These are a few (more!) of my favorite thiiings...

We did it!  We survived winter.  A cold, dark, snowy, stormy winter.  I don't believe that we've seen the absolute end of it but April is upon us and my sunroof is begging to be opened.

Enough with the naysaying though.  Let me share a few (of my favorite) thiiings that made those yucky March days just a little less yucky.




1.  Books
     Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
Although I'm typically not super into historical fiction, and certainly not Westerns, this book had me at hello.  I love the narration and all of the obstacles these brothers face on their way to California to finish a job for the Commodore.  A really good Canadian read that may even leave your heartstrings pulled a bit tighter.  You can find Sisters Brothers at your local bookstore or online at Indigo.



2. Health & Beauty
    Olay Complete with SPF 15
I'm not the type to be picky about the products or brands I use for skin care.  To be honest, when it comes to face creams, I usually just grab whatever is over $10 but under $20 and usually on sale.  Sticking to the 60-75mL size is great because they're easier to travel with and the jars fit nicely in my medicine cabinet.

What immediately drew me to the Olay all day moisture cream was the smell.  Since I can remember, I have loved the smell of sunscreen.  I can't get enough of it.  Not the coconuty ones either.  I want the straight up Coppertone Sport goodness.  It will take you right back to your childhood frolicking at the beach or wading in the public pool. It ran me around $15 at my neighbourhood Rexall.  Oh-                                                       it's also good at moisturizing.  Bonus!

3. Online/Social Media
    LinkedIn
I know what most of you are thinking and I thought it too.  I didn't get it!  I didn't understand what the benefits of being on LinkedIn could be.  It seemed like a whole lot of work and why would I want all that information about myself floating around in cyber world for just anyone to see?  Well, it turns out that LinkedIn has some great functions other than being a way to see if your ex is still a deadbeat or if your high school sweetheart is a wealthy CEO now.  Mine is not.

LinkedIn has groups and company pages you can join to enter into conversations about anything.  You can be linked to fellow alumni, those with common interests or skills as well as any type of field or community you would like to be a part of as a listener or contributor.

If it has been two years since you set up your account and have never typed "l-i-n..." into your Google search bar since, do yourself a favour.  Give LinkedIn onnnne more chance.  Perhaps this 2 min video will help.  

4. Food & Drink

    Cajun Blackened Salmon
No Favorite Thiiings list would be complete without a good recipe.  I love fish but I don't have much experience or confidence when it comes to cooking it.  I don't really know what flavours go with what fish or how to enhance a dish with anything other than salt & pepper.  Thank goodness for this recipe from Food.com!  It's a great way to spice up a salmon fillet but you can also use this seasoning on pretty much anything else.  I substituted some spices for some others and used all black pepper since I didn't have white in my cupboard.  I made a spinach salad on the side but you could also make rice or grilled veggies.  Try it tonight!  http://www.food.com/recipe/cajun-blackened-salmon-278329

What are some of your Favorite Thiiings?  Please leave a comment below or join the conversation @midtowndiaries #favoritethiiings.

I think Taylor Swift was at my 23rd Birthday... My Favorite Things about February and GRC Week 8: Baked Grapefruit

Well, it's Justin Bieber's birthday which can only mean one thing...  February is oooova!!!  I am welcoming March with open arms.  Not only do the winter months turn me into a total hermit but the past month has been stacked with appointments, wires, bandages and overall gloom.  I'm certainly looking forward to longer days, better weather and (hopefully!) far fewer doctors.

February wasn't all bad though as I got to spend some time some time in the kitchen, organize some finances (am I the only one who likes doing taxes?!) and catch up on some books and music.

Here are a few of my favoriiiiiiiiiite thiiiiiiiiings from the past few weeks:

Favorite pre-made food item:  Organic Creamy Butternut Squash Soup by Imagine

This soup is just souper (get it?!).  It comes in an easy-to-pour carton (kind of like a giant juice box)
and is yummy yummy yummy.  I found it a bit bland my first couple of tries but I now add curry powder, ground nutmeg, fresh ground pepper and cinnamon when the soup is starting to get hot and that does the trick.  Most of their soups are also dairy free, gluten free and kosher!  I've only been able to find this brand at Metro but I'm sure the company would be more than happy to tell you where else they sell.  This soup is really thick and would be delicious to use as a sauce for veggies or proteins.  

Favorite album:  Red by Taylor Swift

Don't judge!!  Taylor Swift is friggin' awesome.  I don't care if you think her Grammy speeches are annoying or if you're still mad about the whole John Mayer break up.  This girl can write one heck of a song.  I've been weeping over this new album for the past two weeks.  If you don't love her Top 40 songs, take a listen to some of her other tunes because she's such a great storyteller.  I wish T-Swift hadn't have been in elementary school when I was starting high school or else I would have learned so much from her precautionary tales and probably begged my parents to send me to an all girls' school if those would have existed where I'm from.

