Year End Wrap Up

 Ok, ok, so some people got in all the year end stuff on time! I'm often punctual, but I also often choose travel over most other things when possible. So I'm wrapping up a bit late as I didn't have access to a computer while I was away.

Top 5 viewed posts for 2011

Suit + Sneakers=So Right

Felt Pompom Rug

Rustic Wedding

H&M Striped Dress 

Country Club Chic

Thanks to google analytics I know lots of other interesting things... like in 2011 I have 11,000 unique visitors! I know some people probably have that in a single day, but I'm pretty darn impressed!

Top 5 countries?
1- United States
2- Canada
3- United Kingdom
4- Australia (Monique, is that you?)
5- Germany

Pretttty international if I do say so myself. Also impressed that Canada isn't #1, since that is where I'm based. Maybe because I don't really share my blog around, most people don't know I write one, but someone who isn't my lovely mommy is reading it out there!

Oh, and if you are reading this, thanks! Feel free to keep reading. Feel free to leave suggestions or comments. And just, well, feel free! (It's a pretty good feeling.)

Travel Memories: Montreal, Quebec (Travel Suggestions and Reviews!)

    So on a whim we decided to go to Montreal last weekend. I have probably been to Montreal 40+ times in my life, but that almost makes it more of a vacation! I don't NEED to do anything. I've done it all already! In turn that lead to visiting friends (from Coachella), drinking wine, eating deliciously rich food, and exploring stores, old favourites, and new notables. I took a few pictures of my trip to share.

 Crossing the bridge into Montreal

  Dinner for the first night was at Au Pied de Cochon. Also known as French food on steroids. Everything had foie gras on it. I'm not complaining! If you are in Montreal, you MUST go! You must also expect to gain 5 pounds from this meal alone.

St Hubert coleslaw. I pretty much lived on this stuff in undergrad. Every time I return to Montreal I make it a mission to find this chain restaurant (there are a ton of them, so it isn't that hard), and eat a lot of coleslaw. It's nice and tart, not too sweet! And it's unlimited with most meals. So basically I eat like 3 bowls. Classy.

 The SAQ (the Quebec liquor stores), have an IMPRESSIVE selection of bubbly. I wanted to buy it ALL!

 The Atwater Market (Marche Atwater) is another favourite stop in Montreal for me. It's an indoor/outdoor market, with lots of lovely fruits, veggies, jams, baked goods, Quebec cheeses and meats, and maple syrup. It's not big, but it's small (Vinyl Cafe reference anyone?) and cute (and is close to the metro/has free parking.) A must visit!

I also stayed at the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal. I got a pretty good price online through their website, especially considering I booked the day before I left. It was a nice hotel. Nothing too crazy, but a clean, quiet hotel, quite close to the metro, and the main streets. The downside? $24 a night for parking, and wireless internet is not included (really??)

Other restaurants I visited:

La Cantine:

A great brunch  spot. 

$46 for brunch for two with a coffee and a tea including tax and tip.

Bremner:

A very popular spot, we lucked out showing up at 6pm (right when they opened). It's got a bit of a following thanks to Chuck Hughes who was the first Canadian to beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef, and also has his own Food Network Show. Chuck was in the house the night I was there (yes, he actually WORKS in his two restaurants), although I didn't see him. But then again I didn't go into the kitchen. The food was good. Really good. But not OMG-the-best-i've-ever-had. Which is too bad because it's been consistently getting 5 stars. Their homemade cocktails however, are probably worth the trip alone. Try the bourbon berry. YUM. 

(It is pricey though. We paid $220 for 4 cocktails, 6 oysters, 4 "sharing/tapas style" dishes, and one dessert.)

Pullman: 

A nice wine bar. However they force you to order food, which they didn't tell us until after we had finished our bottle of wine, and had asked for the bill. Unimpressed. Still, a good place to go on a date, as I saw lots of couples around

Hope you enjoy my suggestions!

Happy Birthday Little Man

Oh my gosh golly! It's my little brother's 19th birthday!! 19? How did he get so old? You see, he used to be so small I could pick him up and turn him upside down. (He liked it, I swear.) And now, well, he's very near a grown up! Much taller than me, but still my little brother!

Brother and me at our cousin's wedding in Montreal.

Eiffel Tower

Paris 2008

Looking forward to my next trip to Europe by think about my past trips. 

P.S. Received my Toronto Poster by Ork and am in LOVE with it. Now to figure out framing, and where it will go in my apartment! There is no place like home.

Should've Known Better Than To Give You My Only Heart

Owen and Nick. Sweet Thing live at The Pheonix

I know some people. They have a band. They got signed. They have a hit song out called Dance Mother. This is their first music video.

I know some famous people.

Can't wait to hear their new album.

There Are Angels In Your Angles

Dublin, 2009

Filofax

Me and my filofax. I even bring it with me to weddings.

I have a wonderful robin's egg blue filofax that I bought last two years ago in Paris. (I know that you can buy them anywhere, but mine is more special to me because of where I bought it). I don't think I know anyone else my age who totes around a filofax instead of one of those handy dandy smart phones, but I love it, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. My friends joke about how I carry my "book" with me everywhere, but it keeps my lists and my life close at hand, and that can't be beat. 

I keep reading that the Filofax is making a comeback. I was just ahead of the trend.

January 2nd 2010

A daily reminder. Found in Brooklyn.

January 2010

Call me kooky, but I believe that what I am doing at midnight is a predictor for how my entire year will go. This is not a theory. It has been proved true time and time again. Like I said. I know it's kooky.

My New Years Eve was full, but perhaps not exactly what I want for the coming year. At least I don't think so. (My fault. I had a little too much wine and don't quite recall the evening).

Instead, if I were to have my way, my entire year would be like January 2nd 2010. (After I had recovered my spunk.)

It ran something like this:

• Being in a foreign but not unfamiliar city
• Cafe au lait and almond croissants with my oldest bestie
• Some shopping. Shoes and sexy unmentionables are my undoing in the shopping department. Check and check.
  
• Lunch and wandering around Soho.
• Home for a glass of wine, and some chill-axing time.
• Headed to Brooklyn for a indie show at a great venue Union Hall.
  
• Amazing meal at a Rose Water, a great restaurant which specializes is local, organic and sustainable food. I shared a bottle of bubbly and a great meal with a dear friend who I could talk to for hours. And did.

So if 2010 could be full of best friends, amazing meals, wine and champagne, travel and concerts and talk and laughter then I will be a happy girl. I now have 11.5 months to see how the next year will turn out!

Paris

I was in Paris when Yves Saint Laurent died. Have you ever seen a city in mourning? I have.

I've been dreaming of Paris, and am planning my next trip.

Memories of Snowy Winters Past

Real Snow

Eastern Townships, Quebec

Memories

2005

West Palm Beach

The Secret/ Thanksgiving

This is the secret to my cheery disposition.

When I thought about my actual birthday I knew I wanted the chance to share it in a more intimate way with the people I love.

Resasons I'm always happy:

 #1 - There were 21 people I wanted to invite right away. It could have been a lot more easily, but as it was I didn't get to talk to everyone as much as I would have like. That's a lot of great people in my life.

#2 - EVERYONE came, except those who were out of province/country/continent. On a work night.

When there are so many people in your life that you love, and who love you back... well then, you're a lucky gal.

Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!