Love & my Favourite Five

Valentines Day is a'comin! And whether you're single or in a relationship, you should all enjoy this day! If your single, doesn't mean you aren't loved!! So, instead of sitting at home alone and depressed on this day, reach out to someone else who you think might be lonely. Then have a little party together! Try not to feel like our friend, Charlie Brown.

If you are one of the lucky ones in a relationship, enjoy it! Try not to get too caught up in the day that you get all stressed and freaked out! This day is about love and happiness. So, if you show it, it will most likely be reciprocated. You've got to show love if you want it in return. :) (After all, love is a verb).

Now on to the nitty gritty of today - my favourite five!! Woo!

Favourite Date Idea:

Make a homemade pizza together! Seriously, I'm a sucker for this. Bonus points if you make your own crust. Feel free to watch a movie (preferably Disney) and make a blanket fort together. This way you can avoid the rush of going out and the overpriced food.

Favourite Valentines Day Breakfast:

I swear I'm like a guy. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Maybe so. But I think the more correct phrase is that the way to Lauren's heart is through her stomach. We all know calories don't count on Valentines Day.

Favourite Quote:

Remember that now, okay?

Favourite Setting:

How lovely does this look?! I want to be friends with these people.

Favourite Painting:

Called Dance in the Country by Pierre Auguste Renior. I would love to look more into the detail of this painting, but even at the surface it is beautiful! A simple act of love - dancing - just makes me smile. These two just look precious.

Hope you have a lovely week, if you haven't already been! Love you all. 

xoxo,

Lo

Nutella Hot Cocoa!

Happy Tuesday my friends!!

So remember when I wrote up a bucket list for winter?! #5 was to make 5 different types of hot cocoa.

So naturally, I procrastinated.

Until this weekend! I finally went onto Pinterest and looked up homemade hot cocoa. I saw one Nutella flavoured, and my decision was made.

Its a super easy and quick recipe. You could probably even make it in the microwave, but I made it on the stove. Don't want to lose any of those nutrients by cooking it in the microwave, right??

SO! This is what you need to do! 

Get some milk, Nutella, and Vanilla. See! So easy!

You can use regular cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, or whatever you want. I'd like to think I'm being health conscious with this drink (Nutella has nuts = protein and almond milk = protein, right...?), but really the sugar content from the Nutella takes away any chance of being healthy. So, go with whichever milk you'd like. 

For ONE Serving:

1 cup Milk

2 tbsp Nutella 

1/2 tsp Vanilla (or more, if you like)

Set your saucepan on medium-low and add 1/4 cup of milk and Nutella. Whisk until combined. Then add the rest of the milk and heat to your preferred temperature.

Then you can have your hot cocoa as picture above, or go all out and have marshmallows and some whipped cream. Your choice. 

This was mine. Go big or go home, right?

*It's important to give yourself treats, so you don't make yourself crazy from withdrawals. 

Hope you're staying warm! Love you guys!

xoxo,

Lo

Favourite Five!

It's the New Year!!! 

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Can you believe it!? I can't. But, I'm excited to see what this year has in store! I'm excited to share with you today, my favourite five of the week!! Happy 2014!!

Favourite Kind:

This guy camped out in his city and set a goal of collecting 5000 lbs of food for the Food Bank! How great is that!? It's a great example of charity for the holiday season, and it makes me happy to hear about! You can read about it more here.

Favourite Funny:

Here's a list of realistic New Years Resolutions.

Favourite Resolution:

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I want to go to one new place each year.

Favourite Craft:

I love this idea where you write down memories throughout the year, and then on NYE, you open up the jar and read them all! How fun! 

Favourite Memories:

How cute is this idea?!

Have a Happy New Year!!

xoxo,

Lo

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas!!

Thanks for reading this! Since it is a holiday, I'm flattered that you're willing to sit and read this, when you should be hanging out with the fam! ;) Don't feel too bad, this one's a quickie. I usually post my favourite five things each Wednesday, but since today is Christmas (insert loud clapping and cheering here!!), I have just one favourite thing to share with you. 

