Viva Las Vegas!

Off we go! Hope you all have a great rest-of-week and weekend!

Faces of Ebony

Today was a long day. I went to work early at 7:30 am and then afterwards met my friends Jennie and Cassidy for dinner. Then Cassidy and I headed to the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club for the Land's End Chamber Ensemble's concert Faces of Ebony (I sit on the board). What an amazing performance - I really enjoyed it. James Campbell was our special guest and they played jazz influenced pieces. All in all - a very long, exhausting day and now I am going to sleep.

Tomorrow I am headed to Brooks to watch Ainsley's dance recital and take my mommy out for Mother's Day since I never saw her last weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend! What are your plans?

Tea time

(via weheartit)

One of my favourite things about my job has nothing to do with the job - but the fabulous group of older ladies who sit in their big room and drink tea every afternoon around 2:30. A couple of them (well, most of them) are from Britain and I guess it has just always been that way. My desk is against a wall that I share with them and I hear all the chatter (today it was about how the royal couple are on their honeymoon - and isn't Catherine just beautiful?) and I love it. They get the tea made, put it in a pot, put on a cozy (that has pictures of Big Ben all over it) and have it on a tray with cream, sugar, sweetener and tea cookies. Once in awhile I join in.

Monday Mish Mash

Twirl necklace from Kate Spade that I will be buying for my niece, Ainsley, who loves to twirl (and is very good at it!)

(via Kate Spade)

My new mug
(via Anthropologie)

Vegas in 9 sleeps!

(via weheartit)

And Joni Mitchell because I love her.

I hope you have a great start to your week!

Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there - especially to my own mommy! I love you and I'm so proud to be your daughter! You're the best!

(via weheartit)

Have a nice weekend!

(via weheartit)

What are your plans this weekend? Tonight, Joe and I are going for burgers and fries. The rest of the weekend I want to do nothing, but alas, I have a bunch of editing to do.

It is finally starting to warm up here but we have been getting rain and gray skies. But at least there is green grass in some places!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Yum yum

I am on a quest to eat more vegetables. I do eat them right now, I just need to eat more. What are your favourite ways to prepare them? Any amazing recipes?

Here is one I am looking forward to trying!

Raw Tuscan Kale Salad

*1 bunch Tuscan kale
*2 thin slices country bread, or two handfuls good, homemade coarse breadcrumbs
*1/2 garlic clove
*1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus a pinch
*1/4 cup (or small handful) grated pecorino cheese, plus additional for garnish
*3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for garnish
*Freshly squeezed juice of one lemon (scant 1/4 cup or ~50ml)
*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
*Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Trim the bottom few inches off the kale stems and discard. Slice the kale into 3/4-inch ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place the kale in a large bowl.

If using the bread, toast it until golden brown on both sides and dry throughout. Tear into small pieces and pulse in a food processor until the mixture forms coarse crumbs, or crumbs to your liking.

Using a mortar and pestle or a knife, pound or mince the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, pinch of salt, pepper flakes, and black pepper and whisk to combine. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss very well (the dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat the leaves).. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with the bread crumbs, additional cheese, and a drizzle of oil.

Prep time: 10 min - Cook time: 5 min

Adapted from the Raw Tuscan Kale Salad with Chiles and Pecorino recipe in Melissa Clark's In the Kitchen with A Good Appetite.