Tulip Farm in New Jersey

Tulip farm in New Jersey? YES PLEASE. The tulip farm I went to near Seattle a few years ago was so breathtaking, I jumped at the chance to go again.

I’d never even heard of Holland Ridge Farms until recently (it’s about 90 minutes from NYC by car) and I’m so glad I got to visit it this year. There are typically two weeks in April each year when the tulips bloom and you pay $15 to come and pick your own to take home ($1 per tulip you pick).

View fullsize

Since the bloom dates are never set in stone, it’s best to sign up for the farm’s text alerts which let you know when tickets go on sale. (Text VIP to (855) 363-2843 to sign up to their VIP text list.)

What’s really shocking is how massive the grounds are. I was expecting an insane amount of people since it’s so popular, but the farm is so huge you rarely feel overcrowded.

View fullsize

Obviously the bathroom situation is bad (portable toilets) since it’s outdoors, but it’s best to come to terms with that before you arrive.

View fullsize

There are a ton of food trucks and the best thing we ate were the meatballs from Your Sister’s Balls. I don’t know if we were just starving, but they were incredible.

View fullsize

GENTLE TIP: if you do really want to go here, may I recommend going with a friend and not a partner? Only because 90% of the men I saw looked absolutely miserable. The children looked pretty exhausted, too, now that I think of it. All the photo-taking and walking, it’s sort of a kid’s nightmare. Definitely go with someone who doesn’t complain and can take a decent photo of you, ie. a close friend.

View fullsize

It was such a perfect way to spend a spring afternoon, I can’t recommend it enough.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

Last Crumb Cookies

I’m not on TikTok but I do make appearances.

@thingsmyhusbandlikes on TikTok

@thingsmyhusbandlikes on TikTok

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music By Dave Grohl - A Review

It’s a well known fact that I intensely love Dave Grohl. Always have, always will. Whatever he does, I will support. I’m a little shocked that it took me so long to finally read his memoir, but here we are! Favourite parts ahead.

• “DNA is a miraculous thing. We all carry traits of people we have never met somewhere deep within our chemistry. I’m no scientist, but I believe that my musical abilities are proof of this. There is no divine intervention here. This is flesh and blood. This is something that comes from the inside out.”

• “From my first tour at the age of eighteen, I always loved traveling to Canada. The hash was good, the girls were cute, and the shows were consistently wild. Canadians are fucking awesome. Laid-back, genuine, and funny as hell. I defy anyone to walk one city block without making a fast friend in Canada.”

• And speaking of Canada, I absolutely love the fact that he met and played with Iggy Pop at the goddam Rivoli of all places.

• The story where he breaks his leg during a show is incredible.

• He spoke so high of the Ring of Kerry in Ireland that I looked it up and wow. Putting it on the travel list.

• He mentioned how his mom wrote a book (with contributions from others) called From Cradle To Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars that sounds great and I really want to read next. They also appears to be a series??

• One of the post-show meals he kept mentioned? KFC chicken and champagne. And I mean, it honestly sounds just gross enough to be fantastic.

Obviously this was published after Taylor Hawkins passed away, so I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for his to go through since he talks about him so lovingly throughout the whole book. Honestly, just such a great read.

September Shenanigans 2022

View fullsize

Early fall sunsets are easily the best ones all year

Officially the latest monthly post I’ve ever done, I’m sorry! I promise it will never happen again. We’re right in the middle of autumn and everything is overwhelming, but a good kind of overwhelming. Here’s what went down in September (oh god that feels like a year ago).

• You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

• I finally went to visit the video rental space Kim’s Video downtown.

• I made a collection of my favourite photos from the summer.

• I recapped what I did off my summer list of things to do.

• I wrote my autumn list of things that I intend to do this season.

• I did a podcast with Nathan that can be heard over here.

• I know I’ve mentioned how good Aquaphor is for ashy elbows, but I’ve also discovered that it’s incredible at healing damaged pimple areas. For instance, when you pop one and it goes so wrong. I did this recently and then put some of it right on top and it was completely healed in two days.

• I’ve tried the Carbone jarred pasta sauce and it was great! It’s overpriced, so I’d only buy it on sale. And some flavours can be a little too oily, but overall it tastes great.

• I finally saw Nope and I think I liked it. It’s probably my least favourite of his movies, but it was enjoyable to watch. That shoe standing upright bothered me for way too long before I looked it up and connected the idea of “bad miracles” but other than that, it was all right. Love the way that man promotes a movie.

• I had dinner at Fiaschetteria Pistoia and the duck ragu was really good. It’s an aggressively tiny restaurant, but the food made it worth it.

• Since it’s illegal to operate any cashless operation in New York City, if you ever see a place trying to tell you otherwise - report them! To consumers@dca.nyc.gov - I do it all the time.

• Some things I watched:

  • The Woodstock documentary on Netflix: only three episodes, great watch. You will hate all concert promoters by the end of it.

  • Volcano: okay, I can finally settle this debate. It is NOT better than Dante’s Peak.

  • Never Have I Ever (newest season): I almost wanted to hate it (why? I’ve watched all the seasons? I can’t explain this?) but I keep loving it. I can acknowledge that younger people have every right to hate this show. The supplementary characters just keep getting better and better.

  • The Keaton episode of New Girl: I’ve never seen this show because it looks bad and I wouldn’t like it. That being said, I watched this one because it was a Halloween episode and I also thought there was a chance of Michael Keaton being in it. God, what a mistake. This episode only confirms what a terrible show it really is. Can we retire fat suits already?

  • Killing Me Softly: honestly just a wild ride of a movie. Everyone should watch it.

  • Hocus Pocus 2: okay, let me start this by saying that this movie isn’t for me. It’s for children. And I can respect that. I just wish that more characters from the original were in this one, that would’ve made me so much more into it. Nothing will beat the original in my mind and that’s perfectly acceptable.

