Category: FUN

Anything to do with fun & enjoyment

FUN

Simply Satisfying – Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread

 You can get creative with all your cookie-making at Christmas but don’t leave out the shortbread.  It may be too late for this Christmas but the results are worth it.  If you don’t have time,  file it for next year.   

Dish from ClayZone
Dish from ClayZone

I love cookies anytime.   My baking favorites are thumbprint (with homemade jam centre), writer’s block (oatmeal, raisins & chai spices), chocolate chip (using 4 different kinds) and old-fashioned peanut butter.

A friend gave me this recipe (originally from Canadian Living) which is perked up with orange rind and partially dipped in chocolate.  What can be better than orange & chocolate?

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup (125 ml) superfine sugar (like castor but I ended up using organic cane)

2 tsp (10 ml) finely grated orange rind

¼ (1 ml) tsp salt

2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. (45 ml) cornstarch

3 ½ oz (100 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, orange rind and salt until fluffy.  Stir in flour and cornstarch to make a smooth dough.

Divide dough in half.  Form each into 10-inch (25 cm) log.  Wrap each and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Slice logs into ¼ inch (6 mm) thick rounds.  Place, 1-inch (2.5 cm) apart, on parchment-lined baking sheets.  Bake in 325 F oven until firm, about 15 minutes.  Let cool on pans for 5 minutes, transfer to racks and let cool completely.

Coating:  In heatproof bowl over sauce of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate, let cool to room temperature.  Tip: I put the chocolate in a small pot placed right in a steamer which lets it gently melt without burning.  Try to use the best quality bulk chocolate you can find.  I use Callebaut.

Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, gently shaking off any excess.  Refrigerate on waxed paper-lined baking sheets until firm, about 30 minutes.  Makes about 30-35 cookies.

FUN

Christmas culture, décor & traditions from around the globe

 

xmaslightsDecember 25th takes on a unique local flavor depending on where you find yourself on that  day.  In some places Christmas falls on a different day entirely.  Have a very Merry Christmas wherever you live and whatever day you end up celebrating!

A look around…….

  santa fe 2Christmas in Santa Fe – I’ve experienced & loved it!
Visit the historic Santa Fe Plaza on any chilly, clear evening from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, and you will find silvery lights strung on every tree, sparkling against the gray winter dusk. The farolitos, luminous brown paper bags of candles and sand, are lit by hand each night, to flicker on the rooftops of the surrounding adobes. The City has a hushed, reverent quality at this time of year, regardless of the number of locals and tourists who partake of the numerous holiday festivities.santa fe 1

Colosseum Christmasxmas colosseum

In Italy, Christmas decorations may traditionally be put up on the 8th of December, a national holiday. Depending on the region, Christmas gifts might be given on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas Day. Decorations are taken down on the 6th of January and in some areas, female puppets are burned to signal, along with the end of Christmas, the end of the old year and beginning of the new. Photo: Jakob Montrasio

Parisian Christmas

Unlike the tradition of hanging socks by the fireplace, many French children will put shoes out for Father Christmas to put presents into. Photo: Her Own Journey

xmaschocolates ParisParisienne Chocolates – always a treat!

xmasethiopiaeTHIOPIAN cHRISTMAS

Christmas is widely and seriously observed in Ethiopia by its Orthodox Christian majority. As the country follows a calendar based on traditional Coptic calendars (which denote the current year as 2003 like the Julian calendar), Ethiopians will celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Photo: Richard Stupart

Brazil Christmasxmas3brazil

Brazilian Christmas follows similar traditions to Northern Europe and America. Some cities, such as Curitaba, will have decoration contests where judges will inspect interior and exterior decorations of competing houses to proclaim the most beautiful.. Photo by Denise Mayumi

xmas4germanyGerman Christmas

In some parts of Germany, St. Nicholas will come and visit children on St. Nicholas’ Day, giving out sweets. Sometimes he will be accompanied by his servant Ruprecht, dressed in dark clothes and occasionally with a devil’s tongue.

I've stollen a recipe from the Germans - YUM!

I’ve stollen a recipe from the Germans – YUM!

