September 1, 2025

The Best of August 2025

by Liz Heather in Beauty, Food, Movies, Personal, Products, Recipes, Television

Not sure how to even start this because that was an August that I’ll remember forever. There are a few specific posts I want to do (a Nova Scotia one and a wedding one probably), so I’ll get into that more later but for now here’s what else went down last month!

The best tweets of August can be read here.
I finished up my Summer Saturdays series - truly love doing these.
I compiled a bunch of great Summer I Turned Pretty tweets.
I made a list of my favourite summer recipes and I just finished the last of my summer corn. Not sure what to do with my life now.
Discovered Laline, which is basically the Canadian version of Sabon. In love with their pear scented products.
Tried the popcorn M&Ms and they were good! Nothing revolutionary, but I love an attempt at something weird.
The amount of A&W teen burgers in a lettuce wrap I’ve had this summer would alarm you, but I have no regrets.
Loving the Dr. Jart colour correcting cream (when mixed with moisturizer, thank you Marla!). The mini size is gonna last me five years, so that’s also a plus.
I have been to so many farm stands this season and I’ll never get sick of them. Sometimes a jar of cranberry mustard is the cure for whatever you have?
Currently in love with the Essie colour Fiji.

Some great things I’ve bought this month: this perfect black going-out purse from Simons and a gorgeous $60 suede purse from Hides in Hand.
Found the best recipe to make seafood chowder.
Air fried chicken wings have officially made me a fan of chicken wings. Human beings are capable of change.
Got to visit the Millcroft Inn & Spa multiple times and it was so lovely.

Some things that I’m thinking about buying: this gorgeous Aritzia sweater in dark brown, this mouse on a ski lift and this throw that’s perfect for October.
Accidentally stumbled across the giant/gorgeous dog park at Jack Darling in Port Credit and can’t recommend it enough to dog owners in the area.
Some things I watched:
- Do not ask me why I rewatched The Wedding Planner. It’s truly one of the worst things ever made. Everyone is a dick in this movie.
- Thirteen: depressing but a good movie.
- Copycat: really good! Can’t believe I haven’t seen it before.
- Kiss The Girls: favourite genre.
- The Naked Gun: look, my 11 year old nephew really laughed and it definitely had its moments. Nothing will beat the original, but it was still all right.
- Weapons: I liked it! It’s not as good as Barbarian, but still enjoyable. Love that some theatres had showtimes at 2:17.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty: so this is probably the best season? Needless to say, I’M A BIG FAN. (Also quick sidenote: what the hell was with Taylor’s busted-ass bridesmaid dress??)
- And Just Like That: Maybe I’m in the minority here but I liked how it ended! I also loved that the credits had the original Sex and the City music.
- The Morning Show: objectively? This is a terrible show. The writing is awful. The storylines are tired. Actors should be actively embarrassed to be on this show. I can’t be the only one who thinks this.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I’m so happy about the weather changing soon, I cannot wait to see Keanu Reeves in Waiting For Godot and I really can’t wait to visit Napa next month.

You can read last month’s roundup over here.

August 23, 2025

Summer Saturdays Vol. 12

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

Okay, this week I feel like I might actually be in that New Yorker cover above (I’m in Cape Breton at the moment).

BAKING

I air-fried the garlic chicken wings from the butcher section at Longo’s (the not frozen ones) and good god were they incredible. I used the Nando’s buffalo wing sauce on them afterward and holy hell. I am not a wing person, but these may have changed who I am fundamentally.

COOKING

I realized that I cook way less in the summer, which might be great. I do love doing it, but it’s nice to take seasons off.

CRAVING

Seafood chowder.

DRINKING

Free prosecco from the Millcroft Inn. The only time it doesn’t give me a headache is when it’s free, I can’t explain this logic.

EATING

I thought that Whole Foods was the only place to find good heirloom tomatoes right now, but Longo’s has them and they’re such a good price. (Am I sponsored by Longo’s? In my dreams I am.)

