Category: Love

Where My Heart Lies

Ever since my first major family vacation at the age of 16 I have been brutally attacked, infected and consumed by the travel bug. As a result, over the last seven years I have traveled to many interesting and exciting places. I promised myself that as soon as I got my blog up and running I would take some time to focus and reflect on the many adventures I have been on.This blog post in specific will not focus on the various places I have been too however it will focus on one destination in particular; the place where I left my heart…Austria. I visited Austria back in 2011 for a university Field Studies course. This course was designed for 3rd and 4th year students to expose them to a range of issues particular to the visited countries and regions. Anyways rather than boring you with all the nitty gritty details let me illustrate why Austria is one of my favourite places on this planet.

Enjoy!

xo Chaylavie

wpid-2015-02-12-12.22.12.png.png

 wpid-fb_img_1423761486773.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761495469.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761513243.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761521792.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761527855.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761533208.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761537387.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761545453.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761550907.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761562237.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761569810.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761581721.jpg  wpid-fb_img_1423761593276.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761611249.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761639753.jpg wpid-fb_img_1423761672848.jpg

A New Year A New Adventure

So 2014 is a thing of the past. Another 365 days have come and gone and finally it is out with the old and in with the new! And what a better way to start a year off than by planning some upcoming adventures? Yes you heard right, this gal has some extremely exciting and life changing plans taking place this year and I cannot wait to share! There are some specific long-term goals that I had set out to accomplish once I completed my undergraduate degree. Unfortunately, life temporarily got into the way and had me believe that those goals were not achievable. However, a big ole apple decided to knock me on the head, figuratively of course (much like those cartoons of Sir Isaac Newton) and now those goals are within arm’s reach. Although I cannot say too much about these goals at the moment I will be posting A LOT about them sometime soon in the near future! What are your goals and aspirations for 2015? Remember, anything is possible if you want it enough ;).

wpid-img_20141227_005840.jpg

  xo Chaylavie

Coconut Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Another seasonal favourite of mine is Peanut Butter Balls. Just like the peanut butter connoisseur I am, I could not pass up the opportunity to whip up a batch of these delectable homemade treats! This recipe is easy and perfect for the Christmas season. I found this recipe from http://www.tasteofhome.com but decided to switch things up and add a little bit of coconut to each ball to give it a little more oomph!

Ingredients:

  • wpid-20141212_212827.jpg2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 cups crisp rice cereal
  • 4 cups (24 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon shortening, divided
  • preferred amount of unsweetened coconut

                                 wpid-20141212_214356.jpg wpid-2014-12-16-09.58.47.jpg.jpeg wpid-20141212_233418.jpg

Directions: MAKES: 72 servings

  1. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and butter until blended; gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Stir in cereal. Shape into 1-in. balls. Refrigerate until chilled.
  2. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and 1/4 cup shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on a waxed paper-lined pan. Let stand until set.
  3. cover tops of candies with unsweetened coconut. Refrigerate until set. Yield: 6 dozen.

Enjoy!

wpid-2014-12-16-10.00.59.png.png  xo Chaylavie

Tis The Season For Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies!

1 Comment

It is that time of the year again. The time where all you want to do is stay inside, cozy up with your loved ones and indulge in a bottomless pit of comfort foods and holiday junk. Sure, you may gain a few extra pounds in the process but I say to heck with it, stuff your face and enjoy!

Ever since I was a child one of my favourite seasonal treats has always been Shortbread Cookies! Baking up these bad boys have been a longtime tradition in my household, so this year I could not pass up the opportunity to continue it on my own. I found the perfect recipe on one of my favourite go-to websites for great recipes http://www.allrecipes.com. These Shortbread’s are named Tina’s Shortbread Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are super easy to make, taste absolutely perfecto and just melt in your mouth! Make these for any Christmas/Holiday party and you and your guest will not be disappointed.

Ingredients:

Original recipe makes 2 dozen

wpid-2014-12-09-11.40.34.jpg.jpeg

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, then stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
  3. Roll or scoop dough into walnut sized balls. Place them on unprepared cookie sheets 1 1/2 inches apart. Flatten cookies slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove from sheets to cool on racks.

wpid-2014-12-09-14.18.08.jpg.jpeg

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

xo Chaylavie

5 Reasons Why Being a Nice Girl Blows

2 Comments

Yeah, I am that girl…The one who is overly friendly, will find humour in most of the jokes you tell, feel guilty refusing to do you a favour and will probably never confront you if you hurt my feelings. I am what society would refer to as “The Nice Girl” or maybe even “The Girl Next door” (unfortunately nothing like Elisha Cuthbert). But more importantly, I am that girl who, especially if you are of the opposite sex, will most likely send you all the wrong signals. Being the nice girl definitely has its up’s. I mean, for one, we never lack in the friend department. This is simply because most people enjoy our company since we possess such a positive outlook on just about everything. As a result, our social life can be quite full of excitement and events. We can always count on someone to lend us a hand. People usually have a hard time saying no to a bright eyed, smiling, friendly gal. In addition, what is even more satisfying about being nice is that we have the ability to make others happy. That in itself is a reward. However, like all things, being that nice girl (or person in general) has its disadvantages. Let me explain:

Continue reading →

A Youthful Love in Progress

1 Comment

I had an interesting phone conversation with my great aunt sometime last fall. It had been quite a while since we spoke so it was nice hear what she has been up to. We did not talk for long but we discussed the things that were taking place in each of our lives at that point in time. Throughout our conversation I could not help but notice how she spoke about one topic in particular. One very close to her heart- My great uncle.

Continue reading →