French Toast Muffins

I'll start this post off by saying that I don't "do" baking. I love to cook because you can give-and-take with the ingredients and the recipe generally remains forgiving, whereas baking requires much more precise measuring and technical handling. Not being a "baking kind of girl" never fazed me much because deep down I knew if it was there - I would eat it (that's how I justified it in my mind anyway). So the other day I was flipping through the Inspired Magazine (the free magazine sitting at the end of Sobeys check-outs, which I suggest everyone pick up because it always has great easy recipes) and one recipe in particular caught my eye: French Toast Muffins. After looking at the list of ingredients (only 8, most of which I already had) and the preparation (only a few steps) I quickly calculated the level of difficulty as being super easy. What also caught my eye was that they suggested you make these in advance and freeze them individually for one-the-go breakfasts, which in theory is a great idea if you can refrain from eating them all in one day. With all that said, I decided to give them a go and I was more than pleased with the result. Warmed up and served with a cup of tea or coffee, they make the perfect mid-morning snack (or breakfast, lunch and dinner in my case). I've made two batches of these so far and am confident this will be one of my go-to recipes. 

French Toast Muffins

Ingredients

:: 3 eggs

:: 1 1/2 cups milk

:: 1/3 cup sugar

:: 1 tbsp vanilla extract

:: 1 tsp ground cinnamon

:: 10 slices bread, cubed

:: 1 cup frozen berries

:: maple syrup

Preparation

:: Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon together in a large bowl.

:: Add bread and toss until egg mixture is absorbed.

:: Add berries and toss gently to combine.

:: Divide mixture evenly into greased muffin tin.

:: Drizzle each muffin with maple syrup.

:: Bake at 375'F for 25 minutes.

:: Remove from oven and let cool.

:: Devour them in one day, or wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for on-the-go.

:: Reheat in the microwave: 1 minute if frozen; 30 seconds if not frozen.

:: Drizzle with more maple syrup before eating if you're into it.

all photos by me

Wearstler Wannabe

Kelly Wearstler has got it going on. In addition to being a renowned California style maven, surf chick and married mother of two, she also bears several professional Designer titles: interior, home furniture, home accessories, clothing and fashion accessories. According to The New Yorker, Wearstler also bears the title of "the presiding grande dame of West Coast interior design" as a result of the awe-inspiring interiors she has designed for her luxe A-list clientele. As a highly acclaimed interior designer she is notorious for her more-is-more-is-more style of mixing colours, patterns and textures to create sensory-overloaded spaces. Wearstler also approaches her personal style and fashion design in the same way that she does interior design by mixing colours and patterns to create wearable works of art. She recently presented her second ready-to-wear line for Spring 2012 which included wearable, everyday pieces in bold, monochromatic patterns (I want it all). In addition to all of the above, she has published several coffee table books detailing her distinguished and praiseworthy interior designs. Ridiculously accomplished much? She shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, which is fine with me because I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I think it's safe to admit that I want to be just like her. Ps: can you imagine what her home decor and wardrobe must be like? TDF (to die for).

all images via Kelly Wearstler

Fall Fashion

Although the autumnal equinox is still two weeks away, signs of Fall have been slowly presenting themselves in the form of crisp morning air and changing of the leaves (it's true! I spotted some red leaves the other day). Although I'm sad that my afternoon breaks will no longer be spent catching rays on my back deck, I am welcoming Fall with arms wide open for one primary reason - I LOVE fall fashion! It's that transitional phase when it's too cold for a blouse to be worn alone but not cold enough for a large coat, so my perfect uniform entails skinny jeans or leggings tucked into riding boots and paired with a chunky sweater and statement scarf. Now, if you've been following my blog you know that I love the bright colours of Summer, but on the other hand there is something so inviting about earth-tone neutrals in cozy textures. As the days become shorter and the temperatures continue to drop, I've compiled a wish-list of items along with ways in which I would wear them in order to ease the impending seasonally induced depression:

  

 

:: Maxi dress under a jean jacket & scarf.

:: Red blazer to top off off jeans & ankle boots.

:: Fringe jacket which makes anything instantly chic.

:: Leather pants paired with an ethereal blouse or sweater.

:: Wool wide-brimmed hat for those breezy days.

:: Leopard scarf (or leopard anything) acts as a neutral in itself.

:: Sequin mini-skirt over tights with a chunky sweater & boots.

:: Cape which makes even leggings look polished.

:: Wedge ankle boots - equal parts comfortable & cool.

:: Bright red nails to compliment neutral-hued outfits.

:: Over-sized cat-eye sunglasses to be worn with everything.

:: Chunky cable-knit sweater which is the perfect layering piece.

How do you ease your cold-weather blues?

 

:: Maxi dress : Top Shop

:: Red blazer : Dorothy Perkins

:: Fringe jacket : Haute Hippie

:: Leather pants : D&G

:: Wool hat : Reiss

:: Sequin skirt : Catherine Malandrino

:: Leopard scarf : Top Shop

:: Cape : Minette

:: Wedge ankle boots : Dolce Vita

:: Cat-eye sunglasses : Religion

:: Nail polish : Essie

:: Cable-knit sweater : Pringle of Scotland

 

fashion set created by me

Wicker Throne

Much of our home decor is comprised of pieces that I have created or re-done myself, as displayed in my Rainbow Land post. I love the idea that everyday items can be transformed into eye-catching works of art by simply adding a new coat of paint. During a trip to VV Boutique this summer (Value Village for those of you who aren't down with the lingo), I spotted this ridiculously amazing high-back wicker chair and it immediately reminded me of a 60's bohemian throne. I left the store without purchasing it but when I got home I could not stop thinking about it. I knew that with a coat of paint and a bright-coloured pillow, it would be the perfect addition to our living room. We ended up going back that evening and adopting it as our own.

I decided to paint it an ivory colour in a satin finish to match our ivory leather sectional, which looks sharp against the turquoise walls. I also kept my eyes open for the perfect pillow: it had to be round, large enough to fit snugly in the chair, flat enough to provide a comfortable seat and of course bright enough to make a statement. It took a couple of months but I found the perfect pillow and could not be more pleased with the result.

:: before ::

:: after ::

:: the pillow - love the embroidery + mini pom-poms! ::

:: as part of the living room ::

And something that I thought was cool slash kind of hilarious: I recently finished reading the book Miss O'Dell (biography of Chris O'Dell who worked with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.) and in the book she talks about her boss Derek Taylor's "favourite high-back wicker chair that he brought from L.A. to London" and I wondered if it might be the same style as my wicker throne. I then flipped through the images and there it was! Same style chair rocking it in the 60's - which then made my throne that much cooler.  

last photo via Miss O'Dell

all other photos by me

Scarlet Fever

Earlier this week I spotted this photo of model Karolina Kurkova and was immediately smitten with her simple yet polished outfit.

I love her bright red blazer and how she paired it with neutral basics like a plain white tee, khaki scarf and pants - so effortlessly sharp and put together. I'm not usually drawn to the colour red (I blame this on my close relationship with the colour pink - although I occasionally enjoy pairing the two) yet I've recently found myself lusting after scarlet-hued items to add to my wardrobe. I imagine pairing the colour with crisp whites and leopard prints, whether in the form of a bold blazer, flouncy skirt, statement clutch or bright red lips. There is something intriguing about a lady in red and I'm totally interested in joining the club.

1st image via LouLou magazine

All other images via we heart it