• So I went to Las Vegas again and I got to eat at the new Martha Stewart restaurant The Bedford. Of course my expectations were high because 1) I love her and 2) she’s never opened a restaurant before. The servers are extremely well trained (which is wonderful, I love this detail) they have even been taught to say “cheers” in Polish. The attention to detail on the decor of the individual tables as well as the entire space is perfection, even the temperature was just right. However, there had to be cons. All burgers should have round buns, what reason is there to mess with that simple fact? The smashed potato (which is smashed table-side) is an incredibly stupid idea and almost seems like a joke on the white people who would actually enjoy it. Small side orders of sauces should absolutely never cost $9, that’s ludicrous. The fries were wildly overcooked in overused oil (how does one mess up french fries?) and the prices, sure, they were outrageous but that fact tracks since it’s in Las Vegas. The homemade mustard was really tasty (maybe because you never come across homemade?) and her béarnaise sauce was perfect. The oysters Rockefeller were good, if only a little bit chilly. All in all, it was an experience. One that I’ll happily never have to have again.

View fullsize

The Bedford in Las Vegas

View fullsize

Oysters Rockefeller at The Bedford in Las Vegas

View fullsize

Am I wrong or does this burger bun belong at Wendy’s?

• I also ate at Bazaar Meat By Jose Andres in Vegas and it was spectacular. I got the cotton candy fois gras, the patatas bravas and the meatball. Love this man. Love his food.

• I tried the tacos at Dirty Taco (an LA street-style taco place) in Grand Central Terminal and the duck skin tacos were only all right, but the steak ones were fantastic. The tortillas were also great. Also, maybe it’s a bad idea to have the word dirty in your name?

• I made these pumpkin lasagna rollups that have the exact right amount of pumpkin in them.

View fullsize

Pumpkin lasagna rollups

• Also made this blueberry buckle that tasted especially good with some maple syrup on top.

View fullsize

What’s a buckle? Basically cake… yeah it’s just cake.

• I finally went to the Manhattan location of The Alamo and this theatre is great, but impossible to find. It’s also where the new Kim’s Video is hiding.

View fullsize

Who on earth is expected to easily find this place, you tell me

• I had brunch at Sala in Astoria and just wow. I never thought I’d have the best BLT of my life at a tapas place. Everyone needs to go.

• I read the Chloe Hilliard book Fuck Your Diet: And Other Things My Thighs Tell Me and… meh. Can we all make a pact to never use the phrase eating clean ever again? The book was really very okay, I think I just wish it was more about her being a comedian and less about body stuff. It’s obviously my fault since the title really does say it all.

• If you aren’t watching the Halloween episodes of Bob’s Burgers this month, you may not be cooler than I am.

View fullsize

Some things that I’m looking forward to doing this month: oh god, so many Halloween related activities, I can’t wait to finalize our costumes, I’m definitely going to make these pumpkin cookies again, I’d love to make garlic chicken meatballs with orzo for dinner on a rainy night, I really want to walk around Central Park with Baby Dog since all the leaves are changing and I’d really love to have next month’s roundup post written on time. Fingers crossed. Oh and here’s a link to all of the fall festivals happening around NYC right now.

If you have any interest in what went on in August, come on over here. I also have an autumn highlight reel on Instagram if you care to see what I’m up to this season.

View fullsize

Baby Dog with the last of the summer sunflowers, September 2022

Still Me by Christopher Reeve - A Review

I can’t remember the reasoning behind why I wanted to read Christopher Reeve’s memoir, but I’m really glad I did. A lot of the book is incredibly heavy and heartbreaking since he goes into such detail about his accident and the aftermath of not walking again. He really doesn’t sugarcoat any of his experiences so it makes the book incredibly raw - he was brave as hell to write it. Best parts ahead.

• When he’s talking about almost missing his first child’s birth: “I rushed up the stairs and into Gae’s room just as Matthew appeared. As soon as he was breathing, I had the privilege of handing him to Gae, who was crying from both exhaustion and joy. Instead of bawling at the top of his lungs, as I had expected, Matthew snuggled in quietly and drifted off to sleep. But just before he dozed off, he opened one eye and looked right at me. It seemed to me that he was asking, “Who are you?” And then, satisfied that I was meant to be there, he fell asleep. I think that look of complete acceptance from my first child within moments of his birth somehow taught me the most important lesson about being a parent: unconditional love is everything.”

• He filmed a movie (Somewhere in Time) at Mackinac Island on Lake Michigan and it sounds like an incredible place (cars are banned on the whole island) so now I have to go at some point in my life.

• I’d completely forgotten about the song Red River Valley (and this weep-worthy rendition of it that I love).

• I had no idea he was so close with Robin Williams, I love that.

• “People often ask me what it’s like to have sustained a spinal cord injury and be confined to a wheelchair. Apart from all the medical complications, I would say the worst part of it is leaving the physical world - having had to make the transition from participant to observer long before I would have expected. I think most of us are prepared to give up cherished physical activities gradually as we age. I certainly wouldn’t be competing in combined training events in my sixties or skiing nearly as fast as I used to. If I went sailing in my later years I wouldn’t go single-handed. Stronger hands and more agile bodies would be needed to raise and trim the sails or steer in a heavy sea. The difference is that I would have had time to prepare for other ways of enjoying the things I love to do most. But to have it all change and have most of it taken away at age forty-two is devastating. As much as I remind myself that being is more important than doing, that the quality of relationships is the key to happiness, I’m actually putting on a brave face. I do believe those things are true, but I miss freedom, spontaneity, action, and adventure more than I can say.”

• “When the first Superman movie came out, I gave dozens of interviews to promote it. The most frequently asked question was: “What is a hero?” I remember how easily I’d talk about it, the glib response I repeated so many times. My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. The fifteen-year-old boy down the hall at Kessler <his hospital> who had landed on his head while wrestling with his brother, leaving him paralyzed and barely able to swallow or speak. Travis Roy, paralyzed in the first eleven seconds of a hockey game in his freshman year at college. Henry Steifel, paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident at seventeen, completing his education and working on Wall Street at age thirty-two, but having missed so much of what life has to offer. These are the real heroes, and so are the families and friends who have stood by them.”

Just an incredible book.

