What We Wore Wednesday

This week's WWWW outfit was inspired by these beautiful handmade shoes that my sister bought in Korea. They are so lady-like, and they just screamed "chic mama on the go!" I'm not really a "shoe girl," but I definitely appreciate a well-constructed chaussure. These babies certainly fit that bill. 

As always I'm linking up with Courtney from A Life From Scratch. Give her blog a visit for some of the most handsome young men you ever did see, not to mention the most delicious (and healthy!) recipes on the WWW! Link up below! We love to see your style!  

On Mama: 

Shoes: My sister's // Jeans: American Eagle // Top: Winners, by way of my mother

On Lili:

Top: Osh Kosh // Pants: Carters

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On, One Little Momma, That Suburban Momma Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

Weekend Rewind

This weekend marks the beginning of S's official summer holiday. He's one of the rare breed of teacher that actually enjoys teaching so much that they choose to do *both night school *and summer school. Needless to say, when he is finally on vacation, we like to make the absolute most of it. For us, the best way to kick of a luxuriously long vacation (four weeks! wheeee!) is to spend a weekend in "sloth" mode (i.e. sleeping in, going for walks, eating lots of delicious family meals and napping whenever and wherever appropriate) before launching into "make the most of it mode." 

Below, as always, are some scenes from our weekend.

 ^^A karaoke pub crawl <3 // Waffle Breakfast // Afternoon into late night craftiness^^

 ^^Target trip with my best girl // lots of puppy love // homemade pizzelles by my neighbour^^

^^ Antipasti before Sunday Dinner // Addressing Invites...they go out tomorrow! ::Sniff::^^

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

  

What We Wore Wednesday

Today's WWWW falls on Liliana's 11 month birthday. I can't believe she's only been a part of our lives for such a short period of time, yet I can't remember life without her at all! We have been so busy around Casa Burtch preparing for Lili's birthday party, and sewing up a storm for her fall wardrobe (pictures to come!) that the time is absolutely flying by. 

As always this week I'm linking up with Courtney at A Life From Scratch to bring you some mama and baby style. We would love for you to link up with us below to share your outfit 

On Mama:

Dress: Forever 21 // Necklace: Stella and Dot // Bracelet: gift

On Lili

Shorts and T-Shirt: Children's Place

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

Weekend Rewind

This weekend was a whirlwind of activity. My parents were visiting, on a quest to find the perfect range for their new kitchen. I had no idea how many factors were involved in the purchase of a stove...nor the subtle factors that make one brand infinitely better than the next. Needless to say, if I hear the term BTU again in the next 5 years, it`ll be too soon!

As always, here are some scenes from our weekend...the highlights, if you will.

^^Friday saw a visit to the Magnum Pleasure Shop at Yonge and Bloor with Lili's baby bestie and my good friend. My Magnum was vanilla bean dipped in dark chocolate topped with culinary rose petals, almonds and crumbled macarons with a white chocolate drizzle. I was aiming for a "Sofia Coppola-style Marie Antoinette" theme. Ask for the "golden touch" for gold flakes and a free nail polish...because who wouldn't want to eat gold? Amiright?^^ 

^^Superdad on the walk home from Pizza e Pazzi after celebrating my cousin's 25th birthday. On Saturday evening we visited one of our favourite gelato and caffe bars, Novecento. The customer service there is fab...they gave my bébé a biscotti just to see her smile. She obviously loves to oblige. The gelato is all made in-house. Have the panna cotta or the pistachio (pronounced pee-stackio, people...we're speaking I-talian now!) you won't regret it. Also, Mastering the Art of French Cooking is currently 50% off at Chapters! Dinners at Casa Burtch are about to reach a whole. 'nother. level.

^^Sunday brunch was at Lil' Baci Taverna in our old hood. S had the meatball hero on homemade brioche. I'm partial to the eggs Florentine with truffled Hollandaise. Lili had the "silicone bib." It's a special, but it's not on the menu ;)^^

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

What We Wore Wednesday

The past week has been unbearably hot and ridiculously humid here in the city. I am usually like a little lizard in that I absolutely love the heat, but his is getting to be a bit much. To be completely honest it took a lot for me to put clothes on at all for this edition of WWWW. If this keeps up, we may have the "swimsuit edition" next week. 

Lili was not at her best whilst having these photos taken. She's a little more like her father in that she prefers a more moderate climate.

