{the weekend...}

As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I love stumbling on a good new dessert. After cheering on C's Dad at the Scotia Bank Marathon yesterday, we piled into the car and made our way to this bizarre icecream shop where garden gnomes, tobogans and enormous icecream cones decorate the walls - inside and out! At Dutch Dreams, the cones come with a heap of fruit, whipped cream and a waffle on top of your scoop! Or, like C's Dad, you can opt for a full litre shake. I went for the Heavenly Dutch chocolate icecream, obviously.

*photos via C's iphone.

{kitchen envy...}

My pie baking experience last weekend has me anxious to get back into the kitchen. I'll be in farm country tomorrow training for next Sunday's duathlon, so I plan to stock up on heeps of raspberries and blackberries. If only my baskets and I were returning to a kitchen like this one...

Wouldn't you bake more in here?!

* Photo via here.

{sweet cherry pie...}

I endeavoured to make my very first pie this weekend. I grew up loving my grandmother's raspberry and blackberry pies, but I thought I would make C's favourite since cherry season is in full swing.

I did all the prep work yesterday, adding my Nana's secret ingredient (vodka!) to the pastry and pitting the cherries. I popped the pie in the oven about an hour ago and the house is smelling delicious!

*photos by me.

{and then the rain came...}

Finally. It has been so hot and muggy here for weeks. And last night, it poured. And poured.

The sun is trying to peep out this afternoon, hopefully long enough for a BBQ with friends. Wouldn't mind a little rain tomorrow so I can have a sleepy Saturday and a wee break from duathlon training. My little bike is exhausted from carrying me around ;)

* Photo via flicker

{nooks + crannies in the city...}

Outdoor space in a big city is a rare commodity, but there are some beautifully creative nooks & crannies out there. I'm in love with this sweet little courtyard.

The lovely Bhavna over at An Indian Summer posted this week that Marie Claire Maison images are now available for your drooling pleasure here. There goes my productivity this weekend ;)

{lovely little getaway...}

I think I've discovered the perfect way to escape the city and my weekend chores. I need my own little camper van! No reservations required, just an open field of long scraggly grass. I'd invite you to join me, but I think I'm after a little alone time ;)



Photos by Hilary Walker

{friday, at last...}

Is it crazy to be wishing for a vacation, just back from vacation?! This week has felt so long, the only thing on my mind is escaping to a shaded hammock for the weekend with a good book! Wishing you a lazy, sleepy, shaded weekend (it's going to be HOT here in Toronto)! Join lovelyvélo next week for photos of Mallorca!

{up in the treetops...}

C and I are off to a treehouse-themed wedding this weekend. I have no idea what to expect, but I imagine it will be lovely and whimsical!

Remember that dress I was looking for? I tried on several at Holt Renfrew (ranging from $350-$500) and in the end, settled on a short little cutie from Winners for only $25!!! Now, to find the perfect little heels!

Wishing you a sunny end of May weekend!

*photo via here

{happy long weekend!...}

Ok, I'm not one for tassles on bikes, but if you look as chic as Meaghan Smith while you pedal, I'll make an exception ;)

Happy long weekend!

{anthro under water...}

I've been trying to find a dress for a wedding on May 29th, and I'm just not having any luck. I do own this dress, but I'm saving it for another wedding in September. How gorgeous are these images?!

{bon appétit!...}

Last night, I made one of my best meals since C and I moved in together. (When I lived alone, I ate nothing but chicken and sweet potatoes ;)

From this month's cover of Bon Appétit Magazine, I attempted the Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus, and Pancetta. It was surprisingly light, and very fresh. The lemon juice and peel were really the perfect touch!

Next Saturday, C and I are going to Toronto's Calphalon Culinary Center for a lesson in French Cooking (my Christmas gift from C). On the menu:

Mussels Provençal; Filet au Poivre; Haricot Vert; Apple Tarte Tatin

Mais oui! My mouth is already watering...

