Spring Baking // Coconut Pineapple Carrot Cake

I was going to make a post about my recent diet and lifestyle changes and how amazing I've been feeling lately, then this cake happened.

I was so happy when I got a request in my 'Sunday Photo Diary' post comments to do a recipe for this cake; however, because I didn't initially plan on making this post, I didn't take step-by-step photos.  Not to fear, this cake is simple enough even for me to make and that's saying something.

For the cake itself, you'll need:

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 nutmeg
• 2 cups grated raw carrots
• 1 cup drained crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• Optional: 1/2 cup of raisins and 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts (We omitted the raisins and added 1/2 cup of pecans; you can also use walnuts)

*Taken from The Canadian Living Cookbook (1987)*

For the cream cheese icing you'll need:

• 1/2 cup room temperature butter
• 4 oz cream cheese (we used reduced fat cream cheese)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups (approx.) sifted icing sugar

*This is my mom's version of cream cheese icing; I prefer this one because it doesn't call for as much butter and cream cheese yet still tastes amazing*

Pan Preparation

• We greased and floured two round 9-inch cake pans and preheated the oven to 350 F

Cake Preparation

• Start by beating the eggs well in a large bowl.  Then gradually add sugars, beating until light.
• Gradually beat in oil.
• In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Then, stir this into the egg mixture.
• Stir in grated carrots, raisins and nuts (if you're using them).  I used a 4-sided cheese grater to grate the carrots.
• Add the crushed pineapple (we took chunks of pineapple and crushed them with a food processor) and flaked coconut (we used sweetened flakes).
• Poor into pans, bake for 35-40 minutes; To test if it's ready, lightly press your finger in the middle.  If the cake springs back up, you should be good to go!
• Let the cakes cool in the pan before gently transferring them to a rack.  Warning: Our cakes were a little crumbly when turning them out from the pans.  Eat whatever crumbly bits fall and pretend you're checking for poison or something.  (Delicious, right??)

Icing Preparation

• With a hand mixer or blender, cream the butter.
• Add the cream cheese and vanilla, mixing until well-blended.
• Gradually beat in icing sugar until the consistency is smooth and spreadable.

And you're done!  What did I tell you, super easy.  If you're like me and trying to watch what you eat as summer approaches, technically this has fruits and vegetables.  It's like a baked fruit salad...right?

Please let me know if you give this recipe a try and what you thought of it, I love feedback!

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoy your cake!

xo

Sunday Photo Diary

I had the loveliest, most relaxing day on Sunday.  It was my mother's birthday so I came home to spend some time with her and we ended up baking and picking fresh flowers from the gardens.  It rained all day and the rain drops made the flowers look even more vibrant and beautiful.  Because of this, I got a little camera happy and I thought I'd share my perfect Sunday with you.

So many delicious desserts to choose from!  However, my mom loves carrot cake so we decided to make a Carrot Cake with Pineapple and Coconut.  

Fresh out of the oven! This cake made the house smell absolutely delicious, like a sugar and spice heaven, *drool*.

Toula hasn't had her hair cut in a while and she looked like a little sheep dog!  When she looks like this we prefer to call her "Ralph".

The lilacs in my mother's garden smelled so beautiful that we picked a couple of bunches to put in a vase.

Thanks to the spring rain, the other flowers were just as lovely and some still had yet to bloom.

We also have Meyer Lemons and Calamondin Oranges growing at the house.  The lemons are delicious but the tiny oranges are quite bitter.  So cute!

We picked up a few groceries and I found the Earl Grey Tea motherload... This bag comes with a hundred tea bags.  Fetch the adorable cups and saucers posthaste.

On my nails is Essie's Van D'Go, the most perfect peachy-pink for spring.

My favorite spring snack, a bowl of fresh berries and a cuppa tea.

Here's the finished cake with homemade cream cheese icing!  It was absolutely delicious with the coconut and the pineapple; Plus, everyone knows second-day cake is scrumptious.

I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to my beautiful mother; she's always so supportive and she's the coolest woman I know.  A long-time Vogue peruser, her beauty and style advice is always on point.  She is the reason I still have ample amounts of eyebrow hairs and for this, I will forever be grateful.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and thank you for reading!

xo

my interview essentials

Graduation means job hunting and I'd almost forgotten how much I hate it.  Not to mention that the stress that comes along with heated questioning is enough to make anyone nervous.  I do however, have a few key pieces that help boost my confidence.

