2012: A visual retrospective on this awesome year

As I looked back on the previous year, I realized: "DAMN! A lot has happened". Not only I believe I've grown TREMENDOUSLY (I believe this past year was one of my most significative years in terms of personal growth), but I also met amazing people, ate great food and traveled to cool places. Here are a few highlights from this past year in Sassou's life :)

Oh and before you look at the pics, you can click here to see my 12 positive things about 2012! I would also like to point out that I am writing this post from Miami and although I love my city, I wouldn't mind staying a few more....years. Lol.  Bye! Happy new year!

xoxo

Sass

JANUARY

I met Idris Elba! And finally got my name on a plate at Buona Notte :D
(well..more like my initials. Next to my not so hot cat drawing. Lol)

Recipe of the week: The revamped quiche Lorraine

I love quiche. I just do. And I'm lactose intolerant, which is kind of a problem in relations to my love for the cheesiest quiche. Last year, I went to Paris and ate the best quiche on the planet at Angelina's and have been trying to re-create it. In other words, I've been attempting to re-live the unforgettable foodgasm I experienced. 

To be quite honest, I was never truly satisfied with the "Sassy quiche". Everyone loved it but there was something missing. It wasn't fluffy enough. Not "Angelina's" enough. Baking is not a joke: I had to remake it at least a dozen of times for me to find the perfect combination for the perfect recipe on top of figuring out how to make my own pie crust. You know the kind of recipe where people are almost crying while eating your meal? Yes. That's what I was looking for. Heck, even I wanted to be teary while eating it. 

I finally got it. There are a few tricks to achieving a quasi perfect quiche, such as too much butter and too much Gruyère cheese. The Gruyère makes all of the difference: It's high price is worth the expenditure because the taste is exquisite. Also, it is extremely important to use iced water (big mistake I used to make, I only used regular, room temperature water) as it keeps the butter intact without melting it. Another little trick of mine is to use either 2 table spoons of Tenderflake shortening or....bacon fat. You heard me: Bacon fat. 

Making your own crust is crucial. The store bought crust is good but nothing beats making your own. There's something about eating a pie made completely from scratch: The satisfaction is indescribable and it is fairly easy to make as long as you follow my specific instructions. You can use that pie for other meals such as meat pie ("tourtière") or French onion tart.

For the filling, I do something which might sound unorthodox...I replace 1 cup of heavy cream by....evaporated milk. Yes yes yes. Don't make that face. I find the taste is...different....In a good way. I can't really describe it but you have to trust me on this one. I've even made it using ONLY Carnation milk and it still turned out pretty good. Also, I caramelize my onions and don't just sautè them. It does take longer but the trick is to do it at the beginning of the recipe so that they cook slowly while you are preparing the crust.

For the pie crust, you will need

Day 20: Your fears

Q: What are your fears?

A: I fear God and losing someone I love. 

Easy marinade recipe, perfect for grilling seafood on the BBQ

Okay so over the past few years, I've came up with different marinades both for meat and seafood. They were usually created randomly, with no recipe and using whatever was left in the fridge.

My 3 "must haves" for a perfect marinade: Acid (lemon, lime), an oil (usually EVOO) and spices. The rest depends on your taste! Options for a yummy marinade include: honey, BBQ sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, cilantro, avocado oil etc.

The other day, I was craving seafood and when I looked in my fridge, I had EVERYTHING I needed for the perfect marinade!! This doesn't happen often at all so let me share this easy recipe with you guys. Hopefully, you will have all of these ingredients but if you don't, you can remix this recipe.

YOU WILL NEED

-1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

-1 tablespoon mustard

-1 tablespoon of champagne vinegar (optional, but makes a BIG difference)

-The juice of 1/2 a lime

-1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

-1 tablespoon of your favorite herbs: I like to use a mix of fresh flat leave Italian parley and basil

-1 garlic clove, minced very very very thinly

-Spices of your choice: I used salt and freshly grounded pepper

SO!

Whip everything together. 

