Spinach Cranberry Salad /// Recipe Wednesday

One of my favorite salads and one that I have been making for years. It is definitely on the sweet side so if you are craving such this is something that will do the trick.

Thank you all as well for your sweet comments from my last post. I do feel better today and took the day off to spend with my dearest friend helping her get set up in her new apartment and planning future fun times.. :)

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
1 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons minced onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil ***( I substitute with extra virgin olive oil )


DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.

** I actually mix the dressing in a dressing container and shake well**

Photo and recipe source All Recipes

Venting

Hello my friends, today I came across this photo and could not help but feel strongly connected to it. Also lately I've had this enormous cloud that has been hovering over me lately. A combination of things overwhelming me I suppose, or the fact that usually my sunny positive outlook while getting through life's up and downs doesn't seem to be working as of late. There is also some life changing things happening to those around me (which naturally kind of changes my life in ways). Not that it is all bad, but I tend to be the person that carries the weight of others so strongly on my own shoulders I feel as though it is also happing to me. Another factor is working for yourself and not taking the time to take good breaks to socialize can get very lonely as well.

In all honesty, I need a mini break of sorts. (A must, we all do ) and to not let the wants of where I want to be with my life in the future take away from the today.. But even knowing all of that, ( it is what I try my best to live by) it is hard sometimes. Hoping it is natural to feel broken down hopeless at times.. ( Yea I know it is normal) lol.. but in the moment, it sucks ;)

So for the rest of today I am going to go on a run, yoga it out and get to sleep early.. xo (always helps). Thank you for listening to my rant, I feel a bit better just to get it out somewhere.

Photo source Prestigium

♫ #MusicMonday Playlist

Sally Shapiro Looking at the Stars

Dave Gahan A Little Lie

Fever Ray Now's the Only Time I Know

Kleerup Longing For Lullabies

Photo via We Heart It

Inspiration

Ennio Morricone My Name is Nobody


The Dust Book


Top Photos © Paul Schmidt

Creativity

Photo and essay by Peter Lindbergh

"Creativity is the basis of self-expression. Why are some people supposedly more creative than others, and why can't others open themselves up enough to be able to express who they are?

Creation is the birth of something, and something cannot come from nothing. When someone creates something: a painting, a poem, a photograph, the creativity comes from an idea, from a feeling, from emotion, or from a combination of ideas, feelings and emotions that are somehow 'reborn' from all our experiences and perspectives.

Creativity is the desire to express ourselves. To formulate these expressions, we have to draw from our reservoir of experience, dreams, desires and experimentation and mix together what was, what is, and what could be... I don't think you can learn it, it is rather something that evolves. Your perception of everything in your life fills up this reservoir.

Some people are drawn to create and express themselves, others are drawn to reflect, to analyze. But in the end, they all could be creative if they had the desire to explore the way in which they are integrated in the world of their experiences. Because creativity is really a rebirth, a true tone we feel for ourselves and for our world. Then our work becomes a real part of who we are. Maybe all this is a question of how deep we are willing to go..."

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PD 2 "Untitled"

© Leigh 2010



Charlotte Gainsbourg AF607105

I am missing a recipe today so I promise to make it up later as I had to finish this illustration and a peanut butter and jelly sounded the best tonight :p

So here is the 2nd and final illustration that is part of that project that soon will be known. I am going to sleep on the titles for tonight or maybe just call them what I titled the posts, hmmm. Serioulsy I think titling work sometimes is the hardest part of creation. LOL..

David Paul Larson

As I finish up some work I thought I would share with you the beautiful work by a network friend and New York fashion Photographer David Paul Larson. He also recently shared with me this video he put together with model Tayane Leao (so gorgeous!!) What a fantastic touch to add to a shoot..(& David it inspires me to get my camera out to shoot video more often as well) ;) Enjoy and make sure to visit his site for more inspiring images.

♫ #MusicMonday Playlist

The XX VCR

Jonsi Time to Pretend (MGMT cover)

Xymox Tonight

The Killers Human

Photo via - Tumblr

Inspiration

Photos © David Bellemere

PD 1 "Untitled"

© Leigh 2010



This particular piece is part of a project that I will reveal shortely. (very exited). It is still untitled and maybe a few tweaks will be added to it, but as far as this moment goes I think I need to let it be. :) I will also be finishing up one more piece in the next few days (deadline) that I will post when finished. In the meantime I hope your weekend and first day of spring is going well.

Giveway!! Hana-Hana Pink Pro Flat Iron

Happy weekend everyone, I have an amazing giveaway for you from those over at Misikko. Who loves their Hair straighteners? I do and they were kind enough to send me this Hana Pink Pro flat iron to review and will be sending one to one of my readers. I have natural curly hair so yes there is a love affair with a good straightener and this one I love!! and it heats up instantly. They have many more Chi flat irons for sale along with other products including pro Babyliss flat irons. For your chance to win the voted best flat iron I have listed the rules below.

