osheaga

D and I are leaving for Osheaga in Montreal tomorrow morning and I cannot wait for the weekend ahead! It's going to be a weekend of reunited best friends, amazing music, yummy food and lots of adventure and fun in a great city. Some of the artists I'm most excited to see include A Tribe Called Red, Mumford and Sons, Ellie Goulding, Ben Howard, Miguel, Grouplove and The Gaslight Anthem. But really I love all and any live music so I'm excited for everyone. 

We're also renting our first apartment on AirBnb so I'm hoping everything goes smoothly. The photos of the apartment look gorgeous, the host seems like a great guy and I'm so excited to experience the city a little bit like a local. I'll get back to you on how our experience goes.

If you want to get in the long weekend mood download the free Osheaga playlist on Itunes here. Oh and also - check out the festival food - I'm drooling already! Pizza cones and poutine await me!

Have a great long weekend! xx

baggu

My birthday wishlist has begun! I'm in love with this Baggu oversize tote. Classic color, soft leather, great shape - a beautiful go-to daily bag.

nail fun

photo via manrepeller instagram

This polish changes color with your temperature! Cool!

I'm thinking of getting a manicure like this for our weekend in Montreal.

Also, this video... Worst nightmare when your trying to relax in the nail salon. But still made me laugh.

brunch at the saint tavern

A weekend is always better enjoyed when Saturday or Sunday morning starts of with a delicious brunch. Donuts are one of my biggest weaknesses and I couldn't resist them on the menu this weekend at The Saint Tavern. They were served warm soaked in an orange glaze with fresh orange zest. To die for. The meal also included grapefruit mimosas and eggs covered in bernaise sauce... a heavenly start to the weekend!

cute summer sandals

I would love a pair of these Plomo sandals to wear for summer date nights. Wouldn't they look perfect with a pretty white dress.

strawberry rhubarb crisp

A few weeks ago we got up super duper early to go to the Ontario Food Terminal. While our main mission was to find some plants for our garden, I got completely sidetracked by the smell of fresh strawberries. We came home with a flat of berries and I couldn't resist making a crisp after D's aunt gave us some garden grown rhubarb and a how-to refresher for a good crisp recipe. This dessert is really one of those summer treats that leaves me amazed at how good fresh fruit can taste.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

1 1/2 pints of strawberries - quartered

12 stalks of rhubarb - cut into small pieces

1/2 cup of white sugar

1/2 tapioca

Mix fruit, sugar and tapioca together. (Tapioca helps thicken the fruit mixture so it's not super runny)

Crisp:

2 cups of oats

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of white sugar

2 cups of flour

1/2 cup of butter

Combine dry ingredients and cut in cold butter. While I've tried to use utensils I find my fingers always work best. Get those hands dirty and work the mixture until the butter is well combined. Pour over the fruit and bake in oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

final pieces

The couch and table have both arrived and other than getting some artwork hung the flat finally feels complete! I'm slightly obsessed with our table and have enjoyed having a place to share meals and work on blogging when I get home from work. D's Grandfather painted the table top and it's been in his family for a long time so it feels very special to get to enjoy it in our space. Unfortunately while you can't really tell in the photo, the couch was delivered in two parts and the fabrics don't match - but a new one is already on order and we get to use this one until the delivery. 

Downtown life is good and we're enjoying every minute of our new adventure! 

2 hot spot restaurant reviews

Last Friday was a stressful day at the office, so I happily welcomed a night of biking around Toronto shopping and restaurant hopping with D. We started off at 416 Snack Bar (quickly becoming a favorite spot), then continued onto Opera Bob's (a reliable spot for a casual, cold beer). The night continued and we couldn't resist stopping for a drink at the two joints below when both had no line-ups! - a happening that just doesn't happen - we felt we had to take advantage! We enjoyed the patio and beer at Bellwoods before ending the night at Electric Mud with some cocktails and ribs. Since both seem to be popular spots, I thought I would share my two cents and maybe help you plan your next Friday night outing.  

Bellwood Brewery: There patio has to be one of the prettiest in the city. Wooden picnic benches, micro brewed beer and a patio lit by christmas lights strung overhead. The menu of beers is easy to navigate with lengthy flavor descriptions and friendly staff willing to give great suggestions. We shared a bowl of fries - because beer and fries is never a bad idea - and chatted about our days at our candlelit picnic bench. The space is small, but they pack every inch with thirsty customers so be prepared to share your table with neighbors. The line-up often stretches quite long, but after experiencing our first visit, I now understand why people wait. I will definitely be back.

