Welcome to March! I’m back in New York and I’m elated to be here for the beginning of spring. I happened to be walking through Times Square last night and you know how people who live here get so mad at the slow walking tourists? I absolutely hate it when people get mad at those guys. I get it, it’s frustrating to have to change your own pace to accommodate someone else but I think we could all stand to calm down a bit. It’s also New York: the mecca of tourists. Can we let them live? Can we maybe allow them to stop and look up at a building they haven’t seen before? Christ.
Wedding Gown Rejects
I have never (and will never) watch Say Yes To The Dress*, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love seeing women try on wedding dresses. I find it enthralling. I love seeing the dresses they hate, the ones that fit weird, the ones that are too dramatic, the ones that are absolutely not worth their price tag, the ones that make no sense. The rejects are almost more exciting than the chosen wedding gown itself. So if you’re like me and you want to see what my rejects were, then welcome! (Side note: I meant to post this months ago, but we’re in a never-ending hellscape so sometimes things fall through the cracks.)
*Don’t get me started on the network TLC, cannot loathe a channel more.
Let me start by saying, if you’re engaged - please make an appointment at an Anthropologie Bridal location. They’re less stuffy than the hardcore bridal shops and a lot more relaxed but still high end.
Was it insane to consider a short, butter yellow wedding dress? Hear me out: no. I still love this dress, but I realized that it’s much too casual and twee for such an important occasion. Would’ve been a sweet reception outfit, though.
Hard to really tell, but this soft pink House of CB dress was a legitimate contender for about twenty minutes. I love draping so much, but I really think it’s meant for much taller women. I’m not wrong.
"It's hard to replicate true love" is way too sweet/sad a thing to say in a post-game interview. Love these guys.
The Best of January
The Best of December
Christmas was really nice this year. I almost threw out my dollar store gawdy snow-lined garland that I’ve had for years because for a moment I thought it might look too trashy. But I waited a few days and realized nope - I love that tacky stuff. It reminds me of my childhood/80s Christmas decor so I kept it. And then that thought made me wonder why I was doubting it in the first place and realized that it’s my damn Instagram feed. My feed was trying to tell me that not only are my choices bad, but the Pinterest “chiq” ones were the right ones maybe? I know that people are saying that Instagram is giving off dying mall vibes right now and I really hope it’s true. There’s so much slop. It’s enough already. Anyway, here’s what went down last month.
I know Christmas is over, but I still stand by these great NYC related gifts.
I made a list of my favourites of 2025.
All right this is just a PSA if you live in New York City. You know how to have an OMNY card now? REGISTER IT. No one tells you that once you register it, you can access the unlimited 7-day plan again (in the same way that you could with a Metrocard). They don’t advertise this and it’s infuriating. I loathe OMNY, but please pass on this message because barely anyone knows that you’re supposed to register it if you want the benefits of ever using the unlimited option. You can register your card here.
I wrote about all the new years traditions that I follow each year.
I finished up Fall Fridays (Volume 10, Volume 11 and Volume 12).
I began Winter Wednesdays because I can’t physically not talk about what I do each week (Volume 1 and Volume 2 so far).
I went on Nathan’s podcast for the first time in a long time.
Still very much in love with my kitchen ring holder for when I’m baking.
2025 Favourites
Usually my lists are a little more organized but a chaotic year means a chaotic list. LET’S DO THIS.
THINGS I LOVED
Trader Joe’s small curd cottage cheese (the absolute best I’ve ever had and I don’t want to know why it’s so much better than every single other brand), the Lemax wedding party, Trader Joe’s facial sunscreen (great dupe for the Goop one), my wedding purse from Zara, Essie nail polish in Fiji, a ring holder for the kitchen wall, polysporin band-aids, personalized stationary and the shoes that you will likely have to bury me in: my faithful Target wedges.
The Best of November
I’m in my home writing this post underneath the warmest throw I’ve had in years while it’s pouring rain outside my window, Nathan is taking a nap on our couch and my evening plans just got postponed for tomorrow. I am living the dream? Here’s what went on in November.