EXPERIENCING

The beauty that is Cape Breton.

LISTENING

It’s been a Taylor Swift week.

LOVING

I need to find this coat from the And Just Like That finale immediately.

SHOPPING

I found someone on Etsy who created a replica of Baby Dog for our wedding cake and they did such an incredible job. The hand-painted colouring is insanely good.

WATCHING

Nathan and I saw Weapons and I liked it! Not as much as Barbarian, but still pretty fun.

WEARING

Still living in the Aerie Smoothez bodysuits.

You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 11 over here.

August 3, 2025

The Best of July 2025

by Liz Heather in Family, Food, Links, Movies, Personal, Recipes, Television

That was the fastest month of all time, yeah? Here’s what happened!

I continued to write my Summer Saturdays series.
The best tweets of the month are over here.
Took my brother and nephews to do an impromptu cake tasting!

Speaking of cakes, are we all aware of how good the La Rocca ones are? I tried their strawberry white chocolate this month and it was delicious. Their best one remains the caramel crunch one, though. Best grocery store cakes of all time.

My niece Tianna and I stayed at Pillar and Post in Niagara-On-The-Lake and it was absolutely perfect. I tried bone marrow for the first time (I see the appeal) and it was a perfect little getaway. (Also, a gorgeous lavender field is only minutes away.)

I was craving green curry (but not wanting to pay $30 for it from a restaurant) so I made one at home with onions, peas, chicken and store-bought green curry sauce and it was insanely satisfying. Also, lasted me a full week. I have to remember to do this again.
The house-made garlic and chive cream cheese from The Cheese Boutique is heavenly.
I’ve been living in this Aritzia burgundy sweatshirt.
Beyond excited for this project.
Nathan and I went to Montreal (best thing about a road trip? McDonald’s $1 any-sized iced coffee + the free DoubleTree warm cookie) and had such a great time. First time trying their bagels and good god - eons better than New York ones. No one told me. Only regret of the trip? Not ordering this onion block from The Cage.

And this should be obvious, but Quebec cheese curds are otherworldly. There is no substitution.

Officially in love with the Montreal brand Mimi and August (thank you, Marla!).

I will always stop at The Big Apple when we pass it on the highway. Right now they have incredible nectarines and apple cheddar bread. (We also stopped at Primitive Designs because why not?)

Apple cheddar bread from The Big Apple in Ontario

Yearning to eat this beef stroganoff with caramelized mushrooms and crispy onions.
Had my bridal shower and it was overwhelmingly nice. I made my favourite lemon sorbet with mascarpone for dessert (I will use any excuse to make these, they’re so good). And these honey jars are such a perfect party favour (note: you do have to fill them yourself, like some sort of sap).

This is really a reminder to myself to never use booking.com again. I’m 40, I should know better. Stop using third party websites for booking anything. They’re all terrible when it comes to changing plans.
These are officially the hottest, most comfortable heels I now own so I should probably buy two more pairs.
I ate the greatest samosas of all time from the Lakeview Farmers Market at Zesty Fusions. Also had an incredible gluten free breakfast sandwich from Gud Daae and a great iced flat white from Delicious All Day Coffee.
Current snack on repeat: Nutella on Dad’s Cookies. I can’t stop.
Some things I watched:
- Fatal Attraction: wow, I rewatch this movie a lot. Might need to look into that.
- A rerun of the Lady Gaga SNL: fantastic. Love her.
- Single White Female: great! Can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before.
- The Bear: I can’t stand how much Eyo says “like.” Other than that, the season was fine? Not enough scenes with Will Poulter.
- And Just Like That: live long enough and you’ll grow to hate Aiden. It’s a blessing that this show is coming to an end. Also, Miranda’s character progression has never made any sense to me.
- I Know What You Did Last Summer: I actually liked it! I won’t ruin the ending, but I truly hated that part of it.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: OH I WONDER.

You can read last month’s roundup over here.

