August 31, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 9

Welcome to the final Summer Saturdays! Yes, I missed the last two weeks of this series but all we can do is move forward. I know that summer technically ends in a few weeks, but this year it’s over for me as of August 31st (today). Autumn will start as usual on September 22nd, but I would like the first three weeks on the month to remain seasonless. I can decide that, right? I have no desire to prolong summer and I refuse to start buying pumpkins. I intend to use this period of time to focus on myself and myself alone. The most self-involved three weeks I can imagine. But for now, here’s how my final week of summer went.

BAKING

These bran muffins are so incredible with added blueberries.

COOKING

Corn-on-the-cob is perfect right now, so it’s the only reason I turn on my stove these days.

CRAVING

One final lap swim of the season.

DRINKING

Nathan got this peanut butter coffee that’s actually delicious.

EATING

I had this perfect baked haddock when we were upstate that I’m still thinking about.

EXPERIENCING

Jeez, so many things have happened in the past few weeks. My dear friend Marla came to visit me and we had such a great time. Nathan and I also went to Cooperstown, NY this week, which was last minute but so nice. (There are highlights from that trip over here.)

LISTENING

Since there was a roadtrip, I made this playlist for the drive.

LOVING

The gluten-free restaurant Thyme & Tonic on the upper west side. The noodles and the popcorn chicken were unholy.

SHOPPING

The autumn candle trio from Bath & Body Works.

WATCHING

Saw Longlegs in theatres and Nic Cage was great (duh). Love an original horror movie. My only notes? Legs could’ve been longer.

WEARING

I will continue to dream about this Dior skirt.

The previous Summer Saturdays Vol. 8 can be found over here and I have a summer highlights section over here.

Thank you for caring about any of these summer posts! I’ll likely be back for Fall Fridays on September 27th.

August 10, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 8

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

I made these blue sky bran muffins because Nathan loves a bran muffin and they turned out great! Will add walnuts to the next batch.

COOKING

I was walking through the farmer’s market and was hit with the greatest idea of something to make: CAPRESE SCONES. So I found a recipe and it’s happening tonight. I’m going to use my already-made basil pesto (I use walnuts instead of pine nuts) instead of just plain basil leaves, so I can’t wait to see how it goes.

CRAVING

The baby tomatoes this time of year taste like candy. They are incredible.

Baby tomatoes from the Union Square Green Market, NYC

DRINKING

I made peach daiquiris for us and the only time I love an alcoholic frozen drink is at home. They’re so easy to make and it’s completely satisfying to just have one.

EATING

I tried a sample of the Tropicana orange soft serve at Milk Bar and wow was it gross. What is happening with Milk Bar? No Thanksgiving croissant last year and now this?

EXPERIENCING

I went to the restaurant Hillstone (my first time) and I have fallen in love (thank you to Irene for introducing me!). The service was outstanding and the food was ridiculously perfect. (And if you’re from Ontario, the vibe is extremely Canyon Creek-y, which obviously made me happier than I can express.) They bring you a chilled glass midway through drinking your cocktail and the salad plates come chilled, too. Is the secret to a perfect restaurant just chilling stuff? IT MIGHT BE.

LISTENING

It has been so rainy and windy this week, it’s been amazing. My desk is right between two large windows so I keep the windows open wide mainly to hear all the wild weather noise. It’s a nice change from the garbage trucks and horns that are usually the norm.

LOVING

I cannot get enough of the RFK jokes. Haven’t seen a bad one yet.

Can we please make, “Looks like the worm is at the wheel” a common expression when someone is acting insane?

SHOPPING

I stopped by the best post office in the city in Union Square and got an insanely good stamp haul. I’ve been looking for those Lichtenstein ones for months.

A beautiful stamp might cure depression?

WATCHING

Saw Trap in theatres and liked two thirds of it! I also watched the horror movie Thanksgiving, which was actually pretty great. Surprising for me because I don’t love Eli Roth.

