What I've Been Loving Quarterly

As many of you know, I used to do monthly favourites posts showing the products I was reaching for each month but I have been finding that a little too much.

I don't generally buy a lot of products and if I do, I save them for more in depth reviews so it was getting harder and harder to pick which products I was loving each month.

I have decided that I would now do favourites post 4 times a year (every 3 months). That way I will have more to show you.

Style Icon Saturdays By Meg: Featuring Emma Watson

Emma Watson is only 23, but she is very fashion forward. If I were to describe her style in a few words I would say it is: fresh, daring, and young. Although I wouldn't quite describe my personal style that way, I find that eyeing Emma's sharp clothing makes me more of a daredevil with my own fashion- it's always good to try new things!

Emma is a fashion risk taker with an eye for style. 

Photo Credit: Glamour

I absolutely adored her in this Custom Burberry gold dress paired with those high, high heels. This dress choice actually prompted me to buy a sequin-ny, purple dress in a similar vein for a New Years party; a dress I still bring out for special occasions.

Room - Book Review

I have wanted to read Room by Emma Donoghue since Cate and I's university Sociology professor first mentioned how wonderfully the novel showcased the sociological concepts we were learning: how our development and  perspectives are profoundly shaped by the sociological structures that govern our childhoods.

Room is the story of Jack, a five year old boy, and his mother who are imprisoned in an impenetrable shack. I found this book to be a powerful example of how people can adapt and survive even the most horrible of circumstances. Jack and his mother find joy in each other, something that gets them through the most terrible of times. It was an absorbing read that I just couldn't put down; I finished it in days flat.

In the Kitchen with Cate: Crispy Cheddar Chicken (Original Recipe By: Cents Less Deals)

Hello everyone,

It is Monday so time for another recipe post. Although next Monday will not be a recipe post because I am planning on doing another post that day.

I was over at the blog Cents Less Deals and I found this wonderful and delicious recipe from JB and it contained 2 of my favourite things: Chicken and Cheese. So I decided to share it with you all!

*Disclaimer: This recipe is not owned by me or was not created by me. This recipe is owned and created by JB at the fabulous blog www.centslessdeals.com and I am just recreating it. As always the original recipe ingredients and instructions can be found by clicking here.

Style Icon Saturdays By Cate: Featuring Rachel Bilson

If I had to describe my style in only a couple of words, those words would be "Preppy Casual". I am a jeans girl at heart. I live in a good pair of blue jeans and I am a firm believer in a good cardigan goes a long way.

I love comfortable clothes that I feel like I can do anything in. My style has definitely evolved throughout the years. I tend to dress better for my body shape now than I did before.

Since Meg started with such a beautiful and classic Style Icon Audrey Hepburn (check out her post here), I decided to start with a more current style inspiration.

Rachel Bilson embodies my favourite kind of style. I generally tend to admire those celebrities styles who I feel like I can actually emulate and would feel comfortable wearing the clothes they were and Rachel definitely has that kind of style.

Today I am going to show you some of my favourite looks that Rachel has rocked these past few years and why I love them!

She can pull off a Classic Black and White Outfit 

Image Courtesy of www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

This look is so simple. It is a classic white button down paired with black slacks and Rachel pulls it off so nicely and she adds nude wedges to make the look current. 

She can rock some serious Colour

Image Courtesy of www.fabsugar.com 

With Spring coming our way, colour is in and Rachel knows how to add pops of Colour to her wardrobe by pairing a blue top with yellow oh so high stilettos.  

Meg Reviews: Live Clean Night Moisturizer

I've been using this product for a little while now and I have to say I really like it.

It has a lovely fresh smell that is not overpowering at all. It feels very light on the skin, yet still does a good job making my skin feel soft and moisturized, even though the cream is not very thick at all. For my night creams I generally prefer a thicker cream, however, Live Clean is nice and rich. My usual is Nivea's Aqua Effect Nourishing Night Care, which is ultra moisturizing. For me, I want the cream to really get into my skin at night and moisturize the hell out of it.

In the Kitchen with Cate: Coconut Chicken with Apricot Sauce (Original Recipe by Seeded at the Table)

I am on a roll, for cooking at least. This week I am back with another cooking post. I am definitely feeling a lot better than last week and my stuffy nose is slowly but surely dissipating.

Today I am making, as the title above shows Coconut Chicken with Apricot Sauce which I found on the lovely Nikki's blog Seeded at the Table.

*Disclaimer: This recipe is not my own. I found this recipe on the blog www.seededatthetable.com and just recreated it. You can find the Original Recipe and Post by clicking here.

Add your Apricot Preserves (I could not find preserves so I used Jam instead) and Dijon Mustard to a bowl

Mix the Two Ingredients together and cover the bowl up with a piece of Saran Wrap and set in the Fridge to cool 

Style Icon Saturdays By Meg - Featuring Audrey Hepburn

If I was to describe my style it would have to be something like "casual elegance". I don't like to look overdressed or vastly underdressed. I don't like to be uncomfortable. But I do want to look put together and have charming little outfits. Although I dabble in trends, I try to stay true to myself and what I like, often choosing classic over all else.

One of my most beloved style icons was absolutely adept at casual elegance: the lovely Audrey Hepburn. Although she could also dress with the best of them, looking fancy at award shows or in her films, she was always tasteful and understated. In her off-time Audrey perfected her casual, but still classic look. She is my reminder that a simple, but put together style is much better than an overworked and trendy one.