July 19, 2025

Summer Saturdays Vol. 7

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Not baking but it’s a dessert so I’m counting it - I made a batch of this lemon-mascarpone sorbet that is incredible. I could eat this stuff by the gallon.

COOKING

I made a chicken green curry with onions, green peas and green peppers that I’ve been eating for every single lunch this week because it’s so good.

CRAVING

A pina colada from Connelly’s.

DRINKING

Sapsuckers (specifically the variety pack from Costco).

EATING

Air fryer tater tots. On repeat.

EXPERIENCING

I got a monthly pass to go lane swimming and it’s everything I ever wanted?

LISTENING

LOVING

Legion magazine printed my dad’s story!

SHOPPING

Got these mini honey jars to use as bridal shower favours and they turned out great.

WATCHING

The latest And Just Like That… how it is possible that Miranda gets more annoying with each episode that passes? Is it because Che isn’t around anymore so we need at least one character to absolutely loathe??

WEARING

This Aritzia sweatshirt in burgundy with matching bike shorts.

You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 6 over here.

June 7, 2025

Summer Saturdays Vol. 1

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

Welcome to the return of Summer Saturdays! I started doing these in 2023 and I write them mainly to reiterate to myself that I am a human woman who is capable of doing fun summer things. For most of my life I’ve hated this horrid season (the heat, everything smells, children run wild/free = all reasons to naturally hate it), but I’ve actively tried to change that mindset these past few years. So these posts are here to stay (until Labour Day). And you might say that summer starts on the 20th, but it starts when I says it does.

BAKING

This is in no way a fun muffin, but these black bean muffins are good, I promise you. Full disclosure: you will not like them, but I do.

COOKING

At-home steak salads are always the answer. And it should be illegal for one to be anything upwards of $20 at a restaurant, I will die on this hill. We used to be a country.

CRAVING

The vegan tahini soft serve from Seed + Mill in Chelsea Market. Top three best soft serve in the city, hands down. Try to ignore the vegan/tahini part of the description because it’s actually really good.

Soft serve from Seed + Mill in Chelsea Market, NYC

DRINKING

LOVE the Schweppes seltzer flavour concord grape. Tastes so much like a purple Crush only without the raging sugar headache.

EATING

A few months ago I realized the secret to an incredible at-home chicken parm - you have to get bone-in chicken (and then just slice it before you cook). Made it countless times since then and it tastes phenomenal.

EXPERIENCING

Saw the new costume exhibit at The Met and of course had many thoughts.

LISTENING

Made a 1960s playlist that’s been on repeat for about a week now.

LOVING

This long sleeve bodysuit from Aerie. I got them in two colours: navy & “canyon sun.” What the hell is canyon sun, you ask? Brown. It’s just brown. People hate the word brown so much they’re willing to come up with the nonsense that is “canyon sun” shoot me.

SHOPPING

Just reordered the Urban Skin RX Dark Spot Facial Scrub. It smells great and really gets rid of any recent acne scars.

WATCHING

The second episode of And Just Like That. I’m very into the idea that there’s a new love interest for Carrie. I’m sure it’ll end badly and she’ll just stay with Aiden, but at least we don’t have to just watch her wondering around her house all day. Also, is it just me or was the show more fun when she wasn’t rich? I’ve rewatched the series so many times over the years and I think I’m onto something here.

WEARING

Wore this gorgeous Simons dress to a wedding because I’m trying to unlearn how much I’ve hated how my arms look in the past. Progress!

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You can see last year’s Summer Saturdays series over here if you like this series but live in the past. Volume 2 coming next Saturday!

June 2, 2025

The Best of May 2025

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

This has been the longest spring of all time and I’m not complaining. Here’s what went down last month.

The best tweets of the month can be found over here.
I finally reviewed last year’s Met costume exhibit (this year’s 2025 exhibit review can be read over here).
Bought/love this travel box for jewelry. Also got these great swim trunks for Nathan (love non-bland menswear).
A bunch of new candles came out at Trader Joe’s so obviously I’m on it.

