favorite patios

With the warm, sunny days we've been having, it's so great to be able to enjoy a meal outdoors. Whether you're meeting friends for an afternoon drink on the weekend or heading out for a date night, here are some of my favorite spots outdoor spots in the city...

1. Le Select's Rear Garden
One of Toronto's hidden gems, you typically have to request to be sat in the back, but it's so quaint and beautiful - it feels like your hidden in a secret garden and is the perfect place to enjoy good wine and delicious french fare. Should the back patio be filled up, the front patio is just as lovely - it truly feels like your seated in a parisian bistro.

2. The Drake Hotel's Sky Yard
The perfect place to enjoy an afternoon cocktail or even late start to the day with brunch and a mimosa (or two). And should you be distracted by sunshine and cocktails, luckily, the dinner menu is delicious and the dancing starts soon after.

3. Hemingway's Patio in Yorkville
We don't frequent Yorkville, but it's always fun to walk around Bloor Street and browse in all the fancy shops. While Hemingway's is buried right smack dab in the middle of Yorkville, it has a very casual, laidback vibe. In my experience it's the type of place you show up for a drink and end up catching up with friends over a few.

4. Bellwood's Brewery on Ossington
A night on a patio under twinkly lights, squished into a picnic table with friends (and sometimes strangers), drinking amazing house-brewed beer - it doesn't get much better, and Bellwood's delivers on all fronts. While there's is often a line of like-minded beer drinkers, the staff are always so friendly and truly working hard to get you seated and enjoying a drink.

5. Deq at the Ritz Carlton (on top of my to-go list)
I've been wanting to visit the hotel's cocktail bar since last summer and it just hasn't happened yet. The hotel itself seems absolutely beautiful and I've heard that this back patio is a wonderful escape from the busy bustle of downtown. I'd love to go for a night out with girls and some fresh-muddled mojitos.

a pink blouse

{ Neon Peasant Blouse }

I picked this blouse up at Joe Fresh on Friday and literally didn't take it off all weekend. The soft cotton is cozy, the breezy fit makes it so easy to wear and the neon pink color makes it feel flirty and perfect for summer. I know it'll be my new regular go-to blouse for the remaining hot summer days.

I'd also love to wear either of these two beautiful, silky tops on warm summer nights...

{ oversized silk blouse }

{ silk ruffle hem tank }

summer scents

{ Yuzu Rose }

{ Linden & Dark Moss }

{ Sake Lemon }

On a recent stroll through Chapters, coffee in hand, I came across these fresh summer scented candles from Voluspa. There's no doubt that Voluspa is my favorite candle company - with soft scents that still have such luscious depth. While I'm all about cedar scents for the fall and winter, these scents were so crisp and light - perfect to light in the house on summer nights while enjoying a glass of rose.

PS. All the candles are on sale now, click through on the scents to order!

music monday

Hope you enjoyed your weekend and that your week started off on a good note. We spent Saturday with family and cheered on the World Cup competitors on Sunday. I have a few work meetings this week, but hoping some sunny bike rides to the office and a lunch date with an old friend will help the week pass by enjoyably. Here are a few tunes to enjoy...

Going to California by Led Zeppelin
Why'd You Only Call Me When Your High by Arctic Monkeys
So Deep by Kiesza

Oh, and while we're on the topic of music, I really want to see this movie!

date nights

Last Friday D got home from work a little early and before leaving my office I suggested he bike to meet me on my regular route and we can stop in for a 'TGIF' drink somewhere. We decided that we'd meet on Ossington and play it by ear. I arrived before him and snagged a table when there was no line-up at Bellwoods Brewery (a very rare occasion). As I sat waiting for D to show up I felt a giddy excitement, wondering when he would arrive, what he would be wearing - not doubting he'd be a most handsome date and just looking forward to catching up on our days. I have no complaints about our day to day companionship but I can say that biking to meet each other at the restaurant felt like a romantic, fun twist to our regular routine.  (Oh, and by the way, I'm usually a cheese lover, but we opted for this meat board instead and it totally rocked! Who knew grilled salami could be so addictive)

I'm curious, do you have any date night rituals? 

shoe sale (!)

{ Marlo Suede Sandal }

{ Danton Metallic Sandal }

{ Hayley Snake-Effect Sandal }

The beauty of Club Monaco's designs doesn't stop at their clothing, if you didn't know - their shoes are to die for too. Better yet, they're on sale! Go, get shopping now!

house crush

I love our apartment so very much but I have to say that one of the things I'm most looking forward to in buying a new home is finding one with a dining room. I can't wait to host friends and share delicious meals around our own table. I'm all about the bright, breezy feel of this dining room - it's so inviting and I could just imagine chatting and laughing over rose and spaghetti cacio e pepe.

ps. the rest of the house is super dreamy too... 

Check out the full before & after reveal here. 

wanderlust wednesday

I spent the weekend in Algonquin park a couple weeks ago to celebrate a bachelorette and I have to say I've been yearning to return back to the tree lined lake for some R & R. Hopefully in the summer weeks remaining I get my bikini clad self back to the dock. 

niagara wine tour

I went to Niagara on Saturday to celebrate a friend's bachelorette. We headed up early in the day and went on a wine tour to four different local vineyards. It was a beautiful day and I so enjoyed being outside and getting to taste all the varieties of wines at the different properties. We visited both boutique and larger vineyards  - and my favorite was definitely Between the Lines, which I had visited with D before. It was fun to support a local business all while getting a tasty bottle of white and red in return - soon to be enjoyed no doubt. 

new hair do's

My morning routine has little variation when it comes to my hair-do's and I'm always looking for new, fun ways to style my hair. Especially with the humid weather in Toronto it's almost a necessity to have your hair off your neck. I loved the layout of these tutorials - with the photos and mini videos, I have little doubt I'll be trying out some new styles soon. Check them all out here.

What's your morning routine? Do you style your hair or let it air dry?