I have loved Audrey Hepburn for as long as I can remember and not in the I-like-to-gush-about-her-but-I-couldn't-name-any-of-her-movies kind of way. No, I have seen every movie of hers that I could get my hands on (Roman Holiday is my fave, or perhaps Funny Face or Sabrina) and read countless books (Check out An Elegant Spirit by her son Sean Hepburn or Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo).

I have learned so much from Audrey Hepburn, not just about style, but about living life gracefully.

She taught me how essential a little black dress is.

Image courtesy of Dead Curious

Image courtesy of Yummi Style

Meg Reads: Wild - Book Review

WILD: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is the powerfully honest memoir of a women who chooses, rather impulsively, to hike the Pacific Crest Trail; a challenging 2,650 mile trail that goes from Mexico to Canada. Wild is the story of a hike that, despite the incredible scenery, was not always pretty. Through the sweat, tears, scars, freezing snow and scorching heat, Cheryl hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in the shadow of her past: her mother's death, her marriage ending, and her family breaking apart. As she walks, she finds meaning in along the way, ending her journey a stronger person with a clearer vision of who she is and where she's going.

This was a novel I had been looking forward to reading for a long time. The first time I heard about it I was drawn to it, I think in part because it reminded me of Elizabeth Gilbert's similar journey of self-discovery in Eat, Pray, Love. Although they both have a similar feeling, they are vastly different books. As I started Wild, I was a little bit unsure about it; afraid that my high expectations would leave me disappointed. I have to say I very much enjoyed her story and her honest, raw way of telling it.

In The Kitchen With Cate: Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps (Original Recipe by Damn Delicious)

So I am feeling a bit better, still have a bit of a stuffy nose. I am going on 7 weeks sick which has not been fun but I am glad that I am starting to feel better because I can get back to cooking posts.

Today I am making Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps which I found on the blog Damn Delicious. These are super easy to make and very tasty.

*Disclaimer: This recipe is not my own. I found this recipe on the website www.damndelicious.net and just recreated it. You can find the original recipe by clicking here.

Some of the main ingredients. For all ingredient and measurements, see original recipe here.

Cleanser Spotlight: Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub

It is time we featured another cleanser up in here.

My cleanser obsession still holds true. If you follow us on twitter you will know that I planned on not buying anymore cleansers for a while but I did break that promise, oh well...

Today we are going to take a closer look at the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. 

Product Info: This is a very readily available, easy to find cleanser that will only run you around $10-$12.

10 Things to Do in Vegas If You're Not a Party Person

I'm back from Vegas now so I wanted to update you on my favourite parts of the trip. I'm not a party or club type of person, so for those of you who'd rather avoid Vegas for that reason, I wanted to let you know that there is more to see and do beyond drinking and gambling. Here's my top 10:

1. Walk the Strip and See the Sights

There is so much to do and see just walking down the strip. Please pack good runners if you plan to do this as well, I've heard horror stories.

2. The Bellagio Fountains

Just walking by the water without the fountains going is beautiful, but it's truly spectacular to see it in all it's glory.

Oscar 2014 Fashion: Cate and Meg's Top Picks

Now we love the Oscars here, partly because we are giant movie buffs but also because like many gals out there, we adore the red carpet.

The glitz, the glam, and all those designer dresses. We love to ogle them. Probably because we could never afford them but hey a girl can dream right?

Meg had this awesome idea for both of us to showcase our top 5 Red Carpet Looks for this years Academy Awards and I fell in love with the idea.

So here are our top 5 picks...

MEG'S PICKS

Kerry Washington in Jason Wu

Images Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Cate must have been absolutely torn between her love of  Olivia Wilde and her love of Kerry Washington... however, I think Kerry won out on this one! Her lilac purple draped gown with a deep slit looked ethreal on her, especially paired with her wavy hair and dark lip. Now this is how you dress for the Oscars when your pregnant: take note Drew Barrymore!

Emma Watson in Vera Wang

Images Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

One of my absolute favourites of the night! Emma Watson was stunning in this elegant, metallic gown. She always looks so classy, yet modern. Although I adored her silver clutch, I wish she had a bright red clutch instead! Guess I'll have to settle for her red lip.

The Birth House - Book Review

The Birth House by Ami McKay is set in the years surrounding the First World War in a small Nova Scotian town called Scots Bay. It follows the life of Dora Rare, a rare child indeed: the first girl in 5 generations of Rare boys.  Dora is one of a kind: born with a cowl of her eyes, she is set apart as soon as she makes an appearance in the world. It isn't much of a surprise to the reader that she sets off on a different path by taking up with Miss B, the Acadian midwife-healer who is considered odd, even witchy, by the town, but who is there for support when people are birthing or in precarious situations. Set in a time where the world is changing: the war, influenza, the advent of more modern medicine and electricity coming to rural towns, there is a sense of fear of the unknown throughout the novel. When Dr. Gilbert Thomas comes to Scots Bay spouting the words "clean, modern medicine," and claiming to bring the women safer and pain-free births, many think he has all of the answers... Dora Rare isn't one of them, but she, Miss B, and the Occasional Knitter's Society are up for a spirited fight: natural and traditional remedies and ways of being versus modern, scientific medicine.