the best things in the world are free.

Now that school is back in full swing, life can get pretty hectic somedays. It's so hard to balance homework, real work and social events while still trying to maintain my sanity. On days when things get really out of control, I need to reflect on the simple, ordinary things that always put me at ease and make me smile. I'm a true believer, that it is often the littlest things that go the longest way.

Here are some of my favourite, simple things:

* turning the radio on just as my favorite song starts playing.
* eating an entire bag of movie theatre popcorn, before the movie even starts.
* finding the perfect pair of shoes, on sale.
* watching a thunderstorm from a covered patio.
* holding hands with someone I love.
* long telephone calls with friends that know you better than anyone.
* road trips with girlfriends, singing at the top of our lungs to songs that we know every word to.
* not coming home until 4 in the morning, and not caring that you have to get up early because you never wanted the night to end.
* dance parties in kitchen with my roommates.

classic kitchens.

Lately, I have been obsessed with houses. Maybe it is because of lack of any real living space in downtown Toronto, or because I am soon moving out of my beautiful townhouse and into a smaller condo, but whatever the reason, I simply cannot get enough of interior design and architecture blogs. I am particularly fond of desiretoinspire.net, which posts gorgeous photographs of different colorschemes, elegant rooms and beautiful homes that I could only dream of owning. I love the way this blog sets up storyboards to create inspiration for designing your own living quarters. I have to say though, that the one room I love most is the kitchen. I think it has something to do with the commaraderie of breaking bread with the ones you love, or the simple art of preparing delcious meals from scratch, but the kitchen is always the first place I look at when walking into a house for the very first time. I can't wait until the day that I own my own home, and can design a kitchen that functions exactly the way I would like it to. With lots of cupboard space, huge windows, convection ovens, and an island countertop for preparing family dinners. I want it to be a place where the whole family can gather and talk about their day. Where I can enjoy an after work glass of wine and unwind, while starting dinner. Where Christmas baking can be done, and dance parties can be had. A place where you can achieve the satisfaction of creating something from nothing. My mom always made home cooking a priority and I hope to someday have the space to do the same for my own family.

Here are a few of the kitchens that inspire me, with photos taken from desiretoinspire.net.

concrete jungle where dreams are made of.

(the Prada flagship store in SoHo. 3 stories of retail heaven).

("If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, well than I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name").

(The Plaza. I can't afford to stay there, but it reminds me of so many of my favorite movies).

(in front of Babycakes NYC bakery, my new favorite place in the whole world).

(cobblestone streets lined with pubs, perfect for mid-afternoon pick me ups).

I was lucky enough to spend a week in New York City at the end of August, and even after being back in Toronto for a couple of weeks I still cannot stop gushing about how truly alive and wonderful that city is. Every area, whether it be SoHo, Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, or the Lower East Side, has it's own little sense of community, it's own hidden gems, it own 'locals' that know all the great drinking haunts, the best shops, the most popular restaurants, and where to buy the best cupcake.
This having been my second visit, I was able to forego a lot of the typical tourist attractions, and focus more on experiencing the exciting nightlife the city has to offer. I loved spending days and nights, walking down cobblestone streets, buying jewelry from street vendors, exploring Central Park, and dining al fresco with only the sounds of the city as your soundtrack. It's also so amazing to walk around and see sights from your favorite movies and television shows in person. It really makes New York feel like the most magical place in the world.
The highlight for me was definitely Babycakes NYC bakery in the Lower East Side, where I ate vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free cupcakes, cornbread and cookies without feeling the guilt, or inevitable stomach ache that would accompany baked goods from anywhere else. And of course, seeing the real life Tiffany's that made Audrey Hepburn a star was enough to keep me smiling for days. It's true what they say about New York, dreams can really come true there. It's hard not to love that city, and it's even harder to leave.

savour the flavour.

Now that I'm back to school full-time, I have very little time to prepare healthy meals for myself, and it's safe to say that York offers very little in terms of vegan or gluten-free options. Thursdays are particularly busy days with commuting back and forth between home and school, and attending four different classes, at 2 different campuses so to make it easier on myself, I spent this afternoon baking savoury vegan scones that I can throw in my bag for an easily accessible snack. The cheddar is a gluten-free rice based cheese, which by itself isn't great, but when melted, tastes so similar to regular cheese that you would never know the difference unless I told you. Mixed with the fresh dill, the cheddar gives these scones a sharp, savoury flavour, perfect for complimenting the fall season. I love being able to save myself time and money, without having to sacrifice my health concerns, or ethical beliefs.

Vegan/Gluten-Free Cheddar Dill Scones:

2 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour
8 ounces (1 cup) vegan Rice cheddar flavoured cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold Earth Balance, vegan butter flavoured spread
1/2 cup Almond or Rice milk
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.

Heat oven to 400°F. Combine all ingredients except Earth Balance, almond milk and applesauce in medium bowl; cut in Earth Balance with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almond milk and applesauce just until moistened.

Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin tins, or onto a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

*I adapted this recipe from grouprecipes.com, to make it vegan. Substitute 3/4 cup butter for Earth Balance, 1/2 Half & Half for almond/rice milk, and 2 eggs for applesauce, if you would prefer them not to be vegan.