Tip: If you don't feel like waiting in line, but do feel like great beer - they've opened a beer store in the space next door! You can pick up a mix and match 4 pack for $20 :)

Electric Mud: Our experience of Grand Electric had left us with such fond memories that we were really excited to hear that restaurant number 2, Electric Mud, had opened so close to home. The hot spot is on our bike ride home and when there was once again no line, we had to stop and do some late night taste testing. The space is decorated with delightfully tacky posters and knick-knacks. While I can appreciate a good hipster dive bar, the space felt unfinished in a way. Maybe I'm over analyzing but luckily the food made up for the less than impressive decor. The bourbon cocktail was strong, the ribs tasty and the potato salad some of the best I've had. While I wouldn't rush back, nor wait in line, I would suggest giving it a try because the food is very tasty.

shameless self promotion

If you aren't already, follow me on social media!...

twitter: @kimbom

instagram: @kimberlyannemclean

pinterest: Kim McLean

i love this blouse.

{ Equipment Keira Blouse }

I'm wishing I had some sort of special splurge shopping fund right about now...

summer staple

I'm on the hunt for a jean skirt. Not the mini, frayed-edge jean skirt that was my go-to piece of clothing for perhaps one summer too many. I'm thinking something a little longer with a certain cool factor that could easily become a summer staple. I'd love to pair a white t-shirt or jean shirt with either of these Current/Elliot styles.

{ Cut Off Pencil Skirt }

{ The Pencil Skirt }

the easiest tomato sauce

I'm a sucker for Italian food. When it comes to my favorite foods, a tasty bowl of pasta with always top my list. And while I'm not claiming to have figured out any Italian secrets, I am confident that I've figured out how to make a very easy and very delicious tomato sauce.  

How To Make:

1 can of diced tomatoes (yes... canned tomatoes - it's that easy)

1 large shallot

1 tablespoon of chopped garlic

2 tablespoons of butter

3 tablespoons olive oil

bunch of fresh basil

Saute shallot in butter and olive oil until softened on medium heat, about 5 minutes. Add can of tomatoes, including the liquid and simmer for 20 minutes. Add chopped basil at last minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.

junction flea

Yesterday we went to the Junction Flea for our first time. It's held on the second Sunday of each month, May through October in a parking lot at Dundas and Keele. Admission cost $2, and although it was stinkin hot, it was a great way to spend the morning. The stands ranged from hand picked vintage furniture, fun knick-knacks, beautiful clothes, vintage jewelry and some different food stands. The homemade popsicles were definitely a lifesaver in the heat. We got some great buys for the house - including a pulley that we've hung a photo from and a hand printed silk screen print that I can't wait to get framed and hung!

grapefruit and green bean salad

There's nothing better than a fresh and simple salad for a warm July night. Family friends made this salad when we stayed with them in France last summer and I have no idea why we waited so long to recreate it. I've taken a liking to grapefruit lately and love the citrus punch with the otherwise ordinary beans and almonds.

How to Make:

Boil beans until tender.

Segment grapefruit and squeeze juice into bowl.

Add in slivered almonds.

For dressing combine the grapefruit juice with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper.

the storm

To be perfectly honest, if it weren't for the internet, I would have arrived at work Tuesday morning completely oblivious to the fact that Toronto nearly drowned on Monday night. Other than our internet and cable going out for about two hours, I (luckily) was not affected by the crazy storm on Monday. Sending love and dry wishes to those still dealing with water and being kept in the dark!

I have some good summer recipes coming up later this week but thought I would take a page out of Emily's book(or should I say blog?), and share some fun links from the web...

With our Montreal road trip fast approaching this list is making me so excited...

I want to host myself a 25th birthday party just so I have an excuse to try out this DIY...

Can you say potato salad on steroids? - Y-U-M!

Fun to look through a stylish dude's closet for a change

I was so sad to find this fun Thursday night activity is already sold out. Hoping extra tickets become available!

Next time I'm in NYC I'm definitely visiting this shop to take my homemade card making up a notch. I'd choose a lobster and a whale stamp.

What are your thoughts on this for days spent at summer music festivals?

I want to sip on these this weekend... Also, if you're looking for something fun to do on Sunday - join us here!

a really funny book

I heard good things about Kelly Oxford, first that she was a 140 character Twittering genius. While that's no lie, neither is the fact that she's freaking hilarious. I'm talking laugh out loud on my streetcar ride home kind of funny. If you're looking for a good summer read - go get it. Now. We can talk favorite quotes later.

white wine sangria

When it comes to summertime refreshments, sangria is definitely one of my favorite drinks of choice. It's cool and refreshing and the fruit makes it taste so fresh.  We had friends over Sunday night and enjoyed a pitcher (or three...) while enjoying our first dinner in the backyard. There's different alcohol and fruit combinations when it comes to sangria, but here's the recipe I made up:

White Wine Sangria

{ Makes 1 pitcher }

1 peach, sliced

3/4 pint of raspberries

6 strawberries, quartered

3 oz of vodka

1 bottle of white wine

1/2 bottle of PC blood orange juice

2 cups of club soda

ice cubes

Combine & Serve