THESE WE COVET

Tea with my ladies

>> Friday, May 18, 2012 – Beauty, food, Life, Review

{via my Iphone}

Last weekend I attended 'High Tea' at a beautiful new tea house called Adorabelle in Steveston. High Tea seems to be such a trend now. To be honest, I had never really heard of it until attending one at a Fairmont Hotel last year. It was a lot of fun... a bit stiff ...but sort of addicting at the same time.

You definitely get into the girly vibe and wear your most pretty spring dress. It was especially great because around twenty ladies/girls were invited, so there was a ton of laughter and new faces. We were split up at separate tables and I preffered this layout so that we were able to chat a bit more easily.

And really, the food. That's what it is all about right? Oh yah, and Tea. I LOVE devonshire cream. How was I never introduced to this before??? I feel like my parents failed in some way ;) The scones were all baked in house, and very lovely. There was also a lemony custard that I have never seen at other tea places. It was good, but not worth it compared to my sweet, sweet devonshire.

And look at how lovely they had our napkins folded ...as pretty pink roses! The tea I chose was a glorious herbal robois flavour (I don't have much caffeine usually). And of course our hostesses left us with a parting gift of some yummy jelly bellies...because we weren't already spoiled enough.

I also snuck in a scary elevatore photo of me while I was rushing not to be late ;)

200 sales in our first 3 months!

>> Wednesday, May 16, 2012 – Animal Magnets, Make it

It started with an idea, which we then turned into an ETSY SHOP, and just three months later we are extremely pleased with our 200th set sold!

A big THANK YOU to all of our customers who have purchased our animal magnets, as well as those who have featured us in their blog / treasury, or even just sent us some kind words - it is ALL very appreciated!

We have just recently launched a new set of animals that we have high hopes for - DOGS!

KEEP IN MIND we can do dogs in ANY colour you see in our shop!

www.originalanimalmagnet.etsy.com

Fish Tacos

>> Thursday, May 10, 2012 – food, Healthy Living

With the beautiful sunny weather that we have been getting lately in Vancouver, it feels like summer is pretty much here. When I think of food and summer I think of outdoor dining and fresh local ingredients...and one of the dishes that I start craving are FISH TACOS. They're easy to make and are much healthier than the battered, deep fried, and heavy sour cream laden ones you get in restaurants (but just as tasty).

The key is having your dressing and salsa fresca done first so when your fish is ready you can eat right away while it's still hot. I'll show you how easy they are...

What you'll need
Fresh fish (I like halibut)
Corn (or flour) tortillas
Undressed coleslaw (cut your own, or buy in a bag)
Ripe avocado
Salt & pepper

For the salsa fresca
Tomato
White onion
Garlic
Cilantro
Fresh squeezed lime juice

For the dressing
Plain 2% greek yogurt
Low salt taco seasoning
Fresh squeezed lime juice
Chipotle pepper in adobo (optional)
Low fat sour cream (optional)

1) Take your fish out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter to take the chill off in preparation of cooking.

2) Make your salsa fresca by finely dicing and combining some tomato, white onion, garlic, and cilantro. Add fresh squeezed lime juice, season with salt & pepper, and you're set. (Ratio of ingredients is up to your own taste). Also, cut up your avocado and set aside so it's ready to go when your fish is done and you start building your tacos. [TIP - to change the flavour profile completely try using a mango salsa in place of this tomato salsa fresca...both versions are delicious]

3) Make your dressing by combining a few good dollops of yogurt with a sprinkle of the taco seasoning, and a bit of fresh lime juice. To take it to another level add a bit of low fat sour cream and a minced chipotle pepper in adobo (Spicy! you can skip the pepper itself and just use the sauce if you don't want it too hot). Dress your coleslaw with enough of this so that it is lightly coated but not drenched. If you have left over dressing feel free to drizzle it directly on top of your tacos when you're building them as well.

4) Place a non stick skillet on medium heat and warm a bit of olive oil or coconut oil. Pat your fish dry, season with salt & pepper, and pan sear until cooked through (about 3-5 mins per side depending on the thickness of the fish). OPTIONAL: To add a bit of crunch to your fish, try crushing up some potato chips and rolling your fish in the crumbs before cooking them.

5) Warm your tortillas, pour yourself a beer or a refreshing crisp glass of white wine, build your tacos, enjoy! Serve with a side summer salad for a complete meal.

Most beautiful cake ever...

I am absolutely in LOVE with this cake. Something about the simplicity, yet boldness of the coral. LOVE IT! And the fine smattering of dots on each layer.....

Back from Mexico.....and BUSY!

After an amazing week in Mexico (Mayan Riviera to be precise), we are now back, re-opened our Etsy shop, and sales have been great!

Our blue Moose-Camel-Tiger-Rhino set was featured on an Etsy email this week. This is the third Etsy email we have been featured in since we launched our Original Animal Magnet shop just a few months ago. We have also been featured on the Etsy front page on multiple occasions as well!

