Just A Tip: Tomato Paste

I never thought that I could ever be a girl that had a helpful hint to share from the kitchen but here we go.

There is nothing that drives me crazier than wastefulness in the kitchen so I try to use up every last scrap of food that I bring into my home. It's the reason for Sofi's identity crisis as a garborator.

Nothing drives me more mental that tomato paste.

Rarely do I come across a recipe that requires more than one or two tablespoons, and the rest of the can is a write off.

I actually looked into manufacturing tomato paste in a tube to solve this problem put apparently it has been done. If only they would sell it at Canadian Safeways.

So here is my solution, one that you might find useful.

First, use what you need for the recipe you are working on. Then, lay out several small sheets of plastic wrap and measure out one or two tablespoons of the leftover tomato paste onto each one.

 Wrap it up and toss into the freezer for the next time a recipe calls for some.

Waste free without forcing Sofi to eat four tablespoons of tomato paste.

That dog might turn out ok after all.

Shout Out: The Russian Edition

Здравствуйте!

Much to my delight when checking on my stats today, I realized that it is not just my parents and Jay and Gigi that have been reading Life Is A Lark. Unless they've taken a group holiday to Russia and left me out.

55 views from Russia. What??? Thanks Ruskis! (I really hope that name is not derogatory!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. And while I'm at it, thank you for a couple of other things.

First and foremost, vodka. When the red wine has run dry this is my reliable backup that helps me get through the toughest of times. Like when the red wine has run dry.

Russia is the native homeland of one of my favorite authors, Ayn Rand. If any of you have checked out Voracious Lu, you will understand my love for this woman's writing and my curiosity of her politics.

Many other great things come from Russia, Regina Spektor, Anna Kournicova, Chanel no. 5, the periodic table, and mail order brides.

But the best things that I can think of that are from Russia are you, dear readers.

Thank you for tuning in!

Pierrot Le Fou

Friday night has been one for the books.

Car chases. Love affairs. Murder. European coastlines.

And all from the comfort of my bed.

I watched Pierrot Le Fou by Jean-Lu Godard in an attempt to broaden my film knowledge and be able to say that not all of last ten movies I've watched starred Jennifer Aniston.

To be honest, I half expected to just listen to it in the background while I did crafts and cleaned my house.

That was before I realized that the movie is in French and I would have to pay close attention to the screen at all times. Or learn French.

So I chose the former. I didn't realize before this movie how bad I've gotten at focusing on one thing at a time, even movie watching. But after on ten minutes I had ceased to be my scattered, multitasking self and was completely enthralled.

It's the story of these two gorgeous lovers, one searching for meaning in life, the other searching for fun. Could it be that they were searching for the same thing?

Ferdinand is man who have just left his family to live a life less ordinary, hoping that it inspires him to become a great writer. His obsession with reading and writing made me feel like we had a connection strong enough for me to dismiss his adultery and murderous tendencies. And he is certainly not hard on the eyes.

Marianne is my newest favorite heroine, if you can even really call her that. I can. And I will because I admire her spontaneity, her ability to break into song at any moment, and her aloof sexiness.

I also admire her wardrobe choices.

By far one of the more inspiring films I've watched and one that will likely make every man I date from here on out seem like he's lacking a sense of adventure.

A sense of depth.

A sense of danger.

A sense of brilliance.

On the up side, the future men I date will also be lacking a kill shot like Ferdinand had, which leaves me alive and well to study my French textbooks, book a trip to Paris, and fall in love with a Ferdinand look a like.

I'll save that for next Friday night.

Beautiful People

Il - LOOM - inate

As a hard core Pinterest enthusiast, I recently went on a major DIY bracelet binge. Not actually making the bracelets, but searching out the most beautiful ones and pinning them to my new created bracelet board. Sometimes just pinning them to my board gives me the feeling of accomplishment.

Other times, I need to try it out for myself.

Times like when I see a masterpiece like this.

So off I pranced to pick up my newest obsession, my new bead loom.

Yes, I prance when I get new craft supplies.

A $10 bead loom is the cheapest and easiest way that I've found to feel like a professional accessories artist. There is a learning curve that takes about 30 minutes to get over but after that the possibilities are endless.

Here is the first one I hammered out.

These unique bracelets can spice up any outfit and make awesome gifts for friends and family.

 
So put on your prancing shoes, grab $10, and get yours today.

My Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard

Well, its not exactly a milkshake.

And my yard is not exactly crawling with boys.

But dairy products and creepy men have never sat well with me anyways.

What does sit well with me a power smoothie that get these engines revving first thing in the morning or on a sluggish afternoon.

Ultimate Energy Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 pear
1 huge handful of spinach
1.5 teaspoons of ginger
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Throw everything in the blender and let it rip. You may need to add water to get the consistency that you desire.

Voila.

This is my favorite health smoothie. Not only is it packed with protein, the cinnamon and ginger are metabolism boosters.

More muscle and less fat??

That's a combo that will definitely have some boys showing up in your yard ;)

For The Love Of Sofi

There are few things in life that I feel like you can really count on. Of course there is the death and the taxes, both of which I have evaded lately, but those are not so fun to talk about.

The one that warms my heart and makes me feel like I am loved is Sofi.

Before I had Sofi I was very anti-pet. I never understood the bond between a human and an animal that you had to feed, clean up after, and be responsible for.

The universe must have known that I needed a little furball in my life to brighten my days and love me unconditionally because through a strange sequence of events I had no choice but to love the little angel that showed up on my door step.

I can't imagine now what my life would be without her and I tear up everytime I think about it. She has softened me and made me realize the joy that comes with loving an animal.

Sofi is my angel.

Fascinate Me

Of all the British things that I love, the tea and crumpets, the royal family, the accents, and the awful teeth that make me feel good about my crooked smile, it's the fashion that really gets me going. With this past summer's royal wedding the spotlight shone on British style.

One item in particular caught my eye; the fascinator.

You can keep Hugh Grant and Buckingham Palace, just give me the damn fascinator!

Luckily I didn't have to search high and low to get my greedy little hands on one of these hot commodities. Nope, I just had to walk across the hall.

'Top of the morning to you Gigi!'

Gigi, among her many artistic gifts possesses a fascinator making talent that not many can top.

Somehow she is able to combine ribbons, pearls, flowers, and feathers and make them into the most beautiful hair pieces that I have ever seen.

The perfect accessory to add dimension to an outfit that is in need of a kick and one that will add a unique edge to your look.

Brides here in Calgary are going nuts over these beautiful gems and over the fact that Gigi is willing to customize them to match any wedding colors. This makes them a timeless piece for the bride and a thoughtful, elegant gift to the bridal party. She's even willing to work with Bridezillas. Ummm, which I'm sure you're not.

As a non-bride, I like to wear mine on my floppy hat. It makes me feel unique and I get stopped a lot by women (and one man) asking where I got my hat. Since I love getting attention at all times, this fascinator has become my new wingman.

There are several ways that you can hop aboard this fabulous fascinator train.

Gigi's website is here.

Gigi's Etsy page is here.

Gigi's Pinterest page is here.

I made that so easy for you to get your hands on these, its almost criminal.

So go forth and fascinate others with your personal style.

Cheerio!