Ruprecht carries a stick, in theory to punish naughty children. Nowadays, he mostly hangs around looking scary and reminding German kids to behave ahead of Christmas. Photo: Marius Kallhardt

IndiaN Christmasxmasindia

In India, Santas sleigh and reindeer are often replaced by a horse and cart. Although Christians only make up about 3% of the country’ population, Christianity has a long history in India, allegedly founded by the Apostle Thomas himself. Photo: Meanest Indian

xmas5russiaRussian Christmas

Christmas in Russia is actually celebrated on the 7th of January like it is in Ethiopia. The Russian Orthodox Church still operates according to the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar of the rest of the world. As a result, Christmas gets bumped back almost a fortnight until after the New Year. Photo: Dmitry Boyarin

Australian Christmasxmasaustralia

While Christmas traditions in Australia are very similar to the UK, Canada and other Commonwealth countries, it is less well known that the country is responsible for starting the tradition of Carols by Candlelight. The practice began in 1938 after Norman Banks, a radio announcer with Melbourne station 3KZ saw a woman singing Away in a Manger by candlelight and had the idea to organise a large candle-lit singalong. Photo: Ctd 2005

xmasjapanJapanESE Christmas

Christmas in Japan is both popular and secular. Christmas is not a national holiday in the country, though gift giving is popular. Its first Christmas was held way back in 1552 by Jesuit priests in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Photo: mendhak

Scandinavian Christmasxmas12scandinavian

In Scandinavia, the Julbock or ‘Yule Goat’ is the traditional bringer of gifts at Christmas time. Large versions of the goat are frequently put up in towns and villages over the festive season, while in older traditions, smaller-sized versions of the animal made of straw or wood would be snuck into people’s houses as a prank. Houses finding goats in them had to pass them on by pranking others.                 Photo: Seppo Laine

xmaspenguin

Vancouver Christmas – anything goes!

Here comes Santa - my style! Reindeers can be unreliable these days.

Here comes Santa – my style! Reindeers can be unreliable these days.

I didn't really mean that Rudolph!

I didn’t really mean that Rudolph!

Reindog

I’ll take this Reindog anytime!

FUN

Words…Holly vs. Mistletoe

I just cut some Holly…or was it Mistletoe… from a tree up the street.  Which is which or is it the same thing? I should know this stuff but just to make sure I consulted a website & came across these snappy little rhymes below that will help to differentiate the two organisms in such a fashion that you never get them confused again:

In our modern society, so far removed from nature (for most people, not us Vancouverites), people often make mistakes that would have been unthinkable a few centuries ago – like confusing holly and mistletoe. Both are plants, both bear tiny inedible berries, and both are used as decoration around December. Those are the only things they have in common. Somehow, people get them mixed up, usually hanging holly as mistletoe (oops), and attempting (improperly!) to kiss beneath it.

NOW PAY ATTENTION!

Berries of white, kissing’s alright.
Berries of red get you hit in the head.

Okay, I’ve got rhyme, now to work on meter… maybe if I mix it up with a limerick….

There once was a garland of red,
Who rustled his spikes and said:
“Though I’m decoration,
I can’t cause affection,
I wish I were mistletoe instead.”

I think we’re onto something, here.

Traditional antidote for poison
Though most have an allergic reaction
The druids don’t care
They’re too busy sharing
a kiss to compile reliable medical information.”

Big showstopping number!

The holly looked up t’ward the tree,
“How do you do it?” said he.
“You drain sap like a vampire,
Yet folks say you inspire
Far more kisses than me.

    The mistletoe softly replied,

“Though I wear white like a bride,
It’s your red berries
that  make people merry,
Mine’s a minor tradition beside.”

Okay, that’s about as good as it’s going to get, here. I hope we’ve all got it straight, now:

Holly has red berries and pointy leaves.
Holly!


Mistletoe has white berries and round leaves.
Mistletoe!

from tailsteak.com
FUN

B well – seasonal plants can be hazardous to your pet’s health

Little healthful tidbits that go a long way….

Did you know….that many of the plants that are popular at this time of year can be harmful and even poisonous to cats and dogs?  Here’s a rundown of some to keep them away from:

poinsettiaPoinsettia – The flowers and leaves can upset your pet’s stomach but it’s an urban myth that this Christmastime staple is deadly.  You do not have to banish it from your home for fear of pet fatality.  That said, try to keep it out of the reach of prying paws.

