Friday, November 25, 2011

I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.


Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars


Ingredients for bars:
1 cup butter (2 sticks, very soft)
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons orange extract OR 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Ingredients for frosting:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract OR vanilla extract 

Ingredients for topping:
1/3 cup craisins, chopped
1-2 tablespoon grated orange rind
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon canola oil 


Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (325 for a glass or dark pan). Prepare a 10x15 by lining it with parchment paper or use a non-stick spray.
  2. BARS: With an electric mixer, beat together softened butter and sugars 3-5 minutes until light; gently blend in eggs and orange extract (don't overbeat eggs). Add the flour, baking powder, and ginger and beat briefly. Add the cranberries and chips, stirring just until incorporated.
  3. Spread thick batter in prepared 10x15 pan. Bake 350 for 20-24 minutes until light brown AT EDGES and a skewer tests clean. Don't overbake or your bars will be dry. Let it cool completely. NOTE: If you use a 9x13 pan, the bars will be thicker and will take 26-28 minutes.
  4. FROSTING: Blend cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add orange extract and confectioner�s sugar and beat until frosting is fluffy and spreadable (adding 1 t. milk if needed). Spread evenly over COOLED bars.
  5. GARNISH: Use a zester to remove rind from an orange; sprinkle zest over frosted bars. Chop 1/3 cup Craisins coarsely; sprinkle over frosted bars.
  6. DRIZZLE: Mix white chocolate and oil in a glass measuring cup. Microwave 1 minute; stir until melted. Use a fork or whisk to drizzle the white chocolate diagonally across the bars.
  7. Allow one hour for the white chocolate to set before cutting. **To make signature Starbuck triangles, cut into 20 large squares (5 cuts by 4 cuts with the knife). Then cut each square in half diagonally to create triangles.


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/cranberry-bliss-bars-starbucks-copycat-203229#ixzz1ekOySqr8


Home-made calendar!


I just wanted to show off a project that I just finished tonight for Layout and Typography! I made this whole calendar myself (including the rose), on InDesign. I'm really happy with how it turned out :) I made two copies, I'm going to give one to my mom for christmas. My mom said it reminded her of a valentines day calendar! 

If you have any questions on the tools I used for how to make the calendar, feel free to message me. Have a lovely day everyone!
xoxo

CNN documentary: Nepal's Stolen Children


Nepal's Stolen Children: A CNN Freedom Project... by CNN_International

Hollywood actress Demi Moore partners with CNN Freedom Project for a documentary to give a voice to human trafficking victims.

The 2010 CNN Hero of the Year, Anuradha Koirala and the girls that she helps are the stars of the documentary. The girls are rescued from prostitution and other forms of slavery. Anuradha Koirala herself is a victim of human trafficking, now using her knowledge of the secret world to help other girls in trouble.

Watch this heart-wrenching documentary and hear the stories of these women.

CNN excerpts from the documentary

Anuradha Koirala - Meet the hero, learn about her story, get involved

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Health benefits of eggplant


With the holidays coming up, many people will be packing on the pounds. Add eggplant to your diet to counteract all the sugary christmas sweets! Here are 5 benefits of eggplant:

1. Eggplant increases satiety and absorbs fat: Eggplant is extremely high in a type of viscous fibre that has the ability to bind to fat and create a feeling of fullness, with just 20 calories per cup of cubed eggplant. This makes eggplant an amazing addition to any weight-loss regimen! 

2. Eggplant is high in the amino acid GABA:
 GABA (gama-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid that has the ability to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and quiet a racing mind. This makes eggplant a perfect relaxation food for the holiday season.

3. Eggplant skin contains high-powered antioxidants: Eggplants contain an antioxidant called nasunin, found in the vegetable's skin. Nasunin protects against premature aging, cardiovascular disease, and the physical effects of emotional stress.

4. Eggplant is a source of potassium: Potassium has always been necessary for maintaining a healthy blood pressure, but has now been shown to help prevent gum disease as well. Potassium is a key component in fighting inflammation of the gums and arteries.

5. Eggplant extracts are traditionally used to lower cholesterol: Eggplant extract stimulates bile production and allows for increased metabolism and elimination of cholesterol from the system. Eggplant extracts are considered an ethnomedicine because of their traditional uses in the treatment of high cholesterol.


