Belly!

So much fluff!

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

French Paper makes the heart smile

Flipping through a design magazine, I couldn't help but stop and stare at these amazing ads for French Paper Company's 140th anniversary. The campaign celebrates the six-generation family-owned company by illustrating three key members as they are - unique and 100% as real as the paper they make.*


The campaign was design by the über inspiring Charles S. Anderson Design, who celebrates 25 years of working with French Paper Company. Their retro-looking patterns, colours, and illustrative lettering truly make the heart smile.


140th French Paper Anniversary - Dur-O-Tone Newsprint White - Feat. Brian French (6th Generation)


140th French Paper Anniversary - Dur-O-Tone Butcher White - Feat. Jerry French (5th Generation)


140th French Paper Anniversary - Dur-O-Tone Packing Brown Wrap - Feat. Big Ed French (4th Generation)

For more information on this extraordinary print campaign, visit French Paper Company or CSA Design.

Artwork from French Paper Sample Room.
*Quote from CSA Design.

Orange you glad for fresh flowers?

Have I mentioned I ♥ summer?

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Whiskey Rocks

Trying to cut down on his beer intake, Mitch has begun the process of refining his taste for scotch. Loving to research new things, he learned about these creative Whiskey Rocks by Teroforma. Milled in Vermont from natural soapstone, these flavourless stones chill drinks without watering them down. We found these ones from Chapters, and after a few hours in the freezer they work perfectly!


Mitch also heard that using a double-walled glass, aka my coffee cup*, is another great way to keep scotch cold.

*Note: This Bodum glass (I ♥ Bodum) has been broken and replaced since the writing of this post. Don't forget the Whiskey Rocks are actual rocks, so be careful not to drop them all over the place when you're washing them.

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Blackberry sangria cubes

I like to think that these blackberry ice cubes not only helped keep my last glass of rosé crisp and cool, but that they made it extremely nutritious and delicious as well. They're great for sprucing up a regular glass of water or fresh lemonade, too!


Just like the blueberry sangria cubes I made last month, these blackberry-cubes are incredibly easy to make. Simply freeze washed berries with water in ice cube trays, and enjoy!

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Bazinga

If you're a fan of The Big Bang Theory, then you can imagine just how excited I was to see this t-shirt in a storefront window! Whiplash practically resulted from the double-take I took as I walked by The Rock Shop in Vancouver. I immediately dragged Mitch inside, stared in confusion at the hundreds of t-shirts in the store, found the Soft Kitty t-shirt, then proceeded to try it on in 4 different sizes (because muffin-tops love t-shirts, or do t-shirts love muffin tops?).


This photo was taken upon Meow Face's persistent insistence. As soon as he saw the camera, he got all up in my business waiting for his glamour shots to be taken. Well done, Meow. Way to go out there...and be zazzy! Bazinga.

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Summer pasta makes the heart smile

Don't deny those pasta cravings just because it's summer and (hopefully) warm and sunny outside! Simply opt for some lighter, fresher toppings and ingredients. I tossed this whole wheat spaghetti with olive oil, lemon zest and lemon juice, flat-leaf parsley, basil, garlic, and coarsely-ground salt and pepper. The dish was so refreshing I didn't even miss the usual side-focaccia or sprinkling of cheese.

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

What a welcome interruption

Mickey's always looking out for me...he's like my little guard-dog cat! He waits for me outside the bathroom door, follows me up and down the stairs, and lets me know when I'm spending too much time in front of the computer. His answer to that last one...


SPRAWL!


Oh, were you sitting here?


Look at my fluffy, sasquatch paws!!


Sometimes he just positions himself for comic relief.


Thanks Mickey. ♥

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Rooftop Sushi-Platter Fest 2011

This weekend, Mitch and I had the pleasure of hanging out with a couple of our favourite couples for what I like to refer to as, Rooftop Sushi-Platter Fest 2011. There was a sushi platter with delicious yam rolls, my favourite gyoza platter, yakisoba with the yummy green sprinkles, beer, saki, more beer, fun sorbet treats for dessert, and those really comfortable anti-gravity chairs. A lot of stomach cramps were also involved...no, not from my three servings of everything, but from the constant need to keel over from gut-wrenching laughter. Mitch, Cathy, Beau, Yalda, and Ben...I ♥ our Eating Crew nights.

Yalda and Ben have a fire pit on their rooftop patio!! *Swoon*


Never mind that chicken, this is my favourite veggie-gyoza platter ever!


That's coconut sorbet in a real coconut!! How great is that? And that's an orange sorbet in an orange peel in the background. Genius idea from Island Way.


This lemon sorbet was refreshing, but not as refreshing as the pineapple sorbet I choose. And yes, it came in a mini pineapple shell!


What a great night! Thanks Belda for having us all over for the incredible Rooftop Sushi-Platter Fest 2011. Can't wait until next year, or...next week?

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

A salsa that makes the heart smile - Pico de gallo

Pico de gallo



Quick, before it's too late! Don't let this year's primetime tomato time pass you by without first mixing up a batch of colourful, flavourful pico de gallo. Healthy and delicious, this fresh salsa is incredibly easy to make. Here's what went into my pico de gallo today...

Pico de gallo

Fresh tomatoes, diced (I used one small carton of cherry tomatoes)
1/2 white onion, finely diced
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 jalapeño pepper, finely diced (with or without the seeds, depending on desired heat)
1 bunch cilantro, loosely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Juice of 2 limes
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Keep in mind that the more jalapeño seeds you mix in, the hotter your pico de gallo will be. And...well, that's about it! This salsa is great served right away, but it's even better after its flavours are allowed to mingle in the fridge for a few hours. Enjoy alongside your favourite corn tortilla tacos, rice dishes, baked veggies, or Saturday morning cubed potatoes. Mmmm, cubed poatoes.



Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Anti-Dehydration

This post is dedicated to my friend, Michelle, who caught me red-handed as I proceeded to use — and oh so quickly misplace — bottle after bottle of water during a mini vacation to San Juan Island. This isn't like me, I promised her. I have a stainless steel bottle that I use all the time. But I'd left it at home, and the result was a trail of way too many plastic bottles from the car, to the ferry, to the resort, and back again.



Her answer to staying hydrated while travelling or just being out and about? The Anti-Bottle by Vapur. Back in Vancouver, I rushed out to get one (from a Hallmark store), and it's the only plastic bottle I've used since. The Anti-Bottle is BPA-free, dishwasher safe, freezable, and foldable when its empty. This means you can fold it up and carry it around in your pocket until you get to that next water fountain! How handy is that?

For more information on The Anti-Bottle, visit Vapur's website.

Photographs copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Above and beyond

How cute are these little pink blooms? Although the flowers look quite delicate, they must be pretty resilient as they were found growing up between the bricks in my parents' backyard. *Enter inspirational comment here.*

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Mickey says...

Mickey says he agrees with Gus. The warm and sunny weather in Vancouver is perfect for some backyard chilling this weekend. Don't forget the SPF. Is my cold beverage up here?

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

Gus says...

Gus says Happy Friday everyone! If it's sunny where you are, get out there and spend some quality summer time on a cozy balcony or patio.

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.

A lovely weekend wedding

This weekend, I had the honour of attending the beautiful wedding of Lindsay and Scott Wilson. The wedding took place on a warm and sunny day at Roche Harbor Resort, an endearing seaside village on San Juan Island that has a bit of a Kellerman's Resort — a.k.a Dirty Dancing — feel. So lovely!

Lots of love to the young newlyweds. ♥

Photograph copyright © 2011 Jasmine Habart.