happy holiday

My best friend is coming to town for a quick visit tomorrow morning and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the holiday. D and I are going to the Jays game and then we'll all catch up over dinner and wine. 

Hope you enjoyed your weekends and have fun celebrating Canada's birthday! 

Cheers. xx

showered with cupcakes

This past Sunday I helped throw a bridal shower for an old neighborhood friend. The bride to be is the first to be married from our neighborhood and having been childhood friends it's so fun coming to the realization that we're all growing up. Regardless of all of us having moved out of our parents houses and not seeing each other very often, we enjoyed a great afternoon together celebrating their marriage and the beautiful bride-to-be. 

A fun realization from supplying dessert for the shower was remembering how much I love baking! I baked two different types of cupcakes - vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate cake with salted caramel frosting and I was thrilled to learn that both were huge hits with all the ladies. I would say my passion has definitely been reignited! Anybody need some cupcakes?!

friendship application

How cute is this Application for Maintaining a Friendship? It came in the mail from our best friends out West and was immediately posted on the fridge! We have quite a few close friends and family members who live far away and while long distance relationships are tough, I find it really creates a new appreciation for the relationship and gives you something to look forward to when you plan rendezvous!

Do you have loved ones that live far away? How do you keep in touch?

flash tattoos

How cool are these Flash Tattoos?! I love the glitzy metallics and fun, creative designs - such a neat and (and temporary) way to accessorize! Perfect for summer weekends spent lakeside or vacations spent lazing on the beach. 

a guide to: buck-a-shuck

I don't know about you, but I love oysters. It's not a food I was a fan of at first, and I don't even know what really changed my mind, but all of the sudden they have become one of my favorite indulgences. I get that not everyone loves them, the texture can be off putting and they're expensive little suckers! - but for all you other oyster lovers I have a secret to share. There are restaurants in Toronto that have oyster specials where they only charge $1 per oyster (instead of the typical $2-3 each)! Heading to The Saint for oysters and wine is one of my favorite date nights and I love that their specials allow it to be a more frequent happening.

Here's my favorite three picks for buck-a-shuck nights (I'm working on finding a spot for each day of the week - I'll get back to you when I fill in the blanks):

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday - The Saint Tavern

Thursday - La Societe

Friday - The Beast

Update: Tuesdays at Boehmer (half priced wine too!)
Wednesdays at Camp

sweet potato gnocchi in blue cheese sauce

I put this dish together last minute on Monday night, and it turned out to be a fabulous dinner to start the week off. I bought these gnocchi at a favorite shop that offers great pre-made italian dinners. You simply cook them from frozen and they're done when they float to the top. Gnocchi can sometimes be heavy so I knew I wanted a light sauce. I ran across the street to pick up some rich and creamy blue cheese and simply melted it with garlic, butter and olive oil and stirred in some fresh basil and lemon juice at the last minute. The flavors of this dish were so delicious and rich and so decadent for a Monday night homemade dinner!

summerlicious

I love summer nights spent biking through the city, heading to bars for a cold drink or heading out for a date night or eats with friends. Summerlicious is always a great opportunity to try new restaurants that have been on your to-goto list but as these bi-annual events become more popular, I find a successful experience involves some research and planning ahead to snap up a reservation.

That being said Summerlicious 2014 begins July 4th - so start your restaurant browsing, drooling over the menus and book yourself a  delicious meal somewhere in this great city of ours. This Toronto Life guide breaks down the city into areas and might come in handy to help you pick.

I'm not sure where we're headed yet, but if you want a suggestion - we went to Bent for Winterlicious and had an amazing meal.

one of my most treasured possessions

My mom's mother, my grandma, was such a wonderful lady - and definitely a big part of where I get my creativity and love of crafting from. She painted this vase, and I'm not sure how I lucked out with it in my possession but it is one of my favorite belongings. With spring and summer flowers in bloom, I've happily had it on display non-stop as of late.

