MY ANNOUNCEMENT
I’ve been blogging for three years now. When I started out, I had no idea what I was doing. I knew I wanted to be my own boss and be a full-time blogger and I also knew that I wanted to inspire women to feel their best.
I accomplished one and kinda lost track of the other.
Before WoahStyle, I’d already had a bunch of careers under my belt - marketing, stylist, accounting, entrepreneur and yes, even blogger because I started my first one about a decade ago. Imagine I had kept that up!
My jobs were super random and all over the place I know, but I was never happy until I started to see WoahStyle was actually going somewhere.
And then, about two and a half years later I hit a wall.
I wasn’t happy anymore and blogging and social media were turning into a never ending source of stress.
I couldn’t sleep, I was getting sick a lot, I was gaining weight, and I was living in my head full of fear and negativity. I had plateaued and I was scared that was the beginning of the end.
IN MY CLOSET:
Bowie jacket, Forever 21 (exact here)
Glossy leather skirt, Winners
Bags, Stella McCartney and Saint Laurent (with custom leopard shoulder strap)
Gold sandals, Gucci
Pink sparkly boots, Saint Laurent
Bronze hi-top sneakers, Vans
Glasses, Forever 21
THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED
I know it sounds cliche but I can say now with full confidence that plateauing was the best thing that ever happened to WoahStyle.
When I finally got my head on straight (and that took months!I), I started to see past the fear and reassess what made me happy and why I had started blogging in the first place. Once I let my guard down and started to share more personal experiences, that you guys started to engage with me more. It reminded me of why I started the blog - to inspire women to feel their best.
I told you guys that I was bullied for most of my childhood and the DM’s I still get to this day are overwhelming. I’m glad I shared that part of my life that I was ashamed of for so long but with everything, we have to move forward.
When I think back to when I was happiest in my past job, it was when I was styling women and helping them feel their best.
You see, that’s where bullying coming in. Even as a kid, I was always hyper aware of fashion but in combination with bullying - fashion and beauty became a necessity. I helped me stand straight again and gave me the confidence to be myself.
CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
With all of that, my announcement is simply this; fashion posts will still be present on my site, but there will be less of them. Perhaps once or twice a week tops. They’ll be more educational based as opposed to just “pretty pictures”.
I’ll also be doing lots of fashion reviews and hauls because you guys all want to know how my Princetown Gucci’s fit (post coming soon!) and what I’m buying right now.
Beauty posts will become more frequent - about 3-4 times a week because I love beauty and you guys do too. Some of my most popular posts are on foundations and How to Clean A Beauty Blender, so I want to give you more of that.
Also, I’m 36, and not afraid to say it anymore! LOL! You guys are around my age as well so hey, let’s talk about anti-aging and how to get luminous youthful looking skin right?
If you look at my menu bar, you'll see I added three new categories, Beauty Talk, Makeup and Skincare. I hope it'll help you search for your favourite topics like Tutorials, Eyes, or Skincare Solutions even quicker. I want it to be super easy for you guys to get the info you want. Also, I did a site refresh! I spent lots of time researching different sites so I can get mine to a place where I'm truly happy with it. What do you think of it?
Drop me an email and let me know what you think of my announcement and what you want to see more of moving forward. I love hearing from you!
xo, Nathalie
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as a form of compensation.
5 Mother's Day gift ideas she'll love!
Mother's Day is only a week away and I'm already excited about how I'm going to spoil my mom. I gathered up a few gift ideas for you to think about what to get the mum in your life. From beauty to skincare, wellness, fragrance, and jewelry, I hope to inspire you in your gift giving endeavours this spring. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mum's out there!
Mother's Day Gift Guide
b e a u t y
NARS x Charlotte Gainsbourg brush set
NARS x Charlotte Gainsbourg Au Poil Brush Roll
limited edition
$200
Charlotte Gainsbourg is probably one of my favourite actresses of all time. Her acting is superb and her fashion sense equally so. As the daughter of Jane Birkin and the late Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte is a true artist - from acting to singing, she's also a muse to Nicolas Ghesquiere, current creative director of Louise Vuitton, previously of Balenciaga. If that's not enough, Charlotte has just launched her own limited edition capsule collection under NARS. This limited edition five piece brush set is so luxurious and unique, it'll make any beauty aficionado weak in the knees. It comes neatly packed in a faux leather roll (not pictured) that's perfect for travel. The set includes a complexion brush, blush/ highlight brush, concealer brush, eye blending brush, and eye shadow brush.