When applying for jobs and attending interviews, I always like to make sure my nails and hands are pristine.  You can tell quite bit about a woman (and a man) by the state of their nails and shaking hands is practically mandatory.  I like to keep it simple with a sheer, white polish and a glossy topcoat.  This way, if you get a chip or two as the busy week progresses, it's easy to touch up.  This particular polish is from Kiko.

As for makeup, I also tend to aim for clean and simple.  If you've been waiting weeks to test out that new fuchsia lipstick, today is not that day.  Unless you're applying for a position in the beauty industry, try keeping it simple with a "your-lips-but-better" color or something sheer.  I always reach for my Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Candeur.

Scent is extremely important, especially now that the weather is heating up.  Nervous means sweat and apparently, "stress sweat" smells worse than the regular kind.  Perfect.  When deciding on a perfume to wear, pick something on the sophisticated side.  If it's a perfume that you would also wear to a nightclub, put it down and step away.  I like to wear a scent that is slightly floral with a hint of woodsy musk, such as Jo Malone's Dark Amber and Ginger Lily.  Spritz it on your neck and in the crooks of your arms but remember, you don't want anyone to smell you before they see you.

For my bag, I tend to ditch my bulky black leather bag that moonlights as a carry-on and instead I grab my oversized "business" clutch from Lodis.  It's big enough to fit extra resumes and small enough so that I'm not fumbling at all with it.  It fits the basics and makes my outfit look clean and put-together.

If you can't wear flats, wear a shoe you can actually walk in, like a kitten heel.  Make sure your shoes are scuff-free and clean and practice walking in them before you head out.  Do not take an interview day as an opportunity to break in new heels.  These BCBG heels were a steal from TJ Maxx.

Remember, just be yourself and try your best (or so everyone tells me).  If you don't get the job, it's not the end of the world.  Don't be afraid to ask questions and just relax.

Good luck!

xo

DIY // Homemade Honey Face Mask

Happy Sunday Everyone! 

Today I thought I'd share with you my favorite homemade face mask recipe.  It takes only 4 ingredients and it's extremely beneficial for your skin.

All you'll need is honey, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg.  You really don't need much of any of these ingredients if you're just making a mask for yourself.  In the above photo, I was making enough for both my mom and I as a sort of Mother's Day wind-down.

Start with the honey and add a little nutmeg and a little cinnamon.  Honey has excellent anti-bacterial qualities and anti-microbial qualities, as does cinnamon; when mixed together they make the ultimate acne fighter.  Also, both honey and nutmeg can help reduce the appearance of acne scars over time.

You barely need to add any milk, just a few drops to make the mask more spreadable.  The milk helps soothe and nourish your skin by hydrating and lightly exfoliating.

Caution: If you have sensitive skin, be careful how much cinnamon you add to your mask.  Your skin might sting when you first apply the mask due to the cinnamon.

Once I've mixed my ingredients, I let the mixture sit and thicken slightly for a few minutes while I wash my face with a mild cleanser. 

Because I don't have any exact measurements, my mask always differs slightly in consistency.

Once I've washed my face I like to apply the mask gently.  The cinnamon and the nutmeg will feel like exfoliating beads on your face.  I use this mask to exfoliate as I remove it, not as I apply it.

When applying the mask, leave the area around your eyes clear; the skin around your eyes is very thin and sensitive and the cinnamon might irritate it.

Because this mask has honey in it, I tend to leave it on for longer than my store-bought masks.  I'll leave it on for 20+ minutes and I usually do it on a day where I know I don't have to go anywhere.  The cinnamon leaves my skin a tad red sometimes so I recommend trying 10 minutes for your first time using it.

Now it's time to hang out, read a magazine, light a candle and have some you time.

Hand Lotion: L'Occitane; Candle: Joe Malone Blackberry and Bay

When removing the mask, work it gently in circles on your chin and areas you normally exfoliate.  You might need to use a soft, wet washcloth to get it all off but be warned, the cinnamon will stain the washcloth if you just leave it so be sure to thoroughly rinse the cloth after you use it.

