it's my girls' world

Here's what''s going on with us on these wintry days... apparently, a whole lot of eating is involved!

We go to the library while C is in swimming as it's too cold to run the errands we did before. This little one will read for a very limited amount of time before she begins something else.

These are all virgin daiquiris! Our niece and her friend came over last weekend for dinner. 

When you don't give your kid much sugar and she gets a treat

Dinner on Sunday. Sweet and sour cauliflower and spring rolls. 

 These meatballs I was making for dinner are so awesome... and apparently pretty to prep.

A first time dutch braid for this wiggly girl.

And that's a little life lately for ya'.

Happy Wednesday!

We have been loving cauliflower appies around here. We love the crunch and the texture and it really takes to different flavours well-- oh and it's a veggie! Just in time for a healthier Super Bowl treat, here are some sweet & spicy cauliflower bites!

Ingredients:

1 medium cauliflower

1/2 cup of flour

1/2 cup of water

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

2 tablespoons of melted butter

1/3 cup of hot sauce (like Frank's)

1/3 cup of Thai sweet and spicy dipping sauce

Method:

1- Rinse and cut your cauliflower into bite size pieces

2- Whisk flour, water, garlic and salt together until well combined.

3- In a mixing bowl, combine cauliflower and flour mixture together

4- Spread evenly onto baking sheet at bake at 400 for 15 minutes, turning once.

5- Mix other ingredients together. Add baked cauliflower and toss to coat.

6- Place back in the oven, increase temp to 450 and bake for 20 minutes turning once.

So simple, easy and delicious and I'm willing to bet they are less calories than chicken wings :-)

Linking up with The Blended Blog.

Fri-yay!!!! We have a day off here from school and the girls are looking forward to some nothing too much... Me on the other hand.... I'll be busy with some Quick Books since tax season has started again.

1- Birthday Celebrations on Monday-  Before the work really started though, I had such a restful day. My family made me breakfast to start the day off right. I then did a hard core cardio class followed by yoga and then lunch with a friend. I chatted with lots of family, did a long overdue mani-pedi followed by some shopping (for towels LOL),  and then took the kiddos for some hot overpriced beverages  before we headed out to dinner as a family. A fell asleep so we did cake the following day but I did watch a little Bachelor before calling it a night (insert hanging head in shame here).

2- Speaking of birthdays, I got the most beautiful birthday flowers from my awesome sister  in law. Orchids and roses are some of my very favourites. 

3- My kids are obsessed with Perfect Symphony by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli and we play it on repeat in the car. A calls it "Dancing In the Dark" since it's the only words she really knows in the song.

4- This week has been a long one filed with some tough love to teach my offspring some more consideration and responsibility. I was sick of hearing myself nagging so I tried some positive affirmations with them, saying something and having them repeat it and it might be a thing that we do in the car on the way to school now. There's a whole long list to choose a few from. We did five. 

5- This is us. Guys-- This.Is.Us. I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to the post Super Bowl episode more than the actual Super Bowl... but game day food on the other hand?!

And in honour of the show...

My attitude when I repeat myself over and over again on a morning. 

Me when I saw the temperatures dipping well below zero again. 

D and I consoling each other when we think of the teenage years ahead after this week.  I told you, it was not the easiest one. :-s

When my kids found out they were getting Starbucks for my birthday

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

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I'm no good to anyone else unless I'm good to myself, that's for sure. We run ourselves so ragged sometimes, running around taking care of everyone and everything else. Self care comes last for so many of us but it's so important. Here's what I do to keep myself happy and sane.

1- Exercise is so, so important to me. Those endorphins are real, yo'. I'm way happier when I work out.  I try to exercise 5 times a week. Sometimes, it is less depending on our schedules but I do make time for it no matter what. When I was in the corporate world, I used to get up just a bit earlier and use DVDs just to fit it in as a great way to start the day. Now I've discovered YouTube videos so I use those at times when I can't leave the house. I also take exercise clothes on vacation with me to work out. Most places have a gym.

2- I've now incorporated yoga into my routine and this deserves a special mention all on it's own. I feel so much more energized and relaxed when I've done a class. Shavasana might be my very favourite self care thing.

I'm not going to lie though. This might be me, oft' times.

3- Reading does me some good too- that's for sure. I love to read right before I go to bed.

4- Watching something light hearted while I do my house stuff.

5- A meet up with friends for lunch or coffee or wine. It doesn't happen to often but when it does, so good for the soul!

6- I do manicures every 2 months or so and pedis maybe every six weeks (but more in the summer) but in between, I love polishing my nails while watching a show right before bed.

7- My mornings are so sacred to me. I adore waking up before everyone else and having a huge mug of steaming tea (with my vitamins) and enjoying some quiet time catching up on the news and blogs before others get up.Because I abhor rushing too much in the morning, I make my kids' lunches the night before. #gamechanger.

8- I'm not on the phone too often anymore actually talking but when I have a phone convo' with family or friends, I'm so happy at the end of it.

9 - Friday night dinners with the family are one of my very favourite things (can you tell I've been watching Gilmore Girls lately?). Usually take out or finger foods is on the menu along with a happy hour beverage. Most times I just don't cook-- that's a bit of self care in itself! 

10- Skin care- In the last few years, skin care has become so important to me. You can see my skin care routine here. 

What are your favourite self care tips? 

Linking up with The Blended Blog. 

 It's my birthday!!! On my birthday every year I like to reflect on the current situation in my life. Here's what is going on lately.

Currently....

thanking |  D for a most wonderful birthday dinner on Saturday... Pictures are below. A tasting menu, wine pairings and four hours of wonderful conversation! 

The champagne and caviar course.

Linking up with the lovely Biana for Weekending.

It's been a while since I've done a round up of my go to beauty finds. These are a few of my very favourites- all things beauty.

Estee Edit Cocobalm

Estee deigned this  lip treatment to be both balm and gloss so you can wear it both with or without lipstick. It is a wonderful thick barrier that totally prevents chapped lipped but adds such a pretty gloss. A friend gave one to me and I've kept repurchasing since. 

Fresh Soy Face Wash

This is hands down my favourite face wash. I like how light weight and gentle it is but also how well it washes off. So good in the drier winter months... or for thirty-something skin. 

Anastasia Brow Pomade

Now that the thing is thicker eyebrows (I wish my teenage over zealous plucking self knew this), this brow pomade  is my go to these days for just a bit more of an arched brow. 

Anastasia Contour Kit

Like the rest of blogland, this contour kit is my very favourite for highlighting and contouring. 

Tarte Face Oil

I've been loving face oils in the winter time. I bought this one on sale and love it. It just adds that much more moisture. I slather it on at night and it makes such a difference.

What are your recent go-to beauty finds?

Happy weekending. It's a birthday around here (mine) and I have high hopes for a great one. I say high hopes as last year brought the most awful stomach virus and I don't want to jinx anything!

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