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.
The Best of July
That was the fastest month of all time, yeah? Here’s what happened!
I continued to write my Summer Saturdays series.
The best tweets of the month are over here.
Took my brother and nephews to do an impromptu cake tasting!
Cake tasting
Speaking of cakes, are we all aware of how good the La Rocca ones are? I tried their strawberry white chocolate this month and it was delicious. Their best one remains the caramel crunch one, though. Best grocery store cakes of all time.
La Rocca strawberry cake
My niece Tianna and I stayed at Pillar and Post in Niagara-On-The-Lake and it was absolutely perfect. I tried bone marrow for the first time (I see the appeal) and it was a perfect little getaway. (Also, a gorgeous lavender field is only minutes away.)
Lavender field, Niagara-On-The-Lake
I was craving green curry (but not wanting to pay $30 for it from a restaurant) so I made one at home with onions, peas, chicken and store-bought green curry sauce and it was insanely satisfying. Also, lasted me a full week. I have to remember to do this again.
The house-made garlic and chive cream cheese from The Cheese Boutique is heavenly.
I’ve been living in this Aritzia burgundy sweatshirt.
Beyond excited for this project.
Nathan and I went to Montreal (best thing about a road trip? McDonald’s $1 any-sized iced coffee + the free DoubleTree warm cookie) and had such a great time. First time trying their bagels and good god - eons better than New York ones. No one told me. Only regret of the trip? Not ordering this onion block from The Cage.
$1 iced coffees for life
Montreal bagel
And this should be obvious, but Quebec cheese curds are otherworldly. There is no substitution.
Montreal, July 2025
Officially in love with the Montreal brand Mimi and August (thank you, Marla!).
I will always stop at The Big Apple when we pass it on the highway. Right now they have incredible nectarines and apple cheddar bread. (We also stopped at Primitive Designs because why not?)
Apple cheddar bread from The Big Apple in Ontario
Primitive Designs in Ontario
Yearning to eat this beef stroganoff with caramelized mushrooms and crispy onions.
Had my bridal shower and it was overwhelmingly nice. I made my favourite lemon sorbet with mascarpone for dessert (I will use any excuse to make these, they’re so good). And these honey jars are such a perfect party favour (note: you do have to fill them yourself, like some sort of sap).
Lemon sorbet with mascarpone and mint
Mini honey jars
This is really a reminder to myself to never use booking.com again. I’m 40, I should know better. Stop using third party websites for booking anything. They’re all terrible when it comes to changing plans.
These are officially the hottest, most comfortable heels I now own so I should probably buy two more pairs.
I ate the greatest samosas of all time from the Lakeview Farmers Market at Zesty Fusions. Also had an incredible gluten free breakfast sandwich from Gud Daae and a great iced flat white from Delicious All Day Coffee.
Current snack on repeat: Nutella on Dad’s Cookies. I can’t stop.
Some things I watched:
Fatal Attraction: wow, I rewatch this movie a lot. Might need to look into that.
A rerun of the Lady Gaga SNL: fantastic. Love her.
Single White Female: great! Can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before.
The Bear: I can’t stand how much Eyo says “like.” Other than that, the season was fine? Not enough scenes with Will Poulter.
And Just Like That: live long enough and you’ll grow to hate Aiden. It’s a blessing that this show is coming to an end. Also, Miranda’s character progression has never made any sense to me.
I Know What You Did Last Summer: I actually liked it! I won’t ruin the ending, but I truly hated that part of it.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: OH I WONDER.
You can read last month’s roundup over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of June
June 2025
June 2025
What happened last month? Oh I don’t know, nothing too monumental other than the fact that Nathan and I got engaged. WILD STUFF. Super jacked about it. But also here’s what else down last month…
I had no idea that Anthropologie had an entire bridal section where you can book try-on appointments! Obviously I went.
NOT my wedding dress, but good god do I love lace
I started doing weekly Summer Saturdays posts again this year.
I compiled the best tweets of the month.
We took a day trip to see the filming locations of Friday the 13th in New Jersey.
I never wear strapless bras because they’re all terrible, so for years when I need to wear one I’ll just put on a corset (it sounds uncomfortable, but I swear it’s not). The first one I bought was about ten years ago from this great place (Orchard Corset on the Lower East Side) that only specializes in corsets. You walk in, there are boxes everywhere, it’s owned by a couple - one of them looks at you, tells you the exact right size to get and you’re set. I updated the one I got recently (it lasted ten years) and they cost around $70. They fit like a dream. Praying this place stays in business for eternity. (I also learned the proper way (below) to clasp one, how did it take me so long to learn this??)
Best corset shop in the world in NYC
The proper way to clasp a corset
The chain Jersey Mike’s came to Canada so I tried their signature sub (swimming in vinegar) and it was good. I wish it had even more vinegar, though.
My cousin made this piano key holder out of my grandmother’s piano (from the early 1900s)! Isn’t it gorgeous??
Homemade piano key holder
My friend Marla made these incredible pistachio thumbprint cookies and I can’t stop thinking about them.
DO NOT sleep on the incredible sushi from Hillstone.
Hillstone sushi with Irene
The new brown sugar foam at Starbucks is a problem, it’s so good.
Nathan and I saw Stranger Things on Broadway and visually it was fantastic! The story wasn’t the best and it’s way too long, but the plushies they sold are wonderful.
Stranger Things on Broadway
Stranger Things plushie
Still dreaming about this House of CB strapless gown.
In love with the concord grape Schweppes seltzer. Tastes so similar to 90s purple Crush.
Concord grape
Lemax released their Halloween collection this year and I might have to buy the new wedding party, I don’t make the rules.
Wedding party from Lemax
Visited the Cheese Boutique in Toronto and I can’t believe how huge it is. It’s this giant cheese/meat/butcher/specialty foods haven.
