Friday Favourites

I've seen a feature like this on quite a few other blogs and it's always one of my favourites to read, so here we are: my friday favourites.

1) Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, $44 (1.7oz)

I may be a little biased towards this moisturiser since it's the same one I've been stealing from my mum since I was 12 (sorry mum!). But in all honesty it's the perfect remedy for dried out winter skin.

2) Topshop Aline Skirt, $72

This is a little pricey, but it's the perfect winter staple. When it's this cold it's incredibly easy to end up wearing jeans everyday. Every now and again throw in a skirt like this and some thick black tights to have the perfect combination of winter style and warmth.

3) Gun Alarm Clock, $14

Okay this one's a little out there, I'll give you that. But come on, imagine waking up every morning to a little (laser) target practice...all you need now is a James Bond to wake up next to!

4) Cashmere Anchor Scarf, $105

Again, a little pricey, but for me a dreamy cashmere and anchor combination is well worth it.

5) Hidden Animal Mug, $29.30

I'm a not so secretly closeted Brit with makes these just my cup of tea. Added bonus, they're beary cute. (I'm sorry I couldn't resist!)

Had so much fun doing this post, let me know what you think x

Love, Milly

Basics of Brunch

My family has a tradition of having brunch every Sunday morning.

Really we just can't be bothered to wake up before noon and my mum has the best pancake recipe...but, breakfast at noon just doesn't have the same ring to it as Sunday Brunch.

Pancakes are something which vary so much depending on where you are in the world. Don't get me wrong, I love a good crepe, but nothing beats my mum's fluffy bites of heaven smothered in Canadian maple syrup and fresh berries.

Go on lick the screen, you know you want to.

The recipe for these bad boys is delightfully simple...

What you'll need:

1.5 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder (don't completely fill the second teaspoon)
Dash of salt
3 tablespoons of sugar
3 tablespoons of butter (3/8 of a stick)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 egg
1.25 cups of milk

This recipe makes about 12 pancakes depending on how big you choose to make them.

What you do:

Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and pinch of salt together in a big bowl

In a glass measuring cup, pop in 3 tablespoons of butter and microwave on high for 45 seconds

Let the butter cool for about a minute, then add the vanilla and egg
**if the butter is still very hot, bits of the egg will cook in it so whisk with a fork as you add it

Add the milk to the measuring cup--at this point my measuring cup was filled to about half a cup so I poured until I reached the 1.75 cups mark

Mix together the dry and wet ingredients until you have a nice smooth batter

Cook the pancakes on medium-high heat (I cooked mine on a '7' on a 1-10 stove scale). You'll know the pan is hot enough when you flick a bit of water and it bubbles as soon as it hits the pan

Flip the pancakes over once you start seeing air bubbles form on top

And voila! A plate of fluffy goodness...

I think they're best eaten with maple syrup and berries, but remember that if you waste these on non-Canadian maple syrup then you will forever be judged by the pancake community.

                 

 

 

So yummy and incredibly easy to make...enjoy!

Love, Milly

Tokyo Sushi

Even though sushi is something which you can now find just about anywhere, I still think the best comes from Tokyo Sushi .

 If you're looking for a fancy Japanese bistro, then Tokyo Sushi is definitely not your cup of sake (get it), but if you're looking for clean, simple, fresh sushi then there's no where better.

My mum began taking me here when I was little and it had no more than 5 tables. They've expanded since then but still have that cozy quality I love.

So, Ellen and I decided to make study day sushi day and headed out in what seemed like a full blown snowstorm. At this point I'm pretty sure Canada should just be recognized as part of the Arctic.

I usually indulge with the Chirashi Don because the fish is so fresh, but in the hopes that I will soon be able to remove my parka for the first time in four months, I opted for a Red Dragon Roll and we split an order of gyoza.

Ellen had the curry udon which sounds so strange but was delicious and a much needed burst of warmth.

And, of course, lots and lots and lots of steaming green tea.

Sadly, no green tea ice cream for me today but I speak from experience when I say it is divine.

You can also sit at the bar and watch the sushi be made which was always my favourite part.

We had to scurry to the library to at least try and justify our outing, but all over the walls there are signed pictures of stars (Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellan...anyone else noticing a particular mutant theme?) who have visited which proves just how good Tokyo Sushi really is.

A hidden treasure in Toronto that everyone should visit.

Love, Milly

La Vie Francaise

My mum and I share a common love of all things French. Food, style, people, you name it.

Without being able to take a trip to Paris, we thought the perfect way to indulge ourselves would be with a little southern France comfort at Jacques Bistro du Parc.