*photo via flickr

{turning pages this weekend...}

I have a lot of reading to do this weekend. I'm only half way through my Tuesday's bookclub read: A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood. It's a sad story, but I do love Isherwood's writing style.

What are you reading these days? I'm on the hunt for a more upbeat story... Suggestions please!

* photo from here.

{weekend agenda...}

Aside from hitting the racetrack (C is warming up the horses tomorrow night!) and choosing the cover paper for an invitation booklet I'm working on, there's just one thing on my weekend agenda - a nice, long, bubble-filled bath...

*photo from here.

{reclaimed...}

I recently discovered Pacha Design -gorgeous furniture and home accessories made from reclaimed wood and metals. Owners and designers Glenn Rushbrooke and Samantha Robb spend heaps of time sorting through heaps of tossed timber and scrap metal to create these eco-saavy pieces with a japanese twist.

I simply cannot get enough of these leaf lanterns made from plant fiber and skeleton leaves... so pretty!

{barn board tables...}

A few weekends ago C and I picked up our reclaimed barn board that we're going to use to build a dining room table. I just love these images and can't wait for the weather to warm enough so we can get to work in the back yard!


I love the contrast of the light wood and dark legs above, and those light fixtures!

We've talked alot about more industrial legs like the piped ones above.

And these big planks here are fantastic... I really love the rustic tone of this whole space!
*images from here, here, here and here.

{a few of my favourite things...}

Sushi. Hot Chocolate. Antiques.
I had an absolutely perfect weekend, starting with a Friday night date to the new Japanese mini tavern at the corner of our street - Akai Sushi. My expectations were beyond exceeded!

Saturday took me to my old Roncesvalles stomping grounds and all the little antique and coffee shops. It was so cold, I just had to taste the hot chocolate from both Mitzy's and Cherry Bomb... A little comparison: Cherry Bomb's is slightly more delicious ;)


Oh, and yesterday, C and I picked up our barn board to build a shelf for our living room and our dining room harvest table!

{weekend inspiration...}

Last weekend we cleared the basement, what a liberating chore... Goodbye junk, hello empty space! All of the odds and ends that we had collected when we moved in were thrown down into the basement and we finally took it all to Goodwill. Now that the whole house feels cleaner, its easier to be creative about what kind of pieces to pull into the house to add a little style.

I am absolutely in love with this loft from Apartment Therapy. Just the right mix of masculine-industrial and feminine-antique! I'm hoping to make a quick jaunt to Post and Beam Reclamation in Toronto's Junction to see if I can find something for somewhere... who knows?!

The bedroom is my favourite... the headboard is incredible isn't it?!

And this shoe... amazing!

{the weekend...}

I was so excited to find this ayurvedic tea at Chapters on Friday, the perfect way to kick off my much needed weekend of relaxation. This particular tea is meant for balancing Vata - which is my dosha type - something I had the great joy of learning at the Ananda Ayurveda Spa in Northern India. Learning about your dosha type helps you find ways to balance your lifestyle, I've tried it and it works! A fun quiz - learn your dosha type here!

Oh, and this is just a great picture I snapped of my kitten yesterday, I couldn't resist sharing it!

{frosting...}

It must be the Canadian in me, but I just love this picture that C snapped of our bedroom window this weekend. Isn't the frost pattern beautiful?

It got me thinking about how much I'd love to spend a few nights at the Hotel de Glace in Quebec. The entrance (above) is magical and the deer hide furniture coverings are a great touch.


Sweden also has an Ice Hotel, the ornate details are just gorgeous!

{olympic torch coming to toronto!...}

The torch is making its way to Toronto next week and I'm wishing I could sport some of the amazing olympic fashion to cheer on the relay. The rustic and cozy reindeer sweater is my favourite piece of canadiana, but in the spirit of being neighbourly, I can't wait to see the vintage-inspired Polo Ralph Lauren-designed outfits for team USA...