And you can see my summer highlight reel on Instagram over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Favourite Summer Photos
by Liz Heather in Personal
Favourite Summer Photos
Dad's 100th Birthday Party
100!
100!
This is a few months late of a post, but my dad turned 100 (!) in June and we had a giant party for him, which was incredible. And in helping plan the party, I did what I normally do when I need ideas for something - I went to different bookstores to peruse ideas for things that would be helpful in planning such an event. But here’s the thing: there is no book on how to celebrate a 100th birthday. There are ideas for kids birthday parties, weddings, showers, retirements but absolutely nothing specifically for a 100th birthday celebration. So that being said, I wanted to do a post about some of the things that we came up since it was all so fun to plan.
Tip #1: do not try to fit three numbered, helium-filled balloons in the trunk of your car. They will not fit. I popped the “one” almost immediately and thankfully we were still in the parking lot of Party City so I could get a replacement.
Toronto Star front page from June 5, 1923
Since we were having the party at a hall, we decided to decorate the guest entrance area with posters on easels from my dad’s past, like the front page of the Toronto Star from the day he was born (thanks to my dear friend Adele for getting a copy for us). We also displayed photos of his Dale Carnegie classes and students, his RCAF officer photos and medals, as well as an enlarged poster print from a Campbell’s tomato soup ad that he posed for when he was a kid. He also received birthday letters from the mayor of Mississauga, the governor general of Canada, the prime minister of Canada and the king of England, which were all on display. (I have a theory that since King Charles’ coronation took place on May 6th and my dad’s birthday was June 5th, then this could easily be the king’s very first 100th birthday letter that he’s sent as King of England… which is wild.)
Card luggage box
Dad insisted on cards only (no gifts), so I used this vintage luggage I bought years ago from the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show. The two red birds are from Michael’s and the lettering design was (perfectly) done by my sister-in-law Amanda with dollar store sticker letters, construction paper and twine.
100th birthday matchbooks
I got party favour matchbooks made through Zazzle that turned out great.
Decade cookies
I don’t know what else to call these other than the decade cookies because each sugar cookie had a photo from each decade of his life. And they turned out so perfect, I’m grateful that Sweet Star Bakeshop took on the project and could create these for the day.
Mom & Dad
The balloon arch was put together by my sister-in-law Cindy, my brother Robbie, my niece Tianna and her boyfriend Liam and it looked spectacular, especially as a backdrop for photos. Cindy also had the genius idea to create two kids-only tables with colouring and craft supplies. Honestly every event with kids should do this.
The Heathers!
We bought flowers from the grocery store on the day of the event since that proved to be the cheapest/easiest route and we just brought vases from home for them. We got the “100” table decorations, the “100” banner and the guest book all from Amazon.
Birthday letter from King Charles
We had about 400 old photos shown on a slideshow that was displayed on a projection that played on a loop as well as a playlist of songs from the 40s-70s (no Beatles, he hates them). My brother Gary arranged to have some fado (a form of Portuguese singing) musicians play for a little bit since my Dad’s a big fan of it.
Dad & Mom with the cake
He insisted on using a sword to cut the cake (since that’s what the queen would’ve done) and somehow no one got hurt.
And finally we made gift bags that included some of the things that represent my dad: a bookmark (he loves to read), some UK chocolates (because of his English roots), an engraved 100th birthday pen, some wild flower seeds (ideally to be planted as a reminder of the party!) and a jar of homemade Stan jam (he loves strawberry jam) that my mom and I made.
Stan jam!
It couldn’t have gone better and everyone had such a great time. Truly a once in a lifetime kind of day. And just incase you’re interested at all, here’s some more about my dad.
Stanley Heather was born in 1923 in Toronto, Ontario. When he was 18 years old, he joined the RCAF in 1941 and fought in WWII (Ranks Held: AC2 - R118904, ACI, LAC, ACT. CORP SGT., FLIGHT SGT., PILOT OFFICER - J94389, FLYING OFFICER). Throughout his life, he’s had five children and countless grandchildren, he’s worked as an accountant with Hyland Motors and Chrysler, he was a sponsor of Dale Carnegie and taught the five Carnegie courses in the West Indies for fifteen years, he was the Chamber Of Commerce Manager in Brampton, the General Manager of The Mississauga City Board Of Trade and currently still co-owns and operates the daycare supplies company Heather Child Care Essentials in Mississauga with his wife of forty years (and my mom), Hassina. He continues to travel the world with Hassina.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Shukette in NYC
I’ve been wanting to try this restaurant Shukette since Pete Wells reviewed it in the Times two years ago and I’m so glad I finally got to go. A seasonal heirloom tomato salad special was the dish that finally pushed it to the top of my must-eat-here list and I have no regrets.
