Relief

I feel like I can finally take a deep breath for the first time in awhile; we found an apartment. We signed the lease yesterday. I'm so happy, it's in a great location for us and has a giant wrap around balcony I plan to fill with plants! Plants such as the strawberry one below. I don't know how successful I will be with this little one, if I get one strawberry it will be cause for celebration!

p.s. Happy Canada Day!

EDIT// Roberta Jane reminded me to talk about my nail polish and ring! My ring is by Gabriela Artigas and was purchased at Robber. Both nail polishes are Sephora by OPI the grey base is "Metro Chic" and the glitter is "Only Gold for Me" topcoat. I've been obsessed with that topcoat since Nomadic D. used it here.

 P.s. I'm so happy you loved the soup delivery!
It's $10 for one litre of soup in a cute jar delivered to the door.
follow @afoodgypsy on twitter if you're in Toronto and want some delicious soup.

Friday Favorites.

 

Reporting back re:soup delivery service. The asparagus and leek soup this week was delicious!
Next week is gazpacho with garlic scapes. More info on twitter @afoodgypsy

1. I love this croissant recipe and process.  I think a lot of cook books forget to give directions and descriptions of the process, but it is often so vital to great results. 

2.There's a Smithsonian app that helps users identify tree species by taking a picture of its leaves. Leafsnap. Useful on neighborhood strolls.
3. That's a Vamoose lemon chrysoprase bracelet on my wrist. It's so dainty and sweet.
4. Best idea ever. And a puppy.
5. One of my favorite apartments. Look at all that light!

Have a great weekend!

Magazines

Remedy Quarterly and Anthology are two new (to me) magazines I'm really enjoying. I ordered Remedy Quarterly Issue 4 from their website and picked up a copy of Anthology magazine from the Drake General Store, here in Toronto. They are both wonderful publications that I encourage you to get your hands on. Issue 5 of Remedy Quarterly is out now, but I'll have to wait until the Canada Post strike is over to order a copy.

 Trust me to pick out the article about dessert.

Baked Alaska would be perfect for a summer gathering.

 I loved Stephanie's article on the need for Happy Hour. Hear hear!

The third issue of Anthology is the Party issue, watch the cute promo video here. I was struck by the  interior of Emily Henson's 700 square foot home. I mean, look at that red chair with the gorgeous blanket draped over it.

Always my favorite, there is a cute feature on Herriott Grace with a buttermilk cake recipe I have to try.

Again, with the dessert

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Friday Favorites

 

1. I laughed so hard at Stephanie's description of swimming like a crocodile. I was a competitive swimmer when I younger, so her need to creatively pass the time while completing monotonous laps really resonated with me. I used to sing songs and talk under water to myself, I wonder if anyone heard me? This could also explain why my speed-swimming career did not go too far...

2. Kate's post "On folding your hands" made me stop to think. When I first met my boyfriend, he said my internet browsing style was too fast for him. I constantly tab links without stopping to read them. Instead, I shall have to practice folding my hands.

3.I'm really interested in reading Kinfolk Magazine when it launches in July. Nate Williams of HEARBLACK is the managing editor so it's guaranteed to be good.

4. This gorgeous "baking a cake" video.

5.I'm really looking forward stopping by The Arthur's new storefront on College Street here in Toronto. Their online shop is here.
6. I just found out about @afoodgypsy's Wednesday soup deliveries from Coriander Girl. I signed up for next week's asparagus and leek!
7. Navy. Shoes.Gold.
8. You have no idea how badly I want this fox hunt skirt.

Have a great weekend!

Lemon Macarons

Thank you so much to those of you who commented on my last post regarding your favorite bits of my little blog. I was extremely touched by your kindness and interest. Between all of you, the bits you enjoyed added up to nearly every kind of post I've written. A reminder that if I share what I love, you just might love it, too.

These lemon macarons were a small triumph. Once again, I used a recipe from Cannelle et Vanille, I really trust her. The recipe is actually for vanilla bean macarons, and here's the small triumph bit, but I was able to modified it ever so slightly to make lemon macarons.

Modifications:

• I skipped the egg white powder, because I didn't have any.
• No vanilla sugar, I used regular sugar instead.
• I added 2 tsp. lemon zest and yellow food coloring (which didn't mix completely, hence the orange streaks).
• After piping out all the macaron shells, I banged the cookie sheet on the counter a few times to make sure the air bubbles came to the surface. To me, this is the most important step in macaron baking.
• The filling is Swiss meringue buttercream with approximately 1/3 of a cup lemon curd. 

These took a good day in the kitchen and were so worth it.

Lemon-y goodness!

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