Mistletoemistletoe – consuming a few leaves or berries causes mild gastritis.  But store bought mistletoe often has plastic berries, and if large quantities of plastic are ingested, your vet may need to induce vomiting.  If the plastic remains in the digestive tract, your pet may require surgery.

american hollyAmerican Holly – This plant contains potentially toxic compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation.  Make sure to keep it out of reach as well.

Amaryllisamaryllis – All parts of this plant are toxic.  Eating the flower or the stem can cause vomiting.  But consuming the bulb is most harmful, resulting in hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and neurological issues.

kalanchoeKalanchoe – If ingested, this flowering succulent can lead to gastrointestinal issues.  Place it up high so your pet cannot reach it, or in a room your pet cannot access.

This will help in knowing that you can still enjoy your merry plants.

While we’re on the subject sometimes I’ve been confused between these two plants but I do like the representation….the holly, with its green leaves and red berries, reflects a passion for new life and fresh beginnings. mistletoe symbolize romance and the immortal values that society preserves in its rituals.
FUN

beauty – Sephora Splurge

Five Essentialsblog1

It’s dangerous at the best of times walking into any Sephora. 

Sometimes I manage to bypass many of the temptations & go for only exactly what I came in to buy. This is done with great difficulty because it means not looking at all the shelves that pull you in with such appealing product displays.  You have to remain strong & focused.

This time of year we get an extra discount for being a ‘VIP insider’ (which I’m sure most of us that shop there become on the very first visit) and can save $15 on a minimum purchase of $50 (not a difficulty).  So we walk in with our VIP cards that give us that little extra bonus to choose a small gift whenever we spend a minimum of $100 (not a difficulty).  If you spend $500 (not a difficulty) even better –  more choices.  Since we always need something from there, any extra savings is a bonus.

I’m sure I needed something – just can’t remember what.  Maybe extra bronzer & a nice blush.  For sure I needed the inexpensive nail polish remover that you dip your fingers into & almost instantly dissolves all polish.  Done!  Then in the lineup for the till I spotted an Yves Saint Laurent lipstick in a most beautiful color (#12) in one of the discount bins – although I found out that it was put there by mistake so it was really regular price.  I believe it found me so into my bag it goes.  Then on my way home I realized the discount coupon was still in my purse – can’t believe it.  So back I go thinking I’ll just get a rebate for the difference….until I noticed the YSL touché éclat (magic wand that every makeup artist swears by) in the bin for exactly the price of $50 – Done! 

What a great deal because it really only cost me $35.  I’m such a smart shopper!

  How do you shop at Sephora?

Stuff I needed: Sephora instant nail polish remover.  Other stuff I wanted needed: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, Nars (the multiple stick) in Orgasm, YSL Rouge–Volupté – silky sensual radiant lipstick (SPF 15), YSL Touche–Éclat pen, Nars blush/bronzer duo (in Orgasm & Laguna) for purse & travel convenience.

Something I liked but didn’t buy:

Kat Von D eye palette with great piment
The most beautiful eye pigments in the Kat Von D eye palette.

 blog3

FUN

style – EXPOSED!

Who said wearing exposed zippers was not in style?

Cynthia Rowley Double knit and leather, $199; cynthiarowley.com.
Cynthia Rowley
Double knit and leather, $199; cynthiarowley.com.

Someone in my own family said that.  They suggested I get rid of an exposed-zipper skirt when I was last clearing out my closet and it wasn’t because the skirt no longer fit or the material was not good.  It was because of the zippers which this normally fashion-conscience person (who will go unnamed) said was no longer in style.  I’m happy to say I did not listen to such bad advice from somebody whose opinion usually matters…especially since there are many other exposed pieces in my wardrobe that I think look pretty cool.

Zara Faux-leather, $40; zara.com.
Zara Faux-leather, $40; zara.com.

You get the idea. Exposed zippers are where it’s at right now, and how you’re going to make your basics stand out against the crowd.

Rag & Bone Cotton, polyester, and lycra, $253; aritzia.com.
Rag & Bone
Cotton, polyester, and lycra, $253; aritzia.com.
Oasis Leather, $160; oasis.andotherbrands.com.
Oasis Leather, $160; oasis.andotherbrands.com.

Rebecca Taylor Polyester, rayon, and spandex, $177; rebeccataylor.com.
Rebecca Taylor
Polyester, rayon, and spandex, $177; rebeccataylor.com.

