You can find my favourite photos from 2020 over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Favourite Photos of 2021
by Liz Heather in Family, Personal
Favourite Photos of 2021
The Best of 2021
Listen up, I love a best of list. I know we’re bombarded with them this time of year, but I simply have to do it and you can’t stop me.
BEST EXPERIENCES
The Christian Dior exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum
Visiting the The Octagon House in Irvington, New York
Seeing the Treasures exhibit at The New York Public Library
Visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October
Having my 16 year old niece Layla visit me in NYC
Seeing the Halloween decorations on the Upper West Side
Seeing the new rooftop terrace at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Taking a day trip to Mystic, Connecticut
Swimming at the new Rockaway Hotel
BEST NEW RECIPES
Kale Caesar Salad with Chickpeas & Sweet Potatoes (but use this dressing instead) (I have made this salad approx. 500 times this year)
Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad (tastes even better if it’s been sitting in the fridge for a long time)
Crab Cakes (insanely easy and perfect way to make homemade crab cakes)
Crispy Hash Browns (ridiculously easy to make, I felt like a housewife in the 50s)
Green Garlic Toast (get it when green garlic is in season in the spring)
Lemon Basil Orzo (I eat this cold, straight out of the fridge it’s so delicious)
Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta (with added fresh corn)
Cold Vegetable Noodle Salad (I wish the name weren’t so unappetizing, I love all cold noodle salads)
Lentil Bolognese (possibly the greatest vegan thing I’ve ever made)
Roast Beef Sandwiches (made these for Christmas Day lunch and might now become a tradition they were so easy and tasty)
Lamb Ragu (I can’t stop making this, it’s just such a solid meat sauce)
Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding (made as a side for Christmas dinner and it was spectacular, will definitely keep it in the sides rotation going forward)
Cheese Blintzes (why do I feel so fancy making these?)
Apple Fritter Cake (I didn’t think I’d enjoy a wet cake but here we are, it’s eons better than a dusty old apple fritter)
Strawberry Crumble Coffee Cake (truly a summer dessert that you must make with handpicked strawberries)
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Icing (an autumn cookie that people go nuts over)
Chocolate Zucchini Banana Cake with Coffee Frosting (wildly good)
Hummingbird Cake (I wish this cake was made more often as a dessert in restaurants, it’s heavenly)
White Chocolate Apricot Scones (my favourite combination for a scone)
BEST FOODS I ATE
Duck fat confit poutine from Duck Season (honestly tastes like a Canadian poutine, which is a huge compliment)
The salsa at Ruta in Astoria (it’s this deep dark red salsa that is mind blowing)
The seasonal winter soups at Il Bambino (all of them are good, it’s madness, and they always come with this basil oiled bread)
The seasonal focaccia at Lilia (this is the main reason to go here, yes the pasta is good but this bread is out of this world… and that salted green butter? Kill me)
Anything (but mainly the croissants) from Mel Bakery
Beyond Chicken Nuggets at A&W in Canada (does this one seem out of place in this list? I have diverse tastes!)
Emmy Burger Dumplings at Mimi Cheng’s (truly delicious and I’m not even a dumpling person)
Turkey Club Sandwich at Marks Off Madison (a great club sandwich is an extremely hard thing to find and the search is now over)
Croissant soft serve from Supermoon Bakehouse (love the imagination of this place, the summer soft serve is the absolute main reason to go)
The fish and chips at Dame (again, this was better than some Canadian fish and chips places, just so perfectly cooked)
The garlic bread at Carbone (it looks so boring but it is one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating)
The pizza at Descendant in Toronto (worth the drive to Toronto from Mississauga)
BEST TV & MOVIES
Martin Short can do no wrong, but even ignoring that fact this is such a great new show. I’m so glad they’re doing a second season. Even if you can’t stand Selena Gomez’s voice, it’s fantastic.
The latest season of Dave (and especially this song)
Honestly, every episode has been better than the last. It’s wild. How are we not all constantly talking about what a great show this is?
Stanley Tucci + Italian food = all I’ll ever need.
So upsetting that it was the final season, but what a perfect show.
Completely didn’t expect to like this one as much as I did. Yes, the earlier seasons are better than the final ones but overall a great show.
Loved the entire message of this movie, more people should be forced into watching it. Comedians, specifically.
I LOVE this genre of movie. I’d never even heard of it, but Michael Keaton is phenomenal in it.
Definitely the best movie of the year. Hands down.
BEST PURCHASES
Winter snowflake mug from Etsy
Temporary Ghost Tattoo from Etsy
Banana Republic Factory pajamas
I STAND BY EACH AND EVERY ITEM!
And here are my favourites from 2020 if you’re interested.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best Tweets of December
You can find the best tweets of the rest of December over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Merry Christmas!