It has felt like a lifetime since the Jays didn’t win the World Series, is it just me? It honestly doesn’t hurt that much now. They’re the better guys and it was an incredible season. I think it’s okay to be happy about that. (Oh god, I’m that Ross meme.)
The best tweets of the month can be seen over here.
I’m shocked that I’m still celebrating autumn (I know it officially ends on December 21st, but I’m usually celebrating pre-Christmas right now - which is sort of an ambiguous season onto itself where the leaves are gone, the snow has only teased us with a taste and the cold rain simply devastates) but I am and so Fall Fridays continue to happen each week. The latest volume can be found over here.
I have never seen Michael Symon’s cooking shows before but I caught a little bit of one and I think I might be a fan now. I love the recipes that he does, he’s very intentional with his ingredients and I love the way he interacts with his wife onscreen.
We had so much leftover roast pork so I made at-home cubano sandwiches that were killer.
The rest of this post can be read on my Substack right here.
UPDATE!
If you’re suddenly feeling a void in your life because of the lack of monthly posts these past two months, please head over to my Substack!
Favourite Summer Photos
And you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of August
Not sure how to even start this because that was an August that I’ll remember forever. There are a few specific posts I want to do (a Nova Scotia one and a wedding one probably), so I’ll get into that more later but for now here’s what else went down last month!
Picking up wedding flowers
The best tweets of August can be read here.
I finished up my Summer Saturdays series - truly love doing these.
I compiled a bunch of great Summer I Turned Pretty tweets.
I made a list of my favourite summer recipes and I just finished the last of my summer corn. Not sure what to do with my life now.
Discovered Laline, which is basically the Canadian version of Sabon. In love with their pear scented products.
Tried the popcorn M&Ms and they were good! Nothing revolutionary, but I love an attempt at something weird.
The amount of A&W teen burgers in a lettuce wrap I’ve had this summer would alarm you, but I have no regrets.
Loving the Dr. Jart colour correcting cream (when mixed with moisturizer, thank you Marla!). The mini size is gonna last me five years, so that’s also a plus.
I have been to so many farm stands this season and I’ll never get sick of them. Sometimes a jar of cranberry mustard is the cure for whatever you have?
Currently in love with the Essie colour Fiji.
Fiji by Essie
Some great things I’ve bought this month: this perfect black going-out purse from Simons and a gorgeous $60 suede purse from Hides in Hand.
Found the best recipe to make seafood chowder.
Air fried chicken wings have officially made me a fan of chicken wings. Human beings are capable of change.
Got to visit the Millcroft Inn & Spa multiple times and it was so lovely.
Nathan at breakfast
Marla at dinner
Some things that I’m thinking about buying: this gorgeous Aritzia sweater in dark brown, this mouse on a ski lift and this throw that’s perfect for October.
Accidentally stumbled across the giant/gorgeous dog park at Jack Darling in Port Credit and can’t recommend it enough to dog owners in the area.
Some things I watched:
Do not ask me why I rewatched The Wedding Planner. It’s truly one of the worst things ever made. Everyone is a dick in this movie.
Thirteen: depressing but a good movie.
Copycat: really good! Can’t believe I haven’t seen it before.
Kiss The Girls: favourite genre.
The Naked Gun: look, my 11 year old nephew really laughed and it definitely had its moments. Nothing will beat the original, but it was still all right.
Weapons: I liked it! It’s not as good as Barbarian, but still enjoyable. Love that some theatres had showtimes at 2:17.
The Summer I Turned Pretty: so this is probably the best season? Needless to say, I’M A BIG FAN. (Also quick sidenote: what the hell was with Taylor’s busted-ass bridesmaid dress??)
And Just Like That: Maybe I’m in the minority here but I liked how it ended! I also loved that the credits had the original Sex and the City music.
The Morning Show: objectively? This is a terrible show. The writing is awful. The storylines are tired. Actors should be actively embarrassed to be on this show. I can’t be the only one who thinks this.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I’m so happy about the weather changing soon, I cannot wait to see Keanu Reeves in Waiting For Godot and I really can’t wait to visit Napa next month.
You can read last month’s roundup over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.