As always, I hope you'll link up with us below. Be sure to my co-host visit Courtney and her gorgeous boys over at A Life From Scratch...they are the absolute best dressed crew on the internet!

On Mama:

jeans: H&M // top: Jean Machine // shoes: Aldo

On Liliana:

tank onesie: Carter's // shorts: The Children's Place

^^A bonus shot from our ill-fated trip to the splash pad Tuesday afternoon. We walked for.ever to get there only to find it was closed down due to an errant dog trying to cool off. NB the sad face.^^

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

Balsamic Cherry Barbecue Chicken

I picked up a jar of sour cherry preserves at this year's NOTL Strawberry Festival in June. I've been hoarding it ever since, just waiting to find a perfect recipe worthy of cracking it open. This barbecue sauce is totally worthy. I am a huge fan of fruit-infused barbecue sauces on chicken, and if you`re not already, you need to get on this train...because it`s delicious.

recipe adapted slightly from About.com 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup cherry preserves

1/4 cup ketchup (more if you need to thicken it up)

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce, minced

salt and pepper to taste

10-12 pieces of chicken, skinless and bone-in (drums and thighs, ideally) 

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except for the pieces of chicken in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until well-thickened (8-10 minutes)

2. Preheat grill to medium. Brush all of the chicken pieces generously with the barbecue sauce. Reserve some for basting. 

3. Place chicken pieces on the grill and cook until no longer pink and juices run clear. Baste with remaining sauce while cooking. 

Tip: When the chicken is ready to be turned, it will release easily from the grill. If the chicken is sticking, leave it for a few minutes longer.  

Enjoy!

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

Weekend Rewind

This is a bit of a cheater Weekend Rewind, since technically the sailing pictures are from Wednesday. They were just too fun to keep to myself though, so I hope you'll forgive me!

This weekend consisted of dinner and a bonfire with some great friends in our little backyard, and the fabulous Salsa on St. Clair street festival. As always, below are a few of the highlights.

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday

My Favourite (FREE) Baby Dress Pattern!

I've been obsessively whipping up Pretty Prudent's Snappy Toddler Top of late. The pattern is so simple to follow, and I adore the gathering at the front and back of the dress, as well at the pretty neckline. I am absolutely NOT a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, so if this pattern was a success for me, it will be for you too! I even have plans to make at least three more of these dresses using this, this and this fabric from my faves at Tonic Living. 

The original pattern is for a top, but I easily modified it into a dress pattern by using a 12 month- sized dress I already had on hand as a template to add the extra length I wanted. 

Here's the final product:

^^I wish I knew the name of this fabric. It was a (perfect!) gift from a good friend^^

^^Wooden Horses Fabric by Michael Miller available at Tonic Living^^

These little dresses will be perfect for L this fall as she starts Montessori (::sniff:: I don't want to TALK about it) with a long sleeve shirt underneath and some leggings. Here she is modelling it from our WWWW post last week. I just love her little faces here...It's like she knows something I don't and she's laughing on the inside.

If you want to make your own dress, print out the free pattern and follow the (very complete and easy-to-follow) details here on Pretty Prudent.

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, Rhinestone Beagle Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now, The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday 

What We Wore Wednesday

We are bringing this edition of WWWW to you from Niagara. My California cousin is visiting for the week, so Lili and I are in the homeland enjoying delicious food, beautiful wine and tons of family time (my fave!) The best part about being in Niagara is that my wardrobe doubles. My very stylish mother is luckily (for me) very generous with the contents of her closet. I almost always go home with at least one beautiful piece...on loan, of course...right mama? ;)

As always, I'm linking up with C at ALFS, and I hope you'll link up with us below!

On Mama:

top: Jean Machine (borrowed from my very stylish mama) // jeans: Costa Blanca // shoes: Toms

On Liliana:

top and shorts: The Children's Place 

Here's where I'm Linking Up:

Monday: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, The Oliver's Mad House, Flour Me With Love, C.R.A.F.T, Say Not Sweet Anne Tuesday: Crafty Confessions, Him & Her, Ladybug Blessings, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Hope Studios, Bebetsy Wednesday: A Life From Scratch, The Pleated Poppy, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On Thursday: My Fashion Forward, House of Hepworths, A Glimpse Inside, Chocolate, Chocolate and More Friday: Rattlebridge Farm, Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home, Thirty Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous for Less, While He Was Napping, Young and Crafty, Simply Designing, Serenity Now

The Best Blog Recipes Saturday: A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, Angel's Homestead Sunday: Super Sunday