August 26, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 9

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

The freshest/squeakiest cheese curds I’ve ever had from Gunn’s Hill.

DRINKING

Pina coladas in pineapples, only way to serve them.

COOKING

More homemade pizza, I can’t stop.

CRAVING

Found a new favourite treat at Bulk Barn: chocolate covered sponge toffee.

LISTENING

To my car playlist.

WATCHING

Started the latest season on Only Murders in the Building & Paul Rudd is perfect as usual. Also that episode of And Just Like That with Che doing “stand up” (it’s in quotes because it’s not stand up) GOOD GOD, I hate this character with a burning passion inside me.

Che being like “Why does not one understand me?” Every time they get called out for being a self-absorbed asshole (not because of their identity or how they present) is so manipulative, and they need to get called out on it. #AndJustLikeThat
— Dimitrius Jones (@iDimitriusJones) August 17, 2023

WEARING

This pink belt bag continues to be my purse of the summer.

If you think you’re above a belt bag, I’m here to tell you that you aren’t

EXPERIENCING

I went to the CNE with my mom, which was great. Also, flew in a Harvard!

LOVING

My dad got a letter from King Charles for his 100th birthday, which is a big deal whether you care about the royals or not. And since his coronation was in the middle of May and my dad’s birthday was the first week of June, there’s a very good chance that this was the very first 100th birthday letter signed by THE KING OF ENGLAND. Is that the coolest thing in the world or… do you not, like, get how neat that is?

SHOPPING

I bought a black denim skirt with buttons so I can finally achieve this perfect Cher look (below).

HATING

Westjet. Remember when all airlines weren’t complete shit? It was a simpler time.

You can read last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 8 over here and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 19, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 8

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

Obsessed with Oikos’ Maple Syrup flavoured Greek yogurt. And these open-faced heirloom tomato sandwiches (below).

Toasted sourdough rubbed with garlic, then mayo, cheddar cheese, sliced heirloom tomatoes, sea salt & basil vinaigrette if you’re feeling fancy

DRINKING

Loved this Honey Soda I got from a farmer’s market.

COOKING

Tomato and fennel pizza with store bought dough (and added sausage) actually turned out pretty good. (And yes this sounds condescending, but you only think you don’t like fennel.)

BAKING

I used this great espresso cream cheese frosting with this vanilla cake recipe and it wasn’t spectacular, so that was depressing.

CRAVING

This bruised tomato and bread soup and only some of these insane CNE foods.

LISTENING

It happened. I downloaded a bird-identifier app. And you know what? I’m happier.

WATCHING

Detroit Rock City really holds up, still a great movie.

WEARING

The Urban Outfitters nail polish Cherry Iceeee (they have it in store at Square One in Mississauga) and tons of After Bite.

EXPERIENCING

All the public pools within a 10km radius.

LOVING

The Queue app to organize all the movies I want to see. There’s a spinner tool that makes it somehow more fun to decide, too? A smarter person might not admit that.

SHOPPING

The wild sales at The Bay right now (the customer service is atrocious since it’s a ghost town - but the deals, my god the deals).

GRIEVING

The end of the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. SUCH A FUN SHOW.

You can read last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 7 over here and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 14, 2023

July Jiffs 2023

by Liz Heather in Beauty, Best of NYC, Food, Movies, Personal, Recipes

July was so busy that I barely had any time to loathe this awful time of year! Here’s what went down last month.

I started doing Summer Saturdays, which is a weekly roundup of what happens each week.
The best tweets of July can be found over here.
I can’t stop making this steak salad.
Went to the new Superiority Burger and the veggie burger was great, but the rest of the menu wasn’t anything terribly special.

Veggie burger at Superiority Burger, NYC

Appeared on Paul’s TikTok again!
Went to Shakespeare in the Park (Hamlet) for the first time and it was so, so good. Didn’t even mind the thunderstorm that happened mid-show, that’s how good it was. There was a gentle breeze of mild B.O that also wasn’t even that unpleasant. Had no idea that the Delacorte Theatre is closing after this season, so it’s especially neat that I got to go this year. ALSO I might like Shakespeare?? So many lines were ones I never realized were from Hamlet. And so many lines from Frasier too!