March Magic 2022

“Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.”

— Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

Sometimes I write these monthly posts and think, “How the hell did I do all of that in one month?” I mean, obviously I love it but sometimes it just seems bewildering that I get to do all of these things that make me so happy. I wish I could go back in time and tell kid Liz what a sweet life she’ll have. She’d never believe it. Anywaaaay, maybe that paragraph should’ve been a diary entry…? Here’s what went down in March, babies.

• The best tweets of March can be found over here and here.

• I recapped what I did from my winter list of things to do.

• I made a spring list of things I want to do.

• I wrote about the fashion exhibit on now at The Met (In America: A Lexicon of Fashion).

• I tried out the new Vicks bath salts and they are incredible. I know that all bath salts hit hard, but these? Just beyond relaxing. I also tried the Vicks scented Puffs tissue paper and oh my god. Take all my money, Vicks. Such a genius idea to incorporate that smell when you blow your nose.

View fullsize

Puffs with Vicks

• I went to the downtown location of Eataly and it’s less chaotic than the Flatiron one. And I don’t hate Eataly, but you definitely have to know why to go here. It’s overpriced and terrible if you’re going for a sit down meal or even their pre-packaged meals. But if you’re going for high quality dried pasta, incredible canned tomatoes and specialty items like anchovy paste and canned seafood, then it’s a cook’s dream.

• I dyed my hair even blonder and… I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to natural. I love this look so much. I think my goal this year is to… become… untouchable?

View fullsize

• The New York Times had a piece on the former mayor of Mississauga, Hazel McCallion!

• Sometimes I like to sit in Barnes & Noble and peruse the cookbooks for inspiration and meal ideas since one day B&N will definitely go bankrupt and cease to exist. I give it ten more years, max. So in the meantime, I will take advantage. I looked through The Pepper Thai Cookbook (Chrissy Teigen’s mom) and it wasn’t anything special. I swear, her and her daughter make 90% of their recipes with fish sauce. And look, fish sauce is great when used sparsely, but it’s enough already. I also looked through The Milk Bar cookbook and again, nothing special.

• I got coffee at the fancy coffee place Felix Roasting Co. and yes it’s a pretty space, but they really need to clean the fabric of their booths because they look ROUGH. I can’t stand it when a business puts so much effort and time into creating a different, beautiful space and then there is zero upkeep. Why spend all that money up front and then get lazy with the actual management of the place? It’s such a waste. And not to be a bitch, but the Starbucks flat white is better than whatever they’re serving here. Never again. And if you’d like to see the most pretentious coffee shop menu of all time, gently look below.

View fullsize

$15 for a S’MORES LATTE? We’ve entered hell on earth.

• I can never find them, but damn those North Fork BBQ potato chips are everything.

• Kind of over-the-moon in love with this Levi’s x The Simpsons collab. God, that cloud vest is perfect.

• Obviously, you know how Ulta & Sephora give you a birthday gift during your birthday month, so add Kiehl’s to that list now too. Got their pear scented lip balm for free.

• My brothers and I all surprised my mom and came to Canada for her 70th birthday and it was so nice. Can’t believe it actually happened.

View fullsize

The Heathers, March 2022

• I bought this fake suede green coat from Zara that is the absolute softest and will be completely ruined if it rains.

• I tried the new croissant croutons from Trader Joe’s and they taste like little butter cubes. Just an insane amount of butter in these. They should’ve crumbled these up and sold them as a croissant breadcrumb instead. But what do I know (other than everything).

• Every single time I go to Mimi Cheng’s, I remember how much I love them all over again. Not really for their every day items, but their monthly specials are always incredible. In March they had French onion soup dumplings that were so intensely flavourful, they didn’t even need a dipping sauce. Love this place.

View fullsize

• My best friend Harmeet was visiting, so we had drinks at The Palm Court at The Plaza before going over to see Plaza Suite on Broadway (her idea to do both, a genius one at that). The play was too good. When did they start letting you order a whole bottle of wine to take to your seat? Love that. And Sarah Jessica Parker was magnificent, but Matthew Broderick? Not so great! He just seemed… tired. Or unenthusiastic. Which seems weird because doesn’t he have tons of Broadway experience?

View fullsize

• I had my steak Diane at The Dowlings at The Carlyle and it was divine. Ordered the raviolo carbonara, the wedge salad and the table-side flambéed steak and what a glorious night it was. The Carlyle is such a beautiful hotel, I love that they still have mail chutes prominently shown (below).

View fullsize

I love embossed butter (at Dowlings At The Carlyle, NYC)

View fullsize

Appetizers, Dowlings At The Carlyle, NYC

View fullsize

Mail chute at The Carlyle, March 2022

• I had lunch at Robert for the first time and it was perfectly all right. The food/service/view were all good, but who decorated this place? Bit of a yikes situation with the colour scheme.

View fullsize

Robert dining room, NYC

View fullsize

View onto Columbus Circle from Robert, NYC

• This week in things that are too beautiful + too expensive:

  • This gorgeous Marchesa Notte Greer Gown

  • This breathtaking neon Coach purse

  • I would wear this to fill my bird feeder

  • Oh my god, THE BEADING
    

• I’ve mentioned my love of Bread Alone bakery (they always have a stand at the Union Square farmer’s market), but I hadn’t tried their oat chocolate chip cookie until now and it’s even better than the basic chocolate chip one. They also have incredible whole wheat sourdough.

• I saw the Harry Potter play (SPOILERS) even though I’ve never read the books nor cared about the movies, so maybe that’s why I didn’t love it. One standout part, though? Those damn dementors, they were WILD. Do not see this play high. The effects of them were true insanity and if you liked the series even 1%, this is the main reason to see the play.

View fullsize

• I love the spring collection of colours that Essie puts out and my favourite colour right now is definitely their Well Nested Energy.

• I had the Vallata lunch special ($29 for a pasta & glass of wine) which was really, really good. Especially for that price. In 2022. Couldn’t believe it. I’m sure it won’t last.