More information

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Prom 2011

Prom was a few months ago but I just wanted to post this pic so I can have it forever! Our prom was a ton of fun and I couldn't have had a better date. I really loved getting dressed up. It was like a fancy date for my boyfriend and I. Isn't he so handsome?

Uni life

I feel so different now, like an adult. I have almost completed my second week of university. I am a full time student and I am getting my bachelor of technology. University is so much different than high school. I don't feel like one of the smart kids in the class anymore. I feel like one of the dumb kids in my classes, everyone is so smart. The classes are also much larger. Textbooks are so expensive! I paid over $500 for one semesters textbooks. Its insane! I have to commute downtown to get to school and it takes me over an hour. Its quite the hassle! The only advantage to taking the train is that I have time to read a book. Last month my boyfriend broke up with me right before his eighteenth birthday. I was really upset over it. But we started talking again and now were back together. I'm glad. I feel like I'm at home when I'm with him. We have been together almost a year and a half! To some people that sounds pathetic, but I'm proud that we have lasted this long.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pickering Ribfest


Last weekend I went to Ribfest! I'm not much of a rib person, so I can't exactly judge the ribs. Things were quite expensive though. It was $13 for a half rack of ribs, $5 for a small bag of popcorn, $4 for a candy apple, $5 for a milkshake, and the rides were like $5 each! It was kind of crazy.
The line-ups were also very long. My boyfriend waited in line for at least 30 minutes to get ribs. The live entertainment was really fun! I loved watching the band play, I can't remember their name though. They played family-friendly songs, but I still really enjoyed it.
Overall, it was nice. If it wasn't so packed it would have been much better.
Ribfest was on June 3rd, 4th & 5th.


My boyfriend & I eating corn on the cob! I HAD to get some corn because I just got my braces off last week, and I can successfully eat corn!

Ribfest Website

Only 4 days of high school left!

Its hard to believe, but in only four days I will be done high school forever! Its bitter sweet. I don't want to have to grow up! But on the other hand, I'm going to have so much more freedom in university and things are going to be so different. I won't be treated like a little kid anymore.
This kind of scares me. Next thing I know I'll be paying my own bills!
Its ISU time, so I have been extremely busy working on them. On monday I have two presentations... I am not looking forward to that.
High school was such a journey. When I entered grade nine, I was an insecure, unsure, little girl. Leaving high school I've grown so much. Honestly, I'm almost a different person. I never thought I would be the person I am today. I've met so many people that have changed me in so many ways. It is so crazy to think about how much things change.
I can't wait until summer so I can just relax and have fun with my family, friends, and Connor!

Homemade Oreos



Recipe from: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/homemade-oreos/
makes 25-30 sandwich cookies

Ingredients
For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa (I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar [see recipe note]
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used clear vanilla extract)
Optional- Gel dye

Method
1. Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.

2. In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.

3. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.

4. To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy. (Optional: Blend in a tiny bit of gel dye until you reach the desired color.)

6. To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

Notes:
-I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder instead of Dutch Processed.
-I used Wilton Gel Dye to color the centers.
-Once I measured out a rounded teaspoon of dough, I rolled the dough into small balls before baking.

Lemon Cupcake Recipe - Style at home



Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk

Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Glazed lemon peel
(OPTIONAL)
1 large lemon, washed
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 muffin tin cups with paper cupcake liners.

Make the cupcakes. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl and using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until smoothly blended and lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until each is blended into the batter and it looks creamy, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes. If the eggs are cold, the mixture may look slightly curdled. On low speed and in 3 additions (3 flour, 2 milk), add the flour mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until the flour is incorporated and the batter looks smooth.

Fill each paper liner with 1/4 cup of batter (an ice-cream scoop works well), to about 1/2 inch below the top of the liner. Bake just until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 23 minutes. Cool the cupcakes for 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove the cupcakes from the pan onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

Make the frosting. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, cream cheese, grated lemon peel, and vanilla until smooth and thoroughly blended, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth, about 1 minute, then beat on medium speed for 1 minute to lighten the frosting further. Use a small spatula to spread about 3 tablespoons of frosting over the top of each cupcake.

