a party dress

{ white shift dress from Zara }

If a birthday party isn't a good excuse for a new dress, I don't know what is. 

a good read

{ The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion }

I just finished The Rosie Project tonight and was happily surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The main character Don is super nerdy and hard not to fall in love with as the story carries on. If you're looking for a light, easy read to enjoy on these warm September nights - I'd definitely pick up this book.

white wine mussels

This weekend we bought mussels for the first time. I had never made them before but was determined that I would somehow figure it out once we got home. I didn't follow a recipe but the dinner was really an easy, one-pot meal that turned out deliciously. It's exciting that we now know how to make muscles - and that they're no longer only a treat to enjoy when eating out at restaurants. Read below for how I make them...

How to Make : White Wine Mussels

1 large leek (sliced thin)

1 stem of celery (diced)

2 shallots (sliced thin)

2 garlic cloves (grated or diced)

1 jalepeno (chopped finely)

2 green onions (chopped finely)

1 piece of chorizo (rounds cut into quarters)

bunch of parsley (rough chop)

1 lemon (sliced into rounds)

1 cup of white wine

1 1/2 cup of vegetable stock

1/2 cup of whipping cream

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp olive oil

fresh baguette

1. Melt butter with olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add in leek, shallot, celery, jalepeno, garlic and let sweat.

2. Pour in white wine and vegetable stock - bring to a simmer.

3. Stir in mussels and 2 lemon rounds - cover and let steam over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes. 

4. When mussels have opened, uncover and stir in chorizo, parsley, cream and green onions.

5. Serve in deep bowl with warm baguette. 

Enjoy!

labor day long weekend

{ beautiful bouquets at the sorauren market }

Hope you had a great long weekend! - We stuck around home and really enjoyed lazy days, biking around the city and relaxing. Here are a few photos from our few days off if you care to see...

{ friday date night attire }

{ fresh berries for pancake breakfast }

{ bike gang on our way to the jays game }

{ sporting my new jersey }

{ a little kitchen helper - keeping me company }

{ saturday dinner dress }

{ bbq dinner at barque }

{ secretly picked these on a late night neighborhood walk }

{ labor day drinks at the drake hotel }

{ basket full of market goodies - tomatoes, peaches & beets }

{ weekend reading - the september issue }

{ buck-a-shuck to end off the weekend at the saint tavern }

have a great long weekend

We went to the CNE last night and totally chowed down on carnival treats. It was so fun walking around, looking at all the fun games and rides. We even saw Hanson live - remember this song?

What do you have planned for the long weekend? We're going to a Blue Jays game tomorrow with friends and we're heading here for a date night tonight. I'm so excited for the extra long weekend to finally be upon us. I'm looking forward to going on some bike rides and hopefully dropping in at some new cafes. 

Even though labour day somewhat marks the end of summer, I hope you all enjoy some sunshine this weekend. xx

i'm not wishing the summer away

... but this is a really cute fall sweater. 

{ Madewell Rib Evelyn Crew Neck Pullover }

poolside gossip

When we were in Palm Dessert this past March, I saw this print in a gallery window. I hadn't thought much of it again until I saw it in this home tour. I remember standing on the sidewalk finding myself really loving the photo, trying to take in all the details. It's called Poolside Gossip and I don't know whether it's the ladies all dolled up for poolside cocktails, or the lush backyard setting but it feels like you're peeking in on a party you weren't invited to. I know I could handle lounging in that empty lawn chair. Learn more about the photographer Slim Aarons here. 

happy weekend xx

It's been a little tough getting back into the swing of things this week at work after such a great vacation - I really wish we could take more of them! We have my cousin's wedding tonight and plans with family for the rest of the weekend, hoping to enjoy and relax. Whatever you have planned, have a great weekend. Here are a few links from around the web...

Every single one of these gazpacho recipes sound amazing

Remember these tips next time you're eating out with friends at a restaurant

I'm saving my pennies for a road bike and saved this advice for when I get to buying one

I'd love this sweater for fall

uh... Yum!

Wouldn't this loose bun be beautiful for a date night?

As a girl who always has her nails painted, I loved these pointers

A great cocktail to finish off the summer

I would love waking up in any of these dreamy white bedrooms

iphone photos

{ stanley park }

It's been fun re-living our vacation with photos this week. It was a wonderful trip and I'm already counting down the days until we return at Christmas. Here are a few final photos that I took on my iphone if you care to see...

{ (nervously) waiting for my first float plane }

{ fresh caught - a 'keeper' }

{ the largest and sweetest sugar cookie }

{ tubs of blackberries picked on the neighbors driveway }

{ fairen - a real good snuggler }

{ first time enjoying pho }

{ homemade smoked salmon }

{ we floated for 90 minutes in these chambers }

{ more than 1,000 lbs of salt is in each tank }

{ homemade pasta }

{ badminton in heels }

{ the most decadent dinner at salt tasting room }

{ patio b52's }

{ saturday night stroll in gastown }

{ complimentary upgrade to business class for the flight home }

granville island

After a great dinner (here) in Vancouver the night before we got up and spent our final vacation hours on Sunday at Granville Island. I had never been before but loved exploring in the little shops, walking around the markets and enjoying a drink overlooking the ocean. I hope return visits to the island become a regular event on trips back to BC.