Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it – Diane Von Furstenberg
Can you find it in a box?
Sometimes you can find it in a BOX! But it’s what you do with what’s inside that counts.
Wow…I just received my second seasonal box of style from the people over at *the Zoe Report. They’ve curated a carefully selected arsenal of fashion and beauty products, with amazing summer staples every style girl loves. All neatly wrapped and packaged in a nice box. Talk about chic in the heat!
*For those who are not already familiar, The Zoe Report is an online style destination curated by stylist to the stars and fashion designerRachel Zoe. The website gives tips on how to be glamorous every day with fashion, beauty & lifestyle articles from the best in the biz.
A peek inside:
A delicate lariat necklace is a jewelry box staple. The versatile piece can play nice with everything from a plunging neckline to a high-collar blouse—making it an accessory that works for the office, cocktail hour and beyond.
Michael Stars Caftan – to channel your inner Liz Taylor
This eye-catching lariat necklace with delicate pave Swarovski crystals and adjustable open crescent ring will look incredibly chic worn together or alone.
Luv AJ Pavé Tusk Lariat & Open Crescent Ring Exclusive Set.
Michael Stars Pastel Gardens Caftan. Every sun-loving girl needs a colourful caftan (cover up) in her summer wardrobe. To be simply layered over a sleek swimsuit for poolside lunch or dressed up for dinner by wearing it over a slip dress, cinched with a belt and adding earrings – a complete summer look.
YHF Los Angeles Cashton Brown Sunglasses
Flattering Sunglasses
Sunglasses that are as versatile as they are timeless This style was tested by every member of Team Zoe to ensure it flatters every face shape.
Beach in a Bottle – Quai haircare wave spray.
The only thing more alluring than textured beach waves is the knowledge that your textured beach wave spray isn’t ravaging your hair. This formula boasts rice protein instead of salt to provide the fresh-from-the-surf texture you’re craving, minus the crunchiness. I blogged about it recently. See link below.
The Dream Turban – DreamDry (great syling tool towel)
Hair Turban to keep frizz at bay –yay
Treat your tresses with care by using this super absorbent turban (instead of a coarse towel) to speed the drying process without frizz. Thanks to a button-fastening you can easily go about your routine without it slipping out of place and the lightweight fabric won’t take up precious space in your carry on.
THE HEALTHY GLOW
Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Brightening Moisturizer
Juice Beauty SPF 15
Multi-tasking products are wonderful. This organic brightening moisturizer with SPF 15 will help reverse existing skin damage and infuse your skin with hydration and protection so light you can wear it under your makeup.
It’s like getting styled by Rachel Zoe all year long. Order your summer Box of Style now.
Each seasonal box promises to include $300 favorite fashion, beauty and lifestyle items hand-curated by Rachel and The Zoe Report Team. The necklace/ring combo alone is retail value $190 usd. And remember to tell them I sent you. If you want to be really surprised just ignore the spoiler alerts leading up to mailout.
Because unfortunately your personality isn’t the first thing people see.
Vancouver dining with a view and a twist. This is what happens when you mix West Coast influence with inspiring Peruvian and Japanese cultures.
When I go out for lunch or dinner I prefer to order something I’m not likely to make at home. Ancora restaurant (previously “C” directly across from Granville Island) fit the bill perfectly. *I also take into account restaurant patios that accommodate dogs adjacent to your table.
At Ancora the cuisine’s manifesto hinges on sustainable seafoods, locally sourced and international ingredients, while also drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwestern surroundings.
Aside from one glass of wine here is what my friend and I ordered on a sunny afternoon last week…
Starters:
Halibut Ceviche:
with celery, red onion, cancha, yam, cilantro, aji, amarillo tiger’s milk. Not sure who is milking the tiger.
meringue, lemon cream, fresh fruit, raspberry ice cream.Wonderful View, Good Service, Amazing Presentation. I loved the ceviche and the ling cod. The sauce was delicious. The sauce the crab was served on was unfamiliar and likely a developed taste. If you like meringue you’ll like the pavlova. My friend loves meringue – I don’t. The lemon cream, berries and ice cream were very tasty. The beef short ribs seco was not a hit. The ribs were grizzly but the salsa criolla was quite good. You’re better off sticking with seafood here. Overall it was a very pleasant afternoon taking in the scenery, relaxing and trying out a new culinary experience. And of course the company and conversation was most excellent. $$$$
*There is a rule in Vancouver that you cannot bring your dog inside the restaurant patios. They must be outside the gate and not left unattended.