s k i n c a r e
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask
limited edition packaging
$75
If skincare is your mum's jam, considering this Umbrian Clay mask from Fresh. The clay comes from Umbria, Italy and is mineral-rich "miracle" that refines the appearance of pores, mattifies, and smoothes skin. If this is mum's first time trying this mask, tell her it can be used be used in three ways; as a daily deep cleanser, a pore-purifying mask and as a spot treamtment. While the mask itself has been part of Fresh's lineup since 2000, the packaging featured here is limited edition and features artwork from Rometti's Ceramic Studio located in Italy.
p e r f u m e
Jo Malone Star Magnolia Cologne
Jo Malone Star Magnolia Cologne
limited edition scent
$90
If mum is a fragrance junkie, Jo Malone's limited edition Star Magnolia is for her. It's light, flirty, fresh, fruity, floral, and perfect for spring and summer and contains magnolia leaf and orange blossom with a kiss of lemon, ginger, and shiso. Also, how cute is this petal decoration on the bottle?
w e l l n e s s
Saje Sleep Well mist.
This Works Deep Sleep.
Drybar silk pillowcase.
Sage Natural Wellness restful sleep mist, $19
This Works Deep Sleep rollerball, $36
Drybar silk pillowcase, $57
If you're not sure what to get mama, consider these items that will help her get a good nights sleep. Place them in a small box with a ribbon wrapped around it and she'll be delighted when she opens it. Included in this sleep aid gift is a luxurious silk pillow case from Drybar. It'll extend the life of her hairstyle, keep her hair frizz-free, and her skin free of those yucky pillowcase creases. Before she goes to bed, tell her to spray Saje Natural Wellness' Sleep Well mist around the bed and on her pillowcase for sweet dreams. Finally, This Works Deep Sleep rollerball is excellent when used on the pulse points. It contains lavender, chamomile, vetiver, and sandalwood for a relaxing sleep.
j e w e l r y
David Yurman cable bracelet
David Yurman The Renaissance cable bracelet (in 5mm)
$525
If mum is a jewelry kinda girl, consider going with classic Yurman. The Renaissance cable bracelet (in 5mm), is sterling silver and perfect for everyday wear. She can stack it with the other pieces in her collection or she can wear it alone if she's a minimal kinda gal.
Chill the F*** OUT! 20 things to make YOU happy!
Two pivotal points in my life were the passing of grandmother, who was the only grandparent I ever knew, and the recent passing of my best friend’s father. He was diagnosed with cancer last year and this February, we were burying him. Both deaths happened quickly and both hit me really hard. Loosing them made me reassess my priorities and made me realize the importance of spending time with my loved ones while they’re still around. Taking time to savor the little things matters so much more to me now, and I'm really uninterested in whipping my phone out and documenting every moment on social media. I know, weird coming from a blogger, right? (Insert eye roll here people.)
As an entrepreneur, I'm basically a one woman show and my days are spent editing, writing, keeping up with emails, etc. Some days are too much and all I want to do is nap and hope that when I wake up, it’ll all be better. It’s easy to loose sight of what makes us happy and in some cases, even feel guilty about taking some me time. When I first started logging off social media for a day or two here and there, I felt very guilty, like I was doing something horribly wrong and like I was committing a crime. Really the problem lies in the expectation that I’ve set for myself to work 7 days a week and not be present in my life. Dinner with family, lunches with friends I haven’t seen in ages, and mini getaways with Geoff- there have been too many moments where I wasn’t fully present because I was too distracted and trying to capture a perfect moment for social media. Gross, I know.
Since I’m reevaluating how I live my life (I’m not sure what else to call it really), I thought I’d share some of the little things that I’ve been enjoying recently. Small things like lighting a scented candle and curling up with a good book have been helping me create more balance and harmony in my life. I hope this this list will inspire you to take the time to do something that makes you happy and be more present. If you create even one happy moment a day, I think you’ll start to feel clearer and happier, which is exactly the point.
Chill the EFF OUT! 20 things to make YOU happy.