Make the glazed lemon peel, if desired. Using a vegetable peeler and a slight sawing motion, remove the lemon rind from the lemon in large strips. Trim off any white pith that remains on the rind and cut the rind into matchstick- size strips. Put the strips in a small saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Strain, then rinse the lemon strips with cold water. Heat the water, sugar, and vinegar in the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon strips. Simmer for 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the strips from the syrup to a small bowl. Cool thoroughly. Arrange several pieces of the glazed peel over the top of each cupcake. The peel can be left in its cooking syrup and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. The cupcakes can be covered and stored in refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Recipe from: http://www.styleathome.com/food-and-entertaining/recipes/recipe-lemon-cupcakes-with-lemon-cream-cheese-frosting/a/21330/2
Photo: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/lemon-cupcakes/

Fiji wedding

Fiji wedding by Its A Cake Thing (Jho)
Fiji wedding, a photo by Its A Cake Thing (Jho) on Flickr.

Number cake

Number cake by Its A Cake Thing (Jho)
Number cake, a photo by Its A Cake Thing (Jho) on Flickr.

Exploding Stars cake

For Another Chloe

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Rainy Days!

The weather has been quite depressing out lately. Its been so gloomy and raining non stop for the past few days! Its also supposed to rain all week. Hopefully that means that good weather is coming!

I have so much homework I should be doing, I have like 3 ISU's and things are just so stressful. Things with Connor have been going very well for the past few days, so thats a good thing. It was like we were in our honeymoon stage again :)

I'm going over to Connor's house today and were going to this restaurant in the village, its really cute! Its like a little hotel sort of thing. It will be romantic.

This week I'm doing the 30 hour famine, all of the proceeds go to World Vision. So far I have $52 to donate! Fundraising is so much harder than last year! Last year I went fundraising door-to-door for 2 hours and I got $117. It seemed like every other person would donate, which is such a fantastic thing! But this year, we went out for 3 hrs and got $12! How terrible is that? It seemed like nobody wanted to help us out. People were so rude too. Oh well, at least I raised $52. I should be proud of myself.

On Tuesday I'm going with my English Literature class to Stratford to go see King Arthur. Were going for the whole day, so its kind of exciting! I have no idea what King Arthur is about, but hopefully its good.

Baby Chinchilla's in wine glasses

Donate to Japan

Donate to the Red Cross to help Japan!

https://www.ifrc.org/en/donation-japan

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

MAC's Quite Cute Collection

MAC has released a new collection called Quite Cute! The face of the ad campaign is Irina Lazareanu. Ahhh, pink! I love MAC's collections, they are just the best and have so much fun with their products. I love anything feminine and girly, so I quite enjoy this collection!





Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
Playing Koi Creamy white peach pink (satin)
Quite Cute Creamy bright whitened lavender (cremesheen)
Saint Germain Clean pastel pink (amplified)
Candy Yum-Yum Matte neon pink (matte)
Play Time Creamy intense violet (cremesheen)


MINERALIZE BLUSH
Retail Price $23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN
Giggly Light pink with pearly plum heart
Sakura Lavender with pearly magenta heart
Miss Behave Light beige with pearly mint green heart



for more products and information on the collection, visit this website.
http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2011/03/25/mac-quite-cute-collection/

Friday, April 15, 2011

Hello :)
Spring is finally here! Its so lovely. Nice weather is just the best. One of my favorite things about having warm weather is that I can take Cheico out on nice long walks. He's so amazing, he totally deserves it!

School is very stressful at the moment, with numerous assignments for each of my classes. I just finished reading the Little Princes by Conor Grennan, and I must say that it was a pretty good book. It is a biography and he uses and interesting style of writing that I had to get used to. Maybe it was just me who thought that.

At the end of the month I will be a model in my school's fashion show! I am very nervous, but also excited. I am in no shape or form a typical model. I'm 5'2, have a full bust and curves, never wear heels, and like I'm the opposite of every typical model. Thats what I like about the show; is that all of the models are different shapes and sizes. It is really nice to see students at my school walking the runway, not just stick-thin models.

