Mediterranean Miss

2010-03-01T22:57:00.002-05:00

We've moved!! Follow me at www.mediterraneanmiss.net

R e v a m p on the Way!

2010-02-25T13:37:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much for your patience ^^ I've been super busy experimenting with new recipes and getting into shape for a marathon taking place in May.

Expect a major revamp of the site here! As you know, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac. Although the lifestyle change has been a challenge, I can happily say I've never felt healthier! I'm going to be focusing on some more gluten-free products and recipes, as well as your favorite emphasis on the Mediterranean Diet, arguably the healthiest way to live.

Get ready for a site overhaul, complete with (I hope!) my very own url!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-01-16T13:23:00.002-05:00

❤

Miss turns 21!

...Watch out world ^~

Splurging in Scottsdale

2010-01-08T13:30:00.005-05:00

You know how it's easy to say that "calories don't count on vacation?" Well, I got over that early into my teenaged years, when I used to use vacations as little challenges to myself to work out more, eat less and come away healthier, happier and just a bit more tanned from running in the sun. Now, unfortunately, that little piece of nonsense has shifted away from food to shopping: "It's okay to splurge - after all, I'm on vacation."

Let me explain why this is a problem. Scottsdale, Az boasts of some of the best shopping in that side of the country, including "Fashion Square," the largest mall in Western America with over 220 stores including Macy's, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus - *none* of which are available to me here at home. Let the nonsense begin.

I walked away with a pair of gorgeous, gorgeous Michael Kors sandals (I'll post a picture here as soon as I can find one), two pairs of shoes from a designer outlet store "Nordstrom Rack" that are just perfect from work, a few cute outfits from Anthropologie, and a beautiful ring that I found on sale at an art gallery that looks, honestly, like a canary diamond in a pave setting. I put it on that "special finger," just to see what people would do, and I actually got congratulations and admirations from some of my posh friends who didn't know any better. Point one to Miss ^~

There's something to be said about classic styles. I'm quickly becoming a fan of the high-waisted pant, and am considering splashing out on a hard-to-pull-off jumper. My body type is difficult to work with: I'm extremely narrow with a curvy bottom and muscular legs. Things that fit closely from top to bottom, then allow for my runner's calves are difficult to find, so the high-waist trend is quickly proving to be a favorite ^~

It's easy to see why:

Picture courtesy of anthropologie.com

I'm actually wearing the identical outfit right now! Very flattering and very chic. There's something ultra-feminine about accentuating a tiny waist and dainty collarbones.

In keeping with this glamorous trend I also purchased some pretty pearl earrings, and easily the steal of the trip, this Diesel faux-fur coat:

It looks *gorgeous* on. Honestly. Gorgeous. And as Arizona was experiencing the mildest winter, nobody wanted to purchase a big 'fur' coat. I got it for a steal and am happy to report that for the first winter in recent memory I've been able to appreciate snowflakes without secretly longing for the beach. It's so, so soft and very adaptable - I've worn it with jeans and sunglasses dressed it up for a night out. It's quickly becoming a Miss staple.

We're leaving tomorrow so I'll have more time to write regularly then - I'm sorry I've been slow to post. We've of course tried some wonderful restaurants and I've got some foodie updates to share with you all soon. For now, enjoy my splurging without pinching your own wallets, haha. Feel free to update with your favorite holiday buys, I love to see what outfits my friends put together.

❤ from the desert,

Miss

Feeling great about 2010 ❤

2010-01-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Thank you so much for reading me in 2009, I hope to continue interesting and amusing you through 2010! Your comments have been wonderful, and writing here is always such a treat. You're all amazing ❤

My Yiayia used to say that the things you do on New Years day set the tone for how the rest of your year would be. Apparently my father was sick one New Years morning and they spent that year in and out of clinics for various children/reasons. Take care what you do today! By the looks of things my year is going to be slightly hung over, but very, very happy.

Only the warmest wishes to all of you,

❤ Miss

Here's a token cute-kitten photo for you ;3

2009-12-19T22:11:00.003-05:00

Hello darlings!

I don't have much to say as I've been caught up in a mad rush of Christmas shopping and the final few workouts before I go home to visit my parents.

I was fiddling around with my camera when I happened to glance down and catch a glimpse of Dolce taking one of his usual upside-down naps. I figured that I'd take a quick picture to share with you as I haven't really cooked much in the past few days and don't have recipe for you or even an interesting story due to all the aforementioned shopping. So, instead, here is my boy in all his glory:

Be jealous that I get to sleep cuddled up to this sexy beast of a kitten every night ^~ Dolce knows exactly how to melt even the hardest of hearts and mine was mushy enough to begin with! It's a wonder I get any work done at all with this bundle of cute napping beneath my desk.

❤ Miss

Snowy Day Soup

2009-12-17T11:25:00.014-05:00

Today I woke up to the purring of easily the cuddliest kitten in the world. I'm still getting used to how adorable Dolce is, so it took at least fifteen minutes of playing before I noticed the change that had come over my apartment. The loft had taken on that grey softness I grew up looking forward to each December and, sure enough, a dash to the nearest window revealed those puffy, lazy snowflakes that I used to hope for every winter morning as a little girl.

I decided then and there that today would be a day for soup, but I was uninspired by my usual choice of canned Amey's goodness. (On a side-note, these do beautifully in a fix, I highly recommend this line of organic foodstuffs. I've been known to defrost her 'Brown rice & Vegetable' bowls during deadline crunches and study periods when I don't have time to make meals for myself.)

A quick pantry-scan revealed a butternut squash I'd completely forgotten about as well as some sweet potatoes and organic vegetable broth. My mission was to create a warm, comforting winter soup that would keep me on track with my weight-loss/fitness regime. The result?

...Just perfection

This image is by me, by the way! I decided to try my hand at photographing my recipes in a response to some of your comments. You can really get a sense of how rich and healthy this soup is - just look at those colors ❤

Ingredients:

Note that the ingredients listed here actually make this a Vegan entrée, but this wasn't done purposely, they're just what I had on hand :3 Feel free to substitute butter for the Earth Balance and Milk or Cream for the Soymilk.

I think it's safe to say that this would serve at least six. I'm planning on eating this for lunch and perhaps even for dinner for the next few days. I'm lucky in that I don't tire of foods quickly, if you are a fan of variety this would freeze well too.

1 butternut squash
2 large sweet potatoes
1/2 of a 'colossal sweet onion
3 Fresh Garlic Cloves
Fresh Parsley
Earth Balance vegan buttery spread
1L of organic vegetable stock
A splash (1/4 of a cup at the very most) of Vanilla Vitasoy
sea salt

Directions:

I'm embarrassed to admit it but this is the first time I've ever made my own soup! It was so, so easy and it made the loft smell delicious. I'm going to be sure to make soups more often, they're brilliant as a dieting tool and they are the perfect compliment to a lazy, snowy day. I totally winged this particular recipe, but I feel as though it's very forgiving and very adaptable.

First, dice up your onion. Add this to a large pot with 2 tbsp of Earth Balance and let cook to translucent, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on your onion while you're taking care of this next step so you can give it a stir every now and again to prevent it from burning.
Prepare your garlic cloves and add them to your onion. I like to chop mine roughly in half. They still add wonderful flavor but they're big enough to avoid or remove.
Peel and remove the pulp from your butternut squash, then chop into rustic chunks (maybe 1 inch).
Peel and chop your sweet potatoes.
Add squash and sweet potatoes to the onion and garlic.
Add your vegetable stock and turn the heat up. Let your soup bubble and boil away for a good fifteen minutes, stirring regularly.
When your sweet potatoes are becoming tender ('fork-tender' but still quite firm) turn your heat to low and let cook through.
When your squash is beginning to fall apart, the stock has reduced and your potatoes have softened turn the heat off.
Add a splash of milk, cream, soymilk (whatever you have on hand). The vanilla in the Vitasoy actually added an appreciated sweetness to mine that contrasted nicely with the fresh herbs:
Add your fresh herbs. I was VERY generous with the parsley as it complimented the sweetness of the squash and potatoes beautifully.
Enjoy with a piece of fresh crusty bread (or organic brown rice cakes, if you're gluten-free like me and enjoy a bit of crunch ^~). If you wanted a smooth soup I'm sure you could purée this, but I preferred mine to have a rustic bite to it.

This was delicious and so very healthy, but it left me feeling completely satisfied. I encourage you to try this out with whatever you have on hand.

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Weddings, Wine & ...Womance

2009-12-15T17:29:00.020-05:00

The things I'll do for a good alliteration..

So I went to my first Italian wedding this weekend, and I don't think anything could have prepared me for the massive amounts of food, wine and love. It was Constantine's cousin's wedding to another Italian so it was a double-feature of incredible proportions. Let me give you a brief run-through of the day:

Pre-wedding Brunch
Ceremony
Post Ceremony Lunch
Reception - this made up of an antipasti buffet, six-course meal and sweet table.

Sensing a trend? There was enough food there to last me the year! And what meals there were; antipasti of fresh cheeses and delicious grapes, homemade sweets, every variety of cured italian meat, fresh roasted lamb; a main meal of seafood risotto, truffle pasta, veal and lobster tail and finally a sweet table laden with such decadence that I had to avert my eyes in order to avoid the temptation of Death-by-Gluten (but oh how worthwhile it would have been!)

I nibbled and tasted my way through what courses I was able to eat, but I was almost thankful for my various intolerances as they kept me light on my feet for an epic, epic night of crazy dancing.

The bride was beautiful, of course. There's nothing more significant to me than the expression on the groom's face when he sees his bride for the first time. There's no time for composure in that split second, instead I treasure the awe and overwhelming gratefulness that I have seen in some grooms' faces; the expression that reads: You're mine. I can't believe you've chosen me.

After dinner, fueled by excessive glasses of mulled wine (I LOVE the idea of a winter wedding, by the way, I'll include a recipe for this at the end of this post), martinis and endless glasses of champagne, I was all over the dancing with Constantine and his family. I don't think I've ever had so much fun on a dance floor. You should of seen the Zios and Nonos strutting about with their wives. The band played one song in particular several times and it was met with the bounciest dancing I've ever seen. I went online for the lyrics and found them just as charming as the people dancing to them:

♬♪

Volare, oh oh

Cantare, oh oh oh oh

Let's fly way up to the clouds

Away from the maddening crowds

We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of

Where lovers enjoy peace of mind

Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind

Just like bird of a feather, a rainbow together we'll find

Volare, oh oh

E contare, oh oh oh oh

No wonder my happy heart sings

Your love has given me wings

Penso che un sogno cosi non ritorni mai piu

Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu

Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito

E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito

Volare, oh oh

E contare, oh oh oh oh

Nel blu, dipinto di blu

Felice di stare lassu

E volavo, volavo felice piu in alto del sole ed ancora piu su

Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva lontano laggiu

Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me

Volare, oh oh

E cantare, oh oh oh oh

No wonder my happy heart sings

Your love has given me wings

Nel blu, dipinto di blu

Felice di stare lassu

♬♪

Charmed? Skip past this paragraph if the beginning of this post was too cheesy to stomach, I'll make up for it with a recipe for that wine in just a minute.

