's stay in, make dinner, uncork a bottle and exchange a little gift. These would do nicely. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViWv2ebMEuG-DY0Lj9BBORvrosWtMSceitdWFbtQ9DadlunVujMTElodwoliOW2AZ5Rh-UKVmDme_8lN5qWSpbyBB7xppEnP-0doqElmwIrWd04gqgXNL9_wwFNybcYjWVMeWmPlMiGc/s1600/bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViWv2ebMEuG-DY0Lj9BBORvrosWtMSceitdWFbtQ9DadlunVujMTElodwoliOW2AZ5Rh-UKVmDme_8lN5qWSpbyBB7xppEnP-0doqElmwIrWd04gqgXNL9_wwFNybcYjWVMeWmPlMiGc/s400/bath.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lush.ca/The-Comforter/02468,en_CA,pd.html?start=5&cgid=bubble-bars" target="_blank">This bubble bar</a> from Lush fills the tub with black current scented bubbles and turns the water a bright pink! Very festive. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26l2azG6MEoZHqmIY-QYtAfinRhJOXU-zuEeluAYNmgN7bX2oVuy0ZimzbrHTCPQnM-jv2N52fx9PJRV8pfmLjaxgS4bU5GnpEyuuPA5eCAzl7pEbsQmoAiY9PUPI7YJlRML1q3y5jss/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26l2azG6MEoZHqmIY-QYtAfinRhJOXU-zuEeluAYNmgN7bX2oVuy0ZimzbrHTCPQnM-jv2N52fx9PJRV8pfmLjaxgS4bU5GnpEyuuPA5eCAzl7pEbsQmoAiY9PUPI7YJlRML1q3y5jss/s400/candle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What does <a href="http://www.izola.com/collections/candles" target="_blank">"Heirloom"</a> even smell like? I don't care - look at that gorgeous label!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73kp2x-PrOjiiPlxyaBBcDG7yckQ5nKmXlvklhmfRjMC9dKWckqRuJoeou7L7kV735gXFnKPxwN-_r_1A4u1kOvv_UCD5cSubooSkMajRSSlbFtOG02p-usWXtyNAoCvVwRMj1HmaPX0/s1600/lipstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73kp2x-PrOjiiPlxyaBBcDG7yckQ5nKmXlvklhmfRjMC9dKWckqRuJoeou7L7kV735gXFnKPxwN-_r_1A4u1kOvv_UCD5cSubooSkMajRSSlbFtOG02p-usWXtyNAoCvVwRMj1HmaPX0/s400/lipstick.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's a Betty side to this new <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/index.tmpl?LOCALE=en_CAwhats_new/10623/New-Collections/Archies-Girls/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Archie's Girls</a> line at MAC. But I've always been a Veronica. (Ronnie's Red, please!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JyHZ5eh0NHrocBtG57RhqPsW5L-h9sa5M2qmqso7nwRowL0e4bQFmZIjvInZ05w4AX8EUbuyR_OOVGmayd3s8DidXtAMJbPiP1BnJYzFSBNjAD2MnfxSpMtvxVPAxus_DdrUZ773u1s/s1600/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JyHZ5eh0NHrocBtG57RhqPsW5L-h9sa5M2qmqso7nwRowL0e4bQFmZIjvInZ05w4AX8EUbuyR_OOVGmayd3s8DidXtAMJbPiP1BnJYzFSBNjAD2MnfxSpMtvxVPAxus_DdrUZ773u1s/s400/necklace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh! <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/necklaces/creme-de-la-creme-de-menthe-necklace" target="_blank">This</a> is cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ67MT5XzkIOaTMwzQV1bQmQVAadUvIK-Kqoqbc9hmGym2ySLiMZ2EvjfkTjPoVd5LITqLzhGZ5RZ-rB9VKXXp8pTL9oxbdrAQzDYLgUe8eBIZb-p-WogMeuU-3rnacv3ZjrLzLQACQL0/s1600/scent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ67MT5XzkIOaTMwzQV1bQmQVAadUvIK-Kqoqbc9hmGym2ySLiMZ2EvjfkTjPoVd5LITqLzhGZ5RZ-rB9VKXXp8pTL9oxbdrAQzDYLgUe8eBIZb-p-WogMeuU-3rnacv3ZjrLzLQACQL0/s400/scent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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His and her perfumes in the most <a href="http://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=victor%20and%20rolf&_requestid=136210" target="_blank">perfect scents</a>. Because couple who smell together..