Afterward I like to apply toner, moisturizer and a little coconut oil to my dry patches and lips for extra hydration.

If you've made too much mask, stick it in the fridge and use it as a spot treatment.  I'll often use a dab of honey and cinnamon as a spot treatment and leave it on overnight.  My favorite time to use this mask is right before that pesky time of the month and it either halts my breakouts completely or makes them much less noticeable.

This is a great way to pamper yourself at home and on a budget!

Let me know if you try it out and happy sunday!

xo

My Latest Addition

Hey guys!

So I thought I'd show you my latest tattoos now that they're all healed.

I got the letter T on my right wrist in January as a birthday gift and the rose was a graduation gift from Tristan (what a guy).  I had them both done at Adrenaline Tattoos in Vancouver and I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out.

For the rose I wanted it to be done with no outline and look very soft and realistic as if it were a painting.  I also wanted a few rose leaves so the artist made them fit to the natural curve of my forearm and made it look as though they were softly out of focus.

The rose took about two hours and the pain wasn't bad at all, more like a scratchy massage.  I've considered doing a tattoo video but my tattoos are quite personal and I wouldn't explain the reasons behind them; I would just discuss their style, pain level, when I got them, etc.  Still debating on that one...

I also don't believe that tattoos necessarily have to have a deep, personal meaning behind them.  For me, tattoos are art and I wear mine as such.

I've already started thinking about my next few so perhaps I'll do a video after I get another one or two, let me know if that's something you would like to see!

Also, my tattoos were featured on the Tattoologist website today!  I frequent the site a lot and it's so nice to see them posted and share them with others.

Hope you're all having an awesome Friday, thanks for reading!

xo

Haul // Topshop & American Apparel

Hey readers!

I thought I'd share with you guys the few things I've gotten from Topshop recently as well as my one purchase from American Apparel.

Because of my intense dislike for hot weather, my purchases are mostly hybrid pieces that can be worn in either winter or spring when paired with the right layers.

On another note, sometimes I shop in the Men's section at Topshop.  I'm not the type of person to draw a line between clothes "meant" for women and clothes "meant" for men.  I also have a strong obsession with anything plaid and for years I've been searching for the perfect red plaid shirt.  The ones in the women's section are always "boyfriend fit" and fit me like a tent, not flattering.

I was stopped in my tracks in the men's section of Topshop when I laid my eyes on the most beautiful red plaid shirt I've ever seen.  Red with a hint of green and yellow, fits all my "personal plaid requirements" and guess what?  It was slim fit and incredibly flattering.  My brother picked up the same one...

In the warmer months, I tend to bring plaid shirts out in the evenings instead of cardigans and/or tie them around my waist.  The toque is also from the men's section and I just loved the color.

T-shirt, toque (men's), socks and crop top all from Topshop.  This post does nothing but solidify my love for basics.  Also, this is the softest t-shirt I've ever worn.

Plaid shirt (men's), hat and shoes all from Topshop as well.  See what I mean?? Perfect...

WARNING: DO NOT break these shoes in on a day you'll be walking around for hours.  They're adorable but my feet are still paying the price.

I grabbed this phone case on my way to the register; my relationship with "pre-cash" goodies is a love/hate type of deal.

This top was from American Apparel and it too is a contender for the softest shirt I've ever worn.  It's a 'one-size fits all' and though it looks like a crop top, it doesn't show any of my stomach and the sleeves are super baggy.  I'll be wearing this all year, guaranteed.

I also snapped a few pictures of some of these puppies in action.

Coat: Zara

Bag: Coccinelle, Italy

Ring: Pandora

Jeggings: American Eagle

Lips: Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paolo

Thanks for reading!  Send me links to your spring hauls, I'd love to see them.

My next post will be a little different ;)

xo/

The Only Drugstore Blushes You Need This Spring

Left: Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink #01; Right: Milani Baked Blush in Delizioso Pink #10.

Recently, I've grudgingly swapped quite a few of my winter beauty staples for more Spring appropriate tones.  If you're a seasoned veteran in the world of beauty blogging and Youtube, chances are you've seen more than your fair share of the fan favorite Milani Baked Blush in the shade Luminoso.  Unfortunately, not all of us suit the light peachy pink sheen Luminoso has to offer.  I for one, am way too pale to pull it off.