What if I told you that while we were dancing, Constantine was whispering to me. He was telling me how much he loved me and giving me the tenderest kisses you can imagine. When I'd be near him he'd reach for me for a just a second to touch my arm or my hand. Sometimes, when I'd be talking to one of his (wonderful, hilarious, desperately Italian) family members, he'd pause to kiss my shoulder as he walked by. His grandparents exchanged smiles every time they saw us, and countless people asked us if "we were next." This of course is going to be a long time coming considering we are fledgeling adults still struggling through university. I'm not worried about what will happen between now and then, however. They say there comes a time when you know you're with 'the one'. I know now that I'll spend many dreams imagining the look on his face when it's my turn to walk down the aisle.

-end cheese-

Alright, alright. Thank you for bearing with me. Weddings are such an emotionally-charged event that I'm still in a swoony state of mind. Days later I'm still finding myself on a furtive

hunt for pictures of beautiful brides and their engagement rings. This is one of the many reasons why I'm pleased that Constantine doesn't read this blog. The idea of my looking at diamonds could be a little intimidating. Of course, who doesn't do this from time to time? It's not a desperate, overly-romantic indulgence at all. And besides.. it's not like I have a particular setting in mind.. ^~

(Just in case you were wondering, that there is my absolute favorite: a pear shaped diamond with two baguettes set in platinum. Not that you were indulging in my guilty pleasure yourself, tee-hee.)

Alright, so now that you've feasted your eyes on a recipe-less description of incredible food, consumed an alarming amount of virtual cheesiness while I waxed on about my love for love, and finally observed my private (secret) love for all things wedding, I think you've earned the recipe for the delicious mulled wine we enjoyed at the reception.

Aromatic Mulled Wine

This made my loft smell like Christmas all day (: It'll remind me of the wedding every time I take a soul-soothing sip.

Ingredients

1 bottle of fruity red wine
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of brandy ^~
1/2 cup of water
2 large oranges, thinly sliced
1 large lemon, thinly sliced
2 apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced.
1/3 cup of raisins
2-3 cinnamon sticks
4-6 cloves, whole
pinch of nutmeg

Preparation (easy!)

Place all ingredients into a saucepan over low heat and simmer, stirring occasionally. Your wine is ready to enjoy when the sugar has dissolved and the rich liquid releases it's deliciously wintery smell.
If you're expecting friends and family for dinner, I suggest that you prepare this so that it is piping hot and fresh when they walk through the door.
Serve in a clear glass with a twist of orange peel for garnish. {photo courtesy of odelicious.com}

Oh, my goodness - Enjoy. I think I'm going to have a glass myself!

❤ Miss

The Skinny On Spaghetti

2009-12-11T08:39:00.010-05:00

So I'll come out and say it: I've lost a bit of weight. A decent amount of weight, actually, and may I direct your attention to the bum area? I owe my success to four things: Runs, Squats, Lunges and Spaghetti Squash.

The first three, I hope, are self-explanatory. I go for runs perhaps five times a week and work out with light weights doing squats, lunges and other routines two to three times a week at the gym. This new schedule has worked wonders for my body. I'm seeing definition that I've never had before, and it's beyond exciting to be able to trace along the contours of the abs that I never thought I'd have. If it worked for me, it will work for you. I was always somewhat fit but never had the lean tone that other tanned, perfect women at the gym seemed to have even though they seemed to be doing the same amount (or less!) of exercise.

Nutritionists say that your overall health is 80% diet and 20% exercise. In some ways, I believe this, although something does have to be said for muscles as calorie-burning machines. There is no secret to dieting, no miracle pills no shakes or powders or brushes that will magic away fat. Instead, there are only two things you must incorporate into your lifestyle: Eat well and exercise. Burn more than you consume to drop pounds - your body is the world's most efficient calorie-calculator. Eat pure, healthy foods that provide your body with the energy it needs. In being diagnosed with Celiac, I was forced to give up breads, pastas, cereals, etc. The upside of what seemed initially like a disaster is that I have been introduced to a wonderful array of healthy new grains and delicious vegetables. One of my favorite discoveries is this, the spaghetti squash:

{Picture courtesy of recipetips.com}

The spaghetti squash is a member of the winter squash family. It is a low-calorie food (an 8-ounce portion containing around 75 calories. Compare that to pasta!) and is a good source of beta carotene, vitamin a, folic acid and potassium. The beauty of the spaghetti squash is that its flesh separates into spaghetti-like strands after you've cooked it, making this yellow squash an ideal substitute for the pasta you're used to without compromising too much on texture. I actually prefer it to the glutenous, gummy consistency of some rice pasta alternatives.

Cooking couldn't be easier:

Take your squash and cut it in-half lengthwise. You want to have the longest strands possible so avoid cutting it around the middle.
With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and pulp as you would a Halloween pumpkin. Be sure not to remove too much of the actual flesh of the squash!
Bake in the oven, flesh side up, for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees.
Separate into strands by running a fork along the length of the squash. You won't be able to do this the wrong way as the squash will show you the way that the fibers run.

I like to enjoy mine with fresh marinara sauce and extra basil. The consistency is slightly different than pasta, of course. The heart of the taste will be also be squash,

but I'm finding I prefer it to all forms of spaghetti - wheat flour included. It's lighter, refreshing, and the squash compliments the

flavors of the tomato and garlic perfectly. Of course, the real beauty of this meal is that it's completely guilt-free; eat until you're sated without worry!

This being said, I do encourage you to eat all of your meals in the Mediterranean way: take small bites, savor the fresh flavors of your meal and eat only until you are no longer hungry. Your body will thank you ^^

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

This just in!

2009-12-10T20:34:00.001-05:00

Guess what darlings, it's finally happened:

Miss is taking on the real world!

I've just accepted an internship position at Lifestyle Magazine

!!!

Food, Inc.

2009-12-09T21:24:00.006-05:00

Striving to become a Vegetarian but missing that last push? Watch this documentary:

I watched this with one of my girlfriends for what I had thought was going to be a "girl's night" complete with nail-painting and peppermint-chocolate vitasoy (Celiac can make it difficult for some sufferers to digest lactose.) The night was instead filled with lame animals, horror and absolute rage. Biased? Yes. Exploitative? Yes. Regardless, there will be no more cows, pigs, chickens, lambs or game featured on Mediterranean Miss - thankfully they didn't touch seafood as giving up Salmon Sashimi is the stuff of nightmares.

Meatlessly yours,
❤ Miss

Gifting Yourselves

2009-12-07T20:43:00.006-05:00

I don't think I've ever worked as hard as I have this semester. New program, new beginnings, new professors to attempt to impress but most of all, after a dreadful two-year stint in a program I hated, it was past-time for me to remember the student I used to be.

On the last day of my last class my favorite professor took me aside to exchange a quick word. The stark contrast between the disapproving lectures from last year's teachers and what was to follow from this wonderful journalist literally brought tears to my eyes: "Miss, you're my top student," he said. "I've mentioned your name to the professors you'll have next semester and they're all looking forward to teaching you. I know I'll see great things from you." The conversation itself lasted maybe ten minutes, but it was enough to smooth over the two years of stress, embarrassment and hurt.

With this in mind I took myself out with one of my wonderful new friends on a "glamorous girl's" shopping expedition including Valet parking, Holt Renfrew and Tiffany. It was in Tiffany that my eyes paused on one of my favorite collections to date, the Tiffany keys:

I had been coveting the beautiful key you see second to the right for months and I decided then and there that it was time to buy it. Expensive jewelry isn't something I ever treat myself to; I rely on anniversaries with Constantine {I've picked a keeper ❤} and the occasional landmark gifts from my parents instead of shelling out my savings for a bit of sparkle. This purchase, however, was special. I was gifting myself, rewarding myself for the hard work I'd put into this term. As a result, I appreciate it more than I do almost all my other jewelry, even if it isn't the most expensive thing I own. I haven't been able to take it off ever since, but can you blame me ^~?

I heartily encourage you to gift yourselves this Christmas. Pause for a moment during a frantic Christmas shop and think back on your year. Focus on the accomplishments you've had and the trials you've struggled through. Celebrate yourself by buying that pair of shoes or those earrings you always admire. Not one for gifts? Treat yourself to a massage, a lunch, or even just a coffee. Go for a snowy walk. Do something that you know will make you happy for the sole purpose of self indulgence. For once, make it all about you. You deserve it!

❤ Miss

Drinking to December; a toast to Miss' first dinner party!

2009-12-01T17:17:00.025-05:00

When I was a very little miss I used to dream of events that would happen later on in my 'big-kid-grown-up-life.' Tucked up at home with Aladdin playing in the background, I'd daydream about living in my very own house and imagine the parties I'd have and the friends who'd come over.

Last night, for the first time since I've moved into my very own piece of downtown:

I hosted my first dinner party!

It so far exceeded my expectations that I haven't been able to stop beaming all day. I had around ten people over so I cooked one of the most delicious things I could think of that would feet ten mouths with minimal work - an authentic italian lasagna with three cheeses, fresh herbs and my classic marinara. As some of my friends are vegan, I asked around and we decided to make a second main dish: a vegetable pasta with gluten-free brown rice noodles. It worked out so well - I didn't want to jeopardize the authentic taste of the lasagna by substituting for both the cheese and the pasta, but my wonderful friends were so accommodating and agreed to eat the vegan/gluten free alternative entree.

The Meltiest, Freshest Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 package lasagna noodles

1 bottle of organic tomato purée (look for the ones without any additional ingredients)

1 can of organic crushed tomatoes

1/2 of a sweet onion

3 cloves of fresh garlic

fresh parsley & fresh basil (I keep fresh basil potted in my kitchen and a 'vase' of fresh parsley in my fridge. I suggest you do this too, they smell beautiful.)

italian seasoning

2 eggs

2 tubs of ricotta cheese (the creamier your cheese the more decadent the lasagna)

2 balls of mozzarella

1 wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano

Begin by making your sauce:

Dice your onion and prepare your garlic cloves, I like to cut my cloves into thirds. Lightly sauté your onion in olive oil over medium heat. When your onion begins to
become translucent, add your garlic (don't add the garlic at the beginning or it will burn.)
Saute with italian seasoning to taste and cook until the onion is golden and transparent. Add your tomato sauces and fresh herbs (a good handful of both basil and parsley) and turn your heat up. Stir continuously, then turn down to a simmer and let it cook through one low heat, remembering to stir every now and again ^^

With your sauce done, prepare your cheeses!

It also helps to set your pasta water on to boil so that you can put your cheesey efforst to good use immediately afterwards. I was lucky enough to have a team of eager graters. Grating your cheeses is a pain (especially the hard Parmigiano), but the flavor is absolutely worth it. Enlist a friend and turn a blind eye to the shavings that mysteriously go missing ^~
Prepare the ricotta by placing the contents of both tubs into a small bowl. Add two eggs and stir. Add 3-4 sprigs of finely chopped parsley to the ricotta-egg mixture and give the whole thing another quick stir to incorporate. Place your Mozzarella in a bowl and your Parmigiano in another. If you're as much of a sucker for fresh herbs as I am, add some fresh parsley to the Parmigiano too.
Your sauce is ready, your cheese is set and hopefully your noodles are good to go!

