Christmas!

Christmas Break so far has been nice and relaxing, just the way it should be! I got many wonderful gifts for Christmas, such as:

A tshirt from Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl campaign

The New Red Mitten from The Hudson's Bay Company

I bought this cardigan from Plum in charcoal grey with money I got for Christmas

I also got a long-sleeved black shrug to wear with the dress I got for my friend's January wedding, and a black jewelled clutch, also to wear with the dress (all from Plum).

Yesterday Mom and I went out to see if we could score some more Christmas bargains, and we found some great things at Pier 1! I got this beautiful sparkly silver Eiffel Tower ornaments, a box of mini different coloured disco ball ornaments, a sparkly fleur de lys ornament, and napkins that say, "Peace, Love, Shoes." 

I also needed a strapless bra to wear under the dress for the wedding, so we went to the La Vie en Rose outlet.  Everything was buy one get one free! I found a great strapless bra as well as a sparkley black one.  I got panties to match the sparkly bra and a second pair, because they were free anyways.

I wanted new nail polish for the wedding too, so we went to a salon in the same mall as the outlet, and I got this gorgeous shimmery gunmetal grey OPI polish, as well as a travel-sized Aveda hand lotion and brown Cargo mascara.  The mascara was 25% off and everything in the salon was 15% off on top of any previous discounts.  Score!

Today I went shopping with a friend because she had gotten a gift card to the mall.  She got some great things, and I found a 10$ ivory coloured slouchy tank to wear under my grey Plum cardigan.  

And now I'm on a spending diet :P

I'm in *love*

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's my first Wednesday linking up--You can here!

I'm *loving* all of the delicious baking that comes with this time of year: chocolate and almond shortbread, butter tarts, white chocolate candy cane bark, rum balls, etc... *drools*

I'm *loving* these Lululemon pants and the Scuba hoodies, which are perfect for cold winter days (perfectly fitted and you can zip them all the up to your nose!).  Take that -40!

I'm *loving* that I am going to see The King's Speech next week with two amazing friends <3

I'm *loving* looking back at pictures the semester I spent in France last winter, even though it makes me miss it so.

I'm *loving* this organic hand lotion from Escents Aromatherapy in Breeze:

Ultra rich, great scent, non-greasy, and perfect for skin which freaks out in the harsh winter weather.

I'm *loving* that DADT is OVER.  Thank-you President Obama!

Brun chocolat! Rien d'autre!

When I was studying in France I happened upon a small boutique fifteen minutes from my apartment, while showing a friend from Vancouver around (she was studying in Belgium).  There I stumbled upon a dress which became one of the most indulgent purchases I've ever made.  It just so happened I was on the hunt for a party dress.  You see, I'm graduating from university this coming May, and towards the end of the semester there will be a Grad Formal.  A university can do this kind of thing when its student population numbers just 2,000 total.   Back to the dress.  While trying it on I was discussing foot ware colours with Candace (in english) a man in the boutique, who spoke only French, asked what we were talking about, which is when his eyes got wide and he uttered my title, "chocolate brown! Nothing else!"  Between girls, this is not the season for chocolate brown.  I've been looking since I got home in May.  I even went downtown to Holt Renfrew (home of Luis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta, etc...You get the idea) to find out my size in Christian Louboutin after I found a gorgeous pair of chocolate brown Louboutin heels on ebay.  Alas, the shoes on ebay were not my size.  Since then I've given up on finding shoes in stores.  I resorted to googling "chocolate brown heels" and found these on amazon.com (NB: I'm Canadian):

I wish the heel was higher on them, but I guess I can't be picky :( Well...that maybe be part of my problem.  I won't wear heels with straps around the ankle (they make petite women look even shorter by cutting the leg off at the ankle-thanks Stacey and Clinton! haha).

Thoughts?

Still blog challenged

In attempting (and succeeding in one respect) to remove a ticket from my blog, I removed a comment from Amanda's Saturday Around the World.  Sorry!

Blog challenged

Somehow I go a ticket on my page...and can't figure out how to get if off lol.  Any tips?

Recipe: Candy cane brownie

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 unsalted butter (I never use unsalted)
12 oz. chocolate chips, divided
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa poder
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup warm milk
10 candy canes, finely crushed

Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix sugar, salt, and flour. Set aside.

In a double boiler or microwave safe bowl, combine butter and half the chocolate chips. Melt, stirring often, then remove from heat. Whisk in cocoa, transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.

In a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs, vanilla, and milk. Add to chocolate and cocoa mixture and whisk well to combine. Fold in flour mixture, then mix in remaining chocolate chips and all but 2 tbsps. of the crushed candy canes.

Use a rubber spatula to transfer batter to prepared pans.  Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out covered with cakey bits. The centre of the brownies should be set. Dust top of brownies with remaining crushed candy canes then cool completely before serving.

Bon appetit!