Homemade: Soft Baked Pretzels & Donair Sauce

 Hey guys!

I was in the baking mood the other day and had a bit of a craving for pretzels. So I got my handy Google-ing machine out and started on the hunt for a good recipe. 

I decided on this one, I was a little nervous to make the pretzels: 1) because I'd never made them before, and 2) because I'd never worked with yeast before. As I was dissolving the yeast, I'll admit I was starting to doubt how they would turn out; the texture didn't seem like the recipe described it to be.. But I carried on anyway.

And I'm actually SO pleased with the results! They're a little misshapen, but for a first attempt they taste damn good! Pardon my French.

Just look at how beautiful they are! I'm so proud hahah!

I feel like a proud mother. ..A mother who eats her young.

Sexy oven shot.

I also made my first ever batch of homemade donair sauce. What is donair sauce you might ask? Well it's rumored to have been invented in Halifax, Nova Scotia (near where I'm from). It's a creamy, sweet, garlic sauce that it most often served on donairs. What are donairs? I hear to asking; well they are a pita/sandwich type dish, with spiced meats (kind of like pepperoni, but with different spices) onion, tomato, sometimes lettuce, etc. It's derived from a Greek dish I believe. 

I'm not so much a fan of the donairs themselves, but I LOVE the sauce, and I've missed it so much since moving to Toronto. Every time I go back home I have to get a cheese panzarotti  with a big cup of donair sauce to dip it in. I figured it would go perfectly with my pretzels (which it does..spoiler), so I looked up the very simple recipe and smothered my pretzel with it. 

I was in heaven.

If you want to make donair sauce yourself, it's SO easy:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 tsp garlic powder

Mix all three ingredients together. It takes a bit of time to mix the vinegar into the milk, but just keep stirring. Put it in the fridge to set and thicken a bit, and voila! You have a delicious Maritime delicacy to brag about to your friends. Donair sauce goes great with pizza too!

As a little bonus:

I also made a really easy mango/peach smoothy! I was thirsty after my yummy pretzel and was still in a cooking/creating mood.

I'd bought some frozen mango pieces, and just let some chunks thaw out in the fridge.

Added some peach yogurt. (You could use non fat if you wanted, I wasn't too concerned about it)

And a bit of milk, depending on how runny or thick you like your smoothies. 

Blended it all up and presto! (I'm so multilingual today)

Delicious, fairly healthy drink/snack. A snrink! 

I think the moral of the story is not to be afraid to try new things, because they often turn out delicious!

Haul | Goodwill & Thrift Store

Hey guys!

It's a rainy, windy, grey day so I thought I'd share with you some pretty things I picked up the other day from Goodwill and "The Thrift Store."  I love looking through all the old junk and finding things that I really like. It's the same with garage sales; I can't wait until they start popping up over the warmer months!

Please excuse the laundry hamper in the background haha!

While I was in Goodwill I saw these mugs that match the two I already have, except mine are black. I like when you have somewhat mismatched dishes; I think it gives your set character. 

Matchy-matchy can get boring.

This mug I just thought was pretty, I love daisies!

 When I saw this mug I had a bit of a sentimental moment. I recognized the pattern and remembered my Grammy used to have dishes with this pattern on them! She's since got new ones, but isn't it nice when you see something from your childhood that you'd forgotten about? Even just simple, little things :)

I also picked up this cute little vase/jar and got some pretty spring flowers to fill it.

 I'm not entirely sure what this thing is meant for, it about the size of a coaster, but I thought it was pretty and it was only 99 cents; you can't beat that! I might just keep it on my desk as a decorative little treasure..or maybe I'll find an actual use for it. Do you know what it is? Let me know!

I like buying book second hand as well. Here are a couple that I picked up.

No idea who this author is, but I'm a sucker for cheesy chick-lit, romantic type novels haha. 

I remember seeing the First Wives Club movie and thinking it was really funny, so when I saw the book I had to grab it!

This book caught my eye. I find language really interesting, and often wonder where some sayings come from. This book seemed like a perfect choice!

Well that's all I picked up this time. Do you love thrift shopping as much as I do?

Spring/Summer Look-book!

Hey guys!

As mentioned, here is my spring/summer look-book! I'm so excited that spring is finally here; I want sunshine and lemonade and garage sales and strolls through the parks. Here are some outfits I'll potentially be wearing during those springtime activities!

 This one is just a comfy, slouchy, casual look.

Tank: American Apparel

Bralette: American Apparel

Shorts: Gap

Shoes: Le Chateaux

 Another casual summer look.

Bodysuit: American Apparel

Shorts: American Apparel

Sandals: American Eagle for Payless

 My 90's look haha. 