Now comes the fun part - layering

Place one layer of sauce down in a casserole dish. Then follow this 'formula':

Pasta

Sauce

Ricotta

Mozzarella

Parmigiano Reggiano

repeat :3

I usually repeat this twice for the depth of my dish. For the final layer, omit the ricotta so be sure to ration your cheeses so as not be stuck with excess!
Before you bake your lasagna, cut through where you want your pieces to be. This is a little trick that makes serving the dish much easier, and it allows more liquid to evaporate.
Bake, covered, for half an hour at 375 degrees.
Remove and bake for about another twenty-twenty five minutes. You're looking to sweat most of the liquid from the top of your casserole. It should be moist, but not swimming.

Enjoy with your favorite red wine and your favorite people!

❤ Miss

image credit: foodnetwork.com

Designer Crush: Erin Fetherston

2009-10-21T08:58:00.006-04:00

Do you ever fall completely in love with a person's clothes, style, and overall life? I have and I'm going to admit that I'm girl-crushing hard on Erin Fetherston's fairy tale designs. She has managed to make clothes fanciful enough to satisfy the little girl in each of us without compromising either the garment or the wearer. They're the perfect mixture of whimsical and stylish. Plus, would you please take a look at her gorgeous Parisian pad:

Fetherston studied fashion at the Parson's School of Design in Paris, then immediately went on to create her own line, which debuted during the Haute Couture shows in Paris in January 2005. She has now relocated from Paris to New York. You've seen her work on Zoey Deschanel, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst and all time favorite Anne Hathaway.

Erin Fetherston for Target (above and below)

I'm impressed by the last two. I've yet to find clothes I'd wear in Target, but some of these pieces are cute enough to be glammed up with the right accessories from other stores. I'm going to take a look when I make my winterly trip to Florida with the family, who knows what I'll walk away with?

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Meet the new man in my life ^~

2009-10-18T08:33:00.012-04:00

I have lived in the loft for about two months with Molly, my sweetest pup. We'd been having a wonderful time, but I did feel guilty about leaving her behind on the two days a week when I have killer classes from 8:00a.m to 6:00p.m. Although I have a dog-walker friend come and and take her out for a fifteen minute 'tank-emptying' session on each of those days, I really hated the idea of leaving her alone.

So, I decided to start looking for a roomie. We needed a male presence when Constantine was away anyway ^~ While I was busy trying to talk myself out of it, I started going on cat rescue sites. Molly isn't a dog's dog, she's a ladies' companion and I knew I'd overwhelm her with another pup or, heaven forbid, a puppy. Over the Canadian Thanskgiving weekend Constantine drove up from school to visit me. On Friday night, in the midst of a fantastic dinner made with tomato sauce from absolute scratch (I promise I'll explain our method later)

, I saw these pictures on the rescue site I'd been browsing:

He was a Maine Coon/Domestic Medium Hair mix that had been rescued from the death list at a high kill shelter in a rough area of town about an hour and a half away from me. Coincidentally, the woman who had rescued, fostered, and put him up for adoption lived about six minutes away from Constantine's house, where we were when the woman responded to my email with a call. Off I went, promising the boy that I wasn't going to come home with a bundle of whiskered love. I've never owned a cat (although it's always been a dream), because although I'm an all-round animal lover, I've always leaned towards dogs :3 He laughingly let me go, proving once again that he knows me well enough to see past my attempt at being a 'mature young lady' who doesn't make such rash, impulsive decisions.

I arrived at the foster woman's home which was complete with 7 cats and kittens and the pungent perfume of cigarette smoke and cheap litter. The woman herself and her husband I enjoyed immediately; they basically embodied kindness. They took me to a small room where the little gentleman was waiting, and I sat on the floor to meet him properly.

Darling readers he was stunning in person. The pictures I've included were those that were on the adoption website and they do him no justice. He's a big kitten already at 7 pounds, but they're seven pounds of long. He's so lithe and has the biggest paws and longest tail. As soon as I get my camera I'll start snapping away! He looks like sunlight and shadow on a forest floor or at the very least like a Cinnamon Dolce Latte ;3. Then came the amazing part:

He climbed into my lap, put a paw on my cheek, stared into my face, then, with hilarious sensuality, slowly, languidly licked my neck.

With that, I was hooked. I guess that makes me 'easy' by kitten standards but I could do nothing but sign the papers then and there. (I mean, after all, he'd found a sweet spot that had taken Constantine a good few months to perfect ^~).

I came home and set up the house for him, then returned and picked him up two days later. He's made the transition from his awful litter that was irritating his throat/nose to a wheat-based one known as "Swheat Scoop" (totally flushable, which I love), as well as to the best food I could find for him, called "BG, Before Grain", an organic product that has cut out all the crappy fillers used in cat foods so that he's eating at least 50% protein. I'm currently in the process of toilet training him as well, a fairly straight forward method of placing a litter pan, bowl, or tray in the toilet, slowly reducing the litter content, replacing it with a water, then removing the pan/tray/bowl altogether. It'll take around 4 weeks to 8 weeks depending on how quickly he progresses. I'll let you know! If this works for me I'd be happy to share every tip I glean on here with all of you who have cats of your own. Although the litter I'm using doesn't smell (which is a good thing as it costs me $16.00 a bag *wince), it'd be nice to get rid of the unsightly box altogether.

He's the cuddliest thing in the world and loves sleeping on my chest when we're watching movies, and curled up against my neck/cheek when it's time for bed. The-paw-on-cheek thing is a habit: he does it every time he falls asleep and it makes me melt every time. He and Molly get along brilliantly. They sleep together, play together (which involves him hiding then jumping over her out of nowhere) and groom each other. It's the sweetest thing to watch.

Oh, right; the name! He was originally named "Rocky"; "because his markings resembled 'Rocky Road Ice Cream'." Being a fan of neither the name nor the flavor (not when stuff like Stracciatella Gelato exists), I decided to rename him immediately. I toyed with ideas like "Darcy" for romantic male leads, charming male characters (Mercutio?), but nothing seemed to capture his sex appeal, beauty, or charm. Until I stumbled across the name 'Dolce'.

"He doesn't meow," said his foster mom, "you won't have to worry about a vocal cat." I beg to differ. On the car ride home, spent sneaking glances at the kitten in his carrier next to me who kept fixing me directly with his incredible amber-green eyes, I tried out all the names I'd come up with, starting with the one that he knew, but reportedly refused to answer (not that I blame him):

"Rocky?

silence.

Darcy?

silence

Mercutio?

silence

Dolce?

MEREAOW? (he has the most amazing, hilariously rough-sounding meow. I love it.)

... Dolce?

MAOWWW.

... Dolce it is then."

The name suits him perfectly, as does the fact that he chose it. He adopted me from the get-go and I couldn't be happier with my little family. I still can't believe that somebody would be able to kill this little darling, and I'm eternally grateful to Susan, his foster mom, who takes the time and money to rescue these little cats who have been bounced from pound to pound to pound.

I love him so much already, and I'm delighted that all of us are living la dolce vita ^~

❤ Miss

The Triumphant, albeit Gluten-Free Return!

2009-10-12T22:46:00.008-04:00

Darling readers I can finally say that I'm back! After weeks and weeks of moving, unloading, building horrendous Ikea furniture with instructions designed to drive even the most patient (which I categorically am not) consumer to madness, and trying to start the semester off on the right foot, I can finally say that I'm in a place to begin dedicating my time to this lovely little blog again. I've missed it and I've missed you! It always touches me to find out the people are actually visiting my little piece of the internet, and while I'm sure you all had wonderful busy lives while I neglected this blog, a tiny part of me twisted with guilt each time I flitted past the 'update' page.

And do I ever have updates! I'll dedicate this post to the worst (and best) of them all. I'll use the method affectionately know as the 'good-bad-good sandwich', employed in breakups (you're a great person, we just aren't compatible, but somebody else is gonna love you!), job cuts (you always kept your desk so tidy :) I slept with your wife, and keeping you was awkward.. but, we'll write you a glowing report!), and finally, my farewell to a food staple:

the good: My stomach, a constant source of pain and aggravation, is finally cured.
the bad: I can no longer eat gluten.. which is in everything. Everything
the good: there are 135109851 substitutes out there, which means I can continue cooking and sharing my recipes with you, although I'll have to modify them slightly.

Like many I have been diagnosed with 'mild celiac disorder', a disease that affects the intestine's capability to digest gluten. It seems to be the trend in stomach disorders lately and is especially common in those of Mediterranean descent. Ευχαριστώ, Dad. *sigh*

Along with signing up for a personal trainer (more on the lovely Robert later), I enlisted a nutritionist to help me cope with the changes I need to make in my diet. I'm going to share her tricks with you here to help you achieve your goals, it's certainly working for me. The first thing she told me was that I, like so many, am not getting enough protein. This led to the discovery of life's supergrain: Quinoa.

What is Quinoa? It's a pseudocereal, a complete source of amino acids, an incredible protein food (especially good for vegans and vegetarians) and a treat for the stomach in that it's gluten free and quite easy to digest. The Incas revered it and it is proving to be such an ideal health food that NASA is considering it as a spaceflight staple. The things one gleans from wikipedia! ^~ It is prepared similarly to oatmeal or rice in that you boil it in water and then let it sit and absorb. I'll share my favorite recipe with you. It's amazing how liberating the gluten-free diet is. The weight falls away, that's a given, but it leaves you feeling on top of the world! I hope to share my energy with you with this little recipe:

Miss' Quinoa Bowl

(you're going to love this!)

1 cup of organic Quinoa
2 cups water
1 small italian eggplant
1 handful organic walnuts
1 green onion stem, chopped
a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1/2 of a ripe avocado, chopped
1 small roma tomato, chopped

image credit to 101cookbooks

Bring Quinoa and water to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until the Quinoa has absorbed all of the water. I use an organic brand that comes pre-rinsed so I don't need to soak the grain beforehand.

Meanwhile, cut up your eggplant and rub it with sea salt and olive oil. Heat up your grill pan (or grill outside if you're lucky!) and grill until desired doneness, about 4-5 minutes per side given the way that I sliced them.

Chop up your avocado, tomato and onion.

Add all of your chopped ingredients to the Quinoa, stirring to combine them evenly, then add a squeeze of lemon juice, your walnuts and a few basil leaves to garnish.

Feel free to add tahini, soya sauce, balsamic vinegar or salt and pepper. It's a very versatile recipe, this is just my favorite version. You could make this with mushrooms and roasted peppers, add tofu or shrimp if that's your game. I'd like to try this with sweet potatoes at some point :3

It's delicious and absolutely guilt free. I have it 3-4 times a week with whatever ingredients looked freshest at the store.

I have so many updates for you that I'm sure to be posting regularly all week. I hope you enjoyed this recipe - it's a bit of a change from the mediterranean fare you're (we're, honestly) used to, but I'm sure I'll be able to put that classic spin on my gluten free experiments.

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

2009-09-14T09:29:00.001-04:00

Just a few more days my darlings

Miss is moving in, internet up come Friday!

Miss' Fall Spree ❤

2009-08-31T09:37:00.013-04:00

Do you ever feel, after a paycheck, as though you've worked hard enough to deserve a treat? Well, this week I decided that it was certainly time for a new pair of skinny jeans. I headed for the mall on two separate occasions with determination in my stride and a definite goal.