• Sweetest Irene treated me to birthday dinner at Rezdôra (I’ve been dying to go here for ages) and it was phenomenal. We had the Cacio E Pepe in Emilia, this puffed up prosciutto thing and some toasted bread to start and then for our entrees, the truffle Raviolo (the giant raviolo with black truffles), the Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia (the green pasta), and the Maccheroni al Pettine with duck ragu (truly heaven on earth). NOTE: I just noticed on their new, updated menu that the duck ragu is gone and replaced with a sausage ragu! I’ve already sent out an email to those in charge questioning this decision. I’ll do everything in my power to get it back on that menu.

View fullsize

Cacio E Pepe in Emilia, Rezdôra NYC, March 2022

View fullsize

Truffle Raviolo (the giant raviolo with black truffles), the Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia (the green pasta), the Maccheroni al Pettine with duck ragu, Rezdôra NYC, March 2022

• Things I’ve Watched:

  • To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday: Okay, I watched this because I was turning 37 this month and I thought “that sounds fun” so of course it wasn’t. Spoiler but Gillian IS DEAD. She died on her 35th birthday! I had no idea the whole movie was about the grief of her death, so obviously this wasn’t a fun watch. Also, all the gross flirting with minors was… a lot.

  • Malice: Okay, do you know anything about this movie? If not, don’t look it up. Just watch it. I was ON CLOUD NINE watching this one. So many twists, there’s a great Alec Baldwin monologue in it, it’s just a party of a movie. Especially if you love early 90s semi-sexy psychological thrillers, WHICH I DO. Such a great movie.

  • Impeachment: Great watch. Started watching it at the airport out of boredom and then it really picked up. Fully recommend.

• I tried these great Vicks-like patches called Salonpas that you can stick on any area that needs pain relief but without the stickiness of an ointment.

• I visited Argosy Book Store (one of the oldest book stores in NYC) and it’s wild that this place has managed to stay alive.

View fullsize

Argosy Book Store, March 2022

View fullsize

Argosy Book Store, March 2022

• Did you know that every night at 11:57pm, fifteen screens in Times Square shut down at the same time and display art for three minutes? It’s called the Midnight Moment.

• This Welsh restaurant in Astoria Snowdonia has started to do tacos on Tuesday that are beyond incredible, especially the lamb.

• I’m over the moon that Manhatta finally reopened, so Nathan and I went for my birthday and it’s still as beautiful as ever. So thankful they were able to reopen.

View fullsize

Cocktail menu at Manhatta, NYC, March 2022

View fullsize

View from Manhatta, NYC, March 2022

• So my dear friend Diana and I had brunch together and I found potentially my favourite burger (au poivre) in all of NYC at Raoul’s and I can’t recommend it enough. They only serve it for brunch on the weekends and then a limited amount at the bar on week days. Find this burger. Eat this burger. This is your only option. Christ, it’s a revelation.

• Since when did Tim Hortons bring back the apple fritter? So messy and good. Not better than San Remo’s, but a respectable alternative. Now all they need to bring back are the salted caramel Timbits and I’ll stop complaining.

• I made this lemon orzo with peas and parmesan and it tasted so flat, it was weird. I love all those ingredients in it, I was just confused eating it. It’s like when you meet someone you think is so gorgeous and you talk to them and there’s zero chemistry. Like, what the fuck… we coulda been something here.

• I made this crazy easy lasagna (with jarred sauce instead of tomatoes) last minute and it came out great. Love a fast lasagna. No one has time for a béchamel sauce.

• One of the best dishes I’ve eaten in a loooong time: the roasted corn and couscous risotto with parmesan from Glass House Tavern. Holy hell, was it good.

• I made scallops for the first time at home and they tasted so ordinary. They might just be one of those dishes that taste better when somebody else makes it.

• Some spring inspired recipes I’d love to make soon:

  • Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake

  • Couscous Bowls with Lemon Feta Vinaigrette

  • Truffled Garlic Bread with Ricotta

• So I saw one of the best plays I’ve ever seen on Broadway: Birthday Candles with Debra Messing. I wrote about it here, but oh my god. I laughed, I cried, I can’t believe how good it was.

View fullsize

Things I’m looking forward to: I’ve gone to the open galleries in Chelsea on Thursdays but I didn’t know that on the third Thursday of every month most of the galleries on the Lower East Side remain open from 4pm-8pm so I’m definitely going to do that if the weather’s nice, I’m excited for all the rain that’s coming (does this sound insane?) because it’s a known fact that spring rain is the least depressing rain, and I really want to make a dent in my “movies to watch” list.

If you have any interest in reading what went on in February, come on over here.

View fullsize

Yours Cruelly, Elvira Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson - A Review

I’ve always loved Elvira (that should be obvious based on my entire personality), so I was elated when I found out she’d be writing a memoir. It’s as juicy and entertaining as I’d hoped it would be and so much more. This woman has had an insane life. Highlights below.

• “My dad soon landed a job at Sears selling Kenmore appliances, so every shred of clothing on our backs came from Sears from then on. (Which explains why, to this day, I have no fashion sense.)” - I can’t explain why, but I absolutely love a woman saying that about herself. I don’t think it’s even true in this case, but I love hearing that she thinks that and doesn’t care. She couldn’t be cooler.

• “Halloween took over as my new favorite holiday. As our ex-first lady so eloquently put it, “Who gives a fuck about Christmas?”” - hahahahahah

• This isn’t really notable but Lorne Michaels was such a complete dick to her, I wonder what the story is there.

• Jimmy Page and Eric Burdon are both gross, awful men for what they did to her when she was only a child. And in that same vein, Wilt Chamberlain sexually assaulted her in the most disgusting way that’s difficult to read about, but also so wildly brave of her to speak of it.