Crop tank: American Apparel

Jeans: American Apparel

Shoes: from Hautelook..Can't make out the brand :(

 This could be casual with flats/sandals or a bit more chic with heels.

Top: Dynamite

Shorts: Garage

Shoes: Fioni for Payless

I've had these jeans for a few years and I love them..they came pre-distressed, but I feel that I've added some of my own character haha.

Top: Garage

Crop Tank: American Apparel

Jeans: Bluenotes

Shoes: Aldo 

(These are refered to by friends as my Genie shoes. They are gold, sparkly and wonderful.)

I love this shirt, I got it two years ago. It's a peplum style top, but I just tucked it into the skirt.

Top: Walmart!

Skirt: American Apparel

Sandals: American Eagle for Payless

 I'm loving this colour this year! 

Dress: Walmart

Belt: American Apparel

Shoes: Le Chateux

 Serious face alert.. haha! I like the fitted mini skirt with a baggier T. And dogs wearing sunglasses are totally "in" this year I'll have you know ;)

Jacket: Dynamite

Top: American Apparel

Skirt: American Apparel

Shoes: Montegobay Club for Payless

 What a lady I am! This sweater is so soft and comfy. If I attended tea parties, this might be my outfit for them.

Cropped Sweater: Forever 21

Skirt: American Apparel

Shoes: Fioni for Payless

Necklace: Vintage, a gift from my sister :)

 I wore this outfit one day last year, probably in September and I loved it so much I recreated it this year :)

Lace Collared Top: I can't remember, and I don't recognize the brand name (UK 2 LA) .. 

Does that ever happen to you? Lol!

Tank Top: H&M (in London!)

Pants: Gap

Belt: Came with a dress I bought at Debenhams in Northampton, UK (I'm so well travelled..)

Shoes: Miz Mooz from Balisi in Toronto.

This is by far one of my favourite shirts. Bambi! It's so cute and soft and lovely. Also getting tired of posing :P

Top: Primark

Jeans: Sirens, or somewhere cheap like that. 

Shoes: Urban Planet?

Layers. It's a thing.

Crop Top: New Look (in Stratford upon Avon I think. ..Can I just go back to England please?)

Crochet Vest: It was my mom's, she probably got it from a thrift shop:)

Jeans: American Apparel

Sandals: Urban Planet

Hope you enjoyed these outfits! Which is your favourite/least favourite? 

A couple things I've noticed about myself: I need to accessorize more, I don't like spending money on shoes, I own a lot of American Apparel clothing. Perks of the job I guess.. though detrimental to my wallet.

Here's a couple extras/bloopers! Because taking pictures of yourself can get boring. You've gotta keep yourself entertained right?

I'm so sassy.

What is my life?

Do you ever just stop and think about if other people are as weird when they're alone as you are? 

Please tell me that you are ..and then we can be friends!

Haul | Cute dresses from Walmart?

Hey guys!

Don't you love when you find something that's cute AND cheap? I know I do.

I was in Walmart a couple weeks ago to buy some new headphones, and I thought I'd just take a peak in the women's clothing section. Last summer I managed to find a couple pieces that I actually really liked and this spring is no different!

First up I found this peach-y floral dress with a cut-out back..

It's very comfortable and I love the back. I'll wear it whilst I go frolicking through the city this spring/summer.

Secondly I got this red-orange dress, which is my favourite of the two..

I think it's "fiery" and makes me want to go dancing haha! I don't like super fitted dresses and this one flares out so nicely. Again it's very comfortable, it's basically a big, slightly fancier tank top. And people will look at you and think, "Oh, look at her. She's so put together and dapper looking in that probably expensive, fiery dress." At least that's what I'm hoping for ;) You could definitely pop a belt on with this as well, it would look great! I also think it pairs wonderfully with the remnants of my Cuba tan.

Shoes are from Payless.

 

Each of these dresses was only $12. Yes, I said $12, you can't beat it! Walmart has definitely got a few gems if you're willing to look.

I'm thinking of putting together a spring/summer look book-type outfit post, so stay tuned for that!

Just for you my friends. How can you bear it?

**Again, sorry for the poor quality! It was a grey, yucky day and I'm still using my old point and shoot camera..on a timer (I'm such an independent woman). I'm trying to learn to use the boyfriends fancy-shmancy camera he got for Christmas, so hopefully that goes well :) **

 

Tag | 50 Random Questions

I've been a little off the radar for the last couple weeks and I didn't want you to think I was neglecting you! So I went on tumblr and searched for the 50 Random Questions tag. 