WEARING

I’ve abandoned my pink nails in search of something new. ‘Seas the Day’ by Essie is a minty-blue that I’m kind of loving.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 7 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

August 3, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 7

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Found this old recipe from an 80s desserts book and there’s no human way it isn’t the greatest tasting thing of all time.

COOKING

Looking up every way possible to make the most of these perfect summer heirlooms.

CRAVING

The new M. Night movie Trap came out yesterday so we’re going on Tuesday (the cheap day) and I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a movie.

DRINKING

Making this frozen peach rose slushy tonight.

EATING

The pink lemonade flavoured Oikos yogurt is surprisingly good. Whoever is in charge of their seasonal flavours needs a raise.

EXPERIENCING

There’s something about my parent’s backyard that just makes me feel like I know who I am, I’ll never not love every single season back there.

LISTENING

Don’t get me wrong I love her, but I have a theory that Taylor Swift solely makes certain songs that she thinks people will use over TikToks (ie. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys… c’mon! There’s no way that’s meant as a real song and not dog-owner-bait).

LOVING

Another week of too many things to love:

The phone game Heads Up, perfect for passing time with someone.
I finally got Baby Dog in a kiddie pool and the girl can swim! Might have been the cutest thing I’ve seen on this green earth.
Michaels always puts their Lemax Halloween display up this time of year (someone explain why?) and it sells out within weeks so by the time September comes around that area is (ironically) a ghost town. That being said, I still love getting to see the displays in all their glory.

The extremely dog-friendly Pearson airport (in Toronto) pet relief area - honestly, it’s the best one I’ve ever seen. It’s eons better than the horrid urine-closet they call a pet relief room at LaGuardia.

Pet relief area in Toronto Pearson airport

SHOPPING

The DVD section at suburban thrift stores remains magical. Insanely good finds.

WATCHING

My 13 year niece Maya stayed with me for awhile so I made her watch Creep, I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Craft. It’s called parenting.

WEARING

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 6 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 27, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 6

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

I made individual blueberry cakes from a reel I saw and they were perfect.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Food Blogger • Kelley Simmons (@thechefsavvy)

COOKING

Incredibly soft ricotta meatballs.

CRAVING

Wild blueberries in season right now.

DRINKING

At-home mimosas because SHE FANCY.

EATING

Spinach and (fresh) corn quesadillas. Truly a perfect way to use fresh corn.

EXPERIENCING

Fantastic thai at Nimman Thai in Etobicoke.

LISTENING

The Dr. Mario theme is on a loop in my head right now, it’s offensive how good I’ve become.

LOVING

Freshii frozen yogurt, playing basketball behind the school, playing Jenga with the kids, night food markets, orange moons, constantly swimming, there are too many things to love this week.

SHOPPING

Excited to try these Ordinary products.

WATCHING

I saw Twisters in theatre and it was surprisingly good. Little annoyed that there was no Helen Hunt but what can you do. And <spoiler> they really did rob us of an incredible kiss scene.

always remember what they took from us https://t.co/bnZaDe9eJV pic.twitter.com/YYzsalplza
— Sarah | glen powell summer 🌪️ (@sydglenx) July 20, 2024

WEARING

The closet in your childhood bedroom might have some gems.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 5 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 20, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 5

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Made a batch of oven cooked bacon to add to the tomato toast for the week.

COOKING

Officially time to make the world’s greatest panzanella salad.

CRAVING

With all the rain from last week, the kids and I made paper sailboats but the winds were too strong so we decided to wait to sail them. Now we need another, lighter storm so I can finally sail them.

DRINKING

Got a cider flight with my niece Tianna at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery in Caledon and that place is the absolute best. Their seasonal soup is almost the main reason to go.

EATING

My dear friend Marla brought me plums she grew and they are heavenly. Summer produce solves all.

EXPERIENCING

Went to Activate again and I love that place, especially the hoops room. Maybe I should buy a basketball?

LISTENING

Swim playlist!

LOVING

Heirloom tomato season IS HERE. Right now I can only find them at Whole Foods, but I’ll take it.

SHOPPING

My jaw will forever drop at specialty butters. Fact.