Winter List
Is it insane that I still make these seasonal lists when the world is crumbling around us? Hope not! I think it’s so beneficial to come up with fun little ideas of things you’d like to do and then to actually do them. Yes, I pay bills and live an adult life, but if you aren’t having any small/silly adventures on a weekly basis, I think you’re living wrong…? Here’s what I want to do during this beautiful, snowy, perfect season that is finally upon us.
I would love to either ride a snowmobile or go skiing. Either one will be an acceptable snow transaction.
Eat a latke. I never have and I’d like to.
Waste away in Margaritaville. In Times Square. I know that this sounds so insanely lame, but I really want to and I refuse your judgement.
Visit the Transit Museum because I’ve never gone and it seems like my kinda place.
Eat moussaka. I never have and it seems like a good winter dish.
As always, I encourage you to create your own list because we’re all rotting away and it might be nice to try something new.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Autumn List Revisited
Autumn is no more! Is it just me or does it feel like the season began a year ago? Does time exist anymore? Let’s recap how I did with my autumn list of activities.
1. Go to Downey’s for our annual visit.
I truly can’t believe I didn’t do this - it’s been the first year in many years that I’ve been in town and just couldn’t find the time to go. It sort of feels nice to not be tethered to expectations of yourself. Am I… growing up? Is this growth??
2. Make turkey poutine with Thanksgiving leftovers.
You know what? Didn’t happen. But I did have duck poutine, so I’m taking a half point because that’s still some sort of bird poutine. God, that phrase is awful, I promise to never say it again.
3. Make apple fritters or an apple fritter cake.
I made an incredible apple fritter cake and it might be a staple now for Thanksgiving. And such a great alternative to boring old apple pie.
4. Learn the Phantasm theme on piano.
Didn’t do it but really thought about it.
5. Eat the steak at L’Artusi.
I did and it was good! Nothing too too special to ever must eat again, but very good.
2.5 / 5 That’s a pass, baby!
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best Tweets of December
You can find the best tweets of November over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Christian Dior Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum
You know how I feel about going into Brooklyn (no one should ever need to go to Brooklyn), but this exhibit makes it fully worth the trek. The Dior exhibit is on until February 2022 and if you’ve ever enjoyed the fashion exhibits put on at The Met, then you’ll absolutely love this collection.
“With objects drawn primarily from the Dior archives, the exhibition includes a vast array of over two hundred haute couture garments as well as photographs, archival videos, sketches, vintage perfume elements, accessories, and works from the Museum’s collection.”
Here were my very favourites pieces in the collection (included in the captions are the places I would wear them to).
Can you see why I love going to these exhibits? How can you not imagine where you’d wear each beautiful piece you see? In any case, you really should go. Tickets available over here.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of November
Should I comment on how fast this year has gone by or is that just a commonality of general life now and never needs to be said again?
Here’s what went down in November.
You can find my favourite tweets of the month over here and here.
I wrote about the very best Thanksgiving recipes. I’m going to do this type of post again for Christmas recipes soon.
I detailed my visit to the Treasures exhibit at the New York Public Library.
My friend Irene & I tried the pizza at Di Fara’s in Brooklyn and while it was good, it was nowhere near worth the drive out there. Just way too far, we might as well have gone to New Jersey. Good pizza, though!
Here’s some advice on how to have a cheaper Christmas this year because everything costs a million dollars now?
If you’ve never been to the Octagon House in Irvington, New York then you now have no excuse not to go for yourself.
New things I watched:
Only Murders in the Building - phenomenal! Everyone should watch! Can’t recommend it enough.
Squid Game - yes I’m the last person on earth who watched it and yes it was fantastic. That old man! Fuck!
The newest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm - yeah, I think I can’t watch anymore. I think I’m done with love/hate relationships because there’s no actual love here and why am I doing this to myself?
The newest season of Big Mouth - the shame episode is phenomenal. This is just such a good show, I’m so glad it exists.
The newest season of Nora From Queens - this season was really up and down for me, but it finished really strong. This is corny but the idea of not being lost if you have people you care for and who care for you? I love it. I’m in. The father is by far the best character and maybe the main reason I keep watching at this point.
That’s Entertainment! Have you heard of this old movie? It’s not even a movie really, it’s a collection of moments from old Hollywood productions. I’d never even heard of Esther Williams, but oh my god what a woman.
I made these salty vanilla espresso chocolate chip cookies that exceeded expectations. I think I might only like cookies that have chocolate in them. It’s nice to finally realize this. It’s also nice to admit to fully being a child with this preference.
I can’t remember the last time autumn in New York looked this beautiful.
A list of ten things you should do before Christmas (with the exception of visiting the Waldorf since it reopens in 2023).
Slightly obnoxious reminder: GET GIFT RECEIPTS.
Have you tried a satsuma mandarin? A seedless beauty.
New seasonal candles at Trader Joe’s!