Fret not!  Milani has several alternatives that are just as gorgeous, including some newer shades.
The first is Dolce Pink (#01) pictured on the left above.  At first glance, it looks alarmingly shimmery but once you apply it, it gives your cheeks the healthiest looking glow.  It's also the perfect universal blush color and is an excellent alternative for those of you who were just as bummed out when they saw the price of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes (you're not alone...).  The pigmentation and quality are great for the price and this blush will definitely carry me through the summer and into the fall.

The second option is one of Milani's newer shades called Delizioso Pink (#10).  This matte blush is hot pink and the color is just as startling as the first one.  When I first applied this, I was just as surprised at how much I loved it.  Even though it's matte, it gives your cheeks amazing dimension and the color can be built up for a little nighttime oomph of drama.  As someone who is too pale to even contour my cheeks without looking muddy, this is a great way to achieve standout cheekbones.  I like to apply both of these with my Real Techniques Blush Brush, starting with a little bit and building it up while blending upward.

In the picture, I'm wearing a little bit of Delizioso Pink, what do you guys think?

Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned for my next post which will be a Spring Topshop haul and don't forget the blog's domain change!

xx.

My weekend via iphone // Announcement!

Hello to all!

I hope you've all had as good a weekend as I have.  I didn't bring my camera downtown with me this weekend so I thought I'd show you my weekend via iPhone.  

But first, if you haven't already noticed, I made a few changes to my blog layout that I've been wanting to make for quite some time and I'm so pleased with the way they turned out!  I'm one of those people who needs frequent change, and a few subtle adjustments here and there really helped things out.

My *announcement* is that I'm changing the name of my blog.  Yes, I am aware that when you are a blogger, consistency is key; but I can't help that I've grown sick of the name I chose a year ago and as I've mentioned before, it's hard to produce good material for a blog that you're not happy with.

After much deliberation (over a month's worth), I've decided to go plain and simple with my new title and chose my own name for a few reasons.  First, I won't get sick of it; second, I won't get sick of it.  

My blog's address will be changing this week!  If you follow me via Bloglovin or via e-mail, nothing should change for you.  If however, you're someone who actually types my domain into the navigation bar (bless your soul), my new blog site will be changing to www.jessiecardella.blogspot.com sometime within the next week as I'd like to give people a few days chance to read this post.

I hope you all understand, let me know what you think of the new look!

And now, onto my weekend...

1.  Thought I'd start my weekend off with a selfie before heading out Friday night for drinks.  I put false lashes on, I wasn't not going to take a picture.  2. Saturday was gorgeous and rainy in downtown Vancouver and these apartments just looked so perfect.  3. Saturday afternoon, Tristan and I stumbled across a hidden gem of a bakery we'd never been to before.  4. T got a fresh eclair and I got a piece of red velvet cake with a delicious hot cocoa, they were both unreal.  I also picked up something small at American Apparel, stay tuned for peek!

5. When we got home I made some tea and spent a lot of time brainstorming the new blog layout.  

6. Sunday, T helped me with my new banner because he's a photoshop wizard and I love the way it turned out!

7.  Nothing like a bit of Sunday evening editing with a snack.  The new layout is now up and complete (for now!)

Thanks for reading xx.

spring errands

Yesterday was spent running errands and doing a fair amount of walking, which was probably not the smartest thing to do post-workout.

In need of a respite, I decided to go out of my way to visit Glory Juice Co. and I was not let down.  I've never tried one of these bottled, fresh squeezed juices before because unlike our westcoast neighbours, Vancouver isn't exactly on the juicing boat, yet.  Of course, yesterday was the day that Spring decided to show up to the party after not having RSVP'd to its invitation in early April, so it was hot, like really hot.  For my first trendy juice purchase, I decided to go for something refreshing and chose the apple, lemon and ginger mix.  It. Was. Unreal.  I felt like I was in a spa, on vacation and the ginger left a refreshing, tingly feeling in my mouth.  I'll definitely be returning as the hot weather increases.

I also managed to snap a few other pictures while breaking for shade.  As much as I hate hot weather, it was kind of nice out yesterday.  

Here's to wearing pants for as long as I possibly can, cheers!

xo