If you want to

Day 18: A problem that you've had

I'll be brief and say that even up to now, some people (especially the older, old school generation) think something might be wrong with me since I am 25, not married and with no kids. Let me remind you guys that we are in 2012 and that although I acknowledge my weirdness, I consider myself pretty normal #ImDone

I say it's a "problem" that I've had because it gets rather annoying, especially when it's coming from people who don't even know me personally.

Check out an article I wrote on that matter called "Better Single than Sorry". Oh and shoutout to my dad! He understands. Check out his comment at the end of the article I just put a link to :)

xox

Sass

P.S. Yes, I am on Pintecrest. You can follow me here  Hehehe.

30 Day Blogging Challenge. Day 2

DAY 2: SOMETHING YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT

This is a tough one since I feel strongly about a lot of things. However, there is one thing I have discovered the hard way:

Following your passion is the way to happiness. 

For me, it speaks for itself although I keep realizing it during the most random moments (The numbers of Déjà Vus I have are intense). Lord knows I've done a lot of changes in my life when it comes to school and career. From law to finance to marketing to working in retail then telemarketing and now mortgages, I've seen it all. But at the end of the day, I've looked back in at my life and understood that there are three things I absolutely love and that are always a part of my life, no matter how busy I am. 

1. Writing

You must be thinking "Well obviously!!!", but sometimes something is so natural that you don't even realize it is a passion or a talent. When I was a kid, I learned how to read and write at a very young age and I remember just sitting in my room, writing stories. Unlike other kids, I hated drawing and preferred reading and especially writing. This trend followed me throughout my life... And I am not limited to writing stories, I also love writing poetry but it is very personal to me and I rarely share it....I think I shared poems only 3 times in my life: The first time in school during an oral presentation, the second time I recited a poem I wrote on Haitian women as my talent during the Miss Citronnelle Canada pageant and the last time in 2008 on Facebook, when I was going through very rough times. I don't know...I'm shy. Can't share my poetry..yet. Maybe one day I will! 

Check out my book collection and Barbie notebook (where I used to write my stuff).  With my signature high bun :D

8th grade: Won the first prize in my Reading and Writing class at Jean de la Mennais

When it comes to writing in general, I love it with all of my heart. It is the most healing thing for me, it is also

Shopping is now available on Versass!

I'm obsessed with food and fashion, which is why I started this blog. Furthermore, it was only a matter of time before I would have a shopping section!

******drum rolls******

http://www.shopversass.com/ is now official!!!

You can access it directly by typing it in your address bar or simply by clicking the "Store" tab on top of this page for the link.

Okay, I know. Another shopping website right? See, I'm not trying to make you bankrupt! Here are a few of the advantages you get by shopping on our site:

-FREE SHIPPING in Canada and the U.S. (for a limited time only), no minimal amount required.
-FLAT RATE of 15$ CDN for international shipping
-Personal delivery in downtown Montreal is available.
-Although I have a wide range of products, I only put the best of the best aka my favorite items (that me, my mom or sister actually own) on the shopping website.
-You can contact me by email at ANY TIME for questions or concerns about the products. No business hours. I usually reply within 2-3 hours max, unless I am sleeping (which you understand, right?)
-The payments are easy with PayPal. Click here to create a free account using your credit card or bank account. Also, I take cash payments through personal deliveries.


Currently, there are beauty products (makeup, skin care etc.), clothing items, home items and art. Soon there will be:

 -Even MORE beauty items: Lots of makeup, creams, brushes, hair products (including hair extensions) etc.
-MY OWN BRAND OF NATURAL SHEA BUTTER, straight from Africa. I will leave you guys in suspense for the name. Hehehehehe.
-More home & kitchen stuff. The secret is out now, you all know I love food but I'm pretty sure you didn't know about my love for home deco.
-Imported art: Paintings and sculptures.


When it comes to the Avon and Mark products on the website, I only put my favorite items. Click on the image below or email be to have access to the full e-catalogue.

Happy shopping!
xoxo
Sass