We ate the labneh (with apricot jam, fennel, serrano, chive), the gozleme (with mozzarella, fontina, summer herbs), the fluke crudo (with watermelon, lime, urfa chile, mint), obviously the heirloom tomato salad (with blistered corn, whipped garlic, basil, sesame, aleppo) and the spectacular tomato rice (with spring onions, basil, cumin). It was a phenomenal meal. I rarely devote whole posts to one restaurant, but I needed to document this one.
Labneh with apricot jam, fennel, serrano, chive
This might be the greatest bread dip I’ve ever had? It tasted like goat cheese’s hotter brother. Just silky as hell.
Gozleme with mozzarella, fontina, summer herbs
We were originally going to get the frena (a moroccan bread) instead of the gozleme to go with the labneh but a cheese bread is hard to pass up. The fact that there are five breads to choose from is genius.
Fluke crudo with watermelon, lime, urfa chile, mint
Never had fluke before and it was refreshing, light and perfect. Love a fancy little fish bite.
Heirloom tomato salad with blistered corn, whipped garlic, basil, sesame, aleppo
The bed of whipped garlic underneath the tomato salad was unholy. It’s apparently just raw garlic pulverized in a food processor with olive oil so that’s clearly on my weekend list of things I need to do. Excessive amounts of raw garlic solve every single problem you think you have.
Tomato rice with spring onions, basil, cumin
The tomato rice might sound boring but it was a revelation. So many restaurants mess up basic rice, but this one was flawless. I could eat an entire pot of it.
I can’t believe how incredible everything was. Next time I have to get the toum (which is a side order of the whipped fluffy garlic that came beneath the tomato salad) to accompany the frena. And definitely try more meat next time. Such a memorable meal.
Washroom sign at Shukette
Hand drawn washroom signs? What a perfect place. RUN HERE.
And you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of August
I may frame this
I may frame this
Summer is almost over and I think this is the first time in years that I’ve been a little sad to see it go. I was able to visit Scotland with my family, Marla came to see me in New York, I spent the majority of August in Ontario with friends and the kids, we played so much of Wii’s Warioware: Smooth Moves, I’m maintaining the tan of my dreams and I’ve never eaten so much fresh corn in my life. What kind of summer-loving fiend have I become?? In any case, here’s what went down in August.
Friend hang!
More friend hangs!
I finished my Summer Saturdays series that I loved doing. I’ll definitely do this again (maybe sooner than you think).
The best tweets of August can be found over here.
Loving the new Urban Outfitters Cherry ICEEEE nail polish.
The coolest job of life would be to come up with nail polish names
Obsessed with making this heirloom tomato toast as long as it’s in season.
Made these stuffed summer shells that I’d definitely make again. Summer pasta is underrated.
Summer stuffed shells
Went to a Blue Jays game with my brother Robbie and some of his kids and it was so great.
Skydome, August 2023
CN Tower, August 2023
I need to bite the bullet and just buy the Lemax pumpkin patch train, right?
Maple syrup greek yogurt? I never knew how much I needed you.
Also made cake pops for the first time with my niece Maya and they turned out perfect. Halloween cake pops up next.
At my parent’s house, I found myself constantly making pizza (with store-bought dough) and it’s so much better than I remember homemade pizza being. Maybe it’s because you need to heat the spread-out dough (on parchment, with olive oil rubbed on top) for ten minutes at 450 degrees and THEN put all the sauce/toppings/cheese on it and put it back in for another ten minutes at 500 degrees.
Sausage pizza >
If you’re anywhere near Woodstock, Ontario then you need to get these incredibly squeaky cheese curds.
Went to the Humber Bay Shores Farmers Market and got this great honey soda.
Incredible honey soda
Beach sit!
My greatest discovery this summer? Sponge toffee is ungodly perfect. NO ONE TOLD ME.
In my shopping cart:
Snow globe Christmas stamps from the USPS.
Warm Apple Pie candle at Bath & Body Works
Witches dancing in the moonlight from Lemax (okay, I legit might have a problem)
I’m in love with the Silk Creamy Maple Almond milk flavour for iced coffee.
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, which is absolutely the neatest thing on the planet.
Dad’s 100th Birthday letter from King Charles
I went to the CNE with my mom and it was lovely. Tried the footlong freak fries that were texturally amazing. I was intrigued by the street corn soft serve but was unwilling to spend over $5 for it. And nobody should pay over $20 for a pina colada in a pineapple so we made them at home instead.
Freak fries at the CNE
Parents with pineapple pina colada
I tried the Benefit brow pencil (because I was temporarily out of the Colourpop one I love) and it was absolute trash. Returned it immediately.
Also flew in a Harvard airplane!
The coolest photo I’ll ever be in?
Some things I watched:
Barbie (for the second time): would honestly go a third time if anyone’s into it.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (season two): I think I loved this season even more than the first. I loved that almost every episode had some fun event that took over the entire episode (the carnival one, the house party one, the motel one, etc.).