Got this great quilted sweatshirt for $10 on sale at Banana Republic Factory.
Made this sausage, pesto, ricotta pasta on repeat for a few nights. Also made this bread pudding with vanilla sauce for a friend’s birthday that really turned out well.
I visited the new Printemps (french department store) in the city, which is really lovely. The design of the space is worth seeing if you’re in the area. Keep in mind that practically nothing is priced under $100.

We went to Ruta in Astoria, which is probably the best Mexican in the neighborhood by far. Their deep red salsa will fix you.

Here were my favourite Met Gala looks this year:

So I tried a retinol night serum on my face and I was warned that some flakiness might occur but this was next level flake city. I had to stop. I also do not care about the benefits of retinol, so let’s never speak of it again.
The chain Toasties in the city? What garbage! Never again. How do you mess up lunch?
I can’t stop texting this image to people (below).

I was looking for a new (not drugstore) mascara and I found a fantastic one - the Glossier Lash Slick. In love with the wand, it catches every single little hair.
I tried the Trader Joe’s strawberry gluten free muffins and they were okay, but nothing can top their GF cinnamon coffee cake ones.
I was invited to see Mel Robbins at The Beacon (with a very lovely new friend) and I’ve got to be honest. This woman is… just not for me. I’m happy that people seem to get something out of what she says, but I just can’t. Wellness can’t be bought and I will die on that hill.
Marla came for a visit and it was a blast. She stayed at The New Yorker hotel (which was old, wonderful and perfect), we did a million things in 48 hours and ate at Modern Bread & Bagel approx. twenty times. It was perfect.

Was so, so pleased that she agreed with me about how incredible the tart frozen yogurt is at Madison Fare.

Madison Fare frozen yogurt with raspberry

She also treated us to a Broadway show (this woman cannot be stopped in her generosity), so we saw Real Women Have Curves. And it was good!

I poached some salmon in a coconut cream sauce and it didn’t come out that great, so I think I’ll just stick to baked salmon.
I think I’m suffering from Pinterest-aesthetic-brain-overload because I was on such a mission (for some reason?) to find a perfect black cardigan to layer with some outfits I have - and I found one at Uniqlo. But once I tried it on I realized how very basic-white-woman it is and put it back. It can be very hard to fight these things that the internet tells me that I’m supposed to have. (I did buy this great baseball t-shirt, though.)
I went to Edith’s for the tahini iced coffee and it was very good. I also tried a bite of their chicken caesar and it was nothing special. Main reason to go here is definitely the coffee.

Edith’s tahini iced coffee in the West Village, NYC

I got a lash lift and it’s only week one, but I can see the appeal of getting them done. I’ve been using Nulastin for a few months and I’ve been seeing length, but they’re not very curly so I guess we’ll see if this makes a longterm difference or not.
We went to visit the town where the original Friday the 13th was filmed (it’s just under two hours from NYC) and it was so much fun. I’ll do a full post on it here soon. We also went to a wedding in the Poconos and it was such a great weekend.

Some things I watched:
- Final Destination Bloodlines - not as awful as I expected! The beginning scene was the most memorable/best part.
- And Just Like That (newest season) - okay, this was the craziest part of the first episode:

…what the hell? Were we all supposed to think that is a normal thing to say? Infact this insane sentence is making me want to do a deep dive on ALL of the wildly dumb things these women have said over decades and we all have just eaten it right up and accepted as normal! Madness.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: I really want to go to Modern Bread & Bread for their night menu, I want to make this chicken Diane recipe at home, I think I’m going to start doing my Summer Saturday posts again starting this week (the season starts when I says it does) and I might have to pre-order the Jaws popcorn bucket (below).

You can read last month’s roundup over here.

Just a reminder that you should take way more photos of your friends everywhere

September 5, 2023

August Actions 2023

by Liz Heather in Beauty, Family, Food, Links, Movies, Personal, Products, Recipes, Television, Travel

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.

