Five things to love

{first beach trip of the year! With sunny skies and fresh air...}

{new chai tea! I love the flavour of the cocnut chai from zhena's gypsy tea, and the creaminess of the elephant vanilla chai from David Rio is unbeatable!}

{perfect Spring barbeque}

{reflections}

{chocolate ganache spaceship}

As you can see, I had a most delicious week! My brother unleashed his baking skills and whipped up an amazing chocolate ganache cake with strawberries. It was truly amazing. And gobbled up an evening. ;) The sun also visited us for the first time this year! So far we've only had grey weather with clouds and rain storms. Seriously, weather? Why so sad? Bleh. A peek of sunshine was oh-so welcome! As for the play, things are seriously starting to come together. Lines memorised, choreography being fine-tuned, emotions coming through, yadda yadda! Oh, did I tell you I get to act drunk? Yup. It's definitely a challenge! There are so many elements to acting that I had never been exposed to before I immersed myself in the world of acting. Anne of Green gables isn't just a cheesy musical, but a story of growth and emotion. So happy to be a part of it! :)

Much love, Vivi 

Banana Muffins

When I was a little girl, my favourite snack was a banana. Or two. Or possibly five. Let's just say I was called a monkey more than a few times! Today I'm going to share with you a delicous recipe for banana muffins. My favourite way to eat them is for breakfast with a mug of green tea and an orange! Really, these snack sized guys are perfect for any time of the day!

Ingredients:

1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup butter, melted

    ....

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
2. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes, and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.               

Much love, Vivi

Nothing but blue skies

You know those days when the clouds line the sky so beautifully and the sun peeks out to say hello? Today was one of those days. I love mixing purple and blue together, as they are two of my favourite colours. With blue skies shining outside, I couldn't help but dress to match... :)

Much love, Vivi

The Details:

blue shirt// sirens

purple top// bluenotes

pants// wesc

neckalce// michael hill

purse// xoxo
shoes// joy & peace

Lemon Meringue Pie

 Lemon meringue Pie. Oh my. This dessert is seriously underated, I tell you. I've never tried this dessert before, and the results were fantastic! So sad to think of years without lemon meringue pie in my life. Do yourself a favour, go make some of this good stuff. You'll thank me... :) I found the most amazing recipe here, with a step by step video. Learn how to blind bake a pie crust here.  



Much love, Vivi

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

Silver shoulders

Hi friends! A little while ago I learnt how to do this braid from Beetle Bailey! Make sure to check out her blog! She has the most wonderful recipes, DIY's and style! Pretty much a kindred spirit.

Last week while grocery shopping at Wal mart with my mom, I saw this little top hanging all by itself. So alone. So in need of a good home. The fact that it was only five dollars may have been a deciding factor... And really, who doesn't love a little bit of glitter on their shoulders? So, I walked away with a shirt while grocery shopping. Typical.

Much love, Vivi

The Details:

shirt// walmart

shorts// walmart

shoes// first worn here

As you can tell, Walmart rocks.

Of lattes and long walks

You know when you eat way too much and you feel bad so you go on a really long walk in the rain to burn off a fraction of the calories? So fun.

A couple of days ago my family and I took a trip to our favourite cafe, Milsean Shoppe. We've spent countless happy Sunday afternoons at this adorable cafe, drinking lattes and being silly. Just doing what we do best.. .:)

I tried the Milsean DCB latte for the first time and it definitely didn't disappoint! Topped with homemade butter crunch, whipped cream and swirls of caramel and chocolate, I was in latte heaven.

My latte really needed a friend. So I was nice and gave him a steak and Guinness pie for some company. Just one look with those big creamy eyes and I couldn't help but cave. ;)

Back home, we went for a long walk and it started pouring rain! We were all drenched by the time we made it back home, but we had so much fun!

