November 24, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 9

Welcome to the final Fall Fridays! I know that autumn technically ends on December 20th, but I refuse to acknowledge that. If I see a Santa display then that means it’s Christmas. The seasons (as I know them) are: spring, hell, autumn, Christmas, winter - I don’t make the rules.

BAKING/COOKING

I made a rice krispies pumpkin pie for American Thanksgiving and it turned out pretty well! Kind of a perfect dessert for a kids table.

CRAVING

The duck confit poutine from Duck Season at the Union Square Holiday Market that reopened this week.

DRINKING

Spinach smoothies in the morning as soon as I wake up. I never thought I’d get into it, but it’s annoying how good it makes me feel.

EATING

I’ve started making omelets with caramelized onions and goat cheese daily and I have to tell you: it really makes you think you’re better than other people. It’s so fast and easy and delicious that I’m a little mad I didn’t start doing this sooner.

EXPERIENCING

I went to see the miniature train exhibit at the New York Transit Museum (in Grand Central Station). I don’t know when my passion for miniatures began, but it’s deepening at an alarming pace.

Miniature trains display at Grand Central Station, NYC

LISTENING

It’s Black Friday, so the Christmas playlist is officially playing.

LOVING

Family Matters Christmas episodes. I should probably do a post on other sitcom Christmas episodes, I can sense how much you want that.

SHOPPING

Got some gingerbread whipped cream from Target for the rice krispies and whoa. It would be heavenly in a mug of hot chocolate.

WATCHING

I watched the new episodes of The Crown and this show is just sick. Showing conversations between two dead people that no one can corroborate? Get a life.

WEARING

Sometimes I wear all one colour and it tricks me into thinking I’m stylish. Sometimes it works and then sometimes I look like a farmer.

“She could be a farmer in those clothes.”

These weekly roundups have been really fun to do, so don’t be surprised if Winter Wednesdays turn up in a few weeks…

November 17, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 8

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

It’s almost American Thanksgiving so that means I’m gonna make my s’mores pie, which is truly the easiest pie recipe of all time.

CRAVING

A hot chocolate with a smidge of toffee syrup in it. I’ve only thought about it in theory, so as soon as the temperature drops below zero I’ll go get one.

DRINKING

Blonde flat whites for life. I’m a creature of habit.

EATING

So I finally went to the new Wegman’s in the city and the best deals? Three pounds of family pack ground chicken for $12. I’m sorry, but that’s wild. Also their $9 frozen wild blueberries family pack, get out of here. Deals for days in there.

EXPERIENCING

I’ve started arranging my saved reels into categories (makeup, funny stuff, etc.) and it’s made my life so much easier. Didn’t even know that was an option.

LISTENING

90s Disney soundtracks. They’re so soothing. Aladdin especially.

LOVING

Nathan did the Gramercy Theatre for the New York Comedy Festival and it was so phenomenal. I understand how you could think I’m biased but I truly don’t see him on stage that much, so when I do I’m usually pretty excited for it. And this tech stuff was so good. He works incredibly hard and I’m so happy that it was such a success.

SHOPPING

I DO NOT NEED MORE CANDLES. So obviously I bought the new chocolate croissant one from Trader Joe’s.

WATCHING

We saw The Shark is Broken on Broadway and it’s hard to accurately express how wonderful it was. It closes this Sunday and I’m grateful that we got to see it. Every single element (acting, script, set) was overwhelmingly good.

WEARING

I’m currently going through my entire closet and trying to arrange full outfits so that I don’t have to think too much about what I’ll wear each day. I’d just love to be a little bit more put together next year - or at least give more of a shit about that stuff. I only started thinking more about this when I realized how much I love putting together my vacation outfits and how happy that makes me, so here we are. Let’s see what happens.

November 10, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 7

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

I’ve been making this perfect egg salad on repeat. Also, can we please start doing deviled eggs at parties again?

CRAVING

I’m absolutely in love with this winter blue Le Creuset Snowflake brasier.

DRINKING

$8 happy hour martinis at Kaia Wine Bar on the Upper East Side.

EATING

I finally had a birria taco (I know, I’m never on time with food trends) with Paul and wow. Insanely good. Obviously everything is better with an au jus sauce.

Birria and duck tacos at Kaia Wine Bar, NYC

EXPERIENCING

The awfulness of Rolf’s Christmas-decorated restaurant in the city. I made a reservation six weeks ago and yes the place is beautiful, but that’s literally the only pro. Cons include: not being told ahead of time that every person is required to order an entree, cocktails were outrageously priced ($26 for basically anything alcoholic and $6 for seltzer), service was super rushed/rude, drink glasses had lipstick on them, space is so cramped and the menu was basic as hell.

Rolf’s (it has to be this beautiful to offset the insane prices), NYC

LISTENING

I’ve started playing my old iPod shuffle on my stereo when I get ready to go out and why the hell did I ever stop this ritual? Everyone should be doing this.

LOVING

Nathan’s show at Gramercy Theatre tomorrow was featured in the New York Times as one of the top four shows to see at the New York Comedy Festival, which is so wild and great.

