Floral midi and chambray shirt

This outfit is a preppier variation of one of my 10 favourite blog looks. Instead of a striped tee, I wore a chambray shirt, and rather than matching my shoes to my top, I matched them to my belt. 

 I'm in the early stages of growing out my bangs so bear with me over the next few months. I decided to keep the ombre through the summer but I'll go back to my usual highlights come fall.  

Wishing those who got to celebrate it a happy Victoria's Day weekend! Our plans involved a get-together with friends in B's hometown. We were delayed by a car misadventure: we ran over a raccoon that darted across the road, which broke our radiator. We had to tow the car 50 km back to my parents' place, the closest spot. My brother is an excellent self-taught hobby mechanic and he graciously offered to fix it for us. It's still a couple hundred dollars we didn't expect to spend, but between my brother and my mom - who lent us her car for a day - it could have been much worse. And, better damage to the car than to us. A deer or moose would have been far worse! Still, I can't help but wonder if it's karmic retribution for us hitting a bear last summer with virtually no damage to the vehicle. As our friend said, we're not in the good graces of the animal kingdom! I was very grateful when we finally made it to our friends' place and started to relax with wine around a campfire.

The rest of the weekend was spent getting our balcony ready for summer and starting to design our wedding invitations. 

xx

Skirt - Thrifted (Joseph A.)(also here and here)

Top - Thrifted (Ralph Lauren) (also here and here)

Belt - Swapped (Brooks Brothers)

Shoes - Shoe Republic via sample sale

Earrings - Laura

Two-bean and avocado salad

I saw a gorgeous picture on Pinterest the other day of the most lush, perfect avocado stuffed with bacon, cheddar and onion. Stuffed avocado presentation? Why didn't I think of that? I set about making my own version with whatever I had on hand. I was overzealous in my 'stuffing', which ended up dwarfing my slightly overripe and fragile little avocados. Instead, I heaped the stuffing onto a plate and draped avocado slices on top. I was really pleased for this dish turned out. Not only it is wholesome and flavourful, it can be made in under 20 minutes.

To make, finely dice 1/2 sweet onion and two mini zucchinis. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a small pan, then add onion and zucchini. While they started to cook, I chopped up four Veggie Products' Mediterranean Chickpea Patties from Costco and added them to the pan.  Once the mixture has browned a little, transfer to a mixing bowl. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, a handful of chopped cilantro, 4T salsa (or to taste) and the juice of one lime. 

Top with avocado slices and Crispy Onion (another Costco-sourced product). 

Eggplant and chicken pizza on naan

I recently saw a simple and tasty-looking recipe for Eggplant with Buttermilk Sauce, which appeared on this blog but is originally from a cookbook called Plenty. I felt the recipe needed a little more...what's the word? Carbs. Carbs and MEAT. So I adapted it into a pizza of sorts which made for a one-dish dinner for two, with leftovers.

To make, slice one mini or one regular-sized eggplant into rounds about 1/4" thick. Peel and thinly slice one sweet onion. Peel and chop 3 cloves garlic. Heat 1T olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add eggplants and onions and cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally (about 5-7 minutes).

While vegetables are cooking, shred meat from 1/2 rotisserie chicken and set aside. Take three pieces of naan bread and brush with tahini. Top with onion, eggplant and shredded chicken. Sprinkle liberally with zataar spice. Bake in oven at 425 for about 10 minutes. 

While pizza is baking, combine 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt. Remove pizza from oven, then sprinkle with lemon juice and Pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with yogurt sauce and serve.

Silvery wedding guest wear

Wow, how is it already the second week of May?? I've been working on some concurrent projects at work which has meant long hours at the office (I'll spare the details but just, UGH!!). Luckily the sneak peek of summer in Ottawa has more than made up for it. Without a doubt, my best pick-me-up is soaking up the warm late day sunshine with a run along the canal and seeing the pops of colour of tulip beds in full bloom. I haven't even given much thought to a second glance, though I have missed seeing all YOUR blogs. I'll be coming around soon to catch up on what I've missed! 

Last Saturday we attended the wedding of our friends P&L on a maple syrup farm in rural Edwards, Ontario. (Am I the only one who feels that come the warmer months I just rotate between work clothes, workout wear, PJs and dressy wedding outfits?) The bride made her entrance in a horse and carriage - awesome! B looked super handsome in his groomsman suit (I had to include a photo below!). I wore a dress I bought at Laura on mega sale last year (75% off!) but haven't had a chance to wear yet.

Today's a big day - it's B's 30th birthday and our 'minus-one year' wedding anniversary! For his birthday I'm revealing the destination of a surprise trip I've planned for us in June. Wishing you all an equally celebratory weekend!

xx

 

Dress - Laura

Shoes - Le Chateau

Earrings - Le Chateau

Clutch - from my grandmother's closet

Hair clips - Claire's

Bracelet - Hand-me-down 

Easy breezy

This outfit had an easy breezy feel to it that perfectly suited my mood on the first unseasonably warm day of the year. By late afternoon the wind gusts had picked up to 75 km/hour so I was very glad to have settled on a long skirt that day! And in true Canadian fashion, by the time I went to bed, it was snowing. Has spring sprung where you are yet?

xx

Skirt - Zara (also here)

T-shirt - Gap

Necklace - Claire's

Sandals - Clarks via Winners

Bracelets - Hand-me-downs

Curried stuffed mini squash

Lately I've been wanting to make another sort of stuffed vegetable (some of you may recall my stuffed zucchini recipe from two years ago). As soon as I spotted these two adorable mini sweet squashes at the grocery store, I knew I'd found what I was looking for. I remembered seeing a chef using pulverized roasted pumpkin seeds as a breadcrumb-type type topping for lamb, and I decided to do the same here. The mixture was loosely inspired by a South African curry casserole my mom used to make. 