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.

Went to a Blue Jays game with my brother Robbie and some of his kids and it was so great.

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.

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.

My greatest discovery this summer? Sponge toffee is ungodly perfect. NO ONE TOLD ME.
In my shopping cart:
- These gorgeous creamy nude polish collection.
- 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.

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!

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.

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

July 4, 2023

June Jaunts 2023

by Liz Heather in Best of NYC, Drinks, Family, Food, Ideas, Links, Movies, Personal, Products, Recipes, Television, Travel

Sometimes you need a mini day trip to see a horse in New Jersey

June was so packed with stuff, I can’t believe it’s actually over. Here’s what went down!

I started a new series of posts I’ll do for the whole summer - Summer Saturdays, which is just a summary of what I do each week. Volume 1 posted over here.
I recapped how I did with my spring bucket list.
I wrote a brand new summer list of things I’d love to do.
I finally wrote about seeing the Karl Lagerfeld exhibit at The Met.
The best tweets of June can be read over here.
I made these strawberry cobbler bars that were pretty good, but I think I liked this strawberry crumble cake recipe a bit more.

I bought this Aritzia 1/2 zip sweatshirt in both white and black and I’m really considering getting the pink one now, too. I might have a problem.
If you like dark chocolate, then you must make this dark chocolate cake. It’s the absolute best recipe I’ve ever tried. And with this chocolate icing? Unreal. It’s heavenly. (Pro tip: don’t refrigerate it, it tastes incredible at room temperature, even days later.)

I was about to talk about how great my dad’s 100th birthday went, but there are so many details that I’ll just do a post about it this week instead.
I will never get over how incredible the frozen yogurt at Freshii is. Nobody talks about this enough.

Freshii frozen yogurt might even be better than TCBY

A great small batch pancake recipe I keep using.
I went to Activate and it was surprisingly really fun! It’s kind of like Squid Game but in real life and with less death.
I made this basil sangria during a blackout at my parent’s house and it was so strong and perfect.

Did you know about the secret, unadvertised Baskin Robbins deal? On the 31st of every month (on months that have 31 days), they offer 31% of all scoops and pints. Pass it on.

I made a lemon blueberry layer cake that was such a great summer dessert, absolutely would make again.

I ate at the S&P counter and it was only fine? NYC has so many options, I’m angry that anyone ever told me this place was anything special.
The duck confit spring rolls at Sojourn however are little bites of luxury. I will return.
Here’s one of the recent Zara dresses that I can’t stop wearing.

I’m so sick of pants without pockets, so I’m obviously in love with these green Halara bike shorts.
A great (updated often) list of carnivals in the NYC area.
Always gonna be excited when Trader Joe’s drops a new candle scent.

Trader Joe’s salted caramel and pistachio scented candle

I tried some curried fried rice at a friend’s house recently and I can’t stop thinking about it, such a genius way to do fried rice.
I’ve been eyeing mattress toppers for a few months now (my mattress is old and springy), but they’re always too expensive. So instead I bought a thick comforter for about $20 and spread that underneath my fitted sheet and it is now the most comfortable bed in this country. It’s a strange feeling to have all the answers and still not be ruler of the world?
Officially into rhubarb now since I was introduced to this rhubarb syrup, which is a phenomenal mixer for anything alcoholic.

Lays, I love you. Never stop with your insane flavours.

I was in Canada for a bit and good god, it was a perfect spring visit.

Fully recommend having friends who just GET IT

I went to Canada’s Wonderland with my nieces and there is nothing more satisfying than the end-of-day funnel cake you’re legally required to have before leaving. Also loved the new(ish) Yukon Striker.

I stopped by the new reincarnation of Zellers (it’s in a weird, small section at the back of The Bay) and the deals are wild. Go. If they bring back those Zellers diners with that gravy, they will be unstoppable.

The Barbie section at Ulta is wild. I want it all?

