July 27, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 6

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

I made individual blueberry cakes from a reel I saw and they were perfect.

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A post shared by Food Blogger • Kelley Simmons (@thechefsavvy)

COOKING

Incredibly soft ricotta meatballs.

CRAVING

Wild blueberries in season right now.

DRINKING

At-home mimosas because SHE FANCY.

EATING

Spinach and (fresh) corn quesadillas. Truly a perfect way to use fresh corn.

EXPERIENCING

Fantastic thai at Nimman Thai in Etobicoke.

LISTENING

The Dr. Mario theme is on a loop in my head right now, it’s offensive how good I’ve become.

LOVING

Freshii frozen yogurt, playing basketball behind the school, playing Jenga with the kids, night food markets, orange moons, constantly swimming, there are too many things to love this week.

SHOPPING

Excited to try these Ordinary products.

WATCHING

I saw Twisters in theatre and it was surprisingly good. Little annoyed that there was no Helen Hunt but what can you do. And <spoiler> they really did rob us of an incredible kiss scene.

always remember what they took from us https://t.co/bnZaDe9eJV pic.twitter.com/YYzsalplza
— Sarah | glen powell summer 🌪️ (@sydglenx) July 20, 2024

WEARING

The closet in your childhood bedroom might have some gems.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 5 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 20, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 5

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Made a batch of oven cooked bacon to add to the tomato toast for the week.

COOKING

Officially time to make the world’s greatest panzanella salad.

CRAVING

With all the rain from last week, the kids and I made paper sailboats but the winds were too strong so we decided to wait to sail them. Now we need another, lighter storm so I can finally sail them.

DRINKING

Got a cider flight with my niece Tianna at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery in Caledon and that place is the absolute best. Their seasonal soup is almost the main reason to go.

EATING

My dear friend Marla brought me plums she grew and they are heavenly. Summer produce solves all.

EXPERIENCING

Went to Activate again and I love that place, especially the hoops room. Maybe I should buy a basketball?

LISTENING

Swim playlist!

LOVING

Heirloom tomato season IS HERE. Right now I can only find them at Whole Foods, but I’ll take it.

SHOPPING

My jaw will forever drop at specialty butters. Fact.

WATCHING

I made the kids watch all of the Naked Gun movies and they were a massive hit.

WEARING

Summer outfits >>

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 4 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 13, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 4

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

It’s the perfect time to make these strawberry white chocolate cookies.

COOKING

Buying and eating all of the summer corn. You can’t stop me.

CRAVING

It’s July so I’ve got the cheeseburger dumplings from Mimi Cheng’s on my mind.

DRINKING

Watermelon sangria. It’s perfect from Bite.

EATING

I saw a video of someone squeezing lemon on watermelon, so I tried it and whoa. Do it.

EXPERIENCING

Went to Blue Mountain with the family and it was so, so great. Outdoor pools might be the answer?

LISTENING

My best of the 90s playlist.

LOVING

Remember how many frozen yogurt places there used to be? And how all of them closed at the very same time? No one misses them more than me. So the Menchie’s at Blue Mountain is everything that I could have wanted and more. Also rode the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster that was the absolute best.

Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Blue Mountain, Ontario

SHOPPING

Stopped at a country farm store on the way back and found some sponge toffee, which is so rare to find. Think it’s law to have to buy it when you spot it?

WATCHING

Rewatched the first Naked Gun and it remains fantastic.

WEARING

My J. Crew swimsuit is still going strong after four years and I’m still in love with it.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 3 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

July 6, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 3

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

My parent’s house has a cake stand, so every time I visit I try to make a cake that first night solely so I can use that stand. There’s just something about seeing a cake in a cake stand that makes me feel like maybe life isn’t hard? So I’m going to make this triple berry coffee cake this week.

COOKING

Need this lemon chicken artichoke pasta salad immediately.

CRAVING

The incredible coronation chicken salad at Nomad Sandwiches.

DRINKING

The Irish Coffee with cheese foam at Murray’s in LIC.

Irish coffee with cheese foam at Murray’s, LIC

EATING

Caesar salads for life.

EXPERIENCING

I always forget about how great Chelsea Market can be for an afternoon out. The crowds are awful, but some of the shops are wonderful. Chelsea Market Baskets might be the best place for food gifts in the whole city.

Why on earth didn’t I buy this perfect LEMON SOAP, Chelsea Market Baskets in NYC

LISTENING

My best of the 00’s playlist.

LOVING

The vegan tahini soft serve at Seed + Mill is magical and I’m angry that it took me this long to learn that fact. I’m neither vegan nor do I love tahini but I will continue to dream about how good this tasted.