It’s hard to create a new design element on standbys. So often, stocking up on the basics becomes boring. We try to look out for a different detail, whether that be of color or print, and find the same old same old. So that’s why exposed zippers on everything from sexy minis and shift dresses to blazers and shells give us goosebumps. It’s a way to inject an unexpected element into your looks without having to overthink it.

Ted Baker London Cotton, lyocell, and polyurethane, $325; tedbaker.com.
Ted Baker London
Cotton, lyocell, and polyurethane, $325; tedbaker.com.

Take a black romper whose pockets have been highlighted with exposed zippers and you’ve got a piece that can be worn to a cocktail party, the club and to less conservative offices with a cardigan and belt. A zippered ankle on a pair of leggings gives them all that much more credibility in the “Are they pants?” debate.

Aldo...just because
Aldo…just because

 What are your favorite exposed styles?
FUN

What’s in Store – Victoria’s Secret Vancouver

I’m No ANGELVS3IT’S NO SECRET that Victoria’s Secret represents one of the world’s sexiest and most popular lingerie brands. vsBut it’s more than that.

Now the  successful company has opened a Vancouver location at Burrard & Robson – the world’s second largest Victoria’s Secret store after the one in New York City.  vs1                         The store is located inside a historical building that once housed the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library before the library branch relocated in 1995 to its current location seven blocks down Robson Street. Before being converted into a Victoria’s Secret, 750 Burrard Street served as flagship stores for both Virgin Music and HMV.

my kind of dressing room
my kind of dressing room

The two-storey, 35,151 square foot store carries a sexy, glamorous, sophisticated yet classic look. It features over-sized custom chandeliers, lingerie inspired detailing, iconic supermodel imagery, a glamorous mirrored grand stairway and dramatic floor to ceiling video screens.

impressive staircase
impressive staircase

The store features all of the chain’s most loved lingerie, body care and scent collections, including Bombshell, Very Sexy, Dream Angels Heavenly, Victoria’s Secret Angel, VS Fantasies, Victoria’s Secret Sport and Swim, as well as the new Body by Victoria Collection.  In addition to everything else, this Vancouver store also includes a 7,000 square foot Victoria’s Secret PINK for girls & younger women.

Loved the well-designed layout, friendly staff and lots of things – but walked away with only a few comfy loungewear items…for now.  Then for the first time ever, went home to watch the over-the-top but still fabulous VS Fashion Show everyone keeps talking about…wearing my limited edition oversize SEXYVS4 (because it says so) sleepshirt.

What do you like the most about Victoria’s Secret?

FUN

b well – are you getting enough?

Winter Vitamins and Minerals!vitamins2Flu season is here, and combined with the holidays, does not make for a great combination.  To avoid getting sick maybe we can consider adding a few supplements to our list of what we ‘should’ do to keep from getting colds, etc.

Medical experts recommend that, first and foremost, you meet all your nutritional needs by eating a healthy diet.  But that’s not always possible, especially when the chilly weather’s got you craving macaroni and cheese guilty in lieu of fish and salad.  Combine winter’s shorter days with less fresh and diverse produce, and chances are you’re just not getting enough of a few key vitamins and minerals. Here are a few important ones that you may be missing out on.  Always ask your doctor whether you should consider adding these supplements to your diet.vitamin1

VITAMIN D – on average only 68% of Canadians have blood concentrations of vitamin D that are sufficient for bone health, according to stats Canada.  But in winter, that drops to 60%.  This is because Canadians need to be exposed to sun for the body to produce the vitamin, and we simply can’t make enough of it in winter.   Vitamin D is a key nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorous to produce strong bones and teeth.  It improves the function of muscles and may help to lower the risk of cancer and diabetes. Aside from taking a Vitamin D supplement, also consider boosting your intake with fortified foods such as milk, yogurt and some calcium-fortified orange juices.

CALCIUM – important for keeping our bones and teeth healthy and also helping support muscle and nerve functions.  Like vitamin D, calcium is needed to keep bones and teeth strong and to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.  Aside from taking a supplement, try to eat foods rich in calcium which include milk or milk alternatives such as yogurt, cheese, fortified soy beverages and dark green veggies such as broccoli and spinach.

Oops!
Oops!

