Summer Saturdays Vol. 13
The final Summer Saturdays of 2025! I know there are technically still three weeks of summer left, but with children going to school and the temperature already dropping - it feels like we should all move on from the season.
BAKING
I reached out to Spirit Tree Estate Cidery to see if they’ll give me the recipe for their carrot cake muffins because I will dream about how good those muffins were for the rest of my life.
COOKING
I bought a fresh seafood mix from the Halifax airport to make a chowder for my parents and thank god I used this recipe because it was heavenly.
CRAVING
DRINKING
About to make a batch of this September sangria that sounds wild. Didn’t know blackberry brandy was even a thing.
EATING
I had an incredible panzanella salad (with fior di latte, heirloom tomatoes, marinated red onions, garlic toasted croutons, avocado, basil pesto with an aged balsamic vinaigrette) from The Bicycle Thief in Halifax. Also, the Digby scallops from Finer Diner were a dream.
Panzanella from The Bicycle Thief in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Digby scallops from Finer Diner near Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
EXPERIENCING
Peggy’s Cove! Absolutely beautiful, I’ve never seen a lighthouse I didn’t love.
Peggy’s Cove
LISTENING
The song My Kink is Karma on repeat. (Am I three years late to this song? That’s none of your business?)
LOVING
The basil soft serve from Dairy Bar in Halifax. UNREAL.
SHOPPING
An ungodly amount of corn from Allison’s Farm Market. I am definitely a corn snob (go bi-colour or go home), but this stuff is eons better than anything you’re getting at a grocery store.
WATCHING
We went to the Halifax Museum of Natural History to witness their 103 year old tortoise named Gus eat a snack. Seriously, he does this at 3pm each day. He eats or takes a walk, whatever he feels like doing. I am not being sarcastic when I say that this was absolutely wonderful to see. Gus for life.
Gus!
WEARING
Sweatshirts in the summer. I never used to do this, but the air-conditioning in every single store is outrageous this year.
And that’s that! You’re sweet to read any of these little summer updates. I love doing them. Depending on how busy the fall gets, Fall Fridays might make a return…
You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 12 over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 12
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.
Air fried chicken wings
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.
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.
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
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.
Baby Dog!
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.
Bury me in a bodysuit, I’m serious
Summer Saturdays Vol. 11 (Wedding Edition)
COOKING
I made a caprese with the basil from my wedding bouquet.
CRAVING
Absolutely nothing. This week was a dream.
DRINKING
Carib! I’m not biased because it’s Trinidadian, it’s really the best beer.
EATING
So many meals out this week: beef tenderloin, pacific snapper, asparagus and onion scrambled eggs, Nando’s. Looking forward to some home meals again.
EXPERIENCING
Pure joy? I don’t believe in your wedding day being the best day of your life, but it was pretty fantastic.
LISTENING
I made a Getting Ready playlist to hear the morning before the ceremony and it’s been on repeat for a couple of days now.
LOVING
…my husband?? I’m sorry, but it’s wild to say that term out loud.
SHOPPING
I got this beautiful Zara purse to use as my wedding purse and then used Velcro to secure Baby Dog’s photo inside.
WATCHING
Currently have the latest Summer I Turned Pretty episode on pause. Did I get married this summer because Belly is supposed to? Even I’m not sure.
WEARING
I guess it would make sense to show the wedding dress here (I will), but truly my night-before outfit was the one I’ve been lusting after since I bought it from Simons a month ago.
Summer Saturdays Vol. 9
BAKING
So much salmon (herbed, jerk, maple), I can’t be stopped. The two-pack from Real Canadian Superstore that’s usually $7 cannot be beat.
COOKING
Tomato season is so close, I might jump the gun a bit to make this triple tomato salad that I saw made on The Kitchen (which is fast becoming my favourite cooking show).
CRAVING
Summer horror movies. I know it’s too early, but I can’t stop myself. And the latest I Know What You Did Last Summer was surprisingly pretty good! I hated a few things about the ending, but otherwise it was a party.
DRINKING
Homemade iced hazelnut coffee in my new insulated bottle.
EATING
Apple cheddar bread from The Big Apple. It’s unreal.
EXPERIENCING
Our wedding is in less than two weeks and I think this image (below) sums it up nicely.
LISTENING
I’ve got this bridal playlist on repeat but I’ve hit a weird wall this week with hating every single playlist I’ve ever made. Not sure what to do with that.
LOVING
Look at these gorgeous heirloom tomato candles.
SHOPPING
I bought a few things from Mimi & August in Montreal, so I think I’m officially a fan.
WATCHING
I finished the first three episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty and yeah forget what I said last week, I can’t stand Jeremiah I don’t know what I was thinking before. Is Conrad good, though? No. Is Belly even good? Also no. I also can’t stand Taylor. All right now I’m sitting here wondering why do I watch this show….
WEARING
I bought these nude heels and they are dreamy.
You can find last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 8 over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
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 and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
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 and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
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 and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
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 and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
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 and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.