I decided I like island life for a change of pace.
Kayakers near Salt Spring – taken from the boat
Not that my life is so hectic here in Vancouver but it’s just more laid back on a little island where it’s not so easy to escape. You have to entertain yourself in other ways and learn to just relax. The views are to blame. You immediately feel chill when you have a view of the ocean. You also have to plan better because where I stayed on Piers they have no stores, not even one grocery store, nada. Which means if you run out of anything it’s a boat trip over to Victoria or Sydney or….any of the other multitude of tiny surrounding gulf islands that have provisions. You have to be super organized. Once you have all that you need it’s amazing.
What I love most is there are no cars on Piers. The only way to reach it is by boat. Which means the dogs can run free (except for the time Jack ran after a deer and was lost for a few hours when the sun went down) and the air is much fresher. It feels so much healthier. And you get to know your neighbours who are actually very interesting. Infact it’s a good idea to get to know them anyway should you need anything. And they’re so willing to help. Island people are friendlier and they make pies and jam and they can sing. The phone book for the tiny island of Piers is only two pages – a printout. Quite funny actually. You can walk around the whole island in one hour but there’s also great trails for hiking and amazing sunsets and sunrises. Or you can just be.
Even Jack has started to kayak. He’s on the lookout for other canine kayakers.Wonder why I thought Jamaica? This is why – Fulford Village, Salt Spring Island
Helps if you have a hobby, are writing a book and can play an instrument, especially guitar. Singing optional; but appreciated if good. My friends friend played guitar after dinner then unexpectedly broke into song with another person and they were both amazingly talented. He said “that’s nothing, sometimes there’s 12 people with mandolin and other instruments”. A total musical experience.
If you’re a writer you have the quiet. If you’re a photographer there are many options. If you’re a nature lover you can kayak, walk through the trails or explore other islands. Go from island to island as many do by kayak or boat. Some have row boats. So there we were.
At the south end of Salt Spring Island lies the little ferry dock at Fulford Harbour. It’s where we docked when a friend of mine took me and my out of town visitor for a boat ride. We didn’t plan for it but ended up there. I was only in Ganges before. It was several years ago with another friend who had a place on Gabriola. We ended up staying at a great B+B. The proprietor served us homemade quince jam with baked goods for breakfast and I had never had that before. We ended up going back to Gabriola with a bag of quince berries from her tree, bought some jars and made quince jam. Lots of it. Getting back to Fulford…
Selection of handmade cheeses and fresh art – all locally made
Walking around the village reminded me somewhat of Jamaica. The slower pace to be specific but also the variety of quaint little shops that are Caribbean-like and the surprising number of amenities. Sooo cute. Among other things they make really good cheeses and coffee which they now sell in many establishments all over British Columbia.
Photo: Masako (Jack, watch out or you’ll get crabbed!). On Piers Island
I love books (especially meaningful non-fiction) such as:
About Fulford:
Fulford is the first stop for the majority of visitors to Salt Spring. The village is located at the south of the island on the edge of Fulford Harbour. The ferry terminal for the Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour (Victoria) run is located here. Although the Village of Ganges is bigger, Fulford has its own distinct charms. Make a point of exploring the area, which has a variety of shops, restaurants and accommodations. The Rock Salt Cafe on the water’s edge has recently been honoured by a listing in the prestigious guide “Where to Eat in Canada“. Organic coffee and baked goods are available from the fascinating Morning Side Bakery just up the street. The Fulford Pub is just a short distance from the village. A little past the pub you will find two of Salt Spring’s fine wineries. If you’re looking for some interesting shops stop in to Stuff & Nonsense and Jambala, where you find a wide variety of unique items. There are several Bed and Breakfast establishments here as well, should you decide to spend a few days.