Much love, Vivi

Five things to love

{a hand full of mini eggs}

{a three layer candle with hints of cinnamon and pumpkin}

{my new favourite nail combo- deep red with a touch of glitter}

{how I've been wearing my hair recently}



{chocolate dipped strawberries for a movie night in}

I can hardly believe I'm already half way through Spring break! It's crazy how fast vacations go and how slow the school year goes! So far I've spent my break with family, close friends, eating delicious food and laughing way too much. Next weeks plans include going to the States, (Shopping! Woot woot!) trying my hand at a new recipe, (I'm thinking soft pretzels...) filling up my new sketchbook, and spending time with my family. Oh, how I love breaks! How are you spending your week? :)

Much love, Vivi

Nature Walk

Living in BC, I never know what to expect with the weather. One moment the sun will be shining, and the next giant balls of hail are plummeting down. So, when I see a glimmer of sunlight outside, I'm not one to pass down the opportunity! Going for walks up my road is my favourite way to get exercise. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and no sweaty treadmills! Pretty ideal, I'd say.
And of course, I brought my camera along to capture some of the beauty...

Much love, Vivi

Photos so far

Guess what! I'm already 11 days into the March photo a day challenge, and I'm loving it! I love being challenged to take a unique photo everyday! Here are some of my favorites so far...

Are you doing this too? If yes, make sure to leave your link! I would love to see!

Much love, Vivi

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today was my dad's birthday! It was such a fun day, and most importantly, we all spent it together. I love birthdays. I love the anticipation, the celebration, the special treats... everything. Not only do I love eating birthday food, but I love making it. Oh, when I make a cake I am in my element. Cake making is most definitely my forte. So naturally, I had lots of fun making this beauty and seeing the blissful looks on everyone's faces when they took a mouth full. Ahh... Heaven.

My dad really likes tea. So much so that he'll drink it in Christmas mugs all year round... :)

Sigh, if only there was still this much cake left!

Much love, Vivi

Chocolate chip {or raisin} Oatmeal cookies

These bite sized cookies have been a baking regular of mine for longer than I can remember. Some may call it a rut, but I call it an exceptionally delicious habit. A habit that I'm not about to end anytime soon! 

Ingredients:

1 cup butter softened (I warm it in the microwave)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups oats
1 1/2 cups raisins (or chocolate chips, or half of each)

...

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Add eggs, sugar, and vanilla to butter, mix till creamy
Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, mix well
Stir in oats, and then add raisins or chocolate chips
Drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheet
Bake for 10-12 minutes

And there you have it! A quick and delicious oatmeal cookie recipe to satisfy your chocolate (or raisin) cravings!

Happy Baking!


Much love, Vivi

Dots, Bows and a little bit of citrus

in the details// cardigan: bluenotes, blouse: thrifted, jeans: american eagle, boots: sterling, neckalce: micheal hill jewellers

Maybe it's the fact that I'm a dedicated list maker, or maybe its because I have a swarm of thoughts going around in my head, but I thought it was time to make a list of things that made me smile this week. And really, smiling is always the best part of any week :)

The fact that Spring Break starts in just. one. day. 

The super buttery, delicious croissants that have made their way into my stomach for the first time in five years. Friends, never underestimate the power of a good croissant. It will change your life.

Day six of the March Photo Challenge. Are you doing this too? I can't believe it's day 8 already! Check it out here.

Finding a new and amazing pinner on Pinterest. I don't know about you, but this reaaaaally makes me smile. For all of my fellow pinners, have any of you had recurring dreams that sound something like, fetching pins, fetching pins, fetching pins, in some sort of melodic tune? Yeah. I may be going a little bit crazy.

Planning my dad's birthday party! Sshhhh, it's a surprise! :)

The warm purring cat that I have on my lap right now. Oh, never mind, there she goes!

Having an outfit post after a few weeks of having a dedicated and hardcore food blog...  I just can't help myself. Maybe my blog should be called Vivi K Foodstyle?  You know you love it.

Peeling an orange and not having a sneaky squirt of citrus plunge into my eye. This, dear friends, is a miracle.


Much love, Vivi