So here goes the easy rules, You can have up to three entries,

-Leave a comment below stating any of the following;

-Follow Misikko on Twitter

- Blog about the giveaway on a personal website.

-Join Misikko Newsletter

Good luck!! It has a value of $169.00 Whoop!

..Contest is now closed...

Elizabeth and James Yoshimoto moto jacket

Seriously wanting this jacket!! by Elizabeth and James via Knight Cat It's detachable lining can be worn as a draped lapel blazer, stretch asymmetric zip jacket, or hot leather vest. Everything those two come up with is just amazing.

Irish Boxie /// Recipe Wednesday

With it being St. Patrick's day and my love for crab cakes, I thought why not try some Irish Boxty Cakes that I discovered from All Recipes. I ate it with a side salad sprinkled with tuna. Lets just say, well I am stuffed!! (you do not have to eat three of them like myself) lol.. All about moderation I say, I cannot always be a good girl with food, what fun would that be in life ;p

*Also a note, I did not have leftover mashed potatoes as the recipe requires, I just made them fresh, still was delicious.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups grated raw potatoes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
1 egg
1 tablespoon skim milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil


DIRECTIONS

Toss the grated potatoes with flour in a large bowl. Stir in mashed potatoes until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and skim milk; mix into the potatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in the potato mixture, forming patties about 2 inches in diameter. Fry on both sides until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm.

Recipe via - All Recipes
Photo via- Look and Taste

"Scarlet"

© Leigh 2010


♫ La Roux Quicksand (Boy 8-bit Remix)

I was actually illustrating ideas for a t-shirt and came up with this version as a print as well. I am working on many different ideas for tees, but find it a bit difficult to narrow down what I have come up with this far.. That is a good thing I suppose.
I hope you are all having a wonderful week, it is nice and sunny (finally)... Soaking up while I can. :)

You can get this print now at my Etsy

#MusicMonday playlist

White Hinterland Icarus

The Script Falling to Pieces

Chew Lips Seven

Passion Pit The Reeling

Photo via - Patrizio Battaglia

Inspiration

♫ Johann Strauss Voices Of Spring


Madame Bovary available here

Photos © - Jenny Lexander

Craving /// Lookbook

Dress: Missoni, Jacket: Bottega Veneta, Sunglasses: Chloe, Bag: Miu Miu, Earrings: Roberto Di Castro, Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Ring: Milly,

The Bloggers

Via Yvan Rodic.

Chicago- Style Spinach Pizza/// Recipe wednesday

The meal that I will overeat, as I have a love affair with warm spinach dishes. (I think I have already said that ) ;) Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS

1 can (10 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust
1 pkg. (10 oz.) chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 pkg. (16 oz.) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 c. (1 oz.) Parmesan cheese, shredded, divided
1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes, drained, cut up
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 500 degrees. Press pizza crust onto bottom and sides of well greased 10 inch deep dish pizza pan or 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Mix spinach, mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Spread evenly over crust. Mix tomatoes, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes. Spread over cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Serves 6.


Recipe via COOKS.
Photo via Food Loves Writing.

Balmain Gold

Oh my blog is not getting the usual attention that I would love to give for all of you, but rest assured I have a ton of fun stuff still waiting to be shared and also working on a project (deadline) with a few fabulous illustrators that has to be completed by the end of this month, so bare with me as I try to get back to normal posting schedule.. :) xo

** One more thing, I would like to send a special thank you to my dentist who informed me that I am grinding my teeth, I guess at night, as ever since she mentioned that, I am now noticing it and subconsciously doing it.... and cannot stop thinking about it. Yes now I am waking up with a tight jaw and sore teeth :( Never have I had that until mentioned... I swear lol...

In the meantime here are some of my favorites from Balmain AW/2010.. So love all the gold and the Prince influence?


♫ Prince I would die 4 u

Breakfast for Dinner /// Recipe Wednesday

Scrambled Eggs with Bacon and Avocado: You've probably noticed I love anything that is quick most of the time, and this is pretty much the easiest you can get. Also craving the breakfast at night once in awhile, absolutely..

INGREDIENTS

Serves 1

2 slices bacon
2 large eggs
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 avocado, diced
Toast (if desired)

DIRECTIONS

Brown bacon in a small skillet over medium heat, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove bacon; pour off all but 1 teaspoon fat.
In a bowl, beat eggs with 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Pour into pan; cook, scraping bottom frequently with a flexible heatproof spatula, until just set, 2 to 3 minutes.
Transfer to a plate. Crumble bacon over top; sprinkle with avocado. Serve with toast, if desired.

Recipe and photo source Martha Stewart.