The end of the week left me with this impressive haul. Note the complete lack of jeans - oops! Nonetheless, I'm very satisfied with my purchases. I've got some really great outfits planned for this season :3

Aldo; Melkonian Ankle Boot

item photo from Aldo.com

Aldo; Swantak Shoulder Tote

item photo from Aldo.com

Burberry; Burberry Check Cap

item photo from burberry.com

Wilfred by Aritiza; Boyfriend Blazer

item photo from aritzia.com

Tory Burch; Lee Lee Flat in Anthracite & Grey Smoke

Item photo from toryburch.com

I hope you enjoyed my extravagance more than my poor wallet did. I feel like a diva with all of my bags though ^~

❤ Miss

Furthering the Antler Obsession

2009-08-18T11:07:00.026-04:00

You've heard it before, I'm antler-obsessed. I have a great love for stuffed moose that has taken over most of my closet and sought-after bed space. Great battles have been fought between the antler army and the polka-dotted throw cushion defenders. Yes, moose are determinedly 'uncute'. Yes, they're a horrible Canadian cliché, but I love them ^~ This love spreads to include all things antlered, read: deer, gazelle, antelope, etc. I think there's a definite majesty to a fully-crowned stag.

I was online browsing through some pictures of my favorite starlette when I happened across www.willoughbyphotos.com, Bob Willoughby's site of archival Audrey Hepburn prints. Something special caught my eye and sent my affections skyrocketing:

photo by Bob Willoughby

How cool is that? Apparently her deer was named 'lp'. I love the picture of the two of them in the supermarket together. I know that this will cause a ruckus with all of the animal rights activists who happen across this post, but I think that it would be magical to have a pet deer. Injustice be damned, in a way you'd be saving it from a very possible death at the end of a sport-hunter's gun. I wish that I had one too! :3 For now, though, I'll have to settle for decorative elements instead. It's a shame that there's no way I'll be able to afford any of these prints, however. They're running at around $1,500.00 apiece. Care to buy me them ^~?

In a dream world I'd purchase this set of four and showcase them in the loft in addition to the deer head wall art I wrote about before. (Pictured once more to refresh your memory). I love the statement it makes. If you love this as much as I do, rush over to Ruby's Lounge on Etsy and purchase one of Jennifer Khoshbin's delightful pieces. She has several different colors available, all with pretty patterned paper :3 Visit her wonderful store by clicking here: Ruby's Lounge

Lastly I'll leave you with a longstanding favorite. This living room is taken from the home of the talented interior designer Fawn Galli, out of NY. I love how bold she is with her colors. Green curtains? Love that! Of course, the true object of my affection in this picture is the deer sculpture. I adore it completely and am, of course, very envious. I'd love to put something like that in the loft but I need to finish everything else first to see if it'd work as an accent piece. It takes a very specific look to be able to pull something like that off. Of course, it's very possible that statement pieces such as this demand somebody who's willing to throw caution to the wind, and, in the words of an ever-patient Constantine on artwork, clothing & stuffed animals: 'just get it'.

Gorgeous living room with deer statue by New York designer Fawn Galli. Taken from her website.

I hope you appreciated that antlered start to your afternoons ;3

Have wonderful Tuesdays!

❤ Miss

Seafood & White Wine Fettucini

2009-08-11T14:54:00.026-04:00

Everybody has a small collection of favorite recipes: the sandwich you always make, your personal smoothie blend, your favorite pasta, salad ingredients or combination of ice cream flavors & toppings. You know what I mean ^~ This is my pasta go-to. It's light, healthy and looks beyond elegant on a plate with a fresh sprinkling of good cheese.

Miss' Favorite Pasta:

Squid, Scallop & White Wine Fettucini

2 cloves garlic

1/2 of a sweet Vidalia onion

4 large scallops

2 small squid { use only the bodies if tentacles aren't reeallly your thing, but I suggest you give them a try, they're delicious}

1 small bunch fresh asparagus

1 package fresh king oyster mushrooms

1/2 cup white wine*

Italian Seasoning {essentially oregano, basil, salt & pepper}

Freshly Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Fresh Parsley

115g Fresh Whole Wheat Fettucini {serves 2}

* Use your favorite, inexpensive bottle! I don't mind 'wasting' good wine when making pasta. I always pour myself an extra glass to drink with dinner ^~

To begin, over medium-high heat, sauté your garlic and onion in about 1tsp of olive oil until fragrant and translucent, seasoning with a sprinkling of your italian herb mixture & salt to taste.
Prepare your asparagus by washing, trimming, then chopping the stalks. The wonderful thing about asparagus is that it'll trim itself if you bend it until it snaps. Add the prepared asparagus to the pan.
Wash and cut your mushrooms into slices, then add those to the pan with some fresh parsley.
I buy my seafood prepared at a little fishery in the heart of town. I'm by no means a vegetarian but there are certain parts of a squid I'm not interested in meeting. I buy them with the bodies separated from the tentacles. Chop the bodies into loose rings, then add them & the tentacles to your pan with the scallops.
Cook until veggies are crisp-tender and seafood is cooked through; 7-10 minutes. You can tell that the scallops are done when they're opaque rather than pinkish and firm to the touch. The squid will curl slightly and firm up as well.
This is my favorite part because it smells so good! Pour a splash of white wine into the pan. I tend not to measure as I go, instead just swirling the bottle over the steaming food. For those of you who are more numerically inclined (I always did suck at math, to speak eloquently ^~), I probably use a good 1/2 cup.
Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the wine reduce to about half. Meanwhile, put a pot on to boil and cook your pasta until it is al dente {translating literally to 'to the tooth', referring to a texture that is firm, but not hard}.
When the wine has reduced and your pasta is done, drain it, reserving a little bit of the liquid, then add the pasta & pasta water to the pan. Using tongs, serving spoons or bizarrely insensitive finger, 'toss' your pasta to coat. Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with fresh cheese & serve with a glass of white wine.

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Introducing my new roommate: Audrey Hepburn

2009-08-11T08:32:00.021-04:00

On many occasions I have found myself drawn to Audrey Hepburn in times of great need. Like organic dark chocolate truffles and great girlfriends, Audrey possesses an indescribable ability to cheer me up when times are less than easy. Her movies, whether the brilliant Breakfast at Tiffany's or the Cinderella-like Sabrina, never fail to infuse my life with much-needed 'fairy tale'. Beyond her talent as both an actress and go-to pick-me-up (I'm so pleased that I've never turned to the equally seductive but oh-so-dangerous duo Ben&Jerry), Audrey has also influenced my fashion sense and encouraged me to bring elegance and style into my daily activities. I deeply admire her.

This is where she decided to step into my life and become a part of the new adventure I'm setting out on. I was out shopping with my mother. We'd been at it for a few hours and though I was incredibly excited about the things I was finding for the new loft, I was running out of steam. We were going to go to one last store, but after taking a peek through the door I was less than convinced and ready to bail out in favor of a London Fog and comfy chair. You'd think the antique huntress in me would have a little more stamina and a little less snobbery! The rule in almost all things is never to judge a book by it's cover, and am I ever glad my mother wasn't put off as easily as I was. (Rule 2 should be to avoid shopping for home goods in stilettos. I believe rule 1 would have been much easier to follow if my feet weren't wincing and moaning with each step.)

Anyway. I was on the lookout for something to hang over the couch I had found for

the living room area of the loft. To maximize seating I went with a sectional, like they had, although mine is a pale beige faux-suede piece. I bought it at a store called "Structube", essentially Ikea's glamorous big sister. I love the sectional idea because it can turn into a bed or two if I need to have a few friends crash at my one-bedroom. They had a picture of it up on their website so, courtesy of structube.com, here it is on the right →

Now you can visualize! I was looking for something to go on the wall where that mirror is/was. We decided to go into that last store and after looking around for a few minutes, I was, again, ready to leave. As we headed towards the door, I bumped into a frame that fell forward to reveal the picture behind it. How movie cliche, mm? I bent down to right the landscape I had knocked into and was suddenly face to face with a very dusty, resiliently glamorous Audrey:

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn

With this quote in mind I headed immediately for the register.

I love the unique set of emotions I feel whenever I buy something special. I feel almost as though I'm 'saving' the 'poor' item(s) from a tedious shelf life and ultimate purchase by a consumer who wouldn't treat them with the love that I would have lavished on them. I personify like it's going out of style, I know ^~. This case was no exception, and I fancied Audrey's smile deepened gratefully as I took her out of the commonplace store. Am I the only person who feels this way? I hope not! I love the bond I feel between myself and some of the things that I buy. Please don't run away, readers, I promise I do have at least a little sanity in my dreamcloud of a mind.

I've never lived on my own before. Dorms, rez, roommates, sure. But on my own? This is a whole new concept for me and being a very social person, I know it may be a little lonely at times. A very important part of living alone will be, in my opinion, making sure that the little loft exudes 'me' from every candle, picture frame and throw pillow. I love that I have little stories behind the decorative elements of the loft, be they the Audrey Hepburn print or my grandmother's old typewriter. In truly feeling 'home' by loving my decor, I'll be able to appreciate the magic of having my very own place, even when I'm missing my family.

And when even that magic fails to work, I'll always have truffles, a telephone & Breakfast at Tiffany's to carry me through ^~

Have wonderful Tuesdays!

❤ Miss

Favorite food alert! Delicious Panzanella

2009-08-10T18:20:00.007-04:00

No witty title tonight dear readers as I'm feeling under the weather and am most likely going to retreat under my covers/waterbottle with my many stuffed moose as soon as this post is done. I had to come on here and jot down the "recipe" for one of the delicious meals I had this weekend before I forget what I used.

This is quite possibly my new favorite salad -ever-: Panzanella. This Tuscan dish demonstrates the Mediterranean art for making beautiful dishes out of less-than-appealing leftovers. The important things to remember about this salad are the quality of your fresh ingredients and the staleness of your bread. Panzanella works best with a nice crusty loaf that has had a day or two to go stale and your favorite fresh market vegetables. Do yourself a favor and only choose beautiful produce as the quality of your veggies is really what makes this simple dish sing.

I deconstructed one of my favorite sandwiches and combined those ingredients with fresh summer tomatoes. It worked perfectly and the fresh tomato juice was so delicious that I probably could have gone without the vinegar dressing. The best part about this salad is by far the bread because it absorbs the flavors of the fresh vegetables and adds a delightful chewiness. The chewiness is what you want, and why you need to be sure to use *stale* bread. I can't stress that last one enough. Beware the moist, inviting loaves as they'll turn your salad to mush.

Miss' Summer Panzanella

2 large avocado; ripe but in no danger of becoming guac with stirring ^~

1/2 of a stale loaf of country bread

2-3 green onion stalks

1 big yellow pepper (actually, probably closer to 2 but the one I found was *huge* haha)

5-6 Italian tomatoes (or your favorite variety)

fresh basil leaves

salt, white balsamic vinegar & extra virgin olive oil to dress

Preparation couldn't be easier. Dice the five first ingredients into rustic sized chunks. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir, scooping out and flipping the vegetables that were on the bottom of your bowl to the top to ensure a nice even coat. The juice from the tomatoes as well as the ripest, softest part of your avocado will begin to coat the bread already. I find it helps to do this first because it prevents your stale bread cubes from absorbing too much vinegar/oil. After a good few stirs, drizzle white balsamic vinegar (I used about 3 tbsp) and olive oil (about 2 tbsp). Sprinkle with salt to taste, garnish with basil and serve.

See? Trust me, this is as delicious as it is easy. The best part about Panzanella is it's versatility. Throw in whatever looked freshest at the market and dress with whatever vinegar you like best!