Vegan tahini soft serve from Seed + Mill, NYC

SHOPPING

I bought some makeup spatulas to get out the last drops from my concealer tube and I can’t recommend these enough.

WATCHING

The newest season of The Bear. And let me just say, people have been way too critical of this season. Of course there are parts that aren’t as good as other seasons, but no content is perfect (except maybe Dave…).

WEARING

An oversized torn jean jacket that Nathan bought me years ago that’s proving to be the perfect thing to wear with tiny little rompers when I’m out and about in the city.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 2 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

June 29, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 2

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

BAKING

Will make a batch of these heavenly blueberry breakfast cookies later today.

COOKING

I’ve perfected my tuna salad sandwich recipe and here it is. Canned tuna mixed with sliced pickles, chopped red onion, dijon, a drop mayo, pickle juice, grated garlic, salt & pepper on a bun that’s been toasted in garlic butter then broiled with cheddar on top. IT IS EVERYTHING.

CRAVING

Why will I always love Lay’s? Two reasons. 1) Their original chips taste the best at parties. 2) The fact that each summer they put out seasonal flavours. Will a cuban sandwich flavour taste incredible? Does it even matter? It’s the EFFORT of creating something new. I’m a woman who will appreciate effort until the day I die.

DRINKING

Snow cones for life.

EATING

Finally went to Golden Diner and fully recommend. I am not a pancake person (because they’re so boring?) but these were other-worldly. Better than Clinton St. Baking Company.

EXPERIENCING

A grimy, Queens carnival! And can I just tell you, the Superman ride truly scared the living hell out of me. I didn’t think I could still feel that way from rides, so that was alarming (but in a fun way?).

LISTENING

The Jiminy Glick Bill Maher interview and it’s so good.

LOVING

The happy hour at Hotel on Rivington on the Lower East Side. $10 martinis in Manhattan? Get the hell out of here.

SHOPPING

Is it sad that I’m over the moon about the Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Cleaner I got for the grout in my washroom? If your answer is yes, then I suggest you look inward because holy mother of god, this is a dream cleaner. How have I only discovered it NOW?

WATCHING

Reruns of Living Single on HBO. Now this is a reboot that would heal the world.

WEARING

Technically you don’t wear face wash, so yes I’m reaching here but stay with me. I finally started to use my Dennis Gross all-in-one face wash and I will forever be loyal to that man. A perfect face wash.

Last week’s Summer Saturdays Vol. 1 can be found over here and I’m keeping a summer highlights section over here.

June 22, 2024

Summer Saturdays Vol. 1

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

Summer Saturdays have returned! Off we go.

BAKING

I made the Magnolia banana pudding (a forever favourite summer dessert of mine), which is ridiculously easy to make.

COOKING

Steak salad for days.

CRAVING

Dying to try the chicken caesar sandwich from L’Industrie.

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A post shared by L'industrie Pizzeria ™️ (@lindustriebk)

DRINKING

Excessive amounts of hazelnut iced coffee.

EATING

The cubano sandwich at La Cubana in Toronto might be the best one I’ve ever had.

EXPERIENCING

Spaghetti salad and fruit pizza. My dear friend Richard made them for me and they were both too good for words.

LISTENING

Started making my summer playlist.

LOVING

I finally learned how to cook perfect bacon.

SHOPPING

I’ve always loved having seasonal return address labels for the holidays (it must be intimidating knowing someone this cool, I know), but this is the first year I ordered some summer labels and they’re gorgeous.

WATCHING

Since there’s no new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty this year, I’ve just started rewatching the last season and man it’s such a perfect summer show. Once you get past the slight corniness, it’s really enjoyable.

WEARING

Yes it’s the most basic thing possible, but I should probably buy a few more of these Target white shirts since it’s all I wear lately. Why did it take me decades to start wearing white?

I also started a summer highlight reel on Instagram that I’ll add to each day.

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.

September 2, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 10

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

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.

LOVING

I can’t stop making reels.

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A post shared by Liz Heather (@lizheather)

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 and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 26, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 9

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

EATING

The freshest/squeakiest cheese curds I’ve ever had from Gunn’s Hill.

DRINKING

Pina coladas in pineapples, only way to serve them.

COOKING

More homemade pizza, I can’t stop.

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.

Che being like “Why does not one understand me?” Every time they get called out for being a self-absorbed asshole (not because of their identity or how they present) is so manipulative, and they need to get called out on it. #AndJustLikeThat
— Dimitrius Jones (@iDimitriusJones) August 17, 2023

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!

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?

SHOPPING

I bought a black denim skirt with buttons so I can finally achieve this perfect Cher look (below).

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 and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.

August 19, 2023

Summer Saturdays Vol. 8

by Liz Heather in Summer Saturdays

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.)

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 and you can see my summer highlights on Instagram over here.