Do you have any heirlooms or cherished belongings that have been passed down to you? I love having pieces that have such special meaning and a story to share too!

foodie photos

{ benefits of living across the street from a fresh market }

{ dinner @ richmond station to celebrate successful work weeks }

{ bridal shower dessert preparations }

{ store bought scones made infinitely better with homemade blueberry jam }

music monday

Mondays are always a little tough, getting rid of the weekend lazies. The threat of rain this morning left me riding the TTC but it was an opportunity to reflect on the weekend and my 'to-do' list for the week ahead, all while listening to some tunes. Here are a few songs to kick off your week...

Big Blue Wave by Key Ocean

Love Runs Out by One Republic

Sing by Ed Sheeran

Yin Yang by USS

tgif

This week has been absolutely exhausting at work and this t-shirt sums it all up perfectly. I actually LOL'd when I read it.

What fun do you have planned this weekend? D and I have a date night planned tonight! We planned it on Monday and it was an easy trick to help make it through a tough week knowing a romantic date awaited us on Friday, simple but fun right!? I'm hoping we might maybe end up here but will honestly be happy to unwind over a glass of wine together pretty much anywhere.
...Oh and I can't wait to sleep in til noon on Sunday!!!

Whatever you have planned, enjoy your weekend. xx

summer whites

I always feel that summer has officially arrived when my wardrobe pieces switch from basic blacks to breezy, fresh whites. I think I get it from my momma, but I just love wearing white. I was in awe of all the beautiful pieces from Emerson Frys Warm Spring 14 line. I love how the pieces seem easy to throw on and hang off the body so effortlessly. I'd love to add any of these lovely crisp white pieces to my wardrobe for the summer heat ahead.

Shop the collection here. xx

strawberry rhubarb muffins

D and I have been frequenting our local farmers market every Monday night and last week we picked up fresh rhubarb. While strawberry rhubarb crisp is one of my favorites but I wanted to try making something a little different. I googled this oatmeal muffin recipe and simply added in cut up strawberries and rhubarb that had been cooked with some sugar and lemon juice. 

Warm out of the oven, with some melted butter, I think these might have topped my list of homemade muffins!

music monday

I always love finding new music, here are a couple of the tunes that have been playing on my ipod these days...

Play It Again by Luke Bryan

Diamond Eyes by Boyz II Men

Tokyo Summer by Mounties

Snaggletooth by Vance Joy

Hoping you all had a good Monday. I've been seriously busy at work lately. I'm hoping things will settle down soon and allow me to get back at blogging regularly and just generally getting to be more creative! May your week be filled with happiness. xx

just because

These gorgeous Zara mules are finally mine. And I can now check these off my wishlist.

Bonus: They're sooo comfortable

{ Leather High Heel Mules }

strawberry salad

I remember first trying this salad when I first started dating D. Although we don't eat it often it is so sweet and salty and nutty - just plain delicious. When we remembered about it about a week ago, we emailed D's momma asking for the recipe. I picked up the ingredients and whipped up a huge bowl for Sunday nights dinner. Needless to say we couldn't get it in us quick enough, we hoover the biggest bowls of strawberry salad, and I think D even licked his bowl in between filling up for seconds.  

With strawberries in season this is a perfect dish to serve to friends or enjoy for a dinner outside in the summer heat.

How to Make: Strawberry Salad

2 cups strawberries sliced

romaine lettuce chopped

2 tbsp sesame seeds

1 tbsp poppy seeds

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp minced dry onion

1/4 cup worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Whisk, combine with strawberries and lettuce. Enjoy!

(dressing makes large amount, enough for left overs :)

bridal shower

I'm in my first bridal party this summer! Remembering growing up as little girls it seems surreal to realize that one of my oldest friends is getting married. We spent yesterday afternoon celebrating the beautiful bride and showering her with love. We have quite a few weddings this summer and after yesterdays shower I think I'm most looking forward to having the opportunity to spend time with great friends and family.... Up next - the bachelorette!