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And that thing is Christmas!! Today's the day when we gather with our friends and family, wait in anticipation to open our presents, are eager to see others reactions to the gifts we gave them, and eat a delicious turkey! 

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But I'd like to quickly remind you of the true reason for Christmas. It's to celebrate Christ's birth - not only that, but His life and the example He set for us. Christ gave His life for each and every one of us and showed us how to live perfectly and show charity and love for others. This Christmas season, I challenge you to do at least one kind anonymous act for someone. It could be something as simple as doing the dishes after dinner (without being asked), so your mom - who worked ridiculously hard to make it - doesn't have to. You could also go visit someone lonely in the hospital. The possibilities are endless! Just do something to help another person. You could even just tell someone you love them and give them a hug. That is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Here's a great little video that you should watch! You'll love it.

So, enjoy your gifts and the time you spend with your family, but also remember to be kind and loving. Celebrate CHRISTmas!

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With love,

Lo

Try-It-Tuesday - Cookies on Cookies on Cookies!

Today I felt like some Christmas baking. I was searching on Pinterest and came across this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction! It sounded amazing, so I figured I had no choice but to make it. 

Take a look at her website. Seriously! How tasty does that look?!

So I turned on some Christmas music, put on my holiday apron, and got to work.

   Christmas from pascsylvester on 8tracks Radio.                           Christmas from softshinythings on 8tracks Radio.

I was intrigued by her secret ingredient in the dough. She uses cornstarch because it makes the cookies soft and chewy. Let me tell you, homegirl was not lying. These cookies are crazy good. And then you add cookie dough to the center. My goodness, I could've eaten so many. But these aren't even for me (#39 on my Bucket List), so I resisted. 

One really great thing about the cookie dough for the filling, is that it has no eggs in it, so you won't get an upset tummy. Who wants that around Christmas?! That's right, no one.

So here's what you'll need:

*Plus flour

For le Cookies:

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cornstarch (aka cornflour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar)

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips

For the Icing:

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 (60ml) cup milk or cream

1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips

Directions

For the Cookies: In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy.

 Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. Mix in egg and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. 

On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick. 

Add the chocolate chips and mix for about 5 seconds until evenly disbursed. I used 1/2 cup each of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and milk chocolate chipits. Personally I love the taste of milk chocolate.

 Cover dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (2+ hours preferred for thicker cookies) and up to 2 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I chilled mine for 2 hours.

For the Icing: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. 

Switch the mixer to medium speed and add the brown sugar. Beat until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. On low speed, add the vanilla, flour, and salt. 

Beat until everything is mixed; the dough will be thick and heavy*. 

* I was a little worried when the batter was supposed to be "thick and heavy", because I didn't think the photo on the right looked that way. But don't worry, it turns out great after adding the milk!

Add the milk and beat on low for 30 seconds to fairly mix it in. Then switch to high and beat for at least 2 minutes until combined and very creamy. 

See! Beauty!

Gently fold in chocolate chips. Set aside at room temperature until ready to use.

Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside. *Sally says that silicone mats are better, because the grippy surface prevents the cookies from spreading out too much! That's what I personally used, but parchment paper would still work. 

Once chilled, the dough will be slightly crumbly, but will come together if you work the dough with your hands as you roll into individual balls. Roll balls of dough, about 1 Tablespoon of dough each, into balls. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. They will look extremely soft when you remove them from the oven.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet. If the cookies are too puffy, try gently pressing down on them with the back of a spoon. They will slightly deflate as you let them cool. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely before sandwiching.

Sandwich dollops of cookie dough frosting between two cooled cookies, creating sandwiches.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Baked cookies (without frosting between them) freeze well - up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well - up to three months. The frosting can be made 1 day in advance - cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.

I had one and it was dannnng tasty! So if you feel like a sweet treat, give these babies a try! (And try not to eat the whole batch). They won't disappoint! :) 

Happy Tuesday!

Love,

Lo