IRON – an important mineral to help carry oxygen to all parts of the body.  A low iron count can make you look pale and feel weak and irritable, along with many other unwanted symptoms.  Our bodies cannot make it so we require it from our diet.  Without iron, our body cannot make healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to our tissues and vital organs.  Foods rich in iron include fish and seafood (such as shrimp and scallops), lentils, beans, and meats such as duck, liver and beef.

FISH OIL (omega-3 fatty acids) – are healthy fats that cannot be made by the body.  We benefit from omega-3 healthy fats for our brain, nerve, and eye development.  They also lower the risk of heart disease. Research is being conducted on whether omega-3 fats also play a role in lowering the risk of cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.

vitamins4The best source?  Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, arctic char (similar to salmon) including all the ones I don’t like….like anchovies, sardines, herring and trout.  Look for a mercury-free fish oil supplement with a Natural Product Number (NPN).  You can also add flax seeds, walnuts, soy products and omega-3-enriched foods such as eggs and milk to your list.    AND if you want to have a healthy treat at the office, this seems like an un-messy way to eat an orange for that extra dose of Vitamin C – which can’t hurt either.  Of course you need to keep a knife at your desk.

Vitamin C can't hur either. Just came across this on Yahoo.
Just saw this on Yahoo.   For the ones that are obviously not so easy to peel.
FUN

personally speaking – can I buy an Inexpensive Luxury Wine?

The answer is YES…but WHAT CONSTITUTES A LUXURY WINE?

NNNNNNN
Melee Grenache 2010. Rated 93 points for 24.99. Napa Valley, Ca.  Bought at Costco. 

Let me WINE all I want! This was a long read so I condensed it as much as possible (from an article by Rod Philips ‘Into Wine’) so you get the picture.

Being offered a premium wine for $12 a bottle might sound a bit like being offered some prime swampland at a knock-down price.  Premium has the ring of quality about it, and many people might well think of premium wines as including first-growth Bordeaux and Super Tuscans, wines that often sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle on release, and much more for older vintages.

Reserva 2007 from Spain rated 93 points and a fantastic deal from Costco (in Tucson) for only $9.99.
Reserva 2007 from Spain rated 93 points and a fantastic deal from Costco (in Tucson) for only $9.99.  You just can’t beat that!

Infact, a $12 bottle of premium wine is a common proposition in many wine stores because the world of wine segmentation (the division of wines into categories for marketing purposes) often defies common sense.  Although premium wine sounds like it would be high quality, it is actually the bottom rung of a ladder that has super-premium and ultra-premium above it.  But there are no standard definitions for any of these categories. See guide below.

Categories make these wines sound like the choices you get at the gas station, and they have nothing to do with quality, but all to do with price. Listen to this: a premium wine that over delivers for its price could be of higher quality than some super-premiums.  Now I don’t think that’s the same for gas….just saying so you don’t go filling up your tank with the cheapest quality thinking you’re getting better (but it does make matters confusing).

Luxury  is a word with multiple meanings and connotations, and definitions vary socially and culturally.  Applied to wine, it is no more easily grasped than when applied to other commodities. Still, luxury is gaining currency in the world of wine segmentation, as demonstrated by a panel on “the future of luxury wine” at a recent New York wine exhibition.  Even though it will be deplored by those who resist seeing wine as a commodity akin to other consumer products, luxury seems set to become entrenched as a category within the global wine market.

Tribunal California North Coast Red - bought in Vancouver for $20.00 A delicious tasting wine for great value.
Tribunal California North Coast Red – bought in Vancouver for $20.00 A delicious tasting wine for great value.

General guideline: Lifford wine agency (one major Canadian wine agency), uses $12 to $17 as a guideline for premium; while a study from Australia’s University of Adelaide defines premium as a wine costing $2.50 to $7.50 (U.S.) before tax – between $4 (U.S.) and $12 (U.S.) retail, including tax and markups, in Australia.  Lifford uses $18 – $35 to define super-premium and more than $35 for ultra-premium, while the Australian study sets $12 (U.S.) retail as the starting point for super-premium wines.

I can attest to this because having spent a lot of time in the U.S. (drinking wine of course) I know you can get a damn good bottle for $12 – at Costco or Trader Joe’s no less.

So happy sipping & good CHEERS!

Follow our ‘World of Wine’ board on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/world-of-wine/

Photos: Debbie King