Some of my favorite non-Top 40 tracks- "22", "Treacherous" and the real on-the-floor-in-fetal-position-crying-my-eyes-out-flashbacks-to-my-23rd-birthday kicker "The Moment I Knew" which is found on the bonus disc 2.  

Favorite Cosmetics product:  Conceal FX Camouflage Concealer by Cover FX 

Wait... what?!  A cosmetics product?!  I know, I know.  I'm certainly no beauty expert and my typical make up routine consists of eye liner, mascara and some powder.  But that's only if I'm going to a public place where sweat pants are not appropriate (obviously the grocery store and McD's are places I do not wear make up).  I asked the advice of my lovely and talented esthetician friend, Kendra on how to cover up some scar action.  She recommended the Conceal FX and it's awesome.  It not only completely hides my scars but it helps with general redness and dark under-eye circles.  They sell the Cover FX line at Shopper's which is super convenient.  The worst part?  I had to buy Xtra Light.  I need a vacation...

Favorite (healthy) snack:  Baked Grapefruit (GRC Week #7)
When I saw a friend's Instagram pic of a baked grapefruit, I was intrigued.  I've had baked apples and dried fruit but had never considered heating up the oven and popping a citrus fruit inside.  I hadn't had grapefruit since I was a little kid so I decided to give it a go.  Initially, after a quick google search, I topped the grapefruit with honey and cinnamon before baking.  I didn't love the consistency of the honey on the finished product.  After consulting with my friend, she told me she uses brown sugar.  Ding ding ding.  We have a wiiiiinnnnner.  Sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon on this puppy. Put it in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes and you've got yourself a tasty, refreshing and healthy treat.




Do you have any recipes or favorite products that you want the rest of the world to know about?  Comment in the section below or tweet me @darbyvt.

A few of my favorite thiiiiiiings (and GRC Week 4)

Who says Oprah is the only one who can have a list of favorite things?  If "favorite things" has some sort of a copyright, please don't sue me Oprah or staff!!

Since the month is coming to a close, I wanted to share a few favorite things I've been smelling/using/eating/drinking/watching so that you can enjoy them too!

Favorite Candle:  Cinnamon Frosting by Bath & Body Works
Vanilla, cloves and buttermilk all melted together in a waxy ball of goodness.  I love love love BBW 3 wick candles as they last for so long and have really lovely scents that aren't too perfumey or over powering.

Cinnamon Frosting Candle by BBW

Favorite Shower Gel:  Sea Island Cotton by Bath & Body Works
I maaaaaayyyyyy have a total of 15 BBW shower gels in my linen closet right now.  I'm a wee bit particular with which scents correspond with which seasons.  One can't walk around smelling like a Japanese Cherry Blossom in October!!  For instance, I have one scent, Bali Mango, that I will only use during the summer and when I'm in the Caribbean for work or on vacation.  The gels are arranged by season in the closet.  The same is true for my 11 bottles of BBW hand soap.

Sea Island Cotton Shower Gel by BBW

I keep three scents in my shower at all times and I switch them out, whether they are empty or not, depending on the weather.  One is my going out gel which is always a scent I really love and don't want to use up too quickly.  The second is one I use if I have a a work event or some sort of social occasion and wanted to smell nice but not going-out-nice.  Then, the third, is more of an everyday just-around-the-house or got-back-from-the-gym soap that isn't anything too special but that I still really enjoy.  Sea Island Cotton is the perfect third soap because it smells like... well... soap!  It has a nice light scent and reminds me a bit of fresh clean laundry.  Mmmmmmm...

Favorite Tea:  Earl's Garden by David's Tea
If you like (or love) Earl Grey tea, you will like (or love) Earl's Garden.  I bought a bag for a friend one time and she loved it so she got me hooked on it.  I then got my mother hooked on it and I just recommended it to another friend this morning.  It has the coziness of Earl Grey but with hints of strawberries, raspberries and black currant.

Earl's Garden Tea by David's Tea

Favorite TV Personality:  Parker Schnabel from Gold Rush Alaska
Judge away but T and I spend our Sunday nights watching shows about gold mining.  Gold Rush Alaska followed by Bering Sea Gold followed by, our personal favorite, Jungle Gold.  Despite the fact that George and Scott on Jungle Gold are completely jacked badass hotties who run around Ghana putting armed men in chokeholds, Parker Schabel completely warms my heart.

Parker Schnabel from Gold Rush Alaska

He's this adorable teenage kid who works so hard to continue the gold mining legacy of his 93-year-old grandfather, John.  He's so sweet and I just love him.

Favorite Recipe:  No-Bake Energy Bites by Gimme Some Oven
You didn't think I'd end this without including my GRC Week 4 recipe did you?!  I never have difficulty finding good dinner ideas but I struggle with breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the week.  This little nuggets are great to have in the fridge to grab whenever you need a boost.  They took about 30 seconds to throw together and will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.  I used Banana Nut instant oatmeal by Quaker.

No-Bake Energy Bites by Gimme Some Oven

What are some of your favorite products and recipes?  Comment below or tweet me @darbyvt.