Truly all the Barbie collaborations are wonderful.
I got a “root shadowing” done at Bloc + Mane in Etobicoke (by the lovely Amanda) and it was everything I needed. It’s a process that blends your hair colour if you’ve dyed it in the past year but you don’t want that aggressive grow-out line.
The USPS new stamps this year are insanely cool.

A gentle reminder: your beach body is already here.

Some things I’ve watched & rewatched:
- Since the new Indy was coming out, I rewatched Temple of Doom and wow is Kate Capshaw so unbelievably bad in it. Sure I’m no expert on great acting, but this is just torture to watch.
- And Just Like That: I’ve said it before, but we’re in a hate/hate relationship. The dialogue is so horrid that it reinforces the idea that anyone can succeed in the entertainment business. Talent has zero to do with it.
- The Bear (season two): absolutely LOVED it. Did they use an offensive amount of R.E.M. songs this season? Sure! But once you look past that, it’s a flawless season.
I bought these gorgeous olive coloured running shoes from Call It Spring that are beyond comfortable.

Men’s running shoes are eons prettier than women’s

I’d love to try any of these summer recipes:
- Vietnamese Tomato Salad
- Marinated Zucchini with Hazelnuts and Ricotta
- Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry
- Burger Au Poivre (everything should be au poivre, as far as I’m concerned)

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: are you aware that there’s a third My Big Fat Greek Wedding coming out?? And I can’t wait for some reason? Even I don’t really understand why, but I loved that first one so much when it came out. Other things: obviously excited for Barbie, my great friend Marla’s coming for a visit (!), I really want to find some good soft serve and I have a family trip to Scotland that I can’t wait for.

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in May over here.

I just told her she isn’t coming to Scotland with me

July 1, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 1

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

Inspired by one of my favourite bloggers Jessica Merchant and her weekly Summer Fridays posts - I’m starting my own, but only for summer and only on Saturdays. Here’s what going on!

EATING

The duck confit spring rolls at Sojourn on the Upper East Side - CHRIST. Unreal.

DRINKING

I’ve been making iced tea with the different flavours in the Celestial Seasonings Fruit Tea Sampler, then I mix it with seltzer when I’m pouring a drink and I promise you it’s better than every pop/soda known to man.

COOKING

I keep making this summer salad with pearl couscous (cooked in chicken broth) that I’ll mix with grilled/chopped halloumi and green peas then I pour in a basil vinaigrette to bind it all together. It’s incredible cold or hot.

BAKING

I tried a new chocolate cake recipe and it’s hands down my new favourite. It’s (sorry) moist as hell and maintained its deliciousness even on the fifth day in a cake stand at room temperature. (As long as you’re a dark chocolate fan, you will love this.)

CRAVING

I’m itching to go to a low-maintenance carnival. And I’m counting down the days to peak tomato season.

LISTENING

On repeat at the moment: London Boy, Yuck and the entirety of Beck’s Odelay.

WATCHING

I finished the second season of The Bear and it’s even better than the first. I’m up to date on And Just Like That and it’s making me want to write an essay on the fact that we’ve entered The Era of The Hate-Watch.

WEARING

These Halara bike shorts with pockets in the colour Grass Grey Green, which feel like BUTTER. And I’m still living in the Aritzia 1/2 zip heather cloud white sweatshirt.

EXPERIENCING

Nathan and I went bowling with some friends this week at Astoria 360 Bowl and I may or may not be really good at bowling now? I mean, did I crack 100? Not even kinda, but, like, the confidence was there. Which might be due to my 100+ hours of Wii bowling.

LOVING

This article on the most beautiful dining cars on luxury trains.

SHOPPING

I don’t have any weddings coming up, but if I did I’d rent this Fuzzi Abito Patchwork dress. I had a clutch just like this one that I got in Miami years ago and I used to so much that it disintegrated, so I might get that one in tan. And I’m still on the lookout for the Lichtenstein stamps.

Happy Canada Day!

Also, you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.