1. Spoil yourself with a new lipstick.
2. Take a luxurious bath.
3. Light your favourite scented candle.
4. Read a book.
5. Watch a sunset.
6. Log off social media.
7. Call a loved one. Better yet, spend time with them.
8. Be present.
9. Make a your favourite meal.
10. Curl up in bed.
11. Smile - it’s known to lift your mood!
12. Visit a greenhouse and bring a new plant home.
13. Cuddle with your cat, dog or favourite person.
14. Go for a walk.
15. Meditate.
16. Plan a vacation.
17. Do an act of kindness.
18. Watch your favourite movie or your favourite show.
19. Sleep in.
20. Be good to yourself.
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
Follow me on my press trip: NYC with Fresh !!
Sensorial Bar at the Fresh Store on Broadway, New York
A quick trip to New York is always a good idea, especially when it's a press trip with Fresh! While there, I had a chance to meet with the owners, attend a product launch for their new Rose Toner and visit their Union Square store on Broadway to do a little bit of shopping. I brought my vlogging camera along and shot a video for you guys so make sure you hit the play button!
NYC TRAVEL DIARY WITH FRESH
PRESS PLAY !!
DAY ONE
I got to New York at noon, checked into the Walker Hotel and had a quick lunch at the Society Cafe before getting ready for the Fresh event. First thing I like to do when I check into my room is take a shower and do a quick face mask it time allows. Flying, no matter how short the distance, always makes me feel gross and leaves my skin feeling dull. For this reason I like to drink lots of water when I travel to keep well hydrated.
THE EVENT: CELEBRATING THE NEW ROSE TONER
The event was so beautiful it was unreal! Fresh roses filled the space and pink drinks flowed aplenty. Make sure you watch my video for the whole experience and for a little surprise announcement for my readers at the end.
WHAT I WORE
Mackage leather jacket
Queen of Hearts Collection tank (available on my shop here)
Frank & Eileen Tee Labs hoodie
Zara jeans
Converse sneakers
Saint Laurent black crossbody bag
Kate Cate leopard print shoulder bag strap
DAY TWO
I skipped breakfast and opted to sleep in since I wasn't feeling the greatest. Regardless, I was super excited to do some shopping at the Fresh store on Broadway! I'm going through a major fragrance phase right now, so I picked up a couple of perfumes, candles, scented bath & shower gels and body lotions. I'm still in awe at how beautiful the store is and the pictures don't do it justice. Make sure you watch my video (at the beginning of the post) to see it come to life! After shopping it was back to the hotel to quickly pack and head back to the airport. It was a short trip but an amazing one no less!
MY FRESH BEAUTY HAUL
As much as I love Fresh skincare, I wanted to try their line of their fragrances and bath and body care line. I opted for the Cannabis Santal perfume and candle since the scent is so unique and beautiful. Try it if you're ever at a Fresh store. Their bath & shower gels are so nicely scented and gentle on the skin so I grabbed a few of those in citrus based scents, a body oil to use post shower, a couple of body lotions and their new Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar. I also got a bottle of their new Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner to take home and try. It contains two and a half crush roses in each bottle and has hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and plump!
Special thanks to Fresh for this collab.
All photos and video footage by me. Additional pics and footage by Adrienne Fraser.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
10 Low maintenance indoor plants
I’m currently in the midst of redecorating my living room. It’s coming together nicely, and I’d describe it as midcentury modern with my own twist to it. Anyway, when I stood back to look at my new decor, it didn’t feel as warm and homey as I wanted. Then it hit me- I was missing plants! Since I have two cats, who are all but too curious with plants, I knew that I needed something that would be resilient and safe for my feline family members. I also live in a townhouse with one big window in the living room/ dining room area which means plants that could thrive in medium-low light conditions would be best.
I had already done some research online before heading into the greenhouse and I learned that snake plants, zz plants, rubber plants and pothos plants are all easy to care for. To be honest I really wanted one of those Instagram-worthy monstera plants but my local greenhouse didn’t have any. I read these plants are toxic to cats so I would have had to keep it high off the ground anyway. After talking to someone at the greenhouse and weighing out the pros and cons of each plant, I decided to bring home some snake plants. Not only are they super low maintenance, but I really like how to the leaves stick straight up into the air, meaning my cats wouldn’t be sneaking into the plant for a little tinkle.
I’m super excited about my newly decorated space so I plan on sharing it with you guys soon so stay tuned for that! In the meanwhile, I hope you learn a few things about the best low maintenance plants for your home.
