Summer Saturdays Vol. 8
BAKING
Made a batch of blueberry breakfast cookies (with added protein powder) since we drove to Montreal this week.
COOKING
How hard is it to cook a dumpling? I feel like it’s one of those foods that always tastes better when someone else makes it for you. I think I really just want to eat the Mimi Cheng cheeseburger dumplings (available all July in NYC) and I’m deluding myself into thinking that I could make them.
Mimi Cheng’s Emmy Burger Dumplings, NYC
CRAVING
This entire meal (that consists of lettuce wrap burgers, roasted broccoli, caprese and chive grilled potatoes).
Recipes from Jessica Merchant
DRINKING
Dreaming of having a cocktail in the lobby of the (finally) reopened Waldorf Astoria. Must happen soon.
EATING
Nutella on an oatmeal Dad’s Cookies. Nothing better.
EXPERIENCING
Pinterest wedding decor that makes me cringe. Not all of it is bad, but so much really is. I want to murder that one font. You know the one I mean. And if I could personally smash all of the existing mason jars on this planet - I happily would. MASON JARS ARE FOR JAM, fight me.
LISTENING
LOVING
Break ideas - I love it, especially in the summer.
SHOPPING
Got a .44 cent dill pickle flavoured hummus that somehow wasn’t terrible.
WATCHING
New season of The Summer I Turned Pretty just started and I can’t express how jacked I am about it. I will fight you if you think Conrad is even remotely good for Belly.
WEARING
There’s a good chance that I might just live in this Aritzia outfit for the rest of the summer.
You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 7 over here.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 7
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.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 6
BAKING
Attempting to make this dark chocolate banana cake tonight.
COOKING
I tried bone marrow for the first time and I can see the appeal. It’s like if escargot and pate had a baby.
CRAVING
The heirloom tomato salad from Shukette.
DRINKING
Iced americanos this week.
EATING
The lavender vanilla ice cream from neob lavender farm is life changing.
EXPERIENCING
I tried the drying patches from Mario Badescu and they sucked! I’ll stick to the Mighty Patch ones, they’re the best I’ve found.
LISTENING
LOVING
Spent a night at Pillar and Post Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake and it was gorgeous. Cannot wait to return.
SHOPPING
Bought the best oversized tote bag of all time.
WATCHING
I finished this season of The Bear and it was a giant meh. There are great moments, but the dialogue is so rough. And if I hear Ayo Edebiri say “like” one more time I will scream.
WEARING
Bought these pearl gloves because I might have lost my mind?
You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 5 over here.
The Best of June 2025
June 2025
June 2025
What happened last month? Oh I don’t know, nothing too monumental other than the fact that Nathan and I got engaged. WILD STUFF. Super jacked about it. But also here’s what else down last month…
I had no idea that Anthropologie had an entire bridal section where you can book try-on appointments! Obviously I went.
NOT my wedding dress, but good god do I love lace
I started doing weekly Summer Saturdays posts again this year.
I compiled the best tweets of the month.
We took a day trip to see the filming locations of Friday the 13th in New Jersey.
I never wear strapless bras because they’re all terrible, so for years when I need to wear one I’ll just put on a corset (it sounds uncomfortable, but I swear it’s not). The first one I bought was about ten years ago from this great place (Orchard Corset on the Lower East Side) that only specializes in corsets. You walk in, there are boxes everywhere, it’s owned by a couple - one of them looks at you, tells you the exact right size to get and you’re set. I updated the one I got recently (it lasted ten years) and they cost around $70. They fit like a dream. Praying this place stays in business for eternity. (I also learned the proper way (below) to clasp one, how did it take me so long to learn this??)
Best corset shop in the world in NYC
The proper way to clasp a corset
The chain Jersey Mike’s came to Canada so I tried their signature sub (swimming in vinegar) and it was good. I wish it had even more vinegar, though.
My cousin made this piano key holder out of my grandmother’s piano (from the early 1900s)! Isn’t it gorgeous??
Homemade piano key holder
My friend Marla made these incredible pistachio thumbprint cookies and I can’t stop thinking about them.
DO NOT sleep on the incredible sushi from Hillstone.
Hillstone sushi with Irene
The new brown sugar foam at Starbucks is a problem, it’s so good.
Nathan and I saw Stranger Things on Broadway and visually it was fantastic! The story wasn’t the best and it’s way too long, but the plushies they sold are wonderful.
Stranger Things on Broadway
Stranger Things plushie
Still dreaming about this House of CB strapless gown.
In love with the concord grape Schweppes seltzer. Tastes so similar to 90s purple Crush.
Concord grape
Lemax released their Halloween collection this year and I might have to buy the new wedding party, I don’t make the rules.
Wedding party from Lemax
Visited the Cheese Boutique in Toronto and I can’t believe how huge it is. It’s this giant cheese/meat/butcher/specialty foods haven.
This raccoon (below) came up to my parent’s window and I’m in love.
Cutest raccoon alive
My parent’s car had an air conditioning issue so I took it to our mechanic and they quoted us a minimum of $900 (!). Then I took it to Canadian Tire and they did the entire job for $275 and completely fixed the issue. Unbelievable. Love Canadian Tire so much.
I hate a sugar cookie, but the Crumbl wedding cookie was really good.
Wedding cookie from Crumbl
Something about having a Blue Moon on draft at a restaurant makes me so happy.
Draft Blue Moons = summer
Some things I watched:
Sirens (Netflix) - it was like a poor man’s White Lotus. Nice visuals, not much story, though.
Another Simple Favor - truly terrible. It’s as if AI wrote a movie about dumb hats in Capri.
The Mist - pretty good! Love a horror movie watch in June.
Milli Vanilli documentary - really good, so much I didn’t know about these guys.