• Christ, she has had so many cool things happen to her, a short list:

  • She was a teenage showgirl in Las Vegas

  • She spit in Frank Sinatra’s hat

  • She was in a Bond movie

  • She passed on casting Brad Pitt and Hilary Swank in parts before they were famous

  • Drank in a limo with Ray Bradbury

  • Been to Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Christmas parties

  • She mailed letters back and forth with Vincent Price

  • Michael Jackson said that he loved her and that she should’ve done the voiceover in Thriller

  • She got to shoot a scene at the original Psycho house

  • Elvis told her to leave Las Vegas before it was too late

  • Was a tour guide to Goldie Hawn

  • Went on a double date with Arnold Schwarzenegger

  • Offered coke from Liza Minnelli

  • Had sex with Tom Jones, Jon Voight, Robert De Niro and almost Jimi Hendrix

I’ve never read a memoir that was juicier than this one. And all that stuff aside, she’s just had this incredible, full life in show business. It’s weird that the only thing I heard about this book after it was initially released was about how she’s now in a relationship with a woman, that was always mentioned in the headline of every single review. Yes, that’s in the book (in the last two chapters) but it’s such a footnote compared to every other part of the memoir. Seems a little annoying that people would focus in on that aspect alone, since there are so many more things to focus on. Even if you’re not very familiar with her work, this is such a great read.

Your Cruelly, Elvira Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark is available over here.

January Jewels 2022

This is obvious, but was that the longest January that ever Januaried? Also, I had to sit down and do the math yesterday to remind myself of my age, what is happening? Time isn’t real anymore so we should all just silently, but confidently stop looking at clocks. Like when a clock’s battery dies, just don’t replace it…? I don’t know, but that feels like it could be an answer to something.

• You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

• I made a list of the best of 2021 (recipes, experiences, etc.).

• I compiled my favourite photos from 2021.

• I recapped how my 2021 resolutions went - why don’t more people do this? If they did, then maybe there wouldn’t be such a stigma around making resolutions in the first place. I completely failed in getting some of mine done, but like… that’s okay? Not everything has to be a success.

• I also wrote out my 2022 resolutions that I’m actually very excited about.

• I read Stanley Tucci’s new book Taste and reviewed it.

• There were giant snowstorms in Toronto & NYC so I made a list of the best TV snow day episodes to watch. (And there’s also a list of the best snowy movies to watch over here.)

• The best opening scene of a movie ever quite possibly?

• The Broadway shows I saw this month:

  • The Phantom of The Opera - went with Nathan (his first time, my gazillionth) and he loved it! Thank god too, because if he didn’t… let’s just say I’d TAKE UMBRAGE.

  • MJ: The Musical - it was really good. It does seem insane that it was still made after everything, but the actors were great and the dancing was incredible. I’m sure it won’t last and maybe that’s a good thing? I don’t know.

  • Come From Away - went with Nathan and it was good! I can’t see myself ever wanting to see it again, but it was good.

View fullsize

Phantom of the Opera, January 2022

View fullsize

MJ: The Musical, January 2022

View fullsize

Come From Away, January 2022

View fullsize

I promise you I wash this Raptors mask a lot, January 2022

View fullsize

Seeing The Phantom of the Opera with Nathan, January 2022

• Restaurant Week has returned and so has the heavenly wild mushroom soup with truffle oil & mascarpone at Giorgio’s of Gramercy.

View fullsize

Didn’t even mind how burned this bread was THAT’S HOW GOOD THIS SOUP IS, Giorgio’s of Gramercy, January 2022

• The Sparrow Tavern just reopened and good christ, they might have the most incredible burger in Astoria. Just wild, wild stuff.

• It’s winter and I can’t stop making this zucchini lasagna.

View fullsize

Zucchini lasagna

• I made these ginger sesame noodles with caramelized mushrooms and while they were good, there were way too many steps to get to the eventual meal. Noodles need not be so complicated! Just as a sidenote: I feel like 90% of food bloggers should take, like, a yearlong break or something. There’s too much content when it comes to new recipes online and so much of it just isn’t any good and might be wasting all of our time. Am I wrong?

• Bookmarked this helpful piece: The Best Restaurant at Every Major U.S. Airport.

• I made the Momofuku Soy & Scallion noodles from the package sold at Target and it was pretty good! I added zero ingredients other than what came with the package and yes that was a mistake, but I’ll add more to it next time since there are five packets left. I’m thinking caramelized onions, mushrooms and maybe actual chopped raw scallions too. Ooo yeah, that sounds good.

• I went to Bench Flour Bakers for the first time and what a sweet little place, I just wish it were closer to civilization. I had a scone that was incredible, great coffee and I can’t wait to go back to try their duck burger. The soup was a bit of a yikes situation but that’s my fault, I never like English pea soup so that was my mistake to order it.

View fullsize

Scone from Bench Flour Bakers, Astoria, New York

• I’ve been using the brightening powder from dpHUE and I can’t really tell if it’s working. It also has this weirdly strong metallic smell, which can’t be good?? Probably should return.

• I tried a sandwich from Alidoro in the West Village and WOW is that place overrated and laughably expensive for what you’re getting. I’ve made better sandwiches AT HOME. There are better sandwiches in literally every corner bodega. How on earth is this place succeeding?

• I also went into Sullivan Street Bakery next to Alidoro and what the hell? Why is that place so small? Isn’t it supposed to be a big deal? This whole street was a joke.

• I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, checked out the Time Out Market in DUMBO and then walked over to visit the New York Transit Museum and I did a full post on the museum over here.

View fullsize

Brooklyn Bridge, January 2022

View fullsize

View from the Time Out Market rooftop in DUMBO, New York

• I’ve been using the Three Ships lip exfoliator, lip mask and face mask and they’re all really good products. Love the act of having to mix up your own mask in a little bowl before it goes on your face. Seems like a great company. (Thank you, Harmeet!)

• I was a little disappointed to hear that Forsythia is introducing a $75/per person tasting menu now, but then I realized they’re doing a $40/per person two course meal with wine at the bar so I can’t wait to return.