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

{image credit to vegetarianminimeals.net, do I ever need to get myself a new camera..}

The Best Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes

2009-07-29T08:29:00.003-04:00

Kalimera readers, is it really lame to be starting off with another apology? I love writing here absolutely, but I've been so busy with the move that I've had barely any time to breathe, let alone blog. Today I finally cracked under some of the moving pressure and decided to relax by doing an activity that I really, really enjoy: baking!

I'm going to visit Constantine and his family this long weekend from thursday-monday so I figured it'd be nice if I showed up with a beautiful selection of gourmet-quality cupcakes. Armed with an icing nozzle and a standard six-cup pan, I set out to tackle my favorite cupcake recipe!

Peanut Butter & Banana Cupcakes

adapted from the book "Perfect Cupcakes", by John Owen & Terry Newel

Sweet, Subtly Peanut-Buttery Cupcake Batter

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 egg

2 mashed bananas

Deliciously Chunky Peanut Butter Frosting

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup icing sugar

1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream

1/4 cup of finely chopped peanuts

1 tbsp of butter

1 banana, sliced.

Whew! There are lots of ingredients there but the end result is completely worth the effort. These are absolutely delicious, not to mention very attractive. Definitely the kind of cupcake to give to guests and special friends.

Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare a standard (6cup) muffin pan by either greasing or inserting liners. I really enjoy buying pretty liners at gourmet cooking supply stories. It really dresses up the cupcakes and makes them that much more special.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In another bowl, beat together sugar and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then the mashed banana. Slowly combine the ingredients. Like with banana bread, stop beating the ingredients until they are -just- combined. Mixing too much will make your cupcakes too dense.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Got toothpick? You know the drill ^~
For the frosting: beat peanut butter in small bowl until fluffy. Beat in the sugar. Add cream until you've reached your desired consistency. This is going to be more of a spread than a twisting tower of icing.
In a non-stick pan, over medium heat, melt your butter. Slice the banana and saute the slices until browned, about 1 minute each side. Transfer to paper towels to cool.
Ice your cupcakes. Then, place your tiny pieces of peanut in a bowl. Holding the cupcake on it's side, 'roll' the edges of the cupcake in the peanut butter pieces. This step isn't necessary, obviously, I just find it very pretty. For a finishing touch top with a piece of banana.

Try not to devour all of these before you get them to the people you're gifting ^~

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Typelove

2009-07-23T09:54:00.008-04:00

I have always thought that the most romantic stories are those that are written on the tired keys of an ancient Underwood. This is perhaps why I have such a soft spot for Ewan McGregor, who brought this image to life when he typed out the story of his love and loss in Moulin Rouge.

My grandmother had one such typewriter that she purchased from a thrift store when she was a teenager. She used it to practice for one of her early jobs as a secretary (oh how the times they are a changin'). I had it in mind to purchase an antique typewriter to use as an art piece in the new loft. You can only imagine my delight when she told me that I could have hers! I love my grandmother and it'll be so sweet to have a piece of her childhood in my apartment. I wonder who the typewriter belonged to before she picked it up? It was an antique in her time, and I love that it has such a history.

Stunning, isn't it? A good cleaning will set it to rights and I know exactly what I'm going to do with it. I'm going to put it on a small black table in one of the spaces between two of the gorgeous industrial-sized windows. Above it I'm planning on putting three of my favorite b&w pictures in three vintage frames. I need to make sure that the frames don't appear too eclectic, but I really love the romance the little arrangement will surely bring to the loft.

I apologize for the delay in posts, but I do have a valid excuse. I drove up to Toronto with Constantine and spent a fantastic time with his family. Along with the usual wine and cards with his parents, we went to a birthday party with his extended and had a fabulous time. Not to worry, I'll update on the food later (Oh, the Porchetta)! While we were up there we took advantage of the opportunity and went to visit the loft to take some additional measurements. I could not be more excited about living there. Just over a month now :3

Have wonderful Thursdays!

❤Miss

Painless Running Tips!

2009-07-15T10:27:00.018-04:00

Kalimera readers!

I checked my scale this morning to reveal that I have lost another pound. This puts me in the single-digits towards my weight goal! 9 to go, 9 to go. I haven't weighed this little since the beginning of first year university, before the alcohol and convenient (horrible, never again) cafeteria food decided to settle comfortably on my hips/jawline/you name it, it was there. I bought a new pair of really cute American Eagle cargo pants yesterday to celebrate and am delighted to report that I've hit a size '4' at last. It's not the 2 that I used to be, but I'm not complaining! When I started, I was an 8-10. Some people can pull this off but I'm very narrow so an 8-10 on me looks horrible. I don't get womanly curves, I bulge! Ugh. I'm jealous of the gorgeous, Venus-like shapes some women have.

My weight loss secret is the only real secret out there: diet & exercise. I eat what can be summed up as an "Organic Mediterranean" diet and I work out 6 days out of 7 every week. I go for runs almost every day, and do Pilates every other day. The running does wonders for my calves and thighs as I run uphill for a decent portion of each session, and the Pilates are wonderful when combined with a healthy diet for overall tone and strength.

I know that many people balk at the idea of running. As a sprinter, I used to have very little endurance for long distance runs. I hated them! I was easily winded, got massive cramps almost immediately and was very quick to tire when faced with anything that remotely resembled a breeze, hill, or shortcut home. I'm delighted to tell you that I've since grown to love running, and have made it to a daily range between 5-8k. From my experience I've also discovered a few tips and tricks that will really help anybody looking to start incorporating running into their cardio activity.

Miss' Tips for Easy Running - Yes, it's possible!

The Warmup

Give your stomach time to digest. Don't go for a run before 1.5-2 hours after you eat a normal meal, and try to give yourself half an hour after a snack.
Be sure to stretch well before you set out. Don't make the mistake of only stretching your legs; you use your entire body when you run. When stretching, don't 'bounce'. This compromises your stretch and is truly a waste of time, haha. Instead hold each stretch for around 30 seconds.
Make yourself a pump-up playlist of your favorite songs! I can't run without my Ipod, it helps to lose myself in the music when I get tired.

The Run

Pace yourself! Don't expect to be able to run a half marathon just because you're feeling great about your new Lululemons. {I only say this because I've totally been there ^~} I started off with a 3k run, then worked my way up to 5, then 8. Don't torture yourself; if you make it too hard off the bat you won't enjoy it, and I guarantee you won't keep up with it.
Breathe deeply. Avoid taking quick short breaths.
Midway through my run, once I'm really warmed up, I like to stop and take a minute to stretch again, particularly my calves as a decent portion of the first half of my run is uphill.
The side-stitch. So you've bought the running gear, primed your Ipods, stretched and eaten well. Pumped and ready you hit the road, but five minutes into your run you feel it in your side: that painful, tightening ache you simply can't ignore. Welcome to the side-stitch. This is caused by muscle spasms in your diaphragm, the large muscle that moves up and down when you inhale and exhale. Believe it or not, there's a way to fix this irritating cramp. Focus on the way you're running. Do you exhale with your right foot? Most of us do. Alter your breathing pattern so that you're taking deep, slow breaths and exhaling when you step down on your left foot. You'll be amazed.

The Cool-down

I like to end on a high by sprinting the last 50-100 meters of my run. It brings me back to my track days and is the seal on an accomplished half hour/forty minutes of running. Even if you don't do this it is very important not to come to a full stop after you run. For the past forty minutes your muscles have been moving rhythmically and regularly, helping your heart by forcing blood to course quickly through your veins. When your muscles stop working, your heart suddenly has to work double-time to keep the blood circulating. Be sure to slow your jog, then walk for at least five minutes after a run. I like to pick Molly up and take her for a long half hour walk around the block immediately after I run. She and I both love the quality time and my heart is always grateful for the easy transition.
If I could sum up the cool-down in four steps, they would be:

Heart Rate, Hydrate, Stretch & Repair

Be sure to give your heart some easy recovery time by jogging, then walking until you're breathing easily again. As soon as I get home I drink two big glasses of water, the first one I generally gulp at room temperature, the second I savor as I'm walking Molly. Stretching after a run is just as important as stretching before it. Failing to stretch in either case will make your run more difficult and more painful both during and afterwards After I've cooled down, hydrated and stretched I like to eat a handful of crunchy organic almonds. Muscle tone is built up as your fat is worked away, yes, but also as a product of the damage your muscle incurs when you work out. Protein is the building block of muscle tissue so it is essential that you make sure you're getting enough in your diet to rebuild the muscles that you've been working so hard.

These are the tips and trips that have helped me work my way up to the confident, mile-consuming stride I've got going today. I'm a new runner in that this summer is the first time I've really dedicated myself to to long distance, so don't be intimidated because "you've never run before". I hadn't either, and I love it :3 I hope this inspires you to get out on the road. Don't forget the stitch trick, it'll change your life!!

Happy Trails,

❤Miss

Polished to Perfection - Sephora by OPI

2009-07-14T14:36:00.014-04:00

Hi readers! I have been eagerly waiting for the past forty-five minutes to update my blog on some gorgeous nail polish I bought at Sephora. Now that the polish is fully set and dry enough to manage, do I ever have rave reviews to share with you!

I've always been a huge fan of OPI Nail Lacquer. The color is beautiful and the quality can't be beat - it lasts without chipping for days if you apply it with all of the proper bases, topcoats, etc. I was hooked on their premium white years ago when I asked a manicurist what product she used to make my French polish dazzle. At the time OPI was very difficult to find, so I ended up purchasing a bottle from her under the table.

Thankfully, I no longer have to make trips to the salon to find these premium polishes. OPI became more available in beauty supply stores and now I am delighted to be able to purchase from the Sephora by OPI collection. At $9 a bottle it is pricier than your run of the mill polishes but it certainly beats paying the $30 you'd pay for a good manicure. With a little practice I was able to bring my nails and toes to professional glamour with the help of this fabulous polish.

Sephora by OPI is a collection of colors that range from outgoing oranges and yellows to every tone of modern nudes. They have chic urban blacks and bright turquoise summer looks too! I used to be a clear/french only girl who restricted colors only to my toes. Now I have a wish list as long as this post of color's I can't wait to purchase.

Today I tried out two new colors:

Run with it! & Mermaid to Order.

"Inspired by the Mediterranean island of Capri, Sephora by OPI's newest collection captures the deep blues and aquamarine hues of the ocean."If I had my way I'd own this entire collection of blue & turquoise polishes. The colors are beautiful and really to bring you right back to the Mediterranean. I fell in love with Mermaid to Order and twenty minutes after I got home my toes twinkled with a turquoise so tempting it would explain Ariel's longing for feet! It is *such* a fun summer color that reflects a range of metallic greens and blues.

left: Mermaid to Order from Sephora by Opi via thenailphile

Run with it! Is a soft dove grey with copper and gold undertones. It's the last word in elegance and it compliments the olive in my skin beautifully. It is natural enough to go with anything; a beautiful, professional nude. I think it looks quite chic! It's more of a fall color, but I couldn't resist how pearly it looked in the bottle.

Right: Run with it! polish from Sephora by Opi, via alllacqueredup

I'll update with some pictures as soon as I get my camera up and running. For now you'll have to take my word on how beautiful my nails look. I highly recommend the Sephora by OPI polishes and can't wait to buy a few more!