Outer Banks (first two seasons): I can’t explain the grip this show has on me. The disgust-turned-to-love I have for JOHN B confuses even me.
Simply Irresistible: so laughably awful, I’m surprised Sarah Michelle Gellar got any work after this. The magical crab was the best character.
M3GAN: first of all, it’s not a horror movie so it’s weird it was sold that way. It’s really not good, but also very fun to watch with kids.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit: I forced the kids to watch this one because my brothers and I saw it about ten thousand times when we grew up. Heathers love this movie.
Junior: how did I never see this 90s classic? It should be law to watch one 90s movie each month. They’re so uncomplicated and good.
The last ten minutes of Beverly Hills Chihuahua: I came home to my niece Tianna watching this with my mom and Baby Dog and I saw literal minutes of it and cried. I can’t see pretend-dead-dogs even when they turn out to not be dead. I’M ONLY HUMAN. (The movie itself seemed actually adorable, maybe.)
And So It Goes (the Michael Douglas/Diane Keaton movie): ugh! So bad. When you get Rob Reiner to do a job meant for Nora Ephron - you get this piece of shit.
And Just Like That (season two): are there people out there who don’t see what a train wreck this show is? I want to talk to them. Also, Carrie is not a cat person. Whoever made that choice truly does not understand this character. Since when does Steve speak Italian? Charlotte was the real winner of the season.
Only Murders In The Building (season three): love how it’s starting out so far, but it’s not really as exciting as the previous seasons.
Summer Rental: truly the worst John Candy movie of all time.
Talk To Me: good/original, but too much gross-out horror for me.
Since it’s the first day of school today, I always think of what we should’ve been learning in school instead this time of year.
I got Baby Dog’s teeth cleaned for the first time in her life and it was a phenomenal experience. I was at Pet Valu and saw that they worked with an organization that cleans your dog’s teeth without putting them under anesthesia. The team at KissableK9 Care was beyond impressive and kind and the whole thing took thirty minutes. I have before and after photos that are pure insanity. I would post them here, but like… even a chihuahua likes her privacy sometimes. Cannot recommend KissableK9 enough!
Visited the Applewood outdoor pool in Mississauga a few times and I can’t wait to try their lane swimming next summer.
My babies! (Yes their boyfriends are my babies too I guess…?)
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: putting the final touches on my Halloween costume, creating an autumn list of things to do, taking Nathan to see The Shark Is Broken on Broadway and I really want to eat the tomato salad at Shukette.
The Harvard flight day
If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in July over here. My summer highlights on Instagram can be seen here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Romeo & Baby Dog being alarmingly cute
Heirloom Tomato Toast
If I die in the summer, please serve these at my wake
If I die in the summer, please serve these at my wake
If heirloom tomatoes were always in season, I would eat this every day for the rest of my life. Yes it looks boring, but you have to trust me. It’s as if you’re biting into summer and it is heavenly.
Ingredients
1 heirloom tomato (the ones only available August/September)
Mayo
1 garlic clove, whole
Cheddar cheese, slices
Flakey sea salt
Sourdough
Instructions
Toast a slice of sourdough bread, then rub both sides with the raw garlic.
Spread a thin layer of mayo onto the bread.
The sliced cheddar goes on top the mayo.
Slices of tomato go on top of the cheddar.
Sprinkle the sea salt on top of the tomato and be generous.
If you’re feeling fancy and you have any basil vinaigrette on hand, put a dollop on top of the tomatoes. And if you’re a little psychotic, then grate the rest of the already-half-used garlic on top of the tomatoes.
Absolutely the best thing to eat this time of year.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 10
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.
Skydome, August 2023
LOVING
I can’t stop making reels.
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, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best Tweets of August
The best tweets of July can be found over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 9
EATING
The freshest/squeakiest cheese curds I’ve ever had from Gunn’s Hill.
The best cheese curds I’ve ever had
DRINKING
Pina coladas in pineapples, only way to serve them.
It’s worth the extra effort, I swear
COOKING
More homemade pizza, I can’t stop.
Sausage pizza cures all
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.
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!
CNE with Mom
First time 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?
The damn KING!
SHOPPING
I bought a black denim skirt with buttons so I can finally achieve this perfect Cher look (below).
A perfect outfit
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, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 8
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.)
Sausage & fennel pizza
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, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
The Best of July
Baby Dog making the most of her summer
Baby Dog making the most of her summer
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!
Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park, NYC
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
Kusama exhibit, NYC
Row boats in Central Park, NYC
Stargazing on the High Line, NYC
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.
Figlia in Astoria, Queens
I went on a family trip to Scotland! Full post coming this week.
Edinburgh, Scotland
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.
Hi Barbie by OPI
Barbie socks from Primark in Scotland
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 you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter. Also my summer highlights on Instagram can be seen here.