SHOPPING

I found a12 Days of Christmas Bonne Maman jam assortment at Costco for $15.99 that I had to buy immediately. I’m not even that into jam (??) and yet my first reflex was to grab one.

WATCHING

I saw Priscilla and loved it.

WEARING

Wore my green feathered coat for the second time and I feel so indestructible in this piece of clothing, is this why famous people have such confidence on red carpets? Good clothing makes you think you’re better than everyone? I think I just cracked the code. Or wait, did everyone but me already know this… oh no.

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

November 3, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 6

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

I physically cannot stop making chicken marsala. This recipe is restaurant quality.

Incredible chicken marsala recipe from Once Upon A Chef

CRAVING

It’s November so my radar is set on the Thanksgiving dumplings from Mimi Cheng’s as well as the Bobbie (Thanksgiving) sandwich from Capriotti’s.

DRINKING

So many blonde flat whites. There is no better hot beverage.

EATING

The heavenly duck croquettes at Satis Bistro in Jersey City.

EXPERIENCING

My dear friends Paul & Richard got me the (TikTok famous) bloody shower mat and it is great, if only slightly jarring. Nathan had a strong reaction to it, so we used it exclusively on Halloween and then I delicately packed it away for next year.

LISTENING

So I can’t stop listening to bad Christmas movies in the background while I wrap gifts. My logic: I don’t want good ones on in the background because I’ll want to watch those. If I have bad ones, then I can focus on what I’m doing but still have a Christmas vibe happening. And I can’t just put on Christmas music, it’s only November 3rd, I’m not a full psycho.

LOVING

All of the wildly nice messages about our costume this year.

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SHOPPING

I found these perfect (not expensive) high-end-looking gift tags for Christmas from Target. Sixteen of them for $5 is perfect.

WATCHING

God, so many horror movies - I’m 2% grateful October has come to a close. The last one I saw was Chucky 2 and it was actually pretty great.

WEARING

I tried on this Top Shop coat that I’m absolutely in love with. $170 isn’t insane, is it? I’m gonna wait for Black Friday.

My tombstone might say, “She took a lot of dressing room selfies”

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

October 27, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 5

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING

I made apple cider doughnut cookies that were really good (although shouldn’t there be apple cider in a cookie with a name like that?), so I’d definitely make them again.

COOKING

Made Halloween cake pops with my niece Maya and they came out perfect. (Sprinkles and sticks from Michaels.)

CRAVING

The nutella-covered hazelnuts at Nuts Factory on Sixth Avenue.

DRINKING

The ‘This is Halloween’ cocktail from the bar Beetle House in the East Village and it was stellar.

EATING

Had dinner at Grano Ristorante with Harmeet and it was so lovely, I always forget what a sweet, dark place this can be.

EXPERIENCING

Two things: 1)The annoyingness of locating apple butter. I needed it for that cookie recipe above and couldn’t find it anywhere (I just subbed in applesauce). I hate when a recipe has one obnoxiously hard thing to find. It’s 2023, we don’t have time to be going to numerous grocery store for homemade baked goods. DO BETTER. 2) MOSQUITOES got into our bedroom last night because of how warm it was outside. Mosquitoes in late October. I woke up with ten bites and I wanted to murder someone.

LISTENING

Halloween playlists on Spotify while carving mini pumpkins and I’ve got to say - the song choices weren’t very good or unique. I’ve gotta make one this weekend.

LOVING

I visited my parent’s house and I can’t express how satisfying it is to rake leaves. It’s the second best outdoor chore next to shoveling snow.

SHOPPING

The sweetest felt Christmas ornaments just went on sale at Target and yes I’m breaking my rule of no-Christmas-activities before November 1st, but if I wait too long to buy them they’ll sell out because other psychos are Christmas shopping already.

WATCHING

The horror movie Thanksgiving looks kind of good maybe? I might be thinking that because I love a holiday-themed movie.

WEARING

I’ve decided I need to expand the feathered section of my closet because I’m wearing this one black top to death.

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

October 20, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 4

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

If the kids spend the weekend, I will always make a lasagna.

CRAVING

The pumpkin spice latte flavoured Coffee Crisp. Good god.

DRINKING

Hot apple cider tastes good only once a year and the time has come.

EATING

The green thai curry and pad thai from Nimman Thai in Toronto. Phenomenal.

EXPERIENCING

I took a wildly hot bath the other night before bed (like right before bed) and I slept so deeply that night, it felt like being under a trance. Fully recommend.

LISTENING

To a stray cat who’s purring at my parent’s front door right now and it’s killing me. Is this someone’s cat? Why is it being so friendly to us? Should I not have pet it and fed it this morning? Also when did I fall in love with cats? Is this all because I haven’t seen Baby Dog in six days and I’m lacking animal affection?

LOVING

That my brother, sister-in-law and nephew came for a visit from Scotland and it coincided with being so perfectly autumn-y right now.

