nine years ago today

dubrovnik.croatia. 2009.

The boyfriend and I are celebrating nine years of quantum entanglement today.

Happy anniversary, Scotty! I adore you.

xoxo Dajana

summer solstice

I know the summer will pass happily away. - Marianne in Sense and Sensibility

Wasn't yesterday's summer solstice just splendid? I took a long walk in the river valley with my mama and managed to capture the sun shining in the most beautiful way.  I hope you had the opportunity to relish those extra rays of sunlight, too.

Here's to the official start of summer, friends! This occasion calls for a cocktail, right? (;

Dajana

p.s. I'm on Instagram now @allkindsoflovely. Come and find me! 

eat: father's day menu

  

The familja gathered at our place yesterday to celebrate Father's Day. We had such a great time - relaxing, laughing, and eating all kinds of deliciousness.

I tried out three new recipes (Maple Buttermilk Grilled Chicken, Grilled Balsamic Veg & Herbed Monkey Bread) and was ecstatic with the results. It made me happy to see everyone reaching for seconds and even, thirds.  I highly recommend each of these dishes for your next al fresco dining experience.

Here's to a fantastic (and tasty) week ahead!

Dajana

*****

Maple Buttermilk Grilled Chicken

Canadian Living, July 2012

Ingredients:

• 2 cups buttermilk (500 mL)
• 2 green onions, choppedgreen onio
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp pepper(2 mL)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (1 mL)
• 1/4 tsp crushed hot pepper flakes (1 mL)
• 20 small bone-in skin-on chicken pieces, (about 5-3/4 lb/2.5 kg) *I used drumsticks*
• 1/2 tsp salt(2 mL)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup(60 mL)

In large bowl, combine buttermilk, onions, garlic, pepper, cinnamon and hot pepper flakes. Add chicken, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Sprinkle with salt. Place on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning occasionally, until digital rapid-read thermometer inserted into thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), about 35 minutes.

Grill, brushing with maple syrup, until glossy and coated, about 5 minutes.

*****

Grilled Balsamic Veg
Canadian Living, July 2012

Ingredients:

• 3 large zucchinis, green and/or yellow (1-1/2 lb/675 g)
• 1 large red onionred onions
• 2 sweet peppers, orange and/or yellowsweet peppe
• 4 portobello mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (60 mL)

Balsamic Marinade:

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar (75 mL)
• 3 cloves garlic, grated or pressed
• 2 tsp liquid honey(10 mL)
• 1/4 tsp salt(1 mL)
• 1/4 tsp pepper(1 mL)
• 1/2 cup olive oil (125 mL)

Balsamic Marinade: In bowl, combine vinegar, garlic, honey, salt and pepper; slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.

Cut each zucchini in half crosswise; cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch (1 cm) thick slices. Place in large dish. Cut onion into 1/2-inch (1 cm) thick rounds; add to dish.

Core and seed sweet peppers; cut into large chunks and add to dish.

Remove stems and gills from mushrooms; cut caps into quarters and add to dish.

Pour marinade over vegetables; cover and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours, tossing occasionally.

Place vegetables on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, basting frequently with marinade, until tender, about 12 minutes.

Serve sprinkled with parsley.

*****

Herbed Monkey Bread
House and Home, April 2012

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
• 2 tsp herbs de Provence
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, minced
• 2 212-g cans of refrigerated country biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray or butter a 12-cup Bundt pan and set aside.

Combine melted butter and olive oil in a small bowl.

In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan, herbs de Provence and fresh herbs.

Separate biscuits and cut each in half. Roll each 1/2 biscuit into a ball. Dip each ball in the butter-oil mixture, then roll in the cheese-herb mixture. Place dough balls in pan - it's okay if some overlap.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto serving plate.

Enjoy!

sweet tweet

I was beyond excited and surprised when the lovely Heather (from Interior Groupie) told me that she had spied my tweet in the July issue of Canadian Living. So fun! I've often told my mom that one day I'd be a published author. (;

Happy Father's Day weekend, friends!

Dajana

welcome to edmonton, j.crew!

After much anticipation (mostly my own), J. Crew, the iconic American retailer, has finally arrived in our fair city. I don't think I've been *this* excited about a store opening since Anthropologie. And y'all know how much I love that place.

I was lucky enough (and super excited) to attend an exclusive preview of the new J. Crew store with my friends Ayesha and Christine yesterday. When we first walked in, we had to pause for a moment to take it all in. The store, which opened in West Edmonton Mall today, is a beautiful and bright space filled with pure Americana chic. You'll find classic, tailored styles in bright, punchy colours and gorgeous prints as well as a plethora of hotly hued accessories (belts, jewelry, handbags, scarves and even iPhone covers).

What impressed me most about J. Crew was the quality of the clothes and the amazing shoes; all of the gorgeous footwear is made in Italy. These shimmering sandals, in particular, were coveted by many of the ladies at last night's shindig, including me.

We had such a fun time trying things on, once we got over our initial giddiness. I'm happy to report that after much time in the dressing room, I emerged an official member of the Jackie cardigan and No. 2 pencil skirt club.  I was completely enamoured by these two classic items. As a curvy girl, it can be a challenge to find skirts that fit my derrière and small waist - J. Crew's version was unfailingly flattering and can easily be dressed up or down. It's a definite must try!





And I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there isn't a menswear section as previously thought, due to space limitations. I say give it a year or two and you'll get yours, fellas.

If you'd like to check out all of the pictures I took at the launch party (including the many dorky reasons why I will never be asked to model professionally), check out the slideshow below.



Happy shopping, friends!

Dajana