Check out all of our listings at: www.originalanimalmagnet.etsy.com

The response so far since we opened this shop has been great (and worth all the hard work). Our cheeky animal magnets make a perfect gift, or a perfect addition to your very own fridge/office/kid's room/etc!

4 piece Dino - T-Rex and Bronto

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93264131/dinosaur-magnets-lime-4-piece-set-in

8 piece Farm - Dog, Goat, Sheep, and Pig

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93573520/gold-farm-animal-magnets-for

6 piece Horses

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93886220/horses-magnet-set-6-piece-set-black

All of our sets now come gift ready in drawstring muslin bags, stamped in ink with our logo.

We have some exciting plans in the works. Sets of DOGS and SEALIFE are on their way, so stay tuned!

SHOP: www.originalanimalmagnet.etsy.com

TWITTER: @thesewecovet

Chartreuse is the color of Spring

One of the things I love most about Etsy (if you havent been to this site yet...you must go now!) is when other members showcase your item in a Treasury. Basically, the collect 16 of their favorite items, that look beautiful together, and create a special grouping. Others can then browse these treasuries and click on any items they might like or want to buy.

Today we were featured in Chartreuse Pop by TheFineFeather...and let me tell you...was I ever blown away. She definitely has an eye for design as you can see below. Such a gorgeous color composition.

Thanks for featuring our Chartreuse Dinos!!

Wordless Wednesday - March 21st

>> Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – Art, food, photography, Wordless Wednesday

c/o Honeytree.etsy.com

c/o photography.pollysplayground.com

c/o mistymichellephotography.com

c/o emmagutteridge.com

c/o fokkomuller.wordpress.com

c/o dallaslillich.com

c/o melaniemenardarts.wordpress.com

Animal Magnets - Our newest Etsy Shop

>> Saturday, March 3, 2012 – Animal Magnets, Art, Craft, Design, Life

www.originalanimalmagnet.etsy.com featured on Etsy Front Page!!!

Woo ho...it is Friday. Definitely one of my favorite days. A few years ago, I actually purposed to not love the weekend so much. I figured it didn't make sense to rush the week and just live for weekends.

Really, live is short enough already; so you have to enjoy the whole week (not just Sat/Sun). I am pleased to report that my plan worked and eventually I found everyday to be exciting....lol.

But, I still have some loooong weeks where that weekend is like a shining star...an oasis in the desert ;)

I am very excited to report that our newest Etsy shop (wheww..how many do I have now!) has made it onto the FRONT PAGE not once...but TWICE. We have been open less than a month, and have had an amazing 30+ sales, two front pages, and featured in the Etsy emailer that is sent to thousands of people. This is such a blessing, and it feels so good to have craft hobbies on the side of my 'real' job.

For March, I am going to try and share photos of what we are currently working on. Our magnets are so fun and quirky. We are really hoping we can start selling them as unique farm wedding favors or birthday favors. Of course, I think the majority of people are getting them as office or home fridge/magnet board gifts. Either way, they are a great conversation piece and I think they always make people giggle.

Our chartreuse Dinosaurs

This awesome blue set was on the front page too!

For those horse lovers.

Workout Plan

>> Thursday, February 23, 2012 – Exercise, Healthy Living

Working out is always a challenge (for me at least!).

Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself..I actually love getting outside, being in the fresh air...but I find that during the winter months I get caught up in projects that keep me on the computer, or crafting, or inside with friends. Going to the Gym is generally NOT my idea of a good time and I would SO rather be outside running, hiking, kayaking....you get the point :) Living in Vancouver is conducive to all of these things. Thank goodness! But it gets dark sooooooo early in the winter months and when you are getting home after work, the last thing you feel like is going out in the pitch black.

So, here is the great idea.
A wonderful coworker decided to create a FIT club so we could monitor and encourage each other. So far I am loving the idea and even though it is quite new...I think it is helping to hold ourselves accountable. One of the members has done some amazing feats. Think climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro (sp?) and running marathons. At the last meeting she showed me her chart for running. Obviously I have seen game plans, etc. (they are wonderful) for running 10K, half marathon, etc. etc. But her plan mapped out her two months training period and left in time for breaks and even an extra week for unplanned sickness. The really IMPORTANT PART is... she had identical boxes underneath each days workout to record what she actually ended up doing. This is such a great way to not over glorify one or two workouts that suddenly become four workouts in your mind. If you are busy as I am...it is easy to think.."Oh yah..I totally worked out every day last week". Also, you could take it to another step and tally up the total km's ran or time spent for each week. This allows you to flip your schedule around a bit if you get busy one day and make up for it the next.

The pic above is of my very crude chalkboard version. But don't judge :) because I am learning to do things now instead of waiting until the day I have time to make a perfect chart. Some of my letters stand for Yoga, Running, boring Gym and Dancing (I use my Xbox dance game and let me tell you how hard a workout that can be...crazy time).