Yes; I’m already feeling so stressed – I need to go back!
Sidenote: I came home with the best homemade strawberry jam from my friends strawberry bushes. I think they should do a side business. Seriously!.
Like take a tour bus or be the tour guide? It can be lots of fun. I had the pleasure of re-discovering some fabulous places when a friend visited who I have not seen in over 20 years.
MasakoKits BeachWild Ones
I first met Masako in the early 80’s when we both lived and worked in Tokyo. We became fast friends. I knew she was someone I wanted to keep track of because she’s really smart, funny, hard working (international investments), well traveled, a nature lover, caring and curious. In other words, the perfect friend.
The tourist photo on Canada Day (July 1st, 2016)With Took (from Thailand) and Masako
When I moved to Vancouver and Masako moved to London, England we continued to stay in touch. Since that time she came to Vancouver once to visit me and I visited her once while I went to take in London theatre with a girlfriend from New York. I was in London more recently but unfortunately we were not able to meet up. She’s a single mom of a very bright 14 year old boy who speaks fluent French and is also an avid tennis and golf player. She dropped him off at Stanford University in S.F. for a 3 week math tutorial and spent time there before visiting me. She never stops. But we managed to pick up where we last left off as if no time had passed. That’s when you discover time is a moving and so much has happened but you’re still the same person. Almost as if time has stood still. When we first met I was calling my mom in Montreal every day to check in and get her advice on everything from cooking to the men I was dating.
Sunrise on Piers from the house
So during her stay I too felt like I was on holiday. Vancouver and its environs has an abundance of picturesque places to see but we had to narrow it down. Two nights we visited Whistler with a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Masako went peak to peak on the lookout for wildlife (specifically bears) while I took in the Audain Art Museum and wildlife at the Scandinave Spa. All amazing by the way. There was a cute Canada Day parade in the village and the VSO gave a free outdoor concert in the evening. We ate well too.
View from our hotel roomLunch at Fairmont Chateau Whistler
The day after we got back we took the ferry to Victoria. The first time she was here we went directly to Butchart Gardens. This time from Victoria we were picked up and boated to one of the charming little gulf islands. A car-free little gem of an island called Piers where a friend has a stunning ocean front home where little Jack (the J.R. terrier) resides when I’m not looking after him. We met several interesting locals in the evening at a barbeque. What I’ve noticed is that island people are artists, musicians, writers, photographers, actors and zoologists. I was talking to a man who takes people on treks to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas (a guest had just come back and said they were so close that one gorilla brushed right by him) and also to Churchill, Manitoba to see the Polar Bears (who are now starting to mate with grizzlies should you want to know this fascinating piece of information). He met Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees – a person I’m in awe of and would love to meet. Future trips to consider. Sidenote: Lowland gorillas and polar bears are sadly on the endangered list.
Jack & Jia Jia with TookSelfie with bronze dog statueJack eyes freshly picked homegrown strawberries after eating a cherry (he spit out the pit)
The next day we boated to Saltspring island (separate post to come) while seeing many seals (not bears, but still...)
In Vancouver we stayed mostly local biking around a couple of times, eating out and also cooking at home. Next
Scandinave Spa
time the Okanagan and Tofino is high on the list of places to take Masako.
Jacks waiting locationOff to bed – too much excitement for one dayView of the Scandinave Spa, Whistler from the inside. No photos allowed outside.
I’m not sure when the polar bear trip will fit into schedule; certainly not in the summertime.
By the way, you are guaranteed to see these gorgeous giants in close proximity.
And my friend just left but I already miss her
Photos: (moments in time) d. king Photos: (airport, kits beach, boat) kind stranger
Aren’t orchids special? The exotic flowers certainly brighten up any room. And they make beautiful centerpieces….for a while.
So, why until now have I not had any orchids in my home?
Probably because they intimidated me a little bit. In a flowery kind of way. I thought they’d be a lot more difficult to look after and also there is a longish waiting period once the delicate flowers start to fall off until the next bloom. The time in between where you can’t be too sure if you’ve over or under watered them and if they’ll ever come back. They don’t look so pretty in the awkward stage with only long branches – and then you have to find a place to put them where they’ll be less noticeable.
