FUN – Page 16 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Feel-good Friday: Poetry in Motion

The next time someone tells you to go fly a kite “does anyone still say that?”

d. king - Kits Point — d. king – Kits Point

just do it!

“A kite is a victim you are sure of.
You love it because it pulls
gentle enough to call you master,
strong enough to call you fool;
because it lives
like a desperate trained falcon
in the high sweet air,
and you can always haul it down
to tame it in your drawer.

A kite is a fish you have already caught
in a pool where no fish come,
so you play him carefully and long,
and hope he won’t give up,
or the wind die down.

A kite is the last poem you’ve written
so you give it to the wind,
but you don’t let it go
until someone finds you
something else to do.” – Leonard Cohen, The Spice Box of Earth

Speaking about flying high & feeling good:

It’s nearly time to raise a glass at the ever popular California Wine Fair featuring award-winning vintners , happening at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Monday, April 27. The fair is presented in partnership with California Wine, an organization not only committed to showcasing the fine wines of the Golden State, but also giving back to the communities. Meet you there!

FUN

Feel-good Friday: the Simple Life

Here I am leaving my cozy chateau to get into my car to go for a little spin. Do you like my outfit?

In my Dreams. But part of this is not so far fetched, because dreams really do come true.

Am I really that selfish, shallow ~~maybe a teeny bit~~ and self-absorbed? There’s more to life than castles, cars and clothes! Really?

Have a Fabulous Friday!

FUN

beauty: J’aime JOUER

Meet JOUER Luminizing Moisture Tint

Jouer or ‘to play’ in French is the playful name of a beauty line created by beautiful and busy mother of two, Christina Zilber.

I sampled the Jouer golden & pearl tinted moisturizers recently and loved the texture and sheer hint of colour. Infact, these are more hydrating than the one I previously used from Laura Mercier which is surprising since so many people swear by Laura Mercier.

JOUER has formulas filled with serious skincare ingredients like Ginseng and Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract. Christina likes to say it is “beauty with skincare included.” And as a busy mother of two, she wanted her products to do double duty. And I think many people are looking for this effortless approach to beauty while still maintaining consistency.PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

This lightweight moisturizing tint evens out imperfections and fades the appearance of fine lines with its light-diffusing multi-mineral formula. SPF 20 protects from UVA and UVB rays while natural ingredients deliver antioxidants to skin, promoting a healthy complexion. Light to Medium coverage. 50 mL / 1.7 fl oz

Oil Free. Hypoallergenic. Non comedogenic. Fragrance Free. Perfect for all skin types.

CHRISTINA’S TIPS

Apply to clean skin to even out skin tone. Layer for additional coverage.

Spotted at Wish List Boutique – 2811 West Broadway, Vancouver. Price: $40.00

FUN

Style – Gladiator Game

I’m not so Glad and I’m not so Game for these Spring 2015 lace-ups which are beginning to reign and growing taller in flat and heeled versions.

I’m fascinated by their bondage-like sexiness but I don’t find them practical. Not that practicality has ever come into play with shoe styles (in the past) but they look like too much work. Plus they’re seasonal and it rains a lot here.

Michael Kors - these are simple and cute — **Michael Kors** – these are simple and cute

Stella McCartney - I like these — **Stella McCartney** – I like these too

What if it’s a sunny day and when you take them off you’re left with a crazy leg tan?

Some of the heels look challenging – like the pair by Alexander McQueen.

Mind you, the more I look at them the more I like them. This is what always happens.

What do you think? Like or not?

Givenchy - now these I would wear! — **Givenchy** – now these I would wear! They remind me of a pair I already have.

Source: HarpersBazaar.com

p.s. – if you’re receiving these posts via e-mail and they’re not displaying properly please click on the “blue” title at the very top which will take you to the original website.

FUN

Feel-good Friday: Tiki Time – Happy Hour!

It’s Friday. Pour a cocktail, sit back and relax!

Time to make a trip to the Shameful Tiki Room.

kon tiki opened its doors in 1958 and closed them in the early 80’s.

