NOTD: Essie Topless & Barefoot

During the summer, I usually wear lots of bold pink, pastel purple, or creamy bright peach polishes. Sometimes I get tired of all the colour though and want my nails to look polished but similar to their natural state. 

Zesty Quinoa Patties with Pineapple and Avocado

As someone who rarely eats meat, I’m always looking for meatless alternatives that aren’t carb filled or bland. These zesty quinoa patties are a perfect option for a vegetarian meal and they are great for summer with fruity toppings like pineapple and avocado.

I found the recipe on Portuguese Girl Cooks and modified it to suit my family’s tastes. Here is my version.

Recipe

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups cooked and cooled quinoa (about 1 cup uncooked)
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil for frying
1 sliced avocado for serving
1/2 fresh pineapple for serving, cut into chunks (canned pineapple will also work)

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine cooled quinoa and bread crumbs. Mix until the quinoa is evenly coated.
2. Add the next 7 ingredients and mix to combine.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites and Dijon mustard. Add the egg mixture to the quinoa mixture and mix to combine.
4. Using your hands, form the quinoa mixture into patties. Use about 1/2 cup of the mixture for each.
5. Heat the grapeseed oil in a frying pan over medium heat and add the patties a few at a time. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. To serve, add a few quinoa patties to a plate and top with sliced avocado and pineapple. Add a bit of lettuce on the plate for garnish (optional).

Madam Glam Nail Polish (Review + Swatches)

Today, I’m very excited to share a wonderful new nail polish brand with you. Madam Glam, based in the Fashion District in New York, is a French inspired line sold exclusively online. It offers around 100 glamorous colors from chic and sophisticated to more audacious and sassy.

As you can see from the polishes above, the Madam Glam line features colours in a range of shades, finishes, and formulas. From neons to glitters to pastels to nail care treatments, this brand has something for everyone. There’s even a selection of chic, rich, and trendy gold polishes that are perfect for the upcoming fall season.

All Madam Glam polishes are “five-free”, so they do not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, DiButyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin or Camphor. When on the Madam Glam site (http://madamglam.com/), you can see an ingredients list for a polish by clicking on its picture—very convenient and reassuring for those of us who love polish but are trying to use beauty products with fewer harsh chemicals.  The best part is that Madam Glam polishes are cruelty-free so they are not tested on animals.

This online company also makes it easy for shoppers worldwide since free shipping is available for orders over $25, as well as free exchanges and returns.

To get a closer look at the polishes, to see what the colours look like on the nail, and to read my thoughts on each colour, check out the swatches, bottle pictures, and reviews below.