Carry-On Suggestion

My blogger friend Nirasa saw my plea for suggestions for carry on bags and threw her suggestion into the hat. She has this pretty bag, and says she "loves it". You can also get it monogrammed. Fancy. This is way more classy than what I use. What do you use?

Coach Bleeker Weekender Bag in Fawn

Suggested by A Fine Balance

Looking For A Perfect Carry-On

I'm headed back to B.C. today to surprise my Nana for her 80th birthday! Yet another flight reminds my of my newest search... I'm looking for a perfect carry on bag. As a frequent flyer, I've come up with a list of things that this perfect bag would have. Including: ideally a luggage strap so I can rest the bag on top of my rolling luggage. I often travel with multiple bags, and don't have a free arm. If not a luggage strap, then a cross body strap. Size: Big enough to pack my travel essentials, a large scarf, cardigan, a book and a couple of magazines, and some major snackage. It ideally would have pockets making things easy to organize, (passport, electronics, etc) and would zip shut (so I don't lost anything when it's stored under the seat). Where does this bag exist? I've found a few good options here, but none of them are quite perfect.

 

Lug: Cartwheel. 

The only bag that has the ever important luggage strap at the back, but it's a bit large and bulky, and I don't love the look enough to use it outside of the airport. 

Con: No style points.

Plus: Lots of pockets. 

 

 Monocle: Porter Baby Boston Bag

It doesn't have a shoulder strap, or a luggage strap making it impracticable for me, however it's roomy, and I like it's manly look, and it's shoe case.

Con: Needs an extra hand, which I never have. Most pricey of the lot.

Pro: Separate space for shoes at the bottom would be perfect for storage of tupperware snacks, and a separate pouch at the bottom allow for less of a chance for food spillage on the rest of my items.

Hershel: Totem 

This it a totally cute and bright item, but I'm not sure if it's wide enough for all my snacks (guys, SERIOUSLY, I pack a LOT of snacks!), and my sweater, and other essentials.

Con: Not big enough?

Pro: Might actually use this for other things than just carry on baggage. No one likes a one trick pony.

What do you use? Suggestions are SO welcome!

Bags:

1, 2, 3

Back to New York

Just booked a trip to New York at the end of the month to take a cooking class, eat oysters, shop and relax. Can't wait!

Tyler Thompson on Dribble

Headed to Maui!

Hi All, I'm just getting my stuff together for my trip to Hawaii! 

I'll be ringing in the new year on the island, and while I'm there I'm hoping I'll be attempting surfing (probably a big fail!), snorkling, sleeping, and reading! Oh, and eating. Obvs. (Hello seafood and fruit!) I'm trying to set up a few posts to keep you entertained while I'm gone, but they may be light (depending on how long packing takes.)Ok, back to packing, and cold fighting, and running around getting last minute things. (And a yoga class?)

Image found on Pinterest, via Flickr

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!

Packing for Paris

Did I mention I'm going to Paris tomorrow? Well, I am! And because I am me, I have had my packing list done for a while, but now I am actually packing! After work. Before going out. Hm. Might have planned that better. I'm going to rush and forget my toothbrush again, aren't I? What am I planning on packing? Right now I'm considering taking all seven of my striped tees. I have a stripe problem! Add in a couple pairs of shoes, a fashionable trench, and a scarf or two and I'm pretty much ready to go, right? Am I forgetting something?

Hello Hello Design found via Simple Blueprint

New York

Gosh golly jolly geeze! I've been away for a long time! But I have an excuse. I MOVED. And that took a lot of time. And I don't have internet set up at the new abode yet. And life/work has been to busy to stay late and put up a post or two from the office, and so... no posts. But the good news is that late tonight I'm headed to New York (yes, again), to see my oldest Bestie for a self imposed long weekend! (As in, bestie for the longest period of time, not bestie who is oldest in age.) I have a lovely weekend planned, including the McQueen Exhibit at the Met, shopping (Uniqulo and Ted Baker, here I come), a BBQ party, Pop Bars, and wine. Probably some wine.