My first orchid is when a friend brought one over as a hostess gift almost a year ago. I loved it. It lasted for what seemed like months…until it didn’t. Then I moved it around from window to window to make sure it was getting the right light but no matter what I did it was still looking sad and I was sure I killed it. That’s why you never see one that’s not in bloom in any florist shop. No one would buy them!
So I decided to hand it over to another friend who is known as a plant doctor. She managed to bring it back to life and then instructed me how to properly care for it. I left it with her until the time I guiltily took it back – once it was perfectly full of flowers. Now the proud owner of one very good looking orchid. It was going to be my one and only and I found the perfect spot to showcase it – in my bathroom window.
But this is all to say that since that time I’ve received two more orchid gifts.I think people come over and notice how great you look after your orchid and want to give you more. I didn’t have the heart to tell them “no, please no more orchids”. That sounds so insensitive but when all three plants lose their flowers I need to find two more places to hide them. I know; so ungrateful sounding.
However…..the latest one is in full bloom and the other two are starting up again and I really appreciate and love looking at them. I have one white and two purple plants.
Did you know?
Charles Darwin used orchids to help prove his theories of natural selection and evolution. Scientists today follow in Darwin’s footsteps and use orchids to learn more about how plants have evolved and adapted to live in almost every type of environment around the world.
The history surrounding the Orchid is as vast as the species range, with Charles Darwin even studying the cross-pollination that is used by this amazing plant; this, in turn, prompted a novel he wrote on the subject – Darwin’s Orchids.
Significance of Colour Variation (whether the gift giver meant it that way or not):
Orchids make magical arrangements and bouquets. While as a species of flower orchids hold a meaning of their own, each colour variation carries a slightly different meaning with it, making them ideal gifts and a beautiful surprise for your loved ones. These exotic and stunning flowers can convey a silent message, symbolising a special moment between you and your recipient – whether strength, beauty or love. The Ancient Greeks held the orchids in an extremely high regard and had specific meaning for the size and shape of these stunning flowers. The large orchid tubers were believed to ensure the birth of a boy, while the smaller represented the birth of a girl.
Orchids are available in every colour of the rainbow, excluding true blue. There is, however, a blue toned orchid – they are extremely rare, so they represent rarity, as well as spirituality and meditation.
Pink: The pink Orchid has the honour of representing innocence, femininity, grace, joy and happiness. It also represents the celebration of the 14th and 28th wedding anniversary.
**Purple: Purple flowers often represent royalty, respect, admiration and dignity and the same is true for purple orchids. These stunning blooms are ideal to show someone that you admire them and have respect for them.
Red: Red roses have come to universally represent passion and desire, and the meaning of this colour is no different when it comes to orchid symbolism. Perfect for Valentine’s Day! Red orchids are also symbolic of courage and strength.
*White: White orchids signify innocence, elegance and beauty – ideal for a christening or the birth of a baby. White also signifies reverence and humility.
Yellow: The sunny, bright colour of yellow orchids is synonymous with joy and new beginnings. This orchid colour is also the traditional symbol for friendship. Perfect for giving to a friend who has just succeeded with a joyous achievement.
Orange: The orange orchid represents pride, enthusiasm and boldness. Perfect for giving to someone who is just about to do something nerve-racking.
Green: Represents health, nature, life and longevity. This gorgeous coloured orchid is also thought to represent good fortune and happy blessings.
On another beauty note:
Radiant orchid is the ‘It’ flower in beauty products Orchids are trending in fragrances and products for skin, nails, lips, eyes and more.
Guerlain, the reputable French beauty company has had an orchid skincare line for as long as I can remember called Orchidée Impériale.
A rare flower that foils time – the orchid – a wonder of longevity, an incredible source of discoveries for science. Guerlain has been the expert in orchids and skin longevity for years: three orchids selected from 30,000 and a new one – the Gold Orchid – known to regenerate cell life.
Orchids also signify good luck
And on that note I will willingly accept orchid plants (or skincare) if anyone is so generous to gift me with more. Providing they’re aware that when they visit, should the orchid not be in plain sight it will be brought out again…and again…over time.