Tomorrow I'm going on a double date with my best friend Michal and her boyfriend. I think were going to go to see Hanna, with Saoirse Ronan, it looks pretty interesting. Then after were going to this Irish pub called J.P Fitzpatricks. We were going to have a picnic in the park with our dogs, but its going to pour tomorrow! How depressing.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Sarah

Sunday, April 10, 2011



What a psycho...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

5 Reasons Why Women are the Better Sex

5 Reasons Why Women are the Better Sex

1. Behind the Wheel

2. Gambling

3. Working the Room at a Cocktail Party

4. Handling your Joint Finances

5. Getting a Secret out of Someone



Article from cosmpolitan.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Things have been very stressful lately. Last night my boyfriend and I were both in bad moods then I had to walk all the way home from his house, at like 9:30 at night. Let me remind you that it was -15 degrees celcius last night...

Then this morning I got a ride to school, but once I got there I realized I hadn't taken my pill. So I had to run home as fast as I could. It wasn't that bad though, because when I got home my dad said he would drive me back to school & excuse me for being late.

There has also been so much schoolwork. But when do I ever get a break with school? Never. Nobody does.

Next week I'm going to California with my family for spring break! We will be going to Laguna Beach, Los Angles, San Fransisco, and all those other wonderful places. To be quite honest I'm not too excited for the part where I have to wear a bikini and all my summer clothes. Since I've gained 20 lbs I don't really feel like putting on a tank top & short shorts. Especially since I was so skinny in the summer and none of my clothes will even fit me anymore. But I'm excited to go on vacation. I really need this.

Tim Hortons is starting to serve smoothies

TORONTO - Tim Hortons will soon begin serving up smoothies in Canada as it attempts to shoulder its way into a trendy and growing but fragmented market for the healthy crushed-fruit drinks.

The restaurant chain that made its mark on the Canadian consciousness with the less-than-healthy combination of coffee and doughnuts plans to add pre-blended, mixed berry and banana strawberry fruit smoothies to its menu starting Monday.

Article from http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/Tim-Hortons-enter-trendy-capress-3938403974.html

I personally think that the only reason Tim Hortons is going to serve smoothies is to compete with Starbucks frappacuinos. The only cold thing you can get from Tim Hortons in the summer is an iced cap, and those aren't even that good. Frappacuinos seem to be extremely popular, like every time I am in Starbucks (no matter what time of year) theres always someone there getting a frappacuino.

Monday, February 28, 2011

2011 Academy Awards Fashion

Last night the 83rd Academy Awards were on television. I watched some of it, it seemed pretty amazing. I have it taped on my PVR and I'll watch it with my boyfriend tonight. I'm excited :) Well these are just a few of the dresses that I loved from last night. Enjoy!
Mandy Moore

Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey. She is gorgeous and I love her dress.

Hilary Swank
Cate Blanchett

Jennifer Hudson, love her! I saw on Oprah she lost 80 lbs! Thats amazing, all the power to her.
Gwenyth Paltrow
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem

Galliano Hit With Second Complaint Alleging Anti-Semitic Slurs



Friday, February 18, 2011


Lol, ghetto prom.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Hello!
Recently I broke my laptop so thats why I haven't been blogging or tumbling. My laptop was on the floor and I accidentally stepped on the screen and it cracked. I feel so guilty that I broke it, I'm scared to tell my parents! I will have to eventually.
Today I'm going to my friend Sara's house because I'm going to model her clothes in the fashion show at our school. I'm sure that her clothes are really cute! Fun fun fun.
Oh and I'm finishing up Connor's Valentines day present :) What a bummer that Valentines day is on a Monday.
I have so much homework this weekend too. English literature and World Geography.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Daily Affirmation

After each deep cleansing breath I release negative thoughts and sadness. With each following upbreath I accept positive thoughts and happiness to fill the totality of my body and spirit. I am filled with optimism and happiness.



School starts on Wednesday... Its coming so fast! School is the last thing I want to think about right now. This semester I have 4 classes, which is going to be extremely hectic. I want to be on honor roll this semester.
Connor and I are going downtown tomorrow because I want to buy a pair of lululemon pants, do some other shopping, then I want to go out for dinner. It will be nice to be downtown. I love taking the train, its so peaceful.
I worked out pretty hard at the gym today, so that makes me happy.
Tomorrow is February! One of my wishes for February is to lose 5 lbs. Its going to happen! Oh and I want to have a wonderful Valentines day. But I know that will happen, because my marvelous boyfriend will make sure of it. I wish everyone a lovely February!

Sarah
xoxo

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I got into Ryerson!
I just have to keep my marks up next semester.
I just feel so relieved.

:D