WHAT I'M WEARING:
Kayu star clutch from their SS17 collection (exact here).
Saint Laurent polka dot ankle boots.
Zara jeans and top circa 2016.
John + Jenn oversized knitted cardigan.
Ray Ban red tinted round sunglasses.
I love lilies but they're toxic to cats. Do a quick google search to make sure the house plants you want are pet friendly.
ARE SNAKE & ZZ PLANTS SAFE FOR CATS?
Snake plants have a low toxicity level to cats and dogs but they would have to be ingested in a large quantity to do damage. I’ve been monitoring my cats carefully and they don’t seem to care for the plants one bit, which is actually surprising since they normally tear into every other plant and floral arrangement I’ve ever had. I also have a large zz plant from way before Geoff and I adopted our cats. These plants are toxic to cats, so I keep the plant on a high pedestal where they can’t get to it.
BENEFITS TO INDOOR PLANTS: AIR PURIFICATION
Snake plants are known to purify the air. I currently have two small ones in my living room, and one medium sized one in my dining room. Our large zz plant lives on a tall pedestal by Geoff’s piano, and away from the cats.
10 LOW MAINTENANCE INDOOR PLANTS
1. ZZ Plant
2. Snake Plant
3. Rubber Tree Plant
4. Pothos Plant
5. Fiddle Leaf Fig
6. Bird of Paradise
7. Dracena Plant
8. Monstera Deliciosa
9. Philodendron
10. Dumb Cane Plant
I define low maintenance plants as minimal watering and medium-low light. If you have pets, please do a quick google search to see if they are poisonous to your furry family members. I'm not adding cacti to this list because they require more light.
Photography by Geoff Martin.
Shot on location at Terra Greenhouse in Milton.
This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
Testing recipes from CHRISSY TEIGEN’S Cravings
Something you guys might not know about me is that I love to cook and in fact, before I started WoahStyle.com, I had a crafting/ cooking blog where I used to post all of my recipes. For the first few years of years of my marriage I spent a lot of time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes and perfecting my baking skills. Geoff and I used to entertain a lot in those days but eventually it fizzled out because life got too busy and we started to eat lots of take away food. Sad I know. In the spirit of getting back into cooking, I logged onto Amazon and ordered Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings. I’m a vegetarian and Geoff isn’t so I thought it would be a fun challenge to try to make some of her recipes veggie friendly and omit meat. Our first recipe to try is Chrissy’s Dutch Baby Pancakes! If you’re looking for a super easy recipe to whip together this weekend and impress the taste buds of your family and friends, try these because they’re better than they look!
SHOP THE POST
DUTCH BABY PANCAKES
serves 4
I've substituted some ingredients below in hopes of making the recipe more "healthy" and less dairy ridden. The results is a bit flatter then the Dutch Baby pictured in Teigen's cookbook, but they came out pretty damn tasty and fluffy nonetheless. You can stick to the original recipe (by using the crossed out ingredients) or follow mine if you want.
1 cup all purpose flour brown rice flour, sifted
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk almond milk, at room temp
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter vegan butter, melted
Ms. Butterworth's pancake syrup Maple syrup
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
Whisky together flour, eggs, milk, salt and the 2 tablespoons of melted butter and combine until smooth with no lumps.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and bubbly. Add the batter immediately and put the skillet in the oven.
Bake until the pancake is fluffy and a deep golden brown colour for about 17-20 mins. The pancake will puff up crazy and uneven.
Remove from the oven and cut into quarters. Pour maple syrup over the slices and dust with powdered sugar.
Bon apetit!
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
10 Tips to RELAX and De-Stress right now feat. Nespresso
If you're reading this it's because you're stressed out and anxious and you want to fix it. News flash, I get stressed out very easily and my naturopath confirmed it when she tested my hormones. Just the act of sitting behind the wheel in bumper to bumper traffic is enough to ruin my day. With that being said, identifying what triggers stress is the first step. I put together a list of activities that work for me. They are my favourite activities to relax, de-stress and feel whole again. Give these a try and if there's anything on this list that doesn't appeal to you, that's okay. Just focus on what makes you happy so that you can feel balanced once more.
Photo by Roxanne West
1.
