20 Below

20 Below: Cupcake Wrappers

This weekend at Michael’s, I picked up these sweet polka dot cupcake wrappers. Almost too pretty to use, don’t you think?

cupcake wrappers, $3.49, Michael’s

I know I should have used them for cupcakes but instead I opted to make banana muffins (recipe adapted from here):

Ingredients:

1 cup spelt flour
1 cup flax seeds
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add muffin liners to muffin tin.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, flax seed, baking soda & salt.
3. In another bowl, beat together the bananas and oil. Add the brown sugar & egg and beat until completely combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring muffins onto a cooling rack.

Photo by Jordana.

20 Below: White Watch

I haven’t worn a watch in years but in the last few months I’ve been on the lookout for a great white one. I’ve seen (and posted about) some cool watches but I wasn’t able to commit to one because I wasn’t entirely sure I’d make use of it. Why spend the money if I’m not going to wear it, right?

Imagine how happy I was when I spotted this white watch at Target! It was way below the $20 mark so I just had to buy it. I’ve been wearing it every day but I’m not yet in the habit of looking at it to find out the time. Go figure.

watch, $12.99, Target

p.s. I also bought it in wild yellow too. Surprise!

20 Below: IKEA Textiles

It’s no secret that I love IKEA. I’m a truly devoted fan. This is why I’m so happy to spread the news about IKEA’s new textiles Although there is plenty of colour in the collection, it is the black and white JULITA that really catches my attention. It’s like one big glorious doodle.

JULITA fabric, $4.99/metre, IKEA

In the past I’ve used IKEA fabric to sew carry-on bags, beach totes, makeup cases, baby blankets and a yoga mat bag. I’ve also used it to recover my teak chairs. It’s been durable and so easy to work with.

What have you made lately with IKEA fabric?

20 Below: Italian Cards

Last week while I was at Chapters, I noticed a wall displaying boxes of Italian cards. With these cards, one can play scopa and briscola, two traditional Italian card games. My grandfather used to play these games with all of his friends but I never learned how to play. Well, now I have my own set (well, two actually) and instructions too. Now all I need is a partner. Does anyone already know how to play?

Scopa card game, $12.95, Chapters

20 Below: Midnight in Paris

I went to see Midnight in Paris last night. Oh – it was good. The scenery (Paris), the clothes (including loads of Goyard luggage), the music (hello Cole Porter) and the story line (romance, creativity, nostalgia) all captured my attention. I thought it was worth every penny of my full-price movie ticket ($11.50 where I live) so I thought I’d add it to today’s 20 Below feature.

movie ticket, $11.50

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Images courtesy of Midnight in Paris.

20 Below: Artistry Cards

If you were lucky enough to attend the National Stationery Show in New York City last week then you may have come across Artistry Cards, a Canadian stationery company dedicated to producing eco-friendly notecards and journals. Pillows, pencils, and calendars complete the Artistry Cards product line.

Toronto-based Artistry Cards is special in that it prints all of its cards and notebooks on 100% recycled stock. Everything is packaged in clear, biodegradable sleeves. Not only that, because it prints to order at their card store/print shop, there’s virtually zero paper wastage in the production of its cards.

Artistry Cards’ newest collection is all about Canadiana. Graphic images in this collection include wildlife, woodland creatures as well as canoes, trees, and the very recognizable mountie hat. We’ve got some great things going on over here in “the North”, eh? Oh – and I must also mention that almost everything in the store is less than $20! Hip hip!

calendar, $12 {true colours: shades of red, white, green & brown}

Canadian Creatures cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, white, brown}

Woodland Creatures cards, $4.50 each

Woodland Creatures card collection, $4.50 each

O Canada cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, green, brown}

Finally, here’s a treat for you! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on all their products. Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.

All images courtesy of Artistry Cards. Many thanks to Faith at Artistry Cards for sending along a beautiful sample pack.

20 Below: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Last week I bought a package of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on the advice 0f a Roots salesperson who suggested that it could be used to clean my leather bags.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, 4 pack, $3.47, Walmart

Well, the Magic Eraser sort of worked on my leather bags but it really did work magic around my kitchen. In seconds, yes, seconds, my stove top, my sink and my small kitchen appliances were gleaming. Now I’m kind of addicted and I’m trying it on everything. Last night my cupboards got a bit of Magic Eraser action and now they’re extra white, which obviously makes me happy. I’m discovering all the cleaning possibilities, are you?

20 Below: Arrested Development

I must be one of the last people to get into the Arrested Development tv series. Netflix has recently brought it into my life and I have been laughing so hard while watching it. I’m now onto season 2 and still enjoying each episode.

If you don’t have Netflix, you can pick up Season 1 for less than $20. Great, right?

Arrested Development Season 1, $17.90, Amazon

Are you a fan?

Introducing 20 Below

Welcome to a new feature on White Cabana: 20 Below.

Each week on 20 Below, I will post a white-hot item under $20. I hope this regular column will be inspiring for those who want to bring in a bit of white into their lives but aren’t quite ready to commit to living completely in white. And for all of you who already love white, I hope this feature will be another happy part of your day! Alright, so let’s get this started!

OXO digital thermometer, $19.95

Perfect for the chef in your family, this OXO meat thermometer gives accurate readings, a clear digital readout and it’s easy as a touch of button.

p.s. Many thanks to Kate for inspiring the title of this feature. I miss your old column.