• I finally ate at Mamo with my dear friend Diana and it was good! Truthfully the food was very okay, but the addition of truffles to everything is the main draw here. It’s also a beautiful place, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

• Diana then took me to Angelina Bakery in Bryant Park for dessert since she had heard good things about it, and bless her heart but I think this place slightly misses the mark. They’re big on chestnut cream here, which in my opinion tastes like air? It’s weird because once you taste it you think, “Oo this texture is nice” and then you wait for the flavour to kick in, but it never does. It’s odd. Usually the French are good at desserts. And they do look beautiful, but that’s where the intrigue ends. Oh god, and the hot chocolate! Waaaay too chocolatey, but this is a personal preference. For comparison, I’ve always hated the City Bakery hot chocolate that most people adore, so take this with a grain of salt. (If you are in the area for something sweet, I vote that you go to the Lady M around the block or the Japanese chocolate king Royce.) (And Diana, please continue to introduce me to new places - even if they’re trash, I want to go with you!)

• In love with the seasonal lemon poppy seed cruller at Daily Provisions. God, I love a cruller, they’re lighter/tastier than a donut but sweeter than a boring croissant. And those sexy ridges? Get out of here.

View fullsize

Lemon poppy seed cruller, Daily Provisions, New York City

• There was a big snowstorm last week, so I woke up at 6am and took the train to Central Park. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it was so worth it. I arrived before sunrise and it was absolutely breathtaking. It snowed the entire time and all you could hear were the birds. I can’t truly express how magical it felt. It also led to a crazy amount of people liking one of the photos I took that morning, which, you know, feels nice unfortunately. I’m a whore for likes.

Not quite a blizzard, not quite a bomb cyclone but still dreamy as hell #NewYorkCity #WinterStorm #CentralPark pic.twitter.com/HZqf7vI75G

— Liz Heather (@itslizheather) January 29, 2022

View fullsize

Central Park, New York City, January 2022

• Sephora birthday gifts are back and… they don’t seem that great? What nonsense is this?? (The Ulta birthday gifts have been announced too and why is everything so disappointing?)

• Speaking of Sephora, I tried the lip oil from Merit and returned it the next day. Lip oil just isn’t necessary. You get the same effect when you use lip balm, when will women see this scam??

• I also sampled some Kylie Skin products (I know, don’t judge, I really just wanted to try them to have an opinion) and they were all awful. The face wash leaves your face tight and extremely dry, the toner does absolutely nothing but burn a bit (in a bad way) and the face lotion is thick as hell and leaves this gross film on your face. And the “high gloss” looks like it’s a kid’s product to use at playtime. Returned everything obviously.

• I tried the Impossible chicken nuggets and they taste identical to regular chicken nuggets. If I were an eight year old vegetarian, I’d be jacked right about now.

• I stopped by Leonelli inside The Evelyn and their slice was incredible, I’m dying to try the roast chicken sandwich next time.

• I know I mentioned it last month, but I have to make a mental note to remember to buy all of the snowdrop scented Mrs. Meyer’s items that come out again in November (minus the hand wash because I’m loyal to my foam soap). This scent has given my life meaning?

• I had a Chip City cookie and it’s nothing too crazy, Levain is definitely better.

• I made this sour cream banana bread and how could it not be good? Love a banana bread.

View fullsize

Sour cream banana bread

• I’ve never been a giant fan of salmon but I’ve made this lemon brown buttered salmon recipe twice now and it’s oddly delicious. Is browned butter the answer to typically gross food? Yes. Yes, it is.

• If you’re Canadian, do you remember Christine Cushing? I’d completely forgotten about her but recently came across her YouTube channel and I forgot how much I liked her and the way she cooks.

• What I’ve watched this month:

  • The Golden Girls - honestly…. just a fun, great time. I never watched it as a kid but I randomly put on one episode while I was cooking and it’s wonderful. I’m almost done the whole series. Few thoughts? There’s an entire episode about Blanche’s husband coming back to life (she thought he was dead) and the whole storyline is about how he faked his death and how it turns her life upside down and then this scene happens at the end <spoiler> that reveals it was just a recurring dream that she has about her husband and how it isn’t a sad dream because it helps her remember him to keep his spirit alive and I don’t know if I’m doing it justice, but it’s the sweetest scene and so unexpected somehow. Also, Rose is definitely the best character. And last thought? I really don’t care for Sophia, she’s much too mean. I understand that she’s supposed to be, but I wince every time she enters a scene.

  • Scream (5) <spoilers> - look, I’ll always love the franchise but here’s the ranking of the best ones to worst: Scream, Scream 2 (Scream: The College Years), Scream 3 (Scream Goes Hollywood), Scream 5, and finally Scream 4. And that’s not me hating it! There just… there didn’t need to be this many movies. The original will never be matched and that’s okay! Certain parts of the new one were great of course - Dewey’s “I’ve been stabbed nine times” and I loved the Skeet Ulrich hallucinations because they were hilarious. It’s really just a fun movie that revisits the original in a decent way. Scream 4 is the real bad one of the franchise, so let’s all just agree that that’s the one we’ll collectively forget.

• I was thinking about watching the new Pamela Anderson/Tommy Lee thing on Hulu but then I heard that she didn’t even want it made! At first I thought that seems impossible because how could it get made without their approval, but like… that tape was released without their approval, so I guess it kind of makes sense? In any case, there’s no way I’ll watch it now.

• I had lunch at The Regency Bar & Grill and oh what a nice little spot. The caesar salad was perfectly dressed and the eight hour short rib was decadent and perfect. Service was great, too. Love a good hotel restaurant.

• New habits I’ve adopted this past month:

  • When I buy something in a store, I do a quick check on my phone to see if there’s a cheaper price for the same item on their company’s website OR if they price-match with other stores, I quickly look that up as well. This last week alone I think I’ve saved maybe $20. Is everyone doing this and no one is talking about it? Or am I a little too proud of my cheapness?

  • If someone mentions a name of someone famous that I don’t know, I’ve decided to stop looking them up to find out who they are. Frankly, I shouldn’t care and I love not knowing things that do not affect me directly.

  • I am going to stop buying flights through third party websites. It’s always such an annoying hassle to deal with them if something goes wrong with your flight, and yes airlines are complete scumbags but at least if you book directly, the chances of being treated better are higher.

