ms. whipp

Indoor Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:46:00 +0000

I remember when I was little my dad would always start his summer garden in trays in our house. I decided to follow in his footsteps this year and plant myself an indoor garden.

I went to Home Depot and purchased my indoor gardening tray that comes complete with peat pellets. The peat pellets are great for transplanting the seedlings outside when the weather gets warmer. They are small discs of peat and when you add water they 'grow' to a small 1.5-2" net of soil. You can open the top of the small net that surrounds the soil and begin to plant your seeds.

The seeds I also picked up from the Home Depot, I chose tomatoes, dill, onions, spinach, mini bell peppers, and two types of flowers. I also bought peas and more flowers for when the weather gets nicer to be able to plant outside! Peas are my favorite freshly grown veggie.

Bringing out the Irish in me...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:06:00 +0000

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. Probably one of my favorite holidays (mostly because of my obsession with beer!). My Grandma was Irish and she sent us St. Patrick's Day cards every year. I'm thinking maybe I should take over her tradition now that she has passed. Who doesn't love getting a greeting card in the mail, a friendly hello with an artistic flare! I'll add that to my to do list, maybe I can start making cards for Easter.

One of my best friend's birthday is today and what better way to celebrate than wearing green and taking part in the Irish festivities! I stopped in at On The Verge in Guelph today and picked up a great gift and birthday card. The card is by 'Bald Guy Greetings' and is probably one of the funniest cards I've ever seen. Even if you are just looking for something to do, I recommend going in to this fantastic little store and reading their cards. I promise it will bring a smile to your face!
The birthday gift I chose for her was a four leaf clover sterling silver necklace. How appropriate! I was so tempted to keep it for myself...

I've picked up a 6 pack of Mad Tom IPA by Muskoka Brewery for tonight - yum yum yum. Check out the cup I'll be drinking from in the picture below - I picked this lovely up when i was in college and it still hasn't gone missing!! It turns bright green when there is cold beer in it - ha!

Happy Pre-St. Patrick's Day to all my Irish readers (even if you are only Irish for a day!)
xo

Cabbagetown Brew

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:11:00 +0000

I was working in Toronto a few weeks back and needed to stop at a coffee shop for some free wifi action. I was in the Cabbagetown area and saw this little gem called 'Cabbagetown Brew'. What a great find! Excellent coffee, baked goods and the atmosphere was perfect.
I had a 'Cabbacino', such a clever name, as well as a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie!

I sat in a huge comfy white chair with my laptop with the news playing on a tv on the wall infront of me. The perfect spot to write some emails and update some blogs :)

Mr. Pong's Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:35:00 +0000

I was in Toronto on the weekend and had a drink with a few friends at Mr. Pong's Bar in Little Portugal, Toronto. This new Dundas Street hot spot was great. The walls of the bar are covered in a cartoon of a Panda bear seeking revenge.

When we walked in I thought it was small but when I sat down I was surprised of how much I enjoyed the size. So much more intimate, but yet not cramped. I hope to return to Mr. Pong's soon!

BlogTO and Toronto Life have great write ups on Mr. Pong's.

Things to wo when you are Snowed In!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:43:00 +0000

So I made it in to work today but our boss was nice enough to let us go home early before the mess decided to get worse. I work directly beside the 401 highway so all day we were cringing watching the traffic crawl.

My balcony looks like a snowy jail cell... ergh.

I can't exactly go anywhere tonight so I grabbed a latte on my way home and have decided to come up with things to do while I'm stuck in my house.

1. Online shopping - I'm in an upcoming wedding and the bride would like coral or "mint" green coloured bridesmaid dresses. The wedding is in Jamaica so I figured the new summer lines might have some good options! Here are some of my favourite sites:

2. Search Pinterest - I'm completely obsessed so I don't want to waste my whole night on this one ;)

Follow my pins here: http://www.pinterest.com/mswhipp/boards/

3. Laundry - I have a mess in my room so cleaning up that plus washing all the clothes in my laundry hamper, this should keep me busy for a while!

4. Try a new recipe - This one I will have to get creative with. I don't want to have to make a trip to the grocery store so I need to think of something to make with what I have in my cupboards! I think a casserole will be the best idea, so easy to throw something together and then bake it. I have ground beef, mushroom soup, frozen peas and corn, cheddar cheese, whole wheat pasta and some bread crumbs.

5. Yoga - its really quiet outside because there aren't many people out and about so I have peace in my house. I can spend half an hour following an online yoga class. My favourite at home yoga classes are through podcasts. I follow Yoga Download, Yoga Today and Tara Stiles. The issue with the podcasts is that you have to know the postures beforehand to be able to follow. If you are a beginner you might want to follow something on Youtube.

6. Change the photos in my picture frames - something I like to do every other month to change up the scenery in my house!

7. Clean out my closet - starting my spring cleaning early. This can take a long time so maybe I will only do my dresser today.

8. Facetime my parents - I don't even know if I should do this, my parents are in Florida and it will probably just put me in a jealous rage. Ha! I text my Dad this morning to let him know about the pile of snow we received last night and he let me know he was about to go for a swim in their pool. Real nice pops.

9. Plan out the rest of my weekend - this I would probably be doing now even if I was at work :)

10. Watch a movie - Obviously. Snow days always end with a good movie and a glass of wine! It's almost valentines day so maybe a romantic themed movie. My absolute favourite movie of all time is Pride and Prejudice - classic.

The Bauer Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:27:00 +0000

This past weekend I was bridesmaid dress shopping with my friends and we decided to go for lunch in the trendy Uptown Waterloo. I chose the Bauer Kitchen because none of my friends had been there before and I had a great dinner experience there a few months ago.

Image from Bauer Kitchen Website

Their lunch menu offers a large variety from sandwiches and pizza's, to smoked brie cheese with bacon jam platters! I always find the Charcoal group does a great job with their restaurants and the Bauer Kitchen is no exception. If you are looking for coffee and a muffin the Bauer Kitchen also has an attached cafe which also makes the restaurant smell amazing.

I ordered the Margherita Pizzetta with a side harvest salad, both were excellent. We also arrived just in time for their "make your own caesar" bar. Such a great idea, they give you a glass with your choice of vodka or tequila and you get to rim and fill with all of their offered toppings. Check out the picture below of just some of the toppings to choose from! I love a good dill pickle caesar so this was fantastic.

Make your own Caesar Bar!


My choice from the lunch menu - Margherita

The Early Bird

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:49:00 +0000

I was working in London, Ontario today and a friend recommended a restaurant for lunch called The Early Bird. I'm angry I didn't take a picture of the meal but was it ever tasty! This is a place to go when you have a large appetite, I wasn't as hungry as I thought I was and couldn't come close to eating it all. They have a great menu, such a wide range of choices and vegan/veg options as well!

Walking in to the diner I was automatically in love with the decor. Bright, fun, punk vibe! The walls are pink with bright art work plastered all over them. Check out the photo I took of their Elvis/Kiss record wall - so fun.

They have an all day breakfast menu so of course I chose from this section. I had the "Toad in a hole", which was an egg sandwich on fresh toasted bread topped with tempura avocado, tomato, arugula and goat cheese. Yumm yumm yumm! I recommend this for sure, I had a side of fresh fruit to top it all off. When they served the meal the top of the bread had a hole cut in it where the egg was - hence the name :) Great food, great service - definitely recommend.

Elvis/Kiss wall of records

Image of menu from The Early Bird's Facebook page

Hug a Blogger #bloghug

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:54:00 +0000

Taking time to appreciate the blog world today! Time to virtually hug your favourite bloggers. Tweet a #bloghug to every blog you follow, comment happy things to the bloggers and show some love ~

xoxoxox

Hugs to some of my favourite blogs:

Decor8

Love Elycia

Coco + Kelley

Flashes of Style

Bldg 25 - Free People

Oh Happy Day!

Pen and Peplum

Streetcheek
The Moptop

Quote of the day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:08:00 +0000

As a single girl who has gone through her fair share of crap-tastic relationships, I love this quote. I don't want to be "ordinary" or considered "ordinary". You know when someone thinks you are just meh. Move on and be happy :)

xo.

Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:42:00 +0000

Sooo yummy! These are all raw ingredient Peanut Butter stuffed Chocolate Cookies.

So gooey, melts in your mouth. Check out the recipe below.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup raw peanut butter

Combine flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda in a bowl. Combine butter, brown and white sugar and milk in another bowl. Combine these two bowls to create the chocolate mix.
In a separate bowl combine icing sugar and peanut butter. Mix with hands until smooth.
Pre-heat oven for 350 deg. and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll small ball of chocolate mix, flatten with palm, insert smaller ball of pb mix in the center and wrap chocolate mix around. Place ball on baking sheet until full. Bake for 10-12 mins (12 for 1.5" diameter balls).

Canadian Winter Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:55:00 +0000

It is absolutely freezing outside! With the wind chill it feels like -16 degrees right now. Brrrr!

A quick warm up on a Sunday afternoon with a light blend Planet Bean Coffee! Guelph's local fair trade blends are a tasty treat. I picked up a chocolate chip cookie with the coffee, absolutely amazing. I live right down the street from one of their Guelph cafes - how convenient! They also have two other locations in Guelph and many local restaurants carry the brand as well.

Stop in sometime and pick up some beans!

Mini Pizza Cup Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 04:46:00 +0000

Okay, how easy are these to make?? They look delicious and you could add anything to them! I'm thinking mushrooms, chicken coated in bbq sauce, mozza and a few sprigs of arugula? All my favourites! I think this will be lunch tomorrow.

Thanks Recipe by Photo for the great idea!

Quotes and Graphics

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:09:00 +0000

I'm a pinterest addict, in my spare time you will find me scrolling through pins. I'm always attracted to the positive quotes, the motivators and some really neat graphic images. Check out the pins I've saved. I switch my cellphone background image each week with a new one!
I'm tempted to start making them myself and framing them for my house. If only I had time!!

New Book Suggestion

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:58:00 +0000

I was talking to a friend this morning who suggested I read a book called "Damn Good Advice (for People With Talent!)" by George Lois. Has anyone else read it?
I'm about to go out and buy it after work today. I could use a little advice and inspiration to push me forward in 2013 :)

Look forward to the book review whenever I finish it! Ha!

First change for 2013 - Hair Colour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:46:00 +0000

I've decided to dye my hair back to my natural colour, light brown. I have been blonde for a VERY long time now and don't even remember what I look like with brown hair. I don't have greys yet so I felt like this would be a budget concious decision as I will save a fortune at the hair salon.
So because I will miss my blonde so much I'm thinking I should go with the "ombre" look. Not sure if it is fading out of style but I keep seeing it in magazines so it can't be gone yet!
Here are some looks I found... what do you think?

Light coloured Ombre - half way

This is probably the closest to my natural colour - I think its my fave - slightly natural looking

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:59:00 +0000

Have you ever finished off a year and said to yourself, "god I hope next year goes better"?? I sure did. It wasn't a horrible year as I bought my first home in 2012 and met a few new people, I just had some awful luck with many other things! It does help that I ended the year with a stone chip in my window and a horrible hang over!
On a positive note, 2013 is going to be my year! I feel as though I've hit the bottom and can only go up from here. 2013 here I come!

Appetizer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:55:00 +0000

It's almost New Year's Eve and I am to take an appetizer to the party I've been invited to. I wanted something easy that I can prepare in advance so I made these!

Prosciutto Wrapped Mozza

Ingredients:
Thinly Sliced prosciutto
Fresh mozzarella cheese
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh Basil leaves
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Lay prosciutto slice flat, set basil leaf on one end and top with a ball of mozzarella and half a cherry tomato. Add a very small amount of salt and a dash of pepper. Roll and stick with toothpick. Drizzle with olive oil.

Christmas Celebrations

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 01:20:00 +0000

I have been taking part in Christmas celebrations for the past 6 days straight. I'm in need of a holiday! Ha! Can I even say that?

This is one of the newest Christmas treats I tried this year. I have never had mulled wine. My friend made a batch up last weekend and wow is it ever good. She added red wine, juice from an orange as well as a few of the peels, and some cloves (you can see them stuck in the orange peels). She put them all in a crock pot and let heat on low. Thanks Megan for the great new Christmas treat!

2013 To Do List

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:13:00 +0000

I came across this to do list on Pinterest and break out in laughter every time I read it. I would love to meet the person who wrote it!
Let me know if you try any of these and if you do, please please video tape it for my entertainment :)

Potluck

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:23:00 +0000

It's Christmas time and with Christmas comes the annual potlucks!
This year I've created a recipe from Whole Foods called the "Garden Potato Salad". I was beyond surprised with my potato salad making skills! Sooooo good!
I switched out the cilantro with fresh dill and am really happy with the results. Super easy considering the longest task in this recipe is chopping veggies!

Grey Rock Clothing Co. - Guelph

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:34:00 +0000

I've discoverd a great new store in Guelph, Ontario! It is called Grey Rock Clothing Co. and they are located on Quebec Street. This store is all sweatshop-free, and they have information about where you buy your clothes from and how they were made. I walked in knowing that and assumed everything would be over-priced, but they are not at all. I purchased a sweater for my dad for Christmas and the ring in my picture below for myself! Great pricing and a great selection. The staff was extremely friendly and they even email you your receipt to save paper :)

Thanks Grey Rock!

Curly Copper Ring - love it!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:13:00 +0000

Where to find great sushi in Waterloo, Ontario? Look no further - you can find it at Sakura Island! This little sushi restaurant is located right in University territory (think Starbucks and Morty's). I have tried quite a few sushi restaurants in the Waterloo area and for both location, taste and atmosphere, Sakura Island is my fave.

When you walk in you are greeted by friendly staff who offer fast service! There are small booths on the whole left hand side of the restaurant that are enclosed if you are looking for a more private and cozy atmosphere - I love this idea!

Sushi Caterpillar! - Nom nom nom

Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 23:44:00 +0000

I was looking for an easy and tasty on the go snack, and being that granola bars are my go to, I thought lets try making my own!
I love The Healthy Apple blog because of her creativity and natural gluten free recipes! I decided to try the Nut n’ Seed Bars with Almond Butter Sauce.
Yumm yumm yumm - definitely a must try! I will be making these again, that's for sure. The almond butter sauce give the bar that extra little kick.

Christmas Decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:37:00 +0000

I found this super cute idea on Pinterest the other week - a homemade mason jar snow globe!
All you need is:
Mason jar with lid
Miniature Tree (dollar store)
Epsom Salt
Tacky Glue or Glue gun

Take the tree and glue it to the bottom of the lid and let dry. Fill the jar 1/4 full of Epsom salt and secure the lid with the tree upside down. Flip the jar over and watch the snow fall :)

Fitness and Health

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:34:00 +0000

I started a bootcamp tonight. I travelled a lot in the early fall that I didn't make time to keep up my fitness routine. I feel so out of shape! What a great workout. I will be attending the classes Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday evenings. A lot of people are different but the only way I find that works for me is to push myself by going hard 3 times a week and then eating healthy. No more skipping lunch or eating out.

I've discovered that pinterest is a great place to find workouts to fit your style. As long as you have the will power to work out on your own schedule - take a look at some of these!

Treadmill Workout for the Gym Go-er - FitSugar

37 Minute Kettlebell Workout - Fitness Magazine

Don't forget to Stretch! - FitSugar