Because I’m sure even the cream doesn’t last forever. And the pure beauty will be not taken for granted! Especially since I now know how to properly care for them.
We’re always looking for ways to get rid of wrinkles. How about keeping your clothes, specifically linen looking neat and nicely pressed. I have a love/hate relationship with linen. Linen is the unofficial fabric of summer. A perfect blend of sophisticated, natural and cool. Allegedly, it gets softer with each wash. But anyone who wears it knows how easy it is for creases to form which is the only downside to wearing linen. It’s part and parcel of the material but too many creases can look sloppy.
I don’t know about you but I hate ironing. I own an ironing board and an iron but can’t remember the last time I used them. My wrinkle prone clothes are left to dry while they’re still damp or I steam iron with clothing on the hanger. Much easier.
Except for men’s dress shirts and men’s dress pants and men’s dress jackets oh; men I don’t see the need for ironing. It might be relaxing but there’s simply no joy to it.
And it’s summer – who wants to iron?
Since linen is the fabric most likely to wilt and get all wrinkly within hours of putting it on:
Here’s how to bring it back to life in ten minutes (or less).
What you need: Access to a dryer, plus an ice cube
What you do: Toss your linen pants (or shirt or jacket) with the ice cube in the dryer on low. In ten minutes, all the wrinkles will be gone.
Why this works: As the ice melts, it lets off steam and creates its own de-wrinkling system in the process.
Whoa, your pants look freshly pressed. Hello, summer genius.
Have any other material tricks up your linen sleeves?
This is the first time that I’ve struggled with what to write about for my food post. Pretty sad right? This coming from the woman who loves to cook, owns tons of interesting cookbooks and has tried almost everything and likes to be creative in the kitchen. This coming from someone who embraces food from every culture, has made spices from scratch and then questioned why on earth afterwards.I just don’t want to throw any little thing at you for the sake of posting something. The recipes I post are ones I’ve made or at least appeal to me that I’m about to make. And to be honest I’ve been cooking very simply lately and you know what…it’s great! It just doesn’t make for a fantastic post so maybe I’ll just talk about food in general. No, no don’t leave yet. Let’s discuss.
Quick cooking rarely comes from a recipe so much as it does from intuition and time spent mulling around in the kitchen. So…
Instead of covering food in fancy sauces sometimes it’s nice to really taste the food itself. I’m not so sure a simple cookbook would be a best seller but I do think people are going back to basics. It feels healthier too. The days of Julia Child and her extravagantly rich sauces are lessening at least for me. For now. Almost to the point of being boring but what I’ve discovered is that not only is it a breeze to make something with less fuss, but the taste is fresher. Anything good does not require covering up. Let’s make one thing clear, simple doesn’t have to mean bland. For instance, if you steam fresh vegetables like carrots which are naturally sweet you really don’t need to add anything else to them. Maybe a squeeze of lemon and that’s it. Taste the vegetable itself. Also, it’s summer so we want things easy breezy where salads and barbeques are major. With steak you can barbeque just using salt + pepper but if you want to add more zing just add crushed fennel & smoked paprika along with s+p. You only need a few good quality basics. Cooked properly with variety and colour on the plate is all it takes to make a meal more appealing.
On another note, I recently planned a surprise birthday party for my husband who hates surprises. I really had to give some thought as to where to book a restaurant (it was on the same day as Fathers Day) for 10-12 people where everyone could enjoy something from the menu, be reasonably priced and have ambience. Not so easy. Anyway, I first chose a new trendy place which incorporated unusual food pairings. But when I looked at their website it seemed almost too elaborate…and I think that men in general prefer a “real” meal instead of something showy. So I changed it to another restaurant – something a little less formal where everyone ended up feeling relaxed and satisfied. Luckily, no complaints. Except for the friend (and her friends) who arrived late.