  • This last habit isn’t really for me, it’s for you: you’re not using Q-tips in your ears, are you? Please stop! Apparently it even says on the packaging that you shouldn’t use them in your ears. Please, please stop! Ear health! It’s important!

  • I’ve learned the secret to what you’re supposed to do when you’re done having acrylic/artificial nails - get a gel manicure as soon as the fake ones are removed. That way your little baby nails are protected for a few weeks while they re-adjust to being normal sized again.

View fullsize

Gel nails after taking off artificial nails

Some things I’m looking forward to this month:

• Cooking something special for Valentine’s Day, I’m not sure what yet but I’d like to try and make something new/fancy. Maybe these browned butter scallops with champagne risotto. Maybe a duck ragu pasta. Oooo or maybe these incredible cauliflower toasts as an appetizer.

• I would really love to learn how to do the splits. You might think it’s impossible, but I’ve seen some videos that will make you eat your hat in a few months time.

• I officially started keeping track of my receipts (I should be embarrassed that I haven’t done this before but here we are), so I’m kind of excited to see how that goes. I want to go through every one at the end of each month and see what the hell I’m spending too much on. This might be a terrible idea.

If you have any interest in reading what went on in December, come on over here.

View fullsize

Still not sick of this hair

Taste: My Life Through Food By Stanley Tucci - A Review

Truly, what a great book. There are only a handful of books I’ve read in a day (Animal Farm, The Bell Jar, White Noise, Mr. Vertigo) and now I get to add this great one to the list. I didn’t intend to read it all on this past Sunday, but a cold kept me in bed and each chapter kept me enthralled. I love days like that. Favourite parts ahead.

• The line, “Culinary creativity may be the most perfect art form. It allows for free personal expression like painting, musical composition, or writing and yet fulfills a most practical need: the need to eat. Edible art, what could be better?”

• When his father would always comment, “My God, what does the rest of the world eat?!!!!” when his mother would cook some wonderful dinner reminds me so much of any time I cook something especially decadent for my own father and he always says, “I feel sorry for what the peasants are eating tonight!“

• Genius idea: “The buttering of the corn… well, it wasn’t just “put knife into butter, put butter on corn with knife.” No. No. Good God. No. A piece of homemade bread was buttered and then used to slather the salted ear of corn, thus, in true Italian fashion, creating two dishes out of one, the ear of corn being the first dish and the homemade bread (now saturated with the melted butter, salt, and sweetness from the buttered kernels) being the second. This may have been the single most delicious part of an an already delicious meal. An act so simply it’s almost stupid.”

• I love his entire rant on page 129 about what bullshit it is that certain celebrity chefs don’t really taste their food on certain food shows and that you can always tell.

• When he’s talking about how fettuccine Alfredo should only be made with butter and cheese: “Over the years, in many restaurants, the sublimely simple combination of butter and cheese has been altered to satisfy American palates. Cream has crept its way in (unnecessary), as well as chicken (yuck), broccoli (why?), and turkey (really? Fuck off).”

• I absolutely loved the chapter on his wife’s way to cook English roast potatoes. My dad has been trying to explain this to me for years and I still haven’t got it quite figured out because of all the smoke involved.

• The entire chapter on his battle with cancer is absolutely wild and must have been so hard to write in such detail, especially since it’s all so recent. How his pregnant wife handled all of it is truly beyond me.

• Reminders to myself:

  • Why on earth haven’t I seen his movie Big Night yet?! Christ. I think it’s just so difficult to find. Have to get on this. Must also watch Babette’s Feast (he said it was part of his inspiration for making Big Night).

  • Must remember to make the tomato salad on page 46.

  • He mentions that “the truest ragu alla Bolognese recipe” is in the cookbook Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well, published in 1891, by Pellegrino Artusi so now I must make it.

  • When in Rome, eat the carbonara at the restaurant Pommidoro.

  • For dried pasta, buy the Cav. Giuseppe Cocco spaghetti, can by found online. It’s supposed to be among the best dried pasta available.

  • I have never tasted bottarga, but now I must?

  • Visit the beautiful seaside town of Deauville in France, but do not order andouillette.

  • Visit Dukes in London for a memorable martini.

  • If I ever start making martinis at home, see page 201 for reference.

  • Visit Lo Scoglio on the Amalfi Coast to eat the zucchini pasta that this man talks about at least once a day, it seems. (It’s also a beautiful hotel, so maybe stay there as well).

Fully recommend this book, especially if you want to stay in bed all day and dream of each dish he describes. (Thank you so much to my dear friend Diana for gifting this gem to me!)

December Dalliances 2021

December was a complete whirlwind but when is it not? I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Other than getting my booster (!), here’s what else went down last month.

• You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.

• I recapped how my autumn list went.

• I made a list of things I’d like to do this winter.

• I compiled my very favourites from the year.

• My favourite photos from 2021.

• Here are two great things to do when a new year has begun.

• I wrote about the Christian Dior exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum (which closes in February).

• Did you know that Costco has candles? There’s a four candle box for $20 and they’re only two-wick each, but extremely good quality.

• I don’t think I’ve ever had pecan pie before in my life (I don’t even know why, I think I thought it might be too nutty?) but I tried a slice at JG Melon and whoa. Who the hell knew?

• I attempted to read Charles Grodin’s memoir and I just… I couldn’t. I don’t mean to show any disrespect, but what a bore. Some people shouldn’t write books, I simply had to softly put it down on Nathan’s desk and walk away.

• Incase you need to know the Bob’s Burgers Christmas episodes in one handy chart.

View fullsize

• I am obsessed with the snow drop scent from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. I’ve got the all purpose cleaner as well as the dish detergent and I’m so angry I didn’t buy any more to use throughout the year because it’s currently sold out everywhere. And look, the pine one is very good too, but the snow drop one just takes your breath away. Oh god… is this my life now… excitement over cleaning supplies scents?? End me.

• Speaking of things that bum me out, I also tried the basil scented Method dish soap and Nathan and I both agree: not for us. The bottle shape is weird and the smell of basil to clean your dishes is confusing.

