July 21, 2014

Another Pinterest Pin That Blows

Have you seen the one for an at-home lip scrub/exfoliator? There are a lot of different ones, but I tried the honey and sugar one. Verdict? Absolute trash. I can understand how in theory these might go together to work towards a softer lip, but not so. Once you wash it all off, you're left with really tight feeling lips, I had to put some Soft Lips on immediately.

And when there are actual good and inexpensive lip exfoliators available, there's no need for this homemade recipe at all.

BONUS TIP: Sometimes I'll try out a pin on Pinterest, hate it and then forget I tried it already and try it again in a few months (I'm not the smartest...?). One way to curb this habit is to keep a Pinterest board solely for things you've tried and hated (and if you think that's too mean, then keep it as one of your private boards so only you can see it).

You can find more pins that you should stay away from over here and here.

July 21, 2014

The Best of YouTube

by Liz Heather in Links

Or rather, the most popular on YouTube? Yeah, that fits better. Anyway, if you're interested in wasting a few hours away, you should go on over here to Greg Rutter's Definitive List of the 99 Things You Should Have Already Experienced on the Internet. There's a sequel to that site now, too.

This will forever stand as one of my favourites:

July 18, 2014

by Liz Heather in Advice

“Chipped nail and no nail file? Band-Aid, baby.”

— #lizadvice

July 18, 2014

The Burger's Priest In Mississauga & Guelph

by Liz Heather in Food

This is newsworthy because the suburbs of Toronto usually get jack SHIT when it comes to good, somewhat-independently run restaurants that have already been established downtown.

But also, have you had this burger? F-ing have it. Reminds me of a poor man's Shake Shack burger, which is a huge compliment.

That burger above is just one of the burgers on the menu. Obviously there are others that look a little more reasonable, but I took a bite of this one once and it melted my face a bit. Really good burgers. To see more options, go on over here.

New Locations:

1599 Queensway
Etobicoke, Ontario

129 Lakeshore Road East
Mississauga, Ontario

Guelph (opening soon)
435 Stone Road,
Guelph, Ontario

All are closed on Sundays.

July 17, 2014

Jon Stewart Being Great

by Liz Heather in Links, Television

July 17, 2014

Mom Says

by Liz Heather in Advice, Superstitions

July 16, 2014

Gelato at A.B. Biagi in NYC

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Food

Obviously, I got the Nutella Swirl because I'm a human being with urges - but also, there's no way myself or anyone else knows what those two big words mean (I bet you they have super normal English counterparts too but they just couldn't write them down on that board because of NEW YORK). Anyhow, I've heard their hazelnut is nuts, but it wasn't on the menu that day so this was the next best choice. I haven't decided if I like this trend of establishments changing their menu daily. I'm gonna go with... not being a fan. Yeah, definitely not a fan of that. Who do you think you are, gelato? New flavours every day = too complicated. Just gimme a strawberry and let me be. Maybe that sounds like a good time to me!

How did this post get so angry? That's weird. I didn't mean anything by it, really. This gelato was so good! If I'm craving something cold and sweet and I'm near Elizabeth Street, then I'll definitely go again.

There's nowhere to sit or stand in the actual place, so you'll have to venture outside like this.

You can see a list of their past flavours over here, though I don't know what good it'll do you since they'll be completely different ones at the shop upon your arrival. WHY DO I KEEP SOUNDING MEAN ABOUT THIS?

*UPDATE: this place is now closed!

July 16, 2014

by Liz Heather in Quotes

“No one stays for you. Everybody stays depending on their need for you.”

— Ahlam Mosteghanemi

July 15, 2014

Ikea Shoe Cabinet

by Liz Heather in Products

I wouldn't call myself an Ikea fan. Let's get that straight. But I've never seen anything like this, have you? I'm not really sure why everyone who knows about its existence hasn't already gone to Ikea and bought one...?

It's EONS more attractive than those shoe racks that hang off the back of a door. EONS!

I'm getting this as soon as I can afford it. Just heavenly. I saw it in person the last time I was at Ikea and it's so small and slim - the person who designed it should be hugged endlessly for the rest of humanity. Here's Layla next to the one we saw at the store.

Layla, understanding the beauty of a shoe drawer

There are different sizes, as you can tell if you compare the top and bottom photos, so beware of that if you're thinking about getting on. Just gorgeous.

July 15, 2014

The Smith in NYC

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Food, Reviews

This is my favourite restaurant in New York. They've got three locations. You should probably go to one the next time you're in town.

I used to say that their filet mignon was my favourite thing on their menu (especially if you special order the truffle cream sauce listed amongst the pasta as a dipping sauce for this steak IF YOU WANT YOUR MIND SHATTERED), but since I've somewhat moved on from my love for steak (not totally, we're just on a break), it's really hard to pick a new favourite dish here. Everything I've tried (honestly) has been incredible.

The best?

Short ribs (they only make them on Tuesdays) are so fucking luxurious and wildly unforgettable, it's a sin to be there on a Tuesday and not order them.
Burrata. If you don't know what that is... yikes. It must be hard living a burrata-less life and frankly I don't want any more details of such an existence. One time, my friend Paul and I ordered three of these back to BACK (it was a hard time, I was going through stuff). If insanity had a taste, it would be of this burrata.
Trout. Who the hell knew a fish could be this good? I didn't, and now I do.
Jalapeno cheddar grits are not just a side dish, they are a lifestyle choice, as far as I'm concerned. And I am, in no way, a fan of grits. These are unreal and beautiful and I force everyone to try them.
Don't get me started on their brunch. I DON'T EVEN LIKE BRUNCH.

I've been here so many times over the past few years, it's always a good time. See the accompanying photos, all taken at this restaurant, for further proof. Notice the level of happiness and/or fullness.

Spring 2012, Sarah in the chair downstairs outside the photo booth

There's no excuse not to eat here. It can be noisy as hell, but goddam. Worth it.