Currently living in these green Halara bike shorts with pockets.
The greatest chocolate cake recipe I’ve come across.
I physically can’t shut up about these great black bean muffins that I just add protein powder to in order to eat homemade protein snacks.
Always a solid experience at Amelie in the West Village.

With Jessie at Amelie in the West Village

Went bowling at Astoria Bowl 360 and it was great. They’ve updated it a bit so it’s not as grimy as it used to be, which I guess is a good thing.
Got the Natori bra that I’ve loved for years (and lasts years) at the Nordstrom sale.
Marla came to visit and we did as much as humanly possible, some highlights:
- Visited the MoMA and the new wing at the Natural History Museum
- Had the gluten free latkes and french toast sticks at Modern Bread and Bagel and everything tasted ungodly good
- Saw the Kusama exhibit in Chelsea
- Stopped by the weekly stargazing event on the High Line
- Finally ate at Rubirosa
- Rented row boats in Central Park
- Saw Six on Broadway and actually liked it (loved Marla saying before it started, “I don’t understand what they’re gonna do for *80* minutes.” Hahahahah)
- Drinks in the sky at Manhatta will always be a good idea

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The duck confit spring rolls at happy hour at Sojourn are wild. Gotta return.
For years I’ve wondered who the hell goes to the Uno or Applebees in my neighborhood when you LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY and there are a million better options. But for whatever reason, I found myself in one this month and I’m sorry but $7 martinis are the absolute main reason to go there. I forever remain on my mission to find the deals and drink the deals.
New favourite place to eat in Astoria: Figlia.

I went on a family trip to Scotland! Full post coming this week.

Some things I watched:
- The Summer I Turned Pretty - so unbelievably fun.
- Dave - so great! How have I never seen it before?!
- The new Indiana Jones - loved it, except for the end.
- And Just Like That - okay yes it’s still terrible, but Charlotte has really been shining in the latest episodes.
- Black Mirror - watched all the new episodes and I really don’t think Ayo Edebiri is a good actress. Loved Joan is Awful since it felt like a more modern Truman Show. And Josh Harnett? A god.
- It Should Happen To You - I saw this when I was so young and just fell in love with the idea of someone renting a billboard solely to just see their name in big letters. Great movie.
- Barbie - phenomenal. Would see again. Will continue to buy (almost) any merch.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I’ll continue to do things off of my summer list, I definitely want to try lane swimming at a pool in the area, I’m determined to get Baby Dog in a kiddie pool to see if she would like it and I’d love to go to a Jays game if timing permits.

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in June over here. And my summer highlights on Instagram can be seen here.

August 12, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 7

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

Here to definitively say that all breakfast sandwiches are gross. Every single time I try a bite of one it’s always disappointing. Breakfast shouldn’t include sandwiches, it’s almost chaotic.

DRINKING

Tons of homemade iced coffee, it’s somehow eons better than store bought.

COOKING

Stuffed Summer Shells were so corny and great.

BAKING

Cake pops! So easy and incredibly good. The meltable chocolate from Michaels was perfect for this.

CRAVING

I tried a Flat White flavoured Cookies and Cream Hershey’s bar in Scotland and I can’t get it out of my mind.

LISTENING

When I’m in Canada I drive, so this playlist is exclusively for my car.

WATCHING

My niece Maya has me captivated by the Netflix show Outer Banks, let’s not talk about it.

WEARING

Eternal top and base coats might be even better than Seche Vite. Really thinking about getting their light nudes collection.

EXPERIENCING

I’ve been taking my dad to the library once a week and I’ve started checking out DVDs again and it’s transported me back to the 90s when my brother and I would get the 10-old-movies-deal for $10 at Rogers Video every week in the summertime.

