Monday funday! Except not really, because there's a massive heat wave going on Edmonton. So much that the power generators cannot keep up with the demand to run A/C so that there are rolling blackouts going through the city in order to keep power running. And those blackouts are including traffic lights so that rush hour traffic right now is an absolute gong show, because drivers here are outrageous and impatient. I'm sure those of you that are used to living in scorching temperatures are laughing at my city right now.

Did anyone go see The Amazing Spider-Man last week when it opened? I keep hearing mixed reviews.. some say it's absolutely terrible, while others say they enjoyed it and would see it again! OPI recently released a collection of polishes to coincide with the release of the new Spiderman movie, and I picked up some of the polishes to share with you!


I was initially really hesitant to pick up Just Spotted the Lizard. Why? Cause I hate frosty finish, duochrome polishes. I absolutely hate seeing brush strokes, which is why creme polishes are my ultimate go-to.

However, this golden green and teal blue duochrome polish is so pretty. At one angle, the polish will appear to be golden green, and at another, it will flash that beautiful teal-blue-green combination.


It's been said and shown that Just Spotted the Lizard is an exact match to the coveted Chanel Peridot polish. The OPI version is a much cheaper alternative ($10 versus $35), and wears very well - I had no chips for up to 5 days. Although a bit brush-stroke prone (it's the nature of the finish), the formula was great and very easy to work with. Fully opaque in two coats, and quick drying - this one is a keeper for me!

Heat waaaave. It's so hot here in Edmonton for the next five days.. I want to hide in my air conditioned house, but I also want to be outside to enjoy the sun. Decisions, decisions...

Let me just put this out there: I am OBSESSED with quinoa. Seriously. I can search hours on end for ideas as to what I can do with this stuff! I love that it's so healthy, and that a small amount will cook and double in size! Basically I've been eating it nonstop lately.. So I made this cold salad last week, and it's perfect to eat on hot summer days. It's healthy, and so easy to whip up. Enjoy!

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Vietnamese Style Quinoa Salad with Shrimp
Ingredients for the Salad
1/2 pound of shrimp, deveined & cooked
1 cup quinoa
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 long english cucumber, finely diced
2 green onions, finely chopped

Ingredients for the Dressing
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Vietnamese fish sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (more if you desire!)
2-3 large leaves of basil, chopped



Directions
1. Cook quinoa according to directions on packaging. Typically 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water, simmer 15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Set aside and allow to cool.

2. For the dressing, combine lime juice, fish sauce, oil, sugar, basil & Sriracha in a bowl.

3. Set aside 2 or 3 shrimp for garnish. Take the remaining shrimp and chop into bite sized pieces, then place in the dressing and allow to marinate for 5-10 minutes.

4. Once the quinoa is cool, add the cucumber, green onion and carrots, then mix everything with the shrimp and dressing. Adjust the taste if necessary. Garnish with reserved shrimp and the salad is ready to serve, but I prefer to pop it into the fridge for about an hour to cool it down. Enjoy!


Recipe inspired by Serious Eats

Happy Monday! To all my fellow Canadians - hope you had a wonderful Canada Day! For the Americans - the 4th of July is just around the corner.. so your extra vacation day is coming up! One of these days I need to experience it in the States for myself!

Today I have the colour that the Essie Spring collection is named after... Navigate Her. When I think of navigation, I think of blue.. but I guess Essie thinks otherwise, as this colour is a pastel green creme!


Unlike the usual mint greens that we've been seeing for the season, this one has much more yellow in it, making me think of algae. Maybe that's the connection to the sea and navigation.. hah!


Formula is fantastic to work with and application was a breeze. At two coats, this polish is opaque, but doesn't have the best staying power out there. After three days I began to see chips, and had full on chunks of colour missing by the fourth day. Booo! You might notice that my pinky finger has taken a vacation this week.. there was a major accident, and hopefully it will recover enough to reappear next week ;)