I wasn't tagged by anyone..deal with it ;P

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?- Sleeping in my bed, having a weird dream.
2. Who are you in love with? Le boyfriend.
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?-Nope.
4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?-A candle and a CD case/holder thing.
5. When is the last time you went to the mall?- Last week.
6. Are you wearing socks right now?-No
7. When was the last time you drove out of town?- Hmm.. it's been a while. I flew out at Christmas.
8. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?- No, not for a long time. What movie would you recommend?
9. What was the last thing you had to drink?-Yes
10. What are you wearing right now?- My pjs and my high school hoodie :)
11. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?- I don’t have a car.
12. Last food that you ate?-An everything bagel. Mmmm.
13. Where were you last week at this time?- On my way to work.
14. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?- Two button ups for work, a crop tank and some black tights,
15. What is your favorite animal?- Probably a dog.
16. Your dream vacation?- England or Greece! (Managed a trip to England last summer; would LOVE to go back!)
17. Worst injury you’ve ever had? - Stitches in my forehead after tripping over my own shoe. *takes bow*
18. Have you been in love?-I think so.
19. Do you miss anyone right now?- Yes
20. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?- I wish I had one haha.
21. What are your plans for tonight?- Working until 9:30 :(
22. Who is the last person you sent a text message?- John
23. Next trip you are going to take?- To Johns parents for Easter.
24. What do you want to know about the future?- Will my kids be assholes? haha
25. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?- Not yet.
26. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor’s visit?- I guess so?
27. Where is your best friend?- I assume at work.
28. How is your best friend?- Just dandy, thank you for asking.
29. Do you have a tan?- I have a bit left over from my trip to Cuba!
30. What are you listening to right now?- The sound my laptop makes when it's over heating.
31. Do you collect anything?- Not officially. I'm a bit sentimental though.
32. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?- I know a few, I try not to contribute.
33. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?- I think back home with my mom.
34. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?- Yes of course
35. What does your last text message say?- "Meeting w my boss for the next hour and a half though. I'll tty after"
36. Do you like hot sauce?- No, spicy doesn't agree with me.
37. Last time you took a shower?- Yesterday
38. Do you need to do laundry?-Yes. Our washer was broken for a week or so, so we've got quite the pile.
39. What is your heritage?- Canadian, French, Scottish, Venezuelan (Spanish)
40. Are you someone’s best friend?- I hope so.
41. Are you rich?- Nope.
42. What is your favorite food?- Candy, mashed potatoes, smothering steak, fresh baked bread.
43. What is your Song of the week?- Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby - O' Brother Where Art Thou OST.
44. The best thing you eat for breakfast? - French toast.
45. How many languages ​​can you speak?- 2, English and French
46. What color is your hair?-Naturally dark brown, right now it's kind of auburn-y brown
47. How many brothers / sisters do you have?- One sister.
48. Your OTP?- Mary Poppins and Bert haha.
49. What color are your eyes?- Dark brown
50. Do you have tattoos / piercings? - Just my ears pierced. Would maybe like to get a tattoo.

I tag you to answer these 50 questions! If you have any other questions, ask below!

I hope you have a great day guys :)

Haul | Dynamite + Payless

Hey guys! 

Today I wanted to share with you a few things I picked up a couple weeks ago at Dynamite. 

They recently opened one up at a mall near me, and I'd never been into one before, so I thought I'd check it out. I managed to find four tops I really liked and as an added bonus they were all on sale!

I love this cute lightweight jacket. I've been seeing a lot of monochrome/ black and white for spring this year and I love the pattern! I picked this up for $22 (I think).

Keeping with the monochrome theme, I got this long sleeve crop tee. It's a really soft material and wont be too heavy even into the summer. This was only $15.

I also got this pretty royal blue top with 3/4 length sleeves. Also very soft, and I thought it could be nice with a pair of leggings or jeans. The neck line is really flattering as well; I think this was also around $20.

This is my favourite piece I got. It's again, really soft, and a bit cropped. It will be perfect when it starts to warm up a bit with a cute skirt or some shorts, and I've worn it a couple times recently with some high waisted jeans (check them out here, in my American Apparel haul). I love this sweater so much and it was also around $20.


I also popped into Payless one day just to look around. I have small feet (size 5.5) and I find Payless doesn't always have the cutest styles in my size, but I was pleased to find this pair of heels that I actually really liked. 

Please ignore the washing machine ;) haha!

They're the Fioni brand that Payless carries and they seem very comfortable; they have a thick heel, which is great for me since I'm a tad unstable in heels. I haven't had a chance to wear them out yet, but I can't wait until I do!
I seriously can't wait until spring. *sighs*


That's all for today folks! Which pieces are your favourites?

Have a great day :)