SHOPPING

I tried the Salicylic Acid Acne Day Dots (from Peace Out) and I think they worked fine? There’s just something I love more about the Mighty Patch ones, though.

WATCHING

I saw the movie Coherence and loved it.

WEARING

Hair spray! Why am I not doing this more? It solves so many hair problems.

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

October 13, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 3

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

I make this chili basically every week because it’s such a good lunch option.

CRAVING

The hibachi fried rice at KanaHashi in Brooklyn. Best I’ve ever had in New York, by far.

DRINKING

Okay, I definitely overdid it this week by going to The Beekman, Nubeluz and Oscar Wilde. NOT GOING OUT AT ALL THIS WEEK.

EATING

No one told me that the Eataly pre-made focaccia sandwiches are actually good.

EXPERIENCING

I took Baby Dog on a walk through the North Woods of Central Park and it was unbelievably beautiful. Am I am the only idiot who didn’t know this park had waterfalls? I’d never walked this far north before.

LISTENING

Finally listened to the new Olivia Rodrigo album and the best songs are making the bed and pretty isn’t pretty.

LOVING

The KIND caramel almond & sea salt bars? Too good. Also the leaves have finally started changing and I can’t get enough.

SHOPPING

Hopefully this Trader Joe’s Woodlands candle will be the last candle I buy for a while, my candle storage area is a smidge out of control.

WATCHING

Out of all the horror movies I’ve been watching, The Fog has been the best one so far. I love a movie that starts and you’re immediately into it.

WEARING

I’m following through with one of my autumn goals of wearer bolder lipsticks.

Lipstick is MAC’s Lipglass in Woman of Mystery

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

October 6, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 2

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

BAKING/COOKING

I made these pumpkin pecan chocolate chip cookies, which were good if not a little plain.

CRAVING

All I can think about is making this cornbread stuffing fried rice for Thanksgiving in Canada next week. I think leftovers might be better than the main meal.

DRINKING

Blonde flat whites are the only hot drink at Starbucks that don’t give me a stomach ache.

EATING

As soon as the temperature dropped, I had to make a short rib bolognese.

EXPERIENCING

False lash withdrawal. Should I get them done again? Will there ever be a product that will actually make them grow fast? Am I the problem? Am I too impatient to even give them a chance to grow? Why do I hate my face when I don’t have them? Should this have been a diary entry instead of a weekly update? Yes.

LISTENING

Shower playlists. When I was a teenager, I used to always have music playing while I was in the shower and then I slowly stopped over time and what a dumb move. Especially when showering at night? It takes a few minutes longer to set up, but god is it worth it.

LOVING

This slow cooker turkey breast recipe. I’m missing (real) Thanksgiving this weekend (but celebrating a delayed one next weekend), so I’m doing a mini Thanksgiving for Nathan and I when he gets back from Vegas on Monday.

SHOPPING

The new Trader Joe’s mini autumn candles. Maple sugar was the main draw here, it smells heavenly.

WATCHING

Finished this season of Only Murders in the Building and it wasn’t as good as the first two seasons, BUT Martin Short and Paul Rudd were the highlights for sure.

WEARING

Seasonal pajamas. Worth it.

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!

September 29, 2023

Fall Fridays Vol. 1

by Liz Heather in Fall Fridays

Welcome to Fall Fridays! After the mild success of my Summer Saturdays series (and by mild success I mean that it made me happy), I wanted to start the weekly roundups again. There are too many things that go on this season to wait until the end-of-month post. Here’s what went on this week!

BAKING/COOKING

Making these sweet & spicy chicken (sometimes turkey) meatballs on rotation.

CRAVING

I might bite the bullet and buy this spooky front door wreath. $10 for some autumnal joy? Completely justified.

DRINKING

I made this pumpkin spice coffee syrup for my iced coffees at home and it’s heavenly. (If that seems like a ton of sugar, just use less - it still tastes great.) And if you prefer a creamier texture, then just add a bit of milk/half and half to it.

Ingredients for pumpkin spice coffee syrup

EATING

Currently obsessed with sriracha, soy sauce and garlic-drenched rice noodles.

EXPERIENCING

I met R.L. Stine! He did a book signing at Barnes & Noble and it was the best. I grew up on Goosebumps, so this was a big deal. Man’s a living legend.

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LISTENING

Currently updating and making the very best autumn playlist on Spotify.

LOVING

Global News in Canada interviewed my dad for celebrating his 100th birthday this year, which was very cool. Shoutout to my mom for keeping my glamour shot on the wall in the background when they taped it.

SHOPPING

Okay, so I may or may not have bought the Frosty Goes Ice Skating moving figurine for my Christmas village because it’ll be my first moving figurine and it’s important to find small pockets of happiness while we barrel towards death?

WATCHING

Nathan and I watched The Black Phone and WOOF. What a bad time. I like Ethan Hawke, but this was atrocious.

WEARING

One day I’ll stop wearing this Aritzia 1/2 zip sweatshirt daily, but I can’t give you any information on when that will be.

And I’ve created an autumn highlight reel on my Instagram incase you care!