WEEKEND SALUTE

This week at Tomfoolery & Bright:

Emerson's new selection of spring/summer wear
a yummy PB&B Smoothie to get the day started
de-cluttering the ol' Instagram
and a store full of kittens

 

Despite R being away for what will be ten days tomorrow (he's coming back!!), I had a busy week full of auditions, thesis editing sessions, meetings, socials, and hitting the gym more than usual to squeeze in some extra workouts (!). 

But now it's the weekend, and it's time to kick back and relax! Like diet and exercise, I think rest and relaxation is important to maintaining a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle. We often try to do too much and forget to take care of ourselves, but it's important to make sure that we give ourselves lots of time to do things we enjoy, to just sit and be, and to spend quality time with the people we love most. 

As busy as you are, try to keep the weekends free to do whatever you want (you'll feel so good about it, trust me). Here's a sample, my weekend: 

Yoga practice (I love yoga)--especially if you follow a more intense fitness routine throughout the week, yoga is a great way to exercise over the weekend without putting the same stress on your muscles and joints as your other workouts (and it's all levels, try it!).

Lunch dates--it doesn't have to be lunch, but meeting up with a friend or family member will do you some good. Get off the computer and stop watching your television and go talk to someone face to face. How many times have you heard this?

Birthday parties and bowling--ohhh yeah, I've got quite the exciting Saturday ahead of me! But really, loosen up a little and be a kid again. Bowling is one thing, but have you tried karaoke?!? Okay, I'm biased--it's probably my favourite group activity ever... 

Ah yes, and then there are the really simple things that make the weekend so much better. It's what I'm looking forward to most this particular weekend: a big ol' bear hug from my man! Keep it simple, sweetheart. Right?

Yes, amongst all the chaos, you can relax. Stop freaking out about what's to come and put a rest to worrying about what happened three months ago (HE'S NOT GOING TO TAKE YOU BACK). Take a nap, go for a walk, buy a dog or a cat (eeee, yes I'm encouraging you to buy an animal), make your own almond butter, rent a Lamborghini, order a dump truck of fake snow and go wild--whatever it is, you probably deserve it. Okay, maybe you don't. 
Uhh...make sure you work hard throughout the week in order to earn your weekends (!), during which you can do whatever you want (within reason and as long as it doesn't really break the law). Did I just become a bad person? 

Happy weekend!

images via how sweet it is, salt water wishes, and get fit or die 

IKEA KITTENS

I'm a dog lover, but I'm a cat collector (or I would be if R would only let me...). Never mind. My point? I like cats, so I couldn't not share this:

(If you're one of millions who spend precious time every week watching cat videos on YouTube, you've probably already seen these)
 

                                    
And this, the behind-the-scenes:

Yeah, told you.

Thanks for this, GPF! 

And Happy Thursday, friends!

videos via youtube 

INSTA-GRAB BAG

Some Instragram documenting as of late.

1/ fishtailin' and the last days of cold (which I was wrong about) 
2/ honey dijon pork chops with maple glazed carrots and roasted brussel sprouts 
3/ purple protein 
4/ spring brights 
5/ coconut flax seed chicken with jalapeño on a bed of field greens and sweet corn 
6/ evidently, kittens don't make good walking companions 
7/ nautical! (enough said) 
8/ enjoying the first of many warm spring days! 
9/ friday morning breakfast: coconut flour pancakes with butter and honey, plain yoghurt with mixed berries, and green tea with ginseng 
10/ new fave! peanut butter banana smoothie 
11/ tulips from a dear friend and last week's dinner guest, G (another G) 

Happy Tuesday!

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA

Attention peanut butter fans, you're gonna like this. It's one of (meaning, there's more to come) my favourite new morning shakes. It's healthy, filling, and best of all, it's delicious!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup low-fat plain yoghurt
1 tbsp. natural peanut butter
2 tbsp. ground flax seed
1 small banana
1 tbsp. agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener of your choice)
sprinkle of cinnamon

1. Place all ingredients in a blender. 

2. Blend until smooth. Pour over ice, and enjoy!

Now, how's that for a yummy breakfast-to-go!?

I'm not going crazy. The image above should be horizontal, but for whatever reason it uploaded this way (!).

EMERSON FRY

EmersonMade was featured in my first fashion-related blog post ever. And the talent behind the successful brand is back with a whole new line, Emerson Fry. From Ikat tunics for trips to the beach to structured shifts and breezy silk dresses, it's no secret--this stuff is darling.

Go have a look-see for yourself!


images via emerson fry

WEEKEND SALUTE

Happy first weekend of spring!

Here's the past week at Tomfoolery & Bright:

the perfect spring shoe
a deliciously healthy 'cream' pasta
Gwyneth's spring wish list, say no more
and the Men are back 

 
R is away on business for a week, so I'm flying solo for the next little while. I'm generally a very independent person and am totally fine on my own, so I'm not too concerned about getting bored or lonely (I've got social meetings already scheduled, and what's a cat for anyway?). So, what's on the calendar for the next several days? Ah, trips to the farmer's market, some much needed yoga, finishing up the spring cleaning (I did the majority of it last weekend), making this with my new food processor, and keeping busy with some much anticipated sewing projects for spring.

What do you have planned for the weekend?

images via los altos de eros, one more moore, use real butter, and pinterest

(MAD)NESS RETURNS

It's back. Mad Men returns to AMC this Sunday at 9/8c with a two-hour premiere, and I couldn't be more excited. In preparation for the premiere, I've totally been surfing the net for Mad Men party ideas! Okay, I won't be having a party--R's not even here, he's away on business--but a girl can imagine what a Mad Men party might entail, can't she? 

