London Fog

On this first weekend of fall, I've started my morning with a warm London Fog tea in hand. It's a sweet, tea latte that is delicious any time of year, and can easily be made at home (you need a steamer or milk frother).

Brew 3/4 cup of Earl Grey tea (the stronger the better, I say). 
Remove bag. 
Add 1-1/2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup. 
Add 1/2 cup of steamed milk to the tea. 
Top with foam.

Photo credit: http://www.justbellablog.com/2011/03/must-drink-london-fog.html
Recipe adapted from: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/LA-COLLINA-LONDON-FOG-1240327

This and That

Image from Sleep with Rain.

It's been a wonderful holiday (with a few days of work in between) and I'm sad to see it's over. Great meals, visits and plenty of relaxation. Unfortunately, I'm quick to get restless on a quiet afternoon and have resorted to a few "time fillers" throughout the holiday that I want to recommend. Hoping you all had a lovely holiday!

Eat

As a huge chocoholic (since birth), nothing quite satisfies the urge like a pan of hot, fudgy brownies (or the batter, both of which I love equally).

Martha Stewart's index of the best in brownies and blondies had my mouth watering, and I finally settled on Mocha Brownies. They were delicious and fudgy (I like to underbake them a touch) and I'd highly recommend them!

The other (easy) recipe I recommend is from one of my favourite blogs, This Is Glamorous. Rosaline's Crab Bruschetta was a simple and light lunch!

Make

Back in November, I posted about a little DIY project I intended to get busy with over the holidays. Sure enough, here on my last day (tired of sitting on the pile of fabric samples), I sewed together my first quilt. Fairly rustic (crooked, wrinkly, etc) but it was so easy and I'm actually really happy with it! It's a quick project for those leftover samples that you love too much to part with!

I've also become a bit of an Etsy addict, and I'm so so so excited about my latest purchase! Abby of Infusion Fibers handmakes sustainable bags and I've ordered this beautiful hemp and olive tote from her. So, this really has nothing to do with MAKE on my part, but Abby is clearly a creative genius and I can't wait for this tote to arrive!

Do

I thought about writing down a few New Years Resolutions in hopes of really "putting things into action", but I like to think of the New Year as more of a big picture thing. Not just goals, accomplishments, lists of to-dos, but more of re-centering myself and who I want to be. Last year, I posted a few thoughts on 2010 that I found in an H&M magazine. I still love these words of wisdom, even a year later. This year, I thought I'd share some great words I once found on a Body Shop bag (probably 10 years ago now...how time flies).

Live every moment. Lighten up. Take in some fresh air and sunlight. Dream of harmony. Face challenges eagerly. Look through the eyes of appreciation. Relish adventure. Forgive your parents and cut yourself some slack. Make someone happy. Work for peace. Never be disheartened. Re-invent. Reach. Risk. Refuse, resist, and re-use. Make a wish. Send little gifts in the mail. Accept love. Walk the dog. Surrender. Be silly. Do not wait for the better world. Show respect to your body and the earth. Dance with the stars. Let it go. Expect the best. Know all difficulties in your life have purpose. Follow your bliss. Practice random acts of kindness. Find calm (go there daily). Stand tall. Walk proud. Run after your dream. Learn from the past. Look to the future. Live every moment.

Read

I very vaguely asked my brother for a design book for Christmas, with no specific author or title in mind...and he did really, really well. Blown away well. He picked up Campion Platt's Made to Order that's filled with pages and pages of gorgeous interiors and sketches of the custom furnishings behind them. My growing collection of design books brings me a lot (a lot) of happiness.

{No luck uploading a book cover photo here, sorry!}

Last but not least is a book I pulled off my shelf that I had bought in my second year of university. My boyfriend at the time teased me every time I cracked open this "self help book", but there is plenty to be learned from it. Called Everyday Grace by Marianne Williamson, it remarks on ways to approach typical daily challenges, like work and relationships. There is a strong element of religion in Williamson's writing but the meaning of her writing reaches beyond that. She breaks it down with chapters like Being Happy, Feeling Jealous and Learning Compassion, and it's given me (for a second time) some great food for thought.