Stay Beautiful,

❤Miss

Mornings brought to you by Oatmeal

2009-07-09T15:55:00.020-04:00

Kalimera readers. I have had the craziest week and I'm so sorry I've been neglecting you all. I was at the office even yesterday, of all things (overtime on a Saturday, I know)!

I finally had a moment to breathe and as I sat eating my Sunday brunch, I came up with the perfect topic for a lazy morning post: breakfast. It sounds vague, but I can sum up nearly every morning in a single category. As much as I love sampling a variety of fresh Mediterranean cuisine, my mornings always start the same way: with oatmeal. I'm positive that I owe a significant portion of my weight loss (down two more pounds!) and good health to this rockstar breakfast food.

Here are a few quick facts:

I eat around half a cup of cooked oats every morning. This small portion amounts to nearly 4 grams of soluble fibre. We know that fibre is good for us, but why? It lowers the 'bad cholesterol' as well as your blood pressure, keeping your hearts cheerful while they pump away. {This is completely true, by the way, my nutritionist was delighted to report that I have essentially negative readings of the 'bad stuff ^~' Thanks, Quaker!} As a digestive tool, Oatmeal also helps to absorb extra fat and flushes it out of your system instead of letting it deposit right on your problem areas. It helps your stomach empty properly too and helps you to feel sated longer - also promoting healthy weight loss. Having read all of this I hope you're halfway to your local grocery store to buy your way into this weight-loss secret. But whatever you do, don't you dare buy those disgusting artificial packets! The sugars and preservatives negate so many of the great qualities found in natural oatmeal. Go organic, it's worth the extra pennies and trust me, by the time I'm through you won't want to touch those horrible bits of cardboard again!

I eat my oatmeal in three forms: The good ol' fashioned bowl of porridge, In a delish fruit smoothie or in pancakes

Miss' Herculean Oatmeal

1/2c Large Flake Organic Oats

1 Cup Water

Sprinkling of Salt

2 tbsp Fresh Applesauce

1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon to Taste

Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, bananas, blueberries, etc; pick your favorite garnishes

Place oats in pot filled with warm water in a 2:1 ratio water:oatmeal. Heat to a boil with a pinch of salt. As soon as the oats begin boiling remove from the heat and simmer, stirring constantly until you reach the desired consistency.

Add fresh applesauce, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir well and place in your bowl If you don't have any fresh applesauce on hand you can cut a large apple into small chunks and bake it in your microwave for 1min with a little bit of water. You can then put this in a blender and smooth it out, but I usually omit the blending as a love my oatmeal when it's chunky and rustic. Top with a light sprinkling of your favorite fruit and nuts & voila!

Picture Credit: By Becky Lulgard-Stayner via Cooking Light

Miss' Oatmeal Supersmoothie

I love to run in the mornings but I always find that after a lovely jog I couldn't be less interested in eating. Oatmeal stepped in to solve my breakfast dilemma in the form of this delicious, nutritious breakfast smoothie:

{makes two, one for you and one for your jogging buddy ^~}

1 cup lite vanilla soy milk

1/2 cup large flake organic oats

1 banana

Your frozen fruit of choice! I generally rock a peach/mango combo or a berry blend. Mm!

Optional: 1 handful almonds. (I like to throw this in if I'm drinking it post-run for the extra protein)

I don't really feel as though I need to give you instructions on how to make this, but in case you were worried about incorporating the oats/nuts, here goes: Put the oats and nuts in your blender first and blend until powdery. Then add the rest of your ingredients. You can adjust to your desired consistency by adding more fruit/soy milk. You can also make this with yoghurt or juice if either tickle your fancy.

Picture Credit: Kal at mybodyzone

Miss' Oatmeal Pancakes

When I was little I loved the occasional pancake treat. When I grew up, and sadly, grew weight-conscious, I gave up one of my favorite breakfasts altogether. One morning, sorely tempted by the delicious blueberry pancake aroma wafting up from Constantine's breakfast, my envious stomach asked this brilliant question: why not try a pancake made primarily of my beloved oats? The rest, as they say.. ^~

1/3 cup large flake organic oats

1/2 tbsp of organic honey

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

2 egg whites

optional: 1/2 cup fresh applesauce or 1/2 mashed banana

small sprinkling of salt

1/2 cup fresh blueberries to garnish

They're very easy to make:

First process the dry ingredients in a blender, then add the wet ingredients and until combined (careful not to over-process). Cook over medium-medium high heat until nicely browned. I don't like to garnish mine with maple syrup, I eat them with a pile of blueberries and an extra sprinkling of cinnamon.

I adapted this great recipe from Kath Eats. These are delicious as well as fabulously guilt-free. If you find you're still jealous of your boyfriend's Bisquick, don't despair! I promise that soon your taste buds will come to their senses and delight in this breakfast treat.

Have wonderful Sundays and be sure to try one of these combinations tomorrow morning :) It may just be the start you need on a Monday.

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Stuffed, Antlered Artwork <3

2009-07-06T09:11:00.017-04:00

Kalimera! Nothing like a Monday morning to make you feel like getting some work done ^~ I've been meaning to write about this for awhile so I'll take the time now to spotlight one of the most unique, adorable purchases I've made in a long time. As many of you know (or will quickly come to learn), I have an absolute antler fetish. It started with moose and then expanded to include deer, gazelle, etc. It's no surprise that I found the piece I'm about to show you absolutely endeering ;3

I have taken to browsing Etsy for fabulous vintage finds and on a recent search I almost died with excitement when I took in the quirky charm of this stuffed piece by everyeskimo, 'A Leg to Stand On'.

I think I was equally won over by her description:

"nature, nurture. nurture, nature.

this is one little natureling who needs a little nurturing. three legged by man or nature? it's hard to say. and every harder to say which is sadder. but he has a sweet disposition. and will nibble sugar lumps and baby carrots out of your hand. turns his whole nose up at whole "non-baby" carrots, though. and he has major jones for pickles, but unfortunately not many people carry those around in their pockets.

he's 8.5" tall and 7.5" long and completely hand-stitched. he'll kick up his hand-embroidered feet and swish his hand-embroidered spots around if you scratch his tail. he's made of wool and vintage felts, except for his feelings.. those seem a little more fragile. try not to laugh if he stumbles a little, okay?"

Stuffed Animal, Picture & Description by everyeskimo

I'm now in the habit of checking her profile for new products on Etsy, and who can blame me? I never outgrew the stuffed animal phase and her quirky twists make her creations irresistible. The second I saw him, I was hooked, and when I carefully unwrapped him from his packaging it was love at first cuddle. He'll be coming with me to the loft where he'll occupy a place of honor on my desk ^~

I love the statement the piece makes, the message it carries and everyeskimo's gorgeous craftsmanship. I encourage you to take a look at her work, and if you want my advice, have your credit cards ready! I'm sure you'll find that piece that stares with imploring stitched eyes from your computer screen and softly whispers: "oh please, won't you take me home?"

Happy shopping!

❤ Miss

Miss does a Romantic Date - at Home! ^~

2009-07-03T13:19:00.017-04:00

Kalispera readers, and I hope your Fridays are going well! I'm writing this on my lunch break as I'm going to be in such a flurry of activity tonight. Constantine is coming for around seven which is going to give me next to no time to prepare what needs to be The Most Romantic Dinner Ever. Haha. Being a student and trying desperately to keep my savings account in the five-figure range (it's taken me years to get here so don't be intimidated, I'm not as put-together as that makes me sound), I've decided to bring the dinner date home instead of frequenting our usual (expensive) restaurant.I'll share tonight's recipes with you here because they really are fabulous. I encourage you to copy my idea and plan a romantic dinner for your darling ^~ he/she won't see it coming and it's the best way to enjoy each other's company after a long week of work.

{ Miss' Menu }

Insalata Caprese with Mozzarella di Bufala

Authentic Italian Osso Buco

Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Sound appetizing? I hope so! These are all much easier to put together than their names suggest. The only difficulties would be in the availability of the Buffalo Mozzarella (I get mine at a local Italian Grocery Store), the time you have to cook the Osso Bucco and your confidence when cooking the souffle (I promise they aren't as hard as they seem)! Ready? Here we go:

Insalata Caprese

{literally, the Salad from Capri. It's a fabulous blend of fresh ingredients, best available in summer. It presents beautifully and is perfectly complimented by the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the Mozzarella di Bufala. If you don't have the last ingredient available, the fresh mozzarella available in bags at most grocery stores works just fine, as well}

4 beautiful vine-ripened tomatoes
1 fresh ball of mozzarella di bufala
1 good handful of basil leaves, washed & spun-dry (about 1/2 cup)
1 healthy drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (about 1/8 - 1/4 cup)
1 sprinkling of sea salt, to taste

Slice your tomatoes and mozzarella di bufala into even slices. Arrange on a plate in circular pattern, alternating tomato, mozzarella & basil leaf. Sprinkle with sea salt and olive oil and serve immediately. It is fabulously easy and one of my favorite things to eat!
Picture Credit: initaly.com

Authentic Italian Osso Buco

{Constantine's parents taught me how to make their authentic Osso Buco and it is a spectacular dish. It gets better with age and despite the massive amounts of chopping that goes into the preparation, it is quite an easy main course to prepare!}

2-3 stalks of both carrots & celery, chopped into small chunks
2 packages of button mushrooms, washed and chopped into small slices
1 can of whole tomatoes in sauce(look for the ones that list only tomatoes as the ingredient! Stay away from pre-spiced sauces, ew!)
1 cooking onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic
Italian Seasoning
4 fresh veal shanks
Fresh Parsley
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup white cooking wine
Flour
Olive Oil

To begin, make your tomato sauce. First sautee half of your onion and 2 of your garlic cloves with a splash (1 tbsp) of olive oil and a sprinkling of italian seasoning. In a metal bowl pour out the can of tomato juice/whole tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes into chunks. Once your onions are transluscent, add the tomato chunks/sauce to the saucepan. Add fresh parsley & salt to taste. Lower heat. Do not forget to stir the sauce repeatedly!

Lightly coat veal shanks in flour and saute them in olive oil (1-2 tbsp) until nicely browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from heat and place in casserole dish.

Using same pan that was used to fry your veal, sautee the carrots and celery. Once they are almost done, add the fast-frying ingredients: your garlic, onion and mushrooms.

Add the cup of chicken broth and cup of white wine to your sauteed vegetables. Stir over reduced heat until the the liquid has reduced noticeably.

At this point, your sauce should smell so overwhelmingly delicious that you could almost eat it for dinner with a slice of fresh bread. I do this sometimes when I'm rushed and it's fabulous! Pour your tomato sauce over the vegetables. Stir to combine & be careful not to splash yourself! Aprons are your clothes' best friend in the kitchen. For an interesting twist on the romantic dinner, cook wearing an apron - just an apron ^~ it's silly, but undeniably sexy.

Pour the vegetable/tomato sauce over the veal in the casserole dish. Try to coat evenly and wipe off any splashes that could burn later on in your oven.

Cook, covered, at 350 degrees for an hour and a half. Remove covering and cook for another half hour.

Constantine likes to eat this served over fresh pasta. My father enjoys it with a slice of fresh bread. Serves this with whatever you'd like but be sure to eat it with something to dip into the delicious sauce that is left behind! This recipe technically serves four, but I find Constantine is always good for 1&1/2. I like to make extra because it is -so- good the next day. When it sits overnight the flavors deepen beautifully.