My brother Gary’s podcast has returned and his first episode back was about Alf and it couldn’t be greater.
Nathan and I saw Jeff Daniels in To Kill A Mockingbird on Broadway and it was so, so good. Everyone should see him in it. But it was also just such a great feeling to be out on the town and dressed up.
We’re redecorating our apartment right now and I couldn’t be more in love with our new washroom shelving. I feel like that sentence might make you sad for me, but don’t be! I’m actually living a really fun, cool life.
I’ve been craving tomato soup lately and the one at Il Bambino in Astoria is too perfect. But stay far far away from the one at Astoria Bier & Cheese because their tomato soup is putrid (which is weird because their sandwiches are great).
I’ve made this 10-ingredient lentil bolognese a few times and I think it’ll be in my permanent recipe rotation. It’s really hearty, but not at all bland and you really don’t miss the meat.
I’ll forever love Boursin cheese, this will always be true. And their new fig & balsamic flavour? Out of this world good.
I went to the beautiful restaurant on the water Red Hat on the River with my dear friend Diana and it was good! Nothing spectacular, but good. The mussels are the main reason to go, in my opinion. Tasty as hell.
I’m really on the fence about reusable gift wrap, but it does look simplistic and pretty.
I visited the Lyndhurst mansion that has been newly decorated for the holidays and it was very quaint. I will admit that the Octagon House was a little bit more exciting, but I’ll never turn down a visit to a nice house in the country.
Loved this list of 90s Dad Thrillers, it’s just such a good genre.
Have you heard of the dollar-store-esque store Five Below? I hadn’t until this month and I’m mad I didn’t know about it sooner.
Can someone please buy me the winter spiced cranberry Sprite? Why does it look so damn good?
Loved, loved, loved this performance (below).
So I perused the new Chrissy Teigen cookbook and there’s really nothing exciting in it. And is it just me or does she use fish sauce as her “special ingredient” in almost every dish she has? And I like fish sauce, but this is getting ridiculous.
The fabric ornaments at West Elm are extremely cute this year. Did I need to buy a mouse wearing a sweater when I saw it and fell in love with it? I guess this is my life now?
Absolutely addicted to the new herbaceous cheesy bites from Trader Joe’s. A smaller, fancier mozzarella stick? I’m in, baby. (Also their seasonal rosemary nuts are fantastic.)
I had THE worst eyelash extension experience at Wow Threading Studio on 26th Street and no one should ever ever ever get eyelash “cluster” extensions. They couldn’t be worse. (Scathing review in the Yelp link.)
Incase you love seasonal episodes:
I bought a new winter mug with white snowflakes on Etsy and I’m in love.
Tried a donut from Mochi Mochi and you know what? I don’t like donuts that much these days, but this one I liked. Less dense than other donuts. (Tip: if you’re looking for Squid Game Dalgona candy, they sell them here at their location in Herald Square.)
The Union Square Holiday Market has begun and the duck fat poutine from Duck Season was INSANITY. So, so good. Better than some Canadian poutines. Go immediately.
As soon as the colder weather starts, I always buy one new couch blanket (I guess adults call them throw blankets) and I’m in love with this Banana Republic Factory one (in the Burnt Umber colour). What is umber? Couldn’t tell you. But I can tell you that it’s chocolate coloured.
The Metropolitan Postcard Club sponsors a special two day show every November where approximately thirty-five to forty postcard dealers from around the nation and the world attend to introduce their cards to the public, so of course I went and here are some of the best ones I came across.
I went to see the Dior exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum and I reviewed it over here.
The Thanksgiving croissant returned in all its glory! It is now $9 (because 2021 won’t let you have affordable things anymore), but it’s still amazing tasting. I also tried Milk Bar’s apple cake which was good but way too sweet. And their cinnamon pretzel soft serve was delicious. This place exhausts me with their new menu items, I don’t know how they continuously keep it up.
I think I’ve found the greatest scent of all time at Bath & Body Works: Fall Citrus Harvest.
I’ve mentioned my love of Supermoon Bakehouse before and my sweet friends Katie & Greg (thankyouthankyou!) got me a giant box treats from them that was absolutely decadent and incredible. Everyone must visit this bakery.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month:
I made this home movie of the holidays a few years ago that I might make again this year since we haven’t been together as a full family since December 2019 and I beg you to maybe do one of your own as well because you will watch it over and over, I promise.
If you’re at all superstitious or just, like, a cool person - don’t forget to buy your bayberry candles!
Will I be watching all of the snowy movies on this list? I’m only human, I have to.
While I’m in Ontario, I really want to get my hands on this vegan cheese that’s supposed to be incredible.
I’m planning on making roast beef on Christmas Eve mainly so I can make these roast beef sandwiches for lunch on Christmas Day.
If you have any interest in reading what went on in October, come on over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best Tweets of November
You can find the best tweets of the rest of November over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.