Meditate & Breathe
Just yesterday I was sitting around the dining room table with my best girlfriend and her mother, having a great time and laughing, when I started to feel my heart beating fast in my chest. Something had triggered my stress and next thing I know, my best friend was giving me tips on how to relax. She said, "place your hand on your heart, bare skin to bare skin, close your eyes, breathe and think of a happy memory. Open your eyes when your breathing is back to normal and you feel settled again." You gotta admit it's a really good tip and it works. Try it the next time you're feeling off and let me know what you think.
Alternatively, Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Sit in a quiet space and focus on breathing in and out.
2.
Daydream
A while back I went through a couple of months where I was so anxious and stressed that I threw my back out due to the tension I was holding in my shoulders. I’d wake up in the mornings and head on over to my gym, which has a sauna that no one uses. I'd lay on my back and close my eyes and daydream about living in Paris with Geoff and being carefree and enjoying life. The fact that sauna was empty helped me relax and daydreaming got me to the point where the stress actually started to melt away. It took a few sessions of doing this but it did work!
3.
Be alone
I’m an introvert and I love being alone. It refuels me and makes me aware of what my needs and wants are so I need alone time to feel whole again. If you’re always out in the company of others, you might benefit from some me time to declutter your mind. Set aside some time to unwind by yourself.
4.
Do your favourite activity
Everyone has their favourite way to unwind. Geoff’s go-to de-stressing activity is Playstation, though he also loves ping pong, squash and volleyball. I on the other hand love watching movies, painting my nails, doing my makeup, redecorating my house, aromatherapy, Pinterest, reading, being inspired and chilling with my besties Diana and Michael. My activities are a little all over the map compared to Geoff, but then again, it works for me.
5.
Curl up with a cup of coffee
This is one of my favourite things to do at the end of the day. If it’s close to bedtime, I like to have a decaf cup of Nespresso. My favourites are the lungo cups like Vivalto Lungo, Envivo Lungo and Rosabaya blends, but every now and again I'll have an espresso, along with a cookie or a bit of chocolate. Something about sinking into the couch with a hot cup of coffee always relaxes me.
6.
Turn off social media
I find it so curious that social media is the cause of anxiety and stress for so many of us, celebrities included. After the recent passing of my best friends father, the last thing I wanted to do was be on social media; which is hard because it’s a big part of my job! I learned that it’s totally okay to have a little Instagram detox and that your followers will still be there when you get back. What was more important for me, was to be-in-the-now with my family and not worry about how many likes my last photo got.
7.
Listen to music
Turn on your favourite artist and blare it on the speakers and have a dance party! I have such a deep connection to music thanks to my dad, who was always blasting his favourite bands when I was a kid. Even know I’ll turn on my music and dance and sing (both horribly I might add) when I need to get rid of that stressed-out energy.
Photo by Michael Biro
8.
Take a walk
A brisk walk outdoors will clear your head and put things into prospective. My old job was at a television network and it was one of the most stressed out environments I’d ever been in! It wasn’t just me, it was everyone from managers and coordinators alike, who were all very vocal about their distain for the company! I noticed a lot of my colleagues would go for walks to clear their minds during their breaks and I started doing the same. A little bit of fresh air always seems to help.
Photo by Diana Aldea
9.
Call a friend
My best girlfriend and I have been friends for 25 years. We know each other so well that we joke that our talks are like the equivalent to a $190/ hour long therapy session. Talking or hanging out can be just as relaxing as meditation when it’s with your best pals.
10.
Pet therapy
Animals are known to be therapeutic and calming and I couldn’t agree more. Anytime I feel upset or stressed all I have to do is hang out with my cats and I automatically feel better. My motto is “go hug a cat”. LOL
MY RELAXATION PICKS
Home photography by Nathalie Martin.
Street photography by Diana Aldea, Michael Biro and Roxanne West.
This post is sponsored by Nespresso. All opinions are my own.
What I'm wearing on REPEAT (are you really surprised?)
REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT
It probably comes as no surprise that the item I'm wearing on repeat are my Saint Laurent Candy platform boots. At first I was hesitant on buying them considering the 5" heel height and they're so different from what I normally buy, but I was so crazy in love with them straight away! Michael, Diana and my mum where all against them. Geoff said "what are you wearing?", when he first saw me with them. Not in a mean way, just in a confused, "you never wear anything like that", kinda way. But that's where that whole "buy what you love thing" comes to play because I seriously can't stop wearing this shoe! I wore them on my 24 hour trip to NYC and they are seriously so comfortable! You guys know that my style is pretty laid back and having a statement shoe like this just elevates my look. So there you go, seriously no regrets when you buy what you love.
