my first beading attempt

Moose's Pick

When it comes to chocolate, I'll admit that I am a little more than obsessed. I have done a rough guesstimate that I spend more on chocolates than I do on shoes. And maybe even nail polishes. But how can I not indulge in them when they are such effective mood-alleviators?


This is my pick today:


Fioretto is a line of Lindt truffles with a chocolate and rice crispie shell - and this one has a cappuccino center that is simply decadent.


I had tried a marzipan Fioretto too (yumm - marzipan and dark chocolate make the best combo) and this, I can say, is just as good.

Another shopping spree

We were at a warehouse sale this weekend to pick up some water filters for the fridge, but they had sold out by the time we got in.  We didn't come away with nothing though - 300 bucks got me my dream mixer that I had been yearning for since our brief time together two Christmases ago, plus a whole set of KitchenAid nonstick bakeware.  I had one of these cookie sheet but it got discolored and stained by cooking spray (which Mom still hasn't learnt not to use on my non-stick bakewares) - I still use the cookie sheet and it's still great, but why not pick up another new shiny one when it's only 3 bucks?  My credit card's been maxed out but how can I pass up on this awesome deal?? Now I can whip up goodies like they do on those cooking shows we drool to.




Now all I need is an uninterrupted time and space in the kitchen as I already have most ingredients stocked up...

I didn't know pasta came in these colors...

The gingerbread house that we never got to finish

Yes I realize we are almost at the end of June. But I just thought it deserved at least a picture as a memory before it gets sent to the dump site - or wherever green bin collections get dumped for decomposition. If only we had been more determined to work on these houses rather than baking from frozen dough, we'd have a really cute gingerbread village to show.




Goodbye, gingerbread houses. Better luck next year.

lunch date at Chili's

I had the rare pleasure of enjoying lunch with my sweetie B on a weekday and we opted for some Mexican fare at Chili's.  The restaurant is only a few minutes away from work and we've always wanted to try it - but were told that an hour wouldn't be enough to make it out and back.  Well, I was having a rough morning and couldn't care less - but the service was amicable and quick, since we have told our server that we were on a limited lunch hour.  The colorful decor kept us busy until the food arrived so it didn't feel like we had to wait long.

I chose the smoky pulled pork sliders with fries off the lunch menu; while B picked the chicken quesadilla complete with salsa and sour cream upon the recommendation from our server.   The ceasar salad was nothing to write home about, but both our entrée were great and very filling.  I would definitely want to go back again to try some of the other dishes they offered.

Whole Foods is coming to town!

Great news, great news!  Whole Foods is coming to Mississauga!!  The northeast corner of the parking lot right next to Crate and Barrel, to be exact.  I am so excited to hear the news - no more annual trips to Whole Foods market in Oakville for their exotic selection of cheeses, delicious hot food offerings and the best apple taffy cheesecake.  I wonder when the grand opening would be - hurry up with the construction!

My spiffy rental car

Marble Nails

Thanks Michelle for the ingenious idea of creating these beautiful nail designs using water's surface tension that let us draw designs that we then transfer onto our nails.  You can see hers here.

breakfast for champions

Our new favorite breakfast joint - Symposium Cafe at the Meadowvale Town Centre - is definitely better tasting but at the same time more affordable than Cora's.

In addition to yummier eggs benedicts, Symposium Cafe also offer fancy coffee/expresso beverages - included with any breakfast for a small additional charge.  Their cappuccino is exceptional!

It's also a cozier restaurant than Bobby's to enjoy your breakfast in - even the staff is more friendly.

Today I had the Breakfast for Champions - 3 eggs any style,sausages, potatoes and a banana waffle - and B had the Eggs Benjamin - egg benedict made with smoked salmon.  Both were delicious and it would have a tough decision if I had to choose between the two.

Symposium Cafe also has a day-of-the-week special and we can't wait to go back on a Saturday for their pitcher of sangria for twelve bucks.

nail polish of the week

Loving this new addition to my collection of nail polish which has seen several expansions recently thanks to my shopping sprees, because it's a nice light bronze/metallic pink shade that is nude enough to make chips not noticeable but shiny enough (but not in a glossy way) to not appear passé.  I was surprised that the color came out so light though, because the lacquer appeared to be more coppery brown than pink and that's why I bought it.

This shade is called "it's starts with me" from Nicole by OPI.

Perfect Pair

What's better than a great cup of coffee and a treat to lift the spirits when the work day is starting to get to you?  These ones made the perfect pair this morning:

 

I found these exquisite cookies from none other than my favorite Walmart - the one in Buffalo!  For one it's cheaper even before we factor in the exchange rate.  More importantly, they have so many goodies that we've only found states-side!  Case in point: Milano cookies - in strawberry flavor - absolutely delicious!

Starbucks' VIA instant coffee was - like they advertise - just as good as a fresh cuppa java from the store.  Well, almost just as good.  I like my coffee strong so this Italian Roast was prefect for me.  The only thing I don't like is all the coffee ground at the bottom of the cup.

Shopping spree

Five hours and three warehouse sales later, I had loads of fun and am now the proud owner of a few more nail polishes that filled in gaps of the color spectrum in my existing collection, 

several liquid eyeliners in gorgeous shimmery shades,

more socks than I can wear in a week,

and a bunch of accessories that I don't really know how to wear but couldn't pass up because they were too gorgeous.

Oh and I forgot to mention my new belt and a couple of chic sweaters from Esprit. All for under $150.

I'm still on a shopping high!