I hope you all have a great weekend (whenever it starts)!

Julia Rothman found via A Cup Of Jo

Chicago (Here I Come)

Morning everyone! I'm off on an airplane for another day or two, time to check out the Windy City. It's my first time. Any suggestions? I've got a list that is a few pages long, but I could always use more suggestions!

The Way To Have a Happy Life...

...is to be so busy doing what you like all of the time that there is no time left to think about whether you are happy.

True. Story.

I've been a busy girl. Work has been a whirlwind of late nights and working weekends. But today. TODAY I am on vacation. In fact I have this ready to be sent, and if I'm lucky, I'll hanging out at the airport when this is posted. (If I'm unlucky I'll miss my flight, like I did on the way to Coachella! Eeks!) I hope to fill my little vacation to the North East United States with food, fun, drinks, shopping, dancing, walking, and pastries. All the things that make me happy!

Happy Monday!

Jetsetting in Style

Less than a week until I start jetsetting all over North America (and beyond?) While it's been 6 weeks since I've been on a plane (it actually feels like it's been longer!), I soon will start a 8 flights in 7 weeks jaunt crisscrossing across North America. I do seem to spend most of my time between coasts. Toronto>LA>West Palm Beach>Toronto>Calgary>Vancouver>Toronto and the wildcard, a yet to be decided vacation. Paris? New York? Chicago? Costa Rica? Only time will tell! The downside of so much travel? All the times on planes! I'm not one to schlep onto planes in sweat pants and hoodies, but neither do I look quite as refined as these ladies above. Let this be my inspiration! If I'm behaving like a jetsetter, I had better look like one! 


(P.S. I'm not really cool. I just like to sound like I am by throwing the word "Jetsetter" around. Forgive me?)

Mango S/S 2011 Lookbook by Terry Richardson
found via RDuJour

Seattle

Up and at em early this morning. Headed to Seattle.I've never been, so this will be an adventure! Going with new people who I think will become new friends. Also staying in a nice hotel! I'm very very excited!

Ork Posters

Make Time

Good morning ladies and gents. If all goes according to plan I will have woken up this morning in Ottawa! Visiting the lady friends. Bestie from undergrad. Brunches, champagne, eating beavertails (that's right, about 50 grams of fat and sugar... but OH so yum) and generally gossiping into the night. My ladies may live hours apart, but every now and then we come together. Because nothing matters more than the people you love! (Not even the shoes you love, although it pains me to say it.)

Let It Snow (In NYC)

New York City Snow.

The boy and I just made a last minute decision to head up for the weekend. Last chance to get away until at least March since we are such busy souls. I can't wait! Oh the planning that will take place over the next three days. He's been once before, but I want to show him the New York I know and love so well. 

(Ok, I want to go to DSW in Union Square.) 

What else should we get up to? I'm'a looking for a little fun, a little romance, and a little EATING.

As always.

via

When A Man Is Tired Of London

weheartit

Basque Seaside

Doesn't this make you want to drop everything and just go?

via Canelle et Vanille

Beach

Back at work and sending out this ode to the San Diego beaches I left behind. Even though it was pretty cold there. And even though I tend to get bored on a beach. But I had a good book, and a handsome boy with me. Hard not to enjoy that!

via Caitlin McGauley

Travel

Yikes, it's been a while! Got back into town on Sunday, but spent all of Monday catching up. I hope everyone had fun in my absence. Back on the blogging train as of.... NOW!

via lelove

Happiness Is A Way Of Travel

Finishing up a million last minute things before I head off on VACATION! California, here I come! I'm currently a ball of stress, the likes of which I have not experienced in a LONG time, but soon (ideally) all my cares will be away. (That's how it works, right?) Won't be posting much while I'm away, so enjoy the break, and I'll be back before you even notice!

Explore. Dream. Discover.

 " Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover. "
-Mark Twain

Washington DC

Headed to Washington DC today for along weekend of friends, family and fun!

I'll miss y'all, but I'll be back.