LOVING

The Urban Skin RX dark spot scrub has been helping my face for months. It’s especially great when you accidentally fuss with pimples and then you’re left with scarring.

SHOPPING

Two for one three wick candles at Bath & Body Works. Did I get an autumn scented one so I have something to light on the first day of fall? Obviously.

You can read last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 6 over here and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 5, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 6

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

The haddock from Pendulum in Glasgow was so incredibly good - and that’s coming from someone who’s a real snob about halibut being superior to haddock.

Unreal haddock at Pendulum in Glasgow, Scotland

DRINKING

So much lemon water and white wine this week. (…why am I acting full-white?)

COOKING

Decided I absolutely have to make this mushroom marsala pasta this weekend.

BAKING

Already prepped some white chocolate scones, though I’ll definitely change the fruit since raspberries are so boring.

CRAVING

Summer tomatoes, so I’m going to one of these farmer’s markets this weekend.

LISTENING

My summer 2023 playlist.

WATCHING

Did I see Barbie a second time? YUH HUH. Need to catch up on The Summer I Turned Pretty and And Just Like That tonight.

Seeing Barbie for the second time with Camden

WEARING

Nothing new, but some great old finds that I’d forgotten about in my closet.

Begging you to take more outfit photos of yourself

EXPERIENCING

Sooo… is this the best time of the year? The final days of summer have begun and the countdown to Halloween can’t start yet but I can start THINKING about it starting soon. Anticipation is almost better than the actual thing. Why am I like this.

LOVING

Sun-In, pastel nail polish and Creamy Maple Almond Milk (for at-home iced coffee).

Insanely good flavour to *tempt* autumn next month

SHOPPING

There’s a $6 kiddie pool I ordered for Baby Dog from Giant Tiger because I want to see if she’d enjoy the cool water on a hot day. Promise to follow up on how she likes it because I can sense you really care.

You can read last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 5 over here and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 1, 2023

The Best Tweets of July 2023

by Liz Heather in Links

The best tweets of July 2023.

July 29, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 5

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

This week’s edition is being written from Scotland, so it might be pretty UK-centric.

With Robbie, Gary & Camden near Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

EATING

Been on a real tapas kick lately, I can’t get enough. Tinto Tapas Bar in Glasgow was stellar.

DRINKING

All sangria, all the time.

COOKING/BAKING

Not a thing. Vacation = no kitchen time.

CRAVING

Need to find some good fish and chips before I leave.

LISTENING

The Barbie soundtrack on repeat.

WATCHING

This 1950s movie called It Should Happen To You that’s about a woman who rents a giant billboard above Columbus Circle just to put her name on it.

WEARING

Aerie leggings are the only leggings to travel in.

EXPERIENCING

Took a day trip to Edinburgh with my brothers and one of my nephews, which was such a perfect day. Went on a boat ride on Loch Lomand with the whole family.

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LOVING

Getting to see what Iceland looks like from above (on an unplanned stopover to Scotland).

SHOPPING

The Barbie section at Primark in the UK is too good.

You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 4 over here, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here and I’ve got my Scotland highlights over there too.

July 22, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 4

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

The heavenly latkes at Modern Bread & Bagel on the Upper West Side.

DRINKING

Cappuccinos in the sky at Manhatta. Love that this place doesn’t need a reservation for an evening drink anymore.

COOKING

I made some veal meatballs out of some Costco ground veal I found in my freezer, then I baked the meatballs, some marinara sauce and melted fresh mozzarella balls on top. I’m friggin Emeril over here.

BAKING

Black bean muffins and yes they sound gross, but they’re so dark-chocolatey you don’t even taste the bean.

CRAVING

The vegan chicken parm from VSPOT in Brooklyn.

LISTENING

Heart of Stone from Six on Broadway on repeat.

WATCHING

The new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty and it’s so, so good. Love a good teen summer love triangle. Using a pumpkins song in a prom scene? The key to my heart.