Looking forward to sharing a more personal Beautiful Shelter this year.

- Jenna

A Victorian Christmas

On Monday night, I finally got around to making one of my favourite blogger's (www.stephmodo.com) recipe recommendation - Fettuccine with Shrimp and Creamy Lemon Sauce. It was delicious and easy to make!




I'm guilty of eating in front of the TV most nights, with a typical rotation of Slice, HGTV and Food Network. But instead, I stumbled across a Victorian Christmas special that was so charming I watched the whole thing. Something about this time has always fascinated me, and the Christmas traditions, crafts, remedies and lifestyle were so humbly embraced by these three fun-loving historians. Visit their website if you're interested in seeing more (I realize I sound like a real old soul by recommending this, but it's worth a browse)!

It made me think about simple, traditional ways to decorate the home that aren't necessarily about sparkles, gold or excess. Here are a few Victorian Christmas-inspired photos from Martha Stewart, Habitually Chic, This Is Glamorous and Little Book of Secrets.

Of course, it's a little late to be changing up the decor for this Christmas, but even a simple touch like gift tags can bring some old fashioned charm. I'm loving these handmade fabric gift tags by Mademoiselle Poirot, and highly recommend visiting her blog and Etsy shop!

C is for Cookie

Ina's outdone herself again. In the few weeks since I purchased this cookbook, my Mom and I have happily turned out recipe after recipe. From lemon chicken and roasted potatoes to tomato rice pilaf, her recipes have my stomach growing (yes, unfortunately) with excitement for french cuisine.

Always a dessert lover, I get such satisfaction out of trying a new dessert and tasting the sweet victory! After coming across Ina's recipe for Palmiers (otherwise known as "Elephant Ears"), I knew they'd be a good thing. Puff pastry and sugar. How bad could they be?


You know the Food Network show, "The Best Thing I Ever Tasted"? I want to go on there just to talk about this cookie. If you think you're not a baker, this cookie is as easy as it gets. And rewarding!! So tasty, so easy, so cute.........If you need friends, a raise, a car from your Dad, whatever.....I'd make them Palmiers.

Ina Garten's Palmiers

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a flat surface such as wooden board or marble. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. This is not about sprinkling, it's about an even covering of sugar. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom. Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place the second sheet of pastry on the sugared board, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, and continue as above. (There will be quite a bit of sugar left over on the board.) Slice and arrange on baking sheets lined with parchment.

Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

© 2010 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photographs from provided links.

That's Refreshing

On a hot day like today (and supposedly the days to come), there's nothing as thirst-quenching as an ice cold drink. I thought it was so sweet today when the owner of a chic little coffee shop next door came by our work and gave us all a glass of their famous berry lemonade. Ice cold and decorated with blueberries and mint, this twist on a summer classic just about made my day!

Here's Good Housekeeping's recipe for the summer's most refreshing Berry Lemonade.

Ingredients:

• 8 cup(s) cold water
• 2 cup(s) sugar
• 3 cup(s) (from 15 to 16 medium lemons) fresh lemon juice
  
• 3 strip(s) (3 inches by 1 inch each) lemon peel
• 1 cup(s) raspberries
• 1 cup(s) blackberries
• Ice cubes
• Seltzer or club soda

1. Prepare sugar syrup: In 4-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups water with sugar and lemon peel to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover saucepan and boil 3 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.
2. Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse berries until pureed. Pour into medium-mesh sieve set over large bowl and press berry mixture with back of spoon to remove seeds; discard seeds.
3. Remove peel from syrup; stir syrup into berry puree with lemon juice and remaining 4 cups water. Makes 13 cups. Pour into large pitcher with tight-fitting lid. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice. Add seltzer to taste; garnish with berries and lemon slices.

Sounds amazing, doesn't it?

If you're particularly healthy and would prefer a smoothie-type refreshment, O Magazine offers this fruity recipe:

Watermelon Agua Fresca Smoothie

• 3 cups diced seeded watermelon , chilled
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of sea salt
• Agave nectar (optional)

Directions: Combine the watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Sweeten with agave nectar, if you like.

I just like that it's so quick and easy! Less time away from tanning!