Picture credit: taste.com

Sinful Chocolate Souffle

As an athlete who spends hours every week at the gym I am always very careful with what I eat, but on occasion I'll make an exception for something really special. This dessert will melt in your mouth, impress your guests, and certainly justify the extra half hour of cardio ^~

I'm going to cheat on this one. As the recipe isn't my own I'll show you exactly where I found the one that I use every time I prepare this delicious dessert. Make your own souffle by following the

clear directions found on t h i s site.

Thanks Eating Well for this delicious recipe!

This concludes my menu for tonight. I hope that it inspired you to make something delicious yourself! I don't really cook with a recipe when I make these dishes (save with souffle), so I may have left an instruction out that I do automatically. Please don't be shy to ask questions!

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Aw, Cook of the Week!

2009-07-02T15:53:00.004-04:00

Thank you AllRecipes for making me your cook of the week ^^ I'm thrilled and certainly very honored. I've been using your site for quite some time to supplement my week with new recipes and ideas.

To the wonderful chefs who follow my blog, but who haven't yet had the opportunity to use AllRecipes I strongly, strongly recommend you sign up. They have thousands of delicious ideas as well as the opportunity to personalize your own online recipe box. It's a fantastic resource that certainly shouldn't be missed! Sign on today by clicking here.

Happy cooking!

❤ Miss

Thursdays & Love

2009-07-02T11:11:00.011-04:00

Kalimera! I hope you had an enjoyable Canada day yesterday ❤ As I've been doing a lot of catch up at work after my 9 day stint with that horrible flu I don't have much in the way of new stories to share with you. I suppose it's as good of an opportunity as any to explain the backstory behind me and Constantine. I promise this won't turn into one of those blogs about love, boyfriends & wedding plans!

So here we go, the fairy tale begins:

Once upon a time, there was a 17 year old Montrealler who transferred to a private preparatory college in Ontario for her senior year. Being one of the only new girls to make such a daring move, she was the subject of much curiosity from the boys who had been picking from a rapidly slimming dating pool that consisted of girls they'd been classmates with over the past four-five years. Miss, having left a private, catholic all girl's school was overwhelmed by the fact that there were 'boys' in her classes, and further still by the fact that some were interested in her! She had broken up with her first boyfriend, a sweetheart named Jason, during the summer before her transfer. Their relationship was loving, but very shy (and very awkward!). As she and Jason weren't really compatible, she'd decided to give herself some time before diving into another mess of clashing personalities.

Yeah, right. Cue the Head Prefect of the college: rugby starter, competitive speaker, saxophone player, six + feet of Dutch good looks. A Boyscout all growed up and boy was he going places. He won Miss over by throwing pebbles at her window (to the obvious delight of all of the junior girls who shared her residence hall). His pursuit was swift and during it he made a few enemies - groups of guy friends are often attracted to the same type of girl, and so it was with the Boyscout and his buddies.

While the Boyscout threw pebbles, gave roses and took Miss out to dinners he also made the fatal mistake of inviting her along with his group of guys. One of them in particular really stood out: olive eyes, a delicious laugh, all rugby shoulders and wavy brown hair, the best story teller of the group with a lightning wit that matched that of the self-proclaimed intellectual herself. Constantine. Miss found herself staying up late after hours, huddled under bedcovers to hide the light of her computer screen while she talked to both boys: the Boyscout, very soon to be her boyfriend, and Constantine, whose company she enjoyed and whom she was rapidly considering to be her best friend at the strange new school.

In writing, Miss looks absolutely naive, but in reality? .. She was absolutely naive. She wasn't aware that Constantine was interested in her and simply took pleasure in his company. It wasn't until the day that she accepted the Boyscout formally that she realized her mistake. When the Boyscout told Constantine that Miss had agreed to be his girlfriend, Constantine abruptly disappeared.

Miss was startled, and as the days went by, realized just how much she had loved his company. More time went by and as her budding relationship with the Boyscout progressed, she began to realize her mistake. Their first kiss was the catalyst that ended up putting everything right. It was an obvious setup and she was excited for it to happen - the Boyscout leaned in, Miss looked up, their lips met and: nothing. Nothing? Nothing. Miss looked quickly away from the Boyscout's eyes (hazy with growing affection - clearly their first kiss had done something for him) and made her escape. I lied, you know, when I said nothing. Seconds after the uneventful kiss Miss realized she had had a fleeting, heart-racing thought: what would that kiss have been like if it had been with Constantine?

The breakup happened two weeks into their awkward relationship. Miss felt horrible but realized it would be unfair to lead the Boyscout on while she was clearly interested in somebody else. She had never thought she would ever be in such a position, but knew that in ending things as soon as possible, she'd be doing the right thing. Her decision was helped by her boyfriend's awkward jealousy. The Boyscout was a casual few steps away from her at almost all times. Her window grew perilously fragile from the constant pebble-throwing and she found him outside her residence more often than she invited him. It was too much, too quickly and just the push she needed to end things.

It took three hours to explain. (Even now Miss shudders to think of what would have happened if she'd waited longer than the two short weeks they'd been together.)

Weeks went by and Miss found comfort in Constantine's best friend, a now mutual acquaintance who had liked the idea of the two of them as a couple from the start and who decided to help Miss catch the boy who'd been chasing her all along. After many late-night meetings and shy smiles (& with the help from their matchmaking ally who was subtly encouraging both parties), Constantine and Miss rekindled their friendship. As a few more weeks went by, Constantine began making his first tentative advances. Miss was delighted.

When they finally began dating, Miss felt for the first time the comfort of compatibility and the rush of excitement without doubt. When they shared their first kiss, it was magic.

This story took place almost three years ago ^^ Since then Constantine and I have endured frustrating months of long-distance followed by wonderful semesters together at the same university. Now that I have transferred to a new program in a new city, we're going to be battling distance again - but we'll be fine, and we'll continue to endure. I have never felt a love as strong as the one that I do for this man. At twenty we're both far too young (and very aware of that fact) to be more serious than we are already, but someday I can see us being together. It's been a fairy tale from our rocky beginning and I can't imagine anything less than a happy ending for the two of us.

It's been a month since we were last able to see each other (our summer jobs are, sadly, also in different provinces), so maybe this explains my excitement at finally seeing him tomorrow.

There you have the story behind my little romance. I love to hear about how relationships start (especially when they aren't as awkward as my own!) so don't hesitate to share yours with me. Do you have an entry that tells your love story? Link me to it, I'd love to read it ^^

Have wonderful Thursdays!

❤ Miss

3rd Recipe & Weight Update

2009-06-29T11:32:00.017-04:00

Kalimera readers ^^ I hope your mondays are going painlessly so far. After my bout with the flu I was actually cheerful at the idea of being able to come into the office today! Funny the things you miss. There's a slight damper on my back-to-work joy, however: it's pouring outside. Clearly Montreal is having issues realizing that it is in fact almost July; this weather definitely belongs in April. I'm sure I was a sight to see this morning as I ninja'd my way out of the car to protect my hair/makeup/white blouse from the downpour. I'm proud to say that I made it up without a hair out of place ^~ triumph!

Definitely due to the flu, (I won't take credit as I really was too weak to work out, and have been surviving on what jello stayed down :|) my weight did excellently! Between now and the last weigh-in I've lost four pounds! Let's see if I can keep it up now that my appetite is back. Maybe the runs will substitute for some of the jello dieting? Hahah.

Last night I was able to eat my first real dinner in quite some time. I love seafood and being on the East coast we get amazing lobster for ridiculously low prices. I decided to capitalize on this with a fabulous lobster salad. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! The only irritating part is cleaning the lobster, those shells are deadly. It's also pretty graphic so you have to throw your desire to become a vegetarian out the window before you prepare this dish. I'm a suck though and bought a pre-cooked lobster so that I wouldn't have to select my live dinner from one of those horrible grocery store aquariums.

Fresh Lobster Salad with Potatoes and Rosemary

Meat from 1 medium sized lobster

5 red-skinned baby potatoes {Any variety will work, these are my favorite}

Juice from 1 lemon

Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2-3 Stalks Green Onion, chopped.

1 Clove of Garlic, Pressed

Sea Salt & Rosemary to season

Remove the flesh from your lobster but be careful as the shells are going to be quite sharp. If you've never made lobster dishes before, here's a handy, picture-filled guide on lobster prep :3
Cover the potatoes with cold water in a medium pot and bring to boil. Cook until barely tender (you want them to keep their shape when pricked but lose their crunch), then drain and cool; cut into halves or quarters.
Combine potatoes with lobster meat and green onion
In medium bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, & salt.
Toss potatoes/lobster with dressing, then add rosemary & toss again.
Taste for salt and serve.

This recipe makes enough for 2-3 Miss-sized meals. It only gets better the next day!

I think at this point you're probably beginning to notice a trend. I cook with the freshest ingredients I can get my hands on and try to keep things as healthy as possible :3. For those of you who are trying to lose a bit of weight, or who are simply health-conscious, I hope that you enjoy my recipes and that they help you stay healthy and fabulous!

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Headaches + Boredom = Headboards

2009-06-27T11:19:00.013-04:00

Aren't I witty ^~ I've been sick for going on nine days today and I'm going absolutely crazy with boredom. No runs, very little work and the worst: I haven't seen Constantine in over three weeks. It was devastating to have to tell him that I couldn't make the trip up to visit him in Ottawa this weekend. Instead we're going to have to wait until next weekend when he comes to Montreal. To distract myself from my brutal flu and pining heart (oh, such drama), I've decided to do a little research on bedroom design.

The bedroom of the gorgeous new loft is by far the most difficult challenge. It is fairly tight, and as it is tucked behind the living space (despite being on an elevated 'half floor'), it has relatively little natural light. The good news is that I have a full sized bed, and not a king or queen, giving me much more room to work with. Lets start with a bit of a refresher so that you can remember what the bedroom looks like:

Brilliant, so there you have it. Fairly high ceilings, mirrored closet, strange storage nook (soon to be shoe/purse cupboard) and ceiling fan. The shoe cupboard is going to make headboards a bit of an issue as it does fill up a good portion of my wall. Turning the bed on the diagonal and placing it against the right wall, or placing it opposite the closet aren't really options due to space (I know it doesn't visualize well). I am still thinking of a cluster art piece to go over the bed. Feast your eyes on my inspiration:

This sweet mantel headboard was an anonymous flickr find ^^

I love the vintage look of this refurbished mantel from Marley&Locklyer

I found this on sweetascandy's lovely blog - what a gorgeous room & perfect cluster art!

Really cute pillow/mantle idea from bhg.com

Another gem of a refurbished mantel headboard, this one from afancifultwist on typepad.

Introducing: My Address!

2009-06-24T13:25:00.011-04:00

Kalispera my lovely readers ^^ I just spent a wonderful few hours walking along the little lake in the center of town with Molly (the cutest thing on four feet). I'm still feeling pretty sick but it was so beautiful outside that I figured the sun could only do me good. Here in Montreal it's St-Jean Baptiste Day which is a special French Canadian holiday that is more important than Canada Day to the Quebecers. My town goes all out for it with displays from local artists, preserves, flowers, and little activities for the kids. It's really cute, I try to go every year. More on one of the new artists I discovered in just a bit, first I have some news!