They were celebrating Fathers Day having dinner at another restaurant – one that was on my Foodie list of places to eat. I heard wonderful things and have been meaning to go for ages. Well….they all complained about the portions being way too small and in general were disappointed in the food considering the cost. And they complained about it while filling up their plates with our leftovers (we ordered too much) as well as ordering more food. Which brings me to my next question…
Yesterday I wrote about doing a wardrobe check – to clear out what is no longer useful and keep only what works to bring out our best selves for a more polished look. Now I want to talk about polishing up our complexions.
Products for all seasons and all reasons.
Change of season means using lighter products and doing a makeover check. First off…
I’m told that half of all women wear the wrong shoe size (can that be true, really?) and two thirds wear the wrong size bra (we know we’re really 34B but we’ll buy a 34D…wishful thinking?). And I don’t know exactly how many of us use the wrong facial products but I’m guessing the numbers are pretty high.
Do you know your skin type?
Maybe you think you do but chances are your skin type falls into more than one category. Even those of us with so-called “normal” complexions experience flare ups and we all have battles from time to time. Some more than others. Skin is a living organ and it mirrors what’s happening in our lives and in our bodies. It constantly changes – hormones one week, stress the next. Taking medication, a change in diet, smoking, drinking, not sleeping, all of it can effect our mood and in turn, our skin.
General classifications are normal, combination, oily, dry, sensitive.
Most people will experience combination skin at some point. The ‘T Zone’ around the nose, forehead and eyes is naturally a bit oilier than the rest of the skin on your face, so one way to find out what mood your skin is in is to clean this area with a light cleanser, followed by a good toner and then leave it for a couple of hours. The results may not be what you’re expecting.
If you find that the skin is very tight, it may be that you need to start using a richer formula for a while to deal with any excess dryness.
Sensitive skin usually benefits from something lighter, like a gel or serum, while skin prone to breakouts or redness may need special attention with regular masks designed to soothe and cleanse the pores.
Customized Skin Care
Then there are problem conditions like acne, rosacea or eczema which can really get in the way of you and your best self. They make you tend to want to hide from the world.
Did you know that you can help ease your problem situation and in some cases clear it up entirely by abiding by some dietary tips and some simple at-home remedies?
This according to skin care guru *Kate Somerville:
Dietary Tips for Treating Acne: be wary of dairy, white sugar, white flour and saturated fats. Milk contains steroid hormones and other compounds that can contribute to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne. Sugars boost insulin which can increase oil production and the growth of pore-clogging cells.
At-Home Remedies for Treating Acne: Find products with different active ingredients to target acne like sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, tea-tree oil and salicylic acid. it’s essential that products don’t strip or over dry the skin because it will over-compensate by producing excess oil.
Dietary Tips for Treating Rosacea: diet plays a large role in rosacea. Avoid trigger foods such as caffeine, white sugar, white flour, alcohol and spicy food. Eat food that encourages the growth of good bacteria like leafy greens, high-fiber foods and probiotics.
At-Home Remedies for Treating Rosacea: Look for products containing calming agents like mineral masks, aloe, lavender and green tea. For severe rosacea see your dermatologist, there are great topical antibiotics available.
Dietary Tips for Treating Eczema: If you’re having a severe eczema breakout, stop eating all dairy, wheat and sugar. Eat whole, unprocessed foods and stay away from acidic items like tomatoes and vinegar. Drinking lemon water will keep you hydrated and make your system more alkaline which is crucial when you’re battling eczema.
At-Home Remedies for Treating Eczema: bathing is better than showering when your skin is dry, because a shower can actually strip oils. Make sure the temperature isn’t too hot and avoid products with fragrance. Try adding goat’s milk or colloidal oatmeal to your bath and apply your lotion, oils or eczema cream as soon as you get out of the tub to seal in hydration.
*At the Kate Somerville “Skin Health Experts Clinic” they use blue and red LED light therapy which aids in treating and clearing up acne, eczema and rosacea.
The treatment is supposed to stimulate cell growth and has an anti-inflammatory effect, which heals and relieves pain. Have any of you tried it?
I guess the answer to perfect skin is to never eat sugar, dairy or fat and get at least 8 solid hours of sleep every night, don’t drink any alcohol and try not to stress. But hey; we’re only human.
What kind of skin type do you think you have? If you don’t mind sharing I’d like to know and also how you deal with any specific skin care problems.
