1) I prefer clean and simple shoes, put a buckle, tassel or chain on it and I’m shuddering in disgust. That’s where Shoes of Prey comes in, they let you just make what you want. Finally.

2)  This video is absolutely amazing. How strong is that?

3) I am not much of a beauty product gal but I’m always on the look out for that perfect lengthening mascara. It shouldn’t be a surprise that beauty guru Bobbi Brown has got this in the bag with her  Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening mascara.

4) I think we might spend some time recovering post-Coachella at the retro-inspired Ace Hotel. Pool, drinks and spa…that’s all I’m going to need.

5) Right now I’m on a press trip in Victoria for Dine Out, a showcase of the top restaurants and wineries around (I know, hard job, right?), if you’re interested you can follow my foodie adventures on Twitter @kels_m

Since it’s all still sinking in, I’ll just share a few things I’ve realized so far and these are much more self-reflective than I was expecting, I thought I would just be dead-tired.

One of the biggest things that I have realized is that I am an athlete. Not an athlete like say Serena Williams, but an athlete in the sense that I love a physical challenge and that expenditure of energy actually makes me feel extremely confident, self-assured and ready for any challenge.

I’m also feeling finally ok with being such a mish-mash of things. For the longest time I’ve wanted to say, “I’m ____ (fill in with appropriate term)” but I could never pick just one thing. I’m an editor, writer, fashion-lover, traveller, photographer, creator, digital geek, adventurer, thinker, goofball, runner, dancer (oh yeah) and lots more and this is just fine with me because I can be all of those things at the same time.

And, though I have always known this, I am surrounded by some seriously amazing people (online and off) who have come out in droves with words of encouragement, support and positive energy that has really affected me and reminded me we have a choice in how we look at things and that choice can make all the difference.

If you want to know more about the actual race, it was good, I finished in the time I wanted to and the first thing I thought after I crossed the finish line was, “When can I run another one?”

I’m participating in #febphotoaday on Instagram this month and a couple days ago the required image was “dinner”.  It happened to be the same night I managed to scrounge up the makings for one of my favourite meals: Chickpea and Pasta Soup. I posted the image up and a few people asked for the recipe so here it is. It’s pretty easy and, since the ingredients are so basic, you can definitely substitute here and there (if you don’t have thyme, crushed red pepper flakes give this soup a pretty solid kick!).

Chickpea and Pasta Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 16-ounce can of tomatoes, including juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced ( about 2 tsp)
• 2 cups cooked chickpeas (drained and rinsed if canned)
• 1/2 cup small pasta (elbow) cooked al dente
• Ground pepper
• 1/4 Parmesan cheese

How to:

1. In a large saucepan melt butter and cook the onion with thyme, stirring for 5 minutes
2. Add the tomatoes, their juice and the garlic, simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes
3. Add the broth and chickpeas, simmer the soup, stirring occasionally for another 15 minutes
4. Add the pasta and pepper, and cook soup until the pasta is warm. Think soup with extra stock or water.
5. Serve with Parmesan.

Bon Appetit!

I always have high hopes of just throwing on some heels and going, but then the reality of hoofing it around Vancouver sets in (I walk a lot in the city) and I end up in flats. Which is totally ok, I mean it was a rainy Saturday in Vancouver so it’s pretty impressive that I wasn’t wearing rainboots and a slicker.

* Notice the sweet welt on my finger, that is what happens when you leave your straightening iron on for ages and then proceed to lean on it. Word to the wise: don’t let your hair tools get to 400F and then forget to unplug them.

1) I actually cannot take credit for this first find, the hubby sent it to me thinking I would like it and boy, does that guy know me or what. Miss Moss lives up to her claim to “share rad things that are nice to look at” (see above). She also makes the meanest playlists around.

2)  Skinny laMinx is the label of designer and illustrator Heather Moore. Her adorably patterned fabrics, chic drawings, beautiful photography and all sorts of ingenious DIY projects will have you busting out the glue, scissors and tape. Time to get crafty.

3) I’m pretty sure I need to add one of these Tory Burch cuffs to my stack of bracelets.

4)  Kait over at Yuppie Love introduced me via Instagram to Society6, a group of independent artists selling their prints on t-shirts, hoodies, iPhone cases and skins. Best thing right now? Shipping is free worldwide till Sunday (guess who ordered a new iPhone case!).

5) Remodelista is a collective of talented interior designers that mix old and new, expensive and recycled to create lovely living spaces. If we owned a house, I’d be reno-ready with this stylish little site.

Happy Friday!