Reading week is almost here!! I hope all of you collegiettes have survived this past stretch of midterms and papers, and will have some time to relax before and during Reading Week. For those of you fortunate enough to have some time to blow off steam before the break (unlike myself who has a reading quiz on Friday March 1…), I’ve complied a list of things I deem necessary to get into Reading Week relaxation mode—the first item on the list is a definite must for those of you lucky enough to travel to a sunny, bathing-suit-clad location!
Manicures and Pedicures
One of the best ways to reward yourself after tirelessly working on papers and spending hours hunched over exam booklets is with a manicure or pedicure—or both! Rouge Nail Bar is my favourite place in Montréal for this kind of girly pampering. With tons of colours, and manicures starting at $25 it’s not an overly expensive place to go with some friends or by yourself to bring your dried out winter hands back to life. Rouge has great service and also plays girly movies as you’re getting your nails done. Rouge Nail Bar has two different locations: 65 Avenue Fairmont Ouest, and 2070B Rue Crescent, and further information about prices, etc. can be found at their website: http://rougenailbar.com/contact-us/rouge-crescent/.
If you aren’t in the mood to leave the comfort of your own apartment and are looking to do something a little more fun on your nails, I have a collection of nail designs that are definitely worth a try for those of you who are more adventurous:
Newspaper nails
1. Paint your nails white/cream
2. Soak nails (after drying) in rubbing alcohol for about 30 seconds
3. Press a square of newspaper onto nail and hold down
4. Once you remove the newspaper cut-out the design will be imprinted on your nails!
Or here’s an interesting way to use tape to create designs:
Indulgent Desserts
Another great way to treat yourself is with some yummy desserts and a movie night (time to catch up on all those Oscar-winning movies!)
This recipe was apparently named “the best cookie ever” by The New York Times. Any dessert that comes with such an honorable title is definitely worth trying out once: http://tendercrumb.blogspot.ca/2008/09/my-favorite-chocolate-chip-cookie.html.
Strawberry Margarita cupcakes (with alcohol in them) are also a fun way to get into vacation mode… Garnish these with a slice of lime for a festive, tropical touch.
Ingredients for cupcakes:
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist white cake mix
1 cup bottled strawberry margarita or daiquiri mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup tequila
3 egg whites or whole eggs
Ingredients for frosting:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons bottled strawberry margarita or daiquiri mix
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place foil or paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In large bowl, beat all cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter among muffin cups. You could also mix all of these ingredients together by hand with a whisk (trust me I’ve tried).
3. Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
4. In large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer on low speed until smooth (this could also easily be done by hand). Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until combined. Add 1 tablespoon of the margarita mix; beat until blended. Add enough of the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons margarita mix, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating until frosting is light and fluffy.
5. Spoon frosting into decorating bag fitted with #1M star tip; pipe frosting in circular pattern on tops of cupcakes (or just spread the frosting on with a knife).
Photo and recipe links:
http://bajira.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/to_do_list.jpg
http://rougenailbar.com/services/service-2/