WEARING

New favourite thing to do: try on insanely expensive dresses on and take photos. Stay tuned.

EXPERIENCING

My dear friend Marla came for a visit and we did everything. Saw the new wing at the Natural History Museum, the Kusama exhibit in Chelsea, stargazing on the High Line, pizza at Rubirosa, rented row boats in Central Park and saw Six on Broadway.

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LOVING

All things Barbie. The movie was phenomenal. Margot Robbie was stellar, Ryan Gosling was so funny, I can’t wait to see it for a second time.

SHOPPING

My favourite bra of the past ten years (Natori) is half-off on sale at Nordstrom right now, so I had to buy a new one.

You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 3 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

July 15, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 3

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

The patatas bravas at Huertas were the best I’ve ever had.

DRINKING

An unholy amount of iced coffees with vanilla sweet cream.

COOKING

I had a piece of leftover steak, so I made Philly cheesesteak potatoes that were unexpectedly great. It was literally just sliced steak, sautéed onions and provolone atop some cubed, roasted potatoes with a basil dip. Am I entering my era of creating my own (albeit basic) recipes? I MIGHT BE.

BAKING

Absolutely nothing, it’s hot as hell.

CRAVING

Making a mental note to get the incredible Emmy burger cheeseburger dumplings (only available in July) at Mimi Cheng’s.

The cheeseburger dumplings at Mimi Cheng’s, NYC

LISTENING

How have I never heard of the song deja vu before? In love.

WATCHING

I watched the newest season of Black Mirror and my favourite was definitely Beyond the Sea. That scene after Josh Hartnett puts his kids to bed and goes downstairs with his wife? May have watched that scene more than once. I also started the newest season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, which can be pretty corny but can also make you teary? Can’t explain it. Love it.

WEARING

Living in these all-red running shoes.

EXPERIENCING

I took a brutal fall on a sidewalk in the East Village and the wound is… wild. I really didn’t want to pay for a doctor visit, so I just went to a CVS pharmacy and begged a pharmacist to take a look and tell me what to do (is that as sad/cheap as it sounds? yup!) and thank christ for pharmacists.

LOVING

I don’t tend to idolize anyone physically, it’s not really my style. (I mean, except for early-aughts Joshua Jackson, Pennywise-era Bill Skarsgård, Riverdale-era Skeet Ulrich and any-time-he-appears-in-water Jason Mamoa…) Okay, forget what I said, I pine like no other. And I can’t get these outfits on these men (below) out of my mind. Just flawless. And they’re all Gucci?? I’ve gotta start paying attention to the Gucci men’s collection runway shows.

Oh my jesus, I’m relooking at those photos and maybe I just like a half-open dress shirt?? Yep, cracked the code. Someone convince Nathan to stop buttoning up to his chin, please?

SHOPPING

Secured my Barbie ticket. Now we wait.

You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 2 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

July 8, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 2

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

Finally tried the veggie burger at Superiority Burger and it’s as good as everyone claims.

DRINKING

Not Caesars, that’s for sure.

COOKING

I can’t stop making this steak salad.

BAKING

These protein cookies are perfect as breakfast side, but also great for when you’re traveling.

CRAVING

This garlic butter pasta sauce that looks incredible.

LISTENING

To the new Olivia Rodrigo song Vampire.

WATCHING

I rewatched the second season of Big Brother (mainly because of how much I loved Will Kirby when it first aired) and it’s a great summer rewatch. Also saw the new Indiana Jones, which was great (except for the last ten minutes).

WEARING

The OPI Barbie collaboration has a firm grip on me.

EXPERIENCING

After years of trying, I finally won a ticket to Shakespeare In The Park (Hamlet) and it was so good.

LOVING

Every single thing on the menu at Figlia in Astoria.

SHOPPING

The Holler and Glow self-heating eye masks finally got restocked at Target so I loaded up.

You can read Summer Saturdays Vol. 1 over here, and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.