• The best of the holiday recipes that I made over the Christmas break: Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding, Upstate-Style Roast Beef Sandwiches, Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese, and Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (I didn’t do the marshmallow part, I went with whipped cream instead although a rum whipped cream would have worked well, too).

• The dill pickle chicken nuggets at Burger King in Canada? Shock of all shocks: not good.

• But the tim biebs at Tim Hortons? Pretty good!

• Food lesson I learned: gruyere does not taste good as a shredded cheese on top of garlic bread, it must be mixed into some sort of mixture to taste good since it’s way too overpowering on its own.

• Tried the chicken sandwich at Jollibee and honestly? It’s a definite contender for the Popeye’s one. Really great.

• New nails alert!

View fullsize

Nails For You in Square One, Mississauga, Ontario

• I finally made Alison Roman’s Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies and they are fantastic. I had no idea how much I love demerara sugar, it’s that beautiful crunchy sugar that you can find atop the classiest of muffins and it’s too too good.

• They have the dairy-free Boursin at Trader Joe’s! And it tastes exactly like the dairy version! Why does this excite me!

• My niece Layla introduced me to the brand Native and I’m loving their holiday scented body washes (Sugar Cookie & Candy Cane).

• I finally ate at Carbone with my dear friend Paul and it was good! Was it as special as the world seems to think it is? Of course not, but that reality is okay, too. The service was great, the place is beautifully decorated for the holidays and the food was very much adequate. The cons of the place are mainly due to its inaccessibility and food quality for its price. And maybe we should've gotten more meat entrees instead of only sticking with their pastas but I mean... it's an Italian restaurant... shouldn't all of their pastas wow you with a reputation like theirs? The best things we ate were the tortellini al ragu ($34) and the garlic bread (free). Both truly great. The spicy rigatoni vodka ($32) is their most celebrated pasta and honestly it was good but not at all worth the hype. The fettuccini con funghi ($32) was disappointing mainly because of the inclusion of bell peppers... why put bell peppers in such a dish? Such a gross flavour with the creaminess of a soft fettuccine. I really did want to love this place, but there are far superior Italian places in this city (L'Artusi, Lilia, Portale). Take your money elsewhere.

View fullsize

Tortellini al ragu ($34) at Carbone, NYC

View fullsize

Garlic bread (free) at Carbone, NYC

View fullsize

Carbone, NYC

• I’ve never even heard of shapable soap, but I bought a can from Bath & Body Works (it’s on sale for $5 right now) and it’s so fun to use. Kids especially seem to love it. Apparently they only have them around the holidays but there are four scents to choose from.

• I bought this faux leather vest from Zara that I love and have absolutely no idea how to style.

• I won a lottery ticket to see Girl From The North Country and it was really good, I sat in the second row from the front and I might be ruined forever because seeing a play that close was unreal and so cool. Also, seeing the Belasco Theatre was a dream. Also, Austin Scott can GET IT.

View fullsize

Inside The Belasco Theatre, NYC

View fullsize

Outside The Belasco Theatre, NYC

• Had a drink at the Ophelia Lounge and the view is wonderful, but the drinks and food aren’t terribly special.

• The candy cane green tea at Trader Joe’s? Award-winning.

• Finally ate at Via Carota with Irene on her birthday and it was really good. All the pastas were wonderful, skip the rice balls.

View fullsize

Beautiful Irene on her birthday at Via Carota, NYC

• I made my way to Via Porta (the smaller, casual outpost of the L’Artusi crew) to get some of their jarred sauces and I was a little disappointed unfortunately. It just didn’t taste the same as in the restaurant. I only tried the bolognese one, so maybe the mushroom ragu will be better? I’ll definitely give it one more try, especially since they’re supposed to start selling their fresh pasta in the coming weeks. (Also, the baked goods they’re selling are extremely good.)

• My friend Casey kindly invited me to the dress rehearsal of Dear Evan Hansen and I’m so happy to have seen it! But good lord, never again. The music is mostly wonderful and the actors were great, but every other aspect of the production? Yikes. Forever love seeing something on Broadway, though.

• My And Just Like That… thoughts (spoilers ahead):

  • God, where do I begin…

  • In a time when death, sickness and darkness literally surrounds our every waking moment, why in the world would a team of writers want to start out a “beloved” series with the death of a major character? I mean… read the room??? Why start an entirely new season with grief? On what planet does this make sense? Especially when you have these characters living in this post pandemic existence that still isn’t a reality here and now? It’s nonsense.

  • Also the cringey nature of every single podcast scene? I have to almost ignore these parts entirely because of how bad they are. It’s as though someone wrote this script and then a team of woke writers came in to make it fit into today’s culture but completely missed the mark and just ended up making this vomit-inducing trash. It’s all just so embarrassing to watch.

  • I know this has been said to death, but them even doing this series without Samantha was the wrong decision. The balance is completely off, I don’t care about the new characters, none of this should ever have been made.

• We bought this new pineapple print for the living room and I can’t wait until it’s hung up.

• I tried the eggplant parm at Cutlets and it was pretty good but nothing to write home about.

• In love with the new feathered evening coat I got for Christmas.

• I tried the KFC potato chips from Walkers (brought over from the UK) and they were delicious.

View fullsize

Walkers KFC potato chips

• I’m sure you saw my new hair, but incase you’re living under a rock. (Note: this is the first time in 36 years I’ve dyed my hair. Why did I want to do it? Mainly because I wanted to stop being afraid of doing it.)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

Some things that I’m looking forward to this month: seeing The Phantom of the Opera with Nathan (his first time!), I’m excited about the return of Restaurant Week, the Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale has already started incase you like cheap candles (the hot buttered rum one is NUTS), I’m excited about making new resolutions for the year because I’m clinically insane, and I might make the trek to Governor’s Island now that it’s opened for the winter.

If you have any interest in other monthly roundups of 2021, they can be found here: November 2021, October 2021, September 2021, August 2021, July 2021, June 2021, May 2021, April 2021, March 2021, February 2021 & January 2021.

View fullsize

God, this city is so pretty during the holidays