To prepare squash, cut off cap and scoop out flesh, leaving about 1/2" of rind. Coarsely chop flesh. Peel, core and dice one Asian pear into 1/2" cubes. Peel and finely dice one large shallot. Dry heat a small cast-iron skillet over low heat, then sprinkle 1/2 T curry powder and a small handful of unsweetened coconut flakes into pan. Shake pan gently until fragrant/browning. Add 1T vegetable oil (coconut oil would be a nice substitute) and increase heat to medium. Add shallots and cook for one minute, stirring for avoid browning. Add squash, pear and a small handful of raisins. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 

In the meantime, pulverize a small handful of dry roasted pumpkin seeds using the pulse (or ice crush) function on a blender. 

Scoop squash-and-pear mixture into hollow shell, then top with crushed pumpkin seeds and squash cap. Cook at 375 for 15 minutes. 

Everything except the cap stem is edible!

Island of misfit clothes #5: The khaki jacket

#5: THE KHAKI JACKET

I bought this jacket at Winners about seven years ago. I'm ashamed to say I was wooed by the Michael Kors label, which I hadn't seen at Winners until then, and didn't really think through how often I'd actually wear it.

Pros: It's got nice details like a slight flare on the back hem. It's a true wardrobe classic. When I wear it I feel like I'm on an adventure with Indiana Jones.

Cons: Depending what it's worn with, it can look like a safari costume. It's not the best colour for my skin tone. When I need outerwear, I tend to reach for my leather jacket.

Solution: Go classic with jeans, a casual white tee and a scarf. Apply self-tanner the night before to avoid looking washed out ;)

xx

Slouchy sweater

Sometimes my blog photos start off unplanned. I'll get to work in some random outfit, and Nini will insist that it's is cute and I should take some pictures. ♥ her for that! I'd been fighting a bad cold (ugh sick AGAIN!) the week after Easter, which coincided with us getting absolutely slammed at work. So I trudged through, coming wrapped in big cozy sweaters every day and toting a steaming mug of tea. Two of my coworkers powered through fevers, so I can't even say I had it the worst. Anyways, Nini and I nipped downstairs for photos mid-afternoon on Friday and you I think you can read the weariness on my face as we came into the home stretch before the weekend. Oh glorious weekend. (And yes we do get sick days and barring circumstances like these, my coworkers and I do take them!).

 xx

Sweater: Swapped (Xhiliration) (also here)

Top - Thifted (also here)

Boots - Geox (most recently here)

Earrings - Gift

Bracelets - Aakriti Designs and Toronto boutique

Watch - Kenneth Cole

Two year blog anniversary: chronicling my 10 favourite dishes

To mark the two-year anniversary of 'a second glance', here are ten of my favourite recipes. Narrowing down the list was hard! But you can see some of my other favourites, denoted with a ♥, in the Recipe Index. 

xx

1. Spiced hot apple cider

A drink that warms from the inside out on cold days.

2. Spicy grilled pineapple salsa

The heat of scotch bonnet peppers offsets the sweetness of the grilled pineapple.

3. Caramelized onion, candied tomato and goat cheese crostinis

Slow cooking takes time but patience pays off with these scrumptious crostinis.

4. Salad with candied pecans, baked pear and pomegranate seeds

This salad packs fresh flavour, like sweet baked pears and crunchy pomegranate seeds.

5. Broccoli salad (Turner salad)

This broccoli salad with a creamy-tangy dressing is a long-time family favourite.

6. Slow-cooked sweet peppers

Slow cooking with olive oil and balsamic vinegar elevate ordinary peppers.

7. Maple-caramelized brussel sprouts with Grand Marnier

A lowly vegetable is given the gourmet treatment with maple and Grand Marnier.

8. Honey-lemon-rosemary chicken

You can count the ingredients on one hand, and each one shines.

9. Moroccan lamb tajine with dried fruit, cinnamon and honey

This stew evokes the heady and exotic flavours of North Africa

10. Carrot-zucchini cake with cream cheese and vanilla bean icing

This moist cake is slathered with a lick-your-fingers tasty icing

Two-year blog anniversary: chronicling my 10 favourite looks

Today is the two-year anniversary of 'a second glance'. Yay! To mark the occasion, here are 10 of my favourite looks, in no particular order. Check back tomorrow when I will be posting 10 of my favourite dishes.

xx

1. Russian-style luxe

Why I like it: The rich textures and colours pop in this outfit and I got to wear my staggeringly high pair of 'reverse Louboutins'.

2. Funky urban

Why I like it: A 'funky urban' dress code challenge helped me come up with this outfit that's got a fun downtown vibe.

3. Black-and-rose jumpsuit

Why I like it: I accessorized a piece more commonly worn on its own.

4. 50s retro

Why I like it: An experiment with a bouffant updo, a hair wrap and oversized hoop earrings gave this outfit a throwback vibe.

5. 40s inspired wedding guest wear

Why I like it: In another retro outfit, theatrical accessories transformed a polka-dot dress, and I carried the 40s theme through to hair and makeup.

6. Best form of flattery inspiration challenge

Why I like it: Following an inspiration photo got me layering beyond my usual comfort zone, with unexpectedly pleasant results. 

7. Sailor stripes and florals 

Why I like it: One banded belt united two tricky trends: print-mixing and a midi-length skirt.

8. More ways to flower-pin

Why I like it: A couple of tired pieces from my closet felt fresh and modern worn together.

9. Sundress remix and a faux California tan

 Why I like it: Layering a knit top gave me more options for a beloved sundress, and I added one of my quirkiest thrift finds - my pearl tassel belt.

10. Bubblegum pink skirt - from day to play

Why I like it: Gold sequins, hot pink and a cheery clutch got me pumped up for a party that night.