Yesterday at 10:05pm my offer went through. I officially have my first address! The loft is absolutely stunning. I've included a little collection of shots but it does the place no justice. The windows are enormous and overlooking the trees in the neighboring park. The kitchen has appliances that made my chef's eyes tear and it has loft-conversion touches everywhere in the exposed wooden beams and piping. The bedroom is in a tucked away nook that looks over the kitchen/living/dining area that is all open concept down below. There's a strange little storage place in the bedroom wall that is just begging to become my shoe closet ^~ The entire building is completely dog friendly as well which is an enormous relief; I would have turned the place down if they'd refused to let my precious pup move in with me.

Ignore the masculine decorating, of course. I can't wait to start making the place mine. The thrill of ownership is like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's such a crazy rush of emotions! My entire life is going to be based out of that gorgeous space and I'm actually almost shy. I feel like we need to introduce ourselves and get to know each other, and that I need to 'win' the loft over with my decorating ideas. I truly believe that I am starting a new relationship, and I need to romance my new home ^~ Silly, I know.

The neighborhood is beautiful as well. It is a very trendy district filled with health-conscious, dog-walking, artistic young professionals. There are all kinds of organic and vegan cuisine, coffee shops on every corner and beautiful art galleries abound. I'm nestled between two lovely parks so Molly and I are certainly going to go on adventures every morning. As it is right on a streetcar as well (which is charming in itself) the commute to downtown will take mere minutes. I couldn't be more excited - there couldn't be a more perfect fit.

I can't wait to show you some of my ideas, and hope you enjoyed looking at the new loft!

❤ Miss

On Fish, Fevers, and First Apartments

2009-06-23T15:12:00.010-04:00

I'm sorry for the delay between blog entries; I just got home from a house hunt in Toronto. The first thing I'll say about this is how ridiculous the housing market is downtown. Every night, we made a list of potential places to see and the next morning our realtor would show up with an apology - on one occasion *all* of my potentials had sold before I got the chance to see them! Crazy. My Dad and I had a great time making it our mission to find listings before they went off the market. Of course we were ecstatic to discover two gorgeous listings side by side in converted factories on Queen West. So excited, in fact, that we're putting an offer in on one of them today! I can't wait to post some pictures up here for you to see <3

Unfortunately, I was so caught up in the excitement that I finally succumbed to the wicked flu that's been going around. I have low blood pressure at the best of times but I was beyond weak when we were wandering around. When we walked into the loft that we're now bidding on I got so excited that, combined with my fever, pounding heart, and empty stomach (get this): I passed out. Can you imagine? How embarrassing! My mother, who sadly couldn't come, told me that when I found the right place "I'd just know". My body certainly pointed a few things out ^~

On a much more somber note, when I returned home I discovered that my betta fish had died. It was a horribly tragic death as well: his heater, regulating his water temp to 80 degrees, malfunctioned. The water temperature must have skyrocketed and my poor boy was belly-up when I went to see him. Do any of you have fish? I don't know how to explain why he meant so much to me. He recognized me and would flare his gorgeous fins when I walked into the room, kept me company while I was studying from his spot on my desk. He'd follow my pen around when I wrote..*sigh* I'll certainly miss him.

Anyway, enough about that. Update coming as soon as I'm feeling better and have more news on the loft purchase!

Lofty Living in Shades of Grey

2009-06-17T13:28:00.016-04:00

I was clearly working hard at my summer office job today ;3 I spent a decent portion of my time looking at some gorgeous images online to compile the first of my 'lookbooks'. I love to come up with themes and paste images in collages to give me inspiration. This is how I'd love to decorate my loft-to-be. I adore the grey shades and the beautiful grandfather clock is such a stunning piece! The upholstered Louis XVI-style chair is beautiful as well (I would love to purchase the one pictured, but at a whopping $2500 it blows over half my budget). An antique clock, chandeliers, weathered woods, stripes - what more *could* you want in a room? I love the nostalgic feel.

The loft-apartment I am hoping to purchase is essentially two rooms, a main room that combines kitchen/dining/living/office, and a bedroom (+attached bathroom). It's going to be difficult to arrange all of those functional points within one theme, and it needs to flow perfectly together to make the space appear as large as possible. I have wall height going for me as the ceilings are at a soaring 14'4" (!) so I'm looking forward to an impressive cluster wall :3 . I'm know that this rather feminine touch will clash with the industrial loft look (a lot of exposed concrete/silver pipes) - I'm hoping that the two styles will be at such obvious odds with each other that they'll end up working deliciously well together.

I'm trying hard to stay under budget. The clock (I'm delighted to say that I've found a very similar piece to the one pictured) will go for around $600.00 and will be the focal point of the whole room. I'm hoping to add a cluster wall behind the grey & white striped couch that will include a few vintage pieces, some pictures, perhaps even an antique wooden shutter. I'll post a mock-up as soon as I've finished laying it down <3

Now for linkage. I hope I got everybody :3 Please comment if I credited the wrong person!

Stunning Louis XVI chair:House Haunt House Haunt Antiques

Deer Heads: Visit Rubylounge's wonderful store!

The Beautiful Silver Angel Wings: Image courtesy of VintageVanity's blog

Antique Grandfather Clock: Clipped from teamsugar

Grey Bedroom: Courtesy of vi.sualize.us, found by omgraptor

Grey&White Striped Couch & Chandelier: Found on CocoCozy

Desk Space: Found at Metropolitan Mode

Hope you like my little project, don't hesitate to comment :3 I love your input and would certainly appreciate your advice!

<3 Miss

Do you avocado?

2009-06-16T16:16:00.016-04:00

I'm starving at work and I know exactly what I'm going to make when I get home. I figured I'd share this recipe with you as it is basically the most amazing salad on earth.

I have this salad once or twice a week for a light lunch or a hearty accompaniment to a fresh meal. It's wonderful for you - just packed with good fats, oils, and antioxidants! You can add some chili pepper if you would like a spicier salad, I prefer cilantro and lime juice for a wonderfully bright bite. I love to serve this with a rich, rustic cracker or toasted pita.

(I couldn't resist the picture - her skin is gorgeous!)

Avocado Salad:

Chop up 2 Avocados and 3 Tomatoes into medium sized chunks. (the larger your pieces the more salad-like this will be, the smaller the more salsa-like)
Place in bowl with 2tsp of olive oil. Add sprinkling of sea salt; stir to coat.
Chop up 2 green onion stems and add to bowl.
Juice one half of a lime, pour over mixture.
Tear up a few leaves of fresh cilantro to garnish.
Stir well, adding salt to season if necessary.
Devour! (:

Enjoy!

❤ Miss

Decorations to fawn over ;3

2009-06-15T23:30:00.004-04:00

I have been preparing with no enthusiasm spared for the move to my very first apartment. I'm sad to be leaving Montreal but so excited to start my new life in Toronto. Much more on the move and my reasons for it later, the purpose of this quick post is to share an absolute treasure with you.

During one of my online decor searches I stumbled across this adorable, unique idea ->

How can you not adore something so deer? All jokes aside, I love that it is a statement piece as well as an artistic pun, if you will. As you'll undoubtedly begin to notice, I have something of an antler fetish. I am strongly considering supporting the message behind this piece, and the artist herself by buying one of her creations.

I've been getting tons of inspiration from some of the decorating blogs on here. I'll be sure to credit the images that inspire me back to the lovely bloggers who found them. Thank you all for being a part of my adventure!

Good night,
<3 Miss

Running goes Green

2009-06-13T15:12:00.001-04:00

I've always been a sprinter. In high school I brought home gold after gold at up to a provincial level for the 100m, 200m, Hurdles and Long Jump. The lack of modesty here is because this is due simply to genetics: I never really trained for it; by some strange coincidence I'm just built for speed - I take no credit! (; I gave up the dream when given the choice to pursue an Olympic career with a professional trainer and, honestly, I've never regretted it.

All this being said I've always wished I could be one of those people who could a) run endlessly and b) still look (offensively, illogically) perfect. You know the ones I'm talking about - how could they get tired when their feet don't touch the ground? Surely their hair never slips out of it's elastic, like mine does, and surely their earphones stay perfectly in place. When I run I look like a disaster ready to happen as I scramble for my scrunchies and iBuds, but I hope people can tell that I mean well (;

As a part of my fitness kick I decided to start incorporating long runs in addition to my Pilates and other cardio activities. I would shuffle to the gym, hop onto a treadmill for a boring, miserable hour and shuffle home. My loves, the time has come for a change!

Let me begin by saying that I live in what is essentially a natural park. My small French town used to be an enormous orchard and in the summer it is almost overwhelmingly green. This week, for the first time -ever-, I decided to run outside. The novelty! I immediately realized that it is much harder to run uphill for an hour on pavement than a flat treadmill but the payoff is outstanding. I got to take in some sun, some absolutely beautiful nature and even decided to extend my journey mid-jog so that I could run by some of my favorite places. I've done this twice now and will continue to run the 4-mile path every other day.

To all of you gym-runners, I encourage you to take a peek at what you're missing outside! I've never taken the time to really appreciate how gorgeous the Montreal summer really is. Take your cardio back to nature and I guarantee you won't look back.

Happy Trails!
<3 Miss

Cue: Summer Dieting + 1st Recipe!

2009-06-12T09:21:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I've decided that my goal for this summer is going to be to lose fifteen pounds and get myself back to the size two that I was before I left home for university two years ago. I figure that now that I've told you, the pressure will be on for me to follow through (; Starting from next week, I'll update my (hopeful) weight loss.

One of my favorite things to eat right now is Asparagus. It's impossible to resist when my local market is overflowing with these seasonal summer vegetables! This is how I like to eat mine, especially when the Asparagus is thick with slightly purple heads. It makes a wonderfully light main course (:

Roasted Asparagus with Mushrooms and Pancetta

(this is ridiculously easy)

Set oven to 400 degrees.
Snap ends off 2 bundles of asparagus, place in metal bowl.
Wash, prepare, and quarter 2 small packages of mushrooms, add to bowl.
Coat asparagus and mushrooms in two tsp of olive oil. Spread out evenly on large baking sheet.
Add 1/2 cup of diced pancetta.
Add sprinkling of cashew nuts
Bake for 15 minutes.
I like to add fresh cilantro to mine before serving. Delicious!

Hi there! ^^

2009-06-11T11:28:00.003-04:00

I have finally decided to follow the blog trend and sent out a tender little shoot of my own in this big bad forest of an internet.

I'm really looking forward to following some of your blogs, and sharing some of my stories with you! Before we begin, there are a few things you should know:

1: I am horrendously awkward. I'm clumsy, giddy at times, have the worst timing ever and have unfortunate losses of volume control when I try to whisper. Be warned, this blog will surely have you wincing at times!
2: I'm pretty much a hopeless romantic. You'll hear a few stories about myself and the boyfriend (a sizzlin' Italian that we'll call "Constantine" on here for the sake of anonymity)
3: I LOVE to cook. I'll post my favorite recipes up here as I choose them - please don't hesitate to leave me your feedback, and by all means share your tips and recipes with me!!
4: I'm a fashion journalism student and I love fiddling with makeup. I'll be putting up some tutorials and product reviews. Just like #3, never feel too shy to share your own!

I can't wait to get to know all of you!

Miss