WATCHING

I made the kids watch all of the Naked Gun movies and they were a massive hit.

WEARING

Summer outfits >>

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 4 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 13, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 4

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

It’s the perfect time to make these strawberry white chocolate cookies.

COOKING

Buying and eating all of the summer corn. You can’t stop me.

CRAVING

It’s July so I’ve got the cheeseburger dumplings from Mimi Cheng’s on my mind.

DRINKING

Watermelon sangria. It’s perfect from Bite.

EATING

I saw a video of someone squeezing lemon on watermelon, so I tried it and whoa. Do it.

EXPERIENCING

Went to Blue Mountain with the family and it was so, so great. Outdoor pools might be the answer?

LISTENING

My best of the 90s playlist.

LOVING

Remember how many frozen yogurt places there used to be? And how all of them closed at the very same time? No one misses them more than me. So the Menchie’s at Blue Mountain is everything that I could have wanted and more. Also rode the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster that was the absolute best.

Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Blue Mountain, Ontario

SHOPPING

Stopped at a country farm store on the way back and found some sponge toffee, which is so rare to find. Think it’s law to have to buy it when you spot it?

WATCHING

Rewatched the first Naked Gun and it remains fantastic.

WEARING

My J. Crew swimsuit is still going strong after four years and I’m still in love with it.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 3 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 6, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 3

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

My parent’s house has a cake stand, so every time I visit I try to make a cake that first night solely so I can use that stand. There’s just something about seeing a cake in a cake stand that makes me feel like maybe life isn’t hard? So I’m going to make this triple berry coffee cake this week.

COOKING

Need this lemon chicken artichoke pasta salad immediately.

CRAVING

The incredible coronation chicken salad at Nomad Sandwiches.

DRINKING

The Irish Coffee with cheese foam at Murray’s in LIC.

Irish coffee with cheese foam at Murray’s, LIC

EATING

Caesar salads for life.

EXPERIENCING

I always forget about how great Chelsea Market can be for an afternoon out. The crowds are awful, but some of the shops are wonderful. Chelsea Market Baskets might be the best place for food gifts in the whole city.

Why on earth didn’t I buy this perfect LEMON SOAP, Chelsea Market Baskets in NYC

LISTENING

My best of the 00’s playlist.

LOVING

The vegan tahini soft serve at Seed + Mill is magical and I’m angry that it took me this long to learn that fact. I’m neither vegan nor do I love tahini but I will continue to dream about how good this tasted.

Vegan tahini soft serve from Seed + Mill, NYC

SHOPPING

I bought some makeup spatulas to get out the last drops from my concealer tube and I can’t recommend these enough.

WATCHING

The newest season of The Bear. And let me just say, people have been way too critical of this season. Of course there are parts that aren’t as good as other seasons, but no content is perfect (except maybe Dave…).

WEARING

An oversized torn jean jacket that Nathan bought me years ago that’s proving to be the perfect thing to wear with tiny little rompers when I’m out and about in the city.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 2 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

June 29, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 2

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Will make a batch of these heavenly blueberry breakfast cookies later today.

COOKING

I’ve perfected my tuna salad sandwich recipe and here it is. Canned tuna mixed with sliced pickles, chopped red onion, dijon, a drop mayo, pickle juice, grated garlic, salt & pepper on a bun that’s been toasted in garlic butter then broiled with cheddar on top. IT IS EVERYTHING.

CRAVING

Why will I always love Lay’s? Two reasons. 1) Their original chips taste the best at parties. 2) The fact that each summer they put out seasonal flavours. Will a cuban sandwich flavour taste incredible? Does it even matter? It’s the EFFORT of creating something new. I’m a woman who will appreciate effort until the day I die.

DRINKING

Snow cones for life.

EATING

Finally went to Golden Diner and fully recommend. I am not a pancake person (because they’re so boring?) but these were other-worldly. Better than Clinton St. Baking Company.

EXPERIENCING

A grimy, Queens carnival! And can I just tell you, the Superman ride truly scared the living hell out of me. I didn’t think I could still feel that way from rides, so that was alarming (but in a fun way?).