This raccoon (below) came up to my parent’s window and I’m in love.
Cutest raccoon alive
My parent’s car had an air conditioning issue so I took it to our mechanic and they quoted us a minimum of $900 (!). Then I took it to Canadian Tire and they did the entire job for $275 and completely fixed the issue. Unbelievable. Love Canadian Tire so much.
I hate a sugar cookie, but the Crumbl wedding cookie was really good.
Wedding cookie from Crumbl
Something about having a Blue Moon on draft at a restaurant makes me so happy.
Draft Blue Moons = summer
Some things I watched:
Sirens (Netflix) - it was like a poor man’s White Lotus. Nice visuals, not much story, though.
Another Simple Favor - truly terrible. It’s as if AI wrote a movie about dumb hats in Capri.
The Mist - pretty good! Love a horror movie watch in June.
Milli Vanilli documentary - really good, so much I didn’t know about these guys.
Titan documentary - I wish it were more about the people on board and the details around the specific disaster rather than the company history, but maybe that’s just me.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: going to Montreal with Nathan, a million things to plan before the wedding, lane swimming and seeing the new I Know What You Did Last Summer in theatres.
WEDDING SLEEVE!
You can read last month’s roundup over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of May
Forever favourite blue
Forever favourite blue
This has been the longest spring of all time and I’m not complaining. Here’s what went down last month.
The best tweets of the month can be found over here.
I finally reviewed last year’s Met costume exhibit (this year’s 2025 exhibit review can be read over here).
Bought/love this travel box for jewelry. Also got these great swim trunks for Nathan (love non-bland menswear).
A bunch of new candles came out at Trader Joe’s so obviously I’m on it.
Got this great quilted sweatshirt for $10 on sale at Banana Republic Factory.
Made this sausage, pesto, ricotta pasta on repeat for a few nights. Also made this bread pudding with vanilla sauce for a friend’s birthday that really turned out well.
I visited the new Printemps (french department store) in the city, which is really lovely. The design of the space is worth seeing if you’re in the area. Keep in mind that practically nothing is priced under $100.
Printemps in NYC
We went to Ruta in Astoria, which is probably the best Mexican in the neighborhood by far. Their deep red salsa will fix you.
At Ruta in Astoria, Queens
Here were my favourite Met Gala looks this year:
Kerry Washington at the Met Gala, 2025
Katy Perry at the Met Gala, 2025
Nicole Kidman at the Met Gala, 2025
Cardi B at the Met Gala, 2025
So I tried a retinol night serum on my face and I was warned that some flakiness might occur but this was next level flake city. I had to stop. I also do not care about the benefits of retinol, so let’s never speak of it again.
The chain Toasties in the city? What garbage! Never again. How do you mess up lunch?
I can’t stop texting this image to people (below).
I was looking for a new (not drugstore) mascara and I found a fantastic one - the Glossier Lash Slick. In love with the wand, it catches every single little hair.
I tried the Trader Joe’s strawberry gluten free muffins and they were okay, but nothing can top their GF cinnamon coffee cake ones.
I was invited to see Mel Robbins at The Beacon (with a very lovely new friend) and I’ve got to be honest. This woman is… just not for me. I’m happy that people seem to get something out of what she says, but I just can’t. Wellness can’t be bought and I will die on that hill.
Marla came for a visit and it was a blast. She stayed at The New Yorker hotel (which was old, wonderful and perfect), we did a million things in 48 hours and ate at Modern Bread & Bagel approx. twenty times. It was perfect.
Was so, so pleased that she agreed with me about how incredible the tart frozen yogurt is at Madison Fare.
Madison Fare frozen yogurt with raspberry
She also treated us to a Broadway show (this woman cannot be stopped in her generosity), so we saw Real Women Have Curves. And it was good!
I poached some salmon in a coconut cream sauce and it didn’t come out that great, so I think I’ll just stick to baked salmon.
I think I’m suffering from Pinterest-aesthetic-brain-overload because I was on such a mission (for some reason?) to find a perfect black cardigan to layer with some outfits I have - and I found one at Uniqlo. But once I tried it on I realized how very basic-white-woman it is and put it back. It can be very hard to fight these things that the internet tells me that I’m supposed to have. (I did buy this great baseball t-shirt, though.)
I went to Edith’s for the tahini iced coffee and it was very good. I also tried a bite of their chicken caesar and it was nothing special. Main reason to go here is definitely the coffee.
Edith’s tahini iced coffee in the West Village, NYC
Edith’s in the West Village, NYC
I got a lash lift and it’s only week one, but I can see the appeal of getting them done. I’ve been using Nulastin for a few months and I’ve been seeing length, but they’re not very curly so I guess we’ll see if this makes a longterm difference or not.
We went to visit the town where the original Friday the 13th was filmed (it’s just under two hours from NYC) and it was so much fun. I’ll do a full post on it here soon. We also went to a wedding in the Poconos and it was such a great weekend.
Some things I watched:
Final Destination Bloodlines - not as awful as I expected! The beginning scene was the most memorable/best part.
And Just Like That (newest season) - okay, this was the craziest part of the first episode:
…what the hell? Were we all supposed to think that is a normal thing to say? Infact this insane sentence is making me want to do a deep dive on ALL of the wildly dumb things these women have said over decades and we all have just eaten it right up and accepted as normal! Madness.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I really want to go to Modern Bread & Bread for their night menu, I want to make this chicken Diane recipe at home, I think I’m going to start doing my Summer Saturday posts again starting this week (the season starts when I says it does) and I might have to pre-order the Jaws popcorn bucket (below).
You can read last month’s roundup over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Just a reminder that you should take way more photos of your friends everywhere