Jacques Bistro du Parc is a tiny french cafe in the heart of Yorkville. It's a little hard to spot because it's on the second floor of a small building, but in the spring and summer you have the most beautiful view of the fountains.

It's quite small, only about eight tables in total which makes it extremely homey and cozy.

Right, now onto the food...

The menu is quite limited but everything on it is divine.

I started off with some delicious Onion Soup, or Soupe à l'oignon Gratinée, (I suppose the French part was implied..)

                              

Perfect mix of cheese, bread, and onion soup in every bite

Mum started with a pate platter which perhaps doesn't look quite as appealing but was equally delicious! (I believe it was called 'Terrine Maison')

What's a French meal without wine?

For the main course, I had one of their famous omelettes: the Savoyarde. It was filled with Swiss cheese and potatoes.

Perfectly cooked and seasoned to highlight the scrumptious filling.

Mum went for the Quiche du Jour which I was quite jealous of...I guess it's true that mums are always right...damn.

Once it was time for dessert, the restaurant had cleared out a bit (when we first arrived it was bustling!) so we moved over to the window for some coffee and cake

We finally decided on the raspberry tart with freshly whipped cream. Heavenly.

Perfect lunch with my lovely Mum! 

We had to just about waddle our way out by the end but I've certainly found my new favourite cafe francaise

Love, Milly

School Bag Lust

I seemed to have developed a minor (or very major...) obsession with all things tote related. According to my family I'm getting to the point where an intervention will soon be in order, but believe me, my hunt is justified!

I've been carrying around the classic L.L.Bean backpack since the tender age of three when I first started junior kindergarten (because by three us Canadians require an educational outlet to learn the art of finger painting).

My tastes nowadays seem to be veering away from the knapsack style....or at least the L.L.Bean one.

So, to make this obsession productive, I thought I'd share my current lust list of 'school' totes and knapsacks.

Prada 'Saffiano Lux Double-Zip Tote' ($2677)

I am praying for a miracle when it comes to this being my graduation present. It is the go-to, day, night, school, work, bring it to everything, everywhere tote.

                 

                                                     Rebecca Minkoff 'Medium MAB Tote' ($338)

I'm strangely in love with coral at the moment but it also comes in a number of other colors

Cambridge Satchel Company 'The Batchel' ($205)

This is in 'Navy' but the 'Oxblood' and 'Vintage' are also lovely

For a more of a traditional backpack feel....

Santa Cruz Leather Backpack ($272)

Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal Backpack ($1207)

The backpacks of backpacks and sadly another bag which will always remain on my lust list and not my closet *sigh...

If anyone else has found a school bag on a budget, take pity...I seem to forever be stuck in this hopeless search!

Love, Milly

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

No matter what any diet says, it is impossible for me to live without my chocolate fix.

And nothing says chocolate more than Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes.

They're best served with some freshly whipped cream and cut up strawberries straight out of the oven so you can dive straight into the gooey chocolatey goodness.

They take about 30 minutes to make the mix and 10 minutes to bake which makes them the perfect desert to whip up everyday set aside and cook quickly after dinner for guests or family.

To make 6 you'll need....

6 ramekins
3/8 stick of unsalted butter
12 oz dark chocolate
3/4 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup flour

Preheat the oven to 200ºC, 400ºF, gas mark 6, and pop a baking sheet in.

Turn the ramekins upside down on baking parchment, draw a circle around the edge, and cut out the discs. Grease all of the ramekins with butter and then press the one disc into the base of each.

Melt your chocolate. I use a double boiler for this but you can also do it in the microwave if you take it out every once in a while, stir, then pop it back in.

Set the chocolate aside for the next couple of steps. Cream together the butter and sugar until it looks something like this...

Beat in the eggs with a pinch of salt and add the vanilla

Add the flour and mix until smooth

Add the chocolate and stir until you have a texture similar to brownie mix...

Eat it right then and there pour into each of the six ramekins.

Pop these into the oven for 10-12 minutes (if the batter's been in the fridge closer to 12). Keep an eye on them--they should just look set on the outside but if you do it for too long there won't be the delicious runny chocolatey goodness on the inside.

And, of course, lick the bowl.

They won't need to cool longer than a minute max. Flip them over out onto a plate (you may need to use a knife to loosen up the edge of the ramekin) and remember to peel off the parchment!

Serve immediately with a whopping dollop of freshly whipped cream and cut up strawberries

Enjoy! I may just have to go make these again...

Love, Milly