LISTENING

The Jiminy Glick Bill Maher interview and it’s so good.

LOVING

The happy hour at Hotel on Rivington on the Lower East Side. $10 martinis in Manhattan? Get the hell out of here.

SHOPPING

Is it sad that I’m over the moon about the Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Cleaner I got for the grout in my washroom? If your answer is yes, then I suggest you look inward because holy mother of god, this is a dream cleaner. How have I only discovered it NOW?

WATCHING

Reruns of Living Single on HBO. Now this is a reboot that would heal the world.

WEARING

Technically you don’t wear face wash, so yes I’m reaching here but stay with me. I finally started to use my Dennis Gross all-in-one face wash and I will forever be loyal to that man. A perfect face wash.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 1 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

June 22, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 1

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

Summer Saturdays have returned! Off we go.

BAKING

I made the Magnolia banana pudding (a forever favourite summer dessert of mine), which is ridiculously easy to make.

COOKING

Steak salad for days.

CRAVING

Dying to try the chicken caesar sandwich from L’Industrie.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by L'industrie Pizzeria ™️ (@lindustriebk)

DRINKING

Excessive amounts of hazelnut iced coffee.

EATING

The cubano sandwich at La Cubana in Toronto might be the best one I’ve ever had.

EXPERIENCING

Spaghetti salad and fruit pizza. My dear friend Richard made them for me and they were both too good for words.

LISTENING

Started making my summer playlist.

LOVING

I finally learned how to cook perfect bacon.

SHOPPING

I’ve always loved having seasonal return address labels for the holidays (it must be intimidating knowing someone this cool, I know), but this is the first year I ordered some summer labels and they’re gorgeous.

WATCHING

Since there’s no new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty this year, I’ve just started rewatching the last season and man it’s such a perfect summer show. Once you get past the slight corniness, it’s really enjoyable.

WEARING

Yes it’s the most basic thing possible, but I should probably buy a few more of these Target white shirts since it’s all I wear lately. Why did it take me decades to start wearing white?

I also started a summer highlight reel on Instagram that I’ll add to each day.

September 2, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 10

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

The final Summer Saturdays is here and if you’ve read any of these, you’re a hero and I love you. Summer doesn’t technically end until September 22nd, but I’m going by the accepted norm that Labour Day weekend ends this season so we’re saying goodbye to this series until next year. (Although Fall Fridays does sound kind of perfect…)

EATING

Yellow watermelon from the Union Square Greenmarket. And it tasted better than red, which seems like witchery.

DRINKING

I’ve had so much white sangria this summer, I think I need to retire it immediately.

COOKING

I made my favourite chicken marsala for our anniversary dinner. There is always so much leftover sauce that I used it the following day on roasted potatoes and good god it was heaven.

BAKING

I made these wildly easy espresso chocolate chip cookies with browned butter on a whim because I wanted something sweet.

CRAVING

I need to eat the seasonal tomato focaccia with green garlic butter at Lilia this week. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t.

The best tomato focaccia with green garlic butter at Lilia in Brooklyn

LISTENING

To hair tutorials on Instagram and, uh, they suck? I tried maybe five different ones and they all didn’t work. If you have (undisclosed) hair extensions and you film hair tutorials, you should gently walk into the ocean because you’re helping no one.

WATCHING

Nathan and I saw the horror movie Talk To Me and okay yes the story was good, but I truly hate gore. Seeing someone rip their own eyeball out gives me no joy, what can I say.

WEARING

Summer Fridays lip butter balm. It was a sample (I’m trying to go through all my beauty samples before they expire) and it’s very sticky, but the gloss is incredible. Is it worth $32 American dollars? Oh gracious no.

EXPERIENCING

Went to a Jays game and it was great! They lost, but in extra innings so it was still a fun one.

LOVING

I can’t stop making reels.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

SHOPPING

The Hero Mighty Patch strips. I love this brand so much for pimples. I wish they’d make one big face-covering patch to sleep in.

You can read last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 9 over here and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.