SHOP THE LOOK
WHAT I'M WEARING: Tristan polka dot blouse. Rag & Bone jeans. Saint Laurent platform boots and cross body bag. Kate Cate fringe strap. Ray Ban aviators.
BUY WHAT YOU LOVE
When it comes to shopping my approach is always buy what you love. Seriously, how many times have you already heard me say this already? With the growth of social media, fashion enthusiasts are flying around like drones looking for that next trend - Chanel boy bags anyone? How about those embellished Gucci sneakers? And let's not forget about the Gucci belt that everyone and their mother seems to be wearing. If you ask me what starts to happen is that these special luxury items actually start to loose their appeal. #noshade I'm more inclined to go for pieces that I consider special because they reflect my personality. I also prefer to wear something that doesn't have overexposure on social media because I know that I'll eventually tire of looking at the same thing over and over again. For example, the Gucci loafers that were all over Instagram last year was SS16's most featured shoe. I for one am guilty of having not one, but two fucking pairs, but you know what, I went for the colours that spoke to me - vibrant gold and metallic hot pink. I know that even when this whole Gucci loafer trend dies down that I'm still going to be rocking my loafers because I love them.
Side note: my hair is all sorts of brassy in this post. Get me some purple shampoo & toner asap!
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING
SAINT LAURENT CANDY PLATFORM BOOTS CIRCA FW2016
Photography by Michael Biro.
Shot by the Hotel Gault in Old Montreal.
In collaboration with Tristan.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
LOVE MEANS VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE + COFFEE
I'm not really one for Valentine's Day because I think it's cheesy AF. Then again, every year Geoff seems to surprise me with some adorable gesture that leaves me misty eyed. Just imagine my meat-eating husband taking the time to create a home cooked vegan meal and even going as far as to bake a vegan dessert just to say "I love you". I know. He's a keeper right?
This year it's my turn to return the favour. On the menu will be beef, organic and ethically raised of course, served with veggies and his favourite Yorkshire Pudding, all cooked by moi. For dessert I'll bake some vegan chocolate cake, topped with ganache and a cup of Selection Vintage 2014 from Nespresso. If you read last month's Vintage Coffee post I confessed to hiding the Vintage capsules from Geoff because, hey, I'm majorly obsessed with them and they're limited edition and yes, I'm a little bit of a jerk too for keeping these from my lovely husband but oh well.
Best of all vegan chocolate cake & Nespresso isn't exclusive to significant others and romantic meals and can be shared with any of your loved ones at any time of the year! AND, yes, you can whip these cakes up quickly because the recipe is super easy! I personally love chocolate cake and coffee together and will find any excuse to eat it, Valentine's Day or not. NOM.
The tea towel featured in this post was designed and made by me. Before WoahStyle I used design my own patterns and screen print fabrics. Then I'd sew the fabrics into kitchen linens and aprons and I'd upload them for sale on etsy and a few stores in Toronto. You can creep on my former DIY life here. LOL
RECIPE: VEGAN MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
MAKES 12 MINI CAKES or TWO 9" CAKE
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ancho chile powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 cup soy or almond milk
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup safflower oil
1/4 cup raw cane sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
1/2 cup soy or almond milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips
PREPERATION
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray your baking pans with cooking oil and set aside. If making cupcakes, line the cupcake pan with papers. (I used a mini bundt pan.)
In a large bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, ancho chilli powder and baking soda and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the non-dairy milk, maple syrup, safflower oil, sugar and apple cider vinegar and mix well.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 35 mins If making cupcakes, bake for 30 mins. TIP: Always rotate pans halfway for even baking.
Cool in pans on wire rack.
Make the ganache by gently heating the non-dairy milk in a sauce pan on medium heat but don't boil. Add the maple syrup and chocolate chips and whisk until smooth. Set aside until thick and then add to the top of cooled cakes.
Enjoy with a cup of Nespresso's very limited Selection Vintage 2014. Bon apetit.
Nespresso Selection Vintage 2014 is a complex taste with elegant woodiness and soft fruity notes.
The vintage Nespresso Capsules limited edition and can be purchased at Nespresso stores and nespresso.com.
Photography by Nathalie Martin.
This post is sponsored by Nespresso. All opinions are my own.