<i>.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1UjzUAh-8HoGFO2HREdTRBy_ictTQTQEpi_017V-7wfEd6xfL706xo0a-Fx9jLarnxvA_Jh-iJnt12Ed_IIvRB-reA0rlzx98OJZ5WA2eejHPeMGOIbHkchghITSWHt6yLwSv4dmFmQ/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1UjzUAh-8HoGFO2HREdTRBy_ictTQTQEpi_017V-7wfEd6xfL706xo0a-Fx9jLarnxvA_Jh-iJnt12Ed_IIvRB-reA0rlzx98OJZ5WA2eejHPeMGOIbHkchghITSWHt6yLwSv4dmFmQ/s400/book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You could find a new (old) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Cocktails-Laziz-Hamani/dp/2759404137/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360206326&sr=8-1&keywords=vintage+cocktails" target="_blank">cocktail</a> to start the night off right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpgHGbaqonmtFSHr0KwgwN1rP7-at9mqBy-aq4MMo6bZ3j-asTOXonFrmXWPEgs_BW5KAkymR9eeLaQI206jc_SItFe_uHfZC74MXdS_S_yAFEfYp0mKGPfcvbQrXp4eRL4QVEi9YoGM/s1600/socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpgHGbaqonmtFSHr0KwgwN1rP7-at9mqBy-aq4MMo6bZ3j-asTOXonFrmXWPEgs_BW5KAkymR9eeLaQI206jc_SItFe_uHfZC74MXdS_S_yAFEfYp0mKGPfcvbQrXp4eRL4QVEi9YoGM/s400/socks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hssweden.ca/ca/men" target="_blank">Fun socks</a> - because when your feet are happy, my feet are happy. (Read: when your feet are warm, I complain less.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn1g_V3NPcYqujYsQy0V6_70T9Q-Wp5Le6supsiCtRfLJoFPRXjReAms4JwzpLK6D1clWdVe6D2SIvjOPbpjwc3fRD4sQ-7zZrMVTxtoo7zqomaxZeiMh3gkgzcP_9GGr3B3_QC5lu-Y/s1600/shave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn1g_V3NPcYqujYsQy0V6_70T9Q-Wp5Le6supsiCtRfLJoFPRXjReAms4JwzpLK6D1clWdVe6D2SIvjOPbpjwc3fRD4sQ-7zZrMVTxtoo7zqomaxZeiMh3gkgzcP_9GGr3B3_QC5lu-Y/s400/shave.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A gentleman should have a <a href="http://keep.com/mens-soap-shaving-soap-men-shave-soap-all-natural-soap/k/115845/" target="_blank">gentlemanly shave</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxOSLUaRhldWzntqD8VY3cbqgz_kAohjrgPx2_aWdYc6b7APcJzzMBKDlDTgfiJPjm9hyX4JEVnIuBO79EAv6ahchIzqcnOa8nrhyphenhyphenS66vPh23L7ZowOmqi5vF0HSCqYr785pNyGRTYP0/s1600/square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxOSLUaRhldWzntqD8VY3cbqgz_kAohjrgPx2_aWdYc6b7APcJzzMBKDlDTgfiJPjm9hyX4JEVnIuBO79EAv6ahchIzqcnOa8nrhyphenhyphenS66vPh23L7ZowOmqi5vF0HSCqYr785pNyGRTYP0/s400/square.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A flirty <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/tiesandpocketsquares/pocketsquares/PRDOVR~38975/38975.jsp" target="_blank">pocket square</a> to peek out of your <i>pocket</i> - because you're alway up for flirty fun.</div>
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Happy Valentime's Day! <span style="color: red;">xxo</span></div>
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<br />JULIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15105523287937732750noreply@blogger.com2