Blueberry Goat Cheese and Maple Salad Recipe

I had my parents for dinner last night and I was looking for a springlike first course.  I was in a low energy mood and didn't want to put in a lot of effort.  I checked the fridge and this is what I came up with.

It was really delicious and they loved it.

Blueberry Goat Cheese and Maple Salad Recipe

Mixed Greens - 6 cups or 1 bag of prepared greens washed
1/4 cup of sliced almonds (toasted if you are in the mood to do so) or pecans
1 cup of fresh strawberries sliced
Blueberry Goat Cheese sliced - I used blueberry crusted goat cheese by Presidents Choice, but you could use plain and add a cup of fresh blueberries.  

Combine the greens, strawberries and nuts.  Crumble Goat Cheese over salad greens.  Drizzle with dressing.

For dressing - 

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of pure maple sytup
2 tsp of dijon mustard

Blend all ingredients together with whisk.

Capsule Dressing - Update

I work part-time so I office time, plus 5 days a week home time.  Love my schedule but dressing is a challenge.  I am attempting to do the 333 challenge (only 33 items of clothing for three months) but having the dual lifestyle is making it a little difficult.  The good news it that I've gotten rid of four garbage bags of clothes I won't wear....donated them.  My closet at least now can breathe.  I have also created an excel sheet to track my items and see how often I wear an item, and whether it is for work, weekend or both.  I hope to understand how I dress better.  So far I have the following:

333 Wardrobe Pieces

1. Dark Jeans
2. Light Jeans
3. Cream Silk Pants
4. Pattern Blue Pants
5. Black Pants
6. Pink Pants
7. Navy Pants
8. Blue sleeveless top
9. Blue and Cream striped cardigan
10. Doggie Blouse
11. Pink Blouse
12. Black sleeveless Dress with netting
13. Silk patterned Dress
14. Black T-Shirt
15. Blue t-shirt
16. Beautiful t-shirt
17. Blue plain blouse
18. Coral plain blouse
19. Floral top
20. Blue Striped top
21. Anne Taylor floral top
22. Light Blue Jacket
23. Fuchsia Jacket
24. Black cardigan
25. Navy Jacket
26. White Short-sleeved blouse
27. Purple Dress
28. Long black sweater
29. Black and Red Dress
30. Grey Blazer
31. Hot Pink Sweater
32. Grey Cardigan
33. Navy Dress
34. Black Striped Jacket
35. Grey and White Cardigan

Okay, so I am two over.  It is still a work in progress.  Since I had not bought anything in so long, I did a recent shopping trip to Reitmans and Joe Fresh to kick start things.  Below are some early favorites:

#4 - Reitmans

#17 - Joe Fresh 

#10 - Reitmans

#20 - Blue Striped Top - Reitmans

Best Jeans Ever

Life has been so busy, that I have been neglectful about posting.  I am approaching my 50th birthday and we are heading to NYC to celebrate.  This trip to a style capital made me reevaluate my wardrobe.

I used to be quite trendy.  I was overweight about 10 years ago and then when turning 40 worked out until I lost 30 pounds  I became a size 4. Gradually over the next 10 years, it came back slowly.  I am trying to rid those nasty pounds but THIS time around it is much harder.  Slower metabolism I guess. Yoga pants became my way of life when not at work.

NYC planning made me want a wardrobe to match such a fab trip.  I started looking at travel fashion capsules and found 333 dressing which changed everything.  Check out the link:  Wardrobe redesign  So, what started as a travel capsule became my new desire to streamline my wardrobe.

First things first.  I needed to ditch the yoga pants.  But I love comfort.  I love softness.  I love how yoga pants don't feel restrictive.  And then.....at Reitman's I found the softest, most comfy jean ever. Just as comfortable as yoga pants but way more stylish.  Got two pairs and they are now part of my new 333 wardrobe.  I don't know how I ever lived without them!




http://www.reitmans.com/Skinny-Super-Soft-Jeans/735408,default,pd.html?dwvar_735408_color=Dark%20Denim&cgid=Denim&subcat=Denim_Pants_Skinny