Oh boy, I'm definitely going to be one of those old women who has theme parties every month. 

What new or returning television series are you looking forward to most this season? 

image via google

GOOP STYLE

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow. She's like her own kind of super woman. On top of maintaining a successful career, she has two kids, a pretty-alright musician husband, she cooks, works out on a regular basis, runs a blog, and all while seeming chill and down to earth (as much as someone of her fame can). 

Okay yes, she probably has a lot of help along the way, but I still can't help but be impressed. 

These photos are from Gwyneth's blog GOOP (which if you've never checked out, go! Now! I was first introduced to GOOP by my good friend C and I'm hooked). With the help of Polyvore, Gwyneth pulled together her go-to looks for spring and I have to say, there's definitely a few looks I'll be trying this season! Hello, adorable jumpsuit and pull-on shorts with a cropped jacket? Her looks are casual, but fun and pulled together at the same time--and so she does it again! 

Oh, Gwyneth.

For the rest of GP's looks, go here.

images via goop 

CREAMY GARLIC PASTA WITH SHRIMP & VEGGIES

I do like a good pasta with cream sauce, but how about a recipe that you can enjoy guilt-free, not feel sluggish after eating, and in fact, feel good about?

This recipe for Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Veggies is a new favourite! And the secret ingredient? Not cream. Plain yoghurt! This dish really did surprise me. It was creamy with a hint of lemon and garlic, and packed full of veggies.  Oh, and it's so easy, you'll be making it over and over again.

Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Veggies
slightly adapted from Eating Well 

3 ounces brown rice spaghetti, or other pasta of your choice
6 ounces frozen shrimp, de-thawed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup low-fat plain yoghurt
1/8 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Add shrimp, asparagus, bell pepper and peas and cook until the pasta is tender and the shrimp are cooked, 2 to 4 minutes more. Drain well.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, yoghurt, parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add the pasta mixture and toss to coat. 

Makes 2 servings.

Try This: Having company or just want extra to store for the rest of the week? This is the perfect recipe to double!

THE ALL-STARS

My first choice of footwear this spring? A pair of practical sneakers (evidently, they go with everything).

Apologies for being so MIA lately...I've been a little busy. You can expect a lot more of this inconsistent blog posting from now until the end of April (I'm six weeks out from finishing my Masters! woop woop!). 

So, aside from feeling inspired by a pair of Converse this morning (actually), I'm also feeling inspired (motivated?) to get some work done on my thesis.  

Happy Monday! What's inspiring you today?

images via fashion salade, kirtsy, lookbook, sincerely, jules, and the sartorialist 

SPRINKLES ATM

This is what I call taking a brand to the next level. Sprinkles Cupcakes opened as the world's first cupcake bakery over seven years ago, and now look how far it's come! 

If you like cupcakes, convenience, and maybe technology (but even if you don't), you'll probably be as impressed as I was to see that Sprinkles has created their very own 24-hour cupcake ATM. Oh, baby.

Behind brightly coloured metal panels sit 600 freshly bake cupcakes, boxed and ready to be devoured by any lucky passer-bys. The dispenser in the video above is in Beverly Hills, CA, however, the company apparently has another 3 ATM locations in New York (uhh, time to make a trip, pronto!). If that's not enough, these machines will also soon be dispensing the Sprinkles' famed cupcake mixes, mini doggie cupcakes, and Sprinkles merchandise. Well uh, obviously, right?

Before you comment, saying that this idea is totally unnecessary (okay, it kind of is), let me remind you that it's cupcakes. And if I do remember correctly, a cupcake can put a smile on an otherwise sad face. 

(Or maybe that's just something I made up).

Om nom.

image and video via google and youtube

SPRING WOULD-LIKES

Okay, it's still kind of chilly outside, but I can't help but be excited for warm and sunny days. Here's what I'm currently craving for spring (old and new):

Dusting of the ol' white blazer for a pulled-together look; find similar here.

Shirt dresses like this cute pink number, and this and this.

We mustn't forget this season's trendy coloured denim (swoon).

What's a spring outfit without perfectly painted nails (in pretty pastels by Essie)?

And finally, a pair of cat's eye sunglasses like these or these!

What fashion pieces are you looking forward to most this spring?

images via blushing ambition, the coveteur, the glitter guide, and pinterest 

INSTA-NOW

Here are a few snapshots of some of my favourite (current) things.

1/ Valentine's love from R 2/ Saturday night Epsom salt bath times 3/ gluten-free pizza with spicy garlic sausage, roasted asparagus, caramelized onions, and fresh ricotta cheese (thank you, farmers market!) 4/ playing hide 'n' seek with the kitten 5/ my yummy gluten-free berry crumble, recipe to come. 

It's freezing out, but the sun is shining. 

And sometimes that's all a gal needs to put a smile on her face.

Happy Monday!

WEEKEND SALUTE

From Tomfoolery & Bright this past week:

recommending Bob's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
it's an Un-Granola Granola recipe
oh! hey, there March
confetti cake'd birthday wishes
and a few healthy alternatives

I've got a busy but hopefully productive & peaceful weekend ahead of me. And according to the weather, it's going to snow the entire time. Guess I'll be productive & peaceful at home in a comfy knit sweater.


Have a lovely first weekend of March, friends!


images via one kings lane, 77 mockingbirds, we heart it, and pinterest