Titan documentary - I wish it were more about the people on board and the details around the specific disaster rather than the company history, but maybe that’s just me.
Some things I’m looking forward to this month: going to Montreal with Nathan, a million things to plan before the wedding, lane swimming and seeing the new I Know What You Did Last Summer in theatres.
WEDDING SLEEVE!
You can read last month’s roundup over here.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 5
BAKING
Are Canada Day cakes a thing? They should be. This white chocolate strawberry one was perfect.
Canada Day cake
COOKING
I made these cheddar corn potato bites that were good, but I really want to revamp them and make it again at Thanksgiving with cranberry and gravy.
CRAVING
Need to make these caprese scones.
DRINKING
Not enough water. GOTTA FIX THIS.
EATING
As much basil as humanly possible, it’s incredible on practically everything.
The green of this basil makes me believe in god
EXPERIENCING
Went to Niagara Falls with the family for the day, which was fun. Love that maple shop by the falls.
Maple tea!
LISTENING
It’s abnormal how much I update my 90s playlist.
LOVING
My brother and nephew came for a visit from Scotland! Love summertime visits.
Nephews
SHOPPING
Went to The Cheese Boutique in Toronto and wow. It’s huge and I could easily spend an entire day there. The homemade garlic and chive cream cheese was unbelievably good.
WATCHING
My nephew has a YouTube channel! He does a video each day and already has over 200 subscribers, it’s wild.
WEARING
I’ve been wanting a butter yellow dress for years and suddenly they’re everywhere. Must buy one soon.
Zimmermann dress
You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 4 over here.
The Best Tweets of June 2025
Summer Saturdays Vol. 4
BAKING
It’s a no-bake recipe, but it’s a dessert so I’m counting it as summer baking. I really want to make the at-home version of Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding for Canada Day since I make it at least once every summer.
Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding
COOKING
These summer stuffed shells are everything.
CRAVING
I’m never above a new flavour of Coffee Crisp.
Coffee Crisp Cold Brew
DRINKING
Homemade hazelnut iced coffee on repeat.
EATING
I’m on a real chicken fajitas kick. The onions, green peppers, red peppers and mushrooms? Heaven on a sizzling plate.
EXPERIENCING
Going to do this wardrobe challenge again because it makes me use my entire closet and it feels so satisfying.
LISTENING
It’s an 80s week, I don’t make the rules.
LOVING
My cousin Sue made this key holder that’s made from the piano keys of my grandmother’s piano from the early 1900s! Is this not amazing?
Piano keys as a key holder
SHOPPING
The Bath & Body Works sale is on right now so I loaded up on foam soaps and three-wick candles.
WATCHING
It’s the perfect time of year to watch any of these end-of-school summer movies.
WEARING
Forever a sucker for a nationalistic temp. tattoo. (Sorry, Marla!)
Canadian tattoos from Canadian Tire
You can see last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 3 over here if you like.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 3
BAKING
I made these blueberry bran muffins and they’re fantastic.
COOKING
I always forgot how good at-home quesadillas are. These kale and corn ones are unbelievable.
CRAVING
I’m counting down the days until summer tomatoes have arrived so I can make this heirloom tomato toast daily.
Heirloom tomato toast
DRINKING
Got drinks at the Chelsea Hotel with some friends and ended up in the lobby the whole time, which I kind of prefer over the actual bar area. Love this place.
EATING
My love for caesar salads is endless.
EXPERIENCING
We saw Stranger Things on Broadway and the visuals were incredible. It ran a bit long and I really don’t love the newer theatres, but I’m so glad we went.
Stranger Things on Broadway plushie
LISTENING
1950s are were on repeat this week.
LOVING
The wedding cookie from Crumbl was actually great, I love a frosted cookie.
Wedding cookie from Crumbl
SHOPPING
I tried on dresses at Zimmermann the other day and they are absolutely not worth $900 per dress, but I truly love how they fit.
Zimmermann
WATCHING
Almost finished my rewatch of Downton Abbey and wow does that show take a turn for the dreary. I might have to stop before it ends, it’s just such a downer.
WEARING
This years-old Zara dress continues to dominant my summer wardrobe.
You can see last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 2 over here if you like.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 2
BAKING
These blueberry breakfast cookies are insanely good. I keep them in the fridge because I love a cold cookie in the morning.
COOKING
I’ve been baking a lot of salmon lately - nothing too special. I top it at the end with a garlic/soy sauce/maple/mustard glaze and I haven’t grown tired of it yet.
CRAVING
Two things mainly: June strawberries & lap swimming. I don’t ask for much.
DRINKING
When I was in Turks and Caicos earlier this year, I had the same lunch smoothie each day from a place in town and we’ve made it here at home almost 100 times since then it’s so good. Almond milk, chocolate protein powder, green apple, honey, peanut powder, cocoa powder, frozen banana & ice. Heavenly.
EATING
I’ve been slow-cooking the garlic & peppercorn pork tenderloin from Trader Joe’s and making spinach wraps (which is just spinach blended with eggs and then pan fried to resemble a tortilla) with feta for lunch this week.
EXPERIENCING
So happy to have seen the New Jersey town where the original Friday the 13th was filmed so many years ago.
LISTENING
I went mad with organizing all of my playlists on Spotify, so this week it’s the 1970s that's on repeat at the moment.
LOVING
My dad turned 102 this week (!), which is obviously incredible.
SHOPPING
Repurchased my favourite coffee beans (hazelnut creme) from San Francisco Bay Coffee.
WATCHING
I’m in the middle of a rewatch of Downton Abbey, which has been great because it’s been so long so I’ve forgotten most of it. Poor Edith.
WEARING
I’m still living in these Target wedge heels. Best thing I’ve bought all year, by far.