You know good bagels especially if you’re from Montreal or New York.
Making homemade bagels takes a little bit of patience, but is so worth it when your kitchen smells like heaven—and you get to eat them.
Ingredients:
5 cups flour (preferably bread flour)
1 teaspoon yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons honey or *barley malt syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
2 cups of water
Directions:
In a standup mixer fitted with the dough-hook, combine the yeast, and 2 cups water. Give it a quick stir to get the yeast excited. Add the sugar, salt, and honey and stir.
Slowly add the 5 cups flour and mix for 5 minutes (stopping to scrape down the sides if need be). After 5 minutes, the dough should be tacky but not sticky. Drop the dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl and cover the bowl with lightly oiled cellophane and set it in a warm place to rise for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, the dough should have doubled in size. At this point, you dump your dough onto the counter and either pinch or cut the dough into 12 approximately equal-sized pieces. Roll them into balls and leave on 2 Silpat or parchment-lined cookie sheets, topped with a lightly damped towel, for 20 minutes.
They will have puffed a bit and now it’s time to poke the hole in the middle. Poke your finger through and stretch a 2-inch hole. Throw ‘em back down on the cookie sheets and let ’em rise for 20 more minutes.
Meanwhile…..pre-heat your oven to 500° degrees F and get your ‘everything’ toppings together in a bowl, as well as a large (preferably wide) stockpot 3/4 full of boiling water with 2 tablespoons of honey mixed in. Turn it down to a simmer, and when the bagels have finished their second 20-minute proof, plop 3 or 4 in, making sure not to crowd them. Simmer them in the water for 30 seconds on each side, then place them back on the cookie sheets. Immediately sprinkle liberally with toppings.
Pop the trays in the oven for 5 minutes then turn the heat down to 350° F degrees. Rotate the pans and let them cook for 10-12 more minutes. They should be golden brown and they should smell like heaven.
Everything Topping:
2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
1 Tablespoon dried garlic flakes
1 Tablespoon coarse salt
egg wash:1 egg white beaten with 1 Tablespoon water (brushed overtop to prevent toppings from burning)
If you want to get really creative you can create your own cream cheese spreads – eg: sundried tomatoes mixed into softened cream cheese, etc.
*Malt syrup, a sweetener, gives bagels their characteristic flavour. Barley malt syrup is available at most supermarkets, but if you can’t find it, use brown rice syrup, honey, or agave. Though these are not traditionally used in bagel making, they are completely acceptable substitutions. Some people even prefer the flavour of honey or agave to barley malt, especially fans of Montreal-style bagels, which are boiled in honey-sweetened water.
And remember; you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy them!
Time: takes about 2 hours. Serves: 12
Source: The Dinner Bell: part of a brunch for the cast and crew of “High Maintenance”
Jack, staring out his living room window is thinking one of three things: Where did my humans disappear to? What will I eat for dinner? Are there really rabbits, squirrels and mice at the end of the rainbow ? (as told to him by his mother as a young pup).
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
All of us under its spell, we know that it’s probably magic
I’m a big kid at heart. I love this song performed by John Legend, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy (another style icon), and Queen Latifah. It is definitely Feel-Good.
On another Feel-good note: The many faces of Carol Burnett.
I’m so glad we had this time together. Fond memories of simpler times and fun clean comedy.
Tomorrow I’m really excited to see Carol Burnett at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver. I have no idea what she’s going to do but that’s okay, she can just stand there for all I care. I loved watching her Acceptance Speech for a well deserved Life Time Achievement at SAG Awards 2016. If you haven’t seen it and you’re a fan you should google it.
I vividly remember watching the Carol Burnett showwith my family and grandparents. I had the pleasure of meeting Harvey Korman when I was called to work on another popular TV series while living in Tokyo. He was a regular on Carol Burnett and as suspected he was extremely pleasant. When doing their live TV skits the cast tried hard not to make each other laugh but always ended up cracking each other up. They didn’t care so much about being overly slick. Show is SOLD OUT!
It’s like getting styled by Rachel Zoe all year long. Order your summer Box of Style now.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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