It began in Montreal when I accompanied my parents to a place called the kon tiki lounge. My dad didn’t drink but my mom liked to order a cocktail with rum & fruit juice in a hollowed out coconut. I had a Shirley Temple in a pineapple topped with a maraschino cherry and always an umbrella. The room was dark and exotic that had lagoons with running water, palm trees and blue, green and red lighting. It felt so grown up and indulgent. So when I moved to Vancouver one of the first things I did was pay a visit to Trader Vic’s at the Bayshore hotel. The chain was not nearly as intimate and they didn’t bother to fill up a pineapple but the cocktails were still tropical style.

In Palm Springs recently we visited a place called Bootlegger and the Tonga Hut. Bootlegger is very tiny, very tiki like and dark but the thing about the Tonga Hut is they have a secret room. I won’t tell you how to find it (it’s very cool) because then it wouldn’t be a secret. My friend disappeared in a flash behind a secret wall – that’s all I’m saying. I came across a website that explains Tiki Culture (yes, it is a culture onto itself). THIS IS IT:

The Tiki Lifestyle. Island Living. Retro Life. What is it all about?

Bootlegger, Palm Springs

Matchbox, Palm Springs — **Matchbox**, Palm Springs. Okay, it’s not tiki but they have a firepit.

Well, it’s pretty simple. It’s all about living the good life the way the cocktail set did back in the day. Historically and geographically, Tiki is defined by Polynesian culture.

People who are into Tiki Culture, or the “Tiki Lifestyle” crave an escape from the fast-paced lives we live. We want to know we have a special place, whether physical or in our minds, where we can go to get away from it all. For many of us, it’s our own little Tiki Bar set somewhere in the corner of our home. For some of us, it’s the Tiki Bar down town or on the beach. For a lucky few, our entire lives (including our homes and businesses) are 100% Tiki with that distinct mid-century retro look and feel. Source: http://tikiloungetalk.com

Do you do tiki?

some things never change - cheers! — some things never change – cheers!

FUN

Style: Sneakers

Did I just put the words sneakers and style in the same sentence?

Vans in all the right shades — **Vans** in all the right shades

It seems so. I’ve been drawn more and more to these adorable sneakers that look good with capris and rolled-up or cut-off jeans. These are not the same as running shoes (ones you use to actually run in), they’re meant for walking and comforts sake. A Sneak Peek:

My Vans slip-ons that go with everything

This doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on shoes with heels, it’s just that the styles I’ve stumbled upon are so cute and practical that I feel like buying several pairs.

Something is happening to me. Lately I’ve found myself twice in the downtown Vans store considering the sunflower pair and the silver glitter lace-ups but I ended up walking out (literally) with Van Doren limited edition 80’s slip-ons. They’re a bit abstract and kind of Warholish. I also like the Italian Superga leopard, houndstooth, linen, metallic and perforated leather pairs. This is worrisome. I hope it’s just a phase like the Reebok cool-girl hightops I used to wear in red, black and bubblegum pink – a period that fortunately did not last for very long. Because looking back they were not all that flattering.

Superga Annabel Platforms — Superga Annabel Floral Platforms

Until this is over I’ll just enjoy my casual lifestyle knowing that I can always slip on a pair of high heels to go out for dinner or dancing. Mind you, recently I’ve even been wearing flats to dance tango. Is this something I should be concerned about? It’s good to diversify right?

What do you think about the latest crop of sneakers – will they be replacing regular flats?

FUN

Feel-Good Friday: literally

A long weekend ahead celebrating both EASTER and PASSOVER.

I’ve got all my bases covered. At Passover there’s sure to be at least four glasses of wine and lots of chocolate at Easter. On Saturday morning there’s a scavenger hunt/run, a Passover Seder in the evening and Easter dinner on Sunday.

So what’s a girl to do

when she’s half christian & half jew

but celebrate both holidays

each in their individual ways

a little matzoh, a bit of ham

and try not to give a damn

However you choose to celebrate enjoy your lovely gathering with family and friends.

FUN

Food: basic but not boring – banana bread

Every single coffee shop offers this. BANANA BREAD has to be one of the all time comfort loaves to accompany afternoon tea. It’s not quite a cake, not quite a bread and not really considered a conventional dessert but it’s always reliably satisfying and somewhat healthy as far as sweet things go. Make sure you use ripe bananas – it makes all the difference.

So here’s a great classic to start withWhat you need:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1/3 cup of unsalted butter at room temp.

2/3 cup sugar (I use organic cane)

2 eggs, well beaten

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (roughly 3)

1 tsp. or more of lemon zest

Directions:

Heat oven to 350F

Sift first 4 ingredients (flour, baking powder, soda and salt)

In separate bowl beat butter (adding a bit of the egg will make it easier to blend), add sugar a bit at a time beating after each addition. Beat in the rest of the eggs.

Slowly add flour mixture, alternately with banana beating smooth after each addition.

Turn into greased 9” x 5” X 3” loaf pan. Bake in moderate oven of 350 approx. 1 hour 10 min. or until done and toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Variations:

You can vary this recipe by using a bit less banana and adding some fruit like raspberries or blueberries.

Or; you can omit the lemon zest and add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

banana bread with dark chocolate chips, candied ginger & organic almond extract — with dark chocolate chips, candied ginger & almond – my favourite.

Try chopped up candied ginger chopped almonds and/or some organic almond extract with the chocolate.

It freezes well and is always a good thing to have on hand for unexpected guests.

FUN

Feel-good Friday: humming right along

The incredible lightness of being – that’s THE HUMMINGBIRD.

Beautiful, delicate, swift, changing direction quickly and smoothly, gliding seemingly from one place to another. I’ve always loved hummingbirds and they’ve entered into my life from time to time when my spirit is in need of a little lift. You can’t help but enjoy their presence, everything seems light and bright whenever they appear. I have been drawn to them, and they to me. They have emerged in some strange places (like right inside my camper van in the desert at Dead Horse Canyon, Utah) and in strange ways (flapping around my head in Jamaica with no nest or feeder in sight) and more recently to some feeders in Palm Canyon, California. I decided to look up the spiritual meaning of hummingbirds.

Hummingbird Meaning

The Hummingbird is the joyful messenger and a symbol of health. When a hummingbird appears, healing will follow.

The hummingbird generally symbolizes joy and playfulness, as well as adaptability. Additional symbolic meanings are:

Lightness of being, enjoyment of life
Being more present
Independence
Bringing playfulness and joy in your life
Lifting up negativity
Swiftness, ability to respond quickly
Resiliency, being able to travel great distances tirelessly

When the hummingbird shows up in your life, it may be an invitation to flex your path, perhaps even bending backward or forward, in order to accommodate life’s circumstances. You may be required to adapt to a situation that is a bit more demanding than usual. The wisdom carried by this spirit animal emphasizes flexibility and lightness in your approach to the unexpected. Oh; I get it.

Photos: d. king (click to enlarge)

FUN

Food: cookbooks – the next generation

We’re looking at a few ways of eating that are all the rage these days.

Classic cookbooks like Betty Crocker, Julia Child and The Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking are handed down through generations and are still unprecedented references to go by. But our lifestyle has changed and along with it our ways of eating too.I still enjoy a good old fashioned breakfast on occasion…like once a week. A break from granola & yogurt. Except now I spread avocado in place of jam on toast and fresh fruit on homemade waffles. Well it’s a start.

No longer banned from the food pyramid, (good) fats are now seen as keys to weight loss.

I don’t know what appeals to you but let’s have a look at some of the new age cookbooks as seen on Flipboard.

The paleo diet is also known as the caveman diet—i.e. food you might have foraged or killed.

Move over, kale. There’s a new darling on plates, and they call her quinoa. (Keen-wah)

Health concerns aside, many people say a gluten-free diet just makes them feel better.

Over a thousand (!) articles and recipes about whole foods, vegetarianism and veganism.

LOCAVORE
A magazine that seeks to strengthen your connection with food, culture and the land.

A new study (ha!) out of California’s Loma Linda University found that vegetarians live longer and were especially less likely to die of heart disease than carnivores. The studies found that the mortality rate of meat eaters was as much as 19 percent higher than that of self-identified vegetarians, and the effect was significantly greater for men than for women. The Loma Linda studies showed an even longer lifespan for pesco-vegetarians, or those who included fish in their diets.

Until the verdict is in, meat eaters would do well to eat ample servings of fruits and veggies, limit intake of red and processed meats, eat fish often, and consume fewer calories overall. Vegetarians should find ways to get plenty of protein, iron, calcium, zinc, B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are often lacking in meatless dishes.

So, which category do you fall into?

Source